Tailgate liner and game apparatus

A tailgate liner for a pick-up truck comprising:

• a rigid polymer sheet formed to a configuration corresponding to the shape of a pick-up truck tailgate and securable to the tailgate;
• wherein the rigid polymer sheet is durable and protects at least a portion of the pick-up truck tailgate;
• and
• wherein the rigid polymer sheet includes an integrally formed game surface configured to receive game pieces for game play.

A tailgate liner and game apparatus comprising a generally rectangular panel sized and shaped to fit on a truck tailgate surface and substantially covering the entire exposed truck tailgate surface, the panel comprising:

• a game board integrated therewith, the game board having an arrangement and positioning of cup holders including a plurality of circular cup holders arranged in a triangular formation on either end of the tailgate liner to form two triangular formations of cup holders each facing the other in a mirror image relation such that the triangular formations point toward the center portion of the game board, the triangular formations of cup holders being further defined by outer recesses or ribs:
• wherein the cup holders each have a generally flat planar base forming a stable surface for holding a cup and all cup holders are provided on the same flat plane, each cup holder being of equal size and depth and spaced equidistant from adjacent cups such that rims of the cups touch each other while allowing the cups to sit flat;
• wherein each triangular formation has an additional cup holder located outside of the triangular formation and spaced such that a cup placed therein does not touch the other cups in the triangular formation;
• a flat bounce surface defined by a generally rectangular or square flat area provided between the two triangular formations;
• one or more game ball holders formed by indents or recesses in an outer facing surface of the tailgate liner;
• a plurality of spaced apart ribs extending in parallel relation perpendicular to the direction of play which provide rigidity and utility, for the game board, the plurality of spaced apart ribs being positioned in a central portion of the panel which generally extends between the two triangular patterns of cup holders and surround portions thereof as well as surrounding the flat planar bounce surface;
• one or more engagement apertures provided in and through the panel which are arranged to enable the panel to be securely coupled to the truck tailgate surface;
• and
• the engagement apertures each being receptive to one or more fasteners inserted into the engagement apertures for engagement with the tailgate surface to secure the panel to the truck tailgate surface.