Automatic four bar linkage tailgate anchor point
AssigneePhilippi-Hagenbuch, Inc.
InventorsNolan Lock, Mark Beyer, LeRoy George Hagenbuch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanically fastened outrigger arrangement provides an anchor point for an automatic four bar linkage tailgate. The mechanically fastened outrigger arrangement includes an outrigger arrangement support frame and an outrigger extending outward from the outrigger arrangement support frame to a distal end configured to support a tailgate actuation link. Outrigger braces also extend from the outrigger arrangement support frame to the distal end of the outrigger. A lower clamp is configured to secure the outrigger arrangement support frame to a lateral support of a truck, and a truck frame clamp is configured to secure the outrigger arrangement support frame to a truck frame.
Claims20
A mechanically fastened outrigger arrangement for providing an automatic four bar linkage tailgate anchor point, the mechanically fastened outrigger arrangement comprising:
- an outrigger arrangement support frame;
- an outrigger extending outward from the outrigger arrangement support frame to a distal end configured to support a tailgate actuation link;
- outrigger braces extending from the outrigger arrangement support frame to the distal end of the outrigger;
- a lower clamp configured to secure the outrigger arrangement support frame to a lateral support of a truck;
- and
- a truck frame clamp configured to secure the outrigger arrangement support frame to a truck frame.
A truck structure with an automatic four bar linkage tailgate, the truck structure comprising:
- a truck frame;
- a lateral support extending across the truck frame;
- a first outrigger arrangement disposed on a first side of the truck frame, the first outrigger arrangement comprising:
- a first outrigger arrangement support frame,
- a first outrigger extending outward from the first outrigger arrangement support frame to a distal end configured to support a first tailgate actuation link of the automatic four bar linkage tailgate,
- a first group of outrigger braces extending from the first outrigger arrangement support frame to the distal end of the first outrigger;
- a first lower clamp configured to secure the first outrigger arrangement support frame to the lateral support;
- and
- a first truck frame clamp configured to secure the first outrigger arrangement support frame to the truck frame;
- and
- a second outrigger arrangement disposed on a second side of the truck frame, the second outrigger arrangement comprising:
- a second outrigger arrangement support frame,
- a second outrigger extending outward from the second outrigger arrangement support frame to a distal end configured to support a second tailgate actuation link of the automatic four bar linkage tailgate,
- a second group of outrigger braces extending from the second outrigger arrangement support frame to the distal end of the second outrigger;
- a second lower clamp configured to secure the second outrigger arrangement support frame to the lateral support;
- and
- a second truck frame clamp configured to secure the second outrigger arrangement support frame to the truck frame.
A mechanically fastened outrigger arrangement for providing an automatic four bar linkage tailgate anchor point, the mechanically fastened outrigger arrangement comprising:
- outrigger arrangement support plates;
- an outrigger extending from the outrigger arrangement support plates;
- outrigger braces extending from the outrigger arrangement support plates to a distal end of the outrigger;
- an outrigger hoist clamp plate;
- and
- an outrigger truck frame clamp plate configured to secure a truck frame element between the outrigger truck frame clamp plate and the outrigger arrangement support plates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.