Patent ID: 7494169

Claim:
A cargo support apparatus for a truck bed, the truck bed having a front wall and a pivoting rear tailgate, the support assembly comprising: a forward support assembly capable of assuming a stowed configuration and at least one deployed configuration, the forward support assembly disposed at least partially within the front wall of the truck bed when assuming the stowed configuration, the forward support assembly including a forward horizontal support member disposed above the front wall for supporting cargo above the front wall when the forward support assembly assumes the at least one deployed configuration; and a rear support assembly capable of assuming a stowed configuration and at least one deployed configuration, the rear support assembly attached to and pivoting with the pivoting rear tailgate of the truck bed, the rear support assembly disposed at least partially within the tailgate when assuming the stowed configuration, the rear support assembly including a rear horizontal support member extending from the tailgate for supporting cargo beyond the tailgate when the rear support assembly assumes the at least one deployed configuration.