Patent Publication Number: US-2023145943-A1

Title: Bucket system for a vehicle tray

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a bucket system for use within the tray of a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Vehicles having rear trays are used for transporting a wide variety of loads. While larger commercial versions of such vehicles may include the option of a tray which can be mechanically tipped, many smaller commercial and personal vehicles include only a fixed tray. When transporting material such as sand or soil, it is therefore generally necessary to shovel the material out of the tray. 
     The present invention relates to a bucket system which may be used within the tray of such vehicles. The bucket system is provided in a form which is easy to use and fit to existing vehicles and which is of relatively simple and inexpensive construction. The bucket system provides for easy movement of the bucket to a position where it is clear from the vehicle so that it may be easily tipped. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bucket system comprising: 
     a frame including first and second rails, the first and second rails each including a front portion and a rear portion, the front portions being secured relative to a floor of a tray of a vehicle and the rear portions being pivotable between an extended position, in which the rear portions are parallel to the front portions, and a stored position, in which the rear portions are perpendicular to the front portions; and
 
a bucket having a bucket support, the bucket support including first and second front wheels and first and second rear wheels, the first front and rear wheels being slidable within a channel extending along the first rail and the second front and rear wheels being slidable within a channel extending along the second rail;
 
wherein when the rear portions of the first and second rails are moved to the extended positions, a gap is defined in an upper side of each of the first and second channels such when the first and second rear wheels are moved into the first and second channels in the rear portions of the first and second rails, the first and second front wheels may move upwardly through the gaps to allow the bucket to pivot about the first and second rear wheels.
 
     Preferably rear ends of the front portions and front ends of the rear portions of the first and second rails are angled such that the front ends of the rear portions engage with the rear ends of the front portions when the rear portions are in the stored position and define the gaps in the extended position. 
     Preferably the rear ends of front portions and front ends of the rear portions are angled at 45° such that the front ends of the rear portions engage with the rear ends of the front portions when the rear portions are in the stored position. 
     Preferably the front and rear portions of the side rails are connected together by hinges on lower sides thereof. 
     Preferably the first and second rails comprises C-shaped members such that the channels are provided in vertical sides of the first and second rails and upper and lower sides of the channels are closed such that the wheels may engage against inner surfaces of the upper and lower sides of the channels. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the channels are provided in outer sides of the first and second rails. 
     Preferably the channels in the first and second rails are closed at the rear ends. 
     Preferably the centre of gravity of the bucket is located rearwardly of the centre of the bucket support such that the bucket tends to tip rearwardly when the front wheels are located adjacent the gap. 
     Preferably the bucket comprises a base wall and an edge wall extending upwardly from around the periphery of the base wall. 
     Preferably the base wall is rectangular in shape and the edge wall comprises front and rear walls and first and second side walls. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first and second side walls and the front wall are perpendicular to the base wall and the rear wall is angled outwardly away from the base. 
     Preferably the bucket support includes a first side member located adjacent the first side wall and a second side member located adjacent the second side wall, the first side member including the first front and rear wheels and the second side member including the second front and rear wheels. 
     Preferably of the first and second side members includes downturned end portions on which the wheels are mounted. 
     Preferably the first and second side members are mounted generally between midpoints of the first and second side walls and the front wall. 
     Preferably resilient buffers are provided on the bucket support adjacent a rear side thereof such that the buffers engage with an edge of a tray door of the vehicle when the bucket is tipped to restrict further rotation of the bucket 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is an upper perspective view of a bucket system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a lower perspective view of the bucket system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of the bucket system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of the bucket system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a front view of the bucket system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a rear view of the bucket system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a bottom view of the bucket system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  8    is an upper perspective view of the bucket system with the rear portions of the first and second rails in the extended position; 
         FIG.  9    is a lower perspective view of the bucket system with the rear portions of the first and second rails in the extended position; 
         FIG.  10    is a side view of the bucket system with the rear portions of the first and second rails in the extended position; 
         FIG.  11    is an upper perspective view showing the bucket sliding rearwardly within the first and second rails; 
         FIG.  12    is a lower perspective view showing the bucket sliding rearwardly; 
         FIG.  13    is an upper perspective view showing tipping of the bucket; 
         FIG.  14    is a lower perspective view showing tipping of the bucket; 
         FIG.  15    is a side view showing tipping of the bucket; 
         FIG.  16    is an upper perspective view of the bucket system showing the bucket in a stored position; 
         FIG.  17    is a lower perspective view of the bucket system showing the bucket in the stored position; 
         FIG.  18    is an upper perspective view of a vehicle with the bucket system fitted into the tray; and 
         FIG.  19    is an upper perspective view of the vehicle showing the bucket system with the bucket in the tipped position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the Figures, there is shown a bucket system  10  comprising generally a frame  12  and a bucket  14 . The bucket system  10  is for use within a tray  11  of a vehicle  13 . The frame  12  of the bucket system  10  is to be mounted adjacent a floor  15  of the tray  11  of the vehicle  13 . 
     The bucket  14  comprises generally an open topped receptacle defined by a base wall  18  and an edge wall extending upwardly from around the periphery of the base wall  18 . The base wall  18  is rectangular in shape to generally match the shape of the floor  15  of the tray  11  and the edge wall therefore comprises front and rear walls  20  and  21  and first and second side walls  22  and  23 . References to front and rear relate generally to the sides of the bucket system  10  located closest to the front and rear of the vehicle  13  respectively. 
     The bucket  14  is formed from any suitable material, such as a suitable plastic or fibreglass based material. The base wall  18  includes a plurality of parallel ribs  24  to provide additional strength to the base wall  18  of the bucket  14 . The first and second side walls  22  and  23  and the front wall  20  are generally perpendicular to the base wall  18  while the rear wall  21  is angled outwardly away from the base wall  18  to allow material within the bucket  14  to more easily slide outwardly from the bucket  14 , when the bucket  14  is tipped. 
     The frame  12  comprises a first rail  26 , a second rail  27  and a plurality of cross members  28  extending between the first and second rails  26  and  27 . The first and second rails  26  and  27  are parallel to each other and the cross members  28  extend transversely between the first and second rails  26  and  27 . The first rail  26  is to be mounted in use adjacent a first side of the tray  11  and the second rail  27  is to be mounted adjacent a second opposite side of the tray  11 . 
     Each of the first and second rails  26  and  27  includes a longitudinal channel  30  extending from a front to a rear end. The channel  30  in the first rail  26  is provided in an outer side of the first rail  26 , being a side opposite the second rail  27 . The channel  30  in the second rail  27  is provided in an outer side of the second rail  27 , being the side opposite the first rail  26 . That is, the channels  30  are provided in vertical sides of the first and second rails  26  and  27 , with upper and lower sides of the channels  30  being closed. Each of the first and second rails  26  and  27  are formed in the embodiment shown from a generally C-shaped beam of a suitable material, such as a metallic material. 
     The bucket  14  is provided with a bucket support  16  mounted to a lower side of the base wall  18 . The bucket support  16  engages with the frame  12  to support the bucket  14  above the frame  12 . The bucket support  16  includes first and second front wheels  32  and  33  and first and second rear wheels  34  and  35 . The first front and rear wheels  32  and  34  are provided on the bucket support  16  adjacent the first side wall  22  such that the first front and rear wheels  32  and  34  may be received within the channel  30  in the first rail  26 . The second front and rear wheels  33  and  35  are provided on the bucket support  16  adjacent the second side wall  23  such that the second front and rear wheels  33  and  35  may be received within the channel  30  in the second rail  27 . Rear ends of the channels  30  in the first and second rails  26  and  27  are closed such that the rear wheels  34 ,  35  may not move past the rear ends of the first and second rails  26  and  27 . 
     The bucket support  16  in the embodiment shown includes a first side member  36  and a second side member  37 . The first side member  36  comprises an elongate member mounted adjacent a junction of the first side wall  22  and the base wall  18 . The first side member  36  includes downturned end portions at opposed ends thereof on which are mounted the first front and rear wheels  32  and  34 . The second side member  37  comprises also an elongate member mounted adjacent a junction of the second side wall  23  and the base wall  18 . The second side member  37  includes also downturned end portions at opposed ends thereof on which are mounted the second front and rear wheels  33  and  35 . The first and second side members  36  and  37  are connected by a plurality of transverse support members  44  which is connected to the lower side of the base wall  18  of the bucket  14 . 
     The first and second side members  36  and  37  are each mounted generally between midpoints of the first and second side walls  22  and  23  and the front wall  20 . The bucket  14  therefore extends further outwardly from the bucket support  16  on the rear side of the bucket  14 . When the bucket  14  is filled evenly, the weight within the bucket  14  therefore provides a force tending to rotate the bucket  14  about the frame  12  such that the rear end of the bucket  14  tilts downwardly. Due to the shape of the channels  30  within the rails, the first and second front wheels  32  and  33  would be expected to engage against inner upper surfaces of the channels  30  under load, while the first and second rear wheels  34  and  35  would engage against the lower surfaces of the channels  30 . 
     Each of the first and second rails  26  and  27  includes a front portion  38  and a rear portion  39 . The front portion  38  of each of the first and second rails  26  and  27  is dimensioned to extend generally along the length of the floor  15  of the tray  11  of the vehicle  13 . The rear portions  39  of each of the first and second rails  26  and  27  are relatively short such that the lengths of the rear portions  39  are similar to the height of a tray door  17  of the tray  11 . 
     Front ends of the rear portions  39  of the first and second rails  26  and  27  are pivotally connected to rear ends of the front portions  38  of the first and second rails  26  and  27 . The rear portions  39  of the first and second rails  26  and  27  are thereby each pivotable between an extended position (as can be seen for example in  FIG.  8   ) and a stored position (as can be seen for example in  FIG.  1   ). In the extended position, the rear portions  39  of the first and second rails  26  and  27  are parallel and colinear with the front portions  38 . In the stored position, the rear portions  39  of the first and second rails  26  and  27  are generally perpendicular to the front portions  38 . 
     In the extended position, the rear portions  39  of the first and second rails  26  and  27  extend outwardly above the tray door  17  when open, and the first and second rear wheels  34  and  35  may be slid along the channel  30  into the rear portions  39  of the first and second rails  26  and  27 . In the stored position, the rear portions  39  of the first and second rails  26  and  27  are located adjacent and parallel to an inner surface of the tray door  17  in the closed position. 
     The rear portions  39  and the front portions  38  of the first and second rails  26  and  27  are pivotally connected by hinges  40 . The hinges  40  join lower sides of the front and rear portions  38  and  39  of the first and second rails  26  and  27 . Rear ends of the front portions  38  and front ends of the rear portions  39  of the first and second rails  26  and  27  are angled. In the embodiment shown, with the rear portions  39  pivoting through 90°, the rear ends of front portions  38  and front ends of the rear portions  39  are angled at 45° such that the front ends of the rear portions  39  engage with the rear ends of the front portions  38  when the rear portions  39  are in the stored position. 
     When the rear portions  39  are in the extended positions, the angled ends form gaps  42  in upper sides of the channels  30 . The bucket support  14  is arranged such that when the first and second rear wheels  34  and  35  are slid outwardly into the rear portions  39  of the first and second rails  26  and  27 , the first and second front wheels  32  and  33  are located adjacent the gaps  42  in the upper sides of the channels  30 . As the rear end of the bucket  14  moves outwardly beyond the rear end of the first and second rails  26  and  27 , the first and second front wheels  32  and  33  are therefore free to move upwardly through the gaps  42 . With the centre of gravity of the bucket  14  located rearwardly of the centre of the bucket support  16 , the bucket  14  will tilt as shown in  FIGS.  13  to  15   , with the first and second front wheels  32  and  33  moving upwardly through the gaps  42  to disengage from the first and second rails  26  and  27 . 
     In use, the bucket system  10  may be mounted within the tray  11  of the vehicle  13  generally as shown in  FIGS.  18  and  19   . During transport, the rear portions  39  of the first and second side rails  26  and  27  are rotated to the stored position so that the tray door  17  may be closed. When it is required to unload the bucket  14 , the tray door  17  is opened and the rear portions  39  pivoted to the extended positions, as shown in  FIG.  19   . The bucket  14  may then be slid rearwardly on the first and second rails  26  and  27  until the first and second front wheels  32  and  33  are adjacent the gaps  42  defined between the front and rear portions  38  and  39 . The rear end of the bucket  14  may then tilt downwardly as the first and second front wheels  32  and  33  move upwardly and the material within the bucket may be emptied. The position of the bucket support  16  on the bucket  14  assists with rotation of the bucket  14  for tipping. 
     The bucket system  10  is provided also with a latch mechanism connecting between the bucket support  16  and the frame  12 . The latch mechanism restricts movement of the bucket support  16  relative to the frame  12  to stop the bucket  14  from sliding along the rails  26  and  27  during transport. The latch mechanism includes an actuator  46  connected to a spring biased pin  48  (as best seen in  FIG.  7   ) which engages into a hole on the frame  12 . The actuator  46  can be moved sideways to disengage the pin  48  from the frame  12  when the bucket  14  is to slide outwardly towards the rear of the first and second rails  26  and  26 . The actuator  46  comprises a rod  47  having a distal end which extends rearwardly of the support frame  16  so that the actuator  46  may be operated from someone standing behind the vehicle. 
     The bucket support  16  is also provided with resilient buffers adjacent the rear side thereof such that the buffers engage with the edge of the tray door  17  of the vehicle  11  when the bucket  14  is tipped to restrict further rotation of the bucket  14 . 
     The components of the bucket system  10  may also be disconnected for storage purposes. The bucket  14 , for example, may be disconnected from the bucket support  16  so that it may be placed upside down (as shown in  FIGS.  17  and  18   ) on top of the components of the frame  12 . 
     It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.