Patent ID: 6116378
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A universal, compact, truck tailgate ladder with support arms, said tailgate ladder comprising:a folding ladder with upper leg members and lower leg members, and a series of parallel steps connecting said upper leg members and said lower leg members;a tailgate plate, of a linearly elongated, rectangular configuration, said tailgate plate designed to be secured to a interior surface of a tailgate, said tailgate plate having tailgate plate holes;a first folding means located on the top of said upper leg members and a second folding means between said upper leg members and said lower leg members, said first folding means designed to connect said upper leg members to said tailgate plate;fastening means, said fastening means placed through said tailgate holes to attach said truck tailgate ladder to the interior surface of a pick up truck tailgate;tailgate securement means, said tailgate securement means used to releasably secure said upper leg members and lower leg members, once in the folded position, to said truck tailgate;at least one support arm assembly, said at least one support arm assembly connected to the exterior surface of at least one upper leg member at a point above said second folding means, and used as a rail for a hand to balance an operator during use of the tailgate ladder; andat least one spring loaded protrusion assembly, located on the at least one upper leg member, said spring loaded protrusion assembly designed to facilitate adjustment of said support arm assembly relative to said at least one upper leg member;wherein, said support arm assembly further comprising:a support arm plate, of a generally circular configuration, said support arm plate pivotally secured to the exterior surface of the at least one upper leg member;a pivoting means, said pivoting means used to connect said support arm plate to said at least one upper leg member, while permitting rotation of said support arm plate in an arc of 180 degrees;a series of adjustment holes, located along the edge of the flat face of said support arm plate, and running through said support arm plate, said adjustment holes designed for use with said spring loaded protrusion assembly to selectively adjust the desired direction in which said support arm plate is positioned relative to the exterior surface of said upper leg member, said spring loaded protrusion assembly is designed to slidably engage said adjustment holes; a support arm body, of a generally linear elongated, telescoping configuration, said support arm body attached to the exterior circumferential surface of said support arm plate body, said telescoping achieved via a telescoping means; anda handle portion, said handle portion being attached to an end of said support arm body, opposite said support arm plate, said handle portion designed to be grabbed by the hand of the user to facilitate stability during use of the tailgate ladder.