Abstract: In one embodiment, a securing mechanism for a gate of a bottom dump trailer includes a first securing mechanism portion adapted to be coupled to a first door of the gate of the bottom dump trailer. The securing mechanism also includes a second securing mechanism portion adapted to be coupled to a second door of the gate of the bottom dump trailer. The second securing mechanism portion is engageable with the first securing mechanism portion when the gate is closed. The securing mechanism also includes an electrical actuator to move a component of the securing mechanism into a plurality of positions including a locked position and an unlocked position. The securing mechanism may restrain the gate from opening when the first securing mechanism portion is engaged to the second securing mechanism portion and the electrical actuator moves the component into the locked position.

Abstract: An automated gate control system for a vehicle with a load carrying portion capable of carrying a load of material selectively distributable through a gate comprises a driver-accessible control module and a gate actuating mechanism. The driver-accessible control mechanism is positionable within reach of a driver of the vehicle. The gate actuating mechanism is controllably linked to and responsive to control signals from the driver-accessible control module to open and to close the gate to distribute material through the gate as desired. As a result, the driver need not exit the vehicle to move the gate before, after or during a material distribution operation.

Abstract: A monolithic dual-purpose trailer for transporting cargo includes a frame including two longitudinally extending side rails and a central reinforcing member in the form of an engineered truss is located between the two side rails. Wheels are mounted to the frame. A deck including a load bearing surface with a grate is formed on the frame. Hoppers are positioned below the grate. The frame is formed as one solid welded unit. The deck has a portion formed of flat aluminum. A perimeter frame rail is located around the deck. The trailer can transport multiple types of loads and does not have to be converted from one mode to another and additionally has reduced longitudinal flexing.

Abstract: An automated gate control system for a vehicle with a load carrying portion capable of carrying a load of material selectively distributable through a gate comprises a driver-accessible control module and a gate actuating mechanism. The driver-accessible control mechanism is positionable within reach of a driver of the vehicle. The gate actuating mechanism is controllably linked to and responsive to control signals from the driver-accessible control module to open and to close the gate to distribute material through the gate as desired. As a result, the driver need not exit the vehicle to move the gate before, after or during a material distribution operation.

Abstract: A monolithic dual-purpose trailer for transporting cargo includes a frame including two longitudinally extending side rails and a central reinforcing member in the form of an engineered truss is located between the two side rails. Wheels are mounted to the frame. A deck including a load bearing surface with a grate is formed on the frame. Hoppers are positioned below the grate. The frame is formed as one solid welded unit. The deck has a portion formed of flat aluminum. A perimeter frame rail is located around the deck. The trailer can transport multiple types of loads and does not have to be converted from one mode to another and additionally has reduced longitudinal flexing.

Abstract: Accordingly there is disclosed a safety door system, comprising a hopper body containing a powered implement powered by a hydraulic control system, for dispensing liquid or granular materials or for agitating the liquid or granular materials; a safety door for covering and preventing access into the hopper body during use; a hydraulic actuating cylinder operative to open the safety door; and an interlock device coupled between the hydraulic actuating cylinder and the hydraulic control system such that the powered implement within the hopper body is prevented from operating whenever the safety door is not in its closed position. In another embodiment there is disclosed a method of limiting access to a hopper body of a mobile pavement repair system during its use, the hopper body having a powered implement within the hopper body and powered by a hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A bottom dump trailer cart which includes a cargo compartment having a floor equipped with downwardly pivoting dumping panels is constructed such that the panels protect the wheels from the dumped cargo. The cart is capable of riding over the dumped cargo because of the absence of an axle connecting wheels on opposite sides of the cart, and the provision of a rear wall of the compartment which can be caused to pivot upwardly and rearwardly. A tongue assembly extends forwardly of the cargo compartment. An operating mechanism having expanding hinges enables conversion between a dumping state wherein the dumping panels and rear wall are caused to be free-swinging, and a locked transport state wherein the dumping panels are upwardly secured and the rear wall is secured in a vertical position.

Abstract: A bottom dump trailer cart which includes a wheeled cargo compartment having a floor equipped with downwardly pivoting dumping panels is constructed such that the panels protect the wheels from the dumped cargo. The cart is capable of riding over the dumped cargo because of the absence of an axle connecting wheels on opposite sides of the cart, and the provision of a rear wall of the compartment which can be caused to pivot upwardly and rearwardly. A tongue assembly extends forwardly of the cargo compartment. An operating mechanism positioned above the tongue assembly enables conversion between a dumping state wherein the dumping panels and rear wall are caused to be free-swinging, and a locked transport state wherein the dumping panels are secured in horizontal position and the rear wall is secured in a vertical position.

Abstract: A pneumatic closing apparatus suitable for metering grain or other material gravity discharged by twin pendulum hopper doors from a hopper trailer. The closing apparatus includes a bidirectional pneumatic cylinder that operates a linkage assembly controlling the doors and a torsion spring which damps the pneumatic cylinder so that it is possible to meter the grain or other material. The torsion spring also resisting opening of the pendulum doors if the pneumatic cylinder loses pressure.

Abstract: A forage wagon is provided for loading and unloading material. The wagon generally comprises a pair of opposing sidewalls connected to a front wall and a rear wall, the walls extending vertically to define a storage chamber. Further, a bottom wall is formed by two bottom doors, each bottom door having inner and outer edges. The outer edges are pivotally connected to the opposing sidewalls. Notably, each of the two bottom doors is operable between a closed position for loading and an open position for unloading. The bottom doors rotate from the closed position to the open position under gravity. The closed position is defined by the inner edges mating to form a substantially continuous bottom wall, while the open position defined by the inner edges being spaced apart to form a large bottom opening for unloading material.

Abstract: A method for making a spacer assembly comprises: forming a plurality of projections along an edge of a portion of sheet metal; roll forming the portion of sheet metal into a tubular configuration; positioning the roll formed portion of sheet metal and a metal base member to which the roll formed portion of sheet metal is to be welded in a discharge welding apparatus having a pair of electrodes so that the projections of the roll formed portion of sheet metal contact a surface of the metal base member; providing a force so that the projections are disposed in forcible engagement with the surface of the metal base member; and supplying an electrical current between the pair of electrodes and through the roll formed portion of sheet metal and the metal base member so that the projections reach a molten metal stage and are subsequently solidified to enable the roll formed portion of sheet metal to be welded to the metal base member.

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 hopper (10, 120) for use with flowable material (12) such as particulate, aggregate, sand, salt, gravel, top soil or the like includes at least one pivotal gate (14) attached to a frame (18) of the hopper (10, 120). Advantageously, the gate (14) swings toward an open position in response to the weight of the material (12) in the hopper (10, 120) to allow the material (12) to flow out of the hopper (10, 120). Additionally, the gate (14) automatically returns toward the closed position by gravity due to the position of the pivot axis of the hinge (16) connecting the gate (14) to the frame (18) relative to the center of gravity of the gate (14). Furthermore, a latch (58) and other features of the hopper (10, 120) control the movement of the gate (14) to regulate the flow of the material (12) from the hopper (10, 120).

Abstract: A contamination-free freight and storing system for containerized bulk goods adapted to the freight and storage of granular or powdered goods, comprises an improved container satisfying ISO standard, an unloading tank with a top opening, a lifting device within the unloading tank, a suction filter device and a container freight device. The bottom board of the container comprises two separate bottom panels, which are placed above the top opening of the unloading tank while unloading, and are activated by the lifting device and elevated inwardly to expose the two sides of the base of the container so that the granular goods inside the container can slide into the unloading tank. The powder formed from the material seepage can be drawn and filtered by the suction filter device and then released into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A multiple compartment storage body for a refuse collection vehicle includes a floor, a roof, a plurality of walls extending between the floor and the roof, a partition and a bulkhead latch. The partition has a first opposing end portion pivotally coupled intermediate the floor and the roof between the walls to allow a second opposing end portion to pivot between the floor and the roof. The bulkhead latch is pivotally supported adjacent the roof and extends from the roof proximate the second opposing end portion. A lower most section of the plurality of sections includes a support member for engaging and supporting the second opposing end portion of the partition between the floor and the roof. The vertical distance the bulkhead vertically extends below the roof is adjustable to adjust a distance at which the second opposing end portion of the partition is supported above the floor.

Abstract: A multiple compartment storage body for a refuse collection vehicle includes a floor, a roof, a plurality of walls extending between the floor and the roof, a partition and a bulkhead latch. The partition has a first opposing end portion pivotally coupled intermediate the floor and the roof between the walls to allow a second opposing end portion to pivot between the floor and the roof. The partition is supported at a plurality of distances between the floor and the roof. The bulkhead latch is pivotally supported adjacent the roof and extends from the roof proximate the second opposing end portion. The bulkhead latch includes a plurality of sections removably coupled to one another. Sections above the lower most section may be removed to adjust a vertical length of the bulkhead.

Abstract: A multiple compartment storage body for a refuse collection vehicle includes a floor, a roof, a plurality of walls and a partition. The plurality of walls extend between the floor and the roof and include a front wall, a rear wall, and side walls between the front wall and the rear wall. The roof, floor and walls define an interior storage space. The walls define a discharge opening. The partition extends from the front wall towards the rear wall and is positioned between the floor and the roof to divide the interior storage space into an upper compartment having a volume and a lower compartment having a volume. The partition is vertically movable so as to increase the volume of one of the upper and lower compartments in communication with the discharge opening.

Abstract: A bulk material hauling tractor and trailer unit comprises a truck tractor having a bottom dump hopper mounted on its chassis. The tractor tows a double axle pup trailer by an elongated tongue having a span of at least twice the trailer wheelbase. The trailer has nonsteerable axle assemblies and supports a bottom dump material transport hopper. The tractor and trailer hoppers are fabricated of conventional steel plate and structural sections and are formed with a reentrant top wall portion to provide a reduced top opening and increased hopper rigidity. The hoppers present relatively low frontal area and aerodynamic drag characteristics and low center for gravity for exceptional stability for over-the-highway as well as off road hauling.

Abstract: Containers for providing predetermined quantities of cement and aggregate to be transported to a site for on site mixing of concrete. The containers have two compartments which are self closing due to the weight of the contents, one compartment containing cement and the other aggregate. When placed on a ring-like support the compartments release their contents. The hopper of the concrete mixer provides support to permit the opening of the container mouths and has a water spray curtain to prevent the fine cement powder to be taken away by the wind, with the water spray providing the correct amount of water for the concrete.

Abstract: A tree harvesting apparatus is provided with at least one movable pocket mounted on a vehicle for collecting cut trees. Each pocket extends parallel to the advancing direction of the apparatus and is movable in a horizontal plane, by means of a lever system, in a lateral direction. The pocket is arranged to move far enough horizontally to a position outside the profile of the apparatus, or, at least, to clear the outer edge of the wheels of the vehicle. In that position the trees can be dropped to the ground at the side of the apparatus.