# US 2019/0316403 A1 · Device for determining position of liftgate or rear door of a cargo truck or trailer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0316403 A1 - Document ID: US20190316403A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/952,822 - Filed: 2018-04-13 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-13 - Inventors: Nicholas A. Aiello - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190316403A1 ## CPC - B60Q 1/307: {mounted on loading platforms} - B60Q 1/323: {on or for doors (illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10)} - B60Q 1/324: {for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened} - B60Q 9/00: Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 {, e.g. haptic signalling} - E05F 7/00: Accessories for wings not provided for in other groups of this subclass (specially adapted for furniture A47B95/00; door-lifters B66F, E04F21/00; knobs or handles E05B) - B60J 5/108: {for load transporting vehicles or public transport, e.g. lorries, trucks, buses} - B60Q 1/2657: {mounted on a shaft, e.g. telescopic} - E05F 15/40: Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions - E05Y 2400/628: Solar cells - E05Y 2400/818: Visual - E05Y 2400/822: Light emitters, e.g. light emitting diodes [LED] - E05Y 2800/106: Lighting - E05Y 2900/532: Back doors or end doors - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING - B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05) - E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF ## Abstract A device for determining the position of a rear door or liftgate of a cargo truck or trailer includes a base attachable to the rear door or liftgate. A visual indicator extends from the base so as to be viewable from a side view mirror of the truck to enable a driver of the truck to determine the position of the rear door or liftgate due to the position of the visual indicator. The visual indicator may be a plurality of closely spaced apart elongated members, which may be brightly colored or light transmissive so as to be easily seen. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for determining the position of a door or liftgate of a cargo truck or trailer, comprising: a base attachable to a rear door or liftgate of a cargo truck or truck trailer; and a visual indicator extending from the base so as to be viewable from a side view mirror of the truck enabling a driver of the truck to determine the position of the rear door or liftgate due to the position of the visual indicator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the base is comprised of a mounting plate attachable to the rear door or liftgate and an upper plate attachable to the mounting plate over a portion of the visual indicator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, including a retainer disposed between the mounting plate and upper plate that retains a first end portion of the visual indicator therein. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the mounting plate and/or upper plate include a recessed portion to receive the retainer and a portion intermediate the ends of the visual indicator therein. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the visual indictor comprises a plurality of closely spaced apart elongated members. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator extends between 4 and 18 inches from the base. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator is brightly colored so as to be easily seen. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator is light transmissive and has an end thereof associated with a light source for transmitting light therethrough. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the visual indicator comprises at least one fiber optic cable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the light source is coupled to an electronic circuit disposed within the base. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, including a solar panel attached to or associated with the base for providing power to the electronic circuit and light source. ### Claim 12 A device for determining the position of a door or liftgate of a cargo truck or trailer, comprising: a base attachable to a rear door or liftgate of a cargo truck or truck trailer; and a visual indicator comprising a plurality of closely spaced apart elongated members extending from the base so as to be viewable from a side view mirror of the truck enabling a driver of the truck to determine the position of the rear door or liftgate due to the position of the visual indicator; wherein the base is comprised of a mounting plate attachable to the rear door or liftgate and an upper plate attachable to the base plate over a portion of the visual indicator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, including a retainer disposed between the mounting plate and upper plate that retains a first end portion of the visual indicator therein. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the mounting plate and/or upper plate include a recessed portion to receive the retainer and a portion intermediate the ends of the visual indicator therein. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein each of the visual indicators extends between 4 and 18 inches from the base. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the elongated members of the visual indicator are brightly colored so as to be easily seen. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, including an electronic circuit coupled to a light source associated with an end of the visual indicator within the base to transmit light through at least one of the elongated members that is light transmissive. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, including a solar panel attached to or associated with the base for providing power to the electronic circuit and light source.