US Patent 10543789 Combination cargo stop and step

A tailgate includes an opening through a rear end of the tailgate when in a tailgate open position. The tailgate also includes a tailgate extender having support tubes extending through the opening and telescopically slidable outward from the tailgate, a laterally extending support beam supported by the support tubes, and a cargo-assist step pivotally mounted to the support beam, the cargo-assist step configured to pivot downwardly when the support tubes are pivoted downwardly to define a step and to pivot upwardly into a vertical position when the support tubes extend horizontally to define a cargo stop.