Patent ID: 6814532
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
A bottom-discharge trailer, comprising:a wheeled frame connectable at a front end to a tractor, the wheeled frame extending along a primary axis; a container mounted to the frame for retaining material therein, the container being defined by a bottom and sidewall, the bottom having at least one closable discharge opening and the sidewall having a rear face; a discharge conveyor unit, the discharge conveyor having a forward section connected to the frame and a rear section, hingeably connected to the forward section; and a bottom conveyor unit mounted to the frame under the container and parallel to the primary axis, positioned to receive the material discharged from the at least one discharge opening and transport the material for deposit on the discharge conveyor unit; the discharge conveyor unit being configurable between: a working position in which the forward section and the rear section are substantially contiguous and extend angularly upward in a rearward direction whereby the material is lifted by the discharge conveyor unit to a predetermined height above the bottom of the body and a predetermined distance beyond the rear face of the container, and a transport position in which the rear section is folded substantially vertically downward, whereby the back end of the discharge conveyor unit does not extend substantially beyond the rear face of the container; and the frame having a recess formed in a rear face sized to accommodate the rear section of the discharge conveyor unit when the discharge conveyor unit is in the transport position, whereby a surface of the back end of the discharge conveyor unit is substantially flush with the back end of the frame.