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US 11,590,839 B2Granted
Tailgate with structurally integrated CNG system
AssigneeThe Heil Co.
InventorBobby Ray McKinney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A refuse vehicle has a tailgate. The tailgate has a framework to secure CNG tanks. A cover overlays the frame work to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.
Claims29
A refuse vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle chassis;
- a container secured to the vehicle chassis;
- and
- a tailgate coupled to the container at one or more hinges disposed at an upper end of the tailgate such that the tailgate is pivotable with respect to the container, the tailgate comprising:
- a frame including a pair of parallel side members extending vertically on respective sides of the tailgate;
- a plurality of compressed natural gas tanks arranged side-by-side between the side members;
- a removable cover enclosing the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks, the cover comprising two side portions, each having an arcuate rearward edge that follows a respective one of the side members;
- and
- a structural cross beam connecting the side members, extending horizontally between vertical sides of the tailgate and disposed at an elevation between uppermost and lowermost ones of the compressed natural gas tanks.
6 more elements
A refuse vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle chassis;
- a container secured to the vehicle chassis;
- and
- a tailgate coupled to the container at one or more hinges disposed at an upper end of the tailgate such that the tailgate is pivotable with respect to the container, the tailgate comprising:
- a frame including a pair of parallel side members extending vertically on respective sides of the tailgate;
- a plurality of compressed natural gas tanks extending horizontally and arranged side-by-side between the side members;
- and
- a removable cover enclosing the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks, the cover comprising two side portions, each having an arcuate rearward edge that follows a respective one of the side members;
- wherein the tanks are arranged such that with the tailgate in a closed position, an uppermost one of the compressed natural gas tanks overlies a lowermost one of the compressed natural gas tanks.
6 more elements
A refuse vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle chassis;
- a container secured to the vehicle chassis;
- and
- a tailgate coupled to the container at one or more hinges disposed at an upper end of the tailgate such that the tailgate is pivotable with respect to the container, the tailgate comprising:
- a frame including a pair of parallel side members extending vertically on respective sides of the tailgate;
- a plurality of compressed natural gas tanks comprising elongated cylinders and extending horizontally and arranged side-by-side between the side members;
- and
- a cover extending across the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks and comprising a curved outer surface covering and disposed rearwardly of the compressed natural gas tanks, wherein the cover comprises two side portions, each having an arcuate rearward edge that follows a respective one of the side members.
5 more elements
A refuse vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle chassis;
- a container secured to the vehicle chassis;
- and
- a tailgate coupled to the container at one or more hinges disposed at an upper end of the tailgate such that the tailgate is pivotable with respect to the container, the tailgate comprising:
- a frame including a pair of parallel side members extending vertically on respective sides of the tailgate, an upper horizontal member connecting upper ends of the side members, and a lower horizontal member connecting lower ends of the side members;
- a plurality of compressed natural gas tanks arranged side-by-side between the side members;
- a removable cover enclosing the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks, the cover comprising two side portions, each having an arcuate rearward edge that follows a respective one of the side members;
- and
- an intermediate horizontal cross beam connecting the side members and disposed between the upper and lower horizontal members.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.