Tag axle latching mechanism
AssigneeMcNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorRonald E. Christenson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tag axle latching mechanism for a tailgate-mounted tag axle system includes opposed matching engaging components attached to a tag axle system and to a truck frame for directing supporting forces associated with the tag axle system, as deployed, through the truck frame. The tag axle system is suspended from a tailgate such that the engaging components self-align as the tailgate is operated between closed, lowered and raised, open, positions. Mechanized locking devices lock the engaged components in place.
Claims13
A tag axle system for a vehicle having a frame and a body including a tailgate carried by said frame, comprising:
- a vehicle having a frame and a body including a tailgate carried by said frame;
- (b) a tag axle system connected to the tailgate;
- (c) latch means attached to said tag axle system and the frame for directing supporting forces associated with said tag axle system through the frame, said latch means comprising opposed engaging means comprising a corresponding tongue and socket arrangement;
- and
- (d) latch locking means including slidable locking pin means for releasibly locking said tongue in said socket.
A tag axle latching mechanism and tailgate combination for a vehicle having a frame, the combination comprising:
- (a) a vertically displaceable tailgate pivotally attached to the vehicle for being displaced vertically from a closed position and pivoted to an open position;
- (b) a tag axle system;
- (c) a pair of spaced latch means attached to said tag axle system and the frame for directing supporting forces associated with said tag axle system through the frame said latch means comprising opposed engaging means further comprising corresponding tongue and socket arrangements;
- (d) latch locking means for locking each said tongue in a corresponding socket;
- and
- (e) mounting means for connecting said tag axle system to said tailgate such that the engaging means of each said latch means aligns as said tailgate is operated between said closed and said open positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.