Vehicle tailgate loading ramp

Abstract

A tailgate ramp for use with the loading surface of a motor vehicle. The tailgate ramp is used assist in loading an object from a ground level surface to the loading surface or tailgate of a motor vehicle.

1 . A tailgate ramp for use with a motor vehicle having a loading surface, the tailgate ramp adapted to span the distance between a ground level surface and the loading surface of the motor vehicle to allow for the loading and unloading of equipment, the tailgate ramp comprising 
 first and second substantially parallel side rails each having a first end and a spaced apart second end, the first end adapted to be positioned to lie near the ground level surface when in use,    a plurality of spaced apart cross members that span between and are coupled to the side rails to provide a transport surface to allow the equipment to be transported across the tailgate ramp,    an end support member coupled to the second end of the side rails, the end support member including an outwardly extending lip adapted to engage the loading surface to support the tailgate ramp on the loading surface of the motor vehicle, and    first and second bumpers coupled to the second end of each of the side rails, the first and second bumpers are adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle to prevent the side rails from contacting the loading surface of the motor vehicle.    
   
   
       2 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 1 , wherein the end support member includes a first side wall facing toward an adjacent cross member and a second side wall opposing the first side wall.  
   
   
       3 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 2 , wherein the second side wall is spaced inwardly from the second end of the side rails so that the second side wall does not contact the loading surface of the motor vehicle.  
   
   
       4 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 3 , wherein the end support member includes a bridge that interconnects the lip to the end support member.  
   
   
       5 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 4 , wherein the lip is coupled to the bridge at a downwardly sloping angle.  
   
   
       6 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 5 , wherein the lip decreases in thickness as the lip extends from the bridge.  
   
   
       7 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 1 , wherein the side rails are tubular and include an interior cavity.  
   
   
       8 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 7 , wherein the bumpers include a head portion and a base portion.  
   
   
       9 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 8 , wherein the base portion of the bumpers are adapted to be positioned within the internal cavity of the side rails.  
   
   
       10 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 9 , wherein the head portion of the bumpers includes a tapered end wall that is adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle when the lip is resting on the loading surface of the motor vehicle.  
   
   
       11 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 1 , wherein the side rails each include an elongated lip adapted to support the cross members and the end support member.  
   
   
       12 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 11 , wherein the cross members include first and second sloped walls that provide a support surface to allow the equipment to transition from one cross member to the next.  
   
   
       13 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 12 , wherein the cross members include a top wall that interconnects the first and second sloped walls.  
   
   
       14 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 13 , wherein the cross members include ribs adapted to enhance the traction of the cross members.  
   
   
       15 . A tailgate ramp for use in loading and unloading equipment from a loading surface of a motor vehicle, the tailgate ramp comprising 
 first and second tubular side rails adapted to extend from a ground level surface to the loading surface of the motor vehicle when the tailgate ramp is in use,    a plurality of cross members extending between the side rails, the cross members adapted to provide a support surface to allow the equipment to travel across the tailgate ramp,    an end support member adapted to be coupled to the side rails, the end support member having a bridge member and lip coupled to the bridge, the lip adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle to support the loading ramp during use, and    first and second bumpers coupled to the side rails and adapted to engage the loading surface to provide support when the tailgate ramp is engaged with the loading surface of the motor vehicle.    
   
   
       16 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 15 , wherein the side rails include an internal cavity.  
   
   
       17 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 16 , wherein a portion of the bumpers are adapted to be secured within the internal cavity of the side rails.  
   
   
       18 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 17 , wherein the bumpers include a sloped side wall that is adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle.  
   
   
       19 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 15 , wherein the side rails include an elongated lip adapted to support the cross members and the end support member.  
   
   
       20 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 16 , wherein the side rails include a guide member that is adapted to aid in guiding equipment along the tailgate ramp.  
   
   
       21 . A tailgate ramp for use in loading and unloading equipment from a motor vehicle having a loading surface, the tailgate loading ramp comprising 
 a pair of side rails having a first end adapted to engage a ground level surface and a second end positioned to lie near the loading surface of the motor vehicle when the tailgate ramp is in use,    a plurality of cross members adapted to be coupled to the side rails,    an end support member coupled near the second end of the side rails, the end support member having a first side wall facing the cross members and a second side wall opposite the first side wall, the second side wall spaced inwardly from the second end of the side rails so that the second side wall does not engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle, and    a lip member coupled to the end support member, the lip member adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle to support the tailgate ramp,    a pair of bumpers coupled to the side rails and adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle to provide support when the tailgate ramp is engaged with the motor vehicle.    
   
   
       22 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 21 , wherein the end support member includes a bridge interconnecting the lip to the end support member.  
   
   
       23 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 22 , wherein the lip is coupled to the bridge at a downwardly sloping angle.  
   
   
       24 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 23 , wherein the lip decreases in thickness as the lip extends from the bridge.  
   
   
       25 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 21 , wherein the side rails are tubular and include an interior cavity.  
   
   
       26 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 25 , wherein the bumpers include a head portion and a base portion.  
   
   
       27 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 26 , wherein the base portion of the bumpers are adapted to be positioned within the internal cavity of the side rails.  
   
   
       28 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 27 , wherein the head portion of the bumpers includes a tapered end wall that is adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle when the lip is resting on the loading surface of the motor vehicle.  
   
   
       29 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 21 , wherein the side rails include an elongated lip adapted to support the cross members and the end support member.  
   
   
       30 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 29 , wherein the cross members include first and second sloped walls that provide a support surface to allow the equipment to transition from one cross member to the next.  
   
   
       31 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 30 , wherein the cross members include a top wall that interconnects first and second sloped walls.  
   
   
       32 . The tailgate ramp of  claim 31 , wherein the cross members include ribs adapted to enhance the traction of the cross members.