Abstract: A lowering mechanism for a tailgate of a vehicle comprises a spring housing, a spring, and a flexible cable. The spring housing is preferably mounted under a lip of the truck box. The spring extends coaxially between a proximal and distal end of the tube. The flexible cable has a first end attached to the tailgate and a second end attached to the coil spring adjacent the distal end of the tube. The cable extends coaxially through the spring and the tube. The spring retards movement of the tailgate to a generally horizontal open position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vise for holding a workpiece. The vise includes a base supporting a moveable jaw, a fixed jaw, and a mechanism for moving the moveable jaw toward the fixed jaw. Each jaw includes a working surface, the working surfaces being disposed in facing relation and including at least two slots formed vertically spaced apart. Each slot is horizontally aligned with a slot in the opposing working surface. A selected pair of horizontally aligned slots each receive an insert for positioning the workpiece a distance from the base of the vise. The user's selection of the pair of horizontally aligned slots for reception of the inserts determines the position of the workpiece relative the base.

Abstract: An extendable load bearing apparatus that protects the bed of a pickup truck from damage caused by unloading and loading objects into and out of the bed, and that protects the bed from otherwise compromising weather-related elements. The apparatus includes a load bearing tray that has longitudinal sides, a forward end, and a rear end, and that has downwardly projecting tray supports extending substantially along the longitudinal sides of the tray. The apparatus also includes a plurality of rollers each housed within a roller bracket and secured to a workpiece. Each of the plurality of rollers is in supporting relationship with one of the pair of downwardly extending tray supports. At least one axle extends transversely from each of the pair of downwardly extending tray supports. A wheel is mounted in rotatable relationship to each of the axles to facilitate movement of the load bearing tray in a longitudinal direction.