Abstract:
A tailgate for a pickup type vehicle comprised of separate closure members arranged end-to-end and having adjacent ends abutting and rigidly secured to each other to form a single tailgate. Since the tailgate is comprised of separate closures, it can be easily shipped. The closure members can be readily assembled by the user and be used to replace existing tailgates. Moreover, due to the fact that the closure members may be covered with permeable material, it is well suited as a low drag replacement tailgate.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to tailgates, and the like, and in particular to a split vent tailgate. 
     Vented tailgates are used in conjunction with vehicles, such as pickup trucks, and the like, having a bed and sidewalls extending upwardly from the bed with the vented tailgate enclosing one of the open ends. Heretofore, vented tailgates have consisted of a unitary section of frame overlain with permeable material extending from one sidewall to the other, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,589. In these designs, an elongated frame member, covered for the most part with wire mesh allowing free flow of air through it, is releasably attached to the sidewalls so that any particles resting on the bed are retained by the tailgate. In many cases, these tailgates are shipped and subsequently handled by a distributed, dealer or user. Therefore, the single piece construction of these designs can create difficulty in such shipping and handling. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention is to provide a tailgate for a pickup type vehicle, and the like, of the type having a bed and sidewalls being spaced from one another to form an open end. The tailgate is comprised of at least two separate elongated closure members arranged end-to-end having adjacent ends abutting each other. The closure members are connected to each other by connecting means, and means for securely attaching the nonadjacent ends of the connected closure members to form a single piece tailgate is provided. 
     The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a tailgate arrangement which reduces bulk in shipping, facilitates handling and can be easily assembled. The tailgate arrangement is quite uncomplicated and can be assembled with a minimum amount of effort and few tools. Bent or damaged sections can be easily replaced due to the tailgate&#39;s knock-down design. The tailgate is economical to manufacture, ship, handle, ideal for those seeking a low drag replacement tailgate since it is vented, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use. 
     These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a partially schematic, perspective view of a split vent tailgate embodying the present invention and mounted on a pickup truck; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective, exploded view of the connecting portion of the tailgate in a disassembled condition; 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the connecting portion of the tailgate in an assembled condition partially cut away to disclose the details of construction; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along IV--IV of FIG. 3. 
     FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, top plan view taken at one of the dimples of the horizontal frame; and 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, elevational view of one of the hinged sides of the tailgate in FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms &#34;upper,&#34; &#34;lower,&#34; &#34;right,&#34; &#34;left,&#34; &#34;rear,&#34; &#34;front,&#34; &#34;vertical,&#34; &#34;horizontal&#34; and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and depth sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. 
     Reference numeral 1 (FIG. 1) generally designates a tailgate for a pickup type vehicle 2. Tailgate 1 is formed of separate closure members 4 and 6 arranged end-to-end and having adjacent ends 8 and 10 abutting each other. Closure members 4 and 6 are connected to each other at the adjacent ends 8 and 10 by connecting means (FIG. 2). At the nonadjacent ends of closure members 4 and 6 of tailgate 1 is provided any conventional type of hinge means 15 and 17 and releasable locking means 16 and 18 (FIGS. 1 and 6) such that tailgate 1 can be pivoted downwardly from sidewalls 28 and 30 when the truck is to be loaded and locked in the upward, closed position to sidewalls 28 and 30 when the truck is to be driven. 
     Closure member 4 consists of vertical frame members 20 and 34 and horizontal frames 38 and 40, with a covering 32 attached to frame members 20, 34, 38 and 40, to prevent any articles resting on the pickup bed from sliding out of the open end of tailgate 1. In this particular embodiment, covering 32 consists of perforate material allowing air to pass freely through it; however, within the broadest aspects of this invention, covering 32 could be an imperforate panel. directly above horizontal frame 38 and abutting vertical frame 20 is a support member 9 preventing any skewing by the rectangular portion of closure member 4. Attached to frame members 9 and 20 is connecting panel 12 including connector holder member 24 and releasable connector 16. When tailgate 1 is in an upright position and vertical frame 20 is abutting sidewall 28, the left side of closure member 4 can be releasably connected using connector 16. 
     Closure member 6, which is the mirror image of closure member 4, consists of vertical frames 22 and 36, and horizontal frames 42 and 44, with a covering 33 attached to frames 22, 36, 42 and 44, to prevent any articles resting on the pickup bed from sliding out of the open end of tailgate 1. As with covering 32, covering 33 could be an imperforate panel. Support member 11 and connecting panel 14 are the mirror images of support member 9 and connecting panel 12, respectively. Releasable connector 18 is connected to sidewall 30 like releasable connector 16 is connected to sidewall 28. 
     The separate closures 4 and 6 (FIG. 1) are connected at adjacent, abutting ends 8 and 10 by connecting means 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 and 55 (FIG. 2). Round head machine screws 46 and 48 are received by apertures 56, 60 and 58, 62 having circular cross sections, respectively, and screws 46 and 48 are mated with both 50, 51, and 52, 53 respectively, to connect vertical frames 34 and 36 together (FIG. 3). Rigid cylindrical tubes 54 and 55 are closely received by apertures 64, 68 and 66, 70 having square cross sections, respectively (FIG. 2), so that horizontal frames 38, 40, 42 and 44 cannot move either up, down, to the front or to the rear when tailgate 1 is connected to pickup 2 as in FIG. 1. 
     Connecting member 54, which is identical to connecting member 55, is preferably of a set length such that it rests against dimples 74 and 75, as well as dimples 76 and 77 (FIG. 3), while still allowing horizontal frames 38 and 42 to abut one another. More specifically, connecting member 54 is preferably held in place by dimples 74 and 75, as well as dimples 76 and 77, so that connecting member 54 cannot slide in a longitudinal direction to the left or the right (FIG. 4). Dimples are implanted on the top and bottom of each horizontal frame (FIG. 2), at a distance from either aperture 64, 66, 68 or 70 in a longitudinal direction, with a sizing tool making oval indentures. Accordingly, one of the dimples, as viewed from the top or bottom of either horizontal frame 38, 40, 42 or 44, takes on the appearance as shown in FIG. 5. 
     METHOD OF ASSEMBLY ABOVE 
     Tailgate 1 is constructed by sliding connecting members 54 and 55 into apertures 64, 68 and 66, 70, respectively, and pulling closure members 4 and 6 together until adjacent ends 8 and 10 abut one another (FIG. 2). After inserting round head machine screws 46 and 48 into apertures 56, 60 and 58, 62, respectively, bolts 50 and 52 are preferably screwed onto screws 46 and 48, respectively, making sure that washers 51 and 53 are employed accordingly, until closure members 4 and 6 are firmly fastened to one another. Upon constructing tailgate 1, it is preferably placed at the open end of pickup 2 into hinges 15 and 17 (FIG. 1) and releasably connected in an upright position with connectors 18 and 20 to sidewalls 28 and 30, respectively. 
     Due to the construction of tailgate 1, it can be easily disassembled and stacked for economical as well as efficient shipment. It is easy to assemble with the minimum amount of simple tools and is ideal as a replacement tailgate, for those seeking a tailgate with less drag, because the closure member coverings are vented. Due to the configuration of the support members, the tailgate is readily adapted for &#34;fifth wheel&#34; use. Moreover, in case of damage to the tailgate, replacement of any of its parts is facilitated by the tailgate&#39;s knock-down design. 
     In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.