Pickup tailgate loading ramp

A pickup tailgate loading ramp for replacement of a standard pickup tailgate attached to the pickup by standard-equipment tailgate hardware, wherein said pickup tailgate loading ramp is adjustable between a vertical position when said pickup tailgate loading ramp is not being used for loading and a load position for moving materials and equipment from the road surface into the bed of the pickup truck, wherein the standard-equipment pickup tailgate hardware includes two latch pins and two hinge pins, said pickup tailgate loading ramp comprising:

• a generally rectangular tailgate assembly having a first horizontal rail, an opposed second horizontal rail, and first and second end rails;
• first and second hinge assemblies, wherein said first and second hinge assemblies are attached to said first horizontal rail and hingedly connect said first horizontal rail to said hinge pins;
• first and second latch assemblies, wherein said first latch assembly is attached to said first end rail and said second latch assembly is attached to said second end rail, so that, when said pickup tailgate loading ramp is in the vertical position said first and second latch assemblies engage the standard-equipment latch pins and secure said pickup tailgate loading ramp to the pickup truck;
• at least one folding ramp assembly, said folding ramp assembly further comprising:
• an upper ramp section having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end of said upper ramp section being rigidly attached to said opposed horizontal rail of said tailgate section;
• a lower ramp section having an upper end and a lower end;
• a U-shaped support member;
• and
• a linkage member, said linkage member being characterized as having an upper portion, an intermediate portion, and a lower portion, said upper ramp section being pivotally attached to said upper portion of said linkage member, said support member being attached to said intermediate portion of said linkage member, and said lower ramp section being pivotally attached to said lower portion of said linkage member;
• so that, as said tailgate assembly is rotated on said first and second hinge assemblies, said upper ramp section and said lower ramp section are extended outwardly and down from the pickup truck until said lower end of said lower ramp section is in contact with the road surface and a ramp is formed for moving materials from the road surface to the bed of the pickup truck.