A door pinch detection system includes a pinch detector, a mount for the pinch detector, and an actuator for the mount. The pinch detector is configured to detect contact with objects adjacent the pinch detector. The mount is mountable to a vehicle door including a peripheral flange, and the actuator is mountable to the vehicle door and connectable between the vehicle door and the mount. The mount is configured to support the pinch detector for movement between an inboard position and an outboard position, in which the pinch detector is respectively located along the inside and the outside of the peripheral flange and configured to detect contact between the inside and the outside of the peripheral flange and objects. The actuator is operable to activate the mount to move the pinch detector between the inboard position and the outboard position.

The present invention concerns a housing (1) for the transportation of a cargo, such as truck trailers, housings mounted on the chassis of a truck, or shipping containers. The housing of the present invention comprises: (a) walls (1R) defining a closed inner space (1i), (b) an opening (2) provided in one of the walls, and further comprises a rigid door comprising one or more rigid panels (3) which are movable to seal or unseal said opening (2); (c) a flexible fast door comprising a motorized driving mechanism (10) suitable for moving a leading edge (4L) of a flexible shutter (4), wherein the flexible shutter (4) comprises two lateral edges engaged in parallel guiding rails (7) fixed to two parallel and opposite edges of the opening (2), wherein the rigid panel (3) and/or the parallel edge of the opening (2) is provided with a groove to accommodate the guiding rails (7).

An emergency egress system for a multi-passenger vehicle such as a school bus (10) includes a housing (30) that operatively supports a ramp (34) in movable connection therewith. Opening an emergency exit door (18) of the bus causes a housing door (24) to open and the ramp to move outwardly from a retracted position toward an extended position. Opening the emergency exit door also causes the suspension of the bus to be automatically lowered to place the emergency exit opening (16) closer to the ground (166).

A counterbalance hinge assembly includes a cam and compression device that counterbalances a weight of a door or a ramp. The compression device biases against a rotation of the door or ramp. The downward movement of the door or ramp drives cam followers in angled slots or cam surfaces of the cam. The angled slots or cam surfaces include varying angles of incline to correspond to varying torque forces of the door or ramp during the opening or closing movement of the door or ramp.

A drive arrangement configured to pivot a tailgate pivotally coupled to a vehicle body, between an open position and a closed position and including a freewheel mechanism, a drive shaft, and a motor. The freewheel mechanism may be rotatably coupled to the vehicle body and defining an opening provided with an inner periphery that includes a first cam element and a second cam element. The drive shaft may be fixed to the vehicle body and extending into the opening. The drive shaft may define an outer periphery that includes a third cam element and a fourth cam element. A motor may be coupled to the freewheel mechanism and may be configured to rotate the freewheel mechanism so that the first cam element engages the third cam element to pivot the tailgate from the closed position towards the open position.

Systems and methods for the modification of loading dock environments are provided that allow trailers and shipping containers on chassis' to park at a loading dock with closed doors and have these doors opened into the loading dock environment and resealed while the trailer remains at the loading dock. A resilient, semi-rigid protective panel can also be removably attached to cover part of the inside face of an opened trailer door, so as to protect it from impact by equipment or goods as they pass into and out of the trailer.

The present disclosure is directed generally to automated trailer door systems for use at vehicle loading docks. At least a portion of the trailer door system can be externally driven for opening and closing trailer doors at the loading dock. The automated trailer door system can include a counterbalance shaft that moves the trailer door between a closed position and an open position; and a drive unit having a torsion member operably coupled to the counterbalance shaft; and a drive member rotatably engaged with the torsion member, the drive member having an engagement portion accessible external to the trailer door. Rotation of the drive member via the engagement portion can rotate the torsion member to move the trailer door between the closed and open positions. A door winder can be coupled to a centering body and have a motor to rotate the drive member via the engagement portion.

A refuse vehicle has a tailgate. The tailgate has a framework to secure CNG tanks. A cover overlays the frame work to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.

A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes, among other things, a frame sub-assembly that includes a driver side section, a passenger side section, and a connection member coupling the driver side section to the passenger side section. The assembly further includes a door sub-assembly disposed between the driver side section and the passenger side section. The door sub-assembly and the frame sub-assembly are pivotable together about a first axis between a tailgate closed position and a tailgate open position. The door sub-assembly is pivotable relative to the frame sub-assembly about a second axis between a door closed position and a door open position. The door sub-assembly in the door open position provides a cargo bed access opening that extends vertically downward at least as far as a floor of the cargo bed.

A transportation vessel includes a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall. A load bar has a first end and a second end. The load bar is movable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. In the horizontal orientation, the first end is attached to the first sidewall and the second end is attached to the second sidewall, and the load bar may support cargo while the cargo is being transported in the transportation vessel. In the vertical orientation, the first end is attached to the first sidewall and the second end is unattached to the second sidewall.