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 Vehicle body having a tailgate system operable in a plurality of modesUSPTO Application #: 20070182237Title: Vehicle body having a tailgate system operable in a plurality of modes Abstract: A dump body having a tailgate capable of operation in a plurality of modes includes a tailgate pivotally connected to either side walls along an upper tailgate end for operation in a first mode or pivotally connected to one of the side walls for operation in a second mode. A control assembly is protected by at least partially being placed within a corner post of the dump body. (end of abstract)
Agent: King & Schickli, PLLC - Lexington, KY, US Inventors: Eric C. Brown, Michael Bobak, Timothy J. Simpson USPTO Applicaton #: 20070182237 - Class: 29802300M (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070182237. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/037,032, filed Jan. 17, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/387,691, filed Mar. 13, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,895, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/364,686, filed Mar. 15, 2002. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to vehicle bodies having a tailgate system for dump trucks and dump trailers or the like, and capable of operation in a plurality of modes, and more specifically, to a ground control assembly for use therewith. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Tailgates are generally known in combination with dump truck or dump trailer bodies (hereinafter referred to collectively as dump bodies). Conventional dump body tailgates are supported for pivotal movement during operation around upper pivot pins. More specifically, the tailgates rotate around upper pivot pins generally aligned with an upper end or top rail of the tailgate allowing a lower end of the tailgate to freely swing open as hauled materials are dumped from the dump body. This first mode of operation is referred to as a conventional dumping mode. In addition, it is known to disengage at least one of the pivot pins along the upper end of the tailgate to allow for rotation of the tailgate around one side thereof. This second mode of operation is referred to as a swing gate mode in which the tailgate of the dump body opens much like a typical barn door. [0004] One such prior art dump body capable of operation in a conventional and a swing gate mode of operation is manufactured by Bibeau Enterprises, Inc. In the conventional mode of operation, a tailgate pivots around upper pivot pins. To transition the Bibeau dump body to the swing gate mode of operation, an operator must manually disengage the upper pivot pins through operation of a ground control assembly shown in FIG. 1, and manually engage a ball and socket assembly shown in FIG. 2 to provide a pivot point around which the tailgate will rotate. [0005] The ground control assembly, generally designated reference numeral 10, includes a lever 11 attached to an upwardly extending arm 12 which are externally positioned adjacent a rear corner post 13 of a dump body 14. The upwardly extending arm 12 in turn is attached to and controls a latching member 15. Operation of the lever 11 raises the upwardly extending arm 12 which in turn raises the latching member 15 causing the member to pivot and release one of the upper pivot pins 16. Although this ground control assembly 10 is adequate to perform its intended function of disengaging the upper pivot pin 16, the assembly stands off from the dump body sidewall making it prone to damage thru contact with other heavy equipment, hauled materials, and even tree limbs for example. In addition, the assembly is rather unsightly in contrast to the generally sleek lines of a dump body. Accordingly, a need is identified to protect such a ground control assembly from such contact type damage while maintaining the overall aesthetic appeal of the dump body. [0006] As shown in FIG. 2, the ball and socket assembly 18 of the Bibeau dump body includes a ball 19 supported by a mounting head 20 and a socket 21. The socket 21, shown in phantom for clarity, is designed for manual rotation through an angle of approximately forty-five degrees for engaging and disengaging the ball 19. The mounting head 20 is welded to a lower end of the tailgate 22 adjacent a rear corner post 23 of the dump body 14. A mounting shank 24 supporting the ball extends through the mounting head 20 and a nut 25 secures the ball 19 to the mounting head for movement with the lower portion of the tailgate 22 when the socket is disengaged. [0007] A pair of stub arms 26 welded to the rear corner post 23 of the dump body support the socket 21 for pivotal movement. The socket 21 is secured in engagement with the ball 19 by a collar 27 rotatably supported generally by the mounting head 20, and a locking pin 28 attached to the socket. In the swing gate mode, the collar 27 that is also shown in phantom for clarity is rotated into position directly beneath the ball 19. As the socket 21 is lowered into engagement with the ball 19, a shaft of the locking pin 28 extends through an aperture defined by the collar 27 and is secured in place with a cotter pin or the like. Once secured, upward rotation of the socket assembly is prevented by the collar contacting the ball. [0008] Again, although this ball and socket assembly form a suitable pivot point around which the tailgate can pivot in the swing gate mode, the assembly includes numerous pieces making it cumbersome for a vehicle operator to manipulate, and making manufacturing difficult. Perhaps more importantly, the assembly is only manually operable from a position adjacent the rear of the dump body. Accordingly, a further need is identified for an assembly which is simpler to operate and manufacture, and preferably which is operable from alongside the vehicle or from a cab of the vehicle. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a body for a vehicle including a tailgate capable of operation in a plurality of modes is disclosed. The body comprises a floor having a front wall and side walls attached thereto, and a tailgate that may be pivotally connected to either the side walls along an upper tailgate end for operation in a first or conventional mode, or pivotally connected to one of the side walls along one of the tailgate sides for operation in a second or swing gate mode. [0010] An actuator or lever for pivotally connecting the tailgate to the side walls in the second mode of operation may be utilized. The lever may extend through a corner post in order to allow for operation from a position alongside the dump body or trailer, and may further be secured to the side wall. [0011] In one embodiment, a socket may be attached to the tailgate for receiving and engaging a ball in the second mode of operation to form one of the pivotal connections along one of the tailgate sides, and the actuator or lever may be used to move the ball between a first disengaged position in the first mode of operation and a second engaged position in the second mode of operation. The actuator or lever may be locked in the second engaged position in the second mode of operation by a locking mechanism. The lever may also extend through a corner post attached to the sidewall adjacent the tailgate side for actuating movement of at least one of the ball and socket. [0012] Alternatively, the actuator may be fluid operated. More specifically, a valve may be operatively connected between the actuator and a fluid reservoir for selectively moving the actuator between the first and second positions. A controller may be provided for selectively opening and closing the valve and may be positioned in a cab of a vehicle supporting the tailgate system or otherwise for convenient operation. [0013] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a latching member for engaging one of the pivot pins along the upper tailgate end in the first mode of operation and disengaging the pivot pin in the second mode of operation may be provided. The latching member is moved between engaged and disengaged positions by a latching member actuator. The latching member actuator may be fluid operated wherein a fluid reservoir and a valve operatively connected between the actuator and the reservoir are provided. Alternatively, the latching member actuator may be an arm connected to and extending between a lever or handle and the latching member. The lever may be pivotally connected to the arm and secured in the first mode of operation. The lever may further include a body portion that extends along the corner post and a hand portion that is angled away from the corner post for easily being grasped by an operator's hand. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, at least part of the actuator may be enclosed within a corner post of the vehicle body to prevent contact type damage thereto while still maintaining the sleek lines and overall aesthetic appeal of the dump body. [0014] As indicated above, the vehicle supporting the tailgate system may be a dump truck including a cab or a tractor for pulling the trailer and tailgate system. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a controller for selectively opening and closing the valve connected between the actuator and the reservoir may be positioned within the cab or tractor. [0015] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a body for a vehicle including a tailgate system capable of operation in a plurality of modes is disclosed. The body includes a floor having a front wall and side walls attached thereto, at least one corner post attached to the sidewall, and a tailgate may be pivotally connected to either the side walls along the upper tailgate end for operation in a first mode, or pivotally connected to one of the side walls for operation in a second mode. A latching member may be provided for engaging a pivot pin in the first mode and disengaging the pivot pin in the second mode. In this embodiment, the latching member is moved by an actuator extending within the corner post, and the actuator may be substantially enclosed or enclosed within the corner post. [0016] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a body for a vehicle including a tailgate system capable of operation in a plurality of modes is disclosed. The body includes a floor having a front wall and side walls attached thereto, at least one corner post attached to the sidewall, and a tailgate may be pivotally connected to the side walls along the upper tailgate end for operation in a first mode, and pivotally connected to one of the side walls for operation in a second mode. A latching member may be provided for engaging a pivot pin in the first mode and disengaging the pivot pin in the second mode. In this embodiment, the latching member is moved by an actuator extending within the corner post, and the actuator may be substantially enclosed or enclosed within the comer post. [0017] In accordance with a method of the present invention, a dump body tailgate may be converted from a first or conventional mode of operation wherein the tailgate is pivotally connected to side walls along an upper tailgate end to a second or swing gate mode of operation wherein the tailgate is pivotally connected to one of the side walls along one of the tailgate sides. The method may include the steps of moving a ball from a first disengaged position for operation in the first mode of operation to a second position in engagement with a socket attached to the tailgate, and disengaging a pivot pin along the upper tailgate end. [0018] The method of converting the dump body tailgate, may further include actuating a lever attached to the ball and locking the lever in position once the ball and socket are engaged. The actuating step may further include opening a valve operatively connected between an actuator and a fluid reservoir to move the ball into engagement with the socket. In accordance with still another aspect of the method, the step of opening the valve may be performed from a cab of a vehicle supporting the dump body tailgate. [0019] The disengaging step of the present invention may include transitioning a latching member from a first position in engagement with the pivot pin to a second disengaged position by contacting the latching member with an arm. As indicated above, the arm may be enclosed within a corner post of the dumb body for engaging and disengaging the latching member. In addition, the step of moving may include actuating a lever attached to the arm. [0020] The following description shows and describes a preferred embodiment of this invention simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Continue reading... Full patent description for Vehicle body having a tailgate system operable in a plurality of modes Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Vehicle body having a tailgate system operable in a plurality of modes patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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