Patent · US Expired

Pickup truck bed extender apparatus

US6540123B1 · kind B1 · utility

58Cited by
27References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 30, 2000
Grant dateApr 1, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 30, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60P3/40
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A bed extender apparatus adapted for use with a pickup truck bed to functionally enlarge the useable cargo area within the truck bed when a tailgate is in a lowered position. The bed extender includes a center wall which is pivotably mounted to an inner surface of the tailgate, and which can be pivoted into an upright position once the tailgate is moved into a lowered position. A pair of end walls are pivotably secured to opposite ends of the center wall. Each end wall can be pivoted out to a position extending perpendicular to the center wall once the center wall is in its raised or operative position. Each of the end walls can then be secured to an associated one of the vertical walls of the pickup truck bed. A principal advantage of the bed extender is that the end walls and center wall each include a plurality of members which, when the end walls are folded against the center wall, form an extremely compact arrangement which takes up virtually no appreciable cargo space within the pickup truck bed. The bed extender also forms an extremely aerodynamically efficient structure when in use.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.