Multi-position tailgate support apparatus and method
OwnerCary Russell Zielinskyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for adjusting the location of suspension for a tailgate is disclosed. The method may include selecting a vehicle comprising a first side, a second side, a tailgate, and at least one tailgate support. The tailgate may be connected to pivot with respect to the first and second sides through a range of motion. The at least one tailgate support may have a first end connected to the first side, a second end connected to tailgate, and an adjustor positioned between the first and second ends. The method may further include actuating or manipulating the adjustor to change the length under tension of at least one tailgate support. By changing this length, the location of suspension for the tailgate may be adjusted.
Claims20
A method for positioning a tailgate of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- selecting a vehicle comprising
- a first side, second side, tailgate, and first tailgate support,
- the tailgate connected to pivot with respect to the first and second sides through a range of motion,
- the first tailgate support comprising a first end connected to the first side, a second end connected to the tailgate, an adjustor located between the first and second ends, and a flexible member extending between the adjustor and one of the first and second ends,
- the first tailgate support, wherein the adjustor comprises a traveler and an extension, the extension being substantially rigid, the traveler connected to the flexible member and configured to selectively travel with respect to the extension, and
- the first tailgate support having a tensioned length achieved by pulling the first and second ends away from one another;
- unlocking the the traveler with respect to the extension;
- moving, after the unlocking, the traveler with respect to the extension to transition the tensioned length from a first value to a second value, distinct from the first value;
- and
- locking, after the manipulating, the traveler with respect to the extension to maintain the tensioned length at the second value.
A method for positioning a tailgate of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- selecting a vehicle comprising
- a first side, second side, tailgate, and first tailgate support,
- the tailgate connected to pivot with respect to the first and second sides through a range of motion, and
- the first tailgate support comprising a first end connected to the first side and a second end connected to the tailgate;
- disconnecting the first tailgate support from the rest of the vehicle;
- procuring a second tailgate support comprising a first end, a second end, an adjustor located between the first and second ends thereof, and a flexible member extending between the adjustor and one of the first and second ends, the second tailgate support having a tensioned length achieved by pulling the first and second ends thereof away from one another, the adjustor comprising a traveler and an extension, the extension being substantially rigid, the traveler connected to the flexible member and configured to selectively travel with respect to the extension;
- installing, after the disconnecting, the second tailgate support by connecting the first end thereof to the first side and connecting the second end thereof to the tailgate;
- unlocking, after the installing, the the traveler with respect to the extension;
- moving, after the unlocking, the the traveler with respect to the extension to transition the tensioned length from a first value to a second value, distinct from the first value;
- and
- locking, after the manipulating, the the traveler with respect to the extension to maintain the tensioned length at the second value.
A vehicle comprising:
- a first side;
- a second side;
- a tailgate connected to pivot with respect to the first and second sides through a range of motion;
- a tailgate support having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the first side, the second end connected to tailgate;
- the tailgate support further having a tensioned length achieved by pulling the first and second ends away from one another;
- and
- the tailgate support comprising an adjustor positioned between the first and second ends and a flexible member extending between the adjustor and one of the first and second ends, the adjustor selectively transitioning the tensioned length between a first value and a second value, greater than the first value, the adjustor comprising
- a rigid extension,
- a traveler connected to the flexible member and configured to selectively travel with respect to the extension, and
- a lock configured to selectively fix the traveler to the extension at multiple locations along the extension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.