Automatic positive tailgate latching mechanism

• US 5,335,958 A
• Filed: 02/18/1993
• Issued: 08/09/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc. (Oshkosh Corporation)
• Original Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc. (Oshkosh Corporation)
• Inventors: McNeilus, Brandon, Christenson, Ronald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kramer, Dean J.
• Application Number:
  US08/018,962
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 296/56, 292/300, 49/254, 49/255, 49/257, 49/258, 414/406
• US Class Current: 296/56
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2003/0279 the discharging means mounted at the front of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/00 Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse vehicles in general B60; driving vehicle equipment or auxiliaries B60K; discharging contents by tilting entire vehicles B65G; wheeled apparatus for emptying sewers or cesspools E03F7/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/42 Rigid engaging means

Abstract

A tailgate latching mechanism for latching a vertical tailgate to the rear structure of the truck body of a rearward or side compacting, rear discharge refuse truck in which the tailgate is pivotally mounted from pivot pins in top hinges fixed to the top rear of the truck body. The mechanism includes upper and lower pairs of spaced, vertically interlocking side latches for absorbing the horizontal forces associated with compacting and compacted refuse when latched, a pair of self-aligning vertical stops to prevent vertical displacement of the tailgate when closed, and a system for vertically adjusting the pivot pins allowing vertical displacement of the tailgate associated with latching and unlatching the vertically interlocking latches. Bottom drop in retainers are also provided.

Claims

1. A tailgate latching mechanism for latching a vertical tailgate to the rear of a truck body of a rearward compacting, rear discharge refuse truck comprising:

vertically adjustable pivot mounting means including hinge means for pivotally securing the top of the tailgate to the top rear of the truck body structure;

means for vertically adjusting the pivot mounting means;

a pair of oppositely disposed hinged pivot connections each including a hinge pin cooperating with an opening in a hinge member fixed to the truck body and on an opening in a hinge member fixed to the tailgate such that the tailgate is pivotally suspended from the truck body by the hinge pins;

wherein the means for vertically adjusting the pivot mounting means includes means to allow limited vertical displacement of the hinge pins relative to the truck body or the tailgate;

upper and lower spaced pairs of vertically interlocking side latches for absorbing the horizontal force associated with compacting and compacted refuse when latched;

a pair of self-aligning vertical stops to prevent vertical displacement of the tailgate when closed;

a pair of lower latching link members pivotally fixed to each side of the rear of the truck body;

a pair of vertically mounted cylinder means connected between the hinge member fixed to the tailgate and the lower latching link members pivotally fixed to the truck body.

2. The tailgate latching mechanism of claim 1 wherein each of the self-aligning vertical stops includes an upper stop block member having a generally downward facing upper stop surface fixed to one of the pivoting lower latching link members and a lower stop member having a generally upward facing lower stop surface fixed to the tailgate such that when the tailgate is fully closed and latched, the lower surface of the upper stop block member matches the upper surface of the lower stop block member thereby preventing upward movement of the tailgate.

3. The tailgate latching mechanism of claim 1 further comprising containment means for limiting the pivotal travel and side deflection of the latching link members.

4. A tailgate latching mechanism for latching a vertical tailgate to the rear of a truck body of a rearward compacting, rear discharge refuse truck comprising:

(a) vertically adjustable pivot mounting means including hinge means for pivotally securing the top of the tailgate to the top rear of the truck body structure;

(b) means for vertically adjusting the pivot mounting means;

(c) spaced upper and lower pairs of vertically interlocking side latches for absorbing the horizontal force associated with compacting and compacted refuse when latched;

(d) a pair of self-aligning vertical stops to prevent upward vertical displacement of the tailgate when the tailgate is closed, wherein each of the self-aligning vertical stops includes an upper stop block member having a generally downward facing upper stop surface and a lower stop member having a generally upward facing lower stop surface such that when the tailgate is fully closed and latched, the lower surface of the upper stop block member lies above the upper surface of the lower stop block member thereby preventing upward movement of the tailgate.