CA2418606A1 - Adjustable tailgate - Google Patents

Abstract

In a standard pickup truck a replacement multi-purpose adjustable tailgate is provided. The width of the tailgate can be varied. The tailgate of the invention is adapted to fit-on the standard fittings at the rear end of normal-sized boxes of Dodge, Ford and GMC pickup trucks. The gate is comprised of two panels which can open independently within a tailgate frame. The tailgate is capable of functioning as an ordinary tailgate, i.e.
being pivotally mounted to the rear of the opening of the truck box, moving from an open horizontal position, to a vertical closed position. Two tailgate panels can be opened to the inside or outside, together or independently, to permit access to the truck box. Finally, the tailgate panels are equipped with a wire mesh covering to lower wind resistance of the vehicle when travelling.

Claims (4)

1. An adjustable combination tailgate adapted to be mounted on standard tailgate fittings of a pickup truck box comprising:
a three-sided rectangular outer frame;
said outer frame adapted for pivotal movement about said standard fittings at its lowermost outer ends, from a vertical locked position to a horizontal extended open position, the lowermost main frame being comprised of a left side and a separate right side and adapted to move inwardly and outwardly within a horizontal sleeve in order to connect to hinges of various width truck boxes;
said tailgate further comprising a pair of substantially rectangular gate panels pivotally mounted within said outer frame for movement independent of one another;
said gate panels being equipped with locking means to releasably lock said panels into said outer frame and said sleeve in an aligned position transverse to the longitudinal axis of said truck box;
wherein, in operation, when said outer frame is in the vertical locked position, access to said truck box can be gained by opening one or both of said gate panels inwardly or outwardly;
said gate panels being adapted to open inwardly 90°
within said box parallel to the sides of said box or, outwardly 90°, extending rearwardly of said box;

and when said gate panels are in the aligned locked position, and said outer frame is moved to the horizontal extended open position., conventional access to said truck box is permitted.

2. A tailgate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gate panels comprise a substantially rectangular frame covered with a rigid mesh, such that in travel operation, when said outer frame is in the vertical locked position, and said gate panels are in the aligned locked position, air within said truck box can pass freely through said tailgate, thereby reducing wind resistance on the pickup truck.

3. A tailgate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sleeve includes at its centre portion a pair of upstanding elongated projections comprising a channel;
said channel adapted to engage two downwardly extending spring loaded rods;
each of said rods being attached to a handle mounted on said gate panels;
whereby, when in operation, when said handles are raised, said rods disengage said channel and said gate panels are free to pivot inwardly or outwardly;
and when said handles are released, said gate panels can be locked in said aligned closed position.

4. A tailgate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outer frame includes at its upper outer side edges a pair of U-shaped brackets, fixedly mounted to said outer frame;
said brackets being adapted, when said outer frame is in the vertical closed position, to rest above and below and forwardly of a standard tailgate fitting, said fitting comprising a horizontal inwardly extending locking projection;
said U-shaped projections further adapted to engage a locking pin;
whereby when said outer frame is in the vertical position and said locking pin is inserted within said U-shaped brackets, forwardly of said horizontal projection, said tailgate is in a locked vertical position.