Abstract: A bulk material shipping container trailer includes a base structure, a container support assembly, and a gate moving assembly positioned between the base structure and a container loaded onto the trailer, to enable material in the container to be unloaded from the container through the gate moving assembly and the base structure.

Abstract: An assembly for a fracking sand trailer wherein a door can be positioned to allow a measured flow of sand to exit the assembly. The assembly can be attached to a hopper of a trailer and can stand the weight of heavy loads associated with sand. A trailer with the assembly is also described and utilizes specific construction techniques to lighten the weight of the trailer.

Abstract: A center door assembly for a dump bed and a method for removing the door from the dump bed. A frame is mounted in a wall of the dump bed and has a pair of opposite and spaced apart channels. A pair of elastomeric inserts are removably mounted in the channels. A retractable door has a pair of edges slidably received in the inserts and is movable linearly within the channels between a closed position and an open position. A pivot linkage assembly is operatively connected to the door for linearly moving the door between the closed and open positions. The elastomeric inserts are removed from the channels through a bottom opening in the channels providing lateral space between the channels to enable the door to be removed from the frame. The elastomeric inserts are provided with bend areas enabling them to be compressed for removal from the channels.

Abstract: An assembly for a fracking sand trailer wherein a door can be positioned to allow a measured flow of sand to exit the assembly. The assembly can be attached to a hopper of a trailer and can stand the weight of heavy loads associated with sand. A trailer with the assembly is also described and utilizes specific construction techniques to lighten the weight of the trailer.

Abstract: A bulk material transport apparatus which includes a containment structure on a wheeled frame which is formed of perimeter wall members about a bulk material containment area, further includes at least one modular hopper unit mountable at a bottom side of the containment area for discharging contents of the bulk material containment area therethrough. The modular hopper units can be readily interchanged with other hopper units which are different in gate opening size, gate opening height, gate opening orientation, and/or other characteristics relative to one another. One optional modular hopper unit is a side discharge unit which is reversible for discharging to a selected one of two laterally opposed sides of the transport apparatus.

Abstract: A gravity wagon includes a container for storing grain or other material and a discharge for allowing material to exit the hopper via gravity. A discharge chute and kickback are used to direct the material from the discharge and are coupled via a linkage such that they can be positioned to direct the material exiting the hopper to an area generally to the side of the hopper in a first position or an area generally towards the center of the hopper in a second position. The movement of the discharge chute and the kickback between the first and second positions is facilitated by a pusher or pushing member coupled to the kickback.

Abstract: A transport assembly for transporting granular material may define at least a first egress for releasing a first portion of a granular material. The device may also include a door assembly slidably coupled with the transport assembly for at least substantially covering the first egress in a first position for retaining granular material and for at least substantially uncovering the first egress in a second position for controllably releasing the first portion of the granular material. The device may also include a linear actuator assembly coupled with the transport assembly and the door assembly for moving the door assembly between the first position and the second position. The device may also include a pump assembly coupled with the linear actuator assembly for actuating the linear actuator assembly to move the door assembly between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in unloading bulk material from containers that is vertically adjustable and provides a mechanism for maintaining a coupling engagement with an outlet on a container. The apparatus has a plurality of inflatable flexible members configured and arranged to maintain the coupling engagement of the apparatus to the container outlet.

Abstract: A seal for a dump bed door provides a resiliently deformable elongate sealing member having a planar portion and a resiliently deformable cylindrically enlarged bulbous portion defining a medial channel at one elongate edge. An anchoring strap communicating with the planar portion and fasteners extending through spacedly arrayed holes defined therein fasten the sealing member to an edge portion of the dump bed door with a portion of the bulbous portion overhanging the edge of the dump bed door. Closing the dump bed door causes the overhanging bulbous portion to frictionally engage with and “pop” up onto the adjoining dump bed surface. Weight of material carried within the dump bed deforms the elongate sealing member and bulbous portion providing a seal between the dump bed door and the adjoining dump bed surface of a closed dump bed door.

Abstract: A transport assembly for transporting granular material may define at least a first egress for releasing a first portion of a granular material. The device may also include a door assembly slidably coupled with the transport assembly for at least substantially covering the first egress in a first position for retaining granular material and for at least substantially uncovering the first egress in a second position for controllably releasing the first portion of the granular material. The device may also include a linear actuator assembly coupled with the transport assembly and the door assembly for moving the door assembly between the first position and the second position. The device may also include a pump assembly coupled with the linear actuator assembly for actuating the linear actuator assembly to move the door assembly between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle including a chassis (50) and a load carrying container supported thereon, the container arranged for pivotable movement relative to the chassis of the vehicle to discharge material from the container in a lateral direction to a side of the chassis, the container including a lower container body (25) and an upper container body (4) mounted thereto for operable movement with fespect to said lower container body to provide a selectively openable discharge passage eg via openable side discharge door (32), between the upper and lower container bodies when the upper and lower bodies pivot with respect to one another.

Abstract: A hopper door opening and closing apparatus uses a pneumatic cylinder to open and close the sliding hopper door. A control valve maintains pressure on both sides of a piston within the pneumatic cylinder to provide a smooth operation of the door opening and closing process.

Abstract: A multi-use intermodal container for transporting cargo comprises compartments, each having both a hopper for discharging particulate material from the bottom of the compartments and a floor above the hopper for supporting standard freight thereon. The floor is arranged to allow passage of particulate material therethrough so that the compartments can be used either for bulk material transport or standard cargo/freight. A door in the side wall provides access to store cargo on the floor of the compartment and a roof hatch provides access to store bulk materials in the compartment for subsequent removal through the hopper.

Abstract: A belly dump trailer including a hopper having sides made up of multiple hollow extruded aluminum panels. Cones are attached at forward and rearward ends of the hopper. The cones are made of aluminum. The cones are hollow and each cone includes internal stiffener rings supporting an outer shell. The hopper sides include top, side and bottom rails interconnected to the panels. Each of the top, side and bottom rails is made of a hollow extruded aluminum. Another belly dump trailer includes a hopper and a cone attached to the hopper, the cone having an axis which is inclined downwardly in a direction away from the hopper. Another belly dump trailer includes a hopper having first and second side walls each made up of multiple hollow panels, and front and rear walls; a first cone attached to the front wall; and a second cone attached to the rear wall.

Abstract: A debris container of the type used on roadway and pavement sweeper and sweeping vehicles includes a hinged door through which the interior of the debris container may be inspected and through which debris is emptied when the container is elevated and rotated to its dump position. A powered actuator, which may be an electrically powered screw-rod assembly, is connected by mounting brackets between the structure of the debris container and the door. One of the mounting brackets includes slots that define a lost-motion function that allows the powered actuator to open and close the door while also allowing an operator to manually open and close the door and allowing the door to open under the influence of gravity when the container is in its “elevated and dump” position.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating first and second commodity trailer hopper trap doors is provided that includes a support frame extending between first and second ends, first and second driveshaft assemblies attached at each end of the support frame, a motor assembly attached to the support frame, and first and second linking mechanisms coupled between the motor assembly and the first and second driveshaft assemblies such that the motor assembly is operable to move the first and second linking mechanisms and thereby rotate the first and second driveshaft assemblies, thus operating the commodity trailer hopper trap doors. Various embodiments of the apparatus are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating first and second commodity trailer hopper trap doors is provided that includes a support frame extending between first and second ends, first and second driveshaft assemblies attached at each end of the support frame, a motor assembly attached to the support frame, and first and second linking mechanisms coupled between the motor assembly and the first and second driveshaft assemblies such that the motor assembly is operable to move the first and second linking mechanisms and thereby rotate the first and second driveshaft assemblies, thus operating the commodity trailer hopper trap doors. Various embodiments of the apparatus are provided.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for a hopper bottom trailer which utilizes potential and kinetic energy of granular material in the hopper. The hopper closure assembly may have an angled member upon a gate that translates kinetic energy for moving granular material into longitudinal movement of the gate. The hopper closure assembly may have a raising structure which lifts the gate relative to the gate frame to create potential energy to assist in movement of the gate down the raising structure and in opening the discharge opening of the hopper. A method of using a hopper closure assembly which involves the steps opening the discharge opening by moving the gate longitudinally, also including the steps permitting the granular material to assist in opening the gate by striking the angled member, and additionally permitting the leading edge to move from the receiving member of the gate frame by descent from the raising structure.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of adapting a vehicle for use in either of a dump truck mode or a spreader truck mode includes a dump body unit and a removable hopper. The dump body unit has a main frame pivotally interconnected with a dump body. The main frame attaches to the vehicle and supports the dump body. The dump body has a substantially flat bed with a lengthwise channel containing an embedded conveyor. In dump truck mode, the conveyor is covered and materials may be loaded into and dumped from the dump body. In spreader truck mode, the conveyor is uncovered and the hopper is attached to the dump body so that an aperture at the hopper's base is aligned over the conveyor. Gravity-fed materials may then be conveyed along the body to an attached spreader for dispersion.

Abstract: A device for continuous supply of grouting into joints between longitudinal concrete elements, which are disposed chiefly horizontally next to each other to form, e.g., floors in building constructions. The device comprises a rhombic hopper adapted for displacement along the joint, wherein at least two side walls form an accumulating plow for leading the grouting in towards a vertical plane through the joint. The side walls of the hopper are latitudinally displaceable with respect to each other, and are held with an adjustable force against the surface of the concrete elements. The hopper is arranged below a discharge end of a container, the discharge end having a damper, which is operated by an actuator coupled to a level sensor in the hopper.

Abstract: A pull spreader for spreading a surface material such as asphalt on a path. The pull spreader includes an open-bottomed frame having a first side wall and an opposed second side wall, a front wall extending between the first and second side walls, a screed wall opposed to the front wall and extending between the first and second side walls so that the first and second side walls, front wall and screed wall define a storage chamber for the surface material, wherein the storage chamber has an inlet area defined between top edges of the side walls, front wall and screed wall that is about the same as or smaller than a discharge area of the storage chamber defined between bottom edges of the side walls, front wall and screed wall which bottom edges are adjacent the path over which the pull spreader travels. The pull spreader also includes at least one steering wheel secured to a front frame extension extending from the front wall in a direction away from the storage chamber.

Abstract: A conventional dump trailer includes discharge members or doors which are typically mounted beneath the trailer. The movement of the doors is controlled by a control device of the present invention having a position sensor which is mounted on the trailer and a sensor actuator mounted on the discharge member. The amount of movement of a door is automatically limited at a preselected position. The control device allows for the discharge member to be further moved to further positions.

Abstract: An implement is described for use in filling wheel tracks (e.g. irrigation sprinkler wheel tracks or ruts) with granular fill material. The implement includes a wheeled frame, a hopper with a bottom opening, and a filling guide suspended below the opening in the hopper for guiding fill material directly into the wheel track. Preferably, the filling guide a includes a rear wall which has a concave lower edge to shape or contour the upper surface of the fill material placed in the wheel track.

Abstract: A conventional dump trailer includes discharge members or doors which are typically mounted beneath the trailer. The movement of the doors is controlled by a control device of the present invention having a position sensor which is mounted on the trailer and a sensor actuator mounted on the discharge member. The amount of movement of a door is automatically limited at a preselected position. The control device allows for the discharge member to be further moved to further positions.

Abstract: A dual use belly dumping and end dumping vehicle is provided, including a frame, having left and right side beams connected together to form an opening therebetween. The frame is mounted on rear wheels for transport. A hopper with sides, ends and an openable bottom is carried in the opening between the left and right side beams in the frame. Rollers are mounted to the sides of the hopper for rollingly supporting the hopper on top of the left and right side beams of the frame. Pivot bars are mounted on the frame above the rear wheels. Pivot-engaging sockets are mounted on the hopper for engaging the pivot bars when the hopper is rolled rearward along the side beams, constructed for releasably engaged pivoting of the hopper about the pivot bars to a dumping position at which an end of the hopper dumps the content thereof behind the rear wheels to which the frame is mounted.

Abstract: A side unloading dump vehicle includes a support having ground engaging wheels. A container is provided having a first side, a second side, and a bottom pivotally attached along the first side. The container is movable relative to the support from a travel position to a dumping position. In the travel position, the container is set upon the bottom in a substantially central position on the support. In the dumping position, the container is raised and moved off-center toward the second side such that the bottom pivots downwardly to dump the contents of the container.

Abstract: A wheel supported grain wagon includes a box or container with sloping side walls extending to a bottom wall, and a discharge opening is formed within one of the side walls adjacent the bottom wall. An inner metering door or panel and an adjacent outer closure door or panel are supported by parallel spaced dual tracks for movement between lower positions closing the discharge opening and retracted upper open positions. An actuator first raises the outer closure panel to permit grain to flow through a metering passage defined by the bottom edge of the metering panel and to release grain pressure on the metering panel. The metering door is then elevated in response to further elevation of the outer closure panel so that grain flows smoothly under both panels without obstructions.

Abstract: An open top vessel containing bulk or liquid material comprising an inclined front wall, an inclined rear wall, and inclined opposite side walls. The walls of the vessel extend downwardly and inwardly from the upper ends thereof towards the lower ends thereof towards a discharge opening formed at the lower end of the vessel. A support frame is provided for supporting the vessel and includes at least a pair of horizontally spaced-apart, horizontally disposed support frame members which receive inverted U-shaped supports on the upper end of the vessel. The vessel is ideally suited for use as a hopper bottom in a hopper bottom trailer. The vessel is comprised of a fiber reinforced plastic material.

Abstract: The hopper bottom trailer has a main frame supported by wheels, a hopper with hopper walls that extend downwardly to a discharge opening and a discharge door, and two side walls. An upper side frame member is attached to each side wall. A front upper frame member and a rear upper frame member are secured to the upper side frame members. A forward inclined floor panel is pivotally attached to the front upper frame member and a rear inclined floor panel is pivotally attached to the rear upper frame member. The forward and rear inclined floor panels are pivoted from an inclined position in which grain can slide down their surfaces to the hopper to a raised position which opens the inside of the trailer to receive elongated cargo.

Abstract: This invention relates to a trailer drawn by a tractor vehicle which includes the combination of a rear and belly dump and in which the trailer rear wheel assembly remains entirely on the ground when the means for elevating the trailer for rear dump is made, including means for permitting the material to be dumped to directly dump beyond the wheels of the trailer, and further, to permit the trailer wheels and the tractor wheels to be moved close together during rear dump for purposes of distribution of the material and further to include a clean-out door for dislodging material which may have been stuck during dumping operation.

Abstract: A trailer construction includes first and second spaced apart trailer side walls. A bottom wall is provided between the side walls and includes a forward sloping portion, a rear sloping portion and an intermediate portion therebetween. The forward and rear sloping portions of the bottom wall are curved in cross section, and the intermediate portion includes a continuous wall which is curved when viewed in a horizontal cross section and is also curved when viewed in a vertical cross section. A discharge opening is provided in the intermediate portion of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A dual use belly-dumping and end-dumping vehicle includes a frame mounted on wheels for transport and a pivotable hopper carried in the frame. A lower pivot element is mounted to the frame with a corresponding lower pivot engaging element mounted on the hopper. An upper pivot element is also mounted on the frame with a corresponding upper pivot engaging element mounted on the hopper. Lifting cylinders are mounted between sides of the frame and sides of the hopper for pivoting the hopper at the lower pivot element between a horizontally held position and a first angled position at which the hopper is disengaged from the lower pivoted element and engaged at the upper pivot element so that it is pivoted to a second angled position for dumping materials from the end of the hopper.

Abstract: A railroad hopper ballast discharge door assembly includes pliant side panels along a discharge gate opening. The pliant side panels are strong enough to retain the ballast within the hopper when the door is closed, yet are flexible enough to yield when ballast flowing out of the hopper becomes wedged between the side panel and the door as the door closes. Strengthening ribs reinforce the pliant side panels and may be embedded within them. The discharge door assembly is readily adapted for automatic, motor-actuated operation.

Abstract: An improved tractor-trailer assembly utilizes a trailer bottom wall having a drop center portion which is located rearwardly of the longitudinal midpoint of the trailer. The bottom wall of the cargo container is attached to and suspended from the upper edges of the sidewalls of the trailer. In one form of the invention, the bottom wall has a rectangular cross-sectional configuration, and in another form of the invention, the bottom wall has an arcuate U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: The truck has an hydraulic pump for receiving dredged mixture of solids and water from a pumping site and delivering the mixture to the truck body. A fixed partition wall is mounted transversely in the body and divides the body into first and second open compartments. The first compartment receives the mixture from the pump means to enable solids to settle at the bottom of the first compartment and the water rises towards the top of the compartment. The second compartment receives the water which rises in the first compartment and the partition wall. Drain means are selectively operable to effect removal of substantially all water from the second compartment. A one-way valve is located between the first and second compartments and is operable when the body is tilted to permit residual water in the second compartment to flow into the first compartment to effect removal of remaining solid matter from the first compartment by washing it out of the tilted body via the open tailgate.

Abstract: A low profile pneumatic outlet for a covered hopper railway car is disclosed which allows the bottom slope sheets of the hopper car to be moved downwardly closer to the rail thereby increasing the cubic capacity of the car while maintaining the car within AAR clearances. The low profile aspects of the pneumatic outlet result from the provision of an outlet opening in the bottom of the outlet which is opened and closed by a slidable, translatable gate operated by gate opening and closing cam mechanisms positioned generally horizontally with respect to the gate. The preferred gate operating mechanism is a cam operated mechanism which generates a high mechanical advantage initially upon effecting opening movement of the gate thereby to overcome lading and static friction loads, and then, after movement of the gate has been initiated, a lower mechanical advantage is provided so as to more rapidly move the gate toward its open position.

Abstract: A dump truck has a tiltable dump body with a tailgate at its rear end. A partition or weir mounted in the dump body and of lesser height than the walls of the dump body divides the dump body into front and rear compartments. A siphon is connected between the two compartments and extends over the partition. The rear compartment, having a discharge opening at its rear end which is closed by a tailgate, receives dredged material in the form of a mixture of water and sand (or silt) pumped thereinto through a supply conduit on the dump body. As the rear compartment is being filled with dredged material, gravity causes the sand (silt) to settle at the bottom and the water to rise to the top and spill over the partition into the front compartment. Some water also flows through the sipon into the front compartment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of trailer for trucks used in the construction industry. The invention discloses a combination bottom dump and end dump trailer in a single unit. The trailer generally comprises a cargo area, a bottom dump hatch in the cargo area, a tailgate door and lifting rams to lift the front of the trailer up to allow cargo to be dumped out the tailgate.

Abstract: An on-road hopper trailer has a hopper bin with front and rear walls, a rear ladder frame mounted on at least one axle extending forward to the rear wall of the bin, and a base frame mounted on the ladder frame. The base frame extends about the hopper bin and has four members each extending inwardly from the periphery of the bin. The hopper bin has a rectangular top frame from which a plurality of struts extend to the base and ladder frames to provide sufficient strength and rigidity to the structure.

Abstract: Improvements in a freight vehicle having a cargo space convertible from that suitable for handling piece goods to that suitable for bulk material. A conventional cargo space for piece goods has openings for filling and discharging bulk material. A double-walled inflatable bag having its bottom attached to a rigid support platform is positioned in erected condition to handle bulk material and is movable to a stored position near the roof of the cargo space to allow handling of piece goods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of trailer for trucks used in the construction industry. The invention discloses a combination bottom dump and tail dump trailer in a single unit and a method to build such a unit. The trailer generally comprises a cargo area, a bottom dump hatch in the cargo area, a tailgate door and lifting rams to lift the front of the trailer up to allow cargo to be dumped out the tailgate.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car particularly adapted for shipment of dry, granular-like commodities may have its inner space divided into compartments which in turn are formed with chambers. Each chamber bottom includes a discharge system comprising a pair of aligned fluidizing conveyors which converge downward. Lower ends of the conveyors are spaced apart to define a chute outlet which includes a passageway through a chute portion of a slide gate discharge assembly. The passageway may be closed or opened by selective movement of a door plate connecting with a drive mechanism in a drive portion of the assembly. Commodity in the railroad car is maintained contamination free in part by isolating the chute and drive portion with seals that engage the door plate and a sanitary plate which pivots to close the passageway lower end. During commodity unloading the sanitary plate and door plate are located to clear the passageway through the chute outlet.

Abstract: A freight vehicle has a cargo space convertible from that suitable for handling piece goods to that suitable for dry bulk granular material. A conventional cargo space for piece goods has openings in the roof and floor for filling and discharging bulk material. A double-wall inflatable bag having its bottom attached to a rigid support platform is positioned in erected condition to handle bulk material and is movable to a stored position near the roof of the cargo space to allow handling of piece goods.

Abstract: A hopper discharge device including a hopper with discharge opening, a pair of door support guides, a door slidingly engaging the guides for opening and closing the hopper discharge opening and a rotatable shaft with one or more sprocket wheels adapted to engage the door in rack and pinion manner for opening and closing the door. The door is provided on its undersurface with one or more longitudinally extending channel members, each channel member containing a section of roller chain therein. The sprocket wheels mesh with the rollers of the flexible roller chain to prevent build-up of ice, dirt, grain particles, and other debris in the sprocket wheel's contact with the chain. A wear strip of anti-friction material on the door facilitates the opening and closing of the door.

Abstract: This invention relates to bottom opening utility wagons in general and more specifically to a gravity dump wagon having a unique hydraulically actuated bottom opening arrangement wherein the closure members translate away from the hopper body in the horizontal plane to reduce the vertical clearance required between the bottom of the hopper and the ground, to effect unobstructed dumping of the wagon contents, the wagon further having a forward axle pivotal in two perpendicular planes.

Abstract: A vehicle for carrying cotton from a mechanical picker to a cotton trailer, and for tamping the cotton down while in the bed of the trailer, is disclosed. The vehicle is constructed with a U-shaped base and has one open end for straddling the cotton trailer. A bottom-dumping basket which can be raised to clear the sides of the trailer, emptied into the trailer, and then lowered into the bed to tamp the cotton down, is mounted in the center of the vehicle.

Abstract: A double wall and method of assembly of the double wall for a cargo hopper, such as that of a belly dump trailer, having a unitary inner member and horizontal reinforcing members formed of the same material as the inner member and welded sequentially to the inner member and previously attached reinforcing members. Channel members extend along top and bottom of the inner member and generally "L"-shaped members are sequentially added to reinforce the intermediate area. An "I"-shaped member is added last to permit continuously welded construction.

Abstract: A tank trailer for transporting dry and liquid flowable materials comprising a horizontally disposed substantially cylindrical tank having front and rear transverse end walls. On each end wall is a hopper structure inclining upwardly and outwardly from the bottom portion of each end wall and having a width considerably less than the diameter of the tank. Extending horizontally from the bottom portions of the respective end walls are front and rear platforms. These platforms each have a width approximately equal to the diameter of the tank and are adapted to carry freight thereon in the manner of a flatbed trailer.

Abstract: An improved grain carrying vehicle (10) is the subject of this application. The vehicle (10) includes a catwalk (54) formed between an oblique panel portion (42) of the vehicle carriage (34) and a generally horizontal fender panel (52). Additionally, the carriage (34) includes an open discharge portion (38) which extends down between a base frame or chassis (12) mounted for movement over the ground.

Abstract: An improved tractor-trailer assembly utilizes a trailer bottom wall having a drop center portion which is located rearwardly of the longitudinal midpoint of the trailer. The bottom wall of the cargo container is attached to and suspended from the upper edges of the side wall of the trailer. In one form of the invention, the bottom wall has a rectangular cross-sectional configuration, and in another form of the invention, the bottom wall has an arcuate U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.