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A tailgate aileron system is disclosed, in which a tailgate of a pick-up truck, dump truck or portable roll-off contained has a rectangular opening within which is installed an aileron capable of manual or powered operation. The aileron pivots on an axle disposed horizontally through the central axi

A tailgate aileron system is disclosed, in which a tailgate of a pick-up truck, dump truck or portable roll-off contained has a rectangular opening within which is installed an aileron capable of manual or powered operation. The aileron pivots on an axle disposed horizontally through the central axis of the aileron. The aileron axle registers with bushings disposed in the sides of the rectangular opening of the tailgate. One end of the axle protrudes beyond the side of the rectangular opening and conjoins with a means for operating the aileron. A manual means for operating the aileron is comprised of a positioning handle mounted orthogonal to the axle, which is rotated by hand and is fixed in a desired attitude by an index pin which registers with one of a plurality of indices on the positioning handle. A powered means for operating the aileron is comprised of an electric motor which turns the aileron through a system of gears. A brake is provided which holds the axle stationary while the electric motor is idle. Another embodiment of the invention is comprised of an aileron mounted in a rear gate of an industrial dump truck, which is operated by a cam lever or by a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A truck tailgate aileron system, comprised of:a tailgate, disposed at one end of a truck cargo bed or portable cargo container mountable on a truck, said tailgate having a tailgate opening disposed therein, with contoured upper and lower edges and parallel first and second sides;an aileron having

1. A truck tailgate aileron system, comprised of:a tailgate, disposed at one end of a truck cargo bed or portable cargo container mountable on a truck, said tailgate having a tailgate opening disposed therein, with contoured upper and lower edges and parallel first and second sides;an aileron having parallel first and second sides and of an overall shape appropriate for engaging the aileron within the tailgate opening, wherein said aileron has upper and lower edges contoured correspondingly to the contoured upper and lower edges, respectively, of the tailgate opening, and has parallel first and second sides, said first and second sides of the aileron are in coaxial pivotal engagement with the corresponding first and second sides of the tailgate opening, wherein the aileron upper and lower edges are capable of superficial communication with the corresponding tailgate opening upper and lower edges, respectively; andpositioning means for positioning and securing the aileron in a desired attitude.2. The truck tailgate aileron system of claim 1, wherein the positioning means is comprised of a manual linkage, one end of which is mounted on an exterior surface of the aileron and the other is mounted on the tailgate or the truck.3. The truck tailgate aileron system of claim 1, wherein the positioning means is comprised of a pressurized fluid actuator and an extendable rod extending from one end of said actuator, wherein the actuator is mounted at an end opposite the extendable rod to the tailgate or to the truck and the opposite end of the extendable rod is mounted to the aileron.4. The truck tailgate aileron system of claim 3, wherein the pressurized fluid actuator is a pneumatic actuator.5. The truck tailgate aileron system of claim 1, further comprised of an axle rigidly disposed on the aileron coaxial with the axis of the pivotal engagement between the sides of the aileron and the sides of the tailgate opening, a first end of said axle protruding through an opening in the first side of the tailgate opening.6. The truck tailgate aileron system of claim 5, wherein the positioning means is comprised of:a positioning lever disposed on the first end of the axle, said positioning lever having means for manual operation from outside the tailgate, and having a plurality of indices; andan index pin disposed for engaging with the indices and securing the positioning lever against rotational movement.7. The truck tailgate aileron system of claim 5, wherein the positioning means is comprised of:a driven gear disposed coaxially on the axle within the tailgate interior of the first side of the tailgate opening;a drive gear disposed coplanar with the driven gear; andan electric motor, having a drive shaft coaxially engaged with the drive gear.8. The truck tailgate aileron system of claim 7, further comprised of a brake, said brake comprised of means of frictional engagement with the driven gear for arresting rotation of the axle when positioned in a selected attitude.9. The truck tailgate aileron system of claim 8, wherein the brake is further comprised of releasing means for releasing frictional engagement with the driven gear when the positioning means is operative.10. The truck tailgate aileron system of claim 7, further comprised of:a brake disk disposed coaxially on the axle within the tailgate in tandem with the driven gear, anda brake, said brake comprised of means for frictional engagement with the brake disk for arresting rotation of the axle when positioned in a selected attitude.11. The truck tailgate system of claim 10, wherein the brake is further comprised of releasing means for releasing frictional engagement with the brake disk when the positioning means is operative.12. The truck tailgate aileron system of claim 7, further comprised of a power supply to provide direct current power to the electric motor, wherein said power supply is capable of providing direct current power in either forward or reverse polarity to the electric motor.13. The truck tailgate aileron system of claim 12, wherein the power supply is comprised of a double-pole, double-throw switch for reversing the polarity of the direct current supplied to the electric motor.