Tailgate reinforcement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10793207-B2
Application number	US-201916556668-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 30, 2019
Priority date	Jun 24, 2016
Publication date	Oct 6, 2020
Grant date	Oct 6, 2020

Abstract

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a reinforcement or brace that can be installed on the tailgate of a vehicle. The reinforcement can provide structural support for heavier mounted objects, such as tires, as well as allowing for different attachment points. Advantageously, the tailgate hinge does not need to be removed or replaced.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tailgate assembly comprising:
a tailgate;
a first hinge;
a second hinge;
a reinforcement covering a portion of the first hinge and a portion of the second hinge on the tailgate; and
at least one fastener that attaches the reinforcement to the tailgate.

2. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement extends over a portion of a well of the tailgate.

3. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a spare tire carrier attached to an outer surface of the reinforcement.

4. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener extends through a first aperture in the reinforcement and into a second aperture in the tailgate.

5. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement comprises a plurality of slots for mounting accessories.

6. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a gap between an inner surface of the reinforcement and an outer surface of the tailgate.

7. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement does not extend outside of a perimeter of the tailgate.

8. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement extends across about half of a width of the tailgate.

9. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , wherein a lateral side of the reinforcement forms a generally backwards c-shape.

Assignees

• Lund Motion Products Inc

Inventors

• Smith Anthony

Classifications

• B60J5/0431

  the elements being arranged at the hinge area · CPC title

• B62D33/0273

  Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks (B62D33/037 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E05Y2900/546

  Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening upwards · CPC title

• B62D43/02 Primary

  external to the vehicle body · CPC title

• B62D65/16

  the sub-units or components being exterior fittings, e.g. bumpers, lights, wipers {, exhausts} · CPC title