Abstract: A liftgate apparatus may include a plurality of vertical tracks attached to a rear of a trailer, each of the plurality of vertical tracks including a vertical roller chain. Tops of the plurality of vertical tracks intersect horizontal hollow structural tubes which include hydraulic cylinders. The apparatus may also include at least one bar attached to a bottom of each vertical roller chain and attached to sets of rolling wheels configured to move the at least one bar vertically inside the plurality of vertical tracks and a plurality of hinges attached to a lower end of the at least one bar and attached to a base of a liftgate, wherein the vertical roller chain lifts the at least one bar and the liftgate at hinged points.

Abstract: A liftgate apparatus may include a plurality of vertical tracks attached to a rear of a trailer, each of the plurality of vertical tracks including a vertical roller chain. Tops of the plurality of vertical tracks intersect horizontal hollow structural tubes which include hydraulic cylinders. The apparatus may also include at least one bar attached to a bottom of each vertical roller chain and attached to sets of rolling wheels configured to move the at least one bar vertically inside the plurality of vertical tracks and a plurality of hinges attached to a lower end of the at least one bar and attached to a base of a liftgate, wherein the vertical roller chain lifts the at least one bar and the liftgate at hinged points.

Abstract: A parallel engine and transmission drive arrangement with application to both land and marine vehicles reduces the large moment arm and moment about the rear axle in the case of land vehicles, and provides trim and stability and compact arrangement of the drive arrangement in the case of a marine vessel. The arrangement is applicable to buses, tractor-trailer rigs, towing, dump trucks, garbage trucks, concrete trucks, fire trucks, recreational vehicles, and boats or ships. In one aspect, the engine and transmission are laterally arranged in a parallel manner. This arrangement shortens the longitudinal distance necessary in rear-mounted engine designs from about 120 inches to as little as 54 inches. The large moment arm found about the rear axle in conventional rear-mounted engines is thereby reduced, and the transfer case performance requirements are relaxed, resulting in a transfer case with reduced bulk and weight.

Abstract: A parallel engine and transmission drive arrangement with application to both land and marine vehicles reduces the large moment arm and moment about the rear axle in the case of land vehicles, and improves trim and stability and more compact arrangement of the drive arrangement in the case of a marine vessel. The arrangement is applicable to, for example, buses, tractor-trailer rigs, towing, dump trucks, garbage trucks, concrete trucks, fire trucks, recreational vehicles, and boats or ships. In one aspect, the engine and transmission are laterally arranged in a parallel manner. This significantly shortens the longitudinal distance necessary in rear-mounted engine designs from about 120 inches to as little as 54 inches. The large moment arm found about the rear axle in conventional rear-mounted engines is significantly reduced, and the transfer case performance requirements are relaxed, resulting in a transfer case with less bulk and weight.