Patent ID: 7533921

Claim:
An improved extendable tailgate assembly for a pickup having a pickup bed, the tailgate assembly having a hinged lower edge whereby the tailgate assembly hingeably moves between an upright position and a horizontal position, the tailgate assembly having a substantially rectangular shape, and a width and a height approximate a factory supplied pickup tailgate, the tailgate assembly comprising: at least two hollow vertical guides extending from the hinged lower edge to an upper edge opposite the hinged lower edge and spaced apart approximately the width of the tailgate assembly; a horizontal extension support approximately the width of the tailgate assembly having at least two vertical inner portion fixedly attached to opposing end of the horizontal extension support that telescope from within the at least two hollow vertical guides between a retracted position and an extended position; at least two vertical lateral supports fixedly attached to and extending approximately five inches above the upper edge of the extension support; a latch linkage housing spanning the width of the tailgate assembly; and a latching mechanism contained within the latch linkage housing and spanning the width of the tailgate assembly; wherein, in the extended position the horizontal extension support and the two vertical inner portions essentially double the height of the tailgate assembly, and when the tailgate assembly is latched in the close position, the latching mechanism has at least two latch portions that extend from the width of the tailgate assembly and are disposed in at least two recesses in the pickup bed.