Patent ID: 7401798

Claim:
An accessory for a pick-up truck having a tailgate which is operable between open and closed positions, comprising (a) a mounting plate connected with a side edge portion of an interior surface of the tailgate, said mounting plate including a pair of spaced rigid posts extending normal to the tailgate surface, said posts being arranged in a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the truck; (b) a ladder assembly including a pair of spaced parallel legs pivotally connected with said posts for movement between a stowed position wherein said ladder assembly rests against the tailgate interior surface and an operable position wherein said ladder assembly extends from said posts to the ground laterally of the truck; and (c) a pair of links pivotally connected at opposite ends between one of said posts and one of said ladder legs, respectively, said links spacing said ladder assembly from a side edge of the tailgate when the ladder assembly is on the operable position and arranging said ladder assembly at different angles relative to the tailgate in accordance with the height of the tailgate relative to the ground.