Counterbalance for trailer gate and method for using same
OwnerKory M. Ballard, Bob J. Ballardinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A trailer includes a foldable gate mounted for pivotal movement about a gate axis from a transport position wherein the gate is elevated for transporting to an unload position wherein the gate is lowered to permit removal of objects carried on the trailer. An elongated flexible member has its first end connected to the gate and its second end connected to a spring which is anchored to the trailer. The spring resists the force of gravity as the gate moves from its upper travel position to its lower unload position.
Claims9
A counterbalance mechanism for use with a trailer having a trailer frame and a gate mounted to said trailer for pivotal movement from a transport position wherein said gate is elevated to an unload position wherein said gate is lower than when in said transport position, said counterbalance mechanism comprising:
- an anchor member adapted for attachment to said trailer frame;
- an elongated flexible member having first and second ends and an intermediate portion therebetween;
- a spring connected to said first end of said flexible member and to said anchor member;
- a pair of opposing pulleys rotatably mounted on said trailer frame and juxtapositioned with each other so as to guide and support the intermediate portion of said cable therebetween;
- a connector attached to said second end of said flexible member and being adapted for attachment to said gate at a point spaced from said gate axis, whereby said spring will provide a counterbalance force opposing movement of said first end of said flexible member away from said anchor member during movement of said gate between said transport and said unload positions.
A trailer having a foldable gate comprising:
- a trailer bed having a forward end, a rear end, and opposite bed sides;
- a gate pivotally mounted to said trailer bed for pivotal movement about a gate axis from a transport position wherein said gate is elevated for transporting to an unload position wherein said gate is lowered to permit removal of objects carried on said trailer bed;
- an elongated flexible member having a first end attached to said gate at a point spaced from said gate axis and having a second end;
- a spring connected to said second end of said flexible member and to said trailer bed, said spring yieldably resisting movement of said gate from said transport position to said unload position;
- a pulley mechanism connected to said trailer bed and having at least a first pulley mounted for rotation about a first pulley axis parallel to said gate axis, said flexible member engaging said first pulley during at least a portion of the time that said gate is moving between said transport position and said unload position;
- said first pulley being on one side of said flexible member;
- said pulley mechanism including a second pulley mounted for rotation about a second pulley axis parallel to said gate axis;
- and
- said second pulley being on the opposite side of said flexible member from said first pulley.
A method for counterbalancing a gate pivotally mounted to a trailer frame for pivotal movement about a gate axis from a transport position wherein said gate is elevated for transporting of said trailer frame to an unload position wherein said gate is lower than when in said transport position for removal of objects from said trailer frame, said method comprising:
- providing a cable including first and second ends and an intermediate portion therebetween;
- attaching said first end of said cable to said gate at an attachment point spaced from said gate axis;
- attaching said second end of said cable to a spring;
- attaching said spring to said trailer frame, whereby said spring will yieldably oppose movement of said second end of said cable away from said spring in response to movement of said gate between said transport position and said unload position;
- and
- positioning a first pulley on one side of said intermediate portion of said cable and a second pulley on the opposite side of said intermediate portion of said cable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.