Apparatus and method for accessing and extending a truck bed

[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/379,040 filed Mar. 5, 2003 and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,639.

[0002] This invention relates to an apparatus and method for use on pick up trucks and the like as original equipment or to be retrofitted for use on existing trucks for accessing and for extending the truck bed and to secure various objects, i.e., pipe, lumber, ladders, gas cans, etc., as well as for supporting the feet and lower legs of the user for comfort in sitting on a tailgate.

[0003] Many efforts have been made to solve the problem of providing convenient access to the bed of pick up trucks and the like. The following United States Patents are illustrative of the prior art: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,435,588, 6,422,630, 6,367,858, 6,193,294, 5,658,033. The various constructions illustrated in the patents are relatively expensive and complicated. None provide a simple practical solution to the problem of accessing a tailgate and for sitting thereon as for tailgate parties in such a way as to add to the comfort and well being of the user. Furthermore, none of the prior art patents show the use of a frame like device which serves to extend the bed of the truck and provide ready access to the tailgate by the user.

[0004] Various prior art constructions involve downwardly extending framework extending across the tailgate serving as a step for accessing the truck bed as well as to effectively extend truck bed for increased capacity and usefulness.

[0005] Additional prior art includes a U-shaped tubular frame extending downwardly and slightly rearwardly providing a foldable transverse step above the ground and carried at free ends to one side of the tailgate. These folding tailgate steps are sold under the trademark Bed-Hopper by J C Whitney of J C Whitney Way LaSalle, Ill. 61301.

[0006] Accordingly it is an important object of this invention to provide a pivoted frame attached to a vehicle such as a pick up truck for downward pivotal movement against a stop member positioning a step rearwardly above the ground pivotally carried by free ends of frame members at each side of the bed of the truck for accessing the bed of the pick up truck.

[0007] An important object of this invention is to provide a simplified method for accessing the bed of a pickup truck to ascend and descend while positioning the feet of a user seated on a tailgate without leaving the legs of the user in a dangling position.

[0008] An important object of this invention is to provide an extended bed pickup truck with simplified frame construction which may be lowered to a rear inclined position above the ground to provide a step for accessing the vehicle while enlarging the capacity of the bed of a pickup truck.

[0009] A method and apparatus that is inexpensive and of simple construction is operable to provide a convenient device for accessing a pickup flat bed and for extending the bed includes a pivotal frame connected between upright end frame members on opposite sides of the tailgate. The frame is pivoted at lower ends for downward movement to a position for receiving the foot of the user for stepping onto the bed while accessing and serving as an apparatus useful for extending and accommodating contents on a flatbed. The upright end frame members serve as handles to aid the user in sitting upon a tailgate comfortably with the feet and lower legs extending rearwardly at an angle of about 60° to the horizontal.

[0024] The drawings illustrate an apparatus and method for accessing and extending a truck bed 12 having a tailgate 11 wherein a pair of opposed end frame members A are carried adjacent respective opposite sides of the tailgate 11. A transverse member B is constructed of a substantially U-shaped tubular frame member wherein the legs C of the U-shaped member act as end members for the transverse member B and are pivotally carried adjacent free ends between the end frame members A adjacent a rear edge of the tailgate 11. A releasable fastening member D fixes the transverse member B in upright position on the tailgate 11. A stop member E limits downward pivotal movement of the transverse member B when the fastening member D is released for downward pivotal movement to an angular depending position extending rearwardly above the ground by an amount generally corresponding to a stair riser to receive a foot of the user when ascending onto the tailgate 11.

[0025] Thus, the end frame members A serve as load retaining members and as handles to aid in accessing the truck 10. The transverse member B when in a upright position serves as a load retaining member and when in a depending position as a foot receiving member to aid in accessing the truck bed 12 and for supporting the feet and lower legs of the user for comfort in a seated position on the tailgate 11 of the truck 10.

[0026] The drawings illustrate a pick up truck broadly designated at 10 having a tailgate 11 hinged to the bed 12 of the pick up 10. A folding hinge 13 supports the tailgate 11 in a lowered horizontal position. The pick up truck 10 has wheel wells 14 carried between respective sides 15 of the pick up truck 10. Opposed end frame members A are constructed of U-shaped tubular members that carry a base member 17 adjacent to lower free ends. The free ends of the end frame members A are secured as by brackets 18 mounted on side frame members 19 fastened as by screws 20 to the sides of the tailgate 11.

[0027] The transverse member B extends substantially from one side to the other across the tailgate 11 and is also illustrated as being of tubular construction. A center support of tubular construction is illustrated at 21 whereas a support member 22 is transversely carried between a lower portion of the legs C. The legs C are pivotally mounted adjacent to spaced brackets as at 23. A releasable fastening member D is illustrated in the form of sleeve having a bore 24 extending from one end to the other to accommodate a pin 25 illustrated in FIG. 5 that is provided with a head on one end and cotter pin 26 for retention within the transverse bore 24 and within a complimentary member on the legs C.

[0028] A stop member E attaches to the bracket 18 and may be of an angular configuration extending inwardly of each side along the rear edge of the tailgate 11.

[0029] The end frame members A also serve as load retaining members and are especially useful as handles to aid a user when accessing the bed 12 of the pick up truck 10. The transverse member B, when in an upright position as illustrated in FIG. 5, serves as confinement members to extend the bed 12 of the truck 10 and to retain articles in position for transport upon the bed 12.

[0030] When in a depending position, the transverse member B serves as an aid in accessing a truck as illustrated in FIG. 10 and for supporting the foot and lower legs of a user for comfortable seating on the tailgate 11 of the truck 10. It has been found the that a suitable angle for maximum comfort by many adults is approximately 60° more or less with the horizontal angle being dictated by comfort of the user. FIG. 11 illustrates a user placing a foot on the transverse member B while utilizing the handles for coming to a seated position as shown in FIG. 12 or as an aid in exiting from the tailgate 11. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a mode of using the transverse member B as a bed extension for carrying elongated members including pipe sections and the like.

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates the use of a transverse member B for portioning articles within the pickup truck 10 as illustrated by the gas cans shown in FIG. 9.

[0032] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made to achieve additional uses as well as to utilize various construction material and configurations without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.