Protective liftgate cover
AssigneeOmaha Standard, Inc.
InventorMark L. Sorensen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A protective liftgate cover for covering and protecting the ground-engaging lower face of a liftgate platform includes a generally rectangular plate of a size and shape to fit over and generally complete cover the lower face of the liftgate platform. A lower flange and at least one side flange are mounted on the plate adjacent a respective lower and side edge for contacting the lower and side edges of the liftgate platform, thereby protecting those elements of the platform. At least one ground-engaging foot is mounted on the outer surface of the plate for contacting and engaging the ground surface and the plate is secured to the liftgate platform by one or more fastening devices. The liftgate cover thus provides protection for the lower face of the liftgate platform.
Claims15
A protective liftgate cover for covering and protecting the ground-engaging lower face of a liftgate platform, said cover comprising:
- a generally rectangular plate having outer and inner faces, a top edge, lower edge, two side edges and longitudinal and transverse axes, said plate being of a size and shape to fit over and generally completely cover a lower face of a liftgate platform;
- a lower flange mounted on said plate adjacent said lower edge, said lower flange depending at an angle from said plate for contacting a lower edge of a liftgate platform thereby assisting in mounting said cover on a liftgate platform and protecting a lower edge of a liftgate platform;
- at least one side flange mounted on said plate adjacent one of said side edges, said side flange extending generally perpendicular to said plate for contacting a side edge of a liftgate thereby assisting in mounting said cover on a liftgate platform and protecting a side edge of a liftgate platform;
- at least one ground-engaging foot mounted on said outer face of said plate for contacting and engaging a ground surface upon lowering of a liftgate platform on which said cover is mounted;
- and
- fastening means operative to secure said protective liftgate cover on a liftgate.
In combination:
- a liftgate unit comprising a mounting structure, a liftgate platform having an upper face and a ground-engaging lower face, side edges, a lower edge, a top edge and an L-shaped bracket mounted adjacent said top edge and a lifting device for raising and lowering said platform, and
- a protective liftgate cover for covering and protecting said ground-engaging lower face of said liftgate platform, said cover comprising:
- a generally rectangular plate having outer and inner faces, a top edge, lower edge, two side edges and longitudinal and transverse axes, said plate being of a size and shape to fit over and generally completely cover said lower face of said liftgate platform;
- a lower flange mounted on said plate adjacent said lower edge, said lower flange depending at an angle from said plate for contacting said lower edge of said liftgate platform thereby assisting in mounting said cover on said liftgate platform and protecting said lower edge of said liftgate platform;
- at least one side flange mounted on said plate adjacent one of said side edges, said side flange extending generally perpendicular to said plate for contacting one of said side edges of said liftgate platform thereby assisting in mounting said cover on said liftgate platform and protecting one of said side edges of said liftgate platform;
- at least one ground-engaging foot mounted on said outer face of said plate for contacting and engaging a ground surface upon lowering of said liftgate platform on which said cover is mounted;
- and
- fastening means operative to secure said protective liftgate cover on said liftgate platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.