Slam catch for trailer gates and the like
AssigneeWilson Trailer Company
InventorsGerald Barge, Mark Grunewald
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A slam catch that holds a side-load trailer gate or door in a closed position relative to the body of a trailer having a primary gate closure mechanism by which the trailer gate is fully secured in the closed position. The slam catch includes a catch hinge mounted on the body of the trailer, a latch mounted on the trailer gate, and a catch pivotally coupled to the catch hinge and configured to automatically engage the latch when the trailer gate is moved toward the closed position. The engagement of the catch with the latch holds the trailer gate in a closed position so that an operator can secure the primary gate closure mechanism without having to physically hold the gate closed.
Claims20
A slam catch for holding a trailer gate or door in a closed position relative to the body of the trailer, said trailer including a primary gate closure mechanism by which the trailer gate is fully secured in the closed position, the slam catch comprising:
- a catch hinge mounted on the body of the trailer;
- a latch mounted on the trailer gate;
- and
- a catch pivotally coupled to the catch hinge and configured to automatically engage the latch when the trailer gate is moved toward the closed position, said engagement of the catch with the latch holding the trailer gate in a closed position so that an operator can secure the gate closure mechanism without having to physically hold the gate closed.
A trailer configured to be pulled by a vehicle, comprising:
- a trailer body having an opening through which access to an interior of said trailer body is obtained;
- a side load gate hingedly coupled to the trailer body adjacent said opening, said gate in a closed position covering said opening;
- a primary gate closure mechanism by which the trailer gate is fully secured in the closed position;
- and
- a slam catch for holding the trailer gate in the closed position before the primary gate closure mechanism is secured, said slam catch automatically engaging as the gate is closed and allowing an operator to secure the primary gate closure mechanism without having to physically hold the gate closed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.