Vehicle tailgate extension assembly

Abstract

The assembly of the present invention comprises a foldable container slideably connected to a pair of slide guides adapted to be secured to opposite sides of a vehicle tailgate. The container in one operative position has an open top and front and closed bottom, rear and sides. The container comprises a bottom bed panel, a rear panel hinged thereto and moveable between a stacked position over the bed panel, a vertical operative position and a hangtail operative position hanging below and behind the bed panel. A pair of side panels are hinged to opposite sides of the rear panel and are moveable between a stored position overlying the rear panel and an operative position perpendicular thereto and forwardly thereof. Catches releasably latch the side panels to the rear panel and, in the operative position, to a vehicle frame, and similar catches releasably latch the bed panel and thus the container to the slide guides. The container may slide between a forward stored position and a rear operative position. Telescoping slide guides and/or bed and side panels may be provided to facilitate rearward extension of the container. The assembly is simple, inexpensive, easy to install, store and remove, and effectively increases the carrying capacity of an open bed truck, station wagon, etc.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.