With Load-delivering Chute Patents (Class 298/7)
  • Patent number: 11833980
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a haul truck body arranged to have a specific nominal payload capacity. The haul truck body includes an outer load carrying structure which has a front wall, two opposing side walls, and a bottom. The haul truck body further includes an inner load carrying structure arranged at inner surfaces of the outer load carrying structure, wherein neither the outer load carrying structure nor the inner load carrying structure alone is arranged to carry the specific nominal payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Metso Outotec Finland Oy
    Inventors: Fredrik Larsson, Henrik Persson, Niclas Hällevall, Michael Gyberg
  • Patent number: 10989018
    Abstract: A proppant container facilitates the transportation of wet sand for use in a hydraulic fracturing operation. A metering conveyor is positioned between a blender tub and a proppant motive mechanism, such as a conveyor or wash system that receives discharge direct from proppant containers of the type normally used to transport sand in support of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The metering conveyor is fitted with sensors and/or a knife-edge gate that may be used to facilitate flow control operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Proppant Express Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Oehler, Mark Kevin Fisher, Ian Wilson, Scott Joseph D'Agostino, Mark John D'Agostino, Brian Dorfman, Cory Snyder, William Scott Malone
  • Patent number: 10257987
    Abstract: A feeding system for an agricultural implement includes a hopper configured to receive agricultural crop material. An auger extending across the hopper is configured to meter the agricultural crop material from the hopper into a tapered passageway. A movable belt is disposed along one side of the tapered passageway and is configured to urge the agricultural crop material through the tapered passageway toward an outlet of the tapered passageway to form the agricultural crop material into a mat having a thickness substantially equal to a width of the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Daniel John Reints, Timothy Alan Meeks, Aryon Wayne Shondel
  • Patent number: 9555730
    Abstract: A self-unloading bulk material bed with a discharge opening is provided. An apparatus for discharging materials from the self-unloading bulk material bed includes a first and second tapered fin on either surface of the discharge opening. The tapered fins direct materials moving through the discharge opening down so that they do not build up around the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Trinity Trailer Mfg, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Lynn Hobbs, Wayde Johnson
  • Patent number: 9090201
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: MAC TRAILER MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: James A. Maiorana
  • Patent number: 8991936
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Mac Trailer Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Maiorana
  • Patent number: 8967727
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, John Walvatne, Daryl Rubner
  • Publication number: 20140361597
    Abstract: A lockable center door assembly for a dump trailer is provided. A frame is mounted in a wall of the dump trailer and has a pair of opposite and spaced apart channels. A retractable door has a pair of edges slidably received in the frame. A pivot linkage assembly is operatively connected to the door for linearly moving the door between the closed and open positions. A locking assembly movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position is operatively connected to the pivot linkage assembly for securing the door in either the closed or open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: MAC TRAILER MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: Scott A. Kibler
  • Patent number: 8783783
    Abstract: A chute assembly for mounting on the discharge end of the dump body of an end-dump truck to support the flow of particulate material being discharged from the dump body. A flexible load plate is sandwiched between a pair of rigid support plates and extends outwardly from the support plates for supporting the particulate material being discharged from the chute assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Minco International Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin Arthur Mintonye, II, Edwin Arthur Mintonye, III
  • Patent number: 8714658
    Abstract: A hopper for transportation of mineral or aggregates which prevents the material from falling off due to movements or slope, and which improves load performance and facilitates the download. In the joining areas between the front and the floor and between the sides and the floor there are folded or cylindered pieces giving curvature to such joining points, thus adding anti-adherent features to this hopper. The front is folded with a wide radius, also achieving an anti-adherent feature. There are also folds in the front and the shield to avoid beams in those areas of the hopper, thus decreasing the total weight of such hopper and reducing the appearance of cracks and lessening the amount of welding. Additionally, the area of release is wider than the front and shield portions to allow for a better sliding of the material during unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Minetec S.A.
    Inventor: Richard Cotal Sepúlveda
  • Patent number: 8500206
    Abstract: A mechanical tailgate (3) for a dump body (1) of an underground truck, the purpose of the mechanical tailgate is to increase the loading capacity of the dump body, which mechanical tailgate is pivotably arranged between an opened and a closed position, comprising a tailgate sheet (4) attached to two lifting arms (5), which are pivotably arranged to the dump body (1), the dump body (1) comprises also a controlled tailgate (2) arranged to be controlled between opened and closed position of the dump body, the opening and closing movement of the controlled tailgate (2) is effected in the form of a circular movement. In the closed position of the mechanical tailgate (3) and the controlled tailgate (2), the tailgate sheet (4) and the controlled tailgate (2) are arranged to be positioned overlapping each other in such a way that a lower edge of the tailgate sheet (4) is placed on the inside of an upper edge of the controlled tailgate (2) for locking the tailgate sheet (4) towards the controlled tailgate (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventor: Lars Rydström
  • Patent number: 8398151
    Abstract: Dumper body (1) comprising a front bottom part (2) and a rear bottom part (14), the front bottom part (2) and the rear bottom part (14) being connected to each other at a bottom angle less than 180°, the rear bottom part (14) ending in an opening (16) and accordingly leaning in relation to the front bottom part (2), as well as that a front end portion (21) in addition is connected to the front edge of the front bottom part (2) in order to limit the loading space of the dumper body in the forward direction, an intermediate part (19) being placed internally in the dumper body (1) between and on top of the front bottom part (2) and the rear bottom part (14) at a deviating bottom angle in relation to both the front bottom part (2) and the rear bottom part (14) in such a way that a hollow space (H2) is formed between the front bottom part (2), the rear bottom part (14) and the intermediate part (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: SSAB Technology AB
    Inventor: Bo Lindström
  • Patent number: 8382966
    Abstract: A sputtering system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Ho Choi, Suk-Won Jung, Young-Mook Choi, Hyun-Keun Song
  • Patent number: 8042875
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Mac Trailer Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Maiorana
  • Patent number: 7901009
    Abstract: An open top body of an off-highway haulage vehicle is described for severe hauling applications such as hauling of high density, abrasive material. The body has a floor divided into at least two sections with first and second sections angled at different inclinations. The second section extends to the rear edge of the floor and is at an angle of inclination greater than the first section. The opposing sidewalls of the body extend vertically from the floor are flared or taper along their length such that the body floor is wider at the rear of the body than it is at the front. The body includes a tailgate pivotally attached to the sidewalls for rotation between closed and opened positions in response to the bumping of the load by the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: LeRoy G. Hagenbuch
  • Publication number: 20100148565
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: James A. Maiorana
  • Patent number: 7731297
    Abstract: A dump apron for a dump truck, the apron pivotally mounted around a lower end of the dump opening at the rear of the dump body, and movable in response to the tilt position of the dump body between a lower flow-channeling position and a raised tailgate-securing position. In the tailgate-securing position the apron serves to seal leaks of the loaded material around the tailgate, and to function as a secondary lock to back up the tailgate's primary latching or locking mechanism. In the preferred form, the apron is held at an acute angle to the closed tailgate in the raised tailgate-securing position, forming a trough for collecting particulate material leaking around the tailgate from the loaded dump bed, and allowing visual inspection of the lower end of the tailgate and the tailgate's primary lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Anthony R. Ozanich
  • Publication number: 20090212517
    Abstract: A chute apparatus with a lip, a spout, and two or more sidewalls is disclosed. When attached to a wheelbarrow, the chute apparatus rests on the rim of the wheelbarrow. Attachment to the wheelbarrow can be either permanent or temporary. A wide variety of different fasteners can be used to fasten the chute apparatus to the wheelbarrow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy Stark, Allan B. Williamson
  • Patent number: 7207631
    Abstract: The side discharge bulk material trailer includes a frame with two I-beam members. A plurality of A-frame members are attached to the I-beams. A fore and aft extending tube is attached to the apex of each A-frame. Floor plates are attached the upward facing surfaces of the legs of the A-frames. A front wall and a rear wall are attached to the frame. Upper doors and lower doors are provided in the side walls. The lower doors have a lower edge pivotally connected to the frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. The upper doors have a top edge pivotally attached to the end walls for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. Hydraulic cylinders pivot the doors to open and closed positions. Locks retain the lower doors in a closed position. The lower doors hold the upper doors closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Randall M. Schwinbt
  • Patent number: 6929329
    Abstract: A dump trailer gate for trucks having a gate door movably positioned within a dump door opening of a dump door. A first lever is securely attached to the gate door extending downwardly therefrom. When a front end of a scoop of a bucket loader applies pressure onto the first lever, the gate door opens and contents of the dump truck spill into the scoop. A second lever is securely attached to an opposite side of the gate door extending outwardly therefrom. At least one biasing spring is attached at a bottom distal end to the second lever and attached at a top distal end to the dump door. When pressure is released from the first lever, the gate door automatically closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventors: Ronny L. Kent, Lynn Kent Solomon
  • Patent number: 6908089
    Abstract: A semi-enclosed pouring chute attachment for a wheelbarrow. The attachment sits on the front of the wheelbarrow and is secured by upper side channels and either rope of shock/bungee cords from the sides of the attachment to the handles of the wheelbarrow. In an alternate embodiment, the wheelbarrow container may have a funnel end as an integral part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Inventors: Timothy R. Stark, Allan B. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6863351
    Abstract: A bi-directional autonomous truck. The truck includes a drive-train including one or more drive wheels, the drive-train having drive characteristics that are substantially the same whether the drive wheels rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The drive characteristics may consist of the ability to reach a maximum rotational speed of the drive wheels, but may include other characteristics, such as the ability to steer corresponding pairs of drive wheels that are situated at opposite ends of the truck. Preferably, the truck includes a dump bed that is adapted for dumping in either of two opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Modular Mining Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Baker, Randall J. Omdahl
  • Patent number: 6854808
    Abstract: A materials transport container having a floor and two opposed upwardly extending side walls and a front wall. The container is supported to enable tilting for unloading of material from a rear end. The container has a substantially continuous and smooth hard faced surface on a rear portion of the floor adjacent the rear end to enhance sliding of its load over the smooth hard faced surface. Additionally arcuate surfaces bridging a junction between one or more of the front and side walls and the floor of the container to reduce hangup of material. The arcuate surfaces are smooth hard faced surfaces. The hard faced surfaces are provided by removable wear plates with gaps between then to allow flexion and ease of removal. It is found with use these hard faced wear plates become polished and greatly assist with the removal of material from the transport container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Gene Kostecki
  • Patent number: 6834917
    Abstract: A self-discharging freight container for bulk solids of the type which discharge by tilting to that a hinged wall and a floor become coplanar, as a container braced by a pair of triangulating braces adjacent the hinge. Rams extending from the static frame push against the braces and rotate the container by 40°. Side-by-side and end-to-end versions tip to the left and right. A crane lifted version is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventor: John William Hanna
  • Patent number: 6659565
    Abstract: A hand truck is provided with at least one wheel which is driven and is steerable. A wheeled accessory is removably connected to the hand truck to be powered and directed in response to operation of the hand truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Murray, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald G. Brant
  • Patent number: 6641223
    Abstract: An articulated hauler, such as a dumper, is disclosed. The hauler includes a vehicle part housing or carrying the drive engine, and a load-bearing vehicle part. The vehicle parts are pivotably interconnected about a vertical pin. The load-bearing vehicle part is provided with at least one first wheel axle driven by the drive engine via a mechanical transmission is arranged at a first distance from the vertical pin. The vehicle part bearing the drive engine is provided with at least one second wheel axle driven by the drive engine. The second wheel axle is arranged at a second distance from the vertical pin. The second wheel axle on the vehicle part bearing the drive engine is also able to be driven via a hydrostatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Articulated Haulers AB
    Inventor: Tim Kingston
  • Patent number: 6619754
    Abstract: A power buggy is configured to be safe, stable, easy to control, and comfortable. Frequently-used controls, such as a dump control, a kill switch, and a directional control, are located at or very near handgrips of an operator's handle so as to permit the operator to control the vehicle without releasing either of the handgrips. The power buggy comprises a plurality of wheels and a movable chassis which is supported on the wheels and which has front and rear end portions. A dumpable article support is supported on the front end portion of the chassis. The power buggy also includes an axial piston hydrostatic pump assembly that has an axial piston pump which supplies power to the wheels and a second pump which charges a hydraulic system of the power buggy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Wacker Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory S. Dombek, Lee J. Weber, Jeff A. Himmelsbach
  • Patent number: 6578925
    Abstract: A bi-directional autonomous truck. The truck includes a drive-train including one or more drive wheels, the drive-train having drive characteristics that are substantially the same whether the drive wheels rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The drive characteristics may consist of the ability to reach a maximum rotational speed of the drive wheels, but may include other characteristics, such as the ability to steer corresponding pairs of drive wheels that are situated at opposite ends of the truck. Preferably, the truck includes a dump bed that is adapted for dumping in either of two opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Modular Mining Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Baker, Randall J. Omdahl
  • Patent number: 6568763
    Abstract: A system for controlling an operation of a cylinder comprises: a hoist cylinder displacing a member to be driven such as vessel of a dump truck in a vertical direction; a directional control valve for switching the cylinder so as to take a first position performing an expansion motion of the hoist cylinder and a second position performing a contraction motion thereof; an electromagnetic proportional pressure control valve for throttling a meter-out area at a time when the directional control valve takes the second position; a potentiometer for outputting a signal in response to the vertical displacement of the vessel; and a controller. When the controller detects that the vessel is just before the descending end position, the controller controls to reduce the output pressure as optimum current from the electromagnetic proportional pressure control valve to thereby make slow the descending speed by throttling the meter-out area of a hoist valve of the hoist cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Uematsu, Seiichi Abe
  • Patent number: 6520590
    Abstract: A truck bed hopper of a mining dump truck that is capable of elastic deformation when it is subject to the loading or unloading of material, built preferably of structural or of wear and tear steel, where the general structure of the bed hopper is curved. By this construction, the great moments of inertia which are achieved with curved surfaces eliminate or reduce to a great extent the use of beams as main resistive elements. The present bed hopper has a protective blinder which is preferably cylindrical in shape and a frontal wall and floor which are preferably elliptical in shape. The bottom of the bed hopper externally has a plurality of transversal beams, preferably 4 to 6 in number, even more preferably 5 in number which have a main function of keeping the bottom surface curved and transferring the strengths of the envelopment to the truck's body. Further, the bottom externally also has a plurality of support elements, preferably two in number, that are located at the front part, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignees: Diesel Machinery International Corporation
    Inventor: Alberto Cristian Feuereisen Azocar
  • Publication number: 20020109393
    Abstract: A dump truck is provided with a mooring device for maintaining a dump body of the truck in a raised position when the truck is being serviced. The mooring device utilizes two tension members or cables and includes a load distribution mechanism so as to prevent one of the tension members from carrying a substantially greater tensile load than the other member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas N. Brooks, O. Gordon Pence, Joseph A. Rapp, Jon P. White
  • Patent number: 6409273
    Abstract: A tracked carrier(10) having a frame(6) and a handle(1) secured to the frame. The handle(1) has a proximal and a distal end thereto and may have a pair of downwardly depending support elements. The handle(1) has a brake lever(2) for controlling brakes mounted thereon. A first wheel(14) is secured to the distal end of the handle by frame elements and a pair of drive tracks secured to the proximal end of the handle by the frame elements. A drive engine(5) is mounted on the frame(6) and linked to the pair of drive tracks(16) by a drive mechanism. A throttle mechanism is operably engaged to the drive engine(5). A hydraulic pump(7) linked to an hydraulic drive motor. The hydraulic pump(7) is linked to a pair of drive track arm levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffery D. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20010013720
    Abstract: A motorized dump-type vehicle is provided having a chassis frame, an engine mounted on said frame, a dump container pivotally mounted on the front of said frame and a hydraulic system enabling said container to be raised and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder and said vehicle to be driven in either forward or reverse directions using its front wheels. Additionally, as needed, the vehicle can be switched into all-wheel-drive by hydraulically driving the vehicle's rear wheel(s) which are by default undriven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Darrell D. Jansen, Michael T. Vickers
  • Publication number: 20010000641
    Abstract: A power buggy is configured to be safe, stable, easy to control, and comfortable. Frequently-used controls such as dump controls, a speed control, and a directional control, are located at or very near handgrips of the operator's handle so as to permit the operator to control the vehicle without releasing either of the handgrips. For instance, speed and direction are both controlled by a bidirectional twist grip forming one of the handgrips. The twist grip must rotate through a neutral position before changing directional control from forward to reverse so that an operator cannot reverse the vehicle's direction of travel without first rather gradually reducing vehicle speed. Operator comfort is also enhanced by a fuel tank that shields the operator from the engine. The fuel tank also has a large capacity while simultaneously functioning as a support for side shrouds of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Inventors: Gregory S. Dombek, Steven E. Jansen, Alan D. Bengtson, Robert M. Motl
  • Patent number: 6217122
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: JHC Holding Company
    Inventor: Martin Kirbie
  • Patent number: 6189976
    Abstract: This invention comprises a laterally extending spreader pan having a short longitudinal dimension of about six inches, pivotally mounted on a lateral shaft secured to a trailer or truck box adjacent to the rear edge of the box floor. The spreader pan is pivotable between an operating position where the pan is substantially co-planar with the floor of the truck or trailer box and a non-operating position where the spreader pan is pivoted downward to a position that is substantially normal to the box floor and which does not extend beyond the rear edge of the truck or trailer box. An operating lever is provided on the lateral shaft with the free end of the lever connected to the plunger of a pneumatic cylinder controlled from the cab of the truck. When the plunger is extended the shaft and spreader pan is rotated or pivoted upwardly into its operating position, co-planar with the floor of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: L&M Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Lawson
  • Patent number: 6092966
    Abstract: A multiple purpose dump unit designed to be mounted on a vehicle for hauling, dumping, spreading and the collection of refuse as well as for distributing salt, sand and other aggregates. The unit has a single dump body with a sloping, fixed endgate and a longitudinally extending conveyor along the open bottom of the dump body, and the unit is provided with a spreader mechanism at the exit gate from the conveyor to facilitate spreading of salt, sand and other aggregates. The unit is pivotally mounted near its rear end so that it can be lifted by hydraulic cylinders for dumping, spreading aggregate, asphalt, etc. The dump unit can be sized so that the vehicle can navigate narrow streets and alleys and is mounted at a height and with sides of a height to meet the requirements for manual refuse loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Highway Equipment Company
    Inventors: Charles Martin, Michael Dean, Peter Cervelli
  • Patent number: 6082827
    Abstract: A dumping apparatus for a conveying system for transporting a load from one site to another site at which the load is dumped from the apparatus includes a carriage which is supportable by a track for movement therealong and a dump bed which is supported by the carriage for pivotal movement relative thereto about both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. The apparatus also includes mechanisms interposed between the carriage and the dump bed for pivoting the dump bed about the vertical axis to a desired position thereabout and for pivoting the dump body about a horizontal axis so that the dump bed can be tilted so as to dump the dump bed at any location about the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Robert M. McFall
  • Patent number: 6074159
    Abstract: A truck box divider is installed in a truck box to divide the box into a front chamber and a rear chamber for carrying different materials, for example seed and fertilizer. The divider includes a V-shaped divider mounted midway along the box with the apex directed towards the back end of the box. A tunnel tapering in height leads from the back end of the V shaped box separator to a gate at the back of the truck box. Two additional side gates are positioned on opposite sides of the tunnel gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: James E. Scharf, Andrew Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6022068
    Abstract: A lightweight body for a dump truck includes a floor with a pair of opposed spaced upwardly extending side walls coupled thereto. An upwardly extending front wall is included and coupled to the floor between the side walls to thereby create a space for carrying a payload and a rearward spillway for dumping the payload. The floor is formed of a plurality of adjacently positioned sections that are either separate pieces or form part of one continuous piece. The sections are arranged in an order of increasing thickness or hardness with the thickest or hardest section located at the spillway. This body structure substantially reduces weight while simultaneously preserving body strength, thereby allowing dump truck payload capability to be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John A. D'Amico
  • Patent number: 5947347
    Abstract: A material filling apparatus which can be installed between the end of a cargo box and the tailgate of a dump truck. The attachment is adapted to engage, on its forward side, the latch mechanism at each side of the cargo compartment and, on its rearward side, the latch pins at each end of the tailgate, so that the attachment is supported between the end of the cargo compartment and the tailgate which is partly open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: GranTech Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W Cline, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5873396
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a motor for providing drive power to the vehicle, a hydraulic system powered by the motor, a container for containing a bulk quantity of fluent matter, and matter-dispensing apparatus comprising the hopper for receiving fluent matter from the container, a selectively operable transfer mechanism for transferring fluent matter from the container to the hopper, and an actuator disposed proximately to the hopper, the actuator being operatively associated with the transfer mechanism by the hydraulic system such that the transference of fluent matter from the container to the hopper is controlled by the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Sandbag Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Biebrach, Kevin J. Kwaterski
  • Patent number: 5826947
    Abstract: A vehicle for transporting and dumping loads of particulate material comprising a vehicle frame having spaced, ground engaging wheels extending therefrom, and angularly upstanding spaced frame members projecting upward from the vehicle frame; a dump basket operative to contain the loads of particulate material therein, the dump basket situated between the spaced frame members and having spaced end walls, a first side wall, and a dump side wall, the spaced end walls, the first side wall and the dump side walls each having respective upper edges, the respective junctures of the upper edges forming spaced, upper corners, the dump basket having hinge connections to the frame members at the upper corners of the upper edges of the end walls and the dump side wall for upward rotation, tilting and dumping of the loads of particulate material of the dump basket; a drop chute extension swingably connected to the dump basket by hinges and extending along the upper edge of the dump side wall; and a top arm and a bottom a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Crust Buster/Speed King, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Hornung, Thomas A. Klenke
  • Patent number: 5671979
    Abstract: A self-unloading vehicle having a pivotable material containment vessel and an auger discharge device structurally coupled to the vessel to discharge the contents of the vessel. The material containment vessel includes a convex rear wall with an opening therein. The auger discharge device includes an auger and a tubular shell structurally coupled to the material containment vessel. The tubular shell encases the auger on both sides of the vessel opening and includes first and second longitudinal ends, and an opening between the first and second ends. The opening in the tubular support is in fluid communication with the opening in the material containment vessel. The auger extends partially through the opening in the rear wall of the material containment vessel and into the interior of the material containment vessel in a manner which eliminates all inaccessible regions inside the material containment vessel such that all of the material in the vessel can be discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Gary A. Poborsky
  • Patent number: 5551759
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: JHC Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregg M. Hoss, James E. Thompson, Thomas F. Johnson, Martin Kirbie, Andrew J. Speer, III
  • Patent number: 5458451
    Abstract: A portable low-profile tipper for dumping the contents from a trailer containing a dumpable material, includes a towable elongated and angled frame having a portion resting on the ground during dumping for greater stability. A deck is pivotally attached at an elevated position to the frame back end. The deck has a backstop for positioning the trailer during dumping. Actuators raise and lower the deck to dump the trailer contents. The tipper has a chute with fixed and pivoting components cooperating to guide the dumpable material from the trailer past the frame back end. Front and back stabilizers extend outwardly from the frame. The front stabilizers lift and lower the frame front end between a low-profile dumping position and a raised towing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Columbia Trailer Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Bratlie, David J. Miller
  • Patent number: 5397172
    Abstract: A dump truck having an endless-conveyor structurally integrated into the bottom of the dump body, a conveyor hood opening in the tailgate of the dump body in longitudinal alignment with the conveyor and a conveyor hood mounted within the conveyor hood opening for being shifted between a forward extended position thereof covering the rear end of the conveyor and a rearward retracted position thereof generally flush with the inner face of the tailgate to facilitate use of the truck for open truck hauling with the tailgate in a flat open position extending rearwardly from the bottom of the dump body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Air-Flo Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Charles S. Musso, Jr., Tom W. Musso
  • Patent number: 5380142
    Abstract: A drop chute extension for unloading a shuttle dumping transport vehicle for harvested cotton bolls extends the length of the conveyor dump side wall when unloading the transport vehicle. The extension of the conveyor dump side wall allows cotton to be dumped in the middle and far side of a module builder or trailer. The drop chute extension can be folded over and down into the basket of the dumping transport vehicle, reducing both the transport height and width of the vehicle. The drop chute extension includes two hydraulic extension arm cylinders which cause the door chute to extend or retract and are interconnected with the hydraulic system of the vehicle lift basket. Operation of the basket lift cylinders is precluded until the extension arm cylinders have fully extended the chute door. The drop chute extension is also joined to a second hydraulic system to operate an unloading conveyor which extends into the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: CrustBuster/Speed King, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Hornung, Thomas A. Klenke, Melvin L. Burge
  • Patent number: 5344271
    Abstract: A portable low-profile tipper for dumping the contents from a trailer containing a dumpable material, includes a towable elongated and angled frame having a portion resting on the ground during dumping for greater stability. A deck is pivotally attached at an elevated position to the frame back end. The deck has a backstop for positioning the trailer during dumping. Actuators raise and lower the deck to dump the trailer contents. The tipper has a chute with fixed and pivoting components cooperating to guide the dumpable material from the trailer past the frame back end. Front and back stabilizers extend outwardly from the frame. The front stabilizers lift and lower the frame front end between a low-profile dumping position and a raised towing position. A method of successively removing the contents from a plurality of trailers using the tipper is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Columbia Trailer Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Bratlie, David J. Miller
  • Patent number: RE35580
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventors: Merle J. Heider, Dale J. Heider, Leon J. Heider, Craig J. Heider