Grab handle for use with supplemental tailgate on pick-up trucks

[0001] This invention relates to the utilization of a supplemental tailgate assembly housed with the tailgate of a pick-up truck and, more particularly, to a grab handle device to facilitate the use of the supplemental tailgate assembly as a step to gain access to the cargo area of the pick-up truck bed.

[0002] Conventionally, pickup trucks include a tailgate at the back of a bed that closes off a cargo box. Often times, the truck bed is not long enough to hold the cargo, so truck bed extenders have been developed. The truck bed extenders work in conjunction with the open tailgate in order to provide additional length to the bed. Some of the bed extenders mount to the outside of the tailgate or to the box itself, which may be convenient for deployment, but they tend to interfere with cargo space in the box since the bed extender, when not in use, protrudes into the box. Moreover, it is typical for the vehicle operator to employ the extender only occasionally, so it is generally undesirable to have the extender exposed at all times, which detracts from the attractiveness of the vehicle.

[0003] Additionally, it is sometimes desirable to have an extender that can provide other functions in addition to a bed extender, such as a box extender function—an upwardly extending structure from the rearmost edge of an open tailgate that mimics the function of a closed tailgate. Such arrangements are particularly useful for carrying a load that is longer than the bed, but needs rearward support, such as provided by a closed tailgate, in order to prevent the load from falling rearwardly off the pick-up truck. Again, though, typical box extenders that provide adequate functionality are externally mounted and not only detract from the vehicle appearance when not in use but also require changes to the box for mounting such extenders. Also, most of these types of extenders are very cumbersome to deploy and later stow away, thus being undesirable for the operator to use. Such functions may be provided with simple ergonomic operation of the assembly, while still allowing for an attractive appearance for the vehicle when the extender is stowed during periods of non-use. Thus, while the exterior mounted extenders may be able to perform multiple functions, they still suffer from the drawbacks of an unattractive appearance and taking up room in the bed even when not in use.

[0004] Positioning the extended supplemental tailgate structure generally perpendicularly to the plane of the main tailgate structure, while the main tailgate structure is moved to an open position such that the plane of the tailgate structure is substantially parallel to the bed of the pickup truck, places the extended supplemental tailgate structure in an orientation that is substantially parallel to the main tailgate structure when the main tailgate structure is in a normal closed position. In such an extended position, the supplemental tailgate can provide a restriction to the rearward movement of objects located on the bed of the pickup truck. Furthermore, such an extended position of the supplemental tailgate can provide support for objects placed on top of the supplemental tailgate.

[0005] Positioning the extended supplemental tailgate structure such that the supplemental tailgate structure hangs below the plane of the main tailgate structure permits the cross member of the supplemental tailgate to be utilized as a step. In fact, U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,624, granted on Jul. 19, 2005, from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/969,413, filed on Oct. 20, 2004, teaches that the cross member of the supplemental tailgate assembly can incorporate a flip-out step that enlarges the surface of the underside of the cross member of the supplemental tailgate structure to enhance the use thereof as a step. Such utilization of the supplemental tailgate assembly assists the operator in gaining physical access to the cargo area of the pick-up truck, which is particularly helpful whenever the bed of the pick-up truck to positioned substantially above the ground surface.

[0006] In some instances, it would be helpful for the person utilizing the step function of the supplemental tailgate assembly to have an extraneous structure to grasp for purposes of stability while climbing onto the step and then unto the top surface of the opened tailgate. Alternatively, it would also be helpful in some circumstances for the person utilizing the step function of the supplemental tailgate to have some extraneous structure for stability purposes while descending from the main tailgate structure via the supplemental tailgate assembly onto the ground.

[0007] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a stabilizing support structure positioned for utilization while the supplemental tailgate assembly is positioned as a step, while being positionable in a storage configuration that would not interfere with the conventional operation of the cargo bed, or the operation of the supplemental tailgate assembly in functions other than as a step.

[0008] It is an object of this invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the known prior art by providing a grab handle device stowable within the main tailgate structure to be deployed as needed when the supplemental tailgate assembly is being utilized as a step for accessing the cargo bed of the pick-up truck.

[0009] It is a feature of this invention that the grab handle device can be stored into the surface of the main tailgate structure to permit the full length of the cargo bed and lowered tailgate to be utilized.

[0010] It is another feature of this invention that the grab handle apparatus is pivotally mounted to permit convenient deployment thereof when needed.

[0011] It is an advantage of this invention that the grab handle device can be stowed within a mating cavity formed into the top surface of the lowered main tailgate structure.

[0012] It is another feature of this invention that the grab handle device can be extended a substantial height above the top surface of the lowered main tailgate structure.

[0013] It is another advantage of this invention that the substantial height of the grab handle device above the top surface of the lowered main tailgate structure allows the grab handle to be utilized effectively while standing on the main tailgate structure.

[0014] It is another object of this invention to provide an extraneous structure that can be used to stabilize a person using the supplemental tailgate assembly as a step to gain physical access into the cargo bed of a pick-up truck.

[0015] It is a further object of this invention to provide a grab handle device operable in conjunction with a supplemental tailgate assembly that is durable in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, carefree of maintenance, facile in assemblage, and simple and effective in use.

[0016] These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplished according to the instant invention by providing a pivotable grab handle device that is movable between a stowed position, which is positioned within a mating cavity formed in the main tailgate structure, and a deployed position that projects upwardly above the top surface of a lowered main tailgate structure. The grab handle device is mounted on a retainer bracket that is affixed to a pivot bracket mounted to the top surface of the lowered main tailgate structure. When pivotally raised into the deployed position, the grab handle allows a person using a supplemental tailgate assembly configured into a step function extending below the plane of the lowered main tailgate structure to be stabilized while climbing onto the cross member of the supplemental tailgate assembly and onto the top surface of the lowered main tailgate structure.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1–3, a pick-up truck cargo bed is provided with a main tailgate structure incorporating the principles of the instant invention. Any left and right references are used as a matter of convenience and are determined by standing at the rear of the cargo bed where the tailgate is pivotally mounted and facing the cargo bed, the normal direction of travel of the pick-up truck.

[0026] The pick-up truck 10 is conventionally manufactured with a cargo bed 12 forming the rearward portion of the vehicle 10. The cargo bed 12 includes generally vertical, upright side walls 13 having a floor member 14 extending generally horizontally therebetween. The tailgate 15 extends transversely above the floor 14 between the side walls 13 at the rearwardmost portion of the cargo bed 12. The tailgate 15 is pivotally mounted to the floor 14 and is movable between an upright closed position that is oriented perpendicularly to the floor 14 and a lowered open position that forms an extension of the floor 14 rearwardly of the side walls 13, as is shown in the drawings.

[0027] A supplemental tailgate assembly 20 of the type shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/969,413, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,624, on Jul. 19, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such a supplemental tailgate assembly 20 can be stored within the interior of the tailgate 15 until deployed with the tailgate 15 lowered into the open position and the supplemental tailgate assembly 20 oriented generally vertically to serve as a substitute tailgate while the top surface of the lowered tailgate 15 serves as an extension of the cargo bed 12. As is depicted in phantom in FIG. 2, the supplemental tailgate assembly 20 is also pivotally movable into a lowered position such that the cross member 22 is lower than the main tailgate structure. As is disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/969,413, the cross member 25 can also incorporate a flip-out step member (not shown) that enhances the use of the cross member 25 as a step.

[0028] With the supplemental tailgate 20 positioned below the main tailgate structure 15 to perform the step function of the supplemental tailgate 20, a user of the assembly 20 can step upon the cross member 25, and any extended step member (not shown) if provided, and be assisted in making the next step on onto the top surface 16 of the lowered tailgate 15, thereby providing physical access to the cargo bed 12 and anything stored thereon.

[0029] Climbing onto the cargo bed 12, can be facilitated by the use of a grab handle assembly 30 by which the person climbing onto the cross member 25 of the lowered supplemental tailgate assembly 20 can be stabilized while ascending the supplemental tailgate 20 and the top surface 16 of the lowered tailgate 15. Preferably, the grab handle assembly 30 will be capable of being deployed to assist a person descending from the main tailgate 15 to the surface of the ground through the use of the supplemental tailgate assembly 20.

[0030] The grab handle assembly 30 includes an elongated handle member 32 that is oriented transversely across the top surface 16 of the tailgate 15. The handle member 32 is positionable in a lowered stowed position, best seen in FIG. 4, received within a cradle 27 formed as part of a cover panel 28 into a mating shape with respect to the handle member 32. When the handle member 32 is placed in the stowed position in the cradle 27, the handle member 32 is recessed into the top surface 16 of the main tailgate structure 15 so as to not interfere with the normal operation of the cargo bed 12.

[0031] The handle member 32 is preferably formed with a bight portion 33 from which a pair of elongated legs 34 extends. The legs 34 are received within a retainer bracket 40 that is formed with a pair of sleeves 42 into which the legs 34 fit. The retainer bracket 40 is also formed with a support tongue 43 that extends from between the sleeves 42 into engagement with a first transverse brace 36 that interconnects the two legs 34 to provide strength and stability to the grab handle member 32. The tongue 43, as is best seen in FIG. 7, is formed with a lip 44 that wraps around the edge of the brace 36 to provide enhanced engagement therebetween. A distal second transverse brace 37 positioned near the bight portion 33 adds further strength and stability to the grab handle member 32. A grip member 38, best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, can be mounted on the second transverse brace 37 to facilitate grasping of the brace 37 and handle member 32 by a person using the step function of the supplemental tailgate assembly 20.

[0032] The retainer bracket 40 is pivotally connected to a pivot bracket 45 that is clamped to the cover panel 28 by a clamping bracket 46 positioned below the cover panel 28. Preferably, the clamping bracket 46 is formed with upright supports 47, best seen in FIG. 7, that extend through appropriate openings in the cover panel 28 for engagement with the pivot bracket 45 and secured thereto by suitable fasteners (not shown). The pivot bracket 45 pivotally supports the retainer bracket 40 to permit movement thereof between the horizontal stowed position depicted in FIG. 4 and the vertical deployed position depicted in FIG. 5. Preferably the retainer bracket 40 is formed of molded plastic and can be snap fit into engagement with the pivot bracket 45. The clamping bracket 46 is preferably mounted to an anchoring bracket 49 that is affixed to the main tailgate structure 15 internally thereof in a position that would not interfere with the deployment of the supplemental tailgate assembly 20. The pivot bracket 45 is formed to provide interference with the retainer bracket 40 when the retainer bracket 40 reaches the vertical deployed position so that the retainer bracket 40 cannot pivot more than the requisite approximately 90 degrees to move the retainer bracket 40 from the horizontal stowed position to the vertical deployed position.

[0033] In operation, an operator would extend the supplemental tailgate assembly 20, as is depicted in FIG. 2, from the lowered main tailgate structure 15 and pivot the supplemental tailgate assembly 20 downwardly to the position depicted in FIG. 3 to provide the step function of the cross member 25, as is described in detail in the aforementioned U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/969,413. The grab handle member 32 would then be freed from a latching device (not shown), which serves to retain the grab handle assembly 30 in the stowed position whether the main tailgate structure 15 is raised in the closed position or lowered into the open position, and pivoted into the deployed position depicted in FIG. 5. The operator can then grasp the handle member 32, such as at the second transverse brace 37 or the bight portion 33, and use the grab handle to stabilize his body as he steps onto the cross member 25, which may have deployed a flip-out step member 26, best seen in FIG. 3. The grab handle 32 extends a sufficient height above the top surface 16 of the main tailgate 15 so that the handle 32 can provide continued stabilizing support as the operator continues his ascension onto the top surface 16 of the main tailgate 15.

[0034] Since the grab handle 32 extends substantially far above the top surface 16 of the main tailgate 15, the grab handle assembly 30 can provide stabilization for an operator descending from the main tailgate 15 onto the lowered cross member 25 of the supplemental tailgate assembly 20, and for the operator to continue his descending from the cross member 25 onto the ground. The grab handle 32 is easily deployed and returned to the stowed position and is positioned for convenient use by an operator utilizing the step function of the lowered supplemental tailgate assembly 20.

[0035] The cover panel 28 is connected to the main tailgate structure 15 by removable fasteners (not shown) to permit the disconnection of the pivot bracket 45 from the clamping bracket 46 and then completely remove the grab handle assembly 30. Furthermore, the cover panel 28 provides an access opening when removed from the main tailgate structure 15 to reach the supplemental tailgate assembly 20 while retracted internally of the main tailgate structure 15.

[0036] One skilled in the art will recognize that changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.