Vehicle tail lift protection apparatus

Abstract

A load platform (1) configured for use as part of a tail lift on a vehicle, the load platform comprising a protector device (3) in the form of a flexible sheet (38) that is configurable, when said load platform is attached to a vehicle, to cover a gap between the tail lift and the vehicle, the tail lift characterised in that the protector device (3) is, at a first end, anchored to the load platform by an elasticated fixing arrangement and at a second end that is opposite the first end, configured for attachment to a supporting structure of the tail lift (10) or to a part of a given vehicle to which the tail lift is attached; wherein, upon the load platform being attached to a vehicle, when said load platform (1) is in a first position, substantially at ground level, said protector device (3) is oriented such that it occupies a plane that is substantially vertical and covering the gap as exists between the rear of the tail lift and the vehicle; when said load platform (1) is in a second position, substantially raised from ground level and at the level of the vehicle load deck, said protector device (3) is oriented such that it occupies a plane that is substantially parallel to a main plane of the load platform; and during movement of said load platform (1) from said first position to said second raised position, said elasticated fixing arrangement contracts in order to thereby draw said device 3 into said main plane of said load platform; and during movement of said load platform (1) from said second position to said first position, said elasticated fixing arrangement expands in order to thereby enable said device 3 as is attached to said supporting structure, to be drawn from said load platform (1) in order to cover said gap.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.