Apparatus and method for a rotatable tailgate assembly having service and out-of-service positions
First Claim
1. A subassembly for the pivotal body of a heavy-duty truck wherein the body is supported by a truck frame and includes opposing side walls, a front wall and a canopy extending forward from the front wall over the cab of the truck, said subassembly comprising in combination;
- a tailgate assembly including opposing side beams attached at their first ends to a tailgate;
pivot means coupling said opposing side beams to said opposing side walls such that said tailgate assembly can be rotated about an axis of rotation intersecting both side walls, said axis of rotation intersecting a vertical plane which divides said truck body into forward and rearward sides;
said tailgate assembly having a center of gravity intermediate said tailgate and said axis of rotation;
means for rotating said tailgate assembly about said axis of rotation from a service position to an out-of-service position in which said tailgate assembly rests on the canopy of said body; and
said rotating means includes a cable or chain connected to said truck body at a first end, to said tailgate assembly at its second end and biased against a roller assembly mounted to said truck frame at a cable or chain location intermediate said first and second ends whereby movement of said truck body from lowered to raised positions draws said cable or chain in a first direction causing said tailgate assembly to rotate about its axis of rotation and subsequent movement of said truck body from raised to lowered positions draws said cable or chain in a direction opposite said first direction causing said tailgate assembly to continue rotating about its axis of rotation until said tailgate assembly rests on said canopy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A subassembly is provided for the pivotal body of a heavy-duty truck comprising a tailgate assembly which rotates between service and out-of-service positions in order to provide a truck body having a dual volume capacity. The tailgate assembly includes opposing side beams attached at their first ends to a tailgate which forms a back wall of the truck body when the assembly is in its service position. Pivot means couple the opposing side beams to the opposing side walls of the truck body such that the tailgate assembly may be rotated about an axis of rotation between its service and out-of-service positions. Means are provided for rotating the tailgate assembly about its axis of rotation wherein the rotating means advantageously utilizes the changing position of the center of gravity of the tailgate assembly as it rotates between positions.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A subassembly for the pivotal body of a heavy-duty truck wherein the body is supported by a truck frame and includes opposing side walls, a front wall and a canopy extending forward from the front wall over the cab of the truck, said subassembly comprising in combination;
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a tailgate assembly including opposing side beams attached at their first ends to a tailgate; pivot means coupling said opposing side beams to said opposing side walls such that said tailgate assembly can be rotated about an axis of rotation intersecting both side walls, said axis of rotation intersecting a vertical plane which divides said truck body into forward and rearward sides; said tailgate assembly having a center of gravity intermediate said tailgate and said axis of rotation; means for rotating said tailgate assembly about said axis of rotation from a service position to an out-of-service position in which said tailgate assembly rests on the canopy of said body; and said rotating means includes a cable or chain connected to said truck body at a first end, to said tailgate assembly at its second end and biased against a roller assembly mounted to said truck frame at a cable or chain location intermediate said first and second ends whereby movement of said truck body from lowered to raised positions draws said cable or chain in a first direction causing said tailgate assembly to rotate about its axis of rotation and subsequent movement of said truck body from raised to lowered positions draws said cable or chain in a direction opposite said first direction causing said tailgate assembly to continue rotating about its axis of rotation until said tailgate assembly rests on said canopy.
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2. A subassembly for the pivotal body of a heavy-duty truck wherein hinges pivotally support the body on a truck frame and said body includes opposing side walls, a front wall and a canopy extending from the front wall over the cab of the truck, said subassembly comprising in combination;
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a tailgate assembly including opposing side beams attached at their first ends to a tailgate which forms a back wall of said truck body when said assembly is in a service position; pivot means coupling said opposing side beams to said opposing side walls such that said tailgate assembly can be rotated about an axis of rotation between resting positions; said tailgate assembly having a center of gravity intermediate said tailgate and said axis of rotation defining the location of an imaginary vertical plane; means for pivoting said truck body about hinges between raised and lowered positions; means for rotating said tailgate assembly responsive to the pivoting of said body; said means for rotating said tailgate assembly responsive to the pivoting of said body from its lowered position to its raised position such that said tailgate assembly is rotated from one of said resting positions to a raised position whereby the center of gravity of said tailgate assembly passes through said vertical plane; and said means for rotating said tailgate assembly responsive to the pivoting of said body from its raised position to its lowered position such that said tailgate assembly is rotated from said raised position to one of said resting positions whereby the center of gravity of said tailgate assembly does not pass through said vertical plane. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification