Tailgate removal deterrent device
OwnerJerry P. Hamiltoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device is provided which significantly deters the theft of tailgates from pickup trucks. The shaft member of a typical tailgate hinge mechanism is secured by a rotatable cup within the cup fixed to the tailgate. The open slotted sectors on both cups are aligned to allow passage of the shaft member. After passage of the shaft member, the rotatable cup is moved until the open slotted sectors are out of alignment, preventing movement of the shaft member out of the cups. A wall sector is also provided which attaches to the exterior surface of the rotatable cup after the shaft member has been positioned within. It is closely received by the open slotted sector of the used cup which prevents further rotation of the rotatable cup within the fixed cup.
Claims9
In combination with a vehicle having a body and a tailgate mounted on the body, the tailgate being attached to the body by a hinge mechanism having a rotational axis, such hinge mechanism comprising a shaft member, the shaft member being received by a fixed receiving cup for rotation of the shaft member within the cup, the fixed receiving cup having a wall containing an open slotted sector for passage of the shaft member therethrough, whereby the tailgate may be installed or removed from the body, a tailgate removal deterrent device comprising:
- a rotatable receiving cup, the rotatable receiving cup being closely received by and rotatable within the fixed receiving cup, the rotatable receiving cup having a wall, the rotatable receiving cup wall having an open slotted sector, the rotatable receiving cup open slotted sector being positioned on the rotatable receiving cup wall, such that it is alignable with the fixed receiving cup open slotted sector by rotation, such alignment allowing passage of the shaft member from the fixed receiving cup, the rotatable receiving cup open slotted sector being further positioned on the rotatable receiving cup wall, such that, when not aligned with the fixed receiving cup open slotted sector, the shaft member is held within the rotatable receiving cup.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.