Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS AND DISCLOSURES 
     The present application was first described in Disclosure Document Registration 516,302 filed on Aug. 13, 2002 under 35 U.S.C. § 122, 37 C.F.R. § 1.14 and MPEP § 1706. There are no previous nor currently any co-pending applications anywhere in the world. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to tailgate ramps, and more particularly to a tailgate ramp installed to replace existing conventional tailgates, wherein the ramp is provided with certain features to improve ease of use and safety in loading and unloading of equipment or other transportable items. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     With automobile sales at an all-time high, the popularity of the pick-up style truck as an everyday vehicle is more wide spread than ever before. Their utility and convenience in hauling items, coupled with the availability of luxury interiors and extended cab space, have made the pickup a popular alternative to other vehicles. Many pickup trucks owners use their trucks for hauling smaller wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles, ATV&#39;s and the like, or for hauling landscaping equipment such as lawnmowers, snow-blowers, edging machines, roto-tillers or other similar yard care equipment. Usually, the use of ramps are required to aid in moving equipment into and out of the truck bed. However, these ramps take time to set up and may be bulky or awkward in size to increase the difficult of assembly and disassembly. Additionally, even if they are set up properly, they may slip during loading or unloading with costly or dangerous consequences. Finally, when not in use, the ramps must be stored somewhere. Accordingly, the need has arisen for a means by which wheeled equipment may be loaded and unloaded from pickup truck beds without the disadvantages associated with conventional ramps. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,233, issued in the name of Craik, discloses a vehicle ramp having a pair of stringers and slidable rungs joined by chain; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,725, issued in the name of Cole, discloses a foldable tailgate ramp for pickup trucks, wherein the ramp comprises three rectangular sections hingedly affixed to one another for folding and unfolding of the ramp between a deployed and a stored position; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,800, issued in the name of Brincks et al., discloses a combination pickup truck bed extender and foldable ramp, wherein the ramp is mounted to the inside of the truck bed and comprises collapsible sections that are adjustable between an unfolded position for use as a ramp or a secured position that allows for an extension of the truck bed; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,335, issued in the name of Belnap et al., discloses a combination ramp and tailgate structure for permanent replacing a conventional truck tailgate, wherein the ramp and tailgate structure comprise four rectangular frame members slidably coupled together and movable between a nested or extended position, respectively; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,673, issued in the name of Adaway et al., discloses a folding ramp comprising an attachment frame, a foldable support structure mounted to the attachment frame by pivotable hinges, and a telescoping deck structure interconnected to rectangular plates; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,144, issued in the name of Guidry et al., discloses a foldable loading ramp for a truck tailgate, wherein the ramp includes a plurality of adjacently affixed ramp sections allowing the ramp to fold and unfold; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,553, issued in the name of Curtis et al., discloses a truck loading ramp comprising two hinged ramp sections that fold and unfold; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,642,156, issued in the name of Stenson, discloses a folding ramp device that attaches to a truck tailgate having a multiple number of folding sections or members; and 
     U.S. Patent No. Des. 401,731, issued in the name of Jeruss, discloses an ornamental design for a ramp for loading and unloading material on or from trucks, wherein the ramp comprises a single rail have a pair of legs for properly angling the ramp from the truck tailgate to the ground or other surface. 
     Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method which overcomes the problems cited above, improving the structural arrangement and compactness of truck ramps and replacement tailgate apparatuses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved replacement tailgate and ramp for pickup trucks. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved tailgate/ramp having a first section parallel to the truck bed and a second section angularly depending from the first section so as to contact the ground at an inclined angle appropriate for loading and unloading of material onto or from a truck. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved tailgate/ramp having a pair of reinforcing members affixed about the lateral margins of the first and second sections, thereby providing structural integrity and added strength to the tailgate/ramp apparatus. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved tailgate/ramp having a centrally aligned recess between a pair of longitudinally elongated inclined planes, wherein the recess is provided to allow a user to walk a piece of equipment into or out from the truck without having to access the second section by foot. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved tailgate/ramp that pivots between a deployed position and a retracted position. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved tailgate/ramp that is securely locked within the truck bed by securement means, thereby preventing unnecessary and/or damaging movement of the tailgate/ramp during transportation and/or storage. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a replacement tailgate and ramp is a tailgate for pickup trucks with enhanced features. The tailgate not only functions as a conventional tailgate, but also provides for an integral ramp system to allow for the easy loading and unloading of wheeled devices. The portion of the tailgate closest to the truck is flat in nature and allows it to lock in the upright position when closed, or remain horizontally level when closed. Another section of the tailgate is attached to this angled section at a 60° angle that contacts the grade when opened. The center portion of this angled section is open to allow a person to walk equipment up the ramps from the center position. The interior of the invention is provided with a steel grate system that allows easy traction for wheeled equipment and reduced wind resistance when stowed and traveling. The use of the replacement tailgate and ramp allows equipment to be easily moved into and out of truck beds without the difficulty or safety issues associated with conventional ramp systems. 
     Other objects of the present invention include providing a device that is easily installed, serviced and maintained. 
     Yet another object of the present invention includes the use of a lattice covering affixed to the sections so as to reduce the aerodynamic resistance and/or drag on the vehicle during transportation of the vehicle. 
     Yet another object of the present invention provides an improved tailgate/ramp having a second section divided into an upper section and a lower section and coupled about a hinge, thereby allowing the lower section to pivot adjacent to the upper section, lowering the height of the tailgate/ramp below the top portion of the cab, and further reducing the aerodynamic resistance and/or drag on the vehicle during transportation. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a replacement tailgate and ramp for a pickup truck illustrating a retracted (phantom lines) and deployed positioning of the tailgate/ramp, wherein the tailgate/ramp includes a first section parallel to the truck bed, a second section angularly depending from the first section so as to contact the ground or street, and a pair of reinforcing members (only one shown from side view) to further stabilize and strengthen the tailgate/ramp; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the tailgate/ramp, illustrating the quadrilateral perimeter of the first and second sections, the lattice covering that is affixed to the first and second sections, and the division of the second section into two longitudinally elongated inclined planes and a centrally aligned recess intermediate to the inclined planes; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the tailgate/ramp, wherein the tailgate/ramp includes a second section having an upper section and a lower section coupled about a hinge that allows the lower section to pivot and rest adjacent to and/or against the upper section when the tailgate/ramp is retracted, and the retraction reduces the aerodynamic resistance and/or drag on the vehicle; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, illustrating the upper and lower sections and the hinge that couples the sections together; 
     FIG. 5 is a rear perspective of the tailgate/ramp retracted and illustrating securement means, herein shown as a slidable pin and housing with an aperture: 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tailgate/ramp retracted; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of securement means (slidable pin and housing), a magnified perspective of the sliding pin and housing; and 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the sliding pin. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the FIGS. 1 through 8. 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG.  2  and FIG.  5  through FIG. 7, a replacement tailgate and ramp  10  is shown in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The replacement tailgate and ramp  10  comprises two adjacent sections  12  and  14  permanently affixed to one another about a seam or weld  16 . The first section  12  is substantially parallel to and substantially coplanar to the bed surface  102  of the truck  100 . The second section  14  depends from the first section  12  and angularly disposed at an angle “&lt;α” complimentary to an angle “&lt;β”, wherein “&lt;α” is approximately 140° to 160° in relation to the horizontal plane of the first section  12 , and “&lt;β” is approximately 20° to 40° in relation to the horizontal plane of the ground  104 , thereby providing ingress to and egress from the bed surface  102  of the truck  100 . A pair of reinforcing members  18  and  20  are positioned along each of the lateral margins of the first section  12  and second section  14 , respectively. Each reinforcing member  18  and  20  is affixed to the first section  12  and the second section  14  along the lateral margins and provides further strength and durability to the replacement tailgate and ramp  10  by maintaining the angular disposition formed between the first section  12  and the second section  14 . 
     The first section  12  includes a first frame  22  having at least a quadrilateral perimeter constructed from a durable material, such as steel or other suitable metals. A lattice covering  28  is affixed to the first frame  22 , the lattice covering  28  comprising the durable material used to assemble the first frame  22 . The lattice covering  28  is further discussed below in relation to other features provided to the second section  14 . The first section  12  lies substantially parallel to the bed surface  102  when the replacement tailgate and ramp  10  is deployed, and lies in a position substantially similar to that of a conventional tailgate provided on trucks. Conversely, retraction of the replacement tailgate and ramp  10  places the first section  12  substantially perpendicular to the bed surface  102 . The depth and length of the first section  12  is envisioned as having similar dimensions to the conventional tailgate that the replacement tailgate and ramp  10  is replacing. It is envisioned that the first section  12  may be affixed to the tail end of the truck  100  in several configurations, including insertion of a pair of posts  24  and  26  that depend from the first frame  22  (and first section  12 , in general) and insert into the cavities that receive the posts of a conventional tailgate. Other configurations include the use of semi-annular brackets, cylindrical collars or other similar mechanical coupling or attachment devices suitable for securely affixing the posts  24  and  26  to the truck bed. The attachment of posts  24  and  26  to the truck bed requires pivotal movement so that the replacement tailgate and ramp  10  may be adjusted and moved from a deployed position (illustrated in FIG. 1, with the first section  12  parallel to the truck bed and the second section  14  firmly in contract with the ground or street surface  104 ) and a retracted or stored position (also illustrated in FIG. 1, shown in phantom lines). 
     The second section  14  includes a second frame  30  having at least a quadrilateral perimeter and constructed from a durable material, such as steel or other suitable metals. A lattice covering  28  is also affixed to the second frame  30 , the lattice covering  28  comprising the durable material used to assemble the first frame  22  and second frame  30 . The lattice covering  28  provides a frictionally-enhanced (traction) surface to the ramp  10  to prevent slippage of user and/or equipment during loading and unloading. The lattice covering  28  also provides a material that allows air to pass through during automobile transport. Furthermore, the lattice covering  28  allows a driver and/or passenger to view items positioned behind the ramp  10 , including other automobiles, obstructions, pedestrians or other items of concern when driving and/or parking the vehicle. It is envisioned that the second section  14  includes two longitudinally elongated inclined planes  32  and  34  and a recess  36  intermediate therebetween. The two inclined planes  32  and  34  and recess  36  are co-planar to one another. The two inclined planes  32  and  34  provide a means for safely loading and unloading material from the bed of a truck  100 , especially heavy items such as lawn equipment, machinery or items purchased in bulk packaging. The recess  36  is provided to permit a user to maneuver items into and out of a truck  100  without having to step onto the ramp  10 , if so desired. The width of the inclined planes  32  and  34  are substantially identical to one another, providing a pathway sufficiently wide to permit the widest of tires to travel upon. The width of the recess  36  is proportioned to the inclined planes  32  and  34  so as to provide an area of access sufficiently wide for an above-average sized person, but not so wide as to render the use of the inclined planes  32  and  34  in combination ineffective. When the first section  12  is retracted (as shown by the phantom lines of FIG.  1 ), the second section  14  is retracted as well and maintains an angle “&lt;α” approximate to the angle “&lt;α” when the replacement tailgate and ramp  10  is deployed for use. The permanent seam or weld  16  and the reinforcing members  18  and  20  provide structural and angular integrity to the second section  14  when retracted, thereby preventing warping, damage or destruction to the replacement tailgate and ramp  10  when retracted. 
     Referring now to FIG.  3  and FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The replacement tailgate and ramp  10 ′ comprises a first section  12  and a second section  14  affixed about a permanent seam or weld  16 . In contrast to the preferred embodiment disclosed above, the second section  14  (and thus, each of the pair of inclined planes  32  and  34 ) comprises an upper section  38  and a lower section  40  coupled about a hinge  42 . Reinforcing members  18  and  20  are affixed to the first section  12  and to the upper section  38  so as to provide reinforcing strength and durability to the tailgate/ramp  10 , similarly as the reinforcing members  18  and  20  are described in relation to the preferred embodiment. The upper section  38  and the lower section  40 , in combination, are substantially identical in dimension to the second section  14  disclosed in the preferred embodiment above. The upper section  38  and the lower section  40  are substantially identical in dimension to one another, divided by the hinge  42 , The upper section  38  and lower section  40  each include a pair of longitudinally elongated inclined planes  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50 . Furthermore, the upper and lower sections  38  and  40  each include a recess  52  and  54  intermediate to the respective inclined planes  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50 . Each section  38  and  40  includes the lattice covering  28  as disclosed previously. The hinge  42  is provided to allow the lower section  40  to pivot or fold onto the upper section  38  when the replacement tailgate and ramp  10  is retracted (shown in phantom in FIG.  3 ). The lower section  40  pivots away from the outside of the truck bed and toward the cab of the truck, as illustrated by the phantom lines and directional arrows in FIG. 3, until the lower section  40  rests adjacent to and/or abuts against the upper section  38 . The division of the second section  14  into an upper and lower section  38  and  40  provides a means for reducing the aerodynamic resistance that might otherwise result from the arrangement described in the preferred embodiment, wherein the second section  14  maintains a taller profile than the folded arrangement. Although the preferred embodiment is an improvement over existing tailgate and/or ramp replacement apparatuses, notably because of the latticed covering  28  allows air to pass through the tailgate/ramp  10 , the pivoting lower section  40  provides a tailgate/ramp  10  that rests well below the top portion of the cab  106  (indicated by the broken line “l”) of a truck  100 , thereby further reducing aerodynamic resistance and/or drag. Reduction of aerodynamic resistance and/or drag is associated with improved gas mileage and better control and/or handling of the vehicle. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, FIG.  6  and FIG. 7, securement means  56  is shown in accordance with the preferred embodiment and the alternative embodiment of the present invention previously disclosed. In FIG. 5, a view taken from the perspective of looking toward the tailgate from outside the truck is provided to illustrate a pair of securement means  56  and  58  affixed to the underside of the tailgate/ramp  10  and used to secure the tailgate/ramp  10  in an upright and retracted position when not in use. The securement means  56  and  58  is envisioned as having a plurality of configurations and/or styles, including one embodiment disclosed in FIG. 5, FIG.  6  and FIG. 7, a sliding pin  60  inserted into a housing  62  (illustrated as broken lines in FIG.  5 ). The pin  60  is inserted into an aperture  64  formed on the housing  62 , thereby lockably and securely impinging the tailgate/ramp  10  from pivoting about the posts  24  and  26 . The pin  60  slides laterally so that the pin  60  may be inserted and/or removed from the housing  62  as desired. The housing  62  (as best seen in FIG. 8) further comprises a plurality of cylindrical bores  66  for receiving means for attaching the housing  62  to the truck bed, including use of screws, bolts, or other elongated attachment mechanisms. An alternative embodiment of the sliding pin  60  is illustrated in FIG. 8, wherein the sliding pin  60  has a rectilinear configuration. It is also envisioned that other mechanisms may be employed to provide the secured impingement of the tailgate/ramp  10 , including but not limited to the use of combination or key locks secured about a U-bolt affixed to a truck. 
     It is envisioned that at least one effective and efficient method of manufacturing the replacement tailgate and ramp  10  is the welding of various components of the tailgate/ramp  10  previously described. Other methods of manufacture are also envisioned that are well known in the prior art. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     For purposes of illustration only, the following description of the operation of the present invention assumes that the tailgate/ramp  10  is in a secured and locked position (retracted position) within the bed of the truck  100 . To unload equipment or other items from the bed of the truck  100 , a user will slide the pin  60  from the housing  62 , thereby releasing one side of the tailgate/ramp  10  from impingement. A user will then slide the other pin  60  from the opposite housing  62 , thereby releasing the remaining side. The tailgate/ramp  10  is then lowered until the second section  14  rests against the ground or surface. A user will then load or unload the equipment and/or materials using the tailgate/ramp  10  to access the truck bed. After use, the tailgate/ramp  10  may be retracted and secured in the reverse manner described above. 
     Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following claims.

Technology Category: b