Chainless gate system
OwnerMitchell Morleyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for controlling a dump truck's tailgate opening may be used when dumping materials out in piles or spreading. The system has a mechanically controlled device that can be mounted to a conventional dump box. A connecting arm is attached to a tailgate which interconnects with a control unit mounted on the dump box. The control unit is configured to catch the tailgate as it falls from a closed position due to the force of gravity. The system allows an operator to select, from within the truck's cab, one or more opening positions for the tailgate.
Claims34
An apparatus for metered pouring of material from a truck, comprising:
- a dump box including a wall and a tailgate pivotally connected to the wall;
- a first latch engaged with a lower end of the tailgate;
- and
- a second latch including at least a first member and a second member;
- a selector device having a first and second selection;
- and
- a coupling between the selector device and the second latch such that when the first selection is selected, the first member is engaged and when the second selection is selected, the second member is engaged;
- wherein when the first latch is released and the first selection is selected, the tailgate rotates to a first open position and is held in the first open position by the first member, and when the first latch is released and the second selection is selected, the tailgate rotates to a second open position and is held in the second open position by the second member.
A method for pouring material, comprising the steps of:
- lifting a dump box into an inclined position, the dump box having a wall, a gate pivotally connected to the wall and a latch engaged with the gate to prevent rotation of the gate about the wall;
- selecting one of a plurality of selectable gate opening positions, the one opening position being suitable for pouring material from the dump box;
- remotely activating a stopping member that corresponds to the one opening position;
- and
- after the gate is released, letting the gate freely fall about the wall until it reaches the one opening position;
- and
- holding the gate at the one opening position by the activated stopping member.
An apparatus for controlling the movement of a tailgate, the tailgate being pivotally mounted to a dump box at an upper end thereof, comprising:
- a first latch disposed on the dump box and configured to engage a lower end of the tailgate;
- a second latch, comprising:
- a first portion mounted on the tailgate,
- a second portion disposed on the dump box and defining a passage for the first portion when the tailgate rotates,
- a member disposed near the passage, and
- a control device adapted to configure the member between a first and second position, the second position corresponding to at least a portion of the member being within the passage;
- wherein when the member is in the first position, the tailgate can freely rotate within a first angular range and when the member is in the second position, the tailgate can freely rotate within a second angular range, the first angular range being greater than the second angular range.
A method for metered pouring of material from a dump truck, the dump truck having a cab, comprising the steps of:
- lifting a dump box into an inclined position, the dump box having a wall, a tailgate pivotally connected to the wall and a latch engaged with the tailgate to prevent rotation of the tailgate about the wall;
- actuating a stopping member from within the cab;
- opening the latch, whereupon the tailgate falls;
- and
- catching the falling tailgate with the stopping member.
An apparatus for metered pouring of material, comprising:
- a dump box including a tailgate pivotally mounted to the dump box;
- a latch mounted to the dump box and configured for selective engagement with the tailgate;
- and
- an actuator powered by pressurized air and coupled to the latch such that the air powered actuator may selectively position the latch between a first position for engagement with the tailgate at a first tailgate opening position and a second position for engagement with the tailgate at a second tailgate opening position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.