CA1191817A - Tailgate safety fence - Google Patents
Tailgate safety fenceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1191817A CA1191817A CA000421038A CA421038A CA1191817A CA 1191817 A CA1191817 A CA 1191817A CA 000421038 A CA000421038 A CA 000421038A CA 421038 A CA421038 A CA 421038A CA 1191817 A CA1191817 A CA 1191817A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- platform
- arms
- deployed position
- storage position
- fence
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
- B60P1/00—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading
- B60P1/44—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading having a loading platform thereon raising the load to the level of the load-transporting element
- B60P1/4457—Means for immobilising the load or preventing it from rolling off during lifting; Man-rails
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Step Arrangements And Article Storage (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A tailgate loader of a truck or the like, the improvement of a load retention fence which comprises; a pair of elongated arms pivotally mounted on said platform at a side edge thereof at a point adjacent said inner end of said platform. The arms are movable relative to said platform between a storage position in which they are upright and extend substantially parallel to the platform when the platform is in its storage position and a deployed position in which they extend upwardly and rearwardly from the inner end of the platform when the platform is in its deployed position. Flexible side fence chains connect the distal end of each arm to an adjacent slide member of the lift mechanism so as to prevent rotation of each arm relative to the platform beyond that required for movement between said storage position and said deployed position of said arms. Tie chains connect the distal end of each arm and the outer end of said platform, tie chains having a length so as to be taut when said platform is in its deployed position and the arms are in their deployed position. The tie chains serve to automatically deploy said arms in response to movement of said platform between its storage position and its deployed position. An outer fence is detachably mountable at the distal ends of the arms and extends transversely therebetween when said arms are deployed so as to form a load retaining fence at a substantial distance above the outer end of the platform when the platform is in its deployed position, said outer fence is detachable so as to be removable to avoid forming an obstruction when the arms are in their storage position.
A tailgate loader of a truck or the like, the improvement of a load retention fence which comprises; a pair of elongated arms pivotally mounted on said platform at a side edge thereof at a point adjacent said inner end of said platform. The arms are movable relative to said platform between a storage position in which they are upright and extend substantially parallel to the platform when the platform is in its storage position and a deployed position in which they extend upwardly and rearwardly from the inner end of the platform when the platform is in its deployed position. Flexible side fence chains connect the distal end of each arm to an adjacent slide member of the lift mechanism so as to prevent rotation of each arm relative to the platform beyond that required for movement between said storage position and said deployed position of said arms. Tie chains connect the distal end of each arm and the outer end of said platform, tie chains having a length so as to be taut when said platform is in its deployed position and the arms are in their deployed position. The tie chains serve to automatically deploy said arms in response to movement of said platform between its storage position and its deployed position. An outer fence is detachably mountable at the distal ends of the arms and extends transversely therebetween when said arms are deployed so as to form a load retaining fence at a substantial distance above the outer end of the platform when the platform is in its deployed position, said outer fence is detachable so as to be removable to avoid forming an obstruction when the arms are in their storage position.
Description
This invention relates to tailgate lift platform mechanisms for trucks and the like.
In particular, this invention relates to an improved retention Eence for a tailgate lift platform.
A retention fence for a tailgate lift pla-tEorm is described in United States Paten-t No. ~,198,18~ dated April 15, 1980 issued to William V. Perkins. In this mechanism, the retaining fence is in the form of a pair of rigid arms which are pivotally connected to the slides on which the platform is pivoted at a substantial distance above the platform. The arms pivot between an upright position and a horizontal posltion in response to movement of -the platform between its upright position and its horizontal position. When in the upright position, the arms project above the outer end of the platform and in many applications these arms may project above the body of the truck to which the platform is attached. There are many installations where restricted head room is available for trucks backing in to loading docks and the side ~ences of this prior pa-tent can extend to a height above the body of the truck so as to form an obstruction preventing backing up to a loading dock.
Parallelogram linkage mechanisms are notoriously difficult to maintain in good working order in environments where they are subjected to impact loading and consequently, considerable difficulty would be experienced in attempting to maintain the parallelogram linkage mechanism used for deploying -the platform and retaining arms of Perkins.
It is an object of the present inven-tion to pxovide a simple and inexpensive retention ~ence mechanism which can be s-tored in a compact conEi~uration in close proximity to the ~latforM when it is in its storage position.
:Lt is a further object oE the present inventiotl to provide a silnple ancl i.nexpensis7e retention Eence in which the deploymentt mecharlism includes flexible side -Eences and flexible ties connected to the distal end rigid arms which are pivotally connected to the pla-tform adjacent the inner end of the platform.
Accordin~ to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided in a tailgate loacler of a truclc or the like, having a load elevator mechanism which cornprises a loading platfor~ which has an inner end and an outer end and a pair of oppositely disposed side edges and ~7herein the platEorm is pivotally mounted at its inner end on a pair of slide rnembers :Eor mo~ement abou-t a Eirst axis between an uE)righ-t storage position and a generally horizontal deployed posit:ion, said slide members being movable relative to the truck to raise and lower the plat:Eorm as required in use, the improvernen-t of a load retention Eence comprises; a pair oE e:lonqated arms each having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end ot each arm being pivotally mounted on said plat:Eorm at a side edge -thereof at a point adjacent said inner end of said platform, said arms being movable relative to said platform bet~een a storage position in which they are upright and extend substan-tially parallel to the platform when the platform is in its storage posi-tion and a deployed position in which they ex-tend upwardly and rearwardly from the inner end of the platform when the platform is in its deployed position, said arms having a sufEicient length to locate the d:istal ends thereoE, a substantial distance above the platform and overlying the outer portion o:E the platform when in said cleployed position, flexible side fence means connecting the distal end of each arm to an adjacent slide member so as to prevent rotation of each arm relative to the platform beyond that required for movement between said storage position and said deployed position of said arms, said side fence means being connected to said slide members at a height above the pivotal connecl:ion of the platform to the slide members so as to extend substantially hori20ntally when the a.rms are deployed to form a load restraining side fence at each side of the platform, flexible tie means connecting the distal end of each arm and -the outer end of said platform, said flexible tie means having a length so as to be taught when said platform is in its deployed position and said arms are in their deployed position, said flexible tie means serving to automatically deploy said arms in response to movement of said platform between its storage position and its deployed position, outer fence means detachably mountable at the distal ends oF said arms to extend transverselY
therebetween when said a~l~s are deployed so as to Eorm a load retaining fence at a subst.antial distance above the outer end of the plat~orrn ~hen the platform is in its deployed positiorl, said outer l.-ence means beincl de~achable so as to be removable to avoid forming an obstruction when said arms are in their storaqe position~
PREFERRED_~MBODIMENT
The invention will be more clearly understood after reEerence to the following detailed specification read in conjunction with the drawings wherein, Figure 1 is a pictorial side view of a li~t tailgate showing the load xetention fence in its deployed position.
E`i~ure 2 is a partial view of the tailgate of Fi~ure 1 showing the platforrn and load retention Eence in their storage position.
Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed view showinq the outer fence mounted on the distal ends of the elongated arms.
With reEerence to Fi~ure 1 of the drawings the reference numeral 10 refers generally to a tailgate loader constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The tailgate loader is of a conventional type which includes an elevated ride mechanism which is not shown which serves to raise and lower a pair of slide members 12 which are slidably mounted in guide rail.s 14 which are mounted at the loadi7lcJ end of a truck generally identified by the reference numeral 20. A platform 16 has its inner end pivotally rnoullted on luqs 18 of the slide members 12 means of pivot pin.s 22. rrhe platform 16 is movable between the deployed generally horizon-tal position shown in E'igure 1 or -the drawings and the upright storage position shown in E`igure 2 of the drawirlqs. In mo~ing between the deployed position and the upriqht position, the pla-tEorm pivots about the pivot ends 22 in the direction of the arrow B. A pair oE brackets 2~ project laterally ~rom the opposite side edges o~ the platform. As shown in Figur~ 2 oE the drawings, the braclcet.s 24 serve as latches which ma~ be releaseably retained by latch ~lates 26 t~ retain the platform 16 in its upright storage position. The latch 24 may be positioned in the latch plate 26 or released from the latch plate 26 by causing the slide mernbers 12 to be lowered or raised in the direction of the arrows ~ oE Figure 1 when in the upright configuration.
The load re-tention fence comprises a pair o~ rigid arms 30, a pair of ~lexible side fence chains 32, a pair of ~lexible tie chairls 34 and a detachable outer fence rail 36.
The elongated arms 30 each have a pro~imal end 3~ and a distal end ~0. I'he proximal end 38 or each arm is pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 42 to a side edge of the plat~orm 16 closely adjacent the inner end of the platform 16. A lug 4~
projects laterally from the arms 30 and serves -to bear against the back edge of the slide mernbers 12 as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings when the arms 30 are in the upriqht storage position so that the arms 30 are retained in the upright position between the engagement with the slide member 12 and the latch 24.
A bracke-t 46 (Fig.l and Fig.3) is located at and projects laterally from the distal end of each arm 30. The bracket 46 has mounting passages 48 and 50 opening therethrough.
The arms 30 are movable relative to the platform between the storage position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings in which they are upright and extend substantially parallel to the platform and the deployed position in which they extend upwardly and rearwardly fro~l the inner end of the platEorm. The arms have a suEficient length to locate the distal ends thereof a substan-tial distance above the platform and overlying an outer portion of the platform when in the deployed position. Preferably, the arms will have a sufficient length to ensure that the distal end 40 of each arm is positioned at a height of about 3 to 4 feet above the platform in the deployed position so as to be suitable for supporting unstable loads such as pressurized gas cylinders.
The flexible side fence chains 32 have one end connected to a lug 52 located at the upper end of the slide 12 and their other end located in the mounting passages 48 of the lugs 46 of the arms 30. The chains 32 are in the form of strong metal link chains are proportioned to limit rotation of the arms 30 relative to the platform 16 to that re~uired to deploy the arms 30 and to pre~ent further rotation beyond the deployed position. The chains 32 are connected to the slide 12 at a height above the platform so as to extend substantially horizontally when the arms are deployed as shown in Figure l of the drawings. The weight of the platform is born by the chains 32 with the result that the chains are retained in a taut condition and serve as load restraining side fences.
While the chains 32 are retained taut they are su:Eficiently flexible that they will yield when subjected to a heavy loacl and will not become inoperative by reason of deElection under the influence o:E a load.
~ llhe flexible tie melnbers 34 are in the :Eorm of. metal link chains havinq one end conllected to the d.istal end of each arm by connection with the mounting passage 50 of the luq 46. The other end of each fl.exible tie 3~1 is connected to a lug 54 which projects ~rom the inner face oE the latch 24. Thus it will be seen that the f].e~ible tie chain 3~ serves to connect the distal ends of the arms 30 to the platform 16 adjacent the outer edae thereof. The lugs 46 and 54 are arranged such that when the arms 30 are in the deployed position the :flexible tie chains 34 will extend substantially vertically. The chains 34 have a length so as to be taut when the platEorm i5 deployed in a generally hori~ontal plane and the arms a.re in the their depl.oye~ position. The chains 34 and 36 serve to automatically deploy the ~rms 30 in their deployecl position when the platorm moves from its storage position to its depl.oyed posi-tion.
The outer fence member 3G is in the form of a tubular member 60 which has a pair oE elbows 62 projecting one from each end thereof. The elbows 62 are proportioned to fit within sleeves 64 which are secured as by welding to the inner faces 66 of the distal ends of the arms 30. A lockinq pin 68 is removably mounted in a passage 70 formed at the end of one of the elbows 62 so as to provide a suEficient free vertical length of elbow 62 to permit the other elbow 62 to be raised and lowered into and Ollt oE engagement wi-th the socket 72 formed in the sleeve 64. This permi.ts the rail . ~ .
36 to be raised to release one oE the elbows 62 from its socket 72 50 that the fence can be pivoted a~out its other end in the direction o~E the arrows C shown in Figure l of the drawings. This permits openinq and closinq oE the retaininy fence without -the need to cornpletely remove the retaining Eence.
In use, the pl.atform 16, arms 30 and chains 32 and 34 are sto:red in the con-fi~uration shown in Eigure 2 of the drawings with the latch 24 positioned in the latch plate holder 26. If re~uired, the outer fence rail 36 may be complete1y removed.
In order -to deploy tne plat~orm and the load retaining fence, it is merely necessary to raise the platform Erom the position shown in Figure 2 by raising the slides 12. After the latch 24 has been raised out o:E engagement wi-th the latch plate 26, the platEorm 16 may be manually engaged to cause it to pivot about its pivotal connection with -the slides 12 to move toward the horizontal deployed position shown in Figure 1. Generally the arms 30 will move outwarclly wi-th the platform 16 until the chains 32 are drawn taut. Thereaf-ter, the platform 16 will pivot relative to the arms 30 until the chains 34 are taut. When the chains 32 and 34 are taut, the arms 30 and pla-tforms 16 are automatically retained in their deployed position shown in Fi~ure 1. The platform may be raised and lowered in the direction of the arrow A when in the deployed position as is conven-tional practice. When a load is to be unloaded from the body of the truck with the platform in the raised position, the load may be positioned so as to bear against the side ~ence chains 32 and/or the outer fence 36. Additional tie members may be provided (not ~hown) .tor tying the load me~bers a~ainst the side fence chains 32 or the outer fence 36 as required in use.
After the platform is lowered to the position shown in ~`igure 1, the outer Eence 3G ma~ be opened as previouslv descri~ed to permit -the removal o~ the load from the platforrn. It will be apparent that in some ci~curnstances i~ may be desirable to cornpletely remove the outer ~ence 36 and this can be done with ea~se by removirlq the loc~.ing pin 36.
In o.rde.r to return the platform 16 -to the storage position, it is merely necessary to pivot the platEorm about its pivot pins 22 in the direction oE the arrow ~ (Fig.~). Initially, this action will cause the chains 34 to collapse and thereafter, the bracket.s 24 will engage the distal ends of the arms 30 so that continued movement will cause both the platform and -the arrns 30 to move to thei.r up.right posi-tion. By raising the slides 12 to a position in which the latches 24 are disposed above the notches which are Eormed in the latch plates 26, it is possible to position the latch 24 in ali~nment with the notches of the latch plates 26 and therea.Eter to lower the latches 2~ into the latch plates 26~
Various modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. E'or example, it will be apparent that the outer fence 36 may be in the form of a Elexible chain ~Jhich is proportioned so as to be substantially taut when extended between the distal ends of the arms 30 in use. Ln addition, it will be apparent that because the arms 30 are pivotally connected to the platform, the arms can be proportioned so as to extend only a short distance above the outer edge oE the platform r~hen i~ is in the storage position. This is of importance in application where the vehicle is -to be loaded and unloaded at a loadinq dock which is of a height substantially equal to the height of the bed of the truck. It will be understood that the platforrn illus~rated in Figure l ot the drawings can be moved to an upright storaqe ~osition when the slides 12 are in the lowered position shown in F`igure l in wnich case the outer edge oE the platform 16 will be located below the back edge of the floor 21 of the truclc.
Thus, by removing the rail 36, i-t is possible to load ancl unload the truck with the bac~ end OL the truck closely adjacent the loading dock.
It will also be apparent that when the platform 16 is in the storage position shown in Figure 2 oE the drawings, the arms 3() do not extend above the upper edge oE the platform 16 to an extent greater than one half of the total height of the platform l6 in the storage position. Thus, it will be seen that the arms 30 do not represent a major obstruction to overhead canopies or doorway headers when a truck is backed up to a loading bay. These and other advantages of the retention fence of -the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
In particular, this invention relates to an improved retention Eence for a tailgate lift platform.
A retention fence for a tailgate lift pla-tEorm is described in United States Paten-t No. ~,198,18~ dated April 15, 1980 issued to William V. Perkins. In this mechanism, the retaining fence is in the form of a pair of rigid arms which are pivotally connected to the slides on which the platform is pivoted at a substantial distance above the platform. The arms pivot between an upright position and a horizontal posltion in response to movement of -the platform between its upright position and its horizontal position. When in the upright position, the arms project above the outer end of the platform and in many applications these arms may project above the body of the truck to which the platform is attached. There are many installations where restricted head room is available for trucks backing in to loading docks and the side ~ences of this prior pa-tent can extend to a height above the body of the truck so as to form an obstruction preventing backing up to a loading dock.
Parallelogram linkage mechanisms are notoriously difficult to maintain in good working order in environments where they are subjected to impact loading and consequently, considerable difficulty would be experienced in attempting to maintain the parallelogram linkage mechanism used for deploying -the platform and retaining arms of Perkins.
It is an object of the present inven-tion to pxovide a simple and inexpensive retention ~ence mechanism which can be s-tored in a compact conEi~uration in close proximity to the ~latforM when it is in its storage position.
:Lt is a further object oE the present inventiotl to provide a silnple ancl i.nexpensis7e retention Eence in which the deploymentt mecharlism includes flexible side -Eences and flexible ties connected to the distal end rigid arms which are pivotally connected to the pla-tform adjacent the inner end of the platform.
Accordin~ to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided in a tailgate loacler of a truclc or the like, having a load elevator mechanism which cornprises a loading platfor~ which has an inner end and an outer end and a pair of oppositely disposed side edges and ~7herein the platEorm is pivotally mounted at its inner end on a pair of slide rnembers :Eor mo~ement abou-t a Eirst axis between an uE)righ-t storage position and a generally horizontal deployed posit:ion, said slide members being movable relative to the truck to raise and lower the plat:Eorm as required in use, the improvernen-t of a load retention Eence comprises; a pair oE e:lonqated arms each having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end ot each arm being pivotally mounted on said plat:Eorm at a side edge -thereof at a point adjacent said inner end of said platform, said arms being movable relative to said platform bet~een a storage position in which they are upright and extend substan-tially parallel to the platform when the platform is in its storage posi-tion and a deployed position in which they ex-tend upwardly and rearwardly from the inner end of the platform when the platform is in its deployed position, said arms having a sufEicient length to locate the d:istal ends thereoE, a substantial distance above the platform and overlying the outer portion o:E the platform when in said cleployed position, flexible side fence means connecting the distal end of each arm to an adjacent slide member so as to prevent rotation of each arm relative to the platform beyond that required for movement between said storage position and said deployed position of said arms, said side fence means being connected to said slide members at a height above the pivotal connecl:ion of the platform to the slide members so as to extend substantially hori20ntally when the a.rms are deployed to form a load restraining side fence at each side of the platform, flexible tie means connecting the distal end of each arm and -the outer end of said platform, said flexible tie means having a length so as to be taught when said platform is in its deployed position and said arms are in their deployed position, said flexible tie means serving to automatically deploy said arms in response to movement of said platform between its storage position and its deployed position, outer fence means detachably mountable at the distal ends oF said arms to extend transverselY
therebetween when said a~l~s are deployed so as to Eorm a load retaining fence at a subst.antial distance above the outer end of the plat~orrn ~hen the platform is in its deployed positiorl, said outer l.-ence means beincl de~achable so as to be removable to avoid forming an obstruction when said arms are in their storaqe position~
PREFERRED_~MBODIMENT
The invention will be more clearly understood after reEerence to the following detailed specification read in conjunction with the drawings wherein, Figure 1 is a pictorial side view of a li~t tailgate showing the load xetention fence in its deployed position.
E`i~ure 2 is a partial view of the tailgate of Fi~ure 1 showing the platforrn and load retention Eence in their storage position.
Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed view showinq the outer fence mounted on the distal ends of the elongated arms.
With reEerence to Fi~ure 1 of the drawings the reference numeral 10 refers generally to a tailgate loader constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The tailgate loader is of a conventional type which includes an elevated ride mechanism which is not shown which serves to raise and lower a pair of slide members 12 which are slidably mounted in guide rail.s 14 which are mounted at the loadi7lcJ end of a truck generally identified by the reference numeral 20. A platform 16 has its inner end pivotally rnoullted on luqs 18 of the slide members 12 means of pivot pin.s 22. rrhe platform 16 is movable between the deployed generally horizon-tal position shown in E'igure 1 or -the drawings and the upright storage position shown in E`igure 2 of the drawirlqs. In mo~ing between the deployed position and the upriqht position, the pla-tEorm pivots about the pivot ends 22 in the direction of the arrow B. A pair oE brackets 2~ project laterally ~rom the opposite side edges o~ the platform. As shown in Figur~ 2 oE the drawings, the braclcet.s 24 serve as latches which ma~ be releaseably retained by latch ~lates 26 t~ retain the platform 16 in its upright storage position. The latch 24 may be positioned in the latch plate 26 or released from the latch plate 26 by causing the slide mernbers 12 to be lowered or raised in the direction of the arrows ~ oE Figure 1 when in the upright configuration.
The load re-tention fence comprises a pair o~ rigid arms 30, a pair of ~lexible side fence chains 32, a pair of ~lexible tie chairls 34 and a detachable outer fence rail 36.
The elongated arms 30 each have a pro~imal end 3~ and a distal end ~0. I'he proximal end 38 or each arm is pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 42 to a side edge of the plat~orm 16 closely adjacent the inner end of the platform 16. A lug 4~
projects laterally from the arms 30 and serves -to bear against the back edge of the slide mernbers 12 as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings when the arms 30 are in the upriqht storage position so that the arms 30 are retained in the upright position between the engagement with the slide member 12 and the latch 24.
A bracke-t 46 (Fig.l and Fig.3) is located at and projects laterally from the distal end of each arm 30. The bracket 46 has mounting passages 48 and 50 opening therethrough.
The arms 30 are movable relative to the platform between the storage position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings in which they are upright and extend substantially parallel to the platform and the deployed position in which they extend upwardly and rearwardly fro~l the inner end of the platEorm. The arms have a suEficient length to locate the distal ends thereof a substan-tial distance above the platform and overlying an outer portion of the platform when in the deployed position. Preferably, the arms will have a sufficient length to ensure that the distal end 40 of each arm is positioned at a height of about 3 to 4 feet above the platform in the deployed position so as to be suitable for supporting unstable loads such as pressurized gas cylinders.
The flexible side fence chains 32 have one end connected to a lug 52 located at the upper end of the slide 12 and their other end located in the mounting passages 48 of the lugs 46 of the arms 30. The chains 32 are in the form of strong metal link chains are proportioned to limit rotation of the arms 30 relative to the platform 16 to that re~uired to deploy the arms 30 and to pre~ent further rotation beyond the deployed position. The chains 32 are connected to the slide 12 at a height above the platform so as to extend substantially horizontally when the arms are deployed as shown in Figure l of the drawings. The weight of the platform is born by the chains 32 with the result that the chains are retained in a taut condition and serve as load restraining side fences.
While the chains 32 are retained taut they are su:Eficiently flexible that they will yield when subjected to a heavy loacl and will not become inoperative by reason of deElection under the influence o:E a load.
~ llhe flexible tie melnbers 34 are in the :Eorm of. metal link chains havinq one end conllected to the d.istal end of each arm by connection with the mounting passage 50 of the luq 46. The other end of each fl.exible tie 3~1 is connected to a lug 54 which projects ~rom the inner face oE the latch 24. Thus it will be seen that the f].e~ible tie chain 3~ serves to connect the distal ends of the arms 30 to the platform 16 adjacent the outer edae thereof. The lugs 46 and 54 are arranged such that when the arms 30 are in the deployed position the :flexible tie chains 34 will extend substantially vertically. The chains 34 have a length so as to be taut when the platEorm i5 deployed in a generally hori~ontal plane and the arms a.re in the their depl.oye~ position. The chains 34 and 36 serve to automatically deploy the ~rms 30 in their deployecl position when the platorm moves from its storage position to its depl.oyed posi-tion.
The outer fence member 3G is in the form of a tubular member 60 which has a pair oE elbows 62 projecting one from each end thereof. The elbows 62 are proportioned to fit within sleeves 64 which are secured as by welding to the inner faces 66 of the distal ends of the arms 30. A lockinq pin 68 is removably mounted in a passage 70 formed at the end of one of the elbows 62 so as to provide a suEficient free vertical length of elbow 62 to permit the other elbow 62 to be raised and lowered into and Ollt oE engagement wi-th the socket 72 formed in the sleeve 64. This permi.ts the rail . ~ .
36 to be raised to release one oE the elbows 62 from its socket 72 50 that the fence can be pivoted a~out its other end in the direction o~E the arrows C shown in Figure l of the drawings. This permits openinq and closinq oE the retaininy fence without -the need to cornpletely remove the retaining Eence.
In use, the pl.atform 16, arms 30 and chains 32 and 34 are sto:red in the con-fi~uration shown in Eigure 2 of the drawings with the latch 24 positioned in the latch plate holder 26. If re~uired, the outer fence rail 36 may be complete1y removed.
In order -to deploy tne plat~orm and the load retaining fence, it is merely necessary to raise the platform Erom the position shown in Figure 2 by raising the slides 12. After the latch 24 has been raised out o:E engagement wi-th the latch plate 26, the platEorm 16 may be manually engaged to cause it to pivot about its pivotal connection with -the slides 12 to move toward the horizontal deployed position shown in Figure 1. Generally the arms 30 will move outwarclly wi-th the platform 16 until the chains 32 are drawn taut. Thereaf-ter, the platform 16 will pivot relative to the arms 30 until the chains 34 are taut. When the chains 32 and 34 are taut, the arms 30 and pla-tforms 16 are automatically retained in their deployed position shown in Fi~ure 1. The platform may be raised and lowered in the direction of the arrow A when in the deployed position as is conven-tional practice. When a load is to be unloaded from the body of the truck with the platform in the raised position, the load may be positioned so as to bear against the side ~ence chains 32 and/or the outer fence 36. Additional tie members may be provided (not ~hown) .tor tying the load me~bers a~ainst the side fence chains 32 or the outer fence 36 as required in use.
After the platform is lowered to the position shown in ~`igure 1, the outer Eence 3G ma~ be opened as previouslv descri~ed to permit -the removal o~ the load from the platforrn. It will be apparent that in some ci~curnstances i~ may be desirable to cornpletely remove the outer ~ence 36 and this can be done with ea~se by removirlq the loc~.ing pin 36.
In o.rde.r to return the platform 16 -to the storage position, it is merely necessary to pivot the platEorm about its pivot pins 22 in the direction oE the arrow ~ (Fig.~). Initially, this action will cause the chains 34 to collapse and thereafter, the bracket.s 24 will engage the distal ends of the arms 30 so that continued movement will cause both the platform and -the arrns 30 to move to thei.r up.right posi-tion. By raising the slides 12 to a position in which the latches 24 are disposed above the notches which are Eormed in the latch plates 26, it is possible to position the latch 24 in ali~nment with the notches of the latch plates 26 and therea.Eter to lower the latches 2~ into the latch plates 26~
Various modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. E'or example, it will be apparent that the outer fence 36 may be in the form of a Elexible chain ~Jhich is proportioned so as to be substantially taut when extended between the distal ends of the arms 30 in use. Ln addition, it will be apparent that because the arms 30 are pivotally connected to the platform, the arms can be proportioned so as to extend only a short distance above the outer edge oE the platform r~hen i~ is in the storage position. This is of importance in application where the vehicle is -to be loaded and unloaded at a loadinq dock which is of a height substantially equal to the height of the bed of the truck. It will be understood that the platforrn illus~rated in Figure l ot the drawings can be moved to an upright storaqe ~osition when the slides 12 are in the lowered position shown in F`igure l in wnich case the outer edge oE the platform 16 will be located below the back edge of the floor 21 of the truclc.
Thus, by removing the rail 36, i-t is possible to load ancl unload the truck with the bac~ end OL the truck closely adjacent the loading dock.
It will also be apparent that when the platform 16 is in the storage position shown in Figure 2 oE the drawings, the arms 3() do not extend above the upper edge oE the platform 16 to an extent greater than one half of the total height of the platform l6 in the storage position. Thus, it will be seen that the arms 30 do not represent a major obstruction to overhead canopies or doorway headers when a truck is backed up to a loading bay. These and other advantages of the retention fence of -the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims (5)
1. In a tailgate loader of a truck or the like, having a load elevator mechanism which comprises a loading platform which has an inner end and an outer end and a pair of oppositely disposed side edges and wherein the platform is pivotally mounted at its inner end on a pair of slide members for movement about a first axis between an upright storage position and a generally horizontal deployed position, said slide members being movable relative to the truck to raise and lower the platform as required in use, the improvement of a load retention fence comprising;
a) a pair of elongated arms each having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each arm being pivotally mounted on said platform at a side edge thereof at a point adjacent said inner end of said platform, said arms being movable relative to said platform between a storage position in which they are upright and extend substantially parallel to the platform when the platform is in its storage position and a deployed position in which they extend upwardly and rearwardly from the inner end of the platform when the platform is in its deployed position, said arms having a sufficient length to locate the distal ends thereof, a substantial distance above the platform and overlying an outer portion of the platform when in said deployed position, b) flexible side fence means connecting the distal end of each arm to an adjacent slide member so as to prevent rotation of each arm relative to the platform beyond that required for movement between said storage position and said deployed position of said arms, said side fence means being connected to said slide members at a height above the pivotal connection of the platform to the slide members so as to extend substantially horizontally when the arms are deployed to form a load restraining side fence at each side of the platform, c) flexible tie means connecting the distal end of each arm and the outer end of said platform said flexible tie means having a length so as to be taut when said platform is in its deployed position and said arms are in their deployed position, said flexible tie means serving to automatically deploy said arms in response to movement of said platform between its storage position and its deployed position, d) outer fence means detachably mountable at the distal ends of said arms to extend transversely therebetween when said arms are deployed so as to form a load retaining fence at a substantial distance above the outer end of the platform when the platform is in its deployed position, said outer fence means being detachable so as to be removable to avoid forming an obstruction when said arms are in their storage position.
a) a pair of elongated arms each having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each arm being pivotally mounted on said platform at a side edge thereof at a point adjacent said inner end of said platform, said arms being movable relative to said platform between a storage position in which they are upright and extend substantially parallel to the platform when the platform is in its storage position and a deployed position in which they extend upwardly and rearwardly from the inner end of the platform when the platform is in its deployed position, said arms having a sufficient length to locate the distal ends thereof, a substantial distance above the platform and overlying an outer portion of the platform when in said deployed position, b) flexible side fence means connecting the distal end of each arm to an adjacent slide member so as to prevent rotation of each arm relative to the platform beyond that required for movement between said storage position and said deployed position of said arms, said side fence means being connected to said slide members at a height above the pivotal connection of the platform to the slide members so as to extend substantially horizontally when the arms are deployed to form a load restraining side fence at each side of the platform, c) flexible tie means connecting the distal end of each arm and the outer end of said platform said flexible tie means having a length so as to be taut when said platform is in its deployed position and said arms are in their deployed position, said flexible tie means serving to automatically deploy said arms in response to movement of said platform between its storage position and its deployed position, d) outer fence means detachably mountable at the distal ends of said arms to extend transversely therebetween when said arms are deployed so as to form a load retaining fence at a substantial distance above the outer end of the platform when the platform is in its deployed position, said outer fence means being detachable so as to be removable to avoid forming an obstruction when said arms are in their storage position.
2. A tailgate lift platform as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising stop means on said platform for engaging said arms when the platform moves from its deployed position to its storage position to move said arms from their deployed position to their storage position thereby to automatically move the arms to their storage position as the platform is moved to its storage position.
3. A tailgate lift platform as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said flexible tie means are each in the form of a metal link chain.
4. A tailgate lift platform as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of said flexible side fences are in the form of a metal link chain.
5. A tailgate lift platform as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each of said flexible side fences are in the form of a metal link chain.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000421038A CA1191817A (en) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-02-07 | Tailgate safety fence |
| GB08403215A GB2135959B (en) | 1983-02-07 | 1984-02-07 | Improved tailgate safety fence |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000421038A CA1191817A (en) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-02-07 | Tailgate safety fence |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1191817A true CA1191817A (en) | 1985-08-13 |
Family
ID=4124508
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000421038A Expired CA1191817A (en) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-02-07 | Tailgate safety fence |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1191817A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2135959B (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2190647A (en) * | 1986-05-22 | 1987-11-25 | Wilson Double Deck Trailers | Vehicle lift platform |
| DE69807589T2 (en) * | 1997-05-23 | 2003-05-22 | Dhollandia Nv | Vertical movable platform with railing, for mounting on a vehicle |
| GB2377914B (en) * | 2001-07-27 | 2006-02-01 | Shire Precast Erection Ltd | Support means for a safety apparatus |
| GB0504854D0 (en) * | 2005-03-10 | 2005-04-13 | Adams William M | Goods movement apparatus |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2106857B (en) * | 1981-08-05 | 1984-09-19 | Rochdale Motor Garages Limited | Improvements in vehicle bodies |
-
1983
- 1983-02-07 CA CA000421038A patent/CA1191817A/en not_active Expired
-
1984
- 1984-02-07 GB GB08403215A patent/GB2135959B/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2135959A (en) | 1984-09-12 |
| GB8403215D0 (en) | 1984-03-14 |
| GB2135959B (en) | 1985-10-23 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |