Load carrying body and ejector arrangement

A load carrying body has an ejector slidably disposed for movement between first and second end portions of the load carrying body. The load carrying body has a "v" shaped floor and the ejector has a "v" shaped bottom. The ejector has a first angled portion disposed at a preselected included first angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the load carrying body. The second end portion of the load carrying body has an angled end portion at substantially the same angle as the included first angle to facilitate complete ejection. A jack pulls the ejector between the first and second end portions.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates to a machine having a load carrying body and more 
particularly to a load carrying machine having a load ejector disposed in 
the load carrying body and longitudinally movable to substantially 
completely eject a load from the load carrying body. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Load carrying machines such as those used for transporting a loose load, 
for example, soil, rocks, gravel, garbage and the like form one location 
to another have a load carrying body for carrying the load. In some load 
carrying machines an ejector is provided for pushing the load from the 
load carrying body rather than dumping the load by tipping the load 
carrying body. 
Load carrying machines with ejectors are suited for use in different 
applications for different reasons. Load carrying machines with ejectors 
are frequently utilized in applications where completeness of unloading is 
desired. Ejectors are often used in applications where the load being 
carried tends to stick to the load carrying body or otherwise resist 
unloading by traditional dumping methods. Ejectors are also useful in 
applications where the accuracy of load placement and load spreading is an 
issue. Load carrying machines with an ejector are also desirable in mining 
applications where over head clearance is limited and a pivotal tipping 
dump body is not feasible for use. 
Ejectors for use in load carrying machine applications are often guided for 
controlled movement within the load carrying body by guide mechanisms, or 
example, rollers and trackways. In addition to guiding the ejector, the 
guide mechanism also serves to maintain the ejector from undesirable 
movement within the load carrying body, for example, cocking and lifting. 
The forces of cocking and lifting applied to the guide rollers and 
trackways tend to increase the force required to move the ejector and 
results in premature guide mechanism failure. The guide mechanism is also 
exposed to the material carried in the load carrying body which tends to 
wear the guide mechanism prematurely. This wear results in early life 
failure and down time of the load carrying machine. The guide mechanism 
also occupies space and reduces the effective load carrying capacity of 
the load carrying body. In operation the trackways and rollers are 
subjected to side thrust and It would be advantageous to be able to 
eliminate the guide mechanism. 
The ejector is normally connected to a mechanism which moves the ejector 
along the trackways. The mechanism is located between the ejector and the 
load carrying body on a side of the ejector opposite a load side of the 
ejector. The space required to house the mechanism is substantial and 
significantly reduces the load carrying capacity of the load carrying 
body. The space is partially increased because the size of the mechanism 
powering the ejector is designed to handle the forces caused by side 
loading and lifting. A reduction in this wasted space would provide a 
beneficial improvement over prior ejector arrangements. 
It would be advantageous to be able to pull the ejector during movement of 
the ejector between first and second longitudinally spaced end portions of 
the load carrying body. This pulling action would promote self tracking of 
the ejector and eliminate the need for a guide mechanism, such as 
described above. 
It would also be advantageous to be able to utilize the forces of the load 
on the ejector to maintain the ejector at a desired position relative to 
the floor of the load carrying body and eliminate the need for the guide 
mechanism to keep the ejector from lifting. 
It would be beneficial to be able to lower the center of gravity of the 
load carrying body and at the same time increase the load carrying 
capacity thereof. 
It would also be advantageous to provide an ejector that was capable of 
substantially completely ejecting all of the load from the load carrying 
body in a simple and efficient manner. 
The subject invention is directed to overcome one or more of the problems 
set forth above. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
In one aspect of the present invention, a load carrying machine has a load 
carrying body, an ejector and a jack. The load carrying body has a 
longitudinal axis, a first longitudinally extending side wall, a second 
longitudinally extending side wall spaced from the first longitudinally 
extending side wall, a floor connected to and extending between the first 
and second longitudinally extending side walls, a first end portion, and a 
second end portion longitudinally spaced from the first end portion. The 
ejector has a first side member, a second side member spaced from the 
first side member, a bottom member connected to said first and second side 
members, and a load pushing member connected to the bottom member and 
connected to and between the first and second side members. The ejector is 
disposed between the first and second side walls of the load carrying 
body, slidably supported by the floor, and moveable between the first and 
second end portions of the load carrying body. The jack is connected to 
the ejector and to the second end portion of the load carrying body. The 
jack is telescopically movable and the ejector is movable between the 
first and second end portions of the load carrying body in response to 
telescopic movement of said jack. The floor has an angled portion located 
at the second end portion of the load carrying body. The load pushing 
member has a first angled portion. The first angled portion of the load 
pushing member and the angled portion of the floor at the second end 
portion of the load carrying body are each at a predetermined angle 
relative to the longitudinal axis of the load carrying body of 
substantially the same magnitude. 
In another aspect of the present invention, a load carrying machine has a 
load carrying body, an ejector and a jack. The load carrying body has a 
longitudinal axis, a first longitudinally extending side wall, a second 
longitudinally extending side wall spaced from the first longitudinally 
extending side wall, a floor connected to and extending between the first 
and second longitudinally extending side walls, a first end portion, and a 
second end portion longitudinally spaced from said first end portion. The 
ejector has a center of gravity, a first side member, a second side member 
spaced from the first side member, a bottom member connected to the first 
and second side members, and a load pushing member connected to the bottom 
member and connected to and between the first and second side members. The 
ejector is disposed between the first and second side walls of the load 
carrying body, slidably supported by the floor, and moveable between the 
first and second end portions of the load carrying body. The load pushing 
member has a first angled portion and a second angled portion. The first 
angled portion is connected to and between the second angled portion, the 
first and second side members, and the bottom member. The jack has a 
longitudinal jack axis and is connected to the load pushing member and to 
a first end portion of the load carrying body. The longitudinal jack axis 
passes substantially through the center of gravity and is telescopically 
movable to move the ejector along the floor between the first and second 
end portions of the load carrying body.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
With reference to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, load carrying 
machine 10, shown as an articulated steered truck, has a tractor portion 
12 and a load carrying portion 14 pivotally connected to the tractor 
portion 12. The load carrying portion 14 has a frame 16 and a load 
carrying body 18 connected to the frame 16. The load carrying portion 14 
and the tractor portion 12 have a plurality of ground engaging wheels 20 
for traversing an underlying terrain. The tractor portion 12 has a prime 
mover (not shown) operatively connected to one or more of the wheels for 
propelling the load carrying machine over the underlying terrain. 
As best seen in FIGS. 1-2 and 5-6, the load carrying body 18 has a 
longitudinal axis 22, a first longitudinally extending side wall 24, a 
second longitudinally extending side wall 26 spaced from the first 
longitudinally extending side wall 24, a floor 28 connected to and 
extending between the first and second longitudinally extending side walls 
24,26, a first end portion 30, and a second end portion 32 longitudinally 
spaced from said first end portion 30. The above connections are made in 
any suitable manner, for example, by welding. 
As shown in FIG. 1, the load carrying body 18 has a tailgate 34 pivotally 
connected to the first and second side walls 24,26 at the second end 
portion 32 and a fluid operated jack connected to the tailgate 34 and the 
load carrying body 18. The fluid operated jack 46 is selectively 
actuatable for pivotally moving the tailgate 34 between open and closed 
positions relative to the second end portion of the load carrying body 18. 
Such construction and operation is well known in the art and will 
therefore not be discussed in any greater detail. 
The body has a fabricated end wall 36 connected to the first and second 
side walls 24,26, in any suitable manner. The end wall 36 is located at 
the first end portion 30, for example, shown as the forward end of the 
load carrying body 18 and provides sufficient strength and rigidity to 
maintain the side walls 24,26 preferably parallel and at a predetermined 
spacing. The end wall has openings disposed therein to permit debris to 
pass therethrough. 
Referring to FIGS. 2,6,8,10 and 12, the floor 28 has an angled end portion 
38 at the second end portion 32 of the body 18. The angled end portion 38 
is at a preselected angle "a" (FIG. 10) relative to the to longitudinal 
axis 22. This preselected angle "a" is selected based on soil mechanics 
principles and of a magnitude sufficient to facilitate complete washing of 
the load material during an emptying cycle of the load carrying body 18. 
As best seen in FIG. 6, the floor 28 also has first and second angled floor 
portions 40,42 are connected to each other along a longitudinally 
extending mid-line 44 of the floor 28. The first and second angled floor 
portions, 40,42 extend, respectively, from the mid-line 44 to the first 
and second side walls 24,26, respectively. The first and second angled 
floor portions 40,42 also extend between the first and second end portions 
30,32 of the load carrying body 18. As can be seen, the first and second 
angled floor portions 40,42 define a "v" shape with the apex of the "v" at 
the mid-line 44. Having this "v" configuration maintains a lower center of 
gravity and a larger load carrying capacity. The magnitude of a 
preselected angle "b" of the first angled floor portion 40 and the 
magnitude of a preselected angle "c" of the second angled floor portion 
42, each relative to a horizontal plane, is based on soil mechanics 
principles, load carrying capacity, and other structural load carrying 
machine limitations. The angles "b" and "c" preferably have substantially 
the same magnitude. 
As best seen in FIGS. 2-4, and 6-12, an ejector 48 has a first side member 
50, a second side member 52 spaced from the first side member 50, a bottom 
member 54 connected to the first and second side members 50,52, and a load 
pushing member 56 connected to the bottom member 54 and connected to and 
between the first and second side members 50,52. The ejector 48 is 
disposed between the first and second side walls 24,26 of the load 
carrying body 18, slidably supported by the floor 28, and moveable between 
the first and second end portions 30,32 of the load carrying body 18. The 
load pushing member 56 has a first angled portion 58 and a second angled 
portion 60. The first angled portion 58 is connected to and between the 
second angled portion 60 and the bottom member 54. The first angled 
portion 58 is also connected to and between the first and second side 
members 50,52. The above connections related to the ejector 48 may be made 
in any suitable manner, for example, by welding. 
As best seen in FIG. 10, the first angled portion 58 of the load pushing 
member 56 of ejector 48 is at a first predetermined included angle "d" 
relative to the longitudinal axis 22 (jack axis 76). The magnitude of the 
angle "d" is preferably substantially equal to the magnitude of the angle 
"a" of angled end portion 38 as discussed above. Preferably, the angle "d" 
is at a nominal included angle of about 45 degrees. The second angled 
portion 60 is at a second predetermined included angle "e" relative to the 
longitudinal axis 22 (jack axis 76). The magnitude of angle "e" is 
different than the magnitude of angle "d". The magnitude of the second 
angled portion 60 of the load pushing member 56 is at a nominal included 
angle of about 60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 22. The first 
angle "d" is determined based soil mechanics. That is, where the scouring 
action of a load carried by the load carrying body 18 from the first 
angled portion 58 is maximized and where the load carrying capacity of the 
load carrying body 18 is maximized. The angle "d" is also selected to be 
at an angle normal to a component of maximum force of the load as 
determined by soil mechanics. This force acting against the first angled 
portion 58 is used to maintain ejector 48 in sliding contact with the 
floor 28 during load pushing movement and eliminate the need for massive 
guide ways, rollers and the like. Stated another way, the payload acts in 
a direction substantially normal to the first angled portion 58 and forces 
the ejector against the floor 28 of the load carrying member 18. It should 
be recognized that the second angle "e" is also selected using one or more 
of the above mentioned parameters. 
The bottom member 54 has first and second angled bottom portions 62,64. As 
can be seen, the first and second angled bottom portions 62,64 define a 
"v" shape with the apex of the "v" extending in a longitudinal direction 
relative to the longitudinal extension of the load carrying portion 14. 
The floor 28 guides the ejector 48 for movement between the first and 
second end portions 30,32. This "v" configuration of the ejector 48 
conforms to the "v" of the floor 28 of the load carrying body 18. 
Therefore, the first angled floor and bottom portions 40,62 are at 
substantially the same angle "b" and the second angled floor and bottom 
portions 42,64 are at substantially the same angle "c". This facilitates 
smoothness of movement of the ejector 48, and reduces the passing of load 
material from the first end portion 30 to the second end portion 32. 
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, a plurality of bearing block members 66 are 
connected by a plurality of fasteners to the first and second angled 
bottom portions 62,64 and are engaged with the first and second angled 
floor portions 40,42. The plurality of bearing block members 66 are 
located in two rows, one row being adjacent a leading edge 68 of the 
bottom member 54 and the other row being adjacent a trailing edge 70 of 
the bottom member 54. The row of bearing block members 66 adjacent the 
leading edge 68 are sequentially abutting, as shown, and resists the 
passing of load material thereby. The row of bearing block members 66 
adjacent the trailing edge 70 are spaced apart, as shown, so as to allow 
the passing of any debris that managed to pass the abutted bearing block 
members 66 adjacent the leading edge 68. An abutment strip 72 connected to 
the bottom member 54, by welding or any other suitable fastening 
technique, at a location between the leading and trailing edges 68,70 is 
engaged with the plurality of bearing block members 66 adjacent the 
leading edge 68. The abutment strip 72 backs up the bearing block members 
66 and maintains the bearing block members 66 from moving toward the 
trailing edge 70. 
Referring to FIGS. 2,7,11 and 12, a jack 74, preferably a multiple-tube 
telescopic fluid operated jack, is pivotally connected between the ejector 
48 and the first end portion 30 (end wall 36) of the load carrying body 18 
by a pair of pivot pins 75,77. In particular, the jack 74 has a 
longitudinal jack axis 76 and is telescopically movable. The longitudinal 
jack axis 76 and the longitudinal axis 22 are substantially parallel and 
preferably coincident. The ejector 48 is movable along the floor 28 
between the first and second end portions 30,32 of the load carrying body 
18 in response to telescopic movement of the jack 74. The first angled 
portion 58 of the load pushing member 56 and the angled end portion 38 of 
the floor 28 are substantially aligned when the jack is extended so that 
the load being pushed by the ejector 48 is completely ejected from the 
load carrying body 18. 
The ejector 48 has a center of gravity 78 and the longitudinal jack axis 76 
passes substantially through the center of gravity 78. The center of 
gravity 78 of the ejector 48 is located above a location of the juncture 
of connection between the first and second angled portions 58,60 of the 
load pushing member 56. Stated another way the juncture of connection is 
located beneath the center of gravity 78. Preferably, the center of 
gravity 78 lies along the longitudinal jack axis 76. The center of gravity 
78 is also disposed midway between the first and second side members 
50,52. 
The load carrying body 18 has a preselected payload (load) center of mass 
based on machine parameters and load carrying body 18 dimensions. 
Preferably, the payload center of mass lies substantially along the 
longitudinal axis 22 of the load carrying body 18 and also the 
longitudinal jack axis 76. 
The ejector 48 includes an elongated cylindrical tube member 80 connected 
to the load pushing member 56. The tube member 80 extends substantially 
coincident with the jack axis 76 and has first and second opposite ends 
82,84. A first flange 86 is connected to the first end 82 and a second 
flange 88 is connected to the second end 84. The connection is made in any 
suitable manner, such as by threaded fasteners (not shown). The first 
flange 86 is located on a first side 90 of the load pushing member 56 (the 
side toward the first end portion 30) and the second flange 88 is located 
on a second side 92 of the load pushing member 56 (the side toward the 
second end portion 32). The jack 74 is axially disposed in the tube member 
80. The first flange 86 is engaged to pull the ejector 48 toward the 
second end portion 32 of the load carrying body 18 in response to 
extension of the jack 74. The second flange 88 is engaged to pull the 
ejector 48 toward the first end portion 30 of the load carrying body 18 in 
response to retraction of the jack 74. 
A second elongated cylindrical tube member 94 is disposed in the first tube 
member 80. The jack 74 is pivotally connected to the second tube member 94 
by the pivot pin 77. The first flange 86 is engaged by the second tube 
member 94 in response to extension of the jack 74 and the second flange 88 
is engaged by the second tube member 94 in response to retraction of the 
jack 74. 
As best seen in FIGS. 5-8, a first "v" shaped ejector flange 96 is 
connected to the first side member 50 of the ejector 48 and a second "v" 
shaped ejector flange 98 is connected to the second side member 52 of the 
ejector 48. A first "v" shaped body flange 100 is connected to the first 
side wall 24 of the load carrying body 18 and a second "v" shaped body 
flange 102 is connected to the second side wall 26 of the load carrying 
body 18. The first "v" shaped ejector flange 96 is slidably engaged with 
the first "v" shaped body flange 100 and the second "v" shaped ejector 
flange 98 is slidably engaged with the second "v" shaped body flange 102. 
The first and second "v" shaped flanges 96,98,100,102 are elongated and 
extend longitudinally (preferably parallel) to the longitudinal axis 22 
and the longitudinal movement of the ejector 48 along the body 18. 
The first and second "v" shaped ejector flanges 96,98 each have a first and 
a second spaced end portions 104,106. A pair of bearing blocks 108 is 
connected to each of the first and second "v" shaped ejector flanges 96,98 
at the first and second end portions 104,106 thereof. The bearing blocks 
108 are disposed between the "v" shaped ejector flanges 96,98 and the "v" 
shaped load carrying body flanges 100,102. The flanges 96,98,100,102 and 
the bearing blocks 108 provide smooth operation of the ejector 48 and 
guide the ejector 48 during longitudinal movement along the load carrying 
body 18. 
As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, a gusset arrangement 110 is connected to the 
cylindrical tube member 80 and the load pushing member 56 of the ejector 
48 and maintains the cylindrical tube member 80 at the proper orientation 
relative to the longitudinal axis 22. This orientation is substantially 
axially aligned with the longitudinal axis 22. 
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
With reference to the drawings, and in operation, extension of the jack 74 
causes the ejector 48 to be pulled by the first flange 86 toward the 
second end portion 32 of the load carrying body 18 and eject the load 
carried by the load carrying body 18 from the body 18. Because the first 
and second angled portions 58,60 of the load pushing member 56 are at the 
aforementioned preselected first and second angles "d" and "e" the load 
freely flows along the surface of the load pushing member 56 and out of 
the load carrying body 18. 
Because the ejector 48 is pulled by the jack 74 during extension from the 
first side 90 of the ejector 48, the ejector 48 is self tracking and self 
centering. This tends to cause automatic position correction and does away 
with the need for a massive and extremely rugged guide structure. 
The "v" shape of the floor 28 increases the capacity of the load carrying 
body 18 and lowers the center of gravity to provide for additional machine 
stability. This shape also aids in the self centering of the ejector 48 as 
the first and second angled floor portions 40,42 are substantially matched 
to the first and second angled portions 58,60 of the ejector 48. This 
further eliminates the need for a heavy guide structure. 
As the ejector 48 reaches the second end portion 32 of the load carrying 
body 18 the angled end portion 38 of the floor 28 being substantially 
identical to the first angled portion 58 of the load pushing member 56 
facilitates free flowing of the load from the load carrying body 18 and 
complete emptying of the load therefrom. 
The metallic bearing block members 66 as arranged and attached to the 
bottom member 54 of the ejector 48 provides for smooth sliding of the 
ejector along the floor 28 and inhibits load material from passing between 
the ejector 48 and the load carrying body 18. The bearing block members 66 
also reduce wear of the floor 28 and ejector 48 and extend the life 
thereof. 
The tail gate 34 being pivoted downward and completely out of the way of 
the open second end portion 32 of the load carrying body 18 facilitates 
complete and accurate load ejection from the load carrying body 18. 
As the first angled portion 58 of the load pushing member 56 moves the 
load, the force of the load acting on the first angled portion 58 is 
adequate to maintain the ejector 48 in engagement with the floor 28 of the 
load carrying body 18 and further eliminate the need for heavily 
constructed guide members. 
Retraction of the jack 74 returns the ejector 48 to the first end portion 
30 of the load carrying body 18 by engaging the second flange 88 and 
pulling the ejector 48. This action facilitates self ejector 48 tracking 
in the manner described above. Since there is no load maintaining the 
ejector 48 against the floor 28 the first and second "v" shaped ejector 
and body flanges 96,98,100,102 ensure that the ejector is maintained from 
elevational lifting movement. 
Other objects, advantages of the present invention may be maintained by a 
reading of the specification, the drawings and the appended claims.