Abstract: A load-carrying body for a truck is provided that includes a tailgate assembly positionable between in-service and out-of-service positions for hauling materials of different densities while maintaining a controlled distribution of the weight of the load on a chassis of the truck. Preferably, the body and the tailgate assembly are designed so that the centers of gravity or centers of mass of normal loads for both low and high density materials are located to achieve a desired weight distribution for both materials. Physical parameters of the body and tailgate are adjusted in accordance with the invention in order to place the fore-aft locations of the centers of mass for normal loads of both the low and high density materials at locations that result in the desired weight distribution on the truck chassis.

Abstract: Trucks which haul waste and fine, loose materials which are top loading through an open top need a cover to retain the material such as during travel. A full length cover, when raised for loading, may adversely affect the stability of the truck. An articulated cover includes a forward portion pivotally connected to the truck hauling body and a rearward portion pivotally connected to the forward portion. When the forward portion is raised the rearward portion folds downward against and parallel to the forward portion. This reduces the height of the raised cover to approximately one-half of the cover total length. Tie members are connected to the rear portion of the cover and to the hauling body and engage guide members on the cover to cause the rearward portion to unfold to an extended position when the forward portion is pivoted toward a closed position.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly is provided which rotates between in-service and out-of-service positions on a truck body of an off-road, heavy duty truck. A first tailgate rotation actuation assembly rotates the tailgate assembly between a closed, in-service position and an open in-service position wherein the load is dumped from the truck body. In one embodiment, the first tailgate actuation assembly comprises a chain connected to the tailgate assembly at a first end and operatively connected to the truck frame at a second end to rotate the tailgate assembly in response to the rotation of the truck body between the lowered and raised positions. A second tailgate rotation actuation assembly rotates the tailgate assembly between the in-service open position and the out-of-service position in which the tailgate assembly rests on the canopy of the body.

Abstract: An end gate is provided for a truck box which may be selectively automatically pivotally moved to an open position as the truck box is pivotally moved to its dumping position. A cable interconnecting the end gate and dump box is threaded through a series of pulleys to cause the end gate to pivot outwardly in response to upwardly movement of the dump box.

Abstract: In a tailgate assembly, a locking mechanism for preventing rotation of the assembly in response to a torque generated by a moment arm of the tailgate assembly and a force resulting from the jolting of the truck as it travels over rough terrain.

Abstract: In a portable unit having a generally horizontal frame, a container normally resting on the frame and pivotally connected at its rear of the frame for tilting upwardly and rearwardly toward a dumped position, the container having a door at its rear for loading and unloading material for opening when the container is in a dumped position, the improvement being a lift-and-tilt mechanism including a linkage pivotally connected at one end to the frame, and with a subframe unit interposed between the container and unit frame to support the container, with an inner end of the subframe unit pivotally connected to the linkage unit at an opposite end, whereby the linkage and subframe units are movable from a nested position substantially flat with the unit frame to a raised position with the linkage unit disposed substantially vertical, and with the subframe unit holding the container in a normally horizontal position, and with the container tiltable to its dumped position; and a power-operated unit for moving the lin

Abstract: A dump truck is provided with a dump body having a tailgate. A lever arm having a first end and a second end is pivotably attached to the dump body. The first end is fixedly attached to the tailgate and the second end is attached to a latching device which locks the position of the lever arm. When the dump body is raised, the latching device is deactivated and the position of the lever arm is unlocked. When the dump body is lowered, the latching device is activated and locks the position of the lever arm, thereby locking the position of the tailgate.

Abstract: A cable hoisting system primarily used to raise and lower dump body tailgates has two cables attached to each eyelet of a tailgate at one end and attached to a frame mounted, spring loaded reel at the other end. Locking the reel and raising the dump box causes both cables to be pulled through a series of channels and cable guides until tailgate is pulled firmly into a closed position so that hinge pins can be easily inserted from the ground. Tailgate closing can be fully automated by the addition of a air actuated and dash controlled reel locking and unlocking device. Each cable series has a spring of sufficient strength to forgive either erroneous reel locking or excess tension.

Abstract: A trailer having a hinged bed with a hinge positioned such that a rear bed portion automatically pivots toward the ground in an inclined load/unload position when the trailer is empty, forming a ramp for loading and unloading. The hinged bed automatically pivots to a horizontal transport position when a front portion of the bed is loaded. The trailer includes a transport locking mechanism for securing the rear bed portion in its horizontal transport position and a separate load/unload locking mechanism for securing the rear bed portion in its inclined load/unload position.

Abstract: A collector cart includes a body having an open rear end, which is closed by a canopy pivotally mounted adjacent its front end on the body adjacent its front end. The body has a support pivotally connected to caster wheel supports and a tow bar attached to a riding lawn mower hitch bar. Telescoping chutes connect the mower outlet with a canopy port to fill the cart with debris. When the cart is to be dumped, a linkage mechanism is activated by an operator, who remains on the mower, raising a lift handle to initially cause rearward shifting of the canopy relative to the body to release a locking connection of the rear of the canopy to the rear of the body. The body is released from its tow bar at the same time so that continued raising of the lift handle by the operator causes the body to pivot to a dumping position while the canopy pivots away from the body due to a rope of a fixed length connecting the front of the canopy to the mower.

Abstract: In a tailgate assembly, a connecting mechanism which joins one end of each side plate of the assembly to the frame of the vehicle carrying the assembly wherein pivoting of the dump body of the vehicle causes the connecting mechanism to rotate the tailgate assembly. The connecting mechanism includes a chain on each side of the body which is biased about the side of the body by a roller assembly that engages the chain to hold it away from the side and to limit its lateral movement along the length of the side.

Abstract: A subassembly is provided for the pivotal body of a heavy-duty truck comprising a tailgate assembly which rotates between service and out-of-service positions in order to provide a truck body having a dual volume capacity. The tailgate assembly includes opposing side beams attached at their first ends to a tailgate which forms a back wall of the truck body when the assembly is in its service position. Pivot means couple the opposing side beams to the opposing side walls of the truck body such that the tailgate assembly may be rotated about an axis of rotation between its service and out-of-service positions. Means are provided for rotating the tailgate assembly about its axis of rotation wherein the rotating means advantageously utilizes the changing position of the center of gravity of the tailgate assembly as it rotates between positions.

Abstract: In an automatic tailgate of a dump truck a continuous single cable extends from a left side gate lever arm to a right side gate lever arm after passing below the dump body of the truck and being movably secured to the truck frame. When the dump body is in a dumping mode the continuous single cable will allow equalization of tailgate lifting forces.

Abstract: A dump truck is provided with a tailgate pivotably mounted to the exterior of the dump body. The tailgate fits into the body between the body sidewalls at a position inboard of the extreme end of the body. The tailgate pivots up and away from the body when the body is hoisted to a dumping mode.