Patent Publication Number: US-9834156-B2

Title: Apparatus for collection of debris escaping around a vehicle tailgate

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of utility application Ser. No. 14/688,681 filed Apr. 16, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,387,815 issued Jul. 12, 2016 entitled “Apparatus for Collection of Debris Escaping Around a Vehicle Tailgate” which is a continuation-in-part of utility application Ser. No. 14/192,418 filed Feb. 27, 2014 entitled “Apparatus for Collection of Debris Escaping Around a Vehicle Tailgate” incorporating by reference and claiming priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/770,463 filed Feb. 28, 2013 entitled “Apparatus for Collection of Debris Escaping Around a Vehicle Tailgate”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for collection and retention of debris discharged or escaping around the tailgate of a vehicle such as a construction vehicle, garbage truck or the like. 
     Highway safety is a continuing concern. Among the aspects of highway safety is a problem associated with vehicles, such as construction vehicles and similar transportation vehicles, which include a bed for the carriage of various materials. Typically, such vehicles will include a truck bed with a tailgate mounted to side walls of the truck bed. The tailgate typically opens in order to enable placement of materials on the bed or to enable efficient discharge of the materials from the bed. Such vehicles, when travelling on highways, may, due to the irregularity of the highway surface, discharge debris as the tailgate is displaced by shaking or otherwise moves causing escape or discharge of debris and other materials. Such materials may also be discharged due to the flow of air over the vehicle cab and around the tailgate. 
     A solution to this problem is addressed, for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 3,833,255 entitled “Combined Load Cover and Windshield Protector for Dump Truck” incorporated herewith by reference. There are often legal requirements that such covers be provided for dump trucks and other vehicles. However, such vehicles may still exhibit a discharge of debris and other material. Issues of this nature have also been addressed by other patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,682,975 entitled “Dumping Box with Hinged Bottom Having Drip Catching Means” and U.S. Pat. No. 2,679,335 entitled “Dribble Gate”, both of which are incorporated herewith by reference. Further developments of this nature are directed to the discharge of debris through the slot between a pivoting tailgate and a truck bed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,774 entitled “Debris Catcher” addresses such issues and it, too, is incorporated herewith by reference. Another effort in this regard is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,072 entitled “Dump Body Debris Catcher” incorporated herewith by reference. 
     Nonetheless, the cost of many of these solutions is significant and there has remained the desire to provide a lower cost, yet more highly efficient system to address the issue of escape of debris from dump trucks and other such vehicles. Additionally, a desirable solution to such a problem must consider the safety, the installation of a device, as well as the aspect of simplicity of use, storage of a device of this nature and application of the solution to preexisting truck configurations. Thus, the design for such an apparatus has presented an ongoing problem with respect to the aspects of safety, convenience and cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the present invention comprises an assembly of fabric panels which are designed to fit over a section of the tailgate and a portion of the bed of a truck in a manner which covers the opening or seam between a tailgate, the side walls and the bed of the truck. The fabric may be a mesh-like canvas similar to the type of covering that is often used for covers placed over the open top of a vehicle bay or bed such as a dump truck or the like. Such covers typically are used to cover a load of debris or materials carried in the bed of the dump truck or transport vehicle. The mesh-like canvas material is permeable to air thus allowing the passage of air therethrough from wind currents and other air flow due to drafting of the vehicle as it is moving during its use as a transport vehicle. A feature of the invention comprises a design to prevent the device or apparatus described from being engaged by air flow and detached from the vehicle during travel of the vehicle thereby damaging its effectiveness. 
     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a cover which has a design capable of being easily maintained by attachment to a vehicle yet easily removed by a vehicle operator when necessary and reattached when necessary. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a debris collection device which is compact, which may be folded for easy storage, and which is rugged and inexpensive. 
     Yet another object and feature of the invention is to provide a cover which may be easily attached to multiple sizes of vehicle truck beds having various sizes and designs of tailgates associated with the truck bed. 
     Another object and feature of the invention is to provide a rugged yet lightweight and easily manipulated and adjustable cover device for collecting debris which might otherwise escape from the truck bed of a vehicle and thereby cause safety problems to arise. 
     These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be detailed in the description which follows that discusses and discloses an exemplary version of the subject matter of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view depicting an example of the invention as incorporated and positioned over the tailgate and bed of a carriage vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the apparatus for collecting and retaining debris as depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of one side end panel of the cover of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is an elevation view of the opposite side end panel depicted in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the component parts of an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  depicting additional features; 
         FIG. 6  is on isometric view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  depicting the attachment thereof to a truck bed; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of a variation of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a variation of the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 1-7 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the figures,  FIG. 1  depicts a vehicle of the type which is a candidate for use of the apparatus of the present invention. Thus, a truck  10  having a vehicle bed assembly  12  with opposite, lateral side walls, such as walls  14 , and an internal support bed platform  16  further includes an end tailgate  18 . Typically, the tailgate  18  is pivotally mounted to side walls  14  and may swing about an attachment or connecting axis, may fold outwardly and/or downwardly, or may fold by means of hinges along one or the other of the vertical side walls  14 . In some instances, the tailgate  18  may incorporate a mechanism which provides tilting and lowering so that a load carried on the internal bed platform  16  of the truck  10  may be placed on the gate as a platform and lowered in order to remove the contents from the truck bed  16 . The subject matter of the present invention is designed for utilization with multiple styles of tailgate constructions such as those discussed. 
     The tailgate cover  20  of the invention includes a first generally vertical, end panel  22  and a second generally horizontal, end panel  24 . The panels  22  and  24  are generally rectangular and include a common elongate generally horizontal seam or side  26 . Vertical panel  22  includes parallel, lateral sides  27 ,  28 . The horizontal panel  24  includes generally parallel lateral sides  29 ,  30 . The panels  22  and  24  may be formed as separate elements which are stitched together along the seam or side  26  if desired. The panels  22  and  24  are typically of similar size and dimension. Typically, the side to side dimension of the panels  22  and  24  exceeds or is generally equal to the width of the bed  12  or the distance between the walls, such as walls  14  of the vehicle  10 . This is an important aspect of the invention inasmuch as this aspect enables the apparatus or cover of the invention to be placed around the entire outside surface of the truck bed  12 . The size and construction of the various panels enables reversal of the attachment of the apparatus embodiment depicted. 
     The cover further includes end side panels  32 ,  34  that are substantially identical in configuration. In other words, they are generally congruent in configuration and shape. For example, end panel  34  has the configuration of an isosceles triangle having side legs  38  and  40  which are equal and a base  42 . In the embodiment depicted, the panels  32  and  34  are thus substantially congruent and are in the form of an isosceles triangle. However, other shapes may be utilized in order to accomplish the goals and features of the invention, for example, rectangular panels which are attached to a generally horizontal and a generally vertical end panel. Among those goals and features is the aspect of fitting over and around the sides of the truck bed  12  as depicted, for example, in  FIG. 1 . 
     The legs or sides  38 ,  40  of the isosceles triangle shaped end panels  32  and  34  are dimensioned to be substantially equal, respectively, to the side edges or side dimension of panel sides  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30 . Thus, all of the component panels in the embodiment depicted are stitched together, though panels  22  and  24  may be formed from a single fabric sheet and folded along the longitudinal edge or seam  26  to form the configuration depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
     All of the seams or edges of the cover are folded over and stitched with encapsulated magnets, such as magnets  54  and  56  fitted into pockets in the folded over cover material of edges  51 ,  53 . The magnets  54 ,  56  may be of any desired configuration or shape. In the embodiment depicted, the magnets  54 ,  56  comprise elongate members or bars which are in the range of 2 to 5 inches long and which are spaced from one another in the range of 2 to 5 inches around the periphery of all of the seams and edges of the cover. 
     The magnet retaining edges of the cover maintain the cover tightly in place upon the truck bed or body  12  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Because of the number of magnets, their spacing, and the fact that those magnets are maintained in the seamed portions or portions which join the separate panels as well as in the lateral edges and side edges  50 ,  52 ,  55 ,  26  of the panels, ensures that multiple points of contact will be maintained between the cover and the truck body. Thus, the edges fit under the truck body or bed and are attached thereto as well as along the vertical walls  14  of the gate  18  as well as along side walls  14  and underside of bed platform  16 . 
     The purpose of the cover is to fit over a gap  60  through which debris and material may discharge from the interior of the truck body  10 . This gap  60  may vary in size thus resulting in the variance in particulates and materials which will sift therethrough or pass therethrough. Driving conditions may also affect the manner in which the gate  18  fits and the tolerance of the gate  18  may vary with respect to various types of vehicles. The cover of the present invention accommodates those variances. The cover, thus, retains debris which will fall or exit from the vehicle as a result of gravity, vibration and vehicle movement. 
     The positioning of the magnets and the number of magnets, their spacing and their configuration all become beneficial elements with respect to the cover. That is, their positioning and the other features associated with the magnets including the feature incorporating them within pockets or folded over portions of the cover material enable the cover to be molded tightly against the body of the vehicle and enable the cover to provide a universal fit to multiple types and styles of vehicles. Consequently, the lateral width or lateral dimension of the cover may vary somewhat, yet still cover the gap  60  in a meaningful and functional manner. 
     Another feature of the means of attachment is that the cover may be easily, manually attached, rigidly attached, adjustably attached and easily removed by manual operation. The magnets can be individually detached in a manual fashion. Additionally, because the cover is made from a flexible material, the cover may be folded into a compact configuration and the magnets can be utilized to maintain the cover in the desired and folded condition as a compact package that can be stored easily. Attachment of the cover to a truck body is also accommodated by the design. That is, the upper row of magnets and the upper edge  28  of the panel  22  may be easily attached as a first effort with respect to attachment of the cover to thereby position the cover in a manner which will enable positioning of the other elements or panels comprising the cover. 
     As an added feature of the invention, however, the triangular panels, such as panel  30 , may include grommet openings, such as openings  70  and  72 , to which a bungee cord or rope can be connected for retaining the cover in position. This may be useful with respect to those truck bodies which are manufactured from materials, such as aluminum, that are not magnetic. As a consequence, the cover of the present invention is capable of utilization with multiple types of truck bodies made from multiple materials. For example, as mentioned, aluminum bodies may utilize the cover. However, bodies which incorporate wood, for example, will also be able to utilize successfully the cover of the present invention. Thus, there are various options and alterations and changes and inclusions of alternative aspects of the invention and substitution of various components. 
     The assembly or cover is reversible. That is, either side of panels  22 ,  24  may be fitted against tailgate  18  and the seam  26  may be reversed in side to side alignment from left to right or vice-versa. Further, the magnets may be replaced since they may be retained in pockets in the fabric forming the cover by clips, or fasteners, or zippers. 
       FIGS. 4-7  illustrate further embodiments, aspects and features of the invention. In  FIGS. 4 and 5  panels  70 ,  72  is affixed or attached respectively to the vertical side edge  27 ,  28  of the panel  22 . The panels  70  and  72  may assume any desired shape. The embodiments depicted employ a generally rectangular shape for the panels  70 ,  72 . Ropes or bungee cords or other attachment apparatus  74  may be affixed to the panels  70 ,  72  to augment the attachment of the cover to a vehicle. The panels  70 ,  72  may also include magnets. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the manner of positioning of the generally rectangular elongate panel  27  relative to a tailgate  18  between side walls  14  of a truck bed  16 . The tailgate  18  is attached to and typically pivots about an axis transverse to the truck bed side walls  14 . Thus, when the bed  16  of a truck is filled with material and locked into position the cover assembly is positioned over lower part of the tailgate  18  and end of bed  16 . However, due to vibration and movement of the component parts of the truck, debris such as sand, gravel and other materials may “escape between the pivotal tailgate  18 , the side walls  14  and the truck bed  16 ”. Placement of the substantially elongate panel  22  having a lower side edge  90  and an upper side edge  92  is thus effected and maintained by means of magnets as depicted by the array of magnets  25  in  FIG. 5 . The side or lateral end panels  70  and  72  which are attached to the panel  22  along the seams  71  and  73  are also attached to the outside of respective side walls  14 . The side panels  70  and  72  thus are retained in a manner, such as described above, to tightly effect wrapping the fabric panel  22  and closure of the spacing  60  between the tailgate  18  and the walls  14  as well as the bottom bed panel  16  of the truck bed. It is noted that panel  22  may have a vertical dimension adequate to cover the entire tailgate. The vertical dimension may be postulated by evaluation of the material being transported. That is finer particulate materials may necessitate a panel which covers the entire tailgate or extends over the top of the tailgate. 
     Further as depicted in  FIG. 7  the embodiment of  FIGS. 4, 5, and 6  may have additional features. For example, the panel  70  may include an array of magnets such as magnets  94  and  96  for the side panels  70  and  72  respectively. The magnets  94 ,  96  are augmented for example, by bungee cords  74  or straps which hold the lateral side panels  70 ,  72  in position. 
     An additional feature is inclusion of an auxiliary flexible material panel  98  which is attached to the generally rectangular lateral panel  22  along a seam  100 . The auxiliary panel  98  forms a generally coterminus seam  100  with bottom edge  90  of the panel  22 . Further, the auxiliary panel  98  may include magnets  102  in an array which will facilitate placement of the auxiliary panel  98  to the bottom edge of bed  88  or folded under the bottom edge of the truck bed  88 . Further, the auxiliary panel  98  may include elastic tethers  104  connecting the opposite ends thereof respectively to the lateral side panels  70  and  72  to facilitates positioning of panel  98 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts additional features or aspects of the embodiments previously depicted which enhance the capability to collect and retain debris that otherwise may leak from or escape from a dump truck dump body through a gap or slot  132  of the tailgate assembly. Thus, referring to  FIG. 8 , there is depicted a typical tailgate assembly  120  including a tailgate door  122  mounted on a truck body platform or bed  124  intermediate sidewalls  126  and  127 . Typically, the door  122  is designed to pivot outwardly about a horizontal axis in order to release contents from the interior of the truck bed or dump body as the platform  124  is tilted. 
     When filling the truck dump body, the tailgate door  122  is closed and locked into position between side walls  126 ,  127 . The body or bed is then filled. Next, a tailgate debris retention cover  130  may be positioned to cover the opening gap or slot  132  between the tailgate  122  and the platform  124  and the walls  126  and  127 . The cover  130  assembly may be placed after filling the bed if desired or before filling the bed or dump body. 
     The cover or debris collection assembly  130  may have a configuration substantially like any one of the embodiments depicted in the preceding figures. For example, panels, as depicted in  FIG. 7 , may be utilized. However, as depicted in  FIG. 8 , various additional features may be included in the debris collection assembly device or cover  130 . Thus, the representative device includes a first lateral, rectangular panel  140  having a top side or edge  142  extending substantially between the outside faces of opposed walls  126  and  127 . First panel  140  includes a series of magnetic elements or magnets  144  in the form of bars spaced along the top edge  142  typically encapsulated within the fabric material comprising the first lateral panel  140 . First lateral panel  140  further includes a bottom side or edge  172  and opposite first and second side edges  152  and  162  respectively. 
     A first side panel  150  is joined to panel  140  along a seam at edge  152  bonding panel  150  to first lateral panel  140 . Panel  150  includes an array of magnetic elements or magnets  154 . Likewise, a second edge panel  160  is joined to the first lateral panel  140  along a seam at edge  162 . Multiple magnetic elements  164  are arrayed and retained in pockets or sleeves, by way of example, in the panel  160 . The magnetic elements  164  typically form a pattern along the periphery or boundary of the panel  160 . However, various arrays of magnetic elements may be adopted in side panels  150 ,  160 . 
     An optional auxiliary or second lateral panel  202  may be attached to the first panel  140  along a seam at bottom edge  172  and may include an array of magnetic, spaced elements  144 . Additional magnetic elements  144  are located around the periphery or sides forming the generally rectangular first lateral panel  140  along the lateral side  152  seam as well as the side  162  seam and side  172  seam along the lower edge of the first lateral panel  140 . The arrays effectively seat and at least partially seal the panel  140  over opening or gap  132  around tailgate  122  when cover  130  is appropriately positioned on the truck bed. 
     An important addition to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8  is the inclusion of a sealing strip or gasket positioned just inside the periphery of aligned magnetic elements  144  on or in the lateral panel  144 . The gasket extends around at least portions of the periphery of panel  140  as depicted in the drawing. Thus, a gasket assembly  180  is positioned adjacent the magnetic elements  144  which are, in turn, positioned in spaced relationship along the seam  172 . The gasket  180  includes vertical or lateral side sections  182  and  184 , again generally inside the boundary defined by the array of magnetic elements  144  along the seams  152  and  162 . The gaskets  180 ,  182 ,  184  may comprise an elastic or rubberized material. The gasket material, in essence, provides a seal between the inside face of the fabric comprising the panel  140  and the surface of the platform  124  and side walls  126 ,  127  of the bed of the truck body. That is, the magnets  144  seat the panel  140  against the truck floor or bed  124  and side walls  126 ,  127 . The gasket  180 ,  182 ,  184  further effects a seal of panel  140  against floor or bed  124  and side walls  126 ,  127 . 
     As an alternative construction, Velcro type material may be positioned so that the gripping surface thereof is opposed to a compatible and alignable strip of Velcro material  180 A,  182 A and  184 A which have been placed on the truck platform  124  and side walls  126 ,  127  of the truck bed. Thus, the Velcro hook and loop gripping material will include an adhesive bonding surface seated on the inside face of panel  140 . A Velcro hook and loop strip, having adhesive material as backing, may be easily attached to the truck bed platform  124  and side walls. Engagement of the hook and loop strips on the lateral panel  140  with the strip adhered to the truck bed and walls will secure the lateral panel  140  sealed in place and retained in that position augmented by the force of the magnets holding panel  140  in place. 
     An advantage of this construction is the improved sealing capability associated with the design. Additionally, major structural or other changes to the tailgate are unnecessary. Thus, hooks, bolts, and other fastening devices need not be attached to the truck body. The magnets  144 ,  154 ,  164  hold the panels  140 ,  150 ,  160  in place and the rubber like strip  180 ,  182 ,  184  or Velcro hook and loop material interlocking strips provide additional sealing of the cover  140 . The side panels  150 ,  160  are held in place by magnets  144  and may be supplemented, for example, by elastic bungee cords,  190 ,  192 , for example, attaching the panels  150 ,  160  in place. Alternatively or in addition, bungee cords or rope may be used to attach the side panels  150 ,  160  in place avoiding the use of magnets. 
     The application and utilization of sealing strips, especially positioned on the inside perimeter of the magnetic elements, thus provides an additional effective sealing arrangement with respect to the embodiments depicted. That is, the embodiment of  FIG. 1  as well as the other embodiments depicted in the disclosure may incorporate the sealing concepts described. An aspect of the described arrangement is that the lateral extent or dimension of the lateral panel  140  may exceed the outside surface spacing of side walls  126 ,  127 . Nonetheless, the cover or collection device will function since one or both ends of the panel  140  may be folded over the outside face of the side walls  126 ,  127 . Thus, the cover  130  will be enabled to accommodate various tailgate  122  widths and side wall  126 ,  127  spacings without the necessity of reconfiguring the cover  130  or adding or removing external fastening elements or hooks or bolts on the side walls  126 ,  127 . 
     Similar features may be incorporated in an auxiliary panel  202  affixed to the first lateral panel  140  along the lower or bottom side  172  by including multiple magnets  144  arranged around the periphery. Thus, the magnets  144  and the sealing materials  180  typically are positioned in a manner which seals the opening or slot or gap  132  existing between a tailgate  122  and the truck bed  124  and side walls  126 ,  127 . Use of flexible fabric facilitates ease of adjustment of the cover assembly  130  to accommodate various sizes and shapes of lift gates and truck body bed and wall configurations. As a consequence, a minimal number of standard size covers may be utilized on variable truck bed designs. 
     The cover  130  of the various embodiments may be effectively used with various tailgate assembly designs as is not necessarily limited to a tailgate assembly as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 8  wherein the tailgate closure panel pivots about a generally horizontal axis. Thus, the cover  130  may be sized and shaped to fit over the gap or slot between a closure panel or panels mounted on the side walls of the truck bed or pivotal about a generally horizontal axis to the truck bed. By appropriately sizing the first lateral panel and the other panels as well as the position of the magnetic elements and sealing gasket of a cover  130 , a single size cover  130  may be manipulated to seat and seal a gap or slot of multiple sizes and designs of a tailgate assembly. 
     Multiple variations of the cover or collection assembly are possible. Features which are considered to be integral to the construction is the employment of multiple individual magnets in various arrays incorporated in the panels especially along the edges of the panels so that the cover or device can be utilized with multiple truck bed configurations and designs. For example, the two or more panels may be formed from a single sheet of material folded and formed to define a boundary or seam at the juncture of panels. Magnets may be encapsulated in pockets formed on the panels or adhered the panels with an appropriate adhesive or bonding material. Tethers such as bungee cords may easily augment the cover construction. A sealing material such as a rubber seal or hook and loop material may be positioned on the inside face of the cover or device to effectively seal the cover to collect debris. Thus, while there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalence thereof.