Abstract: A trailer unloading system anchors one or more trailers to a deck, with, or without tractor attached. The sides of the trailers are free to pivot from a top, longitudinal, pivot axis once unlatched from the edge of the trailer floor. The deck tilts the trailers sideways, the doors swing free, and the load discharges. The deck returns to level, the sides latch to support the floor and the trailers are ready to be reloaded.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting refuse, the apparatus comprising a vehicle having a frame formed as two substantially parallel members and a hopper secured to the frame. First and second bins may be connected by respective first and second dumping mechanisms to opposite, exterior sides of the hopper. The first and second dumping mechanisms may selectively and independently move respective first and second bins between stowed positions substantially below the hopper and dumping positions above the hopper. The width between the exterior extremes of the first and second bins when both are in stowed positions may substantially be defined by a summation of the width of the first bin, the distance between the outer extremes of the frame, and the width of the second bin.

Abstract: A spreader for distributing a material on a surface. In certain embodiments, the spreader may include a disk rotatable about an axis and having an upper surface extending substantially radially from the axis. A driver may operably connect to the disk to provide rotation about the axis. A paddle may secure to the upper surface of the disk and rotate therewith. The paddle may be aligned to rotationally engage particulate material directed thereto and generate a centrifugal acceleration therein. A controller may limit the centrifugal release of the particulate material from the apparatus.

Abstract: A transfer system for transferring a transfer body onto a truck. The impetus to move the transfer body is provided by a driver mounted to the truck. The driver may engage a track extending along the transfer body in order to move the transfer body onto the truck. The track may be mounted to a pull bar pivotably secured near one end to the transfer body. The truck may have a dump-truck body with a continuous floor. The pull bar may be pulled underneath the floor as the transfer body is transferred onto the truck whereas the transfer body is pulled onto the floor.

Abstract: An articulated cable puller includes a boom assembly having a boom with a sheave positioned thereon. The boom is mounted upon a load beam and is movable between generally horizontal and vertical positions. A rotatable base is positioned upon a vehicle and has a rectangular link pivotally attached thereto. An A-frame is pivotally attached to the top of the link and features a tube attached to its top side. The load beam features downward extending ears that are secured to the tube of the A-frame by a pin. Hydraulic cylinders are connected between the base and the load beam and frame and may be actuated to adjust the positioning of the boom assembly. Hydraulic cylinders are also positioned between the vehicle and the base and are actuated to adjust the position of the base.

Abstract: A hinge for enabling the bed of a pick up truck to pivot is comprised of a lower hinge member having a first pin receiving portion and an inwardly extending portion adapted for connection to a truck frame. An upper hinge member has a second pin receiving portion, an inwardly extending portion adapted for connection to a truck bed, and an outwardly extending portion adapted for connection to a bumper. A pin is sized to fit within the first and second pin receiving portions for pivotally connecting the upper and lower hinge members. A portion of the upper hinge member forms a pseudo-frame to which the truck's bumper can be connected. A method of installing a hinge between a truck frame and a truck bed is also disclosed.

Abstract: A programmable, byte wise, multimedia bitstream parser comprises an input data organizer, a data management buffer, a register file, a logical unit and a microprogram controller. A data source alternatively provides a bitstream to a parallel or serial port and the input data organizer, which includes a serial to parallel converter and a multiplexer, arranges the incoming data into a parallel stream of bytes for passage to the data management buffer. Status flags are associated with each byte passing through the management buffer to facilitate data processing, including start code and context identification and error handling. The register file includes counters and intermediate data buffers for processing a plurality of layers with data quantities which are not predetermined by syntax. Additionally, the register file is provided in tandem for dual context processing.