Tailgate extender

Abstract

A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle of the type including a cab and a cargo body positioned rearwardly of the cab and including side walls and a floor coacting at the rear of the cargo body to define a tailgate opening into which the tailgate is fitted. The tailgate assembly includes an extender assembly including a bar positioned proximate an upper edge of the tailgate and a pair of post assemblies extending downwardly from the bar into the tailgate proximate respective side edges of the tailgate. Each post assembly includes a lower post member articulated to an upper post member which in turn is connected to the bar. The bar may be raised to a position above the upper edge of the tailgate by sliding the post assemblies upwardly within guide tubes provided in the tailgate whereby to provide further vertical restraint for loads carried by the vehicle. If the bar is moved upwardly to a position wherein the axis of articulation between the upper and lower post members is positioned above the upper edge of the tailgate, the bar together with the upper post members may be rotated about the axis of articulation to move the extender assembly to positions at right angles to the plane of the tailgate where it may provide further load restraint with the tailgate lowered or may provide a step to facilitate entry into the cargo body of the vehicle.