Abstract:
An apparatus for extending a vehicle bed includes a tailgate for raising and lowering relative to the vehicle bed. The tailgate includes a retractable member adapted for extending vertically from the tailgate when lowered, and also for extending horizontally from the tailgate to form a handle. A ladder supported by the tailgate is adapted for moving from a lowered position for use in stepping into the vehicle bed using the handle to a raised position for connecting with the retractable member when oriented vertically from the tailgate, thus extending the effective length of the vehicle bed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This document relates generally to the motor vehicle field and, more particularly, to a truck bed extender formed by a retractable tailgate step and handles for use when climbing into the truck bed using the step when deployed. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    For various reasons, it may be desirable to extend the effective length of a truck bed, such as for hauling a particularly long piece of cargo that would not fit in the bed with the tailgate in the raised position. In some cases, this is done by lowering the tailgate and placing a separate cage-like structure comprised of stacked, curved bars on it to help contain the cargo within the resulting extension created by the lowered tailgate. While effective, this arrangement requires using a large, separate component for placement on the lowered tailgate, which must be stored apart from the truck when not in use. 
         [0003]    Thus, a need is identified for a bed extender that can be easily stowed when not in use, and capable of being readily deployed for extending the effective length of the bed in a sturdy and reliable manner. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, an apparatus for extending a vehicle bed includes a tailgate for raising and lowering relative to the vehicle bed, the tailgate including a retractable member extending vertically from the tailgate when lowered. A ladder supported by the tailgate is adapted for moving from a lowered position for use in stepping into the vehicle bed to a raised position for connecting with the retractable member when oriented vertically from the tailgate. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the tailgate comprises first and second retractable members for extending vertically from the tailgate when lowered. The ladder may include a transverse portion wider than a space between the first and second retractable members, such that the transverse portion of the ladder engages the retractable members in the vertical orientation. The transverse portion of the ladder may include a connector for connecting with one of the first or second retractable members, and may also include a cutout for receiving one of the first or second retractable members. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the ladder includes first and second telescoping supports connected to the tailgate. Each telescoping support includes an extendable portion adapted for pivoting relative to the tailgate to the raised position. The first and second retractable members may comprise telescoping supports at least partially recessed within a cavity of the tailgate. 
         [0007]    A connector may also be provided for extending from one side of the vehicle bed to adjacent the retractable member in the vertical orientation. The connector may be flexible, such as a cable, or a more rigid rod or rod-like structure. The connector may also comprise a plurality of gates hingedly connected for moving between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for extending a vehicle bed including a tailgate comprises first and second retractable members for moving from a retracted position within the tailgate to an extended position projecting from the tailgate in a vertical orientation. A transverse connector is provided for removably attaching to the first and second retractable members in the vertical orientation. The transverse connector includes a receiver for receiving one of the first and second retractable members in the extended position. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the transverse connector includes a first receiver for receiving the first retractable member and a second receiver for receiving the second retractable member. Third and fourth retractable members may be connected to the transverse connector. The third and fourth retractable members may be mounted for pivoting relative to the tailgate to achieve a lowered position relative to the tailgate. 
         [0010]    The transverse connector may comprise a step or a cross bar formed of first and second interconnected portions. A connector, such as a cable or rod, may also extend from one side of the vehicle bed to adjacent the retractable member in the vertical orientation. The connector may also take the form of a plurality of gates hingedly connected together for moving between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. 
         [0011]    A further aspect of the disclosure pertains to an apparatus for extending a vehicle bed. The apparatus comprises a tailgate for raising and lowering relative to the vehicle bed, the tailgate includes a ladder supported by the tailgate and adapted for moving from a lowered position for use in stepping into the vehicle bed to a raised position, and one or a pair of handles connected to the tailgate for connecting with the ladder in the raised position to extend the vehicle bed. The handles may be telescoping and pivotable to the vertical orientation, or may be removably connected to the tailgate. 
         [0012]    In the following description, there are shown and described several preferred embodiments of the truck bed extender. As it should be realized, the arrangement is capable of other, different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the truck bed extender as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0013]    The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the truck bed extender and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a partially cutaway, rear perspective view of a vehicle bed including a tailgate with a ladder in a retracted position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a similar view, with a cutaway illustrating an interior portion of the tailgate to show certain of the structures forming the ladder; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a similar view with the tailgate in the lowered position, ready for loading the bed with cargo; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a similar view showing a railing formed by extendable rails and a retractable ladder in a lowered position, ready for use in stepping into the bed from the ground; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a frame forming part of the retractable ladder according to one possible embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a cutaway perspective view illustrating one possible mechanism for allowing pivoting of the ladder between a lowered and a raised position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the retractable support and associated receiver for the ladder; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates a retractable handle pivoted to a vertical position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a partially cutaway perspective view of the vehicle bed taken from the rear, illustrating a retractable bed extender; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is an end view of a transverse portion of a ladder forming part of the bed extender; and 
           [0024]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are partially cutaway perspective and top views of another embodiment of the truck bed extender in the non-deployed and deployed configurations. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the truck bed extender, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a tailgate  20  including a retractable ladder  22 . The tailgate  20  is adapted to mount to a vehicle  24 , such as a pickup truck. The vehicle  24  includes a storage compartment or bed  26  that is defined by a left rear quarter panel  28 , which forms a first vertical surface of the bed  26 ; a right rear quarter panel  30 , which forms a second vertical surface of the bed  26 ; a floor  32 , which extends between the two panels  28 ,  30 ; and the tailgate  20 . 
         [0027]    As can be understood by comparing  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the tailgate  20  is pivotable between a generally vertical closed position and a generally horizontal open position to open and close the bed  26 . In this regard, and as perhaps best shown in  FIG. 9 , the tailgate  20  includes a pair of tailgate hinges  34  that cooperate with the side panels  28 ,  30 . A pair of tailgate supports  36  connected to these panels  28 ,  30  support the tailgate  20  when in the lowered or horizontal position. A tailgate handle  35  mounts to an outer panel  38 , and functions in a conventional manner. The release mechanism for the tailgate  20 , as well as tailgate latches, are conventional and well known in the art and so are not shown in detail. 
         [0028]    The tailgate  20  includes a tailgate frame  37 , which forms the outer finished surface of the tailgate  20 , and an inner panel  40 , which mounts to the outer panel  38  and forms the inner surface and sides  42  of the tailgate  20 . The outer panel  38  and inner panel  40  combine to form a channel  68 . Other tailgate reinforcement members (not shown) and brackets (not shown) may be mounted within the frame  37  to provide structural support to the frame outer and inner panels  38 ,  40 . 
         [0029]    A left tailgate molding  50  and a right tailgate molding  52  may form the upper surfaces of the tailgate  20 . These moldings  50 ,  52  help to prevent paint scratches on metal parts when cargo is being loaded over the top of a closed tailgate  20 . The moldings  50 ,  52  may be made of colored plastic that is the desired color of the parts, which eliminates the need to paint them. 
         [0030]    The components that make up the tailgate frame  37  are formed so that a hollow internal cavity C is created, as indicated by the partially cutaway view provided in  FIG. 2 . Within this cavity C, the ladder  22  is retained in the retracted configuration. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the ladder  22  includes a transverse portion  54  (which together with moldings  50 ,  52  form the upper end surface of the tailgate  20 ), a movable frame portion  56 , and guide rails  58 . As can be understood with reference to  FIG. 6 , the guide rails  58  may be hollow, generally rectangular tubes fixed to the tailgate frame  37  and support the movable frame portion  56  as it is telescopically extended from and retracted into the guide rails  58 , which may be fastened to the inner panel  40  in order to help secure the guide rails to the tailgate  20 . 
         [0031]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the movable frame portion  56  includes a pair of supports  62  that may retracted into and extend from the respective guide rail  58 . Each support  62  is received telescopically in a respective one of the guide rails  58 . The supports  62  may be separate structures connected to the transverse portion  54 , or may include a cross member  65  that connects them to form a generally U-shaped structure, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Each support  62  also includes a pivot pin  62   a , which may interface with a pivot bracket  52  connected to the tailgate  20 . 
         [0032]    To deploy the ladder  22  from its stowed position, one grasps the transverse portion  54 . One then pulls on the transverse portion  54  to telescopically slide the supports  62  relative to the guide rails  58 . Once the movable frame portion  56  slides out to a predetermined extended position relative to the tailgate  20  to engage the pin  62   a  with bracket  58 , it can pivot downward until the supports  62  engage stops  152 . The size and location of the stops  152  determines the downward angle at which the supports  62  engage the structural stops  152 . This angle can be any angle that is deemed most convenient for positioning of an assist step. 
         [0033]    After the frame portion  56  is in this downward extending, generally vertical orientation, one may use a hand or foot to pivot a flip step  153  connected to the transverse portion  54  by a hinge  159  from its closed position resting against the support  62  to its open position generally flush and coplanar with the support and extending toward the vehicle  24 . The ladder  22  is now in its step assist position (as best seen in  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , it can also be understood that the tailgate  20  may include an extendable railing  101  to provide support for a person when using the ladder  22  in the deployed or lowered position. In one embodiment, this railing  101  includes one or more spaced, elongated handles, which in the illustrated embodiment take the form of first and second retractable supports or members  102 ,  104 , one positioned on each side of the ladder  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, these members  102 ,  104  are connected to and adapted for being withdrawn from the tailgate  20  in the active condition, and for returning to a retracted position within it in an inactive condition. As shown in  FIG. 7 , each member  102  (only one shown) may include an extendable portion  102   a  that telescopes into another member, such as a tubular receiver  102   b , associated with and fixed to the tailgate  20 . 
         [0035]    As indicated in  FIG. 8 , the extendable portion  102   a  of the retractable member  102  may also be adapted for pivoting relative to the receiver  102   b  when fully extended so as to project in a generally vertical direction V. Specifically, the extendable portion  102   a  may be connected to a support  103  connected to the receiver  102   b  by a pivot pin  103   a , which allows for pivoting movement from a horizontal to a vertical orientation. A locking pin  103   b  may engage a notch in the extendable portion  102   a  to retain it in the vertical position once pivoted. As can be appreciated, a similar arrangement may be provided for the retractable member  104 . Additional details of pivoting handles that may work in connection with this disclosure may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 9,302,719 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US20150336622, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0036]    According to one aspect of the disclosure, the ladder  22  and one or both of the retractable members  102 ,  104  (if two are present) may be combined to form a retractable bed extender  200  for use in combination with the existing vehicle bed  26 . Specifically, with reference to  FIG. 9 , the extended portions  102   a ,  104   a  of retractable members  102 ,  104  forming railing  101  in the extended position may be pivoted upwardly to a vertical (which term for purposes of the disclosure includes a substantially vertical) orientation (note arrow V). Likewise, the ladder  22  may also be pivoted from the lowered position to a vertical position. As can be appreciated from  FIG. 10 , the transverse portion  54  of the ladder  22  may have a corresponding dimension, or width, equal to or greater than the spacing between members  102 ,  104 . Consequently, the transverse portion  54  may engage the members  102 ,  104  when the two are in a similar vertical orientation, and thereby be supported. 
         [0037]    The ladder  22  may be adapted for releasably engaging the members  102 ,  104  in the extended position. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the transverse portion  54  may include one or more receivers, such as openings or cutouts  54   a ,  54   b  for receiving the corresponding end portions of the members  102 ,  104 . The transverse portion  54  may also include connectors, such as fixed or removable pins  105 , for positioning in one or more openings in the members  102 ,  104  to form a secure, but releasable engagement when the bed extender  200  is vertically oriented. As should be appreciated, the arrangement may be reversed with the same result, with the connectors or pins  105  provided on the members  102 ,  104  for passing into the transverse portion  54 . 
         [0038]    It should also be appreciated that the ladder  22  may be lowered from the raised configuration shown in  FIG. 9  without altering the position of the extended portions  102   a ,  104   a  of members  102 ,  104 . When left in this vertical orientation, the extended portions  102   a ,  104   a  may be used as handles for climbing into the bed  26  of the vehicle  24  when the ladder  22  is lowered. 
         [0039]    The bed extender  200  when formed using the ladder  22  and the extended portions  102   a ,  104   a  of members  102 ,  104  may also be associated with auxiliary components for forming a connection with the panels  28 ,  30  of the vehicle  24 . For example, as also shown in  FIG. 9 , a connector, such as a cable or rod  126 , may be extended between a support  79  attached to the vehicle  24  and a corresponding extended portion  102   a ,  104   a  of retractable member  102 ,  104  when vertically oriented. The cable or rod  126  may simply be withdrawn or retracted when the bed extender  200  is not needed. 
         [0040]    Likewise, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the vehicle  24  may include also include a right hand gate assembly  210  and a left hand gate assembly  212 , which may initially be folded as indicated with respect to right hand assembly  210  in  FIG. 11  to minimize interfering with cargo. The right hand gate assembly  210  includes a first right hand gate  214  and a second right hand gate  216 . The right hand gate assembly  210  also includes a right hand hinge plate  220 , which is bolted to the right hand rear quarter panel  30  on the inside of the bed  26 , and a first right hand hinge  222 , which pivotally couples the first right hand gate  214  to the right hand hinge plate  220 . A second right hand hinge  224  pivotally couples the first right hand gate  214  to the second right hand gate  216 . The second right hand gate  218  also includes a right hand gate connector  228  extending from the main portion of the gate  218 , which may be used to connect to the transverse portion of the ladder  54  of the extended portion  104   a  of member  104 . 
         [0041]    The left hand tailgate assembly  212  includes a first left hand gate  232  and a second left hand gate  234 . The first left hand gate  232  connects to the left rear quarter panel  28  of the bed  26  with a first left hand hinge  240 , similar to the right hand side. A second left hand hinge  242  pivotally couples the first left hand gate  232  to the second left hand gate  234 , and a connector  244  may be provided for connecting with the transverse portion of the ladder  54  of the extended portions  102   a  of member  102 . 
         [0042]    As with moldings  50 ,  52 , the transverse portion  54  of ladder  22  may be molded with the plastic being the desired final color so that it does not have to be painted. This transverse portion  54  may also include a pocketed handle  94  that provides for ease of gripping and pivoting the transverse portion  54  when deploying the ladder  22 . The transverse portion  54  also may have an overall width that is just smaller than a gap  43  formed between the two tailgate moldings  50 ,  52 , and a top surface flush with the corresponding surfaces of the tailgate moldings  50 ,  52 . 
         [0043]    Additionally, if so desired, the two tailgate moldings  50 ,  52  may include recessed flanges (not shown) that nest under the edges of the transverse portion  54 . Accordingly, the transverse portion  54  of the ladder  22 , when in its fully retracted position, blends in with the tailgate  20 . Thus, the ladder  22  may be included without detracting from the esthetically pleasing look of the vehicle  24 , and still allows the sliding of cargo into and out of the bed  26  over the top of a closed tailgate  20  without creating paint scratch concerns. 
         [0044]    In summary, numerous benefits are provided by providing a retractable bed extender  200  for a vehicle  24  including a tailgate  20 , such as a pick-up truck. The extender  200  may be formed from an existing ladder  22  in a generally vertical with retractable members  102 ,  104 , which may alternately serve as a railing  101  for aiding in using the step to enter the bed  26 . A more secure and stable arrangement results, and one that does not require storage apart from the tailgate  20 . 
         [0045]    While one embodiment of a ladder  22  is described above, further details of similar arrangements may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,918,624, 7,090,276, and 7,234,749, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,488,021, and 7,267,387 are also incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0046]    The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.