Patent ID: 7140661

Claim:
A torsion device for facilitating opening and closing of a tailgate attached to a vehicle, the device including: a first section having— a first straight portion having a first longitudinal axis, the first straight portion having a length of approximately between 5 centimeters and 20 centimeters, a first contact portion having a length of approximately between 3 centimeters and 10 centimeters, a first terminal end, and a first angled portion angled approximately between 15 degrees and 45 degrees from the first longitudinal axis, the first angled portion having a length of approximately between 0.5 centimeter and 5 centimeters; a second section having— a second straight portion having a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis being substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the second straight portion having a length of approximately between 5 centimeters and 20 centimeters, and a second contact portion having a length of approximately between 3 centimeters and 10 centimeters, a terminal second end, and a second angled portion angled opposite the first angled portion, the second angled portion angled approximately between 15 degrees and 45 degrees from the second longitudinal axis, the second angled portion being operable to be substantially inserted into the tailgate such that the second contact portion generally abuts an interior surface of the tailgate when the tailgate is substantially opened, thereby reducing damage to the tailgate and facilitating operation of the device, the second angled portion having a length of approximately between 0.5 centimeter and 5 centimeters; and a coupling section for coupling the first section and the second section such that opening of the gate causes a torsional force to be applied by the device to facilitate opening and closing of the tailgate, the coupling section being generally perpendicular to the first section and the second section, wherein the abutting of the second contact portion to the interior tailgate surface facilitates opening and the closing of the tailgate by providing a contact area between the second contact portion and the interior tailgate surface for the application of the torsional force.