UTILIZING A LIFTGATE ASSEMBLY THAT HARDWARE MOUNTS TO A VEHICLE BODY

Abstract

Techniques are directed to utilizing a liftgate assembly having a platform, a lift subsystem constructed and arranged to selectively raise and lower the platform, and a set of steel beams coupled with the lift subsystem. The set of steel beams is constructed and arranged to hardware mount to a set of aluminum beams of a vehicle. Although the sets of beams are made of different materials, the liftgate assembly and the vehicle body may be securely fastened to each other making the vehicle well suited for a variety of conditions.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising a vehicle chassis; a vehicle body constructed and arranged to carry cargo, the vehicle body being supported by the vehicle chassis and including a set of aluminum beams; and a liftgate assembly which includes: a platform, a lift subsystem constructed and arranged to selectively raise and lower the platform to access the vehicle body, and a set of steel beams coupled with the lift subsystem, the set of steel beams being hardware mounted to the set of aluminum beams of the vehicle body.

2. A vehicle as in claim 1 wherein the lift subsystem of the liftgate assembly includes steel-framed vertical lifts coupled to the platform, each steel-framed vertical lift being constructed and arranged to extend and retract along a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the platform to selectively raise and lower the platform; and wherein the set of steel beams of the liftgate assembly includes steel vertical brackets coupled with the steel-framed vertical lifts of the lift subsystem.

3. A vehicle as in claim 2 wherein each steel vertical bracket is welded to a respective steel-framed vertical lift of the lift subsystem.

4. A vehicle as in claim 2 wherein each steel vertical bracket defines an inner channel to receive a respective aluminum beam of the vehicle body.

5. A vehicle as in claim 2 wherein each steel vertical bracket defines a column of holes which aligns with a column of holes defined by a respective aluminum beam of the vehicle body to enable that steel vertical bracket to hardware mount to the respective aluminum beam of the vehicle body.

6. A vehicle as in claim 2 wherein each steel vertical bracket includes a mid-section, a first side-section extending from a first edge of the mid-section in a direction away from the lift subsystem, and a second side-section extending from a second edge of the mid-section in the direction away from lift subsystem to provide that steel vertical bracket with a U-shaped cross-section.

7. A vehicle as in claim 6 wherein the first side-section of each steel vertical bracket defines a first column of holes; wherein the second side-section of each steel vertical bracket defines a second column of holes; and wherein the first column of holes and a second column of holes are in alignment with each other.

8. A vehicle as in claim 2 wherein the lift subsystem further includes a cross member that couples with the steel-framed vertical lifts; and wherein the liftgate assembly further comprises: a vehicle bumper coupled with the cross member of the lift subsystem, the vehicle bumper being constructed and arranged to hardware mount to the vehicle chassis.

9. A vehicle as in claim 8 wherein the cross member includes a steel horizontal connecting beam; and wherein the vehicle bumper includes steel bumper section that is welded to the steel horizontal connecting beam, the steel bumper section defining a set of holes enabling the vehicle bumper to bolt on to the vehicle chassis.

10. A liftgate assembly, comprising: a platform; a lift subsystem constructed and arranged to selectively raise and lower the platform; and a set of steel beams coupled with the lift subsystem, the set of steel beams being constructed and arranged to hardware mount to a set of aluminum beams of a vehicle.

11. A liftgate assembly as in claim 10 wherein the lift subsystem includes steel-framed vertical lifts coupled to the platform, each steel-framed vertical lift being constructed and arranged to extend and retract along a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the platform to selectively raise and lower the platform; and wherein the set of steel beams includes steel vertical brackets coupled with the steel-framed vertical lifts of the lift subsystem.

12. A liftgate assembly as in claim 11 wherein each steel vertical bracket is welded to a respective steel-framed vertical lift of the lift subsystem; wherein each steel vertical bracket defines an inner channel to receive a respective aluminum beam of the vehicle; and wherein each steel vertical bracket defines a column of holes which aligns with a column of holes defined by a respective aluminum beam of the vehicle to enable that steel vertical bracket to hardware mount to the respective aluminum beam of the vehicle.

13. A liftgate assembly as in claim 11 wherein each steel vertical bracket includes a mid-section, a first side-section extending from a first edge of the mid-section in a direction away from the lift subsystem, and a second side-section extending from a second edge of the mid-section in the direction away from the lift subsystem to provide that steel vertical bracket with a U-shaped cross-section.

14. A liftgate assembly as in claim 13 wherein the first side-section of each steel vertical bracket defines a first column of holes; wherein the second side-section of each steel vertical bracket defines a second column of holes; and wherein the first column of holes and the second column of holes are in alignment with each other.

15. A liftgate assembly as in claim 14 wherein the first column of holes and the second column of holes are further in alignment with a column of holes defined by a respective aluminum beam of the vehicle body to enable the liftgate assembly to bolt mount to the vehicle.

16. A liftgate assembly as in claim 11 wherein the lift subsystem further includes a cross member that couples with the steel-framed vertical lifts; and wherein the liftgate assembly further comprises: a vehicle bumper coupled with the cross member of the lift subsystem, the vehicle bumper being constructed and arranged to hardware mount to the vehicle.

17. A liftgate assembly as in claim 16 wherein the cross member includes a steel horizontal connecting beam; and wherein the vehicle bumper includes steel bumper section that is welded to the steel horizontal connecting beam, the steel bumper section defining a set of holes enabling the vehicle bumper to bolt on to a frame of the vehicle.

18. A method of hardware mounting a liftgate assembly to a vehicle, the method comprising: fastening a set of aluminum beams to a vehicle body of the vehicle; moving a liftgate assembly into a mounting position relative to the set of aluminum beams, the liftgate assembly including a platform, a lift subsystem constructed and arranged to selectively raise and lower the platform, and a set of steel beams coupled with the lift subsystem; and hardware mounting the set of steel beams to the set of aluminum beams fastened to the vehicle body of the vehicle.

19. A method as in claim 18 wherein the liftgate assembly further includes a vehicle bumper which is coupled with the lift subsystem; and wherein the method further comprises: bolting the vehicle bumper, which is coupled with the lift subsystem, to a vehicle chassis of the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle which utilizes a hardware mounted liftgate assembly in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of particular details of the vehicle and the liftgate assembly in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of particular details of the liftgate assembly in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of particular details in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a top exploded view of particular details in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a side view of particular details in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a cutaway/exploded view of particular details in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0034] FIG. 8 is another side view of particular details in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a procedure which is performed in accordance with certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Improved techniques are directed to utilizing a liftgate assembly that hardware mounts to a vehicle body. For example, the liftgate assembly may be robustly and reliably fastened to the vehicle body using nuts, bolts, etc. Such hardware mounting alleviates the need to weld the liftgate assembly to the vehicle body. Accordingly, frames of the vehicle body and the liftgate assembly may be made of different materials (e.g., different metals that are difficult to weld together). Nevertheless, the liftgate assembly and the vehicle body may be securely fastened to each other to provide a vehicle which is well suited for various conditions. Moreover, such hardware mounting enables removal of the liftgate assembly for added flexibility, easier replacement/repair, and so on.

[0037] The various individual features of the particular arrangements, configurations, and embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any desired manner that makes technological sense. Additionally, such features are hereby combined in this manner to form all possible combinations, variants and permutations except to the extent that such combinations, variants and/or permutations have been expressly excluded or are impractical. Support for such combinations, variants and permutations is considered to exist in this document.

[0038] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a vehicle 10 having a hardware mounted liftgate in accordance with certain embodiments. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle chassis 12, a vehicle body 14, and a liftgate assembly 16. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the liftgate assembly 16 hardware mounted to a vehicle body 14. FIG. 2 shows a partially exploded view including particular details involved in hardware mounting the liftgate assembly 16 to the vehicle body 14.

[0039] By way of example, the vehicle 10 may have a truck style form factor. For illustration purposes, the vehicle body 14 is shown as a box or trailer of a straight truck in FIG. 1, and as an enclosure of a rescue truck in FIG. 2. It should be understood that other types of trucks are suitable as well such as articulated trucks, pickup trucks with caps, tools boxes, etc., cutaways, and so on. Furthermore, other types of vehicles are suitable for use as well such as trailers, vans, buses, campers, flying vehicles, water vehicles, and so on.

[0040] The vehicle chassis 12 of the vehicle 10 is constructed and arranged to provide structural support and to operate as the load bearing framework for the vehicle body 14. Among other things, the vehicle chassis 12 includes a suspension, an engine, a power train/transmission subsystem, and a fuel subsystem.

[0041] The vehicle body 14 couples with the vehicle chassis 12 and is constructed and arranged to carry cargo. Suitable cargo includes loadable equipment, crates, boxes, people, and so on. In some arrangements, the vehicle body 14 includes structural framing, a set of walls (i.e., one or more walls) and a roof to provide shelter/security/etc., railings, windows, attachment points for objects, combinations thereof, and so on.

[0042] The liftgate assembly 16 couples with the vehicle chassis 12 and optionally with the vehicle body 14 and is constructed and arranged to facilitate cargo loading and unloading. The liftgate assembly 16 includes a platform 20, a lift subsystem 22 and a set of liftgate beams 24(L), 24(R) (collectively, liftgate beams 24) which correspond to a set of vehicle body beams 26(L), 26(R) (collectively, vehicle body beams 26) of the vehicle body 14. FIG. 1 shows the platform 20 in a deployed position, i.e., where the platform 20 extends in the X-Z plane. It should be understood that the platform 20 may be pivoted up into a retracted position, i.e., where the platform 20 resides in the X-Y plane. FIG. 2 omits the platform 20 for simplicity.

[0043] When the platform 20 is in the deployed position, the platform 20 provides a carrying surface upon which cargo may sit. The lift subsystem 22 is then able to selectively raise and lower the platform 20 along the Y-axis (e.g. under direction of a human operator) to provide easier access between the ground 30 and a floor 32 of the vehicle body 14 (also see FIG. 1).

[0044] As will be explained in further detail shortly, the liftgate beams 24 may be welded to the lift subsystem 22 of the liftgate assembly 16. Similarly, the vehicle body beams 26 may be welded to a frame 42 of the vehicle body 14. The liftgate beams 24 and the vehicle body beams 26 then fasten together using hardware 40. Accordingly, it should be understood that the vehicle body 14 and the liftgate assembly 16 may be formed predominantly of different materials that provide certain weight and strength characteristics even if the different materials (e.g., different metals) are difficult or impractical to weld together.

[0045] In accordance with certain embodiments, the liftgate assembly 16 may be primarily steel with the expectation that the liftgate assembly will be welded to a steel truck body (i.e., a truck body having a steel frame). However, the vehicle body 14 may include a frame 42 (FIG. 2) made of material other than steel such as aluminum. Nevertheless, in accordance with certain embodiments, portions of the frames are hardware mounted together to securely fasten the liftgate assembly 16 and the vehicle body 14 together.

[0046] In an example use case, suppose that the vehicle body 14 uses an aluminum frame rather than a steel frame. Further suppose that the liftgate assembly 16 uses steel framing for strength, and that hardware is used to fasten the steel frame of the liftgate assembly 16 to the aluminum frame of the vehicle body 14. In this situation, the vehicle body 14 is thus corrosion-resistant and therefore better suited for certain conditions such as rescue operations in flooded areas. Additionally, the vehicle body 14 is lighter than a steel framed vehicle body thus reducing demands on the vehicle chassis 12 (e.g., suspension and engine requirements) and requires less fuel during operation. Furthermore, the use of hardware to attach the liftgate assembly 16 to the vehicle body 14 enables easier removal of the liftgate assembly 16 thus providing flexibility and easier serviceability. Further details will now be provided with reference to FIGS. 3 through 5.

[0047] FIGS. 3 and 5 show particular hardware mounting details in accordance with certain embodiments. FIG. 3 shows a partially exploded view of particular components. FIG. 4 shows a top exploded view. FIG. 5 shows a top assembled view.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, the liftgate beams 24 extend vertically (i.e., along the Y-axis). The liftgate beams 24 may take the form of steel brackets 50 having U-shaped cross-sections for structural strength. Along these lines, a steel bracket 50(L) fastens to a steel-framed vertical lift 52(L) (i.e., part of the lift subsystem 22) on the left side of the liftgate assembly 16. Likewise, a steel bracket 50(R) fastens to a steel-framed vertical lift 52(R) on the right side of the liftgate assembly 16. The steel brackets 50 may be welded to the steel-framed vertical lifts 50 (e.g., via stitch welding, seam welding, etc.) since both are made of steel.

[0049] Similarly, it should be understood that the vehicle body beams 26 extend vertically and may fasten to the frame 42 of the vehicle body 14 (also see FIG. 2). Along these lines, the vehicle body beams 26 may take the form of aluminum bars 60 having rectangular cross sections. In some arrangements, portions of the frame 42 of the vehicle body 14 are aluminum and the aluminum bars 60 are welded to those frame portions since both are made of aluminum.

[0050] FIGS. 4 and 5 show, in accordance with certain embodiments, particular hardware mounting details between a steel bracket 50 of the liftgate assembly 16 and an aluminum bar 60 of the vehicle body 14. FIG. 4 shows how a particular steel bracket 50 is hardware mounted to a particular aluminum bar 60. FIG. 5 shows the particular steel bracket 50 and the particular aluminum bar 60 once the hardware 40 is in place to secure the steel bracket 50 and the aluminum bar 60 together. It should be understood that these components have a bracket and bar geometry to enable the components to easily align and engage with each other. Other arrangements are suitable for use as well.

[0051] As seen in the exploded view of FIG. 4, the aluminum bar 60 defines a column of holes 62 along the Y-axis to accommodate the mounting hardware 40 (also see the vehicle body beams 26 in FIG. 2). Each hole 62 extends through the aluminum bar 60 along the X-axis.

[0052] Additionally, to provide the U-shape, the steel bracket 50 includes a mid-section, a first side-section extending from a first edge of the mid-section in a direction away from the lift subsystem 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2), and a second side-section extending from a second edge of the mid-section in the direction away from the lift subsystem 22.

[0053] Furthermore, each side-section of the steel beam 42 defines a column of holes 64 (also see FIG. 4). The column of holes 64 defined by each side-section align with the column of holes 62 defined by the aluminum bar 60 in order to receive the mounting hardware 40 (e.g., a bolt). In accordance with certain embodiments, the mounting hardware 54 includes threaded bolts, threaded nuts, and washers to form a secure attachment point.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows an assembled view in which the steel bracket 50 and the aluminum bar 60 are engaged with each other, i.e., the aluminum bar 60 fits within a groove defined by the steel bracket 50. Additionally, the mounting hardware 40 attaches the steel bracket 50 and the aluminum bar 60 together.

[0055] The number of hardware attachment points, the number of columns of holes, distance between holes, and/or the size of the hardware 54 may be adjusted based on the required strength. Such parameters may be based on the amount of weight of the liftgate assembly 16 and the amount of weight expected to be carried by the platform 20 (e.g., 400 pounds, 600 pounds, 800 pounds, etc.) among other things. Further details will now be provided with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6.

[0056] With reference back to FIG. 3, the liftgate assembly 16 further includes a cross member 80 and a vehicle bumper 82 in accordance with certain embodiments. The cross member 80 couples with the steel-framed vertical lifts 52 of the lift subsystem 22 and provides stability, strength, spacing, etc. The vehicle bumper 82 provides protection to the vehicle 10 in the event of a collision and attaches the liftgate assembly 16 to the vehicle chassis 12 (also see FIGS. 1 and 2). In some arrangements, the cross member 80 and the vehicle bumper 82 are both made of steel and welded together. In other arrangements, the cross member 80 and the vehicle bumper 82 are hardware mounted together.

[0057] FIG. 6 shows the vehicle bumper 82 welded to the cross member 80 (shown in phantom), and the vehicle bumper 82 further hardware mounted to the vehicle chassis 12. Suitable hardware 40 for mounting the vehicle bumper 82 to the vehicle chassis 12 includes bolts, nuts, washers, etc. in a manner similar to that described above for the fastening the beams 24, 26 together (FIG. 2).

[0058] Such hardware mounting of the vehicle bumper 82 to the vehicle chassis 12 using hardware 40 enables subsequent detachment. This feature provides flexibility to the vehicle 10 such as the ability to easily replace or repair the liftgate assembly 16, the ability to use the vehicle 10 without any attachment or with different equipment attached, and so on.

[0059] FIGS. 7 and 8 show further hardware mounting details. FIG. 7 shows a cutaway/exploded view to illustrate alignment of holes between portions of the liftgate assembly 16, the vehicle chassis 12 and the vehicle body 14. FIG. 8 shows a side view of particular hardware mounting points when the liftgate assembly 16 is secured to the vehicle chassis 12 as well as the vehicle body 14. Further details will now be provided with reference to FIG. 9.

[0060] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a procedure 100 for hardware mounting a liftgate assembly to a vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0061] At 102, a set of aluminum beams is fastened to a vehicle body of the vehicle. For example, the set of aluminum beams includes aluminum bars which are welded to an aluminum frame of the vehicle body.

[0062] At 104, a liftgate assembly having a set of steel beams is moved into a mounting position relative to the set of aluminum beams. For example, the set of steel beams may include steel brackets which are welded to respective vertical lifts of the liftgate assembly.

[0063] At 106, the set of steel beams is hardware mounted to the set of aluminum beams fastened the liftgate assembly to the vehicle body of the vehicle. Such fastening may involve aligning columns of holes in the beams, inserting bolts through the holes, fastening the bolts using washers and nuts, and so on.

[0064] At 108, in accordance with certain embodiments, a vehicle bumper, which is coupled with a lift subsystem of the liftgate assembly, is bolted to a vehicle chassis of the vehicle. Similarly such fastening may involve aligning holes, inserting bolts through the holes, fastening the bolts using washers and nuts, and so on.

[0065] Accordingly, the liftgate assembly is now richly and robustly secured in place. Moreover, the liftgate assembly may be easily removed for flexibility.

[0066] As described above, improved techniques are directed to utilizing a liftgate assembly 16 that hardware mounts to a vehicle body 12. For example, the liftgate assembly 16 may be securely fastened to the vehicle body 12 using nuts and bolts. Such hardware mounting alleviates the need to weld the liftgate assembly 16 to the vehicle body 12. Accordingly, frames of the vehicle body 12 and the liftgate assembly 16 may be made of different materials (e.g., different metals that are difficult to weld together). Nevertheless, the liftgate assembly 16 and the vehicle body 12 may be securely fastened to each other to provide a vehicle 10 which is well suited for various conditions.

[0067] In accordance with certain embodiments, the vehicle may take the form of a highwater rescue vehicle capable of lifting people and objects from the ground into the body and to transport them to safety. This capability is accomplished by incorporating a liftgate system onto the body. Certain embodiments disclosed herein are suitable for use even if the liftgate system is designed to be welded to a steel body. Since the vehicle is intended for a wet environment, it may be helpful to maximize the use of corrosion resistant materials. Therefore, the body may be made from aluminum.

[0068] Since welding a steel liftgate to an aluminum structure is difficult and perhaps unreliable, using certain techniques disclosed herein, the liftgate use a bolt on design. To this end, a set of steel structures are welded onto the liftgate that then bolt up to the chassis (e.g., a lower support) and to the body (e.g., an upper support) of the vehicle.

[0069] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0070] For example, the lift subsystem of the liftgate and the vehicle were described above as having beams of steel and aluminum, respectively, by way of example only. It should be understood that other beam materials are suitable for use as well such as plastics, wood, other metals, and so on. Moreover other beam geometries and hardware mounting techniques are suitable for use as well.

[0071] Although the sets of beams may be made of different materials, the liftgate assembly and the vehicle body may be securely fastened to each other making the vehicle well suited for a variety of conditions. Hardware mounting was disclosed herein as being suitable for such fastening. Nevertheless, other mounting techniques may be used as well or in combination with hardware mounting such as locking tabs, hooks that extend into slots, and so on.

[0072] Furthermore, in accordance with certain arrangements, the sets of beams are made of the same material. For example, both sets of beams may be made of steel. Such arrangements nevertheless enable the liftgate assembly to be removed for maintenance, replacement, repair, and so on. Such modifications and enhancements are intended to belong to various embodiments of the disclosure.