IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,526,024
Granted Patent B2
US 10,526,024 · App. 15/984,152 · Granted Jan 7, 2020

Powered side panel system

Inventors: Garrett Stokes (De Kalb, TX); Todd Pendley (De Kalb, TX)
B62D33/08B62D63/08F15B15/06F15B15/261
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,526,024
App. No.
15/984,152
Granted
Jan 7, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A powered side panel system is used in conjunction with a loading bed found on trailers and other flatbed vehicles. The system includes a side panel having a vertical member. The side panel is configured to pivot about a panel axis in communication with the trailer. A lever arm extends between the side panel and an actuator. The actuator pivots the lever arm about a lever axis. The lever arm contacts the vertical member and controls the rate of radial motion of the side panel about the panel axis. A control unit is configured to regulate the operation of the actuator device.

Claims (15)

1. A powered side panel system for a trailer, comprising:

a trailer;

a side panel having a vertical member, the side panel pivotally coupled to the trailer;

a lever arm pivotally coupled to the trailer, the lever arm contacting the vertical member;

an actuator device pivotally coupled to both the trailer and the lever arm and is configured to operate between a retracted position and an extended position, movement of the actuator is configured to raise and lower the lever arm which in turn lifts and lowers the side panel; and

a control unit configured to regulate the operation of the actuator device.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the side panel is located within the width of the trailer when raised.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the width of the trailer is unchanged when the side panel is raised.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the side panel is raised when the actuator device is in the retracted position.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the side panel is lowered below the trailer when the actuator device is in the extended position.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator device is powered via pressurized air.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator device is powered via hydraulics.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a locking pin configured to secure the side panel in a particular position independent of the operation of the actuator device.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pivot axis of the lever arm is beneath the trailer.

Continuity (1)
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