Abstract:
In order to allow a truck with the ability to distribute sand to a roadway, while also having the ability to tow accessories, a uniquely configured sander body is provided. The sander body is uniquely adapted for attachment to the truck tailgate, and specifically sized so that it does not interfere with the towing mechanisms of the truck. Further, sander body is also uniquely configured to have a sand distribution chamber, with a removable rear wall, thus allowing easy access for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Certain parts of the world routinely deal with snow and ice covering the roadways. Within these regions plowing/sanding trucks are typically utilized to clear roadways and deposit sand (or other abrasive materials) which helps to provide additional traction for drivers. In certain situations, it is necessary to use these plowing/sanding trucks for additional purposes. One particularly troublesome current situation is where the truck must be capable of plowing and sanding operations, but must also tow a trailer of some type. This is troublesome since the trailer often interferes with the equipment needed to carry out sanding operations. 
     The removal of snow and ice from roadways is itself often a challenging task. The failure to effectively remove snow and ice creates very hazardous driving conditions, which can ultimately result in accidents and fatalities. Even when a majority of the snow has been removed, any remaining snow or ice creates a hazard. Snowplows are typically equipped with sanding equipment to further minimize this hazard. Consequently, these snowplows have the ability to simultaneously remove snow, and to apply sand, salt or a sand/salt combination to the roadway. Sand alone will help to provide traction, while the application of salt or a salt mixture will promote melting of ice and snow. 
     Salting and sanding mechanisms have existed for years and typically include a spreader mechanism for distributing sand (and/or salt). Typical spreaders involve a rotational disk which is spun in a desired directed of rotation. Sand or sand salt mixture is then delivered to this spinning disk, which will cast the mixture over a desired area. These delivery mechanisms are typically attached to the rear portion of the sanding truck and will cause the granular material to be spread behind the plowing truck as it progresses along the roadway. Alternatively, a slide chute may be used, which allows sand or other material to simply slide down a sloped surface and be distributed onto the roadway. 
     As can be imagined, the sanding mechanisms are typically somewhat sizable due to the physical demands and functions carried out. In addition, these mechanisms take up considerable amount of space and typically interfere with the other truck features. Most specifically, these sanding mechanisms typically interfere with hitches and other towing implements. Consequently, the truck itself becomes one dimensional and cannot be used for other functions. 
     In an effort to more efficiently clear snow and debris from roadways, some plow trucks are also being equipped with towable auxiliary blades. These auxiliary blades can be swung outwardly extending beyond the typical path of the truck itself. In one example, the truck can be driven along a first lane of a highway, while the towable plow blade can extend into a adjacent lane. Similarly, the towable plow may extend onto an adjacent shoulder portion of a highway. In this particular configuration, a single truck can be utilized to clear multiple lanes or multiple portions of the highway itself. By making one path or trip down the highway, multiple lanes are cleared, thus eliminating the need for multiple passes by one truck, or the use of multiple trucks. Naturally, this increases efficiency and reduces cost. 
     To allow for these towable auxiliary plow blades to be used, a necessary amount of clearance is required. Due to this need for appropriate clearance, sanding mechanisms have not typically been used along with these towable blades. Sanding mechanism require the use of material transfer structures, which are most conveniently located at the rear of the truck. Consequently, these sanding mechanisms typically overlap or cover the hitch mechanisms that exist. There is thus a need for alternative sand handling structures which also allow for towing mechanisms to be used. 
     SUMMARY 
     To provide a sanding truck with the ability to plow, sand, and tow accessories (including towing a supplemental tow plow) a uniquely configured sander body is provided. This particular accessory is uniquely configured to be easily attached, while also providing the truck with the ability to distribute sand and avoiding any interference with the towing capabilities of the vehicle. The sander body is attachable to the truck tailgate, in a manner that allows the tailgate/sander body unit to swing or rotate in a well understood manner. Further, the sander body provides a material movement mechanism, allowing sand or a granular mixture to be easily moved towards a delivery location. In addition, the sander body itself is uniquely configured to allow easy cleanout and access to the body interior in an efficient manner. Lastly, the sander body is designed so that it also does not occupying space needed at the rear of the truck to accommodate towing operations. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain features of the disclosed devices will be further apparent from the consideration of the following drawings in conjunction with the specification, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a first side view of the sander body apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a second side view of the sander body attachment, showing removable rear wall in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the sander body; and 
         FIG. 4  is the rear view of a sanding truck, illustrating the sander body attachment coupled thereto. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In order to allow a typical dump truck to be used for multiple purposes and specifically to simultaneously accommodate plowing, sanding and towing, the mechanisms shown in the figures and discussed below carefully manage the space and dimensions behind a typical dump truck. More specifically, a sander body is configured and oriented to be easily attached to typical dump trucks in a manner which allows sanding material to be easily handled and distributed to appropriate locations, while also staying clear of towing structures. 
     Referring now to the figures, a sander body attachment  10  includes a main body portion  20  and a pair of attachment sidewalls  30  and  40 . The attachment sidewalls  30  and  40  are configured to substantially surround and attach to the tailgate portion  110  of a dump truck  100 . (Dump Truck  100  is illustrated in dashed lines in  FIG. 4  to show sander body attachment  10  in context.) Once attached, the main body portion  20  will be positioned between the tailgate  110  (which is now extended a slight distance away from the truck box) and a lower floor surface of the truck box itself. In this position, sanding material such as sand or sand/salt mixtures can be easily transferred from the truck box to an open upper portion  50  of the main body portion  20 . An auger  60  within main body portion  20  can then transfer sanding material to a delivery location  22 . Naturally, alternative mechanisms can be used to transfer or move material to delivery location  22 , such as conveyors or movable paddles. Most importantly, the positioning and handling methodology for sander body attachment  10  takes up very little space at the rear of the dump truck  100 , thus allowing towing hitches and towing mechanisms  120  to be easily accessible. Based on this configuration, the truck  100  can thus be utilized for both sanding operations, and towing functions. 
     As mentioned, main body portion  20  is designed to contain an auger  60 . To further accommodate efficient operation, a pair of auger guards  62  and  64 , exist to shield the portion of the auger  60  that is directly over the delivery location  22 . The pair of auger guards  62  and  64  will prevent sand or a sand/salt mixture from falling directly out of an opening which exists at delivery location  22 . In addition, the pair of auger guards  62  and  64  help to avoid excess pressure on the auger, and generally promote more efficient operation. It will be understood that auger  60  can be driven by many different drive sources (not shown in the figures), such as an electric motor, hydraulic motor, or some other drive system. In the embodiment illustrated, this drive source could be attached to sidewall  30  at a mounting location  68 . 
     As mentioned above, the sander body  10  is positioned between the tailgate  110  and the box of the dump truck itself. Structures on the sander body  10  allow it to be releasably coupled to the truck box/tailgate  110 , in a manner which also allows tailgate  110  to continue operating in a typical manner. Stated differently, this attachment methodology allows the entire structure to be swung outwardly away from the truck box, when the truck box needs to be cleaned and/or emptied. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , first sidewall  30  includes a hole or aperture  34  along an outer portion thereof, while second sidewall  40  also includes a similar aperture  44 . Each of these features are specifically designed to cooperate with structures on a tailgate  110  when sander body attachment  10  is attached thereto. As is well known, tailgate  110  will attach to the truck at a pair of hinge points  112  (See,  FIG. 4 ). Hinge points  112  are commonly configured as pins or rods, allow tailgate  110  to easily swing or rotate upwardly/outwardly when the box of the dump truck is raised. 
     Tailgate  110  also includes a pair of holes or apertures along a sidewall thereof (not shown). These sidewall holes are added to the tailgate to accommodate attachment of sander body  10 . First aperture  34  and second aperture  44  within the sidewalls ( 30  and  40 ) are specifically positioned to be aligned with the tailgate apertures. In this manner, a first pin  114  and a second pin  116  can be positioned within both apertures, to secure sander body attachment  10  to tailgate  110 . 
     As recognized by those familiar with sanding trucks, the tailgate  110  will typically include a locking mechanism to keep the tailgate in a closed position until it is desired to dump material from the box. This locking mechanism generally includes pins attached to tailgate  110 , and a coupling mechanism attached to adjacent walls of the dump truck. In order to hold the tailgate in place, the coupling mechanism will capture these pins, thus securely holding the tailgate  110  in position. In order to accommodate similar functions, sander body attachment  10  also includes a pair of pins  36  and  46  positioned at a lower portion of first sidewall  30  and second sidewall  40 , respectively. These pins are positioned to cooperate with the dump truck coupling mechanism in exactly the same way similar pins (which are attached to tailgate  110 ) are captured. In this manner, the same swinging/dumping operation can be achieved for the dump truck itself, even when sander body attachment  10  is mounted thereon. 
     To further couple the sander body attachment  10  to tailgate  110 , first sidewall  30  includes another aperture or slot  34  which is specifically designed to surround the locking pins which currently exist on tailgate  110 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , the tailgate pin can be inserted into aperture  34  and the closure of a removable rear wall  90  will capture or hold the tailgate pin in place. 
     As mentioned above, aperture  34  is specifically designed to capture the tailgate pin. Again, this is made possible due to the design of the removable rear wall  90 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , sidewall  30  includes a receiving hook  38 , which forms receiving slot  39 . Removable rear wall  90  includes a pair of cooperating extensions  91  and  92  at upper and outer edges thereof. As will be appreciated, extensions  91  and  92  can be easily dropped into receiving slots  39  and  49  to rotatably hold removable rear wall  90 . As further illustrated, removable rear wall  90  is rotatable about the axis formed by extensions  91  and  92 . In  FIGS. 1 and 3 , removable rear wall  90  is rotated to a closed or captured position, thus creating an enclosed chamber for sander body  10 . Removable rear wall  90  can also be rotated to an open position, as best illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     Removable rear wall  90  also includes a first connection structure  94  and a second connection structure  96 . As further discussed below, first connection structure  94  and second connection structure  96  are specifically configured to cooperate with a first locking handle  104  and a second locking handle  106 . By having a removable rear wall  90  which is rotatable in the manner described above, operators can easily open the chamber formed within sander body  10  at any point in time, to perform maintenance, cleaning, or dislodge any obstructions that may exist. The rotatable or hinged connection of removable rear wall  90 , along with its overall design, will help to naturally open this component. The orientation illustrated in  FIG. 2  shows the natural hanging orientation of removable rear wall  90 , when unlatched and with the truck box is in its down position. Obviously, tilting the truck box up will cause removable rear wall  90  to swing out further. As will be appreciated, having the removable rear wall  90  hang in this open orientation will more easily accommodate opening by the operator, since lifting or forcing is not necessarily required. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , first locking handle  104  and second locking handle  106  are attached on opposite ends of a rotatable bar  102 . This rotatable bar  102 , coupled with first locking handle  104  and second locking handle  106  allows for a removable rear wall  90  to be captured and held in a closed position when desired. To further accommodate this feature, a holding tab  108  is also attached to rotatable bar  102 . As will be clearly appreciated by those skilled in the art, first locking arm  104  and second locking arm  106  are rotatable between an open position (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and a locking position, shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . When in the locking position, first locking handle  104  is received within first connection structure  94 . A locking pin  114  can then be inserted to capture first locking handle in its locked position. A similar relationship is achieved with second locking handle  106 , second connection structure  96 , and a second locking pin  116 . When in this locked position, holding tab  108  also provides additional holding forces to keep rotatable rear wall  90  in a closed position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the alignment and orientation of multiple components is better illustrated. Most significantly, main body  20  of sander body attachment  10  is shown, being coupled with tailgate  110  as discussed above. Delivery location  22 , in this particular embodiment, is shown at a left hand side of the truck  100 . It is noted that delivery locations could be positioned on the left side, right side or both, using the sander body attachment  10 . By simply configuring appropriate opening, along with an appropriately configured auger these changes are easily accommodated. Positioned below delivery location  22  is a deliver mechanism  80 . This particular embodiment, delivery mechanism  80  is configured as a slide chute  80 , which is specifically designed to allow sand, or whatever material is being distributed, to slide down a sloped surface and be dropped upon the desired locations of the roadway. Naturally, several other distribution mechanisms could be utilized. 
     Most significantly,  FIG. 4  illustrates how hitch mechanism  120 , positioned at a central location, is a significant distance away from delivery mechanism  80 . In this manner, the towing functions of the dump truck itself can continue to be utilized, even when sanding operations are contemplated. Further, sander body attachment  10  is held a meaningful distance above the hitch mechanism  120 , to further avoid interference. Due to this spacing and orientation, sander body attachment  10  will not interfere with the towing capabilities of the dump truck, even when the truck box is tilted to an extended operational height. In fact, the sander body attachment  10  is specifically designed to avoid interference even when the truck box is elevated to its normal working height, or any height expected to be used when trailers or accessories are attached. Again, this capability is achieved by having sander body attachment  10  be configured and sized to avoid interference and to efficiently use space behind the dump truck. As generally discussed above, this accommodates additional functionality, including the specific use of towed plow implements. 
     Reference may be made throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “embodiments,” “an aspect,” or “aspects” meaning that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, usage of such phrases may refer to more than just one embodiment or aspect. In addition, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, reference to a single item may mean a single item or a plurality of items, just as reference to a plurality of items may mean a single item. Moreover, use of the term “and” when incorporated into a list is intended to imply that all the elements of the list, a single item of the list, or any combination of items in the list has been contemplated. 
     The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, after reading this disclosure, that various modifications and changes may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.