| 摘要 |
A compact tailgate accessory for assisting in the one-handed safe raising a nd lowering of the tailgate and to permit easy removal of the tailgate includes a counterbalance module tucked in-between the tailgate and the truckbed sides in a pocket so as to be hidden from view. The module counterbalances the tailgate so tha t raising and lowering the tailgate can be controlled easily by one hand, with the linkage sharing one or more common attachment points with the detachable tailgate holding straps to facilitate installation. Sharing the common attachment points with the detachable tailgate holding straps also facilitates removal of the tailgate. The accessory provides the ability to lower or raise a tailgate by a small person or non-muscular individual such as a women with one hand so that the bed of the truck can be easily and safely loaded or unloade d, the tailgate being maintained in the down position by its own weight. The tailgate accessory permits one handed control of the tailgate with minimal danger of wrist injury, knee injury or injury to any object or person below the tailgate when the tailgate is unlocked. In one embodiment, a specialized spiral wound spring is used which is compact enoug h to fit in the cavity between the tailgate and the truckbed, yet strong enough to provi de the desired counterbalance force. In another embodiment a pair of scissor links are spri ng loaded at the joint where the scissors are pivoted to counterbalance the weight of the tailgate. In a further embodiment, a lost motion device permits partial opening of the tailgate to a secure intermediate position so that the tailgate is prevented from crashing down. In a still further embodiment, a gas spring is used to counterbalance the tailgate. A tailgate counterbalance employs lost motion and pretension of a torsion ba r to achieve both a safety stop position that arrests the tailgate at about 15 degrees as well as reducing the effort required to lift and lower the tailgate beyond that poin t.
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