Appeal No. 2003-0677 Page 9
Application No. 09/759,950
the pins prevent any transverse sway of platform 28 (left to right as viewed in Figure 2)
relative to the stationary extension plate 46.
To latch the linkage and platform of Mortenson in their stored position, a latch
assembly best shown in Figures 2 and 3 is mounted on the underside of extension
plate 46. The latch assembly includes a latch member 74 having an opening 76 therein
to receive pin 48 when the linkage and platform are moved to their stored position. To
release the pin 48 from opening 76, a rotary shaft 78 is journaled in frame members 54
and 56 of extension plate 46 and a latch actuator arm 80 is fixedly secured to shaft 78.
Handles 82 are provided at the opposite ends of shaft 78 for manually rotating shaft 78
from either side of the device. With reference to Figure 3, it is seen that if handle 82 is
manipulated to rotate shaft 78 in a clockwise direction, arm 80 will press downwardly on
the right hand end of latch member 74, thus causing latch member 74 to rotate in a
clockwise direction against the action of torsion spring 68. This clockwise rotation of
latch member 74 swings the left hand end of the latch member outwardly beyond the
outer end of pin 48, thus releasing the latched relationship.
The overall operation of Mortenson's lift gate is as follows. Referring first to
Figure 1, the assembly is shown in its normal operating position with platform 28
disposed in a horizontal position resting upon the ground. A load to be placed in the
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Last modified: November 3, 2007