Abstract:
A feed truck compartment lid control system. The system includes coupled feed compartment lids on an upper surface of a feed truck trailer and includes cylinders in proximity of the lids such that the cylinders require much less force and power, and thus much less air pressure, to open and close the lids. The cylinder arms are connected directly to elongated bars that couple a plurality of feed compartment lids to one another. At least one of the lids includes wheels to allow the lids to travel across the upper surface of the feed truck trailer as they are opened and closed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   I. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to the field feed trucks and more particularly to a feed truck compartment lid control system. 
   II. Description of the Related Art 
   Present feed trucks, typically used to transport large amounts of animal feed have long trailers with individual compartments, each compartment containing feed. Each of the compartment includes a lid.  FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art feed truck  100  having a prior art air cylinder system  150 .  FIG. 2A  illustrates a front view of a prior art feed truck air cylinder system in  150  a first, closed position. In general, the system  150  includes an air cylinder  160  having a retractable arm  165 . The air cylinders  160  are connected to both the front and back of the feed truck trailer  100 , generally parallel to the ground. The end of the arm  165  is pivotally connected to an end of a lever arm  170  that is pivotally connected to the ends of the truck  100  at pivot point  175  around which the lever arm  170  pivots as the arm  165  retracts and extends. The opposite end of the lever arm  170  is connected to a series of connected compartment lids  180  that cover a plurality of individual compartments  185  having feed  190 . In the fully extended position, the lever arm  170  is positioned as shown, which positions the lids  180  in a closed position, that covers the compartments  185 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates a front view of a prior art feed truck air cylinder system  150  in a second, open position. In this position, the cylinder arm  165  is fully retracted, which positioned the lever arm  170  as shown. In this position, the lids  180  are in an open position that exposes the compartments  185  that typically allows the feed  190  to be loaded into the compartments. 
   It is well known in the prior art that the feed truck trailers include several additional features such as transfer conduits to move the feed from the compartments to their final location. In addition, the truck trailer can include an auger to move the feed from the compartments to the transfer conduit. 
   The following two figures illustrate further views of the prior art air cylinder system  150 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a close-up perspective view of a prior art feed truck air cylinder system  150  with a feed compartment lid  180  in a closed position.  FIG. 4  illustrates a close-up perspective view of a prior art feed truck air cylinder system  150  with a feed compartment lid  180  in an open position. The figures generally illustrate that an elongated bar  181  couples a plurality of lids  180  to one another. 
   As mentioned above, the lids  180  of the individual compartments  185  are coupled to each other so that they can all be opened by using the air cylinder system  150 . Therefore, when opening and closing the lids  180 , the two lever arms  170  move through a large arc as shown by arrow A to open and close the lids  180 . This large arc A requires a large air pressure force in the cylinders  160  and generally results in a shaky and awkward opening and closing of the lids  180 . 
   SUMMARY 
   In general, the invention features a system for opening and closing lids on feed trucks. The present invention couple the lids together on top of the trailer and places the cylinders in proximity of the lids such that the cylinders require much less force and power, and thus much less air pressure, to open and close the lids. The prior art arms are removed, so there is no further need for the opening and closing mechanism to move through a large arc. The cylinder arms are connected directly to elongated bars that couple a plurality of feed compartment lids to one another. At least one of the lids includes wheels to allow the lids to travel across the upper surface of the feed truck trailer as they are opened and closed. 
   In general, in one aspect, the invention features a feed truck compartment lid control system, including at least one air cylinder having a cylinder body, at least one feed compartment lid having an upper surface, a first elongated bar connected to the upper surface of the feed compartment lid and a cylinder arm having a first end that is connected generally perpendicular to the elongated bar and a second end that extends and retracts into and from the cylinder body. 
   In one implementation, the system further includes a push/pull valve coupled to the cylinder body for extending and retracting the cylinder arm, thereby opening and closing the compartment lid. 
   In another implementation, the system further includes an end bar in pivotal engagement with prongs, the end bar and prongs combination being located between the cylinder arm and the elongated bar. 
   In another implementation, the end bar is connected to the cylinder arm and the prongs are connected to the elongated bar. 
   In another implementation, the end bar is connected to the elongated bar and the prongs are connected to the cylinder arm. 
   In another implementation, the system further includes an a second elongated bar connected to the lid and generally parallel to the first elongated bar. 
   In another implementation, the first elongated bar includes continuity breaks. 
   In another implementation, the second elongated bar includes continuity breaks. 
   In another aspect, the invention features a feed truck compartment lid control system for placement on a top surface of a feed truck trailer having a series of feed compartments, the system including at least one air cylinder having a cylinder body being connected to the top surface, at least one feed compartment lid for covering one of the feed compartments, the lid having an upper surface, a first elongated bar connected to the upper surface of the feed compartment lid and a cylinder arm having a first end that is connected generally perpendicular to the elongated bar and a second end that extends and retracts into and from the cylinder body. 
   In one implementation, the system further includes a cylinder base to which the cylinder is pivotally connected. 
   In another implementation, the system further includes a collar connected to be base and spaced from the pivotal connection of the cylinder body to the base, the collar surrounding and thereby restricting movement of the cylinder body. 
   In another implementation, the cylinder body moves through angles less than ninety degrees when the lids open and close. 
   In another implementation, the system further includes a prong end bar combination connected between the cylinder arm and the first elongated bar, the prong end bar combination pivotally connecting the cylinder arm and the first elongated bar. 
   In another implementation, the end bar and the prong pivot with respect to each other through angles of less than ninety degrees. 
   In another implementation, the system further includes a wheel base connected to the lid and a wheel connected to the wheel base, thereby allowing the lid to travel along the surface of the feed truck trailer. 
   In another implementation, the lids travel along an arc as defined by the surface of the feed truck trailer. 
   In another implementation, the end of the cylinder arm moves in a direction as defined generally by a curvature of the surface of the feed truck trailer. 
   In another aspect, the invention features a feed truck trailer feed compartment lid movement system, including an air cylinder having a cylinder body and a cylinder arm, a feed compartment lid having an upper surface, means for connecting the cylinder arm to the feed compartment lid, the means for connecting being pivotal through angles of less than ninety degrees and means for opening and closing the lids along a curvature as defined by a curvature of a top surface of the feed truck trailer, the means for opening and closing being pivotally connected to the top surface. 
   One advantage of the invention is that awkward lever arms are not required to open and close feed compartment lids. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that less air pressure is required to open and close the feed compartment lids. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that air cylinders are removed from the front and back of the trailer. 
   Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention are apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art feed truck having a prior art air cylinder system; 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a front view of a prior art feed truck air cylinder system in a first position; 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a front view of a prior art feed truck air cylinder system in a second position; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a close-up perspective view of a prior art feed truck air cylinder system with a feed compartment lid in a closed position; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a close-up perspective view of a prior art feed truck air cylinder system with a feed compartment lid in an open position; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system with a feed compartment lid in an open position; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another perspective view of an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system with a feed compartment lid in an open position; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another perspective view of an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system with a feed compartment lid in a closed position; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a close-up perspective view of a component of an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system; 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a side perspective view of a feed truck having an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system; 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of a feed truck having a series of feed compartment lids; 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a top view of a feed truck having an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system in a closed position; 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a top view of a feed truck having an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system in an open position; and 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a system level diagram of an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, reference is made first to  FIG. 5  that illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system  200  with a feed compartment lid  205  in an open position. The lid  205  is for covering the various feed compartments  210  located within the feed truck trailer  206 . In general, the system  200  further includes at least one air cylinder  215  having a cylinder body  220 . The cylinder body  220  is typically pivotally connected to an upper surface  207  of the feed truck trailer  206  at a pivot point  225 . The cylinder body  220  typically only moves through small angles and greater movement beyond small angles is typically inhibited by a collar  230 . In typical operation, no movement past the collar  230  is contemplated. 
   The feed compartment lid  205  typically has an upper surface  208  onto which an elongated bar  235  is connected. The elongated bar  235  is better illustrated in the figures below. The system  200  further includes a cylinder arm  240  having a first end  241  connected to the elongated bar  235 . A second end  242  of the cylinder arm  240  is connected to the cylinder body  220 . The cylinder arm  235  extends and retracts into and from the cylinder body  220 . In the discussion of the prior art, two elongated bars are described that generally contribute to the coupling of the feed compartment lids. In an embodiment, the elongated bar  235  is parallel to a non-continuous elongated bar  236 , which includes several breaks in the continuity to allow clearance for the cylinder arms  240  as the lids open and close during operation. 
   The system  200  further includes a cylinder base  250  connected to the surface  207  of the feed truck trailer  206 . The pivot point  225  and the collar  230  are connected to the base  250  as spaced as illustrated. In general, as with typical feed trucks, a walkway  255  is connected to the surface  207  of the feed truck trailer  206 . One or more of the bases  250  typically surround a portion of the walkway  255 . 
   In general, the feed truck lid  205  is curved to accommodate the curvature of the feed truck trailer  206 . As such, as the lid  205  opens and closes it travels along an arc as defined as defined by arrow B. It is therefore appreciated that as the lid  205  travels along the arc B, the cylinder  215  makes small upward and downward movements and therefore pivots about the pivot point  225  through small angles as mentioned above. It is further appreciated that the collar  230  further inhibits movement beyond the small angles, although this movement is typically not contemplated in normal operation. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates another perspective view of an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system  200  with a feed compartment lid  205  in an open position.  FIG. 7  illustrates another perspective view of an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system  200  with a feed compartment lid  205  in a closed position. As described above, the system  200  includes at lease one feed compartment lid  205 , at least one air cylinder  215  having a cylinder body  220 , typically being pivotally connected to an upper surface  207  of the feed truck trailer  206  at a pivot point  225 , spaced near the collar  230  on base  250 . The elongated bar  235  is connected to the upper surface  208 . The system  200  further includes a cylinder arm  240  having a first end  241  connected to the elongated bar  235 . The second end  242  of the cylinder arm  240  is connected to the cylinder body  220 . The elongated bar  235  is parallel to a non-continuous elongated bar  236 , which includes several breaks in the continuity to allow clearance for the cylinder arms  240  as the lids open and close during operation. The system further includes the walkway  255 . 
     FIGS. 6 &amp; 7  illustrate the connection point between the arm  240  and elongated bar  235 . In general, the connection point is pivotal. In a typical embodiment, an end bar  242  is connected to the second end  242  of the cylinder arm  240 , which is, in turn, connected to a two prongs  237  that are connected to the elongated bar  235 . In this way, the end bar  242  can pivot between the prongs  237  as the lids are opened and closed. 
   As further described above, as the lid  205  opens and closes it travels along an arc as defined as defined by arrow B. It is therefore appreciated that as the lid  205  travels along the arc B, the cylinder  215  makes small upward and downward movements and therefore pivots about the pivot point  225  through small angles as mentioned above. In addition, as just described, the bar  242  only makes small pivotal movements during operation. In general, it is further appreciated that any given point of the cylinder arm moves along an arc as Therefore, it is appreciated that far less air pressure and force is required by the cylinders  215  during operation, due to the drastically decreased movements as advantageously described in the embodiments. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates a close-up perspective view of a component of an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system  200 . This view illustrates a portion of the lid  205  having the elongated bar  235  attached to the surface  208 . Furthermore, this view illustrates one of the outer-most lids, in which a wheel  260  and wheel base  261  are connected to the surface  208  adjacent the end of the elongated bar  235 . The wheel  260  allows the coupled lids  205  to travel with reduced friction as the lids  205  open and close. IT is understood that additional wheels can be placed at various locations on the lids and bars as needed for ease of travel during operation. 
     FIG. 9  illustrates a side perspective view of a feed truck trailer  206  having an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system  200 . The view illustrates the lids  205  in an open position. 
     FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of a feed truck trailer  206  having a series of feed compartment lids  205  in a closed position. The system  200  is not shown simply for illustrative purposes. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates a top view of a feed truck having an alternate embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system  200  in a closed position. As described above, the system  200  includes at lease one feed compartment lid  205 , at least one air cylinder  215  having a cylinder body  220 , typically being pivotally connected to an upper surface  207  of the feed truck trailer  206  at a pivot point  225  on base  250 . The elongated bar  235  is connected to the upper surface  208 . The system  200  further includes a cylinder arm  240  having a first end  241  connected to the elongated bar  235 . In this embodiment, the elongated arm  235  is positioned closer to the cylinder  215  and has changed places with the broken elongated arm  236 . In this way, the elongated bar  235  to which the cylinder arms  240  are connected have increased stability by being connected to a bar with no breaks in it. The second end  242  of the cylinder arm  240  is connected to the cylinder body  220 . The elongated bar  235  is parallel to a non-continuous elongated bar  236 , which includes several breaks in the continuity to allow clearance for other components of the feed truck trailer  206  such as the connection point  270  for the feed tube  275 . The system  200  further includes the walkway  255  and a ladder  256  to access the walkway  255 . The embodiment further illustrates the absence of the collar  230 . 
     FIG. 12  illustrates a top view of a feed truck having an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system  200  in an open position. As described above, the system  200  includes at lease one feed compartment lid  205 , at least one air cylinder  215  having a cylinder body  220 , typically being pivotally connected to an upper surface  207  of the feed truck trailer  206  at a pivot point  225  on base  250 . The elongated bar  235  is connected to the upper surface  208 . The system  200  further includes a cylinder arm  240  having a first end  241  connected to the elongated bar  235 . The second end  242  of the cylinder arm  240  is connected to the cylinder body  220 . The elongated bar  235  is parallel to a non-continuous elongated bar  236 , which includes several breaks in the continuity to allow clearance for other components of the feed truck trailer  206  such as the connection point  270  for the feed tube  275 . The system  200  further includes the walkway  255  and a ladder  256  to access the walkway  255 . The embodiment further illustrates the absence of the collar  230 . 
     FIG. 13  illustrates a system level diagram of an embodiment of a feed truck compartment lid control system  200 . In general, as described above, the system  200  includes the cylinders  215  having a cylinder body  220  and cylinder arm  240 . The cylinders  200  are coupled to a push/pull valve  300  via pressure lines  305  to close the lids  205  and pressure lines  310  to open the lids  205 . It is understood that the cylinders  215  can be coupled to the valve  300  in a variety of ways that extend and retract the cylinder arms  240 . The system  200  generally further includes an air light switch  315 , power source  320  and indicator lamp  325 . Furthermore, an air supply tank  330  and oiler and regulators  335  are generally coupled to the valve  300 . The system  200  can optionally be controlled advantageously by any number of micro-controllers or microprocessors with instructions in firmware or similar medium as needed. 
   The software techniques and methods discussed above can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware (as discussed), software, or in combinations of them. Apparatus may be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor; and methods may be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Further embodiments may advantageously be implemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and transmit data and instructions, to a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computer program may be implemented in machine language or assembly language which can be assembled or translated, or a high level procedural or object-oriented programming language, which can be complied or interpreted. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor receives instructions and data from read-only memory and or RAM. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). 
   The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.