Patent US4305694A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4305694A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic tailgate extension, bumper and lock
Assignee: Wilson Trailer Co
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Filing: 1979-12-05
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Granted: 1981-12-15
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Expires: 1999-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A hydraulically operated tailgate associated with a low bed, semi-trailer vehicle has a pivoted extension that is displaceable between an extended position coplanar with the ramp surface of the tailgate and a bumper position transverse to and underlying the ramp surface. A hydraulic actuating mechanism displacing the extension to the bumper position, simultaneously locks the tailgate mechanically to the frame of the semi-trailer vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael L. Chan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:50
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/43; B60P1/433
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
For use with a vehicle having a frame supporting a substantially planar bed, and a tailgate pivotally connected to the frame having a ramp surface and a rear end face transverse to the ramp surface, a tailgate extension having a load surface portion, means pivotally connecting the tailgate extension to the tailgate portion is coplanar with the ramp surface in protective relation to the rear end face and a bumper position in which the load surface portion is spaced below the rear end face transverse to the ramp surface, power operated means for displacing the tailgate extension between said extended and bumper positions, including lock means rendered operative to mechanically lock the tailgate to the frame, and means connected to the power operated means for rendering the lock means operative in the bumper position of the tailgate extension.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
For use with a vehicle having a frame supporting a substantially planar bed, and a tailgate pivotally connected to the frame having a ramp surface and a rear end face transverse to the ramp surface, a tailgate extension having a load surface portion, means pivotally connecting the tailgate extension to the tailgate portion is coplanar with the ramp surface in protective relation to the rear end face and a bumper position in which the load surface portion is spaced below the rear end face transverse to the ramp surface, power operated means for displacing the tailgate extension between said extended and bumper positions, including lock means rendered operative to mechanically lock the tailgate to the frame, and means connected to the power operated means for rendering the lock means operative in the bumper position of the tailgate extension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said tailgate extension includes a pair of arms hingedly connected to the tailgate adjacent to the rear end face, said arms being interconnected by the load surface portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said lock means includes a bar engageable wih the frame in a locked position in which the ramp surface is substantially coplanar with the bed, and means pivotally mounting the bar on the tailgate for displacement from said locked position by the power operated means simultaneous with said displacement of the tailgate extension to the extended position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 including means for releasing the lock means in response to displacement of the tailgate extension to the extended position by the power operated means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
For use with a vehicle having a frame supporting a substantially planar bed, and a tailgate pivotally connected to the frame having a ramp surface and a rear end face transverse to the ramp surface, a tailgate extension having a load surface portion, means operatively connecting the tailgate extension to the tailgate for displacement between an extended position in which the load surface portion is coplanar with the ramp surface in protective relation to the rear end face and a bumper position in which the load surface portion is spaced below the rear end face transverse to the ramp surface, and means mechanically locking the tailgate to the vehicle frame in the bumper position of the tailgate extension for holding the ramp surface coplanar with the bed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
For use with a vehicle having a frame supporting a substantially planar bed, and a tailgate pivotally connected to the frame having a ramp surface and a rear end face transverse to the ramp surface, a tailgate extension having a load surface portion, means operatively connecting the tailgate extension to the tailgate for displacement between an extended position in which the load surface portion is coplanar with the ramp surface in protective relation to the rear end face and a bumper position in which the load surface portion is spaced below the rear end face transverse to the ramp surface, and means mechanically locking the tailgate to the vehicle frame in the bumper position of the tailgate extension for holding the ramp surface coplanar with the bed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement as defined in claim 5, wherein said tailgate extension includes a pair of arms hingedly connected to the tailgate adjacent to the rear end face, said arms being interconnected by the load surface portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
For use with a vehicle having a frame, a tailgate pivotally connected thereto and an extension pivotally connected to the tailgate, said frame and tailgate respectively mounting bed and ramp surfaces, the improvement residing in means for releasably locking the tailgate to the frame in a travel condition with said bed and ramp surfaces substantially coplanar, means for displacing the tailgate to an inclined loading position with the extension coplanar with the ramp surface, and means for holding the extension in a bumper position transverse to the ramp surface in the travel condition of the tailgate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
For use with a vehicle having a frame, a tailgate pivotally connected thereto and an extension pivotally connected to the tailgate, said frame and tailgate respectively mounting bed and ramp surfaces, the improvement residing in means for releasably locking the tailgate to the frame in a travel condition with said bed and ramp surfaces substantially coplanar, means for displacing the tailgate to an inclined loading position with the extension coplanar with the ramp surface, and means for holding the extension in a bumper position transverse to the ramp surface in the travel condition of the tailgate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement as defined in claim 7 wherein said extension has a load surface portion spaced below the ramp surface in the bumper position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-12-14 | 1985-06-15 | 1985-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-14 | 1989-06-15 | 1989-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-14 | 1993-06-15 | 1993-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |