Abstract:
A lift apparatus includes an elongated spine having a top portion and a bottom portion, a traveler operatively connected along the elongated spine for traveling up and down the elongated spine, a single linear actuator operatively connected to the traveler configured to move the traveler up and down the spine, an arm, and a single hinge operatively connected between the traveler and the arm allowing the arm to hinge outwardly and upwardly to a dump position when the traveler is proximate the top portion of the elongated spine.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional application Ser. No. 61/329,234 filed Apr. 29, 2010, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to loading and unloading of materials, especially loading of materials on to dump trucks or other trucks, wagons, or the like without interfering with unloading. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for the loading and unloading of materials. To assist in understanding the present invention, problems which may be addressed by the present invention are discussed in the context of loading particulate matter into a dump truck. The present invention, is not, however, limited to particulate matter as it may be used for loading other types of materials. Nor is the present invention to be limited to the use in dump trucks as the present invention may be used in conjunctions with other types of trucks, wagons, and the like. 
     Although dump trucks provide for convenient dumping of materials, loading them is another matter altogether. Typically some form of loader is used such as a tractor with a scoop loader, an end loader, or other device. Thus, filling the dump truck requires an additional piece of machinery or else significant manual labor if one chooses to fill the dump track manually. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/255,137 filed Oct. 21, 2008, to Wahls and is directed towards a shuttle bin. Although such a bin may be used on a dump truck, such a shuttle bin would add to the width of the dump truck, creating a wide load. What is needed is a lift suitable for a dump truck and other types of trucks and wagons that allows material to be easily and conveniently loaded on to a truck and which folds to a minimum size to avoid obstruction during transport. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve over the state of the art. 
     It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus for loading and unloading materials to and from a bin or container. 
     It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus for loading materials which has a minimum folded size and which will avoid obstructions during transport and not create a “wide load.” 
     Yet a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for loading materials which has a reduced number of linkages. 
     A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for loading materials which is stable during operation and transport. 
     Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for loading materials which does not interfere with unloading. 
     One or more of these and/or other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. No single embodiment need exhibit all or any of these objects, features, or advantages. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention a lift apparatus is provided. The lift apparatus includes an elongated spine having a top portion and a bottom portion. The lift apparatus further includes a traveler operatively connected along the elongated spine for traveling up and down the elongated spine. There is a single linear actuator operatively connected to the traveler configured to move the traveler up and down the spine. There is also an arm and a single hinge operatively connected between the traveler and the arm allowing the arm to hinge outwardly and upwardly to a dump position when the traveler is proximate the top portion of the elongated spine. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a lift apparatus is provided. The lift apparatus includes a bracket, a hinge mounted to the bracket, a subassembly comprising a support surface operatively connected to a support surface assembly, the subassembly secured to the hinge, and an actuator operatively connected between the bracket and the subassembly. The apparatus is configured such that as the hinge opens, orientation of the subassembly relative to the bracket changes until a dump position is reached. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a lift is provided which is suitable for easy loading and unloading into a dump truck or other vehicle. The lift has a minimal folded size which avoids creating obstructions when transported. This is accomplished using a cantilevered hinge that opens in a way so as to lift the load without coming into contact with a side of the vehicle. Thus, the lift has a reduced number of linkages. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1A  to  FIG. 1C  are photographs of the lift attached to a truck and in various positions. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the lift in a first position. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the lift in a second position. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the lift in a third position. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention where a lift is attached over the side of the truck. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the lift of  FIG. 5  before a container is attached to the lift. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the lift of  FIG. 5-6  as the container is attached to the lift. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the lift of  FIG. 5-7  as the lift begins to lift the container. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the lift of  FIG. 5-8  as the lift is lifting the container upwards and towards the truck. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the lift of  FIG. 5-9  in a full dumping position with the container above the truck. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates the lift from a different angle and with the lift being moved towards a transport position. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates the lift being moved further towards a transport position. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the truck bed of the truck while the lift is being moved towards a transport position. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing the lift in a transport position. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates the lift in a transport position. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates the lift in a transport position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 1C  provide photographs of the lift attached to a truck. Although a truck is shown, the lift may be attached to a dump truck, wagon, trailer or other vehicle (self-propelled or towed). The lift may be attached to the side of the truck. When the lift is in a folded position the lift does not interfere with normal operation of the truck. Thus, for example, when used in a dump truck, the dump truck can be dumped normally without the lift causing obstructions. The lift may be connected at the inside of a box of the truck. For example, the lift may be connected to the side or side and floor of the truck so that the lift does not add to the width of the truck. The lift allows for lifting loads into the truck. In operation, the lift would then hang over the side and not contact the side when folding up. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the lift or loading, assembly  20 . The lift  20  has a bracket  22  with a first arm  23  and a second arm  24 . A hinge  30  is mounted between the second arm  24  of the bracket  22  and a subassembly  32 . The subassembly  32  includes a support surface  42  which is operatively connected to a support surface assembly  40 . A bin formed of a pliable material is operatively connected to the support surface  42 . 
     In operation, a hydraulic actuator (not shown, but positioned between the attaching ears) provides for opening the hinge  30 . As the hinge  30  opens, the orientation of the subassembly  32  relative to the bracket  22  changes until ultimately the lift  10  is moved to a dump position. Thus, in this way a single actuator (such as a single hydraulic cylinder) may be used to provide for lifting and dumping material. Another cylinder may be used in moving to and from a transport position. The hinge is a cantilevered hinge. 
     Another embodiment of the lift is shown in  FIG. 5  through  FIG. 10 . In  FIG. 5 , a truck  50  is shown with a truck bed  52  and side walls  54  and the lift  60  hangs over one of the sidewalls  54  of the truck  50 . Is should be appreciated, however, that the truck  50  shown is merely one environment in which the lift  60  may be used. The lift  60  can be used with any number of trucks, wagons, carts, or other vehicles. Also shown in  FIG. 5  is a container  62  connected to the lift  60  which may be dumped by the lift into the truck bed  52 . The lift  60  shown has a winch  64  with a handle  66 . Although other types of actuators may be used, use of the winch  64  allows an operator to raise and lower the lift in a convenient manner without requiring hydraulics, pneumatics, or electrical power. Also, instead of the container  62  other types of containers of any number of shapes and sizes may be used, or alternatively, a platform, basket or box or other structure may be attached (removeably or otherwise) to the lift instead. Also shown in  FIG. 5  is arm  80 . Arm  80  and the cantilevered hinge associated with arm  80  will be discussed in greater detail with respect to  FIG. 11  through  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the lift of  FIG. 5  before a container  62  is attached to the lift  60 . The lift  60  has an elongated spine  68 . Along the spine  68  is a traveler  70  that travels up and down the spine  68 . This movement of the traveler  70  may be imparted by a linear actuator in various ways. One such way is through use of a cable which forms a continuous loop. The cable (not shown) may wrap multiple times (although two is generally sufficient) around a drum associated with the winch  64 , around a pulley  72 , up through the spine  68  and down to the traveler  70 . A spring may be on the traveler to apply tension. In addition, latches may be used such as at the hinge to allow the lift  60  to be locked down in an up position or a down position. 
     Instead of using a cable various other types of configurations may be used as a linear actuator to impart movement to the traveler  70 . Examples may include hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, or other types of systems such as a ball screw system. Also, although shown with a hand cranked winch, an electric winch may be used instead. Where an electric winch is used a battery may also be provided with the lift so that the lift need not be connected to a vehicle electrical system. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the lift of  FIG. 5-6  as the container is attached to the lift.  FIG. 8  illustrates the lift of  FIG. 5-7  as the lift begins to lift the container.  FIG. 9  illustrates the lift of  FIG. 5-8  as the lift is lifting the container upwards and towards the truck.  FIG. 10  illustrates the lift of  FIG. 5-9  in a full dumping position with the container above the truck. 
       FIG. 11  through  FIG. 16  illustrates the lift moving towards or the lift in a transport position. The lift  60  has an arm  80  which is operatively connected to a single hinge  82 . The hinge  82  is oriented at about an angle preferably in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees and most preferably about 45 degrees to the direction of travel. As the lift  60  is moved to a dumping position, the arm  80  rotates about the hinge  82 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the end of the arm  80  generally facing the rear of the truck will be raised at 30-60 degrees to the opposite end of the arm above horizontal. However, this range may be adjustable to ensure that the lift  60  clears any load in the truck. An actuator, either linear or rotary, may be used to rotate the arm  80  about the hinge  82  while the lift  60  is raised to move the lift to a transport position. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates the lift  60  being moved towards a transport position.  FIG. 12  illustrates the lift  60  being moved further towards a transport position.  FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the truck bed  52  of the truck  50  while the lift  60  is being moved towards a transport position.  FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing the lift  60  in a transport position. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates the lift  60  in a transport position. Note that the lift  60  is folded and is positioned along or proximate the side wall  54  of the truck  50 , but above the truck  50 . Note also that the lift  60  is above any load on the truck bed  52 . Thus, the lift  60  when positioned in the transport position shown does not interfere with any load in the truck  50  and does not add to the transport width of the truck  50  during road travel.  FIG. 16  illustrates a side view the lift  60  in a transport position illustrating the lift  60  in the same position as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     Therefore a lift has been disclosed. It should be appreciated that the present invention contemplates numerous variations in the relative sizes and shapes of the structure, the types of machines to which the lift is mounted, and other variations, options, and alternatives. The present invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described herein.