The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 12, 2007
Filed:
Sep. 27, 2005
Steve Bruford, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Kian-huat Tan, Westland, MI (US);
Herbert Gruber, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Rudy Gruber, Uxbridge, CA;
Steve Bruford, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Kian-Huat Tan, Westland, MI (US);
Herbert Gruber, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Rudy Gruber, Uxbridge, CA;
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A lock rod support member can be stowed within a support tube housed in the body of the pick-up truck on which a supplemental tailgate assembly to be deployable from the tailgate structure of the pick-up truck. The support tube for the lock rod can be mounted internally of the D-pillar of the pick-up truck body with the lock rod extendible therefrom, or mounted beneath the top rail of the pick-up truck bed from which the lock rod can be extended, for engagement with the deployed supplemental tailgate assembly. A stop bracket positioned at the end of the lock rod support tube engages and positions the formed distal end of the lock rod for appropriate positioning for engagement with the supplemental tailgate assembly. A spring latch mechanism is mounted on the opposing ends of the supplemental tailgate structure for clasping the insertion end of the lock rod members.