Abstract: A bag actuated tilting device where the area of cross section of the bag is sized such that available pressure multiplied by the bag cross sectional area multiplied by the distance from the pivot perpendicular to a line drawn from the center of the bag base to the center of the cross section equals the load that is being lifted multiplied by the distance from the pivot perpendicular to the line of action of the load. The bag is designed so that the cross sectional area of the bag increases from the top of the bag, mounted to the load, to its base, whereby as the bag collapses, the top of the bag moves downwardly toward its base, folding inwardly onto itself without buckling. In addition, the present invention provides for securely mounting the bag at both ends to the thrust plates nearest to the hinge that causes the bag to effectively become a fixed end-fixed end column resulting in reduced potential for buckling.

Abstract: A bag actuated tilting device where the area of cross section of the bag is sized such that available pressure multiplied by the bag cross sectional area multiplied by the distance from the pivot perpendicular to a line drawn from the center of the bag base to the center of the cross section equals the load that is being lifted multiplied by the distance from the pivot perpendicular to the line of action of the load. The bag is designed so that the cross sectional area of the bag increases from the top of the bag, mounted to the load, to its base, whereby as the bag collapses, the top of the bag moves downwardly toward its base, folding inwardly onto itself without buckling. In addition, the present invention provides for securely mounting the bag at both ends to the thrust plates nearest to the hinge that causes the bag to effectively become a fixed end-fixed end column resulting in reduced potential for buckling.

Abstract: A hinge for enabling the bed of a pick up truck to pivot is comprised of a lower hinge member having a first pin receiving portion and an inwardly extending portion adapted for connection to a truck frame. An upper hinge member has a second pin receiving portion, an inwardly extending portion adapted for connection to a truck bed, and an outwardly extending portion adapted for connection to a bumper. A pin is sized to fit within the first and second pin receiving portions for pivotally connecting the upper and lower hinge members. A portion of the upper hinge member forms a pseudo-frame to which the truck's bumper can be connected. A method of installing a hinge between a truck frame and a truck bed is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bag actuated tilting device where the area of cross section of the bag is sized such that available pressure multiplied by the bag cross sectional area multiplied by the distance from the pivot perpendicular to a line drawn from the center of the bag base to the center of the cross section equals the load that is being lifted multiplied by the distance from the pivot perpendicular to the line of action of the load. The bag is designed so that the cross sectional area of the bag increases from the top of the bag, mounted to the load, to its base, whereby as the bag collapses, the top of the bag moves downwardly toward its base, folding inwardly onto itself without buckling. In addition, the present invention provides for securely mounting the bag at both ends to the thrust plates nearest to the hinge that causes the bag to effectively become a fixed end-fixed end column resulting in reduced potential for buckling.