Abstract: A controller for a lift, includes a communication module configured to wirelessly transmit data relating to the personnel operating and operating conditions of a lift to a remotely located station. The remote station wirelessly sends satisfaction or non-satisfaction messages to the lift controller in response to received input data or sensed conditions relating to the operation of the lift. The lift controller includes circuitry for obtaining and/or storing the sensed conditions and received input data, where the communication module then transmits this information to a remote station using a wireless network either public or private depending on the desired application. In accordance with one implementation, the sensed conditions can include a lift state, a motion of the lift, a load applied to the lift, a lift temperature, a hydraulic fluid pressure, a wait time for recharging a hydraulic pump, an operator safety condition and a number of cycles of operation of the lift.

Abstract: A lift gate system includes a lift gate assembly comprising an actuator system for actuating a lift gate, an interface device for receiving lift gate operation information from an operator, and a main controller device comprising a solid state relay switch for controlling electrical power to the actuator system. The main controller device further includes a microcontroller configured for determining that one or more conditions are satisfied, and upon satisfaction of said one or more conditions, then controlling the actuator system via the solid state relay switch based on the received information from the operator for controlling operation of the lift gate assembly accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively activating a gravity down mode of a hydraulic system during operation of a lift gate. An electronic control circuit is added to hydraulic control circuitry and is configured to selectively interrupt the power down mode or gravity down mode of operation of the hydraulic system based on either a manual input (override) or a sensed condition and switch to the other mode of operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively activating a gravity down mode of a hydraulic system during operation of a lift gate. An electronic control circuit is added to hydraulic control circuitry and is configured to selectively interrupt the power down mode or gravity down mode of operation of the hydraulic system based on either a manual input (override) or a sensed condition and switch to the other mode of operation.

Abstract: A lift gate system is provided which in one implementation has a lift gate assembly including an actuator for actuating a lift gate, a main controller configured for controlling the actuator, and a wireless transceiver for receiving an operation command. The system further has a wireless controller including an authorization controller configured for checking that an operator is authorized to operate the lift gate, the wireless controller configured such that upon authorization of the operator by the authorization controller, the wireless controller may wirelessly transmit an operator command to the main controller for controlling operation of the lift gate accordingly.

Abstract: A lift gate system includes a lift gate assembly comprising an actuator system for actuating a lift gate, an interface device for receiving lift gate operation information from an operator, and a main controller device comprising a solid state relay switch for controlling electrical power to the actuator system. The main controller device further includes a microcontroller configured for determining that one or more conditions are satisfied, and upon satisfaction of said one or more conditions, then controlling the actuator system via the solid state relay switch based on the received information from the operator for controlling operation of the lift gate assembly accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system of installing a liftgate under a vehicle bed. In one implementation, the system includes a liftgate and a mounting device. The mounting device comprises at least one mounting bracket having a group of multiple substantially horizontal slots vertically stacked relative to one another so as to be at different heights relative to ground when the bracket is installed under a vehicle bed essentially parallel to ground. The slots are vertically spaced on the bracket relative to one another to accommodate different vehicle bed heights so as to maintain the liftgate within a desired vertical ground clearance when mounted in a slot on said bracket under a vehicle bed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system of installing a liftgate under a vehicle bed. In one implementation, the system includes a liftgate and a mounting device. The mounting device comprises at least one mounting bracket having a group of multiple substantially horizontal slots vertically stacked relative to one another so as to be at different heights relative to ground when the bracket is installed under a vehicle bed essentially parallel to ground. The slots are vertically spaced on the bracket relative to one another to accommodate different vehicle bed heights so as to maintain the liftgate within a desired vertical ground clearance when mounted in a slot on said bracket under a vehicle bed.

Abstract: A lift gate system is provided which in one implementation has a lift gate assembly including an actuator for actuating a lift gate, a main controller configured for controlling the actuator, and a wireless transceiver for receiving an operation command. The system further has a wireless controller including an authorization controller configured for checking that an operator is authorized to operate the lift gate, the wireless controller configured such that upon authorization of the operator by the authorization controller, the wireless controller may wirelessly transmit an operator command to the main controller for controlling operation of the lift gate accordingly.

Abstract: A header assembly useful with a columnar lift gate is provided. In one embodiment, the header assembly includes an elongated header element having a top wall with distal ends, the top wall having an upwardly protruding edge portion extending between the distal ends. The header element is configured for horizontal coupling to an upper edge of a vehicle opening. The header assembly further comprises a pair of columnar sleeves, each columnar sleeve configured for transverse connection proximate a distal end of the header element. The columnar sleeves are configured for coupling along side edges of the vehicle opening in parallel to one another and perpendicular to the header element. Each columnar sleeve is configured for receiving an upper portion of a lifting column of a columnar lift gate mounted at said vehicle opening, each lifting column mounted to a side edge of the vehicle opening under a respective columnar sleeve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively activating a power down mode of a hydraulic system during operation of a lift gate. An electronic control circuit is added to hydraulic control circuitry and is configured to selectively interrupt the gravity down mode or power down mode of operation of the hydraulic system based on either a manual input (override) or a sensed condition and switch to the other mode of operation.

Abstract: A lift gate system is provided which in one implementation has a lift gate assembly including an actuator for actuating a lift gate, a main controller configured for controlling the actuator, and a wireless transceiver for receiving an operation command. The system further has a wireless controller including an authorization controller configured for checking that an operator is authorized to operate the lift gate, the wireless controller configured such that upon authorization of the operator by the authorization controller, the wireless controller may wirelessly transmit an operator command to the main controller for controlling operation of the lift gate accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular extension device and method for mounting the modular extension device on a vehicle, such as a truck. The modular extension plate device comprises an extension plate, a left extender bracket, and potentially a right extender bracket, that when coupled together form an extension assembly. The extension plate further comprises an elongated rectangular plate having an essentially L-shaped profile, a left substantially triangle-shaped support member, a right substantially triangle-shaped support member, a left essentially L-shaped support member and a right essentially L-shaped support member. The modular extension assembly can be coupled adjacent to the rear edge of a vehicle bed for extending the depth of the vehicle bed.

Abstract: A power system for a lift gate is provided. The power system includes an actuator system including an actuator for a lift gate, and a lift gate engine coupled to the actuator system. The lift gate engine is configured for generating kinetic energy from a fuel source to power the actuator system for operating the lift gate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system of installing a liftgate under a vehicle bed. In one implementation, the system includes a liftgate and a mounting device. The mounting device comprises at least one mounting bracket having a group of multiple substantially horizontal slots vertically stacked relative to one another so as to be at different heights relative to ground when the bracket is installed under a vehicle bed essentially parallel to ground. The slots are vertically spaced on the bracket relative to one another to accommodate different vehicle bed heights so as to maintain the liftgate within a desired vertical ground clearance when mounted in a slot on said bracket under a vehicle bed.

Abstract: A lift gate system is provided which in one implementation has a lift gate assembly including an actuator for actuating a lift gate, a main controller configured for controlling the actuator, and a wireless transceiver for receiving an operation command. The system further has a wireless controller including an authorization controller configured for checking that an operator is authorized to operate the lift gate, the wireless controller configured such that upon authorization of the operator by the authorization controller, the wireless controller may wirelessly transmit an operator command to the main controller for controlling operation of the lift gate accordingly.