Patent ID: 6382535
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: E01C,E01H

Abstract:
A tailgate assembly for a highway maintenance vehicle having a dump bed for conveying snow-ice granular treatment material with oppositely disposed sides spaced apart a bed width, each extending upwardly from a bed floor to first and second bed rims and rearwardly to an upwardly disposed rearward end, said first and second rims having first and second tailgate normal pivot positions, said bed having first and second rearwardly extending tailgate latches actuable to engage and release the lower edge closure assemblies of a tailgate, comprising:a tailgate frame having a widthwise extent generally corresponding with said bed width, extensible vertically from oppositely disposed first and second pivot mechanisms defining respective first and second frame pivot locations removably connectable with a said bed rim in rearwardly disposed adjacency with respective said first and second tailgate normal pivot positions; a brine tank assembly of predetermined volumetric fluid retention capacity mounted within said frame and having forward, rearward, bottom, top and side walls defining said volumetric capacity, said forward wall extending inwardly from said frame to an extent effective to establish a tailgate center of gravity at a vertical plane extending through said first when the tailgate frame is hung from said first and second pivot locations and said brine tank assembly second pivot locations and having an output port assembly and an input assembly; a transport mechanism mounted upon said tailgate frame adjacent said brine tank bottom wall, having a sequence of drivable flights extending along said frame widthwise extent, having an inwardly disposed feed opening and an outlet through which said granular treatment material is conveyed when said flights are driven; a transport mechanism motor supported by said tailgate frame and actuable to drive said flights; a broadcasting assembly, supported by said tailgate frame, having a feed input adjacent said transport mechanism outlet and drivable to effect the broadcasting of said granular treatment material; a broadcasting motor coupled in driving relationship with said broadcasting assembly; a brine pump assembly mounted upon said tailgate frame, having an input coupled in fluid flow relationship with said brine tank assembly brine outlet port assembly and having an output adjacent said transport mechanism; and first and second closure assemblies coupled to and extending outwardly from said tailgate frame at locations for locking engagement with and release from respective said first and second tailgate latches.