Tailgate and door adjustors

Abstract

A tailgate adjuster in a preferred example comprises an adjustably locking rotatable bracket comprising a plurality of rotatably linked shank components, with at least one shank component joined to a sprocket component having a plurality of sprocket teeth, and at least one other shank component joined to a rotatable trigger component having a sprocket-engaging trigger tooth. The trigger component is preferably spring biased to maintain the trigger tooth in an engaged position with the sprocket teeth, and can be adjusted to disengage the trigger component from the sprocket teeth. The sprocket teeth are spaced to permit the locking of shank components at a desired angle to each other. Holes at each end of the tailgate adjuster permit the rotatable mounting of one such end to a vehicle tailgate or hatchback and the other end to a fixed location of the vehicle. In other examples the invention concerns a tailgate-reinforcing sheath and methods for maintaining a vehicle tailgate or other hinged door, gate or window in a one of a plurality of partly open positions.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: an adjustably locking rotatable bracket having a) a first shank comprising a first apparatus end having a hole structured to accommodate a screw or bolt, and a first connection end opposing the first apparatus end; b) a second shank comprising a second apparatus end defining an opening structured to accommodate a screw or bolt, and a second connection end opposing the second apparatus end, said first shank being rotatably joined to the second shank at a connection point joining said first connection end and said second connection end; c) a sprocket component joined to said second shank at a location proximal to said connection point, said sprocket component comprising a plurality of sprocket teeth; d) a trigger component rotatably joined to the first shank at a position sufficiently proximal to said connection point to engage said sprocket component, said trigger component comprising a trigger tooth structured to engage a sprocket tooth when rotated from an unengaged position to an engaged position, wherein said trigger component is effective when so engaged to prevent rotation of the connection between the first shank and the second shank in at least one direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sprocket component is joined to the second shank at said connection point.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said trigger component comprises a spring structured to exert a force biasing the trigger component in the engaged position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first shank comprises a clip joined thereto and effective to hold the arm component of the trigger component in an unengaged position when the arm component is placed therein.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sprocket comprises at least 6 teeth.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sprocket teeth are spaced apart so as to orient the rotatably connected shanks, when said trigger component is engaged with said sprocket component, in increments of at least about 22 degrees with respect to each other.

7. A method of maintaining a vehicle tailgate in a one of a plurality of partly open positions, comprising the steps of: a) rotatably affixing a first apparatus end of an adjustably locking rotatable bracket to a vehicle body at a location proximal to a side of said rear hinged opening of said vehicle; b) rotatably affixing a second apparatus end of said adjustably locking rotatable bracket to said side of the rear hinged opening of said vehicle, wherein said adjustably locking rotatable bracket comprises i) a first shank comprising said first apparatus end having a hole structured to accommodate a screw or bolt, and a first connection end opposing the first apparatus end; ii) a second shank comprising said second apparatus end defining an opening structured to accommodate a screw or bolt, and a second connection end opposing the second apparatus end, said first shank being rotatably joined to the second shank at a rotatable connection point joining said first connection end and said second connection end; iii) a sprocket component joined to said second shank at a location proximal to said connection point, said sprocket component comprising a plurality of sprocket teeth; iv) and a trigger component rotatably joined to the first shank at a position sufficiently proximal to said connection point to engage said sprocket component, said trigger component comprising a trigger tooth adapted to engage a sprocket tooth when rotated from an unengaged position to an engaged position, wherein said first apparatus end, said second apparatus end and said connection point are arranged to rotate in substantially parallel planes; a) moving the tailgate to a desired partly open position; b) and ensuring the trigger component is in an engaged position wherein the trigger tooth engages a space between adjacent sprocket teeth, thereby preventing rotation of the tailgate about the hinge in at least one direction.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein steps a, c, c and d are carried out in the listed order.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said adjustably locking rotatable bracket comprises at least one polymer.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said adjustably locking rotatable bracket comprises at least one metal or a metal alloy.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein said first connection end and said second connection end are rotatably joined using a rivet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1A is a side view of the tailgate adjuster of the present invention installed on a truck having an oversized flat payload.

(2) FIG. 1B is a side view of the tailgate adjuster of the present invention installed on a truck having a motorcycle as payload.

(3) FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the components of an adjustably locking rotatable bracket (tailgate adjustor) of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3A is a side view of an assembled example of the adjustably locking rotatable bracket shown in FIG. 2, in a locked, angled position.

(5) FIG. 3B is a side view of the adjustably locking rotatable bracket locked in a fully extended position.

(6) FIG. 3C is a side view of the adjustably locking rotatable bracket in a fully extended position with the trigger component unengaged.

(7) FIG. 3D is a partial cutaway top view of the adjustably locking rotatable bracket in a fully extended position with the trigger component unengaged.

(8) FIG. 4 is a close-up of the rotatable joint between shanks of an example of the support apparatus of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 5A is a top view of a tailgate reinforcing sheath of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 5B shows a side view of the tailgate reinforcing sheath shown in FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for adjustably maintaining a structure at least partially rotatable about a hinge. Preferably the structure to be maintained in a given position has a substantially flat, planar shape, such as a door, a window or a truck tailgate. As used in the present application, a shape that is substantially flat and/or planar is not limited to a two dimensional surface, but may include three dimensional shapes as well. For example, a cuboid shape having a relatively thin depth (such as a window or door) is within this definition, as is the shape of a truck tailgate, which may have a curve in an interior or exterior surface thereof, but nevertheless has the general essential shape and interchangeable function of a flat gate.

(12) Thus, FIG. 1A is a side view of a pickup truck 101 having a cargo bed 103. The cargo bed in this figure contains a flat payload 107. As shown in the figure, the payload 107 is longer than the length of the cargo bed 103; such a payload may comprise, for example, planks of lumber or sheets of drywall. Such loads of substantially flat, substantially planar payloads are notoriously difficult to secure for transit, since they generally do not have any easily securable hold down features, such as holes, hooks, or protrusions, to which a rope or length of line can be conveniently made fast. If the truck tailgate 105 is left open, the payload can easily slide out of the truck bed, for example, during turns or acceleration of the vehicle. Contrarily, if the tailgate is maintained in a completely raised position the driver's rear view visibility may be compromised.

(13) As shown, this problem is solved by the present invention wherein one end of an adjustably locking rotatable bracket (tailgate adjuster) 109 is rotatably connected to an outside surface of one side of the tailgate, and the other end of adjustably locking rotatable bracket 109 is rotatably connected to a vehicle panel 111 located proximal and opposing the same side of the tailgate, and the tailgate is raised to about 45 from the horizontal. Preferably, the tailgate is equipped with adjustably locking rotatable brackets 109 on each side of the tailgate, with each such bracket rotatably connected to the vehicle panel 111 located proximal and opposing the side of the tailgate to which the other end of the bracket is connected. The use of two adjustably locking rotatable brackets 109 aids in firmly and securely retaining the tailgate locked at the desired angle, and increases the possible mass of the load that can be placed on the tailgate during use.

(14) FIG. 1B is a side view of a pickup truck 101 having a cargo bed 103, wherein the figure is identical to FIG. 1A except the payload comprises a motorcycle 109. Those of ordinary skill will immediately envision other possible payloads, for example other oversized payloads, for which the present invention will prove useful.

(15) Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown an exploded side view of an example of the adjustably locking rotatable bracket of the present invention. The adjustably locking rotatable bracket apparatus as shown comprises two rigid shanks, a longer shank 203 and a shorter shank 205. The shanks are preferably approximately cuboidas shown in FIG. 2 the ends of the shanks 221 are rounded, but the top and bottom surfaces and the side surfaces are flat and parallel, and such shapes are within the definition of approximately cuboid as used herein. The shanks may be comprised of, without limitation, a metal, a metal alloy, a carbon fiber composition, or a strong, durable polymer. In preferred example, the shanks are made of stainless steel, but may be made of any suitable metal, such as a hardened bronze or a titanium alloy. Each of the shanks comprise a hole, preferably an elongated circular or stadium shaped hole 217, proximate to one end thereof.

(16) The longer shank 203 comprises a sprocket 213 fitted proximate to the end of the shank that does not contain hole 217. The sprocket may be affixed to the longer shank by any suitable means, such as by welding, cementing, gluing, bolting, or riveting. As shown in FIG. 2, the longer shank comprises a circular larger diameter hole 215 and three small pins 223 arranged in an equidistant arrangement from each other, with each small pin also equidistant from hole 215, thereby defining an equilateral triangle around hole 215.

(17) The sprocket 213 likewise comprises a hole 225, preferably of the same diameter as that of the longer shank, as well as small holes 227 slightly larger than the smaller holes 223 of the longer shank. Hole 225 and smaller holes 227 of the sprocket are arranged to exactly overlay those of the longer shank, such that bolts, screws, and or rivets may be used to join the sprocket 213 to the longer shank 203. In some examples, holes 215 and 225 may be tapped to permit machine screws to connect the longer shank 203, the sprocket 231, and the shorter shank 205. Those of ordinary skill in the art will be aware that this is simply one description of how the sprocket may be fastened to and supported on the shank, and other methods, and variations of these methods, will be easily apparent based upon this disclosure and may be used instead.

(18) The sprocket 213 comprises a plurality of teeth 229 arranged biased and oriented towards the opposing end (in this case, the end having the elongated circular or stadium shaped hole 217) of the shank on which the sprocket is mounted. Preferably, although not necessarily to the functioning of the invention, the sprocket teeth 229 are arranged and oriented substantially around one side or hemisphere of the body of the sprocket, while the remainder of the circumference of the sprocket 231 remains rounded, i.e., without teeth. It will be understood that in other examples, the sprocket teeth may extend further or even entirely around the sprocket body. The sprocket is affixed to the longer shank 203 in an orientation that places the teeth of the sprocket along one edge of the shank. In other example of the invention the sprocket may comprise curved plates on each side of the sprocket teeth to prevent the sprocket-engaging trigger tooth 237 from becoming disengaged or slipping from the sprocket teeth during use.

(19) The shorter shank 205 comprises hole 233 having the same or similar diameter as hole 215. Additionally, shank 205 comprises hole 235, located in this example, about inches along the length of the shank from hole 233; holes 233 and 235 may have the same or similar diameter as holes 215 and 225, or may have different diameters, In preferred examples the shanks 203 and 205, and/or the trigger component 207 and shank 205, may be joined using rivets.

(20) Trigger component 207 comprises handle 235, the main body 241 of the trigger, comprising sprocket-engaging tooth 237, and spring component 239. In some examples, the majority of the trigger may, for example, be cut out from one sheet of metal, except for the spring component 239; in other examples the handle 235 may be welded, bolted or otherwise affixed to the main body of the trigger. The trigger component 207 is rotatably joined to the shorter shank 205, for example, by means of a rivet or machine screw of suitable length, size and diameter to fit hole 233. The spring component may be of any suitable design to bias the trigger to apply torque to the trigger towards an engaged position (i.e., in the direction of the sprocket engaging tooth; counter-clockwise in FIG. 2).

(21) In one preferred example, the spring component 239 comprises a length of spring wire or a narrow ribbon of bent spring steel affixed and anchored at one end thereof to the shorter shank 205 by way of, without limitation a shallow protrusion and or a hole or slit located on the shorter shank, proximal to the hole 233. The other end of the spring component is affixed to, or made to engage with a protrusion, shelf, hole or slit on the trigger component in a manner that applies torque to the trigger towards an engaged position.

(22) FIG. 3A is a side view of an assembled example of the adjustably locking rotatable bracket shown in FIG. 2 wherein the longer shank 203 has been joined to the shorter shank 205 with sprocket 213 placed in between, using a rivet through holes 215, 235 and 225 (see FIG. 2), respectively, to grip and join shanks 203 and 205, and sprocket 213. The sprocket 213 is non-rotatably joined to longer shank 203, for example, by welding. The rivet permits the longer shank and the shorter shank to articulate with respect to each other about the axis of the machine screw projecting through and aligning holes 215, 235 and 225. In other examples, the rivet may be replaced by, for example, a machine screw.

(23) In the view shown in FIG. 3A the adjustably locking rotatable bracket 301 is shown in a locked position with the angle between the two shanks 203 and 205 being about 115. The trigger component 207 is held in the counterclockwise direction by torque forces generated by spring component 239 so that sprocket-engaging tooth 237 fits between selected sprocket teeth 229. The engagement of the trigger sprocket-engaging tooth with the teeth of the sprocket effectively prevents further articulation of shanks 203 and 205 with respect to each other to increase the angle between them, thereby locking the articulated joint in one direction. However, due to the shape of the sprocket teeth and the trigger tooth, this angle can still be readily reduced (and the reach of the bracket shortened) when the trigger is engaged by articulating the joint in the other direction; that is by moving the shorter shank 205 in a counter clockwise direction (or the longer shank 203 in a clockwise direction).

(24) Those of skill in the art will quickly recognize that in some cases it may be useful for the adjustably locking rotatable bracket to be structured to be capable of locking in both directions. This can be accomplished by various methods, such as (without limitation) by making the teeth of the sprocket and the sprocket-engaging tooth of the trigger substantially triangular and extending generally radially outward from the sprocket rather than in the counterclockwise-biased arrangement shown in FIGS. 2, and 3A-3C.

(25) FIG. 3B shows the adjustably locking rotatable bracket 301 locked in a fully extended position, in which the angle about the machine screw joining holes 215, 235 and 225 and rotatably linking the shorter shank 205 and the longer shank 203 is about 180.

(26) FIG. 3C shows the adjustably locking rotatable bracket 301 in a fully extended position (in which the angle about the rivet joining holes 215, 235 and 225 and rotatably linking the shorter shank 205 and the longer shank 203 is about 180), but wherein the trigger component 213 is not engaged, and the bracket is thus in an unlocked position. As can be seen, the handle 235 of the trigger component 207 has been pulled down and inserted into trigger clip 331, thus raising the sprocket-engaging trigger tooth 237 away from the sprocket, and permitting the longer shank and shorter shank to freely rotate with respect to each other (thus initially shortening the bracket as a whole).

(27) Also shown in FIG. 3C is trigger clip 331, which is affixed to the shorter shank 205. The trigger clip may be screwed, cemented, glued, or otherwise fastened to a base or side of the shank. As shown, the trigger clip is screwed to the underside of the shank. The trigger clip contains or consists of a flexible material, which may comprise, for example, a plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a natural or synthetic rubber, or another elastomeric material. A narrow horizontal channel (not shown) extends along an outside side of the clip; the channel is preferably slightly narrower than the width of trigger handle 235 such that, when the trigger handle is inserted into the channel, it is retained there against, and to counter, the force of compressed spring component 239. In some examples, the channel, or trigger clip as a whole, may comprise a flexible metal clip such as one made of spring steel.

(28) FIG. 3D is a partial cutaway top view of the adjustably locking rotatable bracket 301 in a fully extended position, as also shown in side view in FIG. 3C. As shown the longer shank 203 is connected by a rivet 327 through holes 215, 235 and 225 (see FIG. 2) to shorter shank 205, with sprocket 213 affixed in between. A shorter rivet 329 connects trigger component to the shorter shank 205. Screws 321 are inserted through shoulder washer 323, then through hole 217 and spacer washer 325 before being inserted in a tapped hole in either the side of the tailgate (preferably, longer shank), or a side panel of the truck or truck cargo bed (preferably, shorter shank). Usually, the preexisting standard issue flexible wire cables are fastened by screws and tapped holes to the same locations of the tailgate and cargo bed, and the same tapped holes can be reused to connect the adjustably locking rotatable bracket 301 of the present invention to the vehicle truck and tailgate, although if necessary, suitable holes can be drilled and tapped de novo. As will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, it is very preferable that an adjustably locking rotatable bracket of the present invention be connected to each side of the tailgate to provide stability and structural strength to the tailgate when locked in a position intermediate between fully open and fully closed.

(29) FIG. 4 shows another example of the support apparatus of the present invention, and comprises a close-up of the sprocket 213 and trigger component assembly 207. In this example, longer shank 203 is joined to sprocket 213 by welding at three locations 401. Rivet 403 rotatably joins the longer shank 203 with sprocket 213 attached and the shorter shank 205 through hole 215 (and holes 225 and 233; not shown). Pins 227 secure the sprocket 213 to the longer shank 203 to prevent torque displacement of the sprocket during use.

(30) Trigger component 207 is shown in both engaged and disengaged configurations. When the trigger component is in the disengaged position, the handle 235 is inserted into clip 331. As described above, the trigger component is biased in an engaged position by torsion spring 239, which is anchored to the trigger component by protrusion 405 and protrusion 407 (in this example, the spring is bent around the protrusions.) In this example, sprocket component 213 comprises two curved sheets of metal (409; only one curved sheet is shown in this side view) formed on each side of the sprocket teeth 229. The trigger component is rotatably joined to the shorter shank 205 by a rivet 411 through hole 235.

(31) FIG. 5A is a top view of another example of the present invention comprising a tailgate-reinforcing sheath 501. The sheath is very preferably made from a strong metal or metal alloy such as steel, and is effective to prevent bending of the tailgate when the support apparatus of the invention is employed in concert with a large load, such as a one or more motorcycle or all terrain vehicle (ATV). As shown in this figure, the sheath has a rear surface 509, side surfaces 505, front surface 507, and top surface 513. Optional U-shaped brackets 511 may be welded to top surface 509; these are also preferably made of a strong metal or metal alloy.

(32) The tailgate-reinforcing sheath also has a plurality of holes on facing surface 513 for fastening to the underlying tailgate surface near the end of the tailgate, preferably using blind rivets.

(33) FIG. 5B shows a side view of the same exemplary tailgate-reinforcing sheath. Thus, Surfaces 513, 509 and 507 are shown, as is optional U-shaped bracket 511 with a removable hook 515. Dotted line 521 shows the underlying end portion of the vehicle tailgate. Holes 519 are available on side surface 505 for the insertion of screws to join the sheath to the side of the tailgate. As can be seen in this figure, the tailgate-reinforcing sheath comprises a hollow void within shaped to receive and closely fit and cover the end portion of the tailgate 521.

(34) The various descriptions of the invention provided herein illustrate presently preferred examples of the invention; however, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the examples provided, or to the specific configurations, shapes, and relation of elements unless the claims specifically indicate otherwise. Based upon the present disclosure a person of ordinary skill in the art will immediately conceive of other alternatives to the specific examples given, such that the present disclosure will be understood to provide a full written description of each of such alternatives as if each had been specifically described.