Tailgate position indicator

#1. Technical Field

#The invention relates generally to an indicating device. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for indicating the position of a truck tailgate to a person sitting in the cab of the truck. Specifically, the invention relates to an indicating device connected directly to a truck tailgate which has an adjustable indicating rod that extends outwardly from a housing a distance sufficient that it may be seen from a person sitting in the cab of the truck, the position of the rod indicating the position of the tailgate.

#2. Background Information

#The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best modes in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tailgate position indicator of the present invention attached to a tailgate with the tailgate in a closed, vertical position;

#FIG. 1A is a plan view of a pickup truck with the tailgate position indicator device of the present invention installed thereon and showing site lines depicting how the indicator is observable in a mirror from the cab of the truck;

#The improved tailgate position indicator of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 1 in the accompanying drawings. Tailgate position indicator 1 includes an indicator assembly 2 and a housing assembly 4. FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the invention in its typical environment where it is attached to the upper end of a truck tailgate 10 at a location distal from the tailgate's hinged attachment to the truck bed 11. Indicator 1 generally includes a housing assembly 4 from which extends an indicator assembly 2. Housing assembly 4 is adapted to allow the length of indicator assembly 2 extending from housing assembly 4 to be viewed by a person in the cab of the truck so that the person can determine the position of tailgate 10.

#Indicator assembly 2 includes an indicator rod 7 and an indicator body 8 attached to a first end of indicator rod 7. Indicator rod 7 may be manufactured of a strong, resilient material of a nominally circular cross section, in which the diameter is significantly smaller than its length. In one embodiment of the present invention, indicator rod 7 is in the form of a tightly wound spring of steel, although alternative materials may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. One such alternative material is a light-transmitting material that is described in more detail below. While tailgate position indicator 1 typically includes indicator body 8, indicator 1 may be used without indicator body 8 without impairing its functionality.

#Housing assembly 4 includes a screw 6, a container 12, and a spool 14. Spool 14 is adapted to selectively rotate within container 12 to wrap indicator rod 7 about itself to vary the length of rod 7 extending from housing assembly 4. Screw 6 may be used to lock the position of spool 14 with respect to container 12 to thus lock the position of indicator rod 7.