Patent ID: 6485079
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: B65F

Abstract:
A tailgate system for a multi-compartment rear-discharging collection body to be mounted on a vehicle chassis and having a forward end and a rearward end and having material receiving and storage volumes, the multi-compartment collection body further including a generally horizontal intermediate divider wall for separating the storage volumes into upper and lower storage compartments, the rearward end of each compartment having a discharge opening for the discharge of material contained therein, the tailgate system comprising:(a) an upper door associated with the upper compartment movably connected to an upper section of said collection body and operable for translating between a closed material retaining position and an open material ejection position; (b) a lower door associated with said lower compartment spaced vertically from said upper door and movably connected to a mid portion of said collection body, said lower door operable for translating between a closed material retaining position and an open material ejection position, wherein said lower door has a height less than that of said discharge opening and is spaced from said upper opening in said lower compartment defining a gap therebetween; (c) an auxiliary closure device normally closing the upper portion of said lower compartment with said lower door and operable between a closed material retaining position and an open material releasing position; (d) an upper operating mechanism for opening and closing said upper door; and (e) a lower operating mechanism for opening and closing said lower door.