Patent ID: 7530777
Filing Date: 2009-05-12
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
1. A vehicle for dispensing material comprising: a hopper having an elongated trough and an access opening; a conveyor mechanism disposed in the trough such that it is accessible through the access opening; a hydraulic drive mounted to the hopper and hydraulically connectable to the conveyor mechanism via a hydraulic line; a cover movably mounted to the hopper such that the cover is movable between a closed position wherein the cover seals the access opening of the hopper and an open position wherein the cover is disposed to allow access to the conveyor mechanism through the access opening; an interlock system for preventing access to the conveyor mechanism when the hydraulic drive is hydraulically connected to the conveyor mechanism, the interlock system comprising a lever and a hydraulic access port, the lever movable between a first position wherein the lever prevents the cover from moving to the open position and a second position wherein the lever is disposed such that the cover is movable to the open position, the hydraulic access port engageable with the hydraulic line to hydraulically connect the hydraulic drive and the conveyor mechanism, the lever and the hydraulic access port arranged with respect to each other such that, when the lever is in the first position, the hydraulic line is connectable to the hydraulic access port and such that, when the lever is in the second position, the lever covers the hydraulic access port such that the hydraulic line is not engageable with the hydraulic access port thereby preventing the hydraulic line from hydraulically connecting the hydraulic drive and the conveyor mechanism, and wherein, to move the lever from the first position to the second position, the hydraulic line is disengaged from the hydraulic access port; wherein the lever is an elongated member including a first end and a second end, the second end of the lever blocking the access port when the lever is in the second position; and wherein the lever is mounted by a pivot disposed between the first and second ends and is rotatable between the first position and the second position.