Truck bed tilting mechanism

Abstract

A truck bed tilting mechanism is provided for use between the hauling bed and frame of a truck having a bed pivotally connected adjacent the rear of the truck frame to permit relative rotation between the hauling bed and the frame. The tilting mechanism includes a first arm pivotally connected at one of its ends to the truck frame and extending forwardly from the frame. A second arm is pivotally connected at one of its ends to the truck bed adjacent the forward end of the bed and extending rearwardly from the truck bed. A third arm is pivotally connected between the end of the first arm remote from the frame and a point intermediate of the ends of the second arm. A fourth arm is pivotally connected between the end of the second arm remote from the hauling bed and a point intermediate of the end of the first arm. A variable length actuator arm is interconnected between the first and second arms at points intermediate of the ends of the first and second arms. The length of the actuator arm may be varied to unfold and collapse the tilting mechanism which results in the tilting of the truck bed relative to the frame. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the third and fourth arms are connected to the first and second arms to form a parallelogram. The actuator arm is connected to the first arm at the point of connection of the fourth arm to the first arm. The opposite end of the actuator arm is connected to the second arm at the point the third arm is connected to the second arm.