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US 11,173,822 B2Granted
Safety latch for a dump body
AssigneeIdeal Latch Systems, L.L.C.
InventorJeffery Blair Shoopman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Safety latch includes an active member having a support; a thrust pin actuator with a movable thrust pin actuator element movable to and fro along an axis; a thrust pin having a proximate end attachable to the movable thrust pin actuator element such that the thrust pin can be moved to and fro along the axis with movement of the movable thrust pin actuator element, and a distal end; and a biasing element to bias the thrust pin in an extended position. Passive member includes a catch with a thrust pin receiving hole. When assembled, and the movable thrust pin actuator element is slid to and fro, at least the distal end of the thrust pin can penetrate into or be withdrawn from the thrust pin receiving hole to close or open the safety latch. It can be attached to a dump body, say, as part of a dump vehicle.
Claims22
A combination comprising a secondary safety latch for a dump body having a dump gate;
- and the dump body having the dump gate, to which the secondary safety latch is attached, wherein:
- the secondary safety latch comprises the following assembled components (A, B):
- (A) an active member, which includes a support, and the following items (A′, B′, C′, D′):
- (A′) a thrust pin actuator, which has a movable thrust pin actuator element that is able to be moved to and fro along an axis in which motion can ensue through non-manually applied force;
- (B′) a thrust pin having proximate and distal ends, with the proximate end attachable to the movable thrust pin actuator element such that the thrust pin is able to be moved to and fro along the axis in which the motion of the thrust pin actuator can ensue through non-manually applied force with movement of the movable thrust pin actuator element;
- (C′) a biasing element to bias the thrust pin in an extended position;
- and
- (D′) a manual opening shaft connectable to the thrust pin such that the thrust pin can be manually retracted to open the secondary safety latch;
- and
- (B) a passive member, which includes a catch having a thrust pin receiving hole such that—when the active member is assembled, and the movable thrust pin actuator element is slid to and fro—at least the distal end of the thrust pin can penetrate into or be withdrawn from the thrust pin receiving hole so as to close or open the secondary safety latch;
- the dump body having the dump gate has a bottom structure for supporting and containing a load above it;
- and vertical structure for restraining and containing the load laterally, a first portion of which includes the dump gate, which is pivotable about a pivot and securable in a closed position by at least one primary latch spaced apart from the pivot, and a second portion of which is able to be rendered stationary with respect to the dump gate;
- and
- the secondary safety latch attached to the dump body has its active member attached to the dump gate, and has its passive member attached to the portion of the vertical structure rendered stationary with respect to the dump gate.
11 more elements
A safety latch for a dump body having a dump gate, which comprises the following (A, B):
- (A) an active member, which includes a support, and the following (A′, B′, C′):
- (A′) a thrust pin actuator, which has a movable thrust pin actuator element that is able to be moved to and fro along an axis in which motion can ensue through non-manually applied force;
- (B′) a thrust pin having proximate and distal ends, with the proximate end attachable to the movable thrust pin actuator element such that the thrust pin is able to be moved to and fro along the axis in which the motion of the thrust pin actuator can ensue through non-manually applied force with movement of the movable thrust pin actuator element;
- and
- (C′) a biasing element to bias the thrust pin in an extended position;
- and
- (B) a passive member, which includes a catch having a thrust pin receiving hole such that—when the active member is assembled, and the movable thrust pin actuator element is slid to and fro—at least the distal end of the thrust pin can penetrate into or be withdrawn from the thrust pin receiving hole so as to close or open the safety latch;
- wherein the support is in a form of a housing that provides a channel that is open for access for or to the thrust pin actuator, the thrust pin, and the biasing element for assembly, or, after assembly, for manipulation, repair or replacement;
- the thrust pin actuator is in a form of a thrust pin actuator assembly, which includes a substantially fluid-tight container having a hollow volume, at least one interior wall spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the axis in which the motion of the thrust pin actuator can ensue through non-manually applied force with movement of the moveable thrust pin actuator element, with the movable thrust pin actuator element including a piston, which has lateral boundaries that conform closely to the at least one interior wall such that, when the piston is positioned in the hollow volume, the piston can be slid to and fro along the direction of the axis in which the motion of the thrust pin actuator can ensue through non-manually applied force with movement of the moveable thrust pin actuator element, when, as the non-manually applied force a fluid is provided into or withdrawn from the hollow volume at sufficient pressure to cause the piston to slide;
- the thrust pin includes or is an elongate member in a form of a rod;
- and the biasing element includes or is a spring.
8 more elements
A combination comprising a secondary safety latch for a dump body having a top-pivoting dump gate and a primary latch;
- and said dump body, to which the secondary safety latch is attached, wherein the secondary safety latch comprises the following components (A, B):
- (A) an active member, which includes a support, and the following (A′, B′, C′):
- (A′) a thrust pin actuator, which has a movable thrust pin actuator element that is able to be moved to and fro along an axis in which motion can ensue through non-manually applied force;
- (B′) a thrust pin having proximate and distal ends, with the proximate end attachable to the movable thrust pin actuator element such that the thrust pin is able to be moved to and fro along the axis in which the motion of the thrust pin actuator can ensue through non-manually applied force with movement of the movable thrust pin actuator element;
- and
- (C′) a biasing element to bias the thrust pin in an extended position;
- and
- (B) a passive member, which includes a catch having a thrust pin receiving hole such that, when the active member is assembled and the movable thrust pin actuator element is slid to and fro, at least the distal end of the thrust pin can penetrate into or be withdrawn from the thrust pin receiving hole so as to close or open the secondary safety latch.
5 more elements
A safety latch for a dump body having a dump gate, which comprises the following (A, B):
- (A) an active member, which includes a support, and the following (A′, B′, C′):
- (A′) a thrust pin actuator, which has a movable thrust pin actuator element that is able to be moved to and fro along an axis in which motion can ensue through non-manually applied force;
- (B′) a thrust pin having proximate and distal ends, with the proximate end attachable to the movable thrust pin actuator element such that the thrust pin is able to be moved to and fro along the axis in which the motion of the thrust pin actuator can ensue through non-manually applied force with movement of the movable thrust pin actuator element;
- and
- (C′) a biasing element to bias the thrust pin in an extended position;
- and
- (B) a passive member, which includes a catch having a thrust pin receiving hole such that, when the active member is assembled and the movable thrust pin actuator element is slid to and fro, at least the distal end of the thrust pin can penetrate into or be withdrawn from the thrust pin receiving hole so as to close or open the safety latch.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.