# US 11,305,825 B2 · Tailgate gap prevention device

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- Number: US 11,305,825 B2
- Document ID: US11305825B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/511,146
- Filed: 2019-07-15
- Published: 2021-01-21
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2019-07-15
- Applicants: Kevin Juchmes
- Inventors: Kevin Juchmes
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305825B2

## CPC

- B62D 33/0273: {Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks (B62D33/037 takes precedence)}
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)

## Abstract

An illustrated view of a tailgate gap prevention device for preventing a gap between a tailgate and a box of a vehicle. The tailgate gap prevention device is useful for preventing debris, ice, snow, etc. from falling into and being trapped in the gap between the tailgate and the box of the vehicle. The tailgate prevention device provides a quick, easy and safe cleanup of the truck box where the gap is not collecting debris, ice, snow etc. The tailgate gap prevention device has a tailgate bridge and a plurality of hinges. The hinges are screwed onto the tailgate bridge and onto the box of a vehicle. Once installed, spring-loaded hinges will cause the tailgate bridge to slide into position preventing the gap from debris, ice, snow, etc.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tailgate gap prevention device for protecting a gap of a pickup truck from accumulating debris, ice, snow etc., the device comprising:
a tailgate bridge, the tailgate bridge being for protecting the gap of the vehicle;
a plurality of hinges, the hinges having a plurality of screw holes;
a plurality of screws, the screws being inserted into the screw holes; and wherein the screws being coupled into the first edge and the second edge of the tailgate bridge; and
the screws being inserted into the screw holes, and wherein the screws being coupled to a bed of a vehicle substantially near a tailgate of the vehicle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein when the box does not have a load, the hinges being in an open position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device being fifty-seven and one-fourth (57.25) inches in length.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the tailgate bridge having two long sides.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4, wherein at least one of the two long sides being coated.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of screws being self-drilling tapping screws.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the hinges being spring-loaded snap-over hinges.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the tailgate bridge being made of diamond coated aluminum.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hinges being made of a stainless-steel material.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of screws being coated with a zinc material.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hinges further comprising:
a plurality of boots, each of the plurality of boots being removably coupled to each of the plurality of hinges.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of boots being made of a rubber material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of boots being made of a plastic material.