Patent ID: 6957840
Filing Date: 2005-10-25
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. An extendable tailgate system comprising: a pickup bed having an outer edge, a pair of side walls being attached to said pickup bed; a tailgate housing having a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall, said front and back walls having a length generally equal to a length of said outer edge, said back wall having an elongated opening therein generally extending from said first lateral wall to said second lateral wall, each of said first and second lateral walls being hingedly coupled to one of said side walls such that said front wall is positioned adjacent to said bed and extends along said outer edge, said housing being selectively positionable in a horizontal position extending away from said pickup bed or in a vertical position extending upwardly from said pickup bed; a panel being positioned within said housing, said panel being selectively positioned in an extended orientation extending outwardly of said opening or in a stored orientation positioned substantially within said housing; and a locking assembly adapted for releasably securing said panel in said stored orientation.