Abstract: An end gate attachment for use on a manure spreader in which the end gate has forwardly extending arms positioned over the upper edges of the manure spreader box. The arms are hollow and open downwardly so as to encompass hydraulic cylinders that extend between the upper edges of the box and the arms for purposes of raising and lowering the arms and the gate.

Abstract: A spring-biased luggage panel covering the otherwise exposed luggage compartment of an automobile equipped with a rear tailgate. The panel is biased such that when the tailgate is opened, the luggage panel is automatically opened, and when the tailgate is closed, the panel is likewise automatically closed.

Abstract: A forage wagon includes an interior storage area having a rear access opening. An endless belt conveyor assembly is carried within the interior storage area and includes a rear drive gear mechanism mounted along the rear access opening. The forage wagon further includes an access door hingedly mounted on the rear access opening and movable between an open and closed position. The access door includes an inside surface area facing toward the interior storage area, an outside surface area facing away from the interior storage area and an integral baffle assembly attached to the inside surface area and adapted to enclose the rear drive gear mechanism when the access door is in the closed position.

Abstract: My dump-truck Tail Gate Spread Chain Release has oppositely spaced bearing members mounted to the dump-truck tail gate adjacent the bottom edge thereof. A chain release holding and release toggle member is pivotably mounted between said spaced bearing members. I fasten a cantilevered arm to said pivotable member, extending upwardly therefrom and fastened fixedly but removably to said truck tail gate. The chain is held in a slotted opening in said pivotable member at selective spaced intervals so that the tail gate may be adjusted to any desired position for allowing materials therein to fall from the truck body. When it is desired to release the chain from the weight of the tail gate and materials in the truck, the cantilevered arm is released from the upper portion of the end gate and the pivotable chain holding member is then pivoted downwardly from dead center in the direction of the pull of said chain, allowing said chain to be easily removed from said slotted opening.

Abstract: An extensible stay extending between a rear end closure and the body of the automobile. The stay is attached to the body at the end adjacent to the body through an L-shaped bracket. A bracket cover is provided to cover the L-shaped bracket so as to avoid any danger by having the bracket exposed. The appearance is also improved by the cover.

Abstract: An improvement in a heavy-duty refuse compactor which includes a large capacity container having an initially open rear end normally closed by a top-hinged, releasably-locked door adapted to be swung upward to an open position for discharge of refuse from the container; the improvement comprising a counterbalance mechanism, connected between the container and the door, arranged to assist in the manual opening and closing of the door by the operator, and to permit such opening and closing from a convenient position. The counterbalance mechanism includes a novel link and lever array wherein the lever carries a heavy counterweight.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for positively sealing the tailgate of a liquid or solid refuse collection body. The invention has special utility for vacuum containers in which a compressible seal surrounds the perimeter of the tailgate. The tailgate includes hooks having cam surfaces and the container includes rollers adapted for engaging the hooks and drawing the tailgate into positive engagement with the opening of the body. Hydraulic means are preferably provided for activating the rollers. If separate hydraulic means are employed for raising and lowering the tailgate, sequencing controls may be provided to permit locking the tailgate only after the tailgate hooks have been lowered to a position adjacent to the rollers.

Abstract: A door designed for use in conjunction with a gate that covers the end of an enclosed rail car whose sides are sloped at the top, to cover the portion of the car end which lies between the top of the gate and the roof of the car. The top door is supported by members fastened to the roof, which permit the door to be stowed by tipping the bottom of the door outwardly and then sliding it onto the roof. The gate structure has upper ends that lie outside the lower end of the door when the gate is closed, to prevent outward tipping of the door.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring conductively connecting a heater on the window pane in the tail gate of a station wagon to a battery is mounted between ball-and-socket joints whose plastic socket parts are equipped with barbs permitting insertion of the ball part without tools, but preventing accidental release.

Abstract: A stay for use with a cover or the like and having a cylinder containing a pressure fluid medium and a piston arranged for movement into and out of the cylinder. The piston rod carries a piston which is slidably arranged within the cylinder and which itself is mounted on the piston rod for axial displacement relative thereto and has at least one opening that allows the pressure fluid medium to flow through the piston. The piston rod itself has two abutments, the first being arranged in the region of the interior end of the piston and the second being spaced from the first abutment, these two abutments having the piston arranged between themselves and limiting the axial displacement of the piston with respect to the piston rod. Moreover, the piston rod carries a cover element which is likewise axially displaceable relative to the piston rod and is adapted to close the opening or openings of the piston.

Abstract: A loading gate for a mine roof bolter apparatus forms a protective canopy for mine working personnel when opened, and when closed, it seals an opening in the bolter containing manual controls and roof bolt storage cartridges. Access to the stored cartridges and controls by the personnel can only be made when the gate is open. The gate is operated by an over-center toggle joint driven by a hydraulic cylinder. As a fail-safe feature, once the gate has been fully opened, the over-center toggle joint maintains the gate open even upon failure of the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A tail gate apparatus having an offset pivot axis for automatically opening and closing a tail gate mounted at the rear of a tiltable truck bed on a dump truck. The pivot axis positioned horizontally and parallel the width of the truck bed and at a predetermined distance forward the rear of the truck bed.

Abstract: An improved cargo box particularly suited for use in transporting compacted cargo, such as refuse. The cargo box is characterized by a pair of vertically oriented side walls disposed in a pair of forwardly converging planes, a floor of a planar configuration inclined rearwardly, a conveyor traversing the floor including a plurality of endless chains, each being characterized by a plurality of mutually spaced T-bars rigidly affixed thereto, a discharge opening disposed in a transverse plane at the rear end of the box, above the conveyor, a drive unit mounted at the rear of the box, beyond the confines thereof, and a pivotal door, for closing the discharge opening, supported in suspension by a cantilevered pivot in a manner such that the door normally gravitates to an open position.

Abstract: A rear door control mechanism for a stack-forming implement having a compressor roof first raises the door vertically to unlatch it and then rotates the door about an elevated and horizontally transverse axis to permit stack unloading. The door control mechanism functions independently of the compression roof and other wagons' mechanical systems and assures positive door unlatching before the opening mechanism attempts to open the door.

Abstract: A gas spring of the cylinder-and-piston type having a throttling passage in the piston has a cup-shaped receptacle coaxially mounted on the piston about the piston rod and a plunger mounted on the annular end wall of the cylinder through which the piston rod passes. The plunger enters the receptacle when the piston rod approaches the outer end of its stroke, and fluid can be displaced by the plunger from the receptacle only through a narrow gap between respective walls of the plunger and receptacle for supplemental damping action.

Abstract: A device for controlling the positions of a suspended tailgate on the rear end of the dump body of a truck vehicle, including an abutment member on the tailgate and a pivotal control arm on the dump body engaging the abutment member within a critical range of open positions of the tailgate, and power means for moving the control arm.

Abstract: A gas spring for maintaining motor vehicle trunk lids or hatchbacks open, comprises a gas spring piston having a circumferential groove for retaining therewithin a snap ring, and a cooperative annular recessed groove in the internal wall of the cylinder housing located at a position of maximum movement of the piston rod from the cylinder so that in such position the piston is locked in place.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring of the piston-and-cylinder type suitable for balancing the trunk lid of a motorcar and like applications is equipped with a stop mechanism which stops relative axial movement of the piston or piston rod and of the cylinder in response to a force axially applied to the spring, but releases the cylinder and piston or piston rod from each other in response to an applied force greater than the first-mentioned force. Cooperating stop members on the cylinder and piston rod engage each other as long as the relative axial movement of the principal spring elements is stopped.

Abstract: The closure counterbalance is for attachment as a strut between a movable closure which is hingedly fastened to a support structure. The counterbalance includes a pair of tubular members telescopingly connected together in sliding relationship. A compression coil spring within the members urges the members apart. A wooden rod is provided within the tubular members. The wooden rod fixed extends into the spring in sliding relationship therewith to support and guide the spring and prevent the spring from buckling against the inner surface of the tubular members.