US2949327A

US2949327A - Latch assembly for tail gates and the like

Info

Publication number: US2949327A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas C Totaro; John G Sand
Original assignee: Hercules Galion Products Inc
Current assignee: Hercules Galion Products Inc
Priority date: 1957-08-07
Filing date: 1957-08-07
Publication date: 1960-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 1977-08-16

Description

Aug. 16, 1960 1'. c. TOTARO ETAL 2,949,327

LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR TAIL GATES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 7, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 fi I Q. 1 L l l l 6 4 g i i 4 I l 4\; f

.7 a 1 i 2 I g i t a i l a I i 9 *2, 5 39 l i 4| i i '40 I 38 l INVENTORS. THOMAS C.TOTARO 8 BY JOHN G. SAND aim .AITORNEYS 8" 1950 'r. c. TOTARO ETAL 2,949,327

LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR TAIL GATES AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 7. 1957 l I I I I s I I I I": I I I I I I I I I I I I I- 4 IF Io I 5 as II II I7 11 37' I In I 33 5 /3 i ii .11; 29 (.g n Is I l' l |s\ FIG. 2

BY JOHN G SAND ATTORNEYS Aug. 16, 1960 "r. c. TOTARO ETAL 2,949,327

LATCH ASSEMBLY FR TAIL GATES AND THE LIKE FiledAug. 7. 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 THOMAS C. TOTARO 8 JOHN 6 BY 0% & W

ATTORNEYS 1960 'r. c. TOTARO ETAL 2,949,327

LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR TAIL GATES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 7, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 algae 2s 24 23 2| s| INVENTORS.

H MA C.TOTARO a g JQDHN G. SAND OMaJGmM ATTORNEYS,

United States Patent 6 LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR TAIL GATES AND THE LIKE Thomas C. Totaro, Marion, and John G. Sand, Galion, Ohio, assignors to Hercules Galion Products, Inc., Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 7, 1957, Ser. No. 676,743 9 Claims. (Cl. 292-46) This invention relates to an improved latch assembly for closures on the order of dump body tail gates, which are usually more than s' le space boundaries in that they partially support an enclosed load and thus require the use of latching or locking means of particularly sturdy and reliable construction.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a latch system for such a closure, of which a door in a garbage truck body is a more specific example, wherein several locking members are utilized in spaced relation and in such operative connection as to be actuated substantially simultaneously for engagement with the closure at a number of points about its periphery, the individual locking members and connections thereof being of improved form and more than adequately satisfying the basic requirements of strength and durability.

Another object is to provide such a locking assembly including a common operating member for the several individual latches which is so constructed and arranged as to be conveniently and easily actuated to set and release all the latches.

It is a further object of the invention to provide heavy duty latch means incorporating an automatic safety against inadvertent release of the same.

Another object is to provide a latch and remote actuator therefor in an assembly having a plurality of locking actions which make improper actuation of the mechanism impossible. An additional object of our invention is to provide a system of latches adapted to engage both the sides and the bottom of a closure or door which is hinged at the top, with the several latches being movable into and out of locking position substantially in unison.

It is also an object to provide a latch assembly for a dump body tail gate or door hinged at the top in which latches are disposed and operative at both the sides and bottom of the gate and a single handle at a convenient, removed location is actuatable to set and release all the latches.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the rear end portion of a vehicle dump body having a top-hinged tail gate and equipped with latch mechanism in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of one-half of such body, the same being symmetrical about the vertical centerline, with the tail gate or door partially broken away;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of moved from the truck body;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View, to an enlarged scale, illustrating in simplified form the manner in which the side and bottom latches move into and out of latching engagement with the tail gate or door;

Fig. 5 shows the operating handle mechanism of the assembly in elevation; and

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of this handle mechanism as viewed from the plane of the line 66 in Fig. 5.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the vehicle body shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is a part, the rear end portion, of a conventional garbage truck body having a top Wall 1, side walls 2, and bottom wall 3. A plurality of reinforcing channels '4 extend across the top and down the side walls, with the latter being of downwardly increasing projection, as shown in Fig. 2, and one such outer band, in effect, being located at the extreme rear end of the body, which is open. 7 v

A strip of suitable sealing material 5 is arranged to extend across the bottom of such end opening and up along the slightly converging edges of the side pieces 6, which are actually the rear faces of the end channels 4, substantially to the top of the latter. The end opening is closed by a tail gate or door 7 hinged at points spaced across the top, as shown at 8, and of such shape and size as to conform to the outer boundary of the end framing pieces, overlying the seal strip 5 when in closed condition. Reference numeral 9 designates a hand-hold bar on the door and a channel-shaped cross member 10 extends along and just beneath the edge of the bottom wall of the body. The flanges 11 of such cross member are directed inwardly and 'are received in slots provided for the same in the ends of the bottom longitudinal frame members 12.

An angle 13 is secured to the lower edge of the door across the width of the same and with one section projecting downwardly at the inner corner for clamping by bottom latch means to be described. The door is also provided with angle pieces 14 projecting outwardly at its side margins in the lower portions of the same, with these pieces arranged reversely with respect to the bottom angle 13, whereby they open upwardly with their vertical sections likewise at the inner face of the door. Such side pieces are also adapted to be engaged by latches, so that the sides as well as the bottom of the door are locked by positive means. 7

Our new latch system comprises, first, a series of bottom clamps, designated generally at 15, carried by the vehicle body in spaced relation adjacent and along the bottom edge of the tail gate or door 7. Each such device consists of two generally triangular vertical latch plates 16 in spaced parallel relation and having upwardly projecting ears or dogs 17 at corresponding upper and outer corners. The two plates are pivoted on a horizontal pin 18 passing therethrough at their lowermost corners and supported by straps 19 secured within the channel cross piece 10. As shown most clearly in Fig. 4 this cross piece is slotted at 20 so that the several pairs of latch plates can project therethrough, with the cars 17 thereof disposed to engage the bottom angle 13 of the door. If desired, a strap can be secured to bridge and thereby reinforce the spaced plates.

A connector 21 is pivoted between each pair of plates 16, at the inner corners of the same, on a pin 22, and such connector has a rearwardly extending threaded stud 23 which is threaded into and locked by a jam nut 24 in the outer end of a generally L-shaped connecting link 25. The several connecting links 25 are aranged to project upwardly at their inner ends 26, and each such end is pivoted on a pin 27 held between two short and straight links 28 which are welded on a cross shaft 29.

our latch assembly re- It will be seen from Fig. 3 that the shaft 29 extends substantially the full width of the vehicle body, the same being rotatably supported by bushings 30 afiixed to frame members 31 secured longitudinally between the rear cross piece it) and an inwardly spaced transverse frame member 32. All of the bottom latch units are of the same detailed construction and all are connected similarly to the shaft 29 for simultaneous actuation on turning of such shaft. The shaft is oscillated through a link 33 welded thereon toward one side of the center of the bottom assembly, a yoke 34 pivoted at the free end of this link, and a reach rod 35 which extends forwardly relative to the vehicle body 50 operating mechanism which will be described herebe- Further links 36 are welded at the ends of the shaft 29, which are located at the respective sides of the vehicle body, outwardly of the side walls 2, but not beyond the outer faces of the vertical channels 4 on such walls, as shown in Fig. 2. A generally vertical push rod 37 is pivoted on each such end link 36 and is pivotally connected at its upper end, through a yoke connector 38, to the inner end of a generally horizontal side clamp 39. Each side clamp is pivoted at 40 intermediate its ends between the end channel 4 at the particular side and an enclosing plate 41 having inwardly bent top and bottom margins which space the same outwardly for reception of the clamp. At their free ends, clamps 39 are formed with downwardly directed ears 42 adapted to engage over the angle pieces 14 carried by the door at its respective sides. It will be clear that these side clamps are also actuated by oscillation of the control shaft 29.

The clamping actions are most evident in Fig. 4, Wherein a side and bottom latch are shown in full line in their locked positions and in dashed lines as moved to the disengaged or door-release condition. With regard to this bottom clamp or latch, it will be seen that the L-shaped connecting link 25 extends, in the set latch condition, proximately beneath and then upwardly above the shaft 29, so that the pivot 27 of the connection to the links 28 is above the shaft axis. Accordingly, any push or pull on the latch plates 16 tending to open the same would have the effect of moving the pivot connection 27 clockwise about the shaft, which is impossible since the generally horizontal portion of the connecting link 25 would bear against the bottom of the shaft 29. The shaft axis falls inside a line drawn between the

pivots

22 and 27, whereby an over-center or toggle locking is provided.

When the reach rod 35 is moved to the rear, the shaft 29 is turned in a counter-clockwise direction to depress the connecting link 25 and thereby rock the latch plates 16 clockwise away from engagement with the bottom angle 13 of the door, to the position shown in the dashed lines. Such turning of the shaft also causes the end link 36 to move in a counter-clockwise direction to pull downwardly on the rod 37 and thus lift the side clamp 39 from the angle 14 at the door side and due to the overcenter condition of the bottom latch, the side clamp will actually be released first, while the bottom latch is being moved past center. In view of the connection between the two side clamps 39 and the bottom clamps, through the common control shaft, the over-center locking of the latter will also obviously resist improper lifting of the side clamps from their latch position.

In the illustrated embodiment of our invention, the reach rod 35 extends beneath the bottom 3 of the truck body forwardly to a predetermined point intermediate the ends and it is there connected to the actuating mechanism shown most clearly in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. Such mechanism comprises a transverse shaft 43 rotatably supported at its inner end in a longitudinal frame member 44 at the region of the forward end of the reach rod and near its outer end, which is at the side of the truck body, by a U-bolt 45 fastened, through springs 46, to another structural member 47 of the body and a vertical plate 48 fixed on such other member. A connector link 49 is welded to the inner end of such transverse shaft and the reach rod has an end elbow 50 pivoted in the free end of this link. A stop pad 51 projects from the member 44 into the path of link 49 to limit the clockwise movement thereof. The outer end of the transverse shaft 43 is recessed to receive a plate 52, welded therein, and a handle 53 having spaced inner ears 54 at right angles is secured to the shaft plate 52 by means of a bolt 55 extending vertically through such ears and the plate. This connection permits the handle to be swung inwardly beneath the truck body, as shown by the dashed handle outline in Fig. 3, and We provide a spring catch to hold the handle in such retracted position. This catch is a channel piece 56 disposed about the frame member 47 with triangular parallel sides 57 extending downwardly into the path of the handle and its web bolted to the member through a spring 58. As shown in Fig. 5, the side edges 59 of the catch which are engaged by the handle in moving the same inwardly beneath the body are sloped to a lesser degree than the edges 60 over which the handle must pass in being moved out from beneath the body. The latter of course prevent the handle from accidentally being dislodged outwardly.

When the handle 53 is in its extended condition, it can obviously be swung in a vertical plane to turn the transverse shaft 43 and thereby move the reach rod 35 either forwardly or to the rear to make and break the several latches of the assembly. The link connection between the reach rod and the transverse shaft is offset so that when the handle is in the latching position, shown in Fig. 5, the pivot 50 is above the axis of shaft 43 and must be swung downwardly to the latch release position, whereby there is over-center locking of the mechanism. As noted above, moving the handle inwardly past the spring catch 56 provides a further lock, so that there is actual- 1y a triple lock of the bottom and side latches, respectively, in the bottom latch construction, in the handle mechanism and in the spring catch.

It will accordingly be seen that our new latch system is very definitely protected against inadvent actuation, that thesecuring of the door or closure is very firm, whereby providing liquid-tight sealing desirable for example in the case of a garbage truck body is no problem, and that the mechanism is convenient and easy to operate. The construction is strong and durable and has been used successfully in a refuse truck body in which the material collected is packed by power means against the tail gate.

While we have shown a manual operating member for the multiple latches, a power member, such as a fluid cylinder, can obviously be substituted. It would likewise be a simple matter to provide more than one clamp at each side, if desired, by extending the linkage in appropriate manner. The system is further obviously adaptable to closures of ditferent types, having utility in any installation for securing a gate or door without especial regard to the purpose served thereby.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

We, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. In combination with a dump body having a tophinged rear door, a latch system comprising a series of pivotal bottom latches positioned to engage and clamp the lower margin of the door at spaced points thereacross, a common rock shaft for actuating said bottom latches arranged to extend transversely of the body, toggle link means connecting each such bottom latch to said rock shaft, at least one additional latch disposed to engage the door at each side thereof, means connecting each side latch to said rock shaft likewise for actuation by the same, an operating member secured to the shaft to extend forwardly therefrom relative to the dump body and to oscillate the shaft upon reciprocation, means including a toggle link for reciprocating said operating member, a handle located at a side of the dump body connected to said last-named means thereby to operate the latch system, said handle being pivotally connected for movement to a position beneath the body when not in use, and yieldable retainer means engaged with the handle in such position to preclude inadvertent dislodgement therefrom.

2. In combination with a dump body having a tophinged rear door, a latch system comprising a series of pivotal bottom latches positioned to engage and clamp the lower margin of the door at spaced points thereacross, a common rock shaft for actuating said bottom latches arranged to extend transversely of the body, toggle link means connecting each such bottom latch to said rock shaft, at least one additional latch disposed to engage the door at each side thereof, means connecting each side latch to said rock shaft likewise for actuation by the same, an operating member secured to the shaft to extend forwardly therefrom relative to the dump body and to oscillate the shaft upon reciprocation, means including a toggle link for reciprocating said operating member, and a manual actuator located at a side of the dump body connected to said last-named means thereby to operate the latch system.

3. In combination with a dump body having a tophinged rear door, a latch system comprising a series of pivotal bottom latches positioned to engage and clamp the lower margin of the door at spaced points thereacross, a rock shaft arranged to extend transversely of the body, toggle means connecting said bottom latches commonly to said shaft for actuation thereby, at least one additional latch disposed to engage the door at a side thereof, means connecting such side latch to said rock shaft likewise for actuation by the same, an operating member secured to the shaft to extend forwardly therefrom relative to the dump body and to oscillate the shaft upon reciprocation, means for reciprocating said operating member thus to operate the latches including a manual actuator located at a side of the dump body, and toggle link means connecting said actuator to the reciprocable operating memher.

4. In combination with a dump body having a tophinged rear door, a latch system comprising a series of pivotal bottom latches positioned to engage and clamp the lower margin of the door at spaced points thereacross, a rock shaft arranged to extend transversely of the body, toggle link means connecting said bottom latches commonly to said shaft for actuation thereby, at least one additional latch disposed to engage the door at a side thereof, means connecting such side latch to said rock shaft likewise for actuation by the same, an operating member secured to the shaft to extend forwardly therefrom relative to the dump body and to oscillate the shaft upon reciprocation, and means for reciprocating said operating member thus to operate the latches including a manual actuator located at a side of the dump body.

5. Latch mechanism comprising a clamp, a pivot on which said clamp is mounted, a shaft spaced from the clamp and extending similarly as said pivot, a rigid member of general L-shape pivotally connected adjacent one end to the clamp at a point spaced from such pivot mounting thereof, said member extending from the clamp in the locked condition of the latch mechanism partially around said shaft, a link fixed on the shaft and pivotally connected to said member adjacent the other end of the same, the axis of the shaft being within the area enclosed by the member between its respective points of connection to the clamp and link and a line drawn from one such point of member connection to the other in the locked condition of the mechanism, and control means for rocking the shaft to move said member from its such locked position clear of the shaft thereby to release the latch mechanism.

'6. Latch mechanism comprising a clamp, a pivot on which said clamp is mounted, a shaft spaced from the clamp and extending similarly as said pivot, a rigid member ofgeneral L-shape pivotally connected adjacent one end to the clamp at a point spaced from such pivot mounting thereof, said member extending from the clamp in the locked condition of the latch mechanism partially around said shaft, a link fixed on the shaft and pivotally connected to said member adjacent the other end of the same, the axis of the shaft being within the area enclosed by the member between its respective points of connection to the clamp and link and a line drawn from one such point of member connection to the other in the locked condition of the mechanism, an actuator connected to said shaft for turning the latter to move said member clear of the same thereby to release the latch mechanism, an operating lever for said actuator, and a toggle link connection between said actuator and operating lever.

7. Latch mechanism comprising a first pivotally mounted clamp, a shaft spaced from said first clamp and extending similarly as the pivot thereof, a rigid member of general L-shape pivotally connected adjacent one end to the first clamp and extending in the locked condition of the latch mechanism partially around the shaft, a link fixed on the shaft and pivotally connected to said member adjacent the other end of the same, a second pivotally mounted clamp, a connection between said second clamp and said member for actuating the former by movement of the latter, the axis of the shaft being within the area enclosed by the member between its respective points of connection to the first clamp and link and a line drawn from one such point of member connection to the other in such locked condition, and control means for rocking the shaft to move said member from its such locked condition clear of the shaft and actuate both the first and second clamps.

8. Latch mechanism comprising a first pivotally mounted clamp, a shaft spaced from said first clamp and extending similarly as the pivot thereof, a rigid member of general L-shape pivotally connected adjacent one end to the first clamp and extending in the locked condition of the latch mechanism partially around the shaft, a link fixed on the shaft and pivotally connected to said member adjacent the other end of the same, a second pivotally mounted clamp, a connection between said second clamp and said member for actuating the former by movement of the latter, an actuator connected to said shaft for turning the latter to move said member clear of the shaft and actuate both the first and second clamps, an operating lever for said actuator, and a toggle link connection between said actuator and operating lever.

9. A latch system for a top-hinged door, comprising a first upwardly directed pivotal latch adapted to engage the bottom margin of such door, a second downwardly directed pivotal latch spaced above said first latch and adapted to engage a keeper provided at a side of the door, a shaft spaced from and extending transversely with respect to such latches, an operating member having generally horizontal and generally vertical portions, a toggle link secured to said shaft and pivotally connected to the generally vertical portion of said operating member, the generally horizontal portion of the member being pivotally connected to the first latch, an actuator element pivotally connected between said second latch and the generally vertical portion of the operating member, and means for turning said shaft to move the operating member between locked and released positions of adjustment, the operating member in such locked position being disposed partially around the shaft with the link and actuator element connections thereto above the shaft axis, said member being moved downwardly and in the direction of the first latch through its toggle link connection with the shaft, with the second latch first actuated and then the first latch as the member moves in such manner to its released position.

(References on following page) 7 References Cited in the file of this patent 1,63 5,163

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,170,004 Shadbolt Feb. 1, 1916 1,332,193 Anderson Mar. 2, 1920 1,376,733 Sanderson May 3, 1921 458,060

8 Allison July 12, 1922 Tabatt Apr. 14, 1931 Gland-Mantle May 17, 1193 FOREIGN PATENTS