Patent ID: 6726288
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
A tailgate assembly for a dump body of a truck, the dump body having a pair of opposing sidewalls and an open rear end, the dump body being movable relative to a truck frame between a lowered transport position and a raised dump position, the tailgate assembly comprising:a pair of opposing sidearms each of which is pivotally connected to a respective one said sidewall of the dump body and a center-rear portion supported between the opposing sidearms, the sidearms and center-rear portion being movable between a closed position wherein the center-rear portion spans substantially between the opposing sidewalls of the dump body and encloses the open rear end of the dump body and an open position wherein the center-rear portion is positioned away from the open rear end of the dump body; a pair of outrigger assemblies, each outrigger assembly having an associated mounting assembly for connecting the respective outrigger assembly to the truck frame, each mounting assembly including a mounting member for engaging a first surface of the frame, a clamp member for engaging a second surface of the frame which opposes the first surface and at least one fastener for interconnecting the mounting and members thereby clamping the frame therebetween; and a pair of connectors, each connector coupling a respective one of the sidearms to a respective one of the outrigger assemblies such that the sidearms and center-rear portion rotate between the open and closed positions in response to rotation of the dump body between the lowered and raised positions.