Patent Publication Number: US-2011064550-A1

Title: Remote Hopper Release

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the field of portable containers for the transportation of materials and, more specifically, to a self dumping hopper having a system for the remote actuation of the self dumping action. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not, constitute prior art. 
     Containers or hoppers are typically used in manufacturing operations to facilitate the movement of various materials. Self dumping hoppers are one genre of container that are frequently used to collect scrap material (such as from machining for instance). Self dumping hoppers may include a specialize configuration that allows for relatively simple handling and movement by a forktruck and ease of emptying as well. 
     A base platform is provided that includes spaced slots or an opening that is configured to accept the tines of a fork truck for lifting, moving and placement purposes. Mounted on the base platform is a dump body that is adapted to rest upright on the base during filling of the hopper but that includes a geometry that, especially when filled, is biased to allow the hopper to be easily tilted towards an emptying position. A latching mechanism associated with the base platform is operable to engage a locking pin extending from the back of the dump body to maintain the dump body in its upright, fill position. Latching mechanisms commonly in use employ a spring biased handle that may be actuated (often by the fork truck operator), once the self dumping hopper or material handling container has been moved into position for emptying, to allow the dump body to rotate or hinge open from a side or bottom into a second, emptying position. Such devices typically require that the forktruck operator disembark from the forktruck, and its protective surroundings, and manually activate the latching mechanism handle to initiate the emptying process. 
     Latching mechanisms that are remotely controlled have been introduced. Such devices often include hydraulic actuators that require a fluid connection to the hydraulic system of the fork truck, if available. These devices are costly and require an interface with the forktruck which may either be unavailable, require retrofitting or the purchase by the customer of specific forktrucks. In addition, hydraulic devices that are associated with the hydraulic system of the forktruck require a connect/disconnect operation by the operator each time that a hopper is moved, resulting in lowered efficiency. Other, less costly devices have included pull cords and pulley systems that are mounted to the forktruck, the forktruck upright, the fork carriage assembly or a combination thereof. Such devices also require integration of the release system with the fork truck which may be unavailable, require retrofitting or the purchase by the customer of specific forktrucks. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an exemplary embodiment a remote trip lever release system for application to a self dumping hopper having a base platform, a rotatable dump body mounted thereto and a latching mechanism having a trip lever engageable with a locking pin on the rotatable dump body and configured to control the rotation of the rotatable dump body thereon is provided. The trip lever release system includes a base assembly comprising a longitudinally extending member mountable to the base platform adjacent to the latching mechanism. An extendable release arm having a first end engaging the extending member and a second end opposite the first end, the extendable release arm moveable relative to the extending member from a closed or compact position to an open or extended position to lengthen the base assembly. A release cable has a first end, engageable with the trip lever of the latching mechanism, and a second end. The release cable is operable from the second end to disengage the trip lever from the locking pin on the rotatable dump body. 
     In another exemplary embodiment a self dumping hopper comprises a base platform having openings configured to accept the fork tines of a fork truck. A dump body is mounted on the base platform and has a first, fill position relative to the base platform and is rotatable along the base platform towards a second, emptying position. A latching mechanism is mounted on the base platform adjacent to the rotatable dump body and is engageable with a locking pin extending from the rotatable dump body to hold the dump body is in the first, fill position. A remote trip lever release system is mounted on the base platform adjacent to the latching mechanism and comprises a base assembly having a longitudinally extending hollow member, an extendable release arm having a first, inner end slidingly received in the hollow member and a second, outer end extending from the hollow member. The extendable release arm is moveable within the hollow member from a closed or compact position to an open or extended position to lengthen the base assembly. A release cable has a first end engageable with the trip lever of the latching mechanism and a second end. The release cable is operable from the second end to disengage the trip lever from the locking pin on the rotatable dump body to rotate the dump body along the base platform towards the second, emptying position. 
     The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects, features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description of embodiments, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are schematic side views of a fork truck and self dumping hopper in various modes of operation and embodying features of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a self dumping hopper, illustrating a dumping mode in phantom, and embodying features of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the self dumping hopper of  FIG. 2 , embodying features of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of the remote trip lever release system in a compact mode embodying features of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are views of the remote trip lever release system in an extended mode embodying features of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is an end view of the remote trip lever release system and associated latching mechanism embodying features of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  schematically illustrate a fork truck  10  having a wheel supported body section  12 , an upright  14 , an operators compartment  16 , outrigger arms  18  extending forwardly of the body section  12 , and a pair of fork tines  20  associated with the outrigger arms  18  for engaging a variety of cargo that is moveable and placeable by the fork truck. The fork truck  10  may include a safety cage  22  that extends about and defines the operator&#39;s compartment  16 , and is intended to protect the operator  23  should cargo being moved/placed by the fork truck  10  become unstable and fall. It should be apparent that, during operation of the fork truck  10 , the operator is in the safest location when he or she remains in the operators compartment  16  surrounded by the safety cage  22 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , a self dumping hopper (hopper)  24  is provided. The hopper  24  includes a base platform  26  that includes a lift opening or openings  28  that are configured to accept the fork tines  20  of the fork truck  10  for the purpose of lifting, moving and positioning the hopper  24  by the fork truck  10 . The opening(s)  28  may be defined by supports  29  that extend below and support the base platform  26 . Mounted on the base platform  26  is a dump body  30  that includes a planar bottom portion  32  adapted to rest in a generally parallel relationship to the base platform  26  when the dump body  30  is retained in a first, upright position for filling or storing of material. Back and side panels  34  and  36 , respectively, extend upwardly from the bottom portion  32  to partially define an interior container portion  38  of the dump body  30 . A front panel  40  completes the interior container portion  38  and extends from the horizontal bottom portion  32  outwardly (i.e. towards the front of the hopper  24 ) at an angle (“a”) such that the surface area of the front panel  40  is greater than that of the bottom portion  32  to thereby define a dump body geometry that, especially when filled, is biased to allow the hopper to be easily tilted forward, towards a second, emptying position, shown in phantom in  FIG. 2 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a tracked pivoting system, referred to generally as  42 , is incorporated into the base platform  26  and the dump body  30  and is configured to provide for controlled emptying of the dump body  30  of the self dumping hopper  24 . The tracked pivoting system  42  includes trunion tracks  44  that extend longitudinally from front to back along the outer edges of the base platform  26 . Rocker plates  46  extend downwardly from the outer edges of side panels  36  to terminate in curved edge surfaces  48  that are configured to engage, and roll along, the trunion tracks  44  allowing the dump body  30  to be rotated in a forward (and backward) direction. The curved edge surfaces  48  terminate in rearward extending flat portions  51  that will maintain the dump body  30  in the first, upright position for filling or storing of material. Spaced trunion pins  50  extend outwardly from the curved edge surfaces  48  of the rocker plates  46  and are configured to engage a series of spaced openings  52  in the trunion tracks  44  during rotation of the dump body  30 . The engagement of the trunion pins  50  with the spaced openings  52  in the trunion tracks  44  operate to confine the dump body  30  against lateral shifting movement as it is tilted. Suitable stops (not shown) will limit the forward rotating movement of the dump body  30 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 , a latching mechanism, referred to generally as  54  is associated with the base platform  26  and is configured to engage a locking pin  56  that extends from the back panel  34  of the dump body  30 . It is also contemplated that the locking pin  56 , or additional locking pins  56 , may extend from a side panel  36 , and include a latching mechanism closely associated therewith, without deviating from the scope of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the latching mechanism  54  may be configured to include a double bracket  58  that is welded or otherwise fixed to the base platform  26  and extends upwardly therefrom. The double bracket  58  includes spaced bracket portions  60  and  62  that each include openings that share a common axis  68  for receipt of a pivot pin  70  therein. The pivot pin  70  is configured to receive, and anchor, a first end (not shown) of a concentric coil spring  72 . A second end  74  of the concentric coil spring is secured at securing point  78 , to a first end  77  of a trip lever  76  that is pivotally mounted on the pivot pin  70 , adjacent to the concentric coil spring  72  and between the spaced bracket portions  60 ,  62 . The trip lever has an upwardly extending arm portion  80  that includes a hook portion  82  located intermediate of the first end  77  and a second end  84  thereof. The hook portion is adapted to extend over the locking pin  56  on the dump body  30  to maintain the dump body  30  securely in its first, fixed or fill position (i.e. for receiving or storing material). The concentric coil spring  72  is preloaded such that it urges the hook portion  82  of the trip lever  76  into engagement with the locking pin  56 , as a default. It should be appreciated that the embodiment described discloses the use of a concentric coil spring for biasing the trip lever  76  into a latched position with respect to the locking pin  56  of the dump body  30 . However, it is contemplated that other suitable biasing mechanisms such as extension springs, spring loaded struts, torsion springs and the like may be used as well. 
     In order to release the trip lever  76 , to thereby allow for forward pivoting of the dump body  30  to a second, emptying position,  FIG. 2 , a remote trip lever release system, referred to generally as  90  is provided. The remote trip lever release system  90  includes a base member  92  that extends, in an exemplary embodiment, longitudinally across the rear of the base platform  26  and is fixed to the base by welding, fasteners, or the like. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the base member  92  comprises a longitudinally extending, hollow box member  93  that defines an opening  96  that is configured to slidingly receive a first, inner end  105  of an extendable release arm  98  therein. A second, outer end  106  of the extendable release arm  98  protrudes outwardly from the opening  96  of the hollow box member  93 . The extendable release arm  98  is moveable within the opening  96  of the hollow box member  93  from a closed or compact position shown in  FIG. 4  to an open or extended position shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . A stop such as thumb screw or spring loaded pin  99  that is attached to a side of the base assembly  92  is useful to fix the release arm  98  in position (closed/compact or open/extended) with respect to the base assembly  26 . By operating the thumb screw or spring loaded pin  99  it can be urged into contact with the extendable release arm  98  to thereby fix it in position. Releasing the thumb screw or spring loaded pin  99  will allow the extendable release arm  98  to move freely relative to the hollow box member  93 . While the base assembly  92  has been described as including a hollow box member  93  with a similarly shaped extendable release arm  98  slidingly mounted therein, it is also contemplated that other configurations of base assembly  92  that utilize, for instance, hollow cylinders with similarly configured extendable release arms may also be utilized with equal performance without deviating from the scope of the invention. In addition, tracked, rack or hinged assemblies having base and extendable members that are moveable relative to one another (closed/compact or open/extended relative to the base assembly) are also contemplated 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the remote trip lever release system  90  further includes a release cable  100  having a first end in fixed communication with the second end  84  of the upwardly extending arm portion  80  of the trip lever  76 . The release cable  100  may pass through a first control guide such as pulley  102  that is fixed to the hollow member  93  and subsequently extends along the extendable release arm  98  to pass through a second control guide such as pulley  104  that is fixed to the second, outer end  106  of the extendable release arm  98 . The release cable  100  terminates at a second end  108 , and may terminate in conjunction with a cable extension apparatus such as a reel  110  that serves to change the useable length of the release cable  100  to be lengthened or shortened dependent upon the position of the extendable release arm  98  with respect to the base assembly  92 , as well as other factors to be discussed herein. The reel  110  may include a winding mechanism or spring biased mechanism or any other suitable apparatus capable of extending or reducing the length of the release cable  100 , as required, during operation. In an exemplary embodiment the reel  110  will have an attaching means such as a magnet, a hook, opposing hook and loop surfaces (Velcro®) or other suitable securing apparatus  114  for removably securing the cable extension apparatus to the fork truck  10 , when the fork truck tines  20  have engaged the spaced slots  28  of the base  26 ,  FIG. 1  or, to a back or side panel  34  or  36  when the self dumping hopper  24  is being used to collect or store material,  FIG. 3 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the remote trip lever release system  90  includes two primary configurations for use in two primary modes of operation of the self dumping hopper  24 . In a first mode of operation, shown in  FIGS. 3 . and  4 , the release arm  98  is stowed in the compact position within the base assembly  92 . In this mode, the cable extension apparatus  110  has retracted the overall length of the release cable  100  to a length that allows the cable extension apparatus to be mounted, magnetically or otherwise to a side panel  36  or back panel  34  of the dump body  30 . In the first mode of operation, the self dumping hopper  24  is typically not engaged with a fork truck  10  and is positioned for receipt of parts or material that is to be stored therein. In a second mode of operation shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  5 A and  5 B, the fork truck  10  has engaged the self dumping hopper  24  by slidingly engaging its fork tines  20  into the opening or openings  28  in the base platform  26  thereof. The operator of the fork truck has extended the release arm  98  to a position in which the second, outer end  106  of the extendable release arm  98 , as well as the second pulley  104  that is disposed at the second, outer end of the release arm has cleared the outermost edge of the wheel supported body section  12  of the fork truck  10 . The cable extension apparatus  110  has been operated to extend the overall length of the release cable  100  to a length that allows the cable extension apparatus to be attached via securing apparatus  114 , magnetically or otherwise, to the fork truck  10  in close proximity to the operators compartment  16  (ex. to the safety cage  22 , for instance). 
     In the configuration of the remote trip lever release system  90  described for the second mode of operation of the self dumping hopper  24 , the apparatus is configured to allow the fork truck operator to lift, move and empty the hopper without exiting the safe confines of the operators compartment  16 ,  FIG. 1B . The self dumping hopper  24  may be raised and moved by the fork truck  10  without any interconnection or interference with the wheel supported body section  12 , the upright  14 , the outrigger arms  18  or other functional components thereof. Additionally the remote trip lever release system  90  is completely self-contained on the assembly of the self dumping hopper  24  and requires no physical interaction (hydraulic or mechanical), save the removably attached cable extension apparatus  110 . 
     When the fork truck  10  has positioned the self dumping hopper  24  in an appropriate position for emptying its contents,  FIG. 1B , the fork truck operator grasps the cable extension apparatus  110  (which is locked against extension of further cable length) and pulls on the release cable  100 . The force exerted on the release cable  100  by the operator will result in a downward acting force on the second end  84  of the upwardly extending arm portion  80  of the trip lever  76 . The trip lever  76  and associated hook portion  82  will rotate counter clockwise, shown in phantom in  FIG. 5B , about the pivot pin  70  and against the bias of the concentric coil spring  72 , to disengage the hook portion from the dump body locking pin  56 . Upon such disengagement, the weight biased dump body  30  will be urged by its load biased geometry to be easily tilted forward on trunion tracks  44  towards its second, emptying position, shown in phantom in  FIG. 1B . The self dumping action just described is carried out by the fork truck operator  23  from the confines of the safety cage protected operators compartment  16 . Following emptying of the contents of the dump body  30 , its un-weighted state will urge it to pivot rearward on the trunion tracks  44  until the pivot pin  56  engages the inclined face  112  of the trip lever  76  causing the lever to be moved counterclockwise against the bias of the concentric coil spring  72  under the weight of the dump body  30 . The dump body will be automatically latched as soon as the locking pin  56  clears the hook portion  82  of the trip lever  76 . The remote trip lever release system  90  may now be returned to its closed, compact position and the self dumping hopper  24  placed for further collection or storage of material. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the present application.