US 7,320,572 B2
Cargo unloading apparatus and method
Fred P. Smith, 228 S. Scenic Dr., Alpine, Utah 84004 (US)
Filed on Jan. 20, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/760,648.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/441490, filed on Jan. 21, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2004/0178671 A1, Sep. 16, 2004
Int. Cl. B60P 1/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 414—527  [414/437; 414/813] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An assembly comprising:
a vehicle comprising
at least one wheel supporting at least a portion of the weight of the vehicle on a supporting surface, and
a cargo area having a length, a width, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a tailgate defining the second end, the tailgate having a left side and a right side;
a flexible member having a first portion extending to substantially completely cover the cargo area and a second portion connecting to the first portion proximate the second end to extend therefrom to pass around the second end of the cargo area to be captured between the at least one wheel and the supporting surface; and
a friction-reducing member positioned proximate the second end to extend beyond the left side and the right side of the tailgate.