Trailer tailgate

Abstract

A wedge-shaped trailer tailgate providing a loading ramp and a planar surface in combination with the trailer deck when the tailgate is in its transport position. A planar deck is better for cargo hauling, but also provides little wind resistance for improved hauling efficiency. The wedge shape with elastic bumpers attached provides for support on loading heavy objects such as motorcycles. Taillights are recessed into the thick end of the wedge-shaped trailer tailgate so they face backward when the tailgate is in its transport position and are shielded under the trailer deck when the tailgate is in its loading-ramp position.

1 . A wedge-shaped trailer tailgate comprising: 
 (a) a thick end, disposed to a front of a trailer when the wedge-shaped trailer tailgate is in a loading-ramp position; and    (b) a hinge, an axis of rotation of which is disposed above a top and toward the thick end of the wedge-shaped trailer tailgate when said tailgate is in the loading-ramp position, such that an angle of approach is shallow when the tailgate is in the loading-ramp position and a trailer deck and tailgate make up a substantially planar surface when the tailgate is in a transport position.    
   
   
       2 . The wedge-shaped trailer tailgate of  claim 1  additionally comprising at least one bumper operably attached to a bottom of the wedge-shaped trailer tailgate and near the thick end when the tailgate is in the loading-ramp position.  
   
   
       3 . The wedge-shaped trailer tailgate of  claim 2  wherein the bumper is made of an elastic material.  
   
   
       4 . The wedge-shaped trailer tailgate of  claim 1  additionally comprising taillights recessed into the thick end disposed to face back when the wedge-shaped tailgate is in the transport position.  
   
   
       5 . The wedge-shaped trailer tailgate of  claim 4  wherein the taillights are protected under the trailer deck when the wedge-shaped trailer tailgate is in the loading-ramp position, said taillights facing forward.  
   
   
       6 . The wedge-shaped trailer tailgate of  claim 1  additionally comprising a latch pin assembly comprising: 
 (a) a substantially U-shaped latch pin, a first end of the substantially U-shaped latch pin pivotally engaging a hole in the trailer and a second end of the substantially U-shaped latch pin made to optionally engage a hole in the wedge-shaped trailer tailgate such that, when the substantially U-shaped latch pin is engaged in the wedge-shaped trailer tailgate, the wedge-shaped trailer tailgate is secured to the trailer;    (b) a nut affixed to the first end of the substantially U-shaped latch pin; and    (c) a spring into which the first end of the substantially U-shaped latch pin engages, said spring bearing on a surface of the trailer and the nut such that the substantially U-shaped latch pin is forced toward the trailer by the spring.    
   
   
       7 . A method of constructing a wedge-shaped trailer tailgate, said wedge-shaped trailer tailgate comprising an axis of rotation on which said wedge-shaped trailer tailgate pivots for converting between a transport position and a loading-ramp position, a thick end as seen in cross section of the trailer tailgate, and a first top surface when the trailer tailgate is in the loading ramp position, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) positioning the axis of rotation on the thick end of the wedge-shaped tailgate above the first top surface of the wedge-shaped trailer tailgate when the wedge-shaped trailer tailgate is in the loading-ramp position; and    (b) determining the location of the axis of rotation such that the first top surface of the wedge-shaped trailer tailgate, when in the loading-ramp position, is substantially even with a trailer deck and such that a second top surface of the wedge-shaped trailer tailgate when in the transport position, provides a substantially planar surface in combination with the trailer deck.