Abstract: A tail gate opening and closing device for a vehicle. In order to prevent earth and sand from being attached on the inner wall surface of the tail gate after discharging a load, a rotary plate is provided such that when the tail gate is closed it has a free end portion in contact with the inner wall surface of the tail gate. When the tail gate is accommodated below the floor surface in an open position, the free end portion of the rotary plate is supported at the upper end edge of the tail gate and is pivotally affixed to the rear end portion of the floor surface of the bed.

Abstract: An exterior roll door for providing access to the interior of a trailer mounted on the outside, with door tracks on the outside in channels in the sides of a header, forming top rails, the door tracks having open sides facing outwardly and mounted inwardly from the rear edge of the trailer along the header, with the tracks along the header, before reaching the top corner of the trailer, curving towards the outer edges of the trailer, and then back to form top rails substantially flush with the roof of the trailer to allow the door to seal the trailer when in a down closed-position, while allowing the door to clear the corner of the trailer during opening, and then allowing the opened door to sit above the roof when in the up, fully-open position.

Abstract: A tailgate for a pickup truck (10) includes an integrated air foil mechanism mounted in an open top cargo area (12) defined by two side walls (14) and (16), a front end and an open trailing end. The tailgate includes two control frames (20) and (22), a main air foil wing (24) and control apparatus. The two control frames (20) and (22) are mounted on the pickup truck side walls (14) and (16) at the open trailing end of the cargo area. The main air foil wing (24) has two ends, each end pivotally mounted to the control frames (20) and (22), such that the main air foil wing (24) spans the opening between the control frames (20) and (22).

Abstract: A cart for handling a load includes a generally horizontal support for supporting the load, vertical rear and side walls for laterally confining the load, and at least one door for laterally confining the front of the load. A hinge permits the door to pivot about a vertical pivot axis and a latch having a plurality of latch positions holds the door in one of the latch positions for laterally confining the front of the load.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a tailgate handle assembly including a single actuator lever which is pivotable by a lift handle to pull a pair of rods laterally inwardly to release oppositely disposed tailgate latches. The initial installation steps are simplified with respect to connecting the pair of rods to the handle assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing wind resistance of an open bed truck, by use of an air flow director in the rear of the truck bed. The air flow director can be stowed in a compartment of the truck (such as the cab of the truck or a special-purpose air flow director cavity formed in the truck, when not in use, and may be folded before stowing.

Abstract: A mounting system for a conventional tailgate of a pick-up truck is capable of securing the tailgate within the cargo bay of the truck and at the same time utilize the tailgate to provide a short bed or containment area within the cargo bed. Two top brackets are secured to opposing sidewalls of the cargo area. The brackets extend towards each other and provide for pivotal mounting of the tailgate. Two stop brackets attached to the cargo bed floor limit the motion of the tailgate mounted on the top brackets. In an alternative embodiment, the top bracket and bottom brackets are secured to two elongated brace members before being secured with the cargo bed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an alternative device for a tailgate to a pickup truck. The device includes a horizontal beam assembly to be installed across the open back of a pickup truckbed having a cylindrical pivot hinge on one end and a handle-latch at the other end. The pivot hinge can be installed at any height along the open truckbed so as to provide a functional impediment to loss of cargo depending on the size of cargo carried by the operator of the vehicle. The beam assembly can be raised or lowered to accommodate the size of cargo carried in the truckbed.The beam assembly is wired electrically for a rear brake lamp which would be connected to the wiring for the truck tail lights. The beam feature is an improvement over a full tailgate as it allows for the flow of air out of the truckbed to reduce drag and increase gas mileage.

Abstract: A tailgate plate is arranged for displacement from a vertical position extending over an entrance opening of a vehicular truck bed, wherein the tailgate is arranged for displacement to a second position orthogonally and forwardly oriented relative to the first position permitting access of air movement through the entrance opening of the truck bed to improve aerodynamics and increase the fuel efficiency of the truck, and wherein the tailgate is arranged for displacement to a third position orthogonally and rearwardly oriented relative to the first position and in the same plane as the truck bed floor, allowing cargo to be loaded and unloaded in the accustomed manner.

Abstract: A pickup truck tailgate construction is provided which enables the tailgate to be used either (1) in customary manner, with the bottom of the tailgate in hinged relation with the after end of the bed so that the tailgate can be pivoted between vertical closed position and horizontal open position or (2) in a modified fashion, in which the top of the tailgate is pivotally arranged so that the bottom of the tailgate can be positioned several inches rearwardly from the after end of the bed. The rectangular gap between the bottom of the tailgate and the adjacent after end of the bed and the triangular gaps between the opposite ends of the tailgate and the adjacent after ends of the side walls are spanned by correspondingly shaped mesh panels which allow free flow of air therethrough. Improved fuel efficiency and handling of the vehicle results from the aerodynamically enhanced construction.

Abstract: An improved tailgate or vane for pickup trucks that provides reduced aerodynamic resistance compared to the standard pickup truck tailgate. In one embodiment, it rotates, about upper pivots, from vertical to horizontal during acceleration of the pickup truck to provide a horizontal low aerodynamic resistance flying tail effect at high speeds. The improved tailgate can, in the preferred embodiment, be locked in a vertical orientation to accomplish a standard tailgate function as a retainer for the aft end of the bed of the pickup. It can be locked or fixedly attached in a non-vertical orientation to provide a vertical force on the rear of the pickup truck. It is intended that the improved tailgate can be easily attached or removed using either the standard tailgate attachment hardware supplied with the pickup truck or with new hardware supplied with the improved tailgate.

Abstract: A tailgate release handle security device for attachment to a tailgate incorporates a cover comprising a metal plate and an integral inwardly extending skirt having a rim which bears against an outer panel of a tailgate. A pair of hooks, attached to the skirt, extend outward through a pair of apertures in the tailgate release handle recess and bear against the back of the tailgate outer panel. A cylindrical lock, mounted in the plate, has a locking dog which presses outwardly against the upper edge of the back of a tailgate release handle when the security device is attached to the tailgate.

Abstract: A latch plate for swing doors of a truck is disclosed which is movable between a latch engaging position and a retracted position. The latch plate in its retracted position would not interfere with vertically movable parts of a tailgate lift.

Abstract: A tailgate enclosure device (10) for retaining a load carried in a cargo hold (12) of a pickup truck. The cargo hold (12) has a loading bed (14) and a pair of lateral walls (16, 18). The device (10) is swingable between a vertical closed and a horizontal open position about a pair of pivots (58, 60). The device (10) comprises a generally rectangular, tubular frame (20) having a pair of opposing long horizontal members (22, 24), one of which being disposed adjacent the loading bed (14). The device (10 ) also comprises a pair of opposing short members (26, 28) extending between the long members (22, 24), the short members (26, 28) being positionable adjacent the lateral walls (16, 18) when the device (10) is oriented in the closed position. Also, the device (10) has a generally elliptically shaped tubular frame (30) disposed within the rectangular frame (20) to impart rigidity to the device (10) without any significant increase in drag.

Abstract: A tailgate barrier for a pickup truck bed which can be removably located at multiple positions within the truck bed and may be locked by a cotter-key or a padlock for security as the mounting means are brackets suitably mounted in proximity to both sidewalls of the bed. The barrier is made in the form of a membrane which can be wrapped around its support members to accommodate any width of truck bed and can be located forward or rearward of the wheel wells.

Abstract: A flexible bulkhead (36) is provided that includes a plurality of horizontal poles (38) disposed in channels (54) and (56) on opposite sides of a container (10). Webbing straps (50) and (52) are operable to space the poles (38) a predetermined distance apart when installed between hooks on either side of the container opening and at the upper and lower corners therein. When pulled taut, the webbing straps (50) and (52) maintain the material of the flexible bulkhead (36) in a taut configuration. Flaps (66) and (68) extend from the peripheral edges on the sides of the flexible bulkhead (36) and inward to the container (10). A liner (16) is then disposed in the container (10) and inflated with a vacuum system through a manifold (42) and a blower (22). The flaps (66) and (68) prevent deformation of the flexible material of the bulkhead (36) to minimize air from flowing under and around the flexible bulkhead (36).

Abstract: A livestock pen includes a rectangular horizontal platform having a plurality of sidewall assemblies connected thereto and extending around the perimeter thereof. At least one of the sidewall assemblies includes first and second vertical posts spaced apart from one another to form a gate opening therebetween. An upper horizontal rail is connected to the upper end of one of the gate posts and extends horizontally away from the gate opening. A horizontal slide rail is attached to the one sidewall assembly and extends across the gate opening adjacent the lower end thereof. A gate includes an upper channel member slidably mounted over the upper rail of the rear wall assembly and a lower sleeve member telescoped over the slide rail at the bottom of the wall assembly so as to permit the gate to slide between open and closed positions.

Abstract: An improved bed finisher for being received in lieu of the tailgate of a conventional pickup truck is disclosed. The bed finisher comprises left and right uprights and a transverse member. The uprights mate with the standard tailgate mounting hardware of the pickup truck and conceal the hardware so as to provide an attractive and stylish appearance to the rear of the truck when the tailgate is removed. A cargo net or the like may be provided extending between the left and right uprights, allowing the assembly of the bed finisher and cargo net to be removed and replaced by the conventional tailgate very conveniently. The left and right upright members may each include a frame intended for mating with the tailgate mounting hardware of one or more standard trucks, and a cover member intended to mate identically with each of the various types of frame.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic retainer device is provided for snap-in blind attachment in a keyhole-shaped apertured panel. The retainer device comprises a flat rectangular base having a push-in fastener shank adjacent one transverse edge. The shank extends from the base inner face while a fastener head and subjacent spacer collar extend from the base outer face in coaxial alignment with the shank. An integral wedge-shaped locking cam projects from the base outer face and is aligned on the base major axis of symmetry adjacent the base other transverse edge. The locking cam has a raised outboard facet and an inboard ramp sloped toward the fastener head with the facet spaced a predetermined longitudinal distance from a transverse outboard collar stop shoulder. The panel keyhole-shaped aperture is configured and dimensioned enabling the head to be initially inserted in the circular opening thereof.

Abstract: A pickup truck has a vertically movable tailgate assembly. The tailgate assembly includes a rigid cross beam along with a flexible net. The tailgate is automatically moved along a track from its raised to its lowered position.

Abstract: A tailgate guard assembly incorporates a metal plate that closes off the handle recess. The plate is stiffened by an inwardly extending skirt welded to the back of the plate so that the skirt projects into the handle recess to hinder direct access into the handle recess under the edge of the plate. A hinge section along the top edge of the plate hooks in behind the outer panel of the tailgate along the top of the handle recess. A lock disposed near the lower end of one of the sides of the handle recess has a locking dog that rotates to a locking position in which it latches behind the outer panel of the tailgate without any structural modifications or additions to the tailgate. Once the tailgate guard assembly is hooked by its hinge section to the tailgate, the assembly is swung downward toward the tailgate until the lock is positioned so that the locking dog can be turned to its locking position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retractable tail gate assembly for a pick-up truck vehicle. The tail gate comprises a plurality of panel sections that are hinged together to make up a flexible tail gate panel. Each panel section carries two or more guides, at least one at each end thereof, which track in left and right hand guide channels. Each guide channel is mountable to a truck side at the rear of the truck bed opening, one guide channel on each side of the bed opening. The guide channels are configured to extend from the top of the bed opening downward below the truck bed whereunder they are angled forward to end beneath truck bed at a point above the truck axle. A reversible motor is mounted beneath the truck bed and connected to the bottom edge of the panel by means of an extending and retracting mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle door operating mechanism provides automatic opening and closing of a delivery truck door from within or without the vehicle. A low profile side mounted electric motor operates a closed loop drive means with limit switches assuring proper operation. The motor and drive means cooperate directly with the existing tracking.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for opening and closing a rear door of a vehicle such as a dump truck. The rear door of the vehicle is bisected into left and right rear door sections. When opened, the bisected left and right rear door sections are moved toward the outsides of the both side walls of the bed of the vehicle by the power of a drive cylinder provided on the lower surface of the floor of the bed of the vehicle, respectively. When the operating rod of the drive cylinder is extended, each of the left and right rear door sections is moved through a single or a plurality of links. Arcuate portions are preferably formed on the inner wall surfaces on the sides of respective out side end portions of the left and right rear door sections so that the door sections, when being opened, can be smoothly moved around the rear edges of said side walls to positions outside the side wall.

Abstract: An automotive pickup retrofit apparatus including a formed strip of thin, rigid material structured for close matable connection protectively and decoratively covering a portion of the rear contoured panel of the tailgate. One embodiment includes a formed, elongated sheet of thin, rigid material forming a protective and decorative outer layer structured for close matable connection over substantially the entire front or rear panel of the tailgate. An open or bottomed frame structured for connection within an aperture formed through the central portion of the tailgate is also provided which may include further protective ornamentation.

Abstract: A truck or, respectively, truck trailer, in particular with a closed box body, possibly provided with thermal insulation, and a door (3) disposed at the box body and pivotable around hinges with vertical pivot axes, where the hinges are attached at the box body (1), wherein a pivot arm (7), with its pivot hinge (6), extending horizontally over two sides (3a, 3b) below the door (3) at the box body (1) or, respectively, at the vehicle frame (2) is disposed such that the rotation axes (6a) of the pivot arm (7) are aligned with the pivot axes (4a) of the door hinge brackets (4), and where the pivot arm (7) is connectable at its free end (7a) by a bolting device (8) to the box body (1) or, respectively, the vehicle frame (2), and where a ramp (10) or, respectively, (34) is disposed at the pivot arm (7), where the ramp is pivoted around a pivot hinge device (9) and mountable and demountable by way of a bolting device (11) at the door (3), and where this ramp is narrower than the door (3).

Abstract: A mechanism for preventing removal of a ramp from its storage space beneath the floor of a truck body when the door for the truck body opening is latched closed. The ramp is insertable into and is removable from the ramp storage space through an opening beneath the truck body opening. The door latching mechanism includes a latch bolt movably mounted on the door and engagable with a catch pin in the truck body floor. The latch bolt carries a pawl which is engagable with a portion of the ramp to prevent removal of the ramp when the ramp is properly stored. The pawl also prevents the latch bolt from engaging the catch pin if the ramp is improperly stored.

Abstract: A tailgate barrier for closing the open end of a truck bed is a rectangular sheet of substantially inelastic flexible material held as a membrane in bi-axial tension by continous elongated upper and lower edges extending to a tension strap at top and bottom corners of each end, the membrane being provided with a pattern of perforations, each of which is in the form of a generally U-shaped slit wherein the central portion of the U is a depending flap that flexes out of the plane of the membrane during the passage of air flow through the membrane.A preferred embodiment has an arcuate tension member connecting the top and bottom corner at each end.Another preferred embodiment has printed indicia that extends across the membrane and at least some of the depending flaps of the perforations.

Abstract: A fabric tailgate for a pickup truck which has a cargo carrier with a bed, vertical sides and a front enclosing the bed with an open end, is made by forming a rectangular sheet of material made from plastic fabric having re-enforced edges and a length as long as the pickup truck opening is wide and a height as high as the vertical sides of the pickup. Along the top and outer edges of the fabric tailgate are straps which pass through "U" shaped mounting brackets attached to the upper edge of the open end of the pickup truck. A "C" shaped securing mounting is attached along the bottom edge of the pickup truck. A cylindrical plastic rod is sewn into the hem along the bottom of the fabric tailgate and inserted into the "C" shaped opening of the mounting bracket. The "C" shaped mounting bracket extends along the entire length of the bed of the pickup truck.

Abstract: In a truck, trailer and/or cargo carrying container having a rectangular door frame and a door pivoted at one edge to an upright side of the frame which are subject to racking during use, a follower and cam member secured to the door and frame, respectively. The follower and cam are generally located midway between the pivoted edge of an opposite edge of the door, whereby the follower engages the cam member during and after closing of the door.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention concerns an inside loader, designed as a trailer for a semi-tractor, for road traffic, and for loading, transporting and unloading transportation racks, preferably for plate glass. The loader includes an undercarriage having parallel longitudinal members, on the outside of each of which are located the axles of one side of the trailer. The axles are individually mounted on axle rocker arms supported by air shocks which, in their filled condition, serve as axle shocks, and in their empty condition are used to load or unload a transportation racks. Preferably, the invention's inside loader is equipped at the back of the undercarriage with a hinged gate which, when closed, connects the longitudinal members of the undercarriage with one another.

Abstract: A roll-up door for a container body of a van or the like is provided with a winch which is located in a compartment formed in the header of the door. The winch is connected by flexible winding straps to the upper door panel and the lower door panel so that it is operable to drive the door between the open and closed position. The door panels are hingedly connected by hinges in which the hinge pin is located at the inner face of the door. Flexible sealing members are connected to each jamb and bear against a marginal edge portion of the outer face of the door when the door is in the closed position. A control system for controlling the direction of rotation of the reversible D.C. motor is provided which includes a master control circuit and a slave control circuit which is selectively operable.

Abstract: A reinforcing latching means for maintaining the integrity of the upper tailgate-sidewall joint closure in a refuse carrier with a vertically hinged tailgate assembly including a handle disposed along the bottom of the tailgate which mechanically rotates a vertically oriented control shaft and is operatively connected to at least one horizontally disposed latching rod means horizontally moveably along the tailgate for controlling the engaging and disengaging of said at least one latching rod means with a latching plate means disposed along the exterior lateral surface of the sidewall.

Abstract: To provide flow of grain controlled in amount and direction, an end gate for a truck comprises an end gate body adapted to be fastened to the end panel of a truck having three vertically slidable door panels in it and a single lever operated drive plate. Each of the door panels includes a separate latch by which it is connected to the drive plate. The door panels are mounted in parallel track members with cut-away portions and a member extending upwardly from the bottom edge of the door panel when the door panel is in its uppermost position to hold the lower portion of the door panels. The latches include hinges movable from a location over an L-shaped flange on the longitudinally extending drive plate and away from said longitudinally extending plate and the latch cam may be moved to engage the hinge and press it against said longitudinally extending plate for connecting said drive means to said door panel.

Abstract: A tailgate is hingedly mounted for movement about a vertical axis rearwardly and outwardly offset from a vertical post adjacent the rear corner of the load carrying bed of a vehicle. The tailgate is mounted upon the post by a hinge assembly which accommodates vertical movement of the gate relative to the vehicle bed along the hinge axis to enable vertical stakes projecting downwardly from the tailgate to be inserted into and removed from upwardly opening apertures in the vehicle bed to accommodate hinging movement of the gate to and from a positively maintained closed position.

Abstract: A locking arrangement for use on an enclosure which enclosure has an opening and a roll-up door to close the opening, automatically locks the door when it is closed. The arrangement includes a striker member mounted on one side of the door to define a striker path when the door is moved upwardly or downwardly. A lock mechanism includes a dog and means for biasing the dog to removably extend into the striker path. When the door is moved downwardly, the striker will force the dog out of the striker path to thereby permit the striker to pass over the dog and for the door to extend below the dog. When the striker is below the dog and the door is moved upwardly, the dog will engage the striker and prohibit upward movement of the striker and the door.

Abstract: There is provided an improved trailer and tailgate therefore. The means for attaching the tailgate to the remainder of the trailer is independent of the inside surfaces of the sidewalls of the trailer. Thus the sidewalls are free from obstructions permitting a free flow of material out of a trailer when it is being dumped. A pair of cane shaped rods are received through the top and bottom of the tailgate and are connected to the floor and to the tops of the sidewalls of the trailer.

Abstract: A tailgate barrier for a light truck comprising a flat membrane of flexible, inelastic material. Apertures are formed through the membrane to pass air therethrough. Stiffeners are incorporated in the membrane at its side edges to maintain the side edge straight, and to distribute the tensioning forces which hold the barrier in place.

Abstract: A tailgate for a pickup type vehicle comprised of separate closure members arranged end-to-end and having adjacent ends abutting and rigidly secured to each other to form a single tailgate. Since the tailgate is comprised of separate closures, it can be easily shipped. The closure members can be readily assembled by the user and be used to replace existing tailgates. Moreover, due to the fact that the closure members may be covered with permeable material, it is well suited as a low drag replacement tailgate.

Abstract: A semitrailer (20) with improvements providing for increased use of available floor space is disclosed. The trailer (20) includes two sidewalls (22), a front end wall (24), a top wall (26) interconnecting said sidewalls (22) and front end wall (24) to enclose the semitrailer (20), and a back end (30) including hinged doors (32) providing for access to the inside of the semitrailer (20). A floor (28) interconnecting the sidewalls (22), is arched upward between the sidewalls (22) to provide a raised floor surface near a mid-portion of the floor (28) generally along the longitudinal extent thereof. Furthermore, the trailer includes a support structure (34) for supporting the floor (28) and the sidewalls (22, 24, 30), and the top wall (26). The arched floor (28) causes articles or pallets (48) loaded onto the trailer to tip outwardly toward the sidewalls (22) of the trailer (20) such that the top of the pallets ( 48) are spaced further apart.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improvement in pickup truck tailgates and the mechanism for operating such tailgates which allows the tailgate to be operated from essentially a conventional closed vertical position to a plurality of other positions which may provide negative lift to the rear of the pickup truck vehicle or minimize the drag coefficient of the vehicle. This is accomplished with a mechanism which allows the tailgate to be carried substantially inside of the pickup truck bed enclosure with air flow over the tailgate and between the tailgate and the floor of the pickup truck bed. The angle between the tailgate and the truck bed is adjustable to provide desired lift and drag minimization functions.

Abstract: A gate assembly is adapted to be used with a vehicle which has a cargo area defined by at least two sides extending substantially parallel to one another and comprises a gate member adapted to be moveably disposed within the cargo area of the vehicle and having a body with first and second sides. Guiding apparatus is adapted to be connected to the vehicle to restrict movement of the gate member between an open position to allow access into the cargo area and a closed position to limit access into the cargo area. Follower apparatus is adapted to be connected to the gate member to cooperate with the guiding apparatus by restricting movement of the first end of the gate member along a direction line substantially parallel to the sides of the vehicle and for restricting movement of the second end of the gate member along a direction line substantially transverse to the parallel sides of the vehicle when the gate member is being moved between the open and closed position.

Abstract: A pin-off and door closure assembly for a stationary refuse compactor which includes a packer unit having a ram for forcing refuse into a portable container through a load opening in the door thereof, the container being removably attached to the packer unit. The pin-off portion of the assembly includes an elongated pipe which, when not in use, is stored in a refuse-free compartment on the face of the ram. The pin-off pipe is transferred to its position of use across the container door load opening by extension of the ram into the container, following which pins are inserted through both sides of the container into the ends of the pipe for securing the latter into position. A hinged flap forming the forward side of the storage compartment permits the pipe to be removed from the compartment upon retraction of the ram.

Abstract: A tailgate protecting device including an elongated section of pipe or other rigid beam forming a structure which is long enough to span the width of the load carrying portion of a pickup truck, a pair of vertical support members affixed to the elongated beam proximate its ends, and a pair of laterally extending brackets for engaging the tailgate and holding the device in position. When in operation, the device is capable of supporting loads extending beyond the bed of the truck and over the tailgate, thereby protecting the tailgate from damage.

Abstract: A roll-up door assembly for a vehicle body having a roof, a pair of opposed sidewalls and an end wall including an opening into the interior of the body and over which the door assembly is disposed. The door assembly is located externally of the body adjacent the opening and includes a sliding door which is slidable from a stored position above the roof to a pivoted open position wherein the door covers the opening but is pivoted outward from the opening about a pivot axis located adjacent the bottom of the opening. The door is pivotable to a pivoted closed position wherein the door is pivoted toward the opening to fully close the opening. The door is located within fixedly mounted track means when in the stored position. The fixedly mounted track means are mounted externally of the body adjacent the roof and the sidewalls. The door is rolled into pivotable track means when it is in either the pivoted open or pivoted close position.

Abstract: An air drag reducing tail gate adapted to fold into the utility compartment of a pick-up truck or the like to promote fuel efficiency while eliminating unsafe conditions inherent in operation of a pick-up truck, trailer or like vehicle with a tail gate extending out of the area occupied by the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate handle latch mechanism including a pair of latch assemblies carried by casings adapted to be fixed adjacent each side of the tailgate for engagement with an associated striker member on the vehicle body. A pair of control rods are journaled on the tailgate for rotational movement about their own axis disposed parallel with the axis of the gate hinges. A central lift handle rotates the control rods about their axis such that their outboard hooked ends release pawl elements of their associated latch assemblies causing spring biased ratchet members to automatically rotate to then open position unlatching their strikers allowing the tailgate to be moved to its open position.

Abstract: A closure device for the rear of a vehicle which is permeable to air. The embodiment shown is a gridded tailgate for a pickup truck. The open grid forming the surface of the tailgate permits the free flow of air through the tailgate which decreases the wind resistance of the vehicle, reduces drag, increases mileage, allows freedom of vision when hooking anything to the rear of the truck and greatly facilitates backing the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle body comprises a pair of swingable doors giving access to a load carrying interior of the body. To facilitate opening and closing of the doors a coupling mechanism links the doors for simultaneous counterbalanced movement.