Abstract: A pump for high viscosity materials is mounted on a rectangular frame that fits through a standard doorway. Quick detach latches allow removal of the grate, the hopper or the console, including the control box, from the frame for safer and lighter transportation of the pump. Extendable handles facilitate lifting, moving, and storing the pump. Pivotable wheels with locking mechanisms allows the pump to be moved in any direction by a single user.

Abstract: An embodiment includes first and second brackets to respectively couple to a trailer bed; first and second arms to respectively couple to the first and second brackets; wherein (a) in a first orientation the first arm is to couple to the bed non-orthogonally with the bed raised a first distance and with the first arm not extending below wheels of the trailer; (b) in a second orientation the first arm is to couple to the bed orthogonally with the bed being raised a second distance which is less than the first distance and with the first arm extending to a level of the bottom of the wheels, and (c) in a third orientation the first arm is to couple to the bed orthogonally with the bed being raised a third distance, which is between 0 inches and the second distance, and with the first arm extending below the wheels.

Abstract: A dump cart designed to unload stored items is provided. The dump cart includes a base frame assembly disposed on the ground surface, the base frame assembly having a plurality of rail members coupled together to create space between the front end and rear end, and an upper frame assembly rotatably mounted to the base frame assembly and having a compartment formed by a plurality of members connected together, the compartment positioned in space between the front end and rear end of the base frame assembly. The compartment of the upper frame assembly is rotatably adjusted to a first position facing upward and away from the ground surface to load the plurality of items therein. The compartment of the upper frame assembly is rotatably adjusted to a second position facing downward and toward the ground surface to unload the plurality of items from the compartment.

Abstract: A portable cooking oil distribution device for filling remote fryers with fresh cooking oil. In other embodiments the device can also collect used cooking oil from the fryer. In one embodiment, a portable device includes a fresh oil tank, a three-way valve connected by piping to the fresh oil tank, a pump connected by piping to the three-way valve, and a nozzle connected by piping to the pump, the nozzle having an outlet tube connected to the piping between the pump and the nozzle. The device may also include a used oil tank, a second three-way valve connected by piping to the used oil tank, a second pump connected by piping to the three-way valve, and piping connecting the second pump to the nozzle, where the nozzle includes a inlet tube connected to the piping between the pump and the nozzle.

Abstract: A spheroidal joint for a tuned mass damper system includes a base having a concave seat and a lubricious liner secured thereto. The base defines a first mounting portion under the concave seat and a circumferential rim opposite the first mounting portion. The concave seat tapers radially outward to define a chamfer which terminates at a radially inner edge of the rim. The spheroidal joint includes an inner member that has a convex seat. The inner member has a second mounting portion extending from the convex seat and an indentation circumferentially extending around the inner member between the convex seat and the second mounting portion. The indentation cooperates with the chamfer for misalignment of the inner member relative to the base. The convex seat slidingly engages the lubricious liner.

Abstract: A hopper release system includes a base member configured and disposed to selectively support a hopper, and a hopper release assembly mounted to the base member. The hopper release assembly includes a remote hopper release member configured and disposed to selectively disengage a hopper retaining member from the hopper.

Abstract: A tipping method for a tipping arrangement which includes a first element (1) and a second element (2), arranged between a moveable base unit (4) and a rotatable container (3). The container (3) is rotated by moving the second element (2) along a first track (7) on the first element (1). The second element (2) is moved along the track (7) by rotating the second element (2) relative to the first element (1). A number of engaging parts (9, 10) may be arranged on the tracks (7, 8) of the elements (1, 2), respectively. An interlocking arrangement may be arranged between the first element (1) and the second element (2) to secure the second element (2) in a starting position. A movable unit includes the tipping arrangement and a section unit, with the container (3) locked in a vertical position by a locking arrangement.

Abstract: An air fairing device is connected below the bottom a frameless trailer to improve aerodynamic efficiency and improve fuel economy. One embodiment of the air fairing device provides an air deflector positioned forward of a trolley which supports the frameless trailer at a rear end. A second embodiment of the air fairing device provides two deflectors mounted below the frameless trailer. The first deflector is attached and extends downward from an articulating arm, said arm connecting the trailer to a semi-tractor or truck. The second deflector connected to below the bottom of the frameless trailer and positioned rear of the first deflector and forward of the trolley. A third embodiment is similar to the second but further includes a third deflector positioned between two axles of the trolley.

Abstract: A deck for a truck or trailer has a base frame and a deck frame movable relative to the base frame to either one of a tilt position or a dump position. A first pivot connection between the frames defines the pivot axis of the tilt position while a second pivot connection separate and spaced from the first pivot connection defines the pivot axis of the dump position. A common lift mechanism between the frames lifts the deck frame to either one of the tilt or dump positions depending upon the operative condition of the first and second pivot connections.

Abstract: A truck body includes a front wall, side walls, and a floor. The floor has panels disposed at predetermined angles from the horizontal that, with the other parts of the body, form a payload volume within the body. The floor also includes a tail panel disposed at a lesser angle from the horizontal to facilitate the shedding of the payload when dumping, and further to maintain the center of mass of the payload in a generally forward position during dumping.

Abstract: A deck for a truck or trailer has a base frame and a deck frame movable relative to the base frame to either one of a tilt position or a dump position. A first pivot connection between the frames defines the pivot axis of the tilt position while a second pivot connection separate and spaced from the first pivot connection defines the pivot axis of the dump position. A common lift mechanism between the frames lifts the deck frame to either one of the tilt or dump positions depending upon the operative condition of the first and second pivot connections.

Abstract: A truck for heavy transport that comprises a front part coupled with a rear part. The rear part comprises a load arrangement including a load frame arranged to support a loading bin. The loading bin is arranged such that it can be pivoted at the rear end of the load frame, whereby the load arrangement or load frame comprises a pivot arrangement arranged to displace the point of attack of the weight of the load during a lifting operation of the loading bed.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the stability of a payload of granular material loaded onto the bed of a vehicle that will traverse at least one grade is disclosed. The bed of the vehicle may be coupled to a hoist mechanism which may be linked to a controller with a memory for entering a value for the grade the vehicle may traverse while carrying the payload on the bed. The controller may send a signal to the hoist mechanism to tilt the bed to a tilted position having an angle about the value of the grade. An optional tilt support mechanism may be used to engage and support the bed after the bed has been tilted by the hoist mechanism to support the bed in the tilted position while the bed is loaded with the granular material. The hoist mechanism can be used to move the bed back to the horizontal position after the payload has been deposited on the bed.

Abstract: A truck for heavy transport that comprises a front part coupled with a rear part. The rear part comprises a load arrangement including a load frame arranged to support a loading bin. The loading bin is arranged such that it can be pivoted at the rear end of the load frame, whereby the load arrangement or load frame comprises a pivot arrangement arranged to displace the point of attack of the weight of the load during a lifting operation of the loading bed.

Abstract: A pivot pin and saddle assembly is provided for a side-dump trailer or truck with the pivot pin and saddle assembly including structure which limits the relative movement between the side-dump body of the trailer or truck with respect to the frame of the trailer or truck. The saddle assembly of this invention includes a bearing block comprised of Nylon® or other composite material which supports the pivot pin to prevent metal-to-metal contact between the pivot pin and the associated saddle assembly.

Abstract: A towable dump trailer is provided. The towable dump trailer comprises a first, second and third frame. The first frame comprises one or more sets of wheels. The second frame is attached to the tow vehicle and can be displaced horizontally relative to the first frame by the towing vehicle moving rearward or forward. The third frame provides a support frame for the trailer bed. The dump trailer is operated by immobilizing the first frame and causing the second frame to move horizontally relative to the first frame. This horizontal displacement causes the third frame to pivot as a result of one or more pivoting arms translating the horizontal movement to pivotal movement. The dump trailer can be configured to provide a dumping action by either forward or rearward horizontal displacement of the second frame relative to the first frame.

Abstract: A tow trailer includes a bed portion, a pair of upright members, an axle that runs underneath the bed portion, and a pair of swing arms, each pivotally connected at one end to one of the upright members and pivotally connected at another end to the axle. The tow trailer further includes a pair of wheels coupled to one another through the axle, and a brace member, affixed to the bed portion near a longitudinal side of the bed portion. The brace member can be locked to a corresponding swing arm via a locking member.

Abstract: A towable dump trailer is provided. The towable dump trailer comprises a first, second and third frame. The first frame comprises one or more sets of wheels. The second frame is attached to the tow vehicle and can be displaced horizontally relative to the first frame by the towing vehicle moving rearward or forward. The third frame provides a support frame for the trailer bed. The dump trailer is operated by immobilizing the first frame and causing the second frame to move horizontally relative to the first frame. This horizontal displacement causes the third frame to pivot as a result of one or more pivoting arms translating the horizontal movement to pivotal movement. The dump trailer can be configured to provide a dumping action by either forward or rearward horizontal displacement of the second frame relative to the first frame.

Abstract: An articulated cart includes a chassis, a bed pivotably coupled to the chassis, a set of front wheels operably coupled to the chassis, and a set of rear wheels operably coupled to the bed. A method of manufacturing an articulated cart and of dumping an articulated cart are further included.

Abstract: An apparatus connects a dump bed to a frame structure of a vehicle and facilitates tipping of the dump bed in a selected one of a plurality of directions from a load carrying position. The apparatus includes a ball joint assembly. The ball joint assembly is configured to selectively facilitate tipping of the dump bed as directed by an actuator. Vehicles including a ball joint assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A dumping cart having an article retaining bed, a first set of wheels, a second set of wheels and a chassis. The first set of wheels is operably attached to the article retaining bed. The second set of wheels is operably attached to the chassis. The chassis is pivotally attached to the article retaining bed intermediate the first set of wheels and the second set of wheels.

Abstract: A container for disposing of waste concrete provides a pivoting front wall assembly such that lifting the container by the front wall assembly breaks the bond between hardened concrete and the container facilitating removal of the waste concrete.

Abstract: A trailer, having the capability of lowering its deck to the ground surface for ease of loading and unloading from the ground; raising its deck to a loading dock height for ease of loading and unloading from a loading dock or other elevated surface; and tilting its deck for dumping is disclosed. The deck is maintained in a transport position for travel. All the changes in position may be effected by a single actuator. Rollers, affixed to a rail affixed to the deck roll inside C-channels affixed to the frame arranged at a diagonal to the vertical when raising or lowering.

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.

Abstract: A dumping cart having an article retaining bed, a chassis, a front set of wheels, a rear set of wheels, and a mechanism for pulling. The article retaining bed has a front end, a rear end, a pair of sides that each extend between the front end and the rear end. The front set of wheels is operably attached to the chassis. The rear set of wheels is operably attached to the article retaining bed proximal to the rear end. The mechanism for pulling the dumping cart is operably attached to at least one of the article retaining bed and the chassis. The chassis is pivotally attached to the article retaining bed intermediate the front set of wheels and the rear set of wheels.

Abstract: A tipping trailer having forward and rear ends and a longitudinal axis and including a trailer bed (14), longitudinally spaced wheel assemblies (16,17) for supporting the rear end of the trailer bed (14), pivotally mounted arm element (19) coupling the trailer bed (14) to the longitudinally spaced wheel assemblies (16,17), the arm element (19) has a rearward pivotal connection (21) and a forward pivotal connection (20) such that as the trailer bed (14) is tipped the longitudinally spaced wheel assemblies (16,17) remain in ground contact during tipping of the trailer bed (14) with the load distributed evenly across the longitudinally spaced wheel assemblies (16,17).

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.

Abstract: A pivot mounting assembly (10) allows a standard tipping truck (1) to easily transport material for example earth moving machinery (20). The assembly (10) comprises a lever arm (11) between the chassis (2) and body (3) which can be pivoted by a ram (15) to cause the body (3) to rest on the ground (6).

Abstract: A frame configuration that is particularly adaptable for use on a trailer such that the frame configuration is operable in both a tilt mode of operation and a dump mode of operation. An actuating mechanism includes a linear actuator that is supported on the frame by a bracket and a yoke that connects to a load bed to power the vertical movement of the load bed in both tilt and dump functions. The linear actuator is pivotally mounted to permit a re-positioning of the actuator into an inoperative position. The frame configuration is provided with an articulated tilt frame in which the tongue is pivoted thereto allowing the load bed to pivot about a tilt axis which can coincide with the wheel axis of the trailer. The bed frame can be locked to the tilt frame for tilting upon articulation with the tongue, while a disconnection of the bed frame from the tilt frame enables the bed frame to pivot about the dump axis to provide a dump function in addition to the tilt function.

Abstract: A side dump body truck or trailer comprising a body pivotally mounted on a wheeled frame and fashioned so as to enable the material within the trailer body to be dumped from either side of the trailer. The body is constructed of rear, intermediate and front bulkheads having bottom wall and side wall portions in abutting relationship therewith and being welded thereto. The front and rear bulkheads are preferably angled upwardly and outwardly so as to increase the carrying capacity of the body. The bottom of the body is preferably V-shaped to increase the carrying capacity of the body.

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

Abstract: A frame configuration that is particularly adaptable for use on a trailer such that the frame configuration is operable in both a tilt mode of operation and a dump mode of operation. An actuating mechanism includes a linear actuator that is supported on the frame by a bracket and a yoke that connects to a load bed to power the vertical movement of the load bed in both tilt and dump functions. The linear actuator is pivotally mounted to permit a re-positioning of the actuator into an inoperative position. The frame configuration is provided with an articulated tilt frame in which the tongue is pivoted thereto allowing the load bed to pivot about a tilt axis which can coincide with the wheel axis of the trailer. The bed frame can be locked to the tilt frame for tilting upon articulation with the tongue, while a disconnection of the bed frame from the tilt frame enables the bed frame to pivot about the dump axis to provide a dump function in addition to the tilt function.