Abstract:
A slidable tailgate for a vehicle having a cab wall, a first wall, a second wall and a bed is disclosed. The slidable tailgate has four pins adapted for extension beyond said tailgate and for retraction within said tailgate by a plurality of handles. Two sets of rails, each of said set having a continuous groove for receiving the extended pins of the slidable tailgate are either built into the first wall and second wall or are attached to the first wall and second wall. The slidable tailgate may operate as a conventional tailgate or it may be moved to a storage position parallel to the cab wall by retraction and engagement of the pins and slidable movement along the rails.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a tailgate of a pickup truck that can be moved from the rear of the truck bed to the front of the truck bed using a set of rails. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Owners of trucks having open beds behind the cab of the truck often take off the tailgate to avoid the drag which the tailgate creates in highway travel. Truck owners who remove the tailgate notice an increase in gas mileage due to the lessening in drag. After removing the tailgate, some owners replace the metal tailgate with a cargo net that allows air to pass through but serves to keep items inside the bed of the truck. However, certain loads may require the stronger and more durable conventional tailgate. A problem arises if the dismounted tailgate is needed and the truck owner is at an inconvenient distance from where the dismounted tailgate has been stored. Therefore, a need exists for a way to remove a tailgate from its vertical position in the rear of the truck to a convenient stowage position in the truck. 
     The prior art discloses a variety of inventions for changing the position of the tailgate of a truck. U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,637 (the &#39;637 patent) discloses a motor driven chain and sprocket device for moving the tailgate from a vertical position in the rear of the truck bed to a horizontal position, or to a slanted spoiler position. In addition, the &#39;637 patent discloses a horizontal shaft extending through the tailgate that extend into a groove in an inside overlap lip in a side of the truck bed. A pair of disks on each end of the horizontal shafts form a spool for rolling along each of the grooves. U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,265 (the &#39;265 patent) discloses a tailgate which can be moved from a normal closed position to either a normal open position, or to an elevated horizontal storage. In the &#39;265 patent the tailgate can be repositioned by pins that can be retracted by operating handles on the tailgate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The tail gate which meets the needs identified above is a slidable tailgate for a vehicle having a cab wall, a first wall, a second wall and a bed. The slidable tailgate has four pins adapted for extension beyond said tailgate and for retraction within said tailgate by a plurality of handles. Two sets of rails, each of said set having a continuous groove for receiving the extended pins of the slidable tailgate are either built into the first wall and second wall or are attached to the first wall and second wall. The slidable tailgate may operate as a conventional tailgate or it may be moved to a storage position parallel to the cab wall by retraction and engagement of the pins and slidable movement along the rails. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers represent like parts of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts the tailgate installed on a truck; 
     FIG. 2 depicts the tailgate opened for loading; 
     FIG. 3 depicts the tailgate; 
     FIG. 4 depicts a cross section along cut line  4 — 4  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 a side view of the tailgate; 
     FIG. 6 depicts the tailgate positioned for movement toward the cab of the truck; 
     FIG. 7 depicts the tailgate positioned for storage parallel to the cab of the truck; 
     FIG. 8 depicts the tailgate with a storage container in the truck; 
     FIG. 9 depicts the tailgate positioned for movement toward the cab of the truck; 
     FIG. 10 depicts the tailgate positioned to negotiate the storage container; 
     FIG. 11 depicts the tailgate negotiating the storage container; 
     FIG. 12 depicts the tailgate positioned for storage between the cab of the truck and the storage container; 
     FIG. 13 depicts a rail system for a tailgate attached to the storage container; 
     FIG. 14 depicts the tailgate positioned for movement toward the cab wall; 
     FIG. 15 depicts the tailgate positioned to negotiate the storage container using rails affixed to the storage container; 
     FIG. 16 depicts the tailgate traversing the storage container using rails affixed to the storage container; and 
     FIG. 17 depicts the tailgate positioned for movement between the cab wall and the storage container. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In FIG. 1, truck  50  has cab wall  52 , first wall  56 , second wall  58 , bed  54 , a system  100  and tailgate  200 . Rail system  100  has first horizontal rail  110 , second horizontal rail  120 , first front vertical rail  112  fixedly engaged to first horizontal rail  110 , second front vertical rail  122  (mirrors first front vertical rail  112 ) fixedly engaged to second horizontal rail  120 , first rear vertical rail  114  (see FIG. 2) and second rear vertical rail  124  (mirrors first rear vertical rail  114 ). Rail system  100  may be built into first wall  56  and second wall  58  of truck  50 . Alternatively, rail system  100  may be retrofitted into truck  50  by welding. First pads  101  are installed on bed  54  so that they are adjacent to cab wall  52 . First pads  101  may be made from rubber or other suitable resilient shock absorbing material to provide a rest for tailgate  200  when it is moved to a storage position parallel to cab wall  52 . Second pads  103  are installed on cab wall  52  so that when tailgate  200  is stored parallel to cab wall  52  tailgate  200  will not rattle due to the vibration of the vehicle. In an alternate embodiment, rail system  100  may have only first horizontal rail  110  and second horizontal rail  120 . 
     FIG. 2 depicts tailgate  200  opened in the manner of a conventional tailgate. First rear vertical rail  114  can be seen when tailgate  200  is opened. First rear vertical rail  114  may be the same as first front vertical rail  112  shown in FIG. 1 whereby it is fixedly engaged to first horizontal rail  110 . In the same manner, second rear vertical rail  124  mirrors first rear vertical rail  114  and is fixedly engaged to second horizontal rail  120 . Right cable  214  has right cable first end  213  removably affixed to first wall  56  and right cable second end  215  removably affixed to front face  210  of tailgate  200 . Left cable  216  has left cable first end  218  (behind second wall  58 ) removably affixed to second wall  58  and left cable second end  217  removably affixed to front face  210  of tailgate  200 . Tailgate  200  is rotatably affixed to first rear vertical rail  114  by second pin  292  (See FIG. 3) and is rotatably affixed to second rear vertical rail  124  by third pin  294  (See FIG.  3 ). Third pin aperture  295  is visible on tailgate  200 . In the alternate embodiment in which rail system  100  has only first horizontal rail  110  and second horizontal rail  120 , tailgate  200  is rotatably engaged to first wall  56  and second wall  58  by removable and rotatable engagement of second pin  292  and third pin  294  with a first set of holes (not shown) for receiving second pin  292  and third pin  294  and affixed in the upright position by removable engagement of first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  with a second set of holes (not shown) in first wall  56  and second wall  58 . 
     FIG. 3 depicts tailgate  200  having first side  202 , second side  204 , first end  206 , second end  208 , front face  210  and rear face  212  which together form the exterior of tailgate  200  and define interior cavity  211 . Tailgate  200  further has first pin  290 , second pin  292 , third pin  294  and fourth pin  296 , each of which can extend outside of tailgate  200  and be withdrawn inside tailgate  200 . First side  202  has first pin aperture  291 , through which first pin  290  may extend or retract, and second pin aperture  293  through which second pin  292  may extend or retract. 
     First pin  290  may be caused to extend or retract in first pin aperture  291  by turning first handle  224  fixedly engaged to first casing  222  for rotatable engagement in tailgate  200 . First handle  224  is accessed through first handle aperture  220  in tailgate  200 . First pin  290  may also be extended by pushing in or retracted by pulling out on first dual handle  272  seated within first dual handle aperture  270  or by pushing in or pulling out on third dual handle  276  (see FIG. 5) in tailgate  200 . Second pin  292  may be caused to extend or retract by turning second handle  234  fixedly engaged to second casing  232  for rotatable engagement in tailgate  200 . Second handle  234  is accessed through second handle aperture  230  in tailgate  200 . Second pin  292  may also be extended by pushing in or retracted by pulling out on second dual handle  262  seated within second dual handle aperture  260  or by pushing in or pulling out on fourth dual handle  266  (see FIG. 5) of tailgate  200 . Third pin  294  may be caused to extend or retract through third pin aperture  295  by turning third handle  244  fixedly engaged to third casing  242  for rotatable engagement in tailgate  200 . Third handle  244  is accessed through third handle aperture  240  in tailgate  200 . Third pin  294  may also be extended by pushing in or retracted by pulling out on second dual handle  262  seated within second dual handle aperture  260  or by pushing in or pulling out on third dual handle  276  (see FIG. 5) in tailgate  200 . Fourth pin  296  may be caused to extend or retract through fourth pin aperture  297  by turning fourth handle  254  fixedly engaged to fourth casing  252  for rotatable engagement in tailgate  200 . Fourth handle  254  is accessed through fourth handle aperture  250  in tailgate  200 . Fourth pin  296  may also be extended by pushing in or retracted by pulling out on first dual handle  272  seated within first dual handle aperture  270  or by pushing in or pulling out on third dual handle  276  (see FIG. 5) in tailgate  200 . First connecting rod  203  links first dual handle  272  and third dual handle  276  (See FIG. 5) to first pin  290 . Second connecting rod  205  links second dual handle  262  and fourth dual handle  266  (See FIG. 5) to second pin  292 . Third connecting rod  207  links second dual handle  262  and fourth dual handle  266  to third pin  294 . Fourth connecting rod  219  links first dual handle  272  and third dual handle  276  (See FIG. 5) to fourth pin  296 . 
     FIG. 4 depicts a cross sectional view of first horizontal rail  110  along cut line  4 — 4  of FIG.  1 . All rail sections depicted herein have the same center groove for receiving the extended pins of tailgate  200 . Rail top  129  is fixedly engaged to rail first front  130  and to rail rear  126 . Rail bottom  127  is fixedly engaged to rail second front  128  and to rail rear  126 . First horizontal rail  110  has rail top surface  102 , rail rear surface  106 , rail bottom surface  104 , rail top front surface  109  and rail bottom front surface  108  which together define the exterior of first horizontal rail  110 . First horizontal rail  110  has rail inside top surface  142 , rail inside rear surface  146 , rail inside bottom surface  144 , rail first inside front surface  150  and rail second inside front surface  148  which together define the interior space of first horizontal rail  110 . The interior space of first horizontal rail  110  is accessed through the gap between rail first front  130  and rail second front  128 . The gap between rail first front  130  and rail second front  128  is large enough to allow free passage of first pin  290 , second pin  292 , third pin  294  or fourth pin  296 . Only first horizontal rail  110  is described in detail. All rail sections appear the same in cross section and differ only in length. All rail sections are joined together so that the grooves of each section join to form a continuous groove. For example, first horizontal rail  110  is joined to first front vertical rail  112  so that a continuous groove is formed between both sections. Likewise (referring to FIG.  2 ), a continuous groove is formed between first horizontal rail  110  and first rear vertical rail  114 . As used herein, the term groove shall refer to the opening in a rail section for receiving one or two pins of tailgate  200  depending on the position and maneuvering orientation of tailgate  200 . When two rail sections are joined, the rail sections are joined at approximate right angles so that the grooves of each rail section will also join at approximate right angles. Alternatively, the grooves in the rail sections may be joined so that the groove curves at the joint facilitating passage of the pins of tailgate  200 . The center of the rail sections may be filled with plastic so that the groove in which the pins travel is smooth and a low friction surface is presented to facilitate passage of the pins. In addition, the interior space of the rail sections may be filled with a top section having a plurality of rollers and a bottom section having a plurality of rollers for receiving slidable passage of the pins. Alternatively, the rail sections may be built into first wall  56  and second wall  58  so that rail top front surface  109  and rail bottom front surface  108  (or their corresponding parts for other rail sections) are in the same plane as the surface of first wall  56  and second wall  58  which face into the bed of the truck. 
     FIG. 5 depicts a view of tailgate  200  viewed from second side  204 . It can be seen that tailgate  200  is reversible and can operate even if switched from right to left or from top to bottom. 
     FIG. 6 shows the first stage in moving tailgate  200  from its position at the rear of truck  50  to a position parallel to cab rear wall. In order to describe the manner in which tailgate  200  is moved, reference is also made to FIGS. 3,  4  and  5 . Second pin  292  and third pin  294  are withdrawn by rotating second handle  234  and third handle  244  respectively. In the alternative, second pin  292  and third pin  294  may be withdrawn from first rear vertical rail  114  and second rear vertical rail  124  respectively by outward extension of second dual handle  262 . Tailgate  200  is rotated in direction A about first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  until front face  210  is parallel to the bed  54  of truck  50 . Tailgate  200  is then pushed forward so that first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  slide in the grooves of first horizontal rail  110  and second horizontal rail  120 . When second pin  292  (retracted) and third pin  294  (retracted) are next to the respective grooves of first horizontal rail  110  and second horizontal rail  120 , second pin  292  and third pin  294  are extended by rotation of second handle  234  and third handle  244  respectively, or alternatively by pushing second dual handle  262  back into tailgate  200 . With all four pins engaged in first horizontal rail  110  and second horizontal rail  120 , tailgate  200  may be pushed in direction B all the way forward to cab wall  52 . In the embodiment where rail system  100  has only first horizontal rail  110  and second horizontal rail  120 , tailgate  200  would be removed from the holes in first wall  56  and second wall  58  by retraction of all four pins, and first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  would be inserted into first horizontal rail  110  and second horizontal rail  120 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7, when tailgate  200  reaches a position near cab wall  52 , second pin  292  and third pin  294  are withdrawn to allow rotation of slidable tailgate  200  about first pin  290  and fourth pin  296 . Tailgate  200  is rotated in direction C until rear face  212  is parallel to the cab of the truck (or in other words, perpendicular to the bed of the truck) and then pushed downward in direction D. When pushed downward in direction D, first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  slide downward in the grooves of first front vertical rail  112  and second front vertical rail  122 . Second end  208  is now facing downward and will come to rest on first pads  101 . Second pin  292  and third pin  294  are then extended to secure tailgate  200  in its stowed position parallel to the cab of truck  50 . In the embodiment where rail system  100  has only first horizontal rail  110  and second horizontal rail  120 , when tailgate  200  reaches a position near cab wall  52 , second pin  292  and third pin  294  are withdrawn to allow rotation of slidable tailgate  200  about first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  so that first end  206  rotates downward about first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  until first end  206  contacts first pads  101  and rear face  212  contacts second pads  103  (see FIG.  1 ). 
     FIG. 8 depicts truck  50  with rails for tailgate  200  as described above, and with the addition of container  300 . Container  300  has bottom  310  and top  320 . Top  320  has front edge  324 , right edge  322  and left edge  326 . Right edge  322  of top  320  overlaps first horizontal rail  110  so that top  320  rests on first horizontal rail  110 . Left edge  326  of top  320  overlaps second horizontal rail  120  so that top  320  rests on second horizontal rail  120 . 
     FIG. 9 shows the first stage in moving tailgate  200  from its position at the rear of truck  50  to a storage position parallel to cab wall  52 . In order to describe the manner in which tailgate  200  is moved, reference is also made to FIGS. 3,  4  and  5 . Second pin  292  and third pin  294  are withdrawn by rotating second handle  234  and third handle  244  respectively. In the alternative, second pin  292  and third pin  294  may be withdrawn from first rear vertical rail  114  and second rear vertical rail  124  respectively by outward extension of second dual handle  262 . Tailgate  200  is rotated in direction E about first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  until front face  210  is parallel to the bed of truck  50 . Tailgate  200  is then pushed forward so that first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  slide in the grooves of first horizontal rail  110  and second horizontal rail  120 . When second pin  292  (retracted) and third pin  294  (retracted) are next to the respective grooves of first horizontal rail  110  and second horizontal rail  120 , second pin  292  and third pin  294  are extended by rotation of second handle  234  and third handle  244  respectively, or alternatively by pushing second dual handle  262  back into tailgate  200 . With all four pins engaged in first horizontal rail  110  and second horizontal rail  120 , tailgate  200  may be pushed in direction F. 
     Referring to FIG. 10, when tailgate  200  is in the proximity of front edge  324  of top  320  first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  are withdrawn so that second end  208  of tailgate  200  may be rotated in direction G and tailgate  200  pushed forward in direction H until second end  208  is over top  320 . 
     In FIG. 11, tailgate  200  is laying flat on top of top  320 . In order to get tailgate  200  onto top  320 , second pin  292  and third pin  294  are withdrawn so that first end  206  can be raised until parallel with top  320 , and tailgate  200  pushed onto top  320 . 
     In FIG. 12, first end  206  of tailgate  200  is rotated in direction I until rear face  212  is perpendicular to the bed of the truck. Tailgate  200  may then be lowered in direction J onto first pads  101 . Before lowering, first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  are extended into the groove of first front vertical rail  112  and second front vertical rail  122 . When second pin  292  and third pin  294  are next to the grooves of first front vertical rail  112  and second front vertical rail  122 , second pin  292  and third pin  294  are extended to lock tailgate  200  into position. 
     FIGS. 13 through 15 depict an alternate embodiment of the tailgate system in which rails are added to container  300 . Alternate rail system  400  has first rear vertical rail  114  (not shown), first rear horizontal rail  410 , first container vertical rail  412 , first container horizontal rail  414  and first front extended vertical rail  416 . Alternate rail system  400  also has second rear vertical rail  124 , second rear horizontal rail  420 , second container vertical rail  422 , second container horizontal rail  424 , and second front extended vertical rail  426 . 
     FIG. 14 shows the first stage in moving tailgate  200  from its position at the rear of truck  50  to a position parallel to cab wall  52 . In order to describe the manner in which tailgate  200  is moved, reference is also made to FIGS. 3,  4  and  5 . Second pin  292  and third pin  294  are withdrawn by rotating second handle  234  and third handle  244  respectively. In the alternative, second pin  292  and third pin  294  may be withdrawn from first rear vertical rail  114  and second rear vertical rail  124  respectively by outward extension of second dual handle  262 . Tailgate  200  is rotated in direction K about first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  until front face  210  is parallel to bed  54  of truck  50 . Tailgate  200  is then pushed forward in direction L so that first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  slide in the grooves of first rear horizontal rail  410  and second rear horizontal rail  420 . When second pin  292  (retracted) and third pin  294  (retracted) are next to the respective grooves of first rear horizontal rail  410  and second rear horizontal rail  420 , second pin  292  and third pin  294  are extended by rotation of second handle  234  and third handle  244  respectively, or alternatively by pushing second dual handle  262  back into tailgate  200 . With all four pins engaged in first rear horizontal rail  410  and second rear horizontal rail  420 , tailgate  200  may be pushed forward in direction L. 
     In FIG. 15, tailgate  200  is slid forward until first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  reach the end of the groove in first rear horizontal rail  410  and second rear horizontal rail  420 . Tailgate  200  is then rotated about first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  in direction M until front face  210  is facing cab wall  52  (see FIG.  1 ). Tailgate  200  is raised upward in direction N until first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  reach the end of the groove in first container vertical rail  412  and second container vertical rail  422  respectively. 
     Referring to FIG. 16, tailgate  200  is rotated in direction O about first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  until rear face  212  of tailgate  200  is lying flat on container  300  and facing upward. Second pin  292  and third pin  294  are extended into the groove of first container horizontal rail  414  and second container horizontal rail  424 . Tailgate  200  is pushed forward in direction P until second pin  292  and third pin  294  reach the end of first container horizontal rail  414  and second container horizontal rail  424  respectively. Tailgate  200  is then rotated about second pin  292  and third pin  294  in direction Q until tailgate  200  is perpendicular to bed  54  and parallel to cab wall  52  (See FIG.  17 ). Tailgate  200  is then pushed downward in direction R with second pin  292  traveling in the groove of first front extended vertical rail  416  and third pin  294  traveling in the groove of second front extended vertical rail  426 . When second end  208  of tailgate  200  is lower than first container horizontal rail  414  and second container horizontal rail  424 , first pin  290  and fourth pin  296  are extended to engage the grooves in first front extended vertical rail  416  and second front extended vertical rail  426  respectively. With all four pins extended, tailgate  200  is secured and first end  206  will come to rest on first pads  101  (see FIG. 1) and rear face  212  will engage second pads  103  (See FIG.  1 ). 
     As a further alternative, first container horizontal rail  414  and second container horizontal rail  424  may be employed with rail system  100  as in FIGS. 9 through 12, and first rear horizontal rail  410  and second rear horizontal rail  420  are used to assist in guiding tailgate  200  over top  320  of container  300 . 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.