Earl W Sherrer

US Patent:

20040032142, Feb 19, 2004

Filed:

Jun 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/164862

Inventors:

Earl Sherrer - Elk City ID, US
Patrick Doherty - Elk City ID, US

International Classification:

B62D033/03

US Classification:

296/061000

Abstract:

A fold up ramp assists the loading and unloading of equipment and people onto and off of the bed of a pickup truck. Four individual panels are configured with a unique folding pattern that allows two of the panels to fold into two of the other panels, or nest, to form the tailgate on a pickup truck. The folded and nested panel tailgate is exactly the same size as a standard pickup truck tailgate, varying according to vehicle make and model, and utilizes the same latching mechanism. The ramp panels are fabricated of rectangular metal tubing frames having a metal meshing topside. The panels are interconnected by piano hinges fastened to the underside shared edges between the panels and running the full length of the edge to increase stability and strength.