: “ VEHICLE TAILGATE WITH SUPPLEMENTAL TAILGATE HAVING VERTICAL EXTENSION MODE

摘要

A tailgate for a vehicle has a supplemental tailgate that retracts within the tailgate and is extendable therefrom in order to provide different assist functions. The supplemental tailgate my include a pivotable molding, which mounts on a movable frame portion, a latching assembly, and a gravity latch assembly, when pivoted, the pivotable molding releases the latching assembly, allowing the supplemental tailgate to be moved to various extended positions. The gravity latch assembly engages the pivotable molding to prevent the pivotable molding from being pivoted when the tailgate is in the generally vertical closed position, and disengages the pivotable molding to allow for pivoting when the tailgate is in the generally horizontal open position.