Louvered tailgate and airflow directing wing for pickup truck

摘要

A tailgate for a pickup truck includes three elongate, rectangular panels or louvers having an airfoil-shaped cross section pivotally mounted in a U-shaped tailgate frame conformed to be mounted on a pickup truck in place of the conventional tailgate. The louvers are linked to each other for coordinated pivotal movement about respective horizontal axes extending along the leading edge of the airfoil section between a closed position and an open position wherein the louvers project rearwardly from the frame to accommodate a substantially unrestricted flow of air through the tailgate. A reversible electric motor controlled from the cab drives the louvers in pivotal movement through a worm gear drive which will hold the louvers at any selected position. An airfoil section wing is mounted at the rearward end of the truck cab in spaced relationship to the cab roof and sidewalls to reduce turbulence in air flowing toward the tailgate.