Cargo-bed side/top rotating extender with angled shoulder
A two-part covering that mounts to the top edge of a pickup cargo-bed side or tailgate and has a rotatable second portion that swings between a closed orientation (faces toward the first portion) and an open orientation (faces away toward the cargo area). The second portion includes a shoulder or lip that bears on the exterior wall when closed and projects upward when opened; intended for users who want a temporary work or standing surface along the cargo-bed side.
(57) What the patent covered
This write-up was generated by AI from the patent's text and may contain mistakes, so check it against the original patent before relying on it.
The main independent claim covers a two-part cover: a first portion fixed to the top of a cargo-bed wall and a second portion rotatably connected to the first portion, where the second portion rotates between a position with its face opposite the first portion and a position with its face reversed toward the cargo bed, and a shoulder extends upward from the second portion when the second portion is in the open orientation with the first portion attached to the wall. Claim 6 adds that the shoulder extends from the edge of the second portion at an angle and is shaped to bear against the wall exterior when the second portion is in the closed orientation so the second portion can be rotated inward toward the bed to open.
Distinguishing feature: A rotatable two-piece top-mounted cover with an angled shoulder that both bears on the wall exterior when closed and forms an upward shoulder when rotated open.
Novelty 3/5. Pickup bed edge caps and fold-down tailgate seats were known; the distinct detail was the angled shoulder that engages the exterior wall and changes orientation as the second portion rotates.
Manufacturing
Injection-molded plastic first and second portions, molded or machined hinge/pin (metal or molded plastic), standard fasteners for attachment to the top bed rail, optional foam or rubber bonded to surfaces; hand final assembly.
Materials: Injection-molded plastic (ABS or polypropylene), rubber or foam pad (optional contact surface), stamped or molded metal hinge or pin, fasteners (stainless steel screws or rivets).
Manufacturability 4/5. Few molded parts and a simple hinge reduce tooling complexity; requires accurate hinge tolerances and corrosion-resistant fasteners for outdoor use.
Market demand
Comparable products are on sale; this exact design was not found. Typical retail price: $147–$499. Multiple vendors offer fold-down/table-style add-ons for truck beds and cabs, including tailgate panels and cargo-slide tables; some listings include customer reviews and multiple vehicle fitment options.
- TrailGate Panel – Fold-down work surface for truck tailgate · XTRUSION Overland
- Load Bed Cargo Slide – Drop-down table kit (Front Runner Series)... · Dometic / Front Runner (via Dometic listing)499.00
- EXP Truck Cap Storage Box Shelf/Table Kit – Fold-down shelf/table · Westin Automotive (EXP Truck Cap Accessories)172.99
Demand check by web search, week of Oct 19, 2026. Listings change frequently.
Buyers: Pickup owners, vehicle aftermarket shops, contractors who use pickup beds.
Before manufacturing
No related continuation or divisional patents in force were found. Design patents, trademarks and unrelated patents may still cover the product.
Patent has lapsed; check fitment to specific bed contours and material durability for outdoor exposure; claims are relatively specific to the rotatable two-piece geometry with an angled shoulder.
About 1.5% of lapsed patents are later revived by their owners. This page is a research lead, not legal advice. Obtain a freedom-to-operate opinion before manufacturing.