Patent ID: 7000908

Claim:
A counterbalance for use with a tailgate of a motor vehicle, said counterbalance comprising a protective housing having a first and a second end, said first end being attached to said tailgate, and said second end being attached to said motor vehicle, said counterbalance at least partially controls a load applied to the counterbalance by the tailgate comprising an elastic element that at least partially counters the load, and a flexible extension limiter that provides a stop which defines a fully extended position of counterbalance and which counters loads applied by the tailgate to the counterbalance after said counterbalance is in said fully extended position; wherein said counterbalance pivots from an angled position to a substantially vertical position as the tailgate is moved from an opened to a closed position, wherein said protective housing comprises a first tube and a second tube, said second tube being received within an opening of said first tube, said second tube having at least one longitudinally extending rib extending on an outer surface of said second tube to form a gap between said first and second tubes, wherein said protective housing at least partially covers said elastic element and said flexible extension limiter.