Tailgate lowering mechanism
OwnerJerald A. Bowersinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lowering mechanism for a tailgate of a vehicle comprises a spring housing, a spring, and a flexible cable. The spring housing is preferably mounted under a lip of the truck box. The spring extends coaxially between a proximal and distal end of the tube. The flexible cable has a first end attached to the tailgate and a second end attached to the coil spring adjacent the distal end of the tube. The cable extends coaxially through the spring and the tube. The spring retards movement of the tailgate to a generally horizontal open position.
Claims20
A lowering mechanism for a tailgate of a vehicle, the tailgate being hinged at its bottom edge for movement between a generally vertical closed position and a generally horizontal open position relative to a floor of the vehicle, said lowering mechanism comprising:
- a spring housing mounted to the vehicle;
- a spring disposed between a proximal and distal end of the housing;
- a flexible cable having a first end attached to the tailgate and a second end attached to the spring within the housing, wherein said spring retards movement of the tailgate to the generally horizontal open position;
- and
- a mounting bracket having a first portion attached to the lowering mechanism and a second portion connected with and adjustable to said first portion, the mounting bracket mounting the lowering mechanism to a wall of the vehicle.
A tailgate lowering mechanism, the tailgate defining a side opening of a truck box and being pivotally mounted for movement between a generally vertical closed position and a generally horizontal open position relative to a floor of the truck box, said lowering mechanism comprising:
- a spring house mounted on a wall of the truck box;
- a spring disposed coaxially within the housing;
- a cable having a first end attached to the tailgate and a second end attached to the spring within the housing, the cable moving through an aperture in the housing when the tailgate is moved between the generally vertical closed position and the generally horizontal open position, the spring retarding movement of the tailgate to the generally horizontal open position;
- and
- a mounting bracket having a first portion attached to the lowering mechanism and a second portion connected with and adjustable to said first portion, the mounting bracket mounting the lowering mechanism to the lip.
A lowering mechanism for a tailgate of a vehicle, the tailgate being hinged at its bottom edge to a sidewall of a truck box to move to a generally vertical closed position and a generally horizontal open position relative to a floor of the truck box, said lowering mechanism comprising:
- a spring for retarding movement of the tailgate to a generally horizontal open position;
- a flexible cable connecting the tailgate and the spring;
- a housing at least partially mounting the spring;
- and
- a mounting bracket for attaching the housing to the truck box, the mounting bracket including a first portion supporting the housing and a second portion connected to the first portion and sandwiching a wall of the truck box therebetween, whereby the mounting bracket is secured to the truck box.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.