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US 11,884,482 B2Granted
Heated tailgate device
OwnerRyan Peterkininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tailgate assembly includes a tailgate hinge that is operable to attach a tailgate to a vacuum tank such that the tailgate is movable between an open position and a closed position, the vacuum tank operable to withstand vacuum pressure when the tailgate is in the closed position. A tailgate warming tube loop is operable to circulate a heated fluid through the tailgate, the tailgate warming tube loop attached to an interior surface of the tailgate and a first rear pipe flange that includes a first rear pipe flange warming channel in communication with the tailgate warming tube loop.
Claims18
A tailgate assembly, comprising:
- a tailgate;
- a tailgate hinge that is operable to attach the tailgate to a vacuum tank such that the tailgate is movable between an open position and a closed position, the vacuum tank operable to withstand vacuum pressure when the tailgate is in the closed position;
- a tailgate warming tube loop attached to an interior surface of the tailgate to circulate a heated fluid through the tailgate warming tube loop wherein the heating fluid enters the tailgate warming tube loop through an entrance and exits the tailgate warming tube loop through an exit;
- and
- a first rear pipe flange that comprises a first rear pipe flange warming channel connected to the tailgate warming tube loop.
2 more elements
A tailgate assembly, comprising:
- a tailgate;
- a tailgate hinge that is operable to attach the tailgate to a vacuum tank such that the tailgate is movable between an open position and a closed position, the vacuum tank operable to withstand vacuum pressure when the tailgate is in the closed position;
- a tailgate warming tube loop attached to an interior surface of the tailgate to circulate a heated fluid through the tailgate warming tube loop wherein the heating fluid enters the tailgate warming tube loop through an entrance and exits the tailgate warming tube loop through an exit;
- a first rear pipe flange that comprises a first rear pipe flange warming channel connected to the tailgate warming tube loop;
- and
- a sealing material located between the vacuum tank and the tailgate when the tailgate is in the closed position.
3 more elements
A tailgate assembly, comprising:
- a tailgate;
- a tailgate hinge that is operable to attach the tailgate to a vacuum tank constructed to hold a positive pressure such that the tailgate is movable between an open position and a closed position, the vacuum tank operable to withstand vacuum pressure when the tailgate is in the closed position;
- a tailgate warming tube loop attached to an interior surface of the tailgate to circulate a heated fluid through the tailgate warming tube loop wherein the heating fluid enters the tailgate warming tube loop through an entrance and exits the tailgate warming tube loop through an exit;
- and
- a first rear pipe flange that comprises a first rear pipe flange warming channel connected to the tailgate warming tube loop.
2 more elements
A tailgate assembly, comprising:
- a tailgate constructed from a steel with a ductile brittle transition temperature less than −50 degrees Celsius;
- a tailgate hinge that is operable to attach the tailgate to a vacuum tank constructed to hold a positive pressure such that the tailgate is movable between an open position and a closed position, the vacuum tank operable to withstand vacuum pressure when the tailgate is in the closed position;
- a tailgate warming tube loop attached to an interior surface of the tailgate to circulate a heated fluid through the tailgate warming tube loop wherein the heating fluid enters the tailgate warming tube loop through an entrance and exits the tailgate warming tube loop through an exit;
- and
- a first rear pipe flange that comprises a first rear pipe flange warming channel connected to the tailgate warming tube loop.
2 more elements
A tailgate assembly, comprising:
- a tailgate;
- a tailgate hinge that is operable to attach the tailgate to a vacuum tank such that the tailgate is movable between an open position and a closed position, the vacuum tank operable to withstand vacuum pressure when the tailgate is in the closed position;
- a tailgate warming tube loop attached to an interior surface of the tailgate to circulate a heated fluid through the tailgate warming tube loop wherein the heating fluid enters the tailgate warming tube loop through an entrance and exits the tailgate warming tube loop through an exit, wherein the tailgate is constructed from a steel with a ductile brittle transition temperature less than −50 degrees Celsius;
- and
- a first rear pipe flange that comprises a first rear pipe flange warming channel connected to the tailgate warming loop.
2 more elements
A tailgate assembly, comprising:
- a tailgate;
- a tailgate hinge that is operable to attach the tailgate to a vacuum tank such that the tailgate is movable between an open position and a closed position, the vacuum tank operable to withstand vacuum pressure when the tailgate is in the closed position;
- a tailgate warming tube loop attached to an interior surface of the tailgate to circulate a heated fluid through the tailgate warming tube loop wherein the heating fluid enters the tailgate warming tube loop through an entrance and exits the tailgate warming tube loop through an exit;
- a first rear pipe flange that comprises a first rear pipe flange warming channel connected to the tailgate warming tube loop;
- and
- a safety stop attached to the tailgate assembly, the safety stop configured at a location on the tailgate wherein a safety brace attached to the structure may be positioned against such that the tailgate may not close when the safety brace is positioned against the safety stop.
3 more elements
A tailgate assembly, comprising:
- a tailgate;
- a tailgate hinge that is operable to attach the tailgate to a vacuum tank such that the tailgate is movable between an open position and a closed position, the vacuum tank operable to withstand vacuum pressure when the tailgate is in the closed position;
- a tailgate warming tube loop, the tailgate warming tube loop having an entrance and an exit, the tailgate warming tube loop operable to circulate a heated fluid through the tailgate warming tube loop wherein the heating fluid enters the tailgate warming tube loop through the entrance and exits the tailgate warming tube loop through the exit, the tailgate warming tube loop attached to an interior surface of the tailgate;
- a rear pipe flange that comprises a first rear pipe flange warming channel connected to the tailgate warming tube loop;
- and
- a manual latch base and a manual latch hook, the manual latch hook is attached to the manual latch base, the manual latch base is attached to a side of the tailgate.
3 more elements
A tailgate assembly, comprising:
- a tailgate;
- a tailgate hinge that is operable to attach the tailgate to a vacuum tank such that the tailgate is movable between an open position and a closed position, the vacuum tank operable to withstand vacuum pressure when the tailgate is in the closed position, the tailgate is constructed from a steel with a ductile brittle transition temperature less than −50 degrees Celsius;
- a tailgate warming tube loop, the tailgate warming tube loop having an entrance and an exit, the tailgate warming tube loop operable to circulate a heated fluid through the tailgate warming tube loop wherein the heating fluid enters the tailgate warming tube loop through the entrance and exits the tailgate warming tube loop through the exit, the tailgate warming tube loop attached to an interior surface of the tailgate;
- a first rear pipe flange that comprises a first rear pipe flange warming channel in communication with the tailgate warming tube loop;
- and
- a second rear pipe flange that comprises a second rear pipe flange warming channel in communication with the tailgate warming tube loop.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.