Patent Publication Number: US-2018043796-A1

Title: Recreational vehicle accessory patent

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/627,642 filed Oct. 17, 2011 and non-provisional Ser. No. 13/424,759 filed Mar. 20, 2012. 
    
    
     As set forth herein in one embodiment referred to as the Original Tail Gator (OTG), a method and apparatus is provided that can be used as a chair, a recliner, a bicycle rack, and/or a ladder for access to a pick-up truck bed using the OTG. 
     Some embodiments of the OTG provide a means of access and comfort by combining a folding ladder and a folding chair/recliner which can be used on the tailgate of a pick-up truck (see  FIG. 2 ) or for use on the ground (see  FIG. 7 ). An apparatus consisting of but not limited to one or more of the following accessories, which may be added to the OTG:
         Awning ( 100 )   Lighting, speakers, LED Display, Bug Diversion System (mosquito netting, fan, etc.).   Heater, massager, body cooler, lumbar support, armrest, headrest.       

     Currently, nothing is offered for sale on the market which folds up for easy storage that combines the comfort of a chair/recliner, a bicycle rack, and a ladder. There exist several ways of operating the OTG including but not limited to the removal of certain parts and various folding directions, the following descriptions and drawings show some but not all various combinations and of parts and folding directions. The invention is not limited by the examples given in the drawings and description. For example see  FIG. 9 . 
     Some embodiments of the OTG focus on the three goals, comfort, a bicycle rack, and access to a truck bed using the OTG. It takes a few minutes to unfold and attach the unit to the tailgate (see  FIG. 3 ) or placed on the ground using 140 &amp; 230 as legs (see  FIG. 7 ). Once the OTG is installed on the tailgate the tailgate can be opened or closed with the OTG still attached, for easy use. 
     Other features and advantages of some embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the present invention are given by way of illustration only. Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following brief and detailed descriptions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS 
       (The line drawings represent the folding frame work of the OTG made of the listed materials such as steel). 
         FIG. 1  is the OTG in the Ladder  140  &amp; Handle  110  positions 
         FIG. 2  is the OTG in the chair/recliner positions on the tailgate of a truck. 
         FIG. 3  is an example of a possible attachment system  200 . 
         FIG. 4  is a folding side step  150  located at the bottom of the ladder  140 . 
         FIG. 5  is one of the many possible hinge types. 
         FIG. 6  another hinge type that allows the tail gate to be closed while the OTG is still attached. 
         FIG. 7  shows the OTG sitting on the ground, using the  140  &amp;  230  in the down position. 
         FIG. 8  shows how  210  is tethered or leashed  240  to the frame at the back of the seat  120 . 
         FIG. 9  shows tie down ratchet system  250  with a lever  260  and attachment hooks  190 . 
         FIG. 10  Location of the Bicycle Rack Attachment System  140   a.    
         FIG. 11  Bicycle Rack with  2  bicycle rack hooking system  140   b  and attachment system  140   c.    
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows the OTG in the ladder position showing the leg rest  130  folded up &amp; the backrest  110  folded forward towards the ladder so the backrest  110  becomes a handle for the ladder (Dual Purpose). The backrest support  210  for the backrest/handle  110  uses either the angled stops  220  or an adjustable nylon leash  240  (see  FIG. 8 ). 
       FIG. 2  shows the OTG on a truck&#39;s tailgate  160  in the chair/recliner position  150  with the side step in the down position &amp; the awning  100  is attached. 
       FIG. 3  shows the seat  120 , safety straps  200 , and tailgate  160 . In one embodiment the OTG is installed easily, simply unfold the ladder section, use locking pins, and place the OTG on the tailgate, securing the apparatus with its safety straps with Velcro  200  or with nylon straps and metal hooks (see  FIG. 9 ). The OTG is ready for use as a ladder or chair/recliner. 
     In another aspect, the system can also include other features and options such as an apparatus for accessing the vehicles electric source, for use with the various electrical accessories mentioned in section 0003. 
       FIG. 4  shows the hinge  150   a  between the ladder  140  &amp; the side step  150 . 
       FIG. 5  shows how the hinges work on the front &amp; back of the seat  120 . The front hinge attaches to the ladder  140  and/or the leg rest  130  (Note the leg rest  130  is not always necessary because the ladder can also double as the leg rest by raising the ladder in to the leg rest position and inserting the locking pins, see  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the front hinges hanging out over the tailgate with the ladder  140  in the unfolded position resting against attachment hooks  190 , the attachment hooks  190  secure the OTG using a tie down  250  and the tightening lever  260 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the OTG in the ground position using the ladder  140  as the front leg and the back leg  230 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the OTG sitting in place on the tailgate of a pick-up truck and how a nylon strap  240  can be used for both the ladder and chair positions. 
       FIG. 9  shows another possible way of connecting the OTG to the tailgate using the attachment hooks  190  and the tie down straps  250  attached to the tail gate hooking to the water vents on the bottom of all tailgates and then tightened with the lever  260  against the attachment hooks  190  securing the OTG to the tailgate, allowing the operator to open and close the tailgate with the OTG attached for easy access and use. 
       FIG. 10  shows where the Bicycle Rack attaches to the ladder  140 A. 
       FIG. 11  shows the Bicycle Rack attaches to the ladder  140 A. 
       FIG. 12  shows how the Bicycle Rack can also be used as a second step for the ladder. 
       FIG. 13  is similar to the Bicycle Rack, but metal slots which hold either 4 snowboards or sets of skis. 
     INDEX 
     
         
           100  Awning 
           110  Backrest/handle for ladder 
           120  Seat/cushion 
           130  Leg rest 
           140  Ladder, leg rest, front legs of chair 
           140   a  Bicycle Rack attaches to the ladder 
           140   b  Bicycle Rack 
           140   c  Bicycle Attachment System 
           140   d  Secondary step for ladder 
           140   e  Snowboard/Ski Rack 
           140   f  Snowboard/Ski Rack attachment system 
           150  A folding step 
           150   a  Hinge for  150   
           160  Tailgate 
           190  Backrest stabilizer/hook for attachment 
           200  Safety strap 
           210  Backrest support/ladder handle support 
           220  Position hooks for  210   
           230  Back legs of chair and support arm for position hooks  220 , which catch the backrest support  210   
           240  Another option for backrest/handle  210  support, a nylon leash or tether for  210   
           250  Tie down ratchet system 
           260  Lever for tightening the tie down straps  250