Foldable tailgate, a load bed with such a foldable tailgate and a vehicle with such a load bed
The invention relates to a foldable tailgate for a load bed ( 2 ), comprising a link mechanism ( 28 ) pivotally connected to the tailgate ( 1 ) and the load bed ( 2 ), at least one power means ( 22 ) connected to the load bed ( 2 ) and arranged to fold the tailgate ( 1 ) between a raised position in which the tailgate ( 1 ) at least partly covers a rear opening ( 16 ) of the load bed ( 2 ) and a lowered position in which the rear opening ( 16 ) of the load bed ( 2 ) is open. The tailgate ( 1 ) is arranged at the load bed ( 2 ) such that the tailgate ( 1 ) in a lowered position is located under the load bed ( 2 ) and such that the pivotal connection of the link mechanism with the load bed ( 2 ) ends up between the tailgate ( 1 ) and the load bed ( 2 ), and such that, in the lowered position of the tailgate ( 1 ), the tailgate ( 1 ) is arranged to rest against the underside of the load bed ( 2 ). The invention also relates to a load bed ( 2 ) with such a foldable tailgate ( 1 ) and a vehicle ( 4 ) with such a load bed ( 2 ).
1. A foldable tailgate for a load bed ( 2 ), comprising
a link mechanism ( 28 ) pivotally connected to the tailgate ( 1 ) and the load bed ( 2 ), at least one power means ( 22 ) connected to the load bed ( 2 ) and arranged to fold the tailgate ( 1 ) between a raised position in which the tailgate ( 1 ) at least partly covers a rear opening ( 16 ) of the load bed ( 2 ) and a lowered position in which the rear opening ( 16 ) of the load bed ( 2 ) is open,
wherein:
the tailgate ( 1 ) is arranged at the load bed ( 2 ) such that the tailgate ( 1 ) in a lowered position is located under the load bed ( 2 ) and such that the pivotal connection of the link mechanism with the load bed ( 2 ) ends up between the tailgate ( 1 ) and the load bed ( 2 ), and wherein, in the lowered position of the tailgate ( 1 ), the tailgate ( 1 ) is arranged to rest against the underside of the load bed ( 2 ).
2. A tailgate according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one power means ( 22 ) is connected to the link mechanism ( 28 ).
3. A tailgate according to claim 2 , wherein the connection of the at least one power means ( 22 ) with the link mechanism ( 28 ) ends up between the tailgate ( 1 ) and the load bed ( 2 ) when the tailgate ( 1 ) is in the lowered position.
4. A tailgate according to claim 1 , wherein the link mechanism ( 28 ) comprises first and second link arms ( 30 , 32 ), which are each pivotally connected to the tailgate ( 1 ) and the load bed ( 2 ).
5. A tailgate according to claim 4 , wherein the first link arm ( 30 ) has a substantial extension in the longitudinal direction of the tailgate ( 1 ).
6. A tailgate according to claim 4 , wherein the power means ( 22 ) is connected to the first link arm ( 30 ).
7. A tailgate according to claim 4 , wherein the second link arm ( 32 ) comprises two link arms configured on each side of the first link arm ( 30 ).
8. A tailgate according to claim 7 , wherein two power means ( 22 ) are arranged to fold the tailgate ( 1 ), which power means ( 22 ) are connected to respective second link arm ( 32 ).
9. A load bed ( 2 ), wherein said load bed comprises a foldable tailgate ( 1 ) according to claim 1 .
10. A load bed according to claim 9 , wherein the load bed ( 2 ) is tiltable.
11. Vehicle ( 4 ), wherein said vehicle comprises a load bed ( 2 ) according to claim 9 .
12. Vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the vehicle ( 4 ) is a wheeled vehicle of the type truck, trailer or mining dumper.
13. A tailgate according to claim 5 , wherein the power means ( 22 ) is connected to the first link arm ( 30 ).
14. A tailgate according to claim 5 , wherein the second link arm ( 32 ) comprises two link arms configured on each side of the first link arm ( 30 ).
15. A tailgate according to claim 6 , wherein the second link arm ( 32 ) comprises two link arms configured on each side of the first link arm ( 30 ).
16. A load bed ( 2 ), wherein said load bed comprises a foldable tailgate ( 1 ) according to claim 2 .
17. A load bed ( 2 ), wherein said load bed comprises a foldable tailgate ( 1 ) according to claim 3 .
18. A load bed ( 2 ), wherein said load bed comprises a foldable tailgate ( 1 ) according to claim 4 .
19. A load bed ( 2 ), wherein said load bed comprises a foldable tailgate ( 1 ) according to claim 5 .
20. Vehicle ( 4 ), wherein said vehicle comprises a load bed ( 2 ) according to claim 10 .