US Patent 10077083 Tailgate with movable support plate

The present invention relates to a tailgate, and in particular to an improved tailgate having a support plate that is movable to a raised position. The tailgate has a body that mounts to a truck bed in a conventional manner. The body has a cavity. When in a storage position, an extension plate, a first side plate, a second side plate and a support plate are contained within in the cavity. When in a deployed or extended position, the extension plate is rotated relative to the body, the side plates are pivoted up and the support plate is raised within the cavity. The support plate can be raised and lowered automatically as the side plates are swung open and closed.