Sequenced tailgate lock
AssigneeThe Heil Co.
InventorsGary G. Flerchinger, Jerald G. Zanzig
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tailgate locking mechanism is provided for locking the tailgate in a closed position against the rear end of the body of a rear loading refuse collection vehicle. The locking mechanism includes at least two fluid operated piston and cylinder locking assemblies, at least one of which is visible to the vehicle operator. Actuation of the piston and cylinder assemblies is sequenced so that the visible piston and cylinder assembly is extended only after the remote, or non-visible piston and cylinder assembly is extended, and is retracted only after the non-visible piston and cylinder assembly is retracted.
Claims21
A refuse collection vehicle comprising:
- a refuse container body having an open end, a tailgate mounted on the refuse container body for movement between a closed position, wherein the tailgate covers the open end, and an open position, wherein the open end is uncovered, and a tailgate locking mechanism for locking the tailgate when the tailgate is in the closed position, the tailgate locking mechanism comprising:
- first and second means for locking the tailgate into the closed position, the first and second locking means being moveable between a tailgate locked position and a tailgate unlocked position;
- and
- first and second means for selectively moving the first and second locking means, respectively between their locked and unlocked positions so that the second locking means is moved to its tailgate locked position only after the first locking means is moved to its tailgate locked position.
A refuse collection vehicle comprising a refuse container body having a first side, a second side, and an open end, a tailgate mounted on the refuse container body for movement between a closed position, wherein the tailgate covers the end, and an open position, wherein the open end is uncovered, the tailgate having a first side adjacent the first side of the container body and a second side adjacent the second side of the container body, and a tailgate locking mechanism comprising:
- first means and second means for locking the tailgate into the closed position, the first and second locking means being mounted adjacent the first and second sides, respectively, of the tailgate and being selectively moveable between a tailgate locked position and a tailgate unlocked position;
- and
- means for moving the first and second locking means so that the second locking means is moved to its tailgate unlocked position only after the first locking means is moved to its tailgate unlocked position.
A refuse collection vehicle comprising a refuse container body having a first side, a second side, and an open rear end;
- a tailgate having an upper edge pivotally mounted to the refuse container so that the tailgate can be pivoted between a closed position, when the tailgate covers the rear end, and an open position, when the tailgate is raised to reveal the rear end;
- and a tailgate locking mechanism for locking the tailgate when the tailgate is in the closed position, the tailgate locking mechanism comprising:
- first and second apertured latch brackets mounted on the first and second sides, respectively, of the container body adjacent the rear end;
- first and second fluid operated cylinder assemblies, each of which includes a piston assembly having a piston and connected piston rod moveable in the cylinder assembly between a piston rod extended position and a piston rod retracted position;
- the first and second cylinder assemblies being mounted on the tailgate and positioned so that the piston rod of the first cylinder assembly projects into the first apertured latch bracket when the piston rod is in its extended position and the piston rod of the second cylinder assembly projects into the second apertured latch bracket when the piston rod is in its extended position thereby locking the tailgate into its closed position, and
- means for automatically sequencing the actuation of the cylinder assemblies so that the second piston rod is moved to its extended position only after the first piston rod is moved to its extended position, and is moved to its retracted position only after the first piston rod is moved to its retracted position.
A refuse collection vehicle comprising a refuse container body having a first side, a second side, and an open rear end, at least one tailgate having a first side, a second side, and an upper edge pivotally mounted to the refuse container so that the tailgate can be pivoted between a closed position, when the tailgate covers at least a portion of the rear end, and an open position, when the tailgate is raised to reveal the portion of the rear end, and a tailgate locking mechanism for locking the tailgate when the tailgate is in the closed position, the tailgate locking mechanism comprising:
- at least two fluid operated and interconnected cylinder assemblies mounted adjacent to the first and second sides, respectively, of the tailgate and each including a piston and connected piston rod;
- at least one of the cylinder assemblies being visible to an operator when adjacent to the first side of the container body and fluidically located downstream of the other of the cylinder assemblies, the cylinder assemblies being moveable between an unlatched position, wherein the piston rod is retracted, and a latched position, wherein the piston rod is extended;
- means for engaging the piston rod of each cylinder assembly when the piston rod is in its extended position to lock the tailgate to the container body in the closed position;
- and
- means for sequencing the actuation of the cylinder assemblies so that the piston rod of the visible cylinder assembly is moved to its extended position only after the piston rod of the other of the cylinder assemblies is moved to its extended position, and is moved to its retracted position only after the piston rod of the other of the cylinder assemblies is moved to its retracted position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.