Endless Patents (Class 414/528)
  • Patent number: 4986716
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle (10) supports an interchangeable refuse collection container (14), the rear wall (38) of which is pivotable between an unloading position and a closed position by means of a swivel device (41). On the chassis (12), a support plate (16) is pivotable about a horizontal transverse shaft (18) between a horizontal interchange position for the refuse collection container (14) and a vertical loading or pressing position, the pressing device (26) and the lifting and tipping device (22) being integral with the support plate (16). The support plate (16) is also provided with a locking device (114), which, dependent upon the swivelling of the pressing device (26) from its rest position into the pressing position, can be locked with two locking shafts (90, 91) on the rear wall (38) of the refuse collection container (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Kellner AG
    Inventor: Erich Winter
  • Patent number: 4968211
    Abstract: The invention provides a self-propelled fully operational loose bulk material slinger in a vehicle equipped to be driven. A slinger and hopper is mounted on a chassis supported by a triangular arrangement of road wheels. Individual powering of two road wheels, one on each side of the chassis, allows self-powered mobility and the road wheels can be steered for directional release of a material being stockpiled. A third small road wheel attached to swivel, balances the vehicle and can be retracted and extended to angle the vehicle for increasing and decreasing trajectory height of material being stockpiled. An engine and a hydraulic system provides mobility and mechanical adjustability to the vehicle. A stand-on control station allows the slinger vehicle according to the invention to be fully controlled by a single operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: Ira Compton
  • Patent number: 4966515
    Abstract: The invention provides a load handling system which includes at least one roller guideway arranged to support and guide a load along a predetermined path, and pneumatically operated load support members disposed parallel to the guideway which are movable between a retracted position is which they allow the load to move freely on the guideway, and an extended position in which they are forced into contact with and lift the load off the guideway. A roller chain drive mechanism moves the load along the guideway. The system can be installed in a cargo vehicle and uses the compressed air system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventor: Daniel G. Van Niekerk
  • Patent number: 4958977
    Abstract: A material transport system having a material container for receiving material to be transported, motive members connected to the material container for allowing the material container to move from one place to another, and an unloader device positioned within the material container for unloading material therefrom. The material container has a generally flat floor extending between a pair of sidewalls. The unloader includes a tractor extending between the sidewalls of the material container and a shovel articulated to the tractor. The shovel has a size suitable for fitting between the sidewalls of the material container. The material container comprises a plurality of railroad cars having a generally flat roadway extending throughout the plurality of railroad cars. Each of the railroad cars is articulated to an adjacent car. The floor comprises a series of floor segments overlapping each other in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Edwin deS. Snead
  • Patent number: 4942958
    Abstract: A watertight belt-drive conveyor system for transporting semi-liquid sludge from semitrailers is disclosed. The conveyor belt is looped around two pulleys located at either end of the trailer and transported by a main drive drum located below the trailer. Adequate frictional pressure is maintained between drum and conveyor belt for driving the conveyor belt under load by a system of four pulleys which force a full-width V-belt into close frictional contact with the outer surface of that portion of the conveyor belt which is wrapped around the main drive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventor: Erik A. Marttila
  • Patent number: 4925356
    Abstract: A unit train consisting of a plurality of hopper cars and a multi-purpose trailer car. The hoppers cars have one or more hoppers each having a bottom discharge opening and a controllable gate. An endless belt conveyor traverses the length of the train including a portion of the trailer car, and underlies the hopper discharge gates so that the hoppers may be emptied sequentially onto the train conveyor to unload the entire train. The trailer car includes a lift portion of the train conveyor to elevate the material for discharge onto a transfer conveyor carried on the trailer car. The elongated transfer conveyor is pivotally mounted at the receiving end to be swung laterally to discharge the material received from the train conveyor at some selected point relative to the trailer car. The trailer car may include the power systems and control systems for operating the conveyors and the hopper gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventors: Edwin D. Snead, William B. Snead
  • Patent number: 4923359
    Abstract: A gravel delivery truck is disclosed, which carries a moving belt conveyor, on a boom that can swing over the delivery site. The boom is foldable for stowage on the truck. The boom includes a foldable extension, hinged to the main length of the boom. For stowage, the extension is doubled over the main length, and the main length is placed lengthwise, behind the driver's cab, down one side of the truck, and over the rear wheels. The folded-over extension fits into the space ahead of the rear wheels, underneath the main length. The layout of the hinge joint is such that, during folding of the boom, the total length of the run of the belt remains the same. The belt can be kept running, and delivering, at all angles of fold of the boom, and even while the boom is being folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Stephen Leonard Foster
    Inventors: Woldemar R. Petri, Stephen L. Foster
  • Patent number: 4923355
    Abstract: System to feed and discharge materials continuously for the rehabilitation f railway road beds and the like in cooperation with operational machines (21) coupled to a plurality of waggons (10) storing such materials, in which system each storage waggon (10) comprises:hopper (11) to contain materials, with lower movable shutters (12) to open and close the hoppers (11),a lower conveyor (13) cooperating with the hoppers (11) and extending substantially along the whole length of the waggon (10) in a horizontal plane,a upper conveyor (14) extending substantially along the whole length of the waggon (10) in a horizontal plane, andan almost vertical conveyor (16) cooperating with the lower conveyor (13) in the transfer of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: ITI/CLM Impianti Tecnici Industriali Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventor: Flavio Mancini
  • Patent number: 4919583
    Abstract: This invention relates to a trailer for transporting solid, loose materials. The trailer features an elongated frame which is attached to a towing vehicle and which carries a bin for containing the solid material. A discharge means is associated with the bin to effect discharge of the material therefrom. The material is conveyed after discharged by a conveying means along a path which extends from the discharge means, over at least a portion of the towing vehicle, and to a dumping point forward of the towing vehicle. This path lies substantially in the vertical plane of the long axis of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: William J. Speakman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4909699
    Abstract: A freight discharge assembly particularly for a unit of railway hopper wagons (10) comprising an endless conveyor (30) arranged to run under the hoppers to receive material falling from the hoppers under gravity, a drive drum (36) at each end of the unit for selectively driving the endless belt in either direction each drive drum being mounted on arms (38) pivotally mounted on the unit whereby each loop of the endless belt around each drum (36) can be moved away from the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: The Standard Railway Wagon Company Limited
    Inventors: David W. Tandy, Geoffrey Laycock
  • Patent number: 4909378
    Abstract: Mechanical handling apparatus for moving a load over a support surface comprises an endless powered conveyor device which extends substantially over at least part of the length of the support and is trained round guides or pulleys rotatable about substantially horizontal axes. The endless conveyor device comprises a chain having a working run and a return run the working run of which comprises at least two working parts, which are movable vertically independently or in unison. In a preferred embodiment, each conveyor device comprises two side-by-side chains. The endless chains run in a guide for the working run and a guide for the return run. The guides are mounted one on top of the other, the lower guide being of inverted channel section and the upper guide being of upwardly open channel section which rises and falls within an outer channel on a support plate which is in contact with an inflatable device such as an air bag in order to provide a smooth and uniform raising and lowering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Hydraroll Limited
    Inventor: John E. R. Webb
  • Patent number: 4884937
    Abstract: A leaf collector and removal apparatus that may be movably mounted to a refuse compacting vehicle. The apparatus comprises a chute having an inlet end facing forwardly in a position to gather leaves which are fed to a conveyor inside the chute for engaging the leaves received from the inlet end to transporting the leaves to an auger which is in communication with the refuse compactor in the refuse compacting vehicle so that the leaves are transported into the refuse compacting vehicle is filled at which time the apparatus may be moved to the next truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Inventor: John P. Braunius
  • Patent number: 4878802
    Abstract: A machine for gathering and collecting particles from a ground surface or the like includes an upwardly inclined conveyor or elevator mounted on the side of a transport vehicle and having a lower receiving end cooperative with forwardly diverging gathering arms which guide particles on the ground surface to the receiving end of the conveyor for transfer to an upper conveyor end where the particles are discharged into a receptacle. The conveyor is supported on the transport vehicle by a rigid truss frame arrangement including upper and lower pivot arms having ball joint connection to the conveyor so as to allow rotation of the conveyor substantially about its longitudinal axis in response to changes in ground contour. The conveyor is movable between lowered operating and raised transport positions. Counterbalance springs limit the contact force of the conveyor acting on the ground surface during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Loren F. Hansen, Donald J. Huber, deceased, Joseph J. Oliver
  • Patent number: 4844683
    Abstract: The invention provides a low-profile agricultural trailer with power assisted wheels for use in orchards particularly during nut harvesting. A rectangular paneled trailer body has an open top partially covered by a sectional opened-top longitudinal hood, and is formed internally with hopper-like structure having sliding doors as openable bottom closures. The sliding doors move horizontally operated manually by levers at both ends of the trailer body. The hood has expanded metal see-through corners so nut loading can be watched and the nuts retained. A continuous loop load leveler has chains with angular load leveling paddles attached operational adjacently below the opened top of the hood. A base framework having trailer tow hitches at both ends supports the trailer body. An axle fastened to the base framework passes through a wheel housing downwardly opened transversely centrally through the trailer body. Two automotive type wheels with road tires are attached, one to each end of the axle by wheel hubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Inventor: Ira Compton
  • Patent number: 4844684
    Abstract: A conveyor arrangement is particularly adapted for use in tractor trailers and utilizes a pair of free conveyors extending parallel and generally mounted to the trailer floor adjacent the trailer sidewalls. An elongate powered conveyor extends parallel to the free conveyors and is mounted medially on the tractor floor. The powered conveyor includes an upwardly shiftable platform which rides longitudinally upwardly and downwardly on ramps and is moved thereon by a linear actuator including a leverage arm and linkage. A continuous conveyor chain travels about the upwardly and downwardly shiftable platform and is driven by a motor and sprocket arrangement. The chain drive motor and the linear actuator for causing upward shifting are housed in an enclosure located beneath the tractor trailer floor and which is accessible from beneath the trailer for maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: K. C. Industrial Constructors, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Bradley
  • Patent number: 4832553
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for lifting and stacking cartons onto a bed attached to a truck bed, especially in an agricultural field. The lifting apparatus includes two endless parallel belts to lift the cartons from the field onto a first conveyor. Variations in carton size or alignment may be accommodated by a pivoting loading frame or by lateral movement of the loader, which lateral movement is compensated for by a self-alignment mechanism. Cartons are transported to an elevator via a first and second conveyor. The elevator lifts the cartons to the level of a palletizer with a false floor wherein a reciprocating and pivoting transfer head removes the cartons from the elevator and deposits them onto the prestacking area of the palletizer false floor. Cartons may be selectively rotated into a transverse loading position by the transfer heads. Upon assembly of a first row of cartons, a tamping bar extends to position the cartons against the truck tailgate or against previously stacked cartons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Donald Martin Grey
    Inventors: Donald M. Grey, Lee D. Butler
  • Patent number: 4813839
    Abstract: A portable self-powered load conveyer is structured on a wheeled frame with a drive-over ramp feature allowing ground level loading of bulk materials. Pivotally attached to the wheeled frame, is an elevator with height adjustment mechanics for depositing the bulk materials as required at a higher level. The wheeled frame is equipped with retractable street wheels and a tow hitch for moving the conveyer from job site to job site by towing. Dual sets of positionable wheels, also on the frame, allows backward, forward, turning, and sideways self-powered movement of the conveyer assemblage around the job site. The self-powering is accomplished by an installed internal combustion engine and controlled hydraulic pressurized mechanics. The control arrangement allows for the entire conveyer assemblage to be managed by a single operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Inventor: Ira Compton
  • Patent number: 4809617
    Abstract: A mobile apparatus arranged to store and transport bulk material comprises a box car having a frame and a box for storing and transporting the bulk material. A conveyor band arrangement for conveying the bulk material stored in the box in a conveying direction has a portion extending over the length of the box in the lower portion thereof and passes through a slot-shaped outlet opening in a front wall of the box in the conveying direction, and a device having adjustable chutes for selectively discharing the conveyed bulk material to the right and to the left of each rail is arranged outside the box and receives the conveyed bulk material therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Josef Theurer, Johann Hansmann
  • Patent number: 4795264
    Abstract: A concreting train consists of a plurality of wagons supporting a mixer, a multiple conveyor arrangement and separate containers for cement and aggregate. A container for cement has at least one integrated conveyor worm. All container wagons are provided with inclined conveyor belts which extend below the containers and overlap one another. On separate pathes aggregate and cement are supplied into a housing of the mixer wagon. The housing is supported on a weighing frame in order to additively weigh the mixing components. The housing contains a mixing shaft operatively connected with a drive motor. The housing is mounted for reciprocating movement along an inclined angled track in order to lift the housing on a higher level for discharging the concrete into a hopper of a concrete pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Messrs. Stetter GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Riker
  • Patent number: 4795301
    Abstract: A unit train consists of a plurality of hopper cars and a multi-purpose trailer car. The hopper cars have one or more hoppers each having a bottom discharge opening and a controller gate. The hopper cars are constructed with load bearing side sills to provide an unobstructed longitudinal channel immediately above the wheel axles and between the wheels. An endless belt conveyor traverses the length of the train including a portion of the trailer car within those car channels, and underlies the hopper discharge gates so that the hoppers may be emptied sequentially onto the train conveyor to unload the entire train. The trailer car includes a lift portion of the train conveyor to elevate the material for discharge onto a transfer conveyor carried on the trailer car. The elongated transfer conveyor is pivotally mounted at the receiving end to be swung laterally to discharge the material received from the train conveyor at some selected point relative to the trailer car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Inventors: Edwin deS Snead, William B. Snead
  • Patent number: 4790715
    Abstract: A dump truck accessory is attached to the rear of a dump truck and serves to accurately deposit asphalt, sand, gravel or other material being hauled therein is provided. The preferred embodiment consists of a lateral conveyor belt combined with an end gate, which allows the operator to deposit the desired amount of material in a pile at the side of the truck, when the dump truck is stationary or in an elongated strip when the dump truck is moving. A uniquely designed leveling rod connects the accessory to the dump truck frame, and serves to maintain the conveyor belt in a functional attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Inventor: Richard E. Alexander
  • Patent number: 4783171
    Abstract: A loading conveyor for a mobile concrete mixing machine is disclosed wherein the conveyor is provided with a receiving hopper for receiving a supply of material from an external source of supply. The chain and slat conveyor is provided with an elevating portion that conveys the material from the hopper to a delivery portion which permits selective delivery to one of two aggregate supply bins. The floor of the conveyor is disposed between an upper delivery run and a lower return run and is provided with a movable section actuated by hydraulic cylinders to selectively create an opening in the floor over one or the other of the aggregate supply bins. The return run is operable to redistribute piled material within the supply bin during operation of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Inventor: Harold M. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 4781466
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously producing concrete at a job site is disclosed wherein the machine is provided with separate aggregate supply bins and a cement supply bin which are arranged in a generally linear fashion on a mobile frame and sized to hold at least a standard truck load of material. Delivery conveyors in operative communication with the supply bins convey material from the bins into a mixing auger where the materials are combined with water to produce concrete. A loading conveying is operable to receive different aggregates from delivery trucks and convey the aggregates to the respective supply bins while the machine continues forward movement along a path of travel. As a result, the concrete production machine can produce and discharge concrete in a continuous manner along its path of travel without stopping for frech supplies of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventor: Harold M. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 4747747
    Abstract: An improved conveyor for loading truck trailers comprising a welded frame for strength employing a distributed array of small rollers for reducing friction under a resilient conveyor belt. The belt incorporates reinforced perforations at its edges for engaging cogged rollers of a driving wheel and transverse stiffeners across the belt to distribute driving forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventors: Salvatore M. Fusco, Lloyd Fogel
  • Patent number: 4683815
    Abstract: A cylindrical bale forming machine has a bale transfer unit yieldably maintained in a transport or rest horizontal position located below the bale discharge gate to receive a bale discharged from the machine for transfer to a ground location rearwardly clear of the discharge gate. The transfer unit is operated in response to the movement of the discharge gate into its open or bale discharge position and is returned to its rest position in response to movement of the discharge gate out of the open position therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Wilbur Van Ryswyk
  • Patent number: 4684314
    Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus is adapted for transferring oil well pipe to and from a drilling rig. The apparatus includes a transportable chassis having tracks for supporting and guiding a reciprocable and rotatable table. A first scissors lift mounted to the table provides vertical motion to a platform to which is mounted a second scissors lift. The second scissors lift is designed to impart vertical and horizontal motion to a conveyor. The conveyor comprises three axially spaced endless belts for moving the pipe longitudinally to the conveyor takeoff point. Tapered spades protrude into the spaces during the pipe return operation to eject the pipe from the conveyor. The conveyor and platform are reciprocable with respect to the second and first scissors lifts, respectively. The chassis includes pivotable arms for raising a pipe to the top of the collapsed scissors lifts so that a pipe rolls onto the conveyor belts prior to lifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Royse I. Luth
  • Patent number: 4664583
    Abstract: A trailer assembly is disclosed for receiving, transporting and discharging flowable bulk material. The trailer assembly includes a pair of opposing generally vertical side walls which are secured to a frame member and converge downwardly and inwardly. The side walls are joined by a front end wall and a rear wall to define a bin having an open floor. A conveyor is provided as a floor for the bin with the conveyor extending beneath the side walls and having a width greater than the distance between bottom edges of the side walls and positioned closely adjacent to the bottom edges of the side walls. The conveyor includes a pair of opposing endless chains which are mounted about sprockets with the chains connected by cross members. Flexible conveyor belt sections are provided secured to the cross members at a leading edge of the belt sections with trailing edges of the belt sections free to overlap leading edges of successive belt sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: J.D. Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob N. Gust
  • Patent number: 4635883
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft cargo loader that is folded for stowage against the interior surface of an aircraft cargo door and is extended between the sill of the cargo door and the surface of the ground for loading and unloading baggage and other relatively small cargo items. The cargo loader includes an endless conveyor belt, with the cargo loader and the conveyor belt being configured so that the conveyor belt remains under relatively constant tension when cargo loaded is extended and when the cargo loader is folded for stowage. An L-shaped deployment track is attached to the upper end of the cargo loader and fastened between the cargo loader deck and ceiling when the cargo loader is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Herbert E. Hamilton, Thomas H. Shorey
  • Patent number: 4635544
    Abstract: Module builder having a generally rectangular framework with an open top side and with spaced apart side walls and spaced apart front and rear walls. The rear wall is formed by a door movable between open and closed positions. A carriage is mounted on the framework for movement longitudinally of the framework between the front and rear walls. A motor is provided for causing movement of said carriage between the front and rear walls. A tramper mechanism is carried by the carriage and has a tramper foot. A hydraulic actuator is provided for moving said tramper foot vertically within said framework for forming a module of material which is dumped into the framework. Wheels are mounted on opposite sides of said framework to permit the module builder to be transported from one location to another. The side walls have upwardly and outwardly flared portions so that imaginery vertical lines depending from the outer upper margins of the side walls clear the wheels on the sides of the rectangular framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Clyde L. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4634056
    Abstract: A compost spreader has a hopper mounted on a turntable so that the hopper may be rotated lengthwise to go through gates but crosswise when spreading the compost. The frame of the spreader telescopes so as to accommodate the length of the hopper when the hopper is turned lengthwise. After the spreader has gone through the gate and the hopper turned crosswise, then the frame is shortened or collapsed. The compost is distributed from the hopper by an endless belt at the bottom of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Inventor: Carroll R. Precure
  • Patent number: 4616957
    Abstract: A machine for depositing pipeline padding material in a pipeline ditch in the form of an attachment for a bulldozer blade which is driven from the hydraulic system of the bulldozer and includes an endless conveyor belt forming the bottom of a horizontally oriented chute or trough which receives padding dirt from a dump truck body or the like and distributes it evenly in the pipeline ditch as the bulldozer with the padding machine mounted thereon moves alongside of the ditch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventors: Larry N. Burrows, Truman L. Gregory
  • Patent number: 4601629
    Abstract: In a concrete production system, an improved aggregates conveying apparatus includes an aggregates drag conveyor having a lower, conveying run which drags aggregates along a centrally-located, common trough shared by separate fine and coarse aggregates hoppers to a discharge end and an upper, return run which moves through a hollow channel formed in a common wall separating the hoppers above the common trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Inventor: Harold M. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 4597706
    Abstract: The object of this invention is a machine which automatically collects hollow conical road markers, stores them, transports them and dispenses them in a line. This machine is comprised of a vehicle carrying a series of vertical cylindrical magazines open at both ends which are supported by a vertical central shaft which rotates them stepwise (into position). The machine includes a device which collects the cone markers comprised of a chain elevator having projections each of which penetrates one cone marker.When the chain reaches the top, the cone marker is released into the top of the magazine where they pile up one on top of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Inventor: Emile J. Michit
  • Patent number: 4586865
    Abstract: A rotatable conveyor apparatus for selectively discharging bulk material in any direction from the hopper of a belly-dump trailer is operatively supported in horizontal cantilever fashion by a rotatable material feed joint located beneath the hopper for rotation about a generally vertical axis. The conveyor and feed joint assembly are rigidly attached to and supported by an elongate, vertically oriented rotary shaft which is journaled in widely-spaced bearings which are positionally fixed by a rigid framework within the hopper of the trailer. The rigidly connected shaft, feed joint, and conveyor are operatively carried by the vehicle and may be rotated in unison to discharge the load to either side of the trailer without operatively disconnecting the conveyor from the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Inventor: John C. Hansen
  • Patent number: 4576107
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an increase to a selected level of the height of a bed of particulate solids in a shuttle car for the transportation of particulate solids. The apparatus including a support member adapted to be rotatably supported through or on a wall of the shuttle car for rotation about its longitudinal axis with its first end inside the shuttle car and its second end outside the shuttle car, a relatively flat plate member positioned on the first end of the support member in a plane generally parallel to the longitudinal axis on the support member so that the plate member is biased to extend vertically downwardly from the support member and a level indicator operatively connected to the second end of the support member so that when the plate member is rotatably urged toward a horizontal position by the increased height of particulate solids an indication of such increased height is provided to the shuttle car operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: John K. Brasher
  • Patent number: 4576538
    Abstract: A box car for storing bulk material and useful for incorporation in a freight train preceding a ballast cleaning machine for transporting waste material coming from the machine, the box car comprising a frame defining a plane, a box open on top and mounted on the frame for storing the bulk material, and a conveyor band arrangement in a lower portion of the box and extending in the direction of elongation of the box car. The conveyor band arrangement has a width substantially equal to that of the lower box portion and comprises a first portion extending in the plane and an ascending portion extending in this direction from the first portion of the conveyor band arrangement beyond the frame, a drive for the conveyor band arrangement, and a bulkhead partition in the box, the bulkhead partition being displaceable in this direction for dividing the box into compartments. The bulkhead partition has a lower end defining a port with the first conveyor band arrangement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Josef Theurer, Manfred Brunninger
  • Patent number: 4568237
    Abstract: There is disclosed a mobile cargo container for transporting fluid-like materials such as cannery waste. The cargo container includes a floor conveyor extending rearward of and beyond the container bottom for discharging materials from the container through a rear discharge outlet. A trailer door is connected to the container to pivot between an open position wherein the door is above the discharge outlet, and a closed position wherein the door seals the container in a fluid tight fit. The discharge outlet is defined by side walls of the trailer which are angled downwardly in a rearward direction from the top of the container to a point wherein the side walls project downwardly in a forward direction to meet with a bottom portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Krause Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert K. Krause, Robert M. Grasher
  • Patent number: 4566837
    Abstract: An automatic work exchanging apparatus for transferring works between a transport truck running in front of plural machine tools and the plural machine tools. The automatic work exchanging apparatus is made to run along the row of the machine tools, and a working face of the apparatus is made vertically movable so that the working face is adjustable according to the height of the table of each machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadataka Shiomi, Kouichi Nabika, Takashi Kawagoe
  • Patent number: 4541767
    Abstract: A conveyor (10) for use in transferring elongated objects (11) between a vehicle (13) and a location. A powered continuous roller conveyor (20), having carrier blocks (26c) attached to certain of its links, is mounted with one end (21c) adjacent to and slightly above the bed of the vehicle (13) and the other end (21b) extending outwardly to a point slightly above the location and assists an individual who controls a free end of the elongate object in loading and unloading pipe (11) for example. The conveyor may be collapsed alongside the vehicle, raised or lowered, positioned further from or closer to the vehicle, dismounted from the vehicle, or angled more or less with respect to the vehicle bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Inventor: Donald L. Daberkow
  • Patent number: 4518303
    Abstract: A movable floor self-unloading trailer has a frame with rotatable sprocket shafts supported at each end and engaged with an endless conveyor type floor comprising a series of side-by-side floor plates which are interconnected by hinge pins and are each provided with a plurality of laterally spaced bearing shoes which slide in elongated longitudinally extending channel shaped bearing rails. The movable floor includes a drive sprocket assembly characterized by a series of sprocket segments which are configured to engage the floor plates along the bearing hinge portions. The movable floor is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a modified general cargo type truck trailer which is adapted to handle containerized as well as bulk material loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignees: Jerel J. Barham, Lynaveta Clegg
    Inventor: William H. Moser
  • Patent number: 4505634
    Abstract: A revolving floor apparatus (10) for a trailer flat bed (12) or the like is disclosed. The revolving floor apparatus (10) includes endless conveyor chains (30) having a plurality of elongated slats (70) attached along a portion thereof. The transversely extending slats (70) are moved in a spaced relationship by the endless chains (30) longitudinally of the trailer flat bed (12). The trailer flat bed (12) may be used either in a "live floor" configuration wherein the slats (70) are positioned along at least a portion of the top surface of the trailer flat bed (12) or in a conventional configuration wherein the slats (70) are positioned under the trailer flat bed (12) such that the top surface of the trailer flat bed (12) is generally void of any of the slats (70). Furthermore, the chains (30) are recessed in longitudinally extending recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Inventor: Howard D. Rezac
  • Patent number: 4505633
    Abstract: An overrunning sprocket for the bale pickup mechanism on a bale wagon is disclosed wherein the drive sprocket for transferring rotational power from a drive shaft to the elevating mechanism in the bale pickup is rotatably mounted on the drive shaft for rotation independently thereof. A drive lug welded to the drive sprocket is engageable with a second drive lug welded to the drive shaft to limit the rotation of the drive sprocket relative to the drive shaft and permit rotational power to be transferred from the drive shaft to the elevator. The drive sprocket is free to overrun the drive shaft by substantially one revolution to permit the elevator to be accelerated by the picking up of a bale from the ground when the ground speed of the bale wagon is greater than the speed of the elevator in the bale pickup mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Sperry Corporation
    Inventor: L. Dennis Butler
  • Patent number: 4441848
    Abstract: A self-loading material transporter utilizes a conveyor system having a continuous, flexible conveyor belt. A plurality of rollers is positioned below the upper surface of the conveyor system to support the load bearing portion of the conveyor belt as it passes over the upper surface of the conveyor system. The conveyor belt can be rotated in either a forward or reverse direction to either load or unload the material transporter. The conveyor system may be mounted on a truck, trailer, or other vehicle. The conveyor system may be tilted into an inclined position to load or unload material from the ground or it can be operated in a horizontal position to load or unload material from an elevated loading dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Inventor: Gerald M. Bailey
  • Patent number: 4430038
    Abstract: A chassis supports a main frame with one open side, and a dump box with an open upper side is situated within the main frame and pivoted to the other side of the main frame. An hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly can move the box from the vertical or normal position to a tilted or unloading position. The dump box is pivoted to the upper side of the main frame at a line spaced from the top side edge of the dump box so that the top side edge extends beyond the side of the wagon when tipped or tilted. A conveyor is situated on the side of the dump box which is pivoted to the main frame and driven by an hydraulic motor. Material is loaded in the open upper side of the dump box and when it is to be unloaded, the dump box is tilted whereupon the conveyor unloads the material from the open upper side of the dump box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Greenbelt Farm Systems Inc.
    Inventors: William Rempel, Henry Rempel
  • Patent number: 4395186
    Abstract: A powered vehicle for tending low-growing vegetation comprising a frame having intersecting cross-braces; a platform mounted to the frame having an engine mounted thereon; front and rear center swing tubes having a torsion bar spring suspension and a double articulated steering system; and four legs, each adjustably mounted within one of the swing tubes, having a motor connected by hydraulic lines to the engine, and supporting a wheel and tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: Turtle Tractor Company
    Inventor: Garry R. Whyte
  • Patent number: 4377365
    Abstract: A padding machine for transporting padding material from a dump truck into a pipeline ditch. The padding machine is supported forwardly of a vehicle. A bumper attached to the forward portion of the padding machine engages and pushes the rear end of a dump truck, while padding material is transferred from the dump truck into a upwardly opening trough which forms part of the padding machine. The floor of the trough is comprised of an upper run of a conveyor means, and continuously transports the padding material into the pipeline ditch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1983
    Inventor: Ricky L. Layh
  • Patent number: 4372725
    Abstract: A multi-wheel transporter vehicle of the straddle-type comprising first, second, third and fourth vertically extending corner upright members, each corner upright further comprising a wheel assembly at the lower end thereof and first drive means operable to control one or more of said wheel assemblies in either a normal or lateral direction, with a longitudinally extending endless conveyor platform assembly including second drive means for selectively defining a linear motion in the longitudinal direction for said conveyor, between said uprights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Good Earth Growers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Moore, Charles F. Studley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4370084
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for unloading material in powder form. A powder chamber is provided, with a lower sealing area. An enclosed housing is located beneath the chamber, and includes an endless belt and an upwardly facing sealing area which is complimentary to the sealing area of the powder chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Assignee: Foremost-McKesson, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Weaver
  • Patent number: 4350190
    Abstract: The invention relates to a unique self propelled vehicle capable of transporting massive loads over natural terrain, such as the loading and transporting whole trees from their growing site to a processing station. The invention provides a vehicle having an elongated rigid frame element supported by two spaced sets of quad wheel assemblies, with each assembly permitting movement of individual wheels about both a roll axis parallel to the longitudinal frame element and a pitch axis transverse to the frame element. An operator's platform is adjustably mounted on the forward portion of the rigid frame structure for vertical movements and may carry with it a boom having means on its free end for severing and engaging whole trees or lifting massive objects to deposit same in cradles or a body mounted on the rigid frame element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce J. McColl
  • Patent number: 4345869
    Abstract: Subject system is a permanent fixture of the vehicle to which attached and is electrically driven (AC or DC) for moving cargo along the floor of a cargo body. Lanyard structure is rigged upon one wall of the cargo body for remotely operating an electrical switch which enables the movement of the conveyor to readily be controlled from any location along the length of the cargo body. A series of load-bearing flaps are hingedly attached to the floor of the cargo body along a common hinge axis which extends along the length of the conveyor and parallel with the travel thereof. Each of the flaps may be swingably moved between: (1) a load-bearing position wherein each one overlays a portion of the conveyor, and (2) a conveyor exposed position wherein each one overlays a portion of the floor along side the conveyor. The flap arrangement is constructed so as to be capable of supporting cargo when in the load-bearing position, although, movement of the subjacent conveyor structure remains unhindered thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Inventor: John L. King