Adjustable and Collapsible Apparatus for Loading and Unloading Pickup Truck Cargo Beds

摘要

A loading apparatus for a tailgate-equipped cargo bed of a pickup truck features a cargo bed platform assembly, and a tailgate platform assembly pivotally connected to the rear end of the cargo bed platform assembly. The tailgate platform assembly is pivotable relative to the cargo bed platform assembly between a stowed position overlying the cargo bed platform assembly and a deployed position forming a rearward extension of the cargo bed platform. Between uses, the tailgate platform is storable in the cargo bed in a secured manner behind a closed tailgate. When needed, the tailgate is opened and the tailgate platform is folded down onto the open tailgate. An overall effective length of the apparatus is adjustable to fit different cargo bed sizes by extension of retraction of a longitudinal adjustment member that extends forwardly from the cargo bed platform to abutting against a front wall of the cargo bed.

主权项

1. A loading apparatus for use in loading and unloading a tailgate-equipped cargo bed of a pickup truck, the apparatus comprising:
a cargo bed platform assembly dimensioned to fit within the cargo bed of the pickup truck with a front end of said cargo bed platform assembly residing adjacent an operator cabin of the pickup truck, a rear end of said cargo bed platform assembly residing adjacent a tailgate of the cargo bed of said pickup truck, and opposing sides of the cargo bed platform assembly residing respectively adjacent opposing side walls of the cargo bed of said pickup truck, the cargo bed platform having a cargo bed platform length measured between said front and rear ends thereof in a longitudinal direction and a cargo bed platform width measured between said opposing sides of the cargo bed platform in a transverse direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction; a tailgate platform assembly having a connection end that is coupled to the rear end of the cargo bed platform assembly by a pivotal connection that defines a pivot axis parallel to the width dimension of the cargo bed platform assembly, and a free end disposed opposite the connection end, the tailgate platform assembly being pivotal about the pivot axis relative to the cargo bed platform assembly between a stowed position overlying the cargo bed platform assembly and a deployed position forming an extension of the cargo bed platform that reaches from the rear end thereof in the longitudinal direction; whereby the tailgate platform is storable in the cargo bed of the pickup truck in the stowed position with the tailgate closed when the loading apparatus is not in use, and is pivotally deployable from the stowed position into a deployed position residing atop the tailgate when opened, whereupon placement of one or more ramp members in a useable position sloping upward to the tailgate platform assembly from the ground prepares the pickup truck for loading or unloading of the cargo bed.