# US 4,394,105 A · Tipping trailer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,394,105 A - Document ID: US4394105A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/254,011 - Filed: 1981-04-13 - Granted: 1983-07-19 - Earliest claimed: 1981-04-13 - Inventors: Gordon B. Mitchell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4394105A ## CPC - B60P 1/08: with relative displacement of the wheel axles - B62D 63/062: {Trailers with one axle or two wheels (semi-trailers B62D53/06)} - B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract This invention provides a tipping trailer where the trailer frame is pivotably connected to a hopper for the trailer. Upon release of a lock the hopper may tilt on its pivot with the frame such that a portion thereof makes contact with the surface below and on reversal of the trailer the hopper will tilt and roll back until it is up-ended. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tipping trailer comprising a hopper having a base, side, front and rear walls, a pair of trailer wheels mounted to said base arranged to support the hopper from a ground surface during towing, a frame comprising a pair of substantially parallel side arms each being pivotably connected to the sides of the hopper at a point above the trailer wheels and a forward portion connecting the side arms and having a trailer coupling fixed at or near the leading end thereof by which the trailer can be connected to a towing vehicle, and locking means arranged to secure the hopper with respect to the frame during towing, wherein the side walls of the hopper are a matching pair, each having a first curved edge portion extending from the base forming a pair of skids for the hopper, the arrangement being such that upon release of the locking means the hopper and the trailer wheels may tilt about the pivotal connections between the side arms and the sides of the hopper such that an edge of the skids adjacent the base makes contact with the surface below and on reversal of the trailer the hopper and wheels revolve, the hopper rolls back on the curved skids, and the wheels pass upwards between the side arms whereby the hopper is upended. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A tipping trailer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rear wall of the hopper slopes downwardly and inwardly relative to the base and the top edge of the rear wall of the hopper is lower than the top edge of the front wall of the hopper. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A tipping trailer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the forward portion of the hopper is a tapered frame which includes a cross-brace between the side arms positioned immediately forward of the front wall of the hopper, said cross-brace mounting the locking means for securing the hopper to the frame during towing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A tipping trailer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the side walls mount a pair of guards which extend over the wheels of the trailer, each of the guards being pivotably connected to the side arms. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A tipping trailer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lid for covering an opening in the hopper, said lid comprising a support means pivotably fixed to the frame said support means supporting a pair of arcuate forks arranged to extend over the opening in the hopper, the arrangement being such that the lid is capable of tilting to an open position as the trailer is upended.