Patent ID: 6092863
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
An assembly for automatically opening a tailgate of a container when the container is rear dumped by a container transport vehicle, the container having a front wall, opposing side walls, a floor and a tailgate, the tailgate having a rear wall and a pair of arms extending from opposing sides of the rear wall and wherein each arm is pivotally connected to a respective one of the side walls such that the tailgate rotates between a closed position and an open position and the container transport vehicle being adapted to receive and carry the container in a transport position and having a frame and a tilt mechanism for tilting the container between the transport position and a dump position, the assembly comprising: a counterbalance assembly pivotally connected to and positioned on the frame of the container transport vehicle, such that when the container is tilted from the transport position to the dump position by the container transport vehicle, a free end of a hook member connected and pivotable relative to one of the arms of the tailgate couples with the counterbalance assembly thereby establishing a linkage of the counterbalance assembly and the hook member that connects the frame of the container transport vehicle and the container tailgate causing the tailgate to rotate into the open position as the container is tilted to the dump position.