Patent Publication Number: US-2022212589-A1

Title: Side tipper system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a side tipper system for a vehicle, particularly for allowing material to be carried by the vehicle and discharged to a lateral side of the vehicle. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Tipper trucks and tipper trailers are used for bulk materials handling to facilitate carrying and discharging of material at a desired location without requiring additional equipment to facilitate the discharge. 
     Rear tipper systems are commonly used, and typically provide an open box container that is hinged at the rear and lifted at the front by a hydraulic cylinder or the like, allowing carried material to be discharged to the rear of the vehicle. Side tipper systems are known but less commonly used. These allow carried material to be discharged to a lateral side of the vehicle, which can allow for faster discharge and higher weight capacity. 
     Some simple examples of known side tipper systems operate by tipping the container onto its side to discharge carried material to the side of the vehicle. More sophisticated examples of known side tipper systems involve complex container assemblies and actuator arrangements that move parts of the container in a coordinated sequence to facilitate the discharge of materials. 
     However, conventional side tipper vehicles can be prone to tipping over if the discharge of materials is stopped prematurely, for instance if material becomes stuck in the container. This problem can be exacerbated in side tipper systems that move the centre of gravity of the container to the discharge side during discharge. 
     Side tipper vehicles can also experience problems with discharged material fouling the path of the vehicle&#39;s wheels. Whilst this can be addressed by designing the system to discharge material further to the side of the vehicle, this can lead back to the aforementioned problem of the vehicle being prone to tipping over. 
     WO00/71385A1 discloses a vehicle side tipper system comprising a container body, a displaceable side wall located on a discharge side of the container body, the side wall being flexibly connected with the rest of the container body, at least one actuation assembly for displacing the side wall to an open position, and for tipping the container body such that product held within the container body can be tipped from the discharge side thereof when the side wall is in the open position. 
     WO2009/062250A1 discloses a bulk material handling vehicle including a chassis and a load carrying container supported thereon, the container arranged for pivotable movement relative to the chassis of the vehicle to discharge material from the container in a lateral direction to a side of the chassis, the container including a lower container body and an upper container body mounted thereto for operable movement with respect to said lower container body to provide a selectively openable discharge passage e.g. via openable side discharge door, between the upper and lower container bodies when the upper and lower bodies pivot with respect to one another. 
     The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     In one broad form, an aspect of the present invention seeks to provide a side tipper system for a vehicle including a chassis supported by wheels, the system including: a container for carrying material and selectively discharging carried material to a lateral discharge side of the chassis, the container including: a container body defining an upper portion of a first side wall of the container on the discharge side, a second side wall of the container opposing the first side wall, and a pair of opposing end walls of the container; a floor pivotally coupled to the second side wall; and a side door pivotally coupled to the floor, the side door defining a lower portion of the first side wall of the container in a closed position and forming a discharge opening in an open position; and first and second end assemblies mounted to the chassis at respective ends of the container, each end assembly being operatively coupled to the container for supporting the container relative to the chassis and controlling the discharge of carried material from the container by: moving the side door from the closed position to the open position; and lifting the container body relative to the chassis, to thereby cause carried material to be discharged to the discharge side via the discharge opening. 
     In one embodiment, the end assemblies are configured so that lifting the container body causes the floor to pivotally rotate away from the container body to thereby define a discharge ramp for directing material to the discharge side. 
     In one embodiment, the end assemblies are configured so that lifting the container body causes the floor to be oriented at a ramp angle that depends on a lifting height to which the container body is lifted. 
     In one embodiment, the side door in the open position effectively extends the discharge ramp laterally beyond the chassis on the discharge side. 
     In one embodiment, the end assemblies are configured so that lifting the container body causes the container body to tip away from the discharge side. 
     In one embodiment, the end assemblies are configured so that lifting the container body causes the second side wall to be oriented at a tipping angle that depends on a lifting height to which that the container body is lifted. 
     In one embodiment, when the container body is lifted to a predetermined lifting height, the second side wall and the floor are substantially aligned. 
     In one embodiment, when the container body is lifted to the predetermined height, the second side wall, the floor and the side door are substantially aligned to define a substantially continuous discharge ramp. 
     In one embodiment, the side door is substantially aligned with the upper portion of the first side wall in the closed position and substantially aligned with the floor in the open position. 
     In one embodiment, when the container body is not lifted: a base of the upper portion of the first side wall is offset from the floor; and the side door extends between the floor and the offset base of the upper portion of the first side wall in the closed position. 
     In one embodiment: moving the side door to the open position forms the discharge opening between the floor and the offset base of the upper portion of the first side wall; and lifting the container body expands the discharge opening. 
     In one embodiment, the floor includes: a first floor edge that is pivotally coupled to a base of the second side wall; and an opposing second floor edge that is pivotally coupled to the side door. 
     In one embodiment, the side door includes: a first door edge that is pivotally coupled to the second floor edge; and an opposing second door edge that abuts a base of the upper portion of the first side wall when the side door is in the closed position. 
     In one embodiment, the second floor edge is pivotally coupled to the end assemblies such that the second floor edge is not lifted when the container body is lifted. 
     In one embodiment, the floor includes a pair of opposing end plates protruding from respective ends of the floor such that, when the container body is not lifted, the end plates extend inside the container body alongside the end walls, and when the container body is lifted, the end plates extend between the floor and the end walls. 
     In one embodiment, at least one of: each end plate includes a curved edge; each end wall has a smooth inside surface having a shape corresponding to a respective end plate shape; and each end wall includes a plate guide for supporting an edge of a respective end plate. 
     In one embodiment, each end assembly is provided as a modular assembly that can be adapted for use at either end of the container. 
     In one embodiment, each end assembly is configured to be mounted onto the chassis and coupled to interface points provided at the respective end of the container. 
     In one embodiment, each end assembly includes a lifting actuator for lifting the container body relative to the chassis. 
     In one embodiment, each end assembly includes: a frame; a lever arm pivotally coupled to the frame and the container body; and a linkage pivotally coupled to the frame and the container body. 
     In one embodiment, the lifting actuator pivotally rotates the lever arm relative to the frame for lifting the container body and the linkage controls an orientation of the container body as the container body is lifted. 
     In one embodiment, the frame includes: a frame base for mounting the end assembly to the chassis; and a frame arm extending away from the discharge side. 
     In one embodiment: the lever arm has a first lever end pivotally coupled to the frame base on the discharge side and a second lever end pivotally coupled to the container body proximate to the base of the second side wall; and the linkage has a first linkage end pivotally coupled to a distal end of the frame arm and a second linkage end pivotally coupled to the container body proximate to the base of the upper portion of the first side wall. 
     In one embodiment, the lifting actuator is pivotally coupled to the frame and the lever arm. 
     In one embodiment, the lifting actuator is a cylinder actuator configured so that extension of the lifting actuator causes the lever arm to pivotally rotate relative to the frame, thereby causing the container body to be lifted. 
     In one embodiment, each end assembly includes a door actuator for moving the side door between the closed position and the open position. 
     In one embodiment, each end assembly includes a frame and a lever arm pivotally coupled to the frame, and wherein the door actuator is pivotally coupled to the lever arm and the side door. 
     In one embodiment, the door actuator is a cylinder actuator configured so that extension of the door actuator causes the side door to pivotally rotate between the closed position and the open position. 
     In another broad form, an aspect of the present invention seeks to provide a vehicle including: a chassis supported by wheels; and a side tipper system as described above. 
     It will be appreciated that the broad forms of the invention and their respective features can be used in conjunction, interchangeably and/or independently, and reference to separate broad forms is not intended to be limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various examples and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an example of a vehicle including a side tipper system having a container configured for carrying material; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1A  in which the container is configured for discharging material; 
         FIG. 1C  is an end view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1D  is an end view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 2A  is an end view of the side tipper system of  FIG. 1A , in which the system is configured for carrying material; 
         FIG. 2B  is an end view of the side tipper system of  FIG. 2A  with a side door of the container moved to an open position; 
         FIG. 2C  is an end view of the side tipper system of  FIG. 2A , in which the system is configured for discharging material; 
         FIG. 3A  is an end view of an end assembly of the system of  FIG. 2A  with its actuators retracted; 
         FIG. 3B  is an end view of the end assembly of  FIG. 3A  with a door actuator extended; 
         FIG. 3C  is an end view of the end assembly of  FIG. 3A  with the door actuator and a lifting actuator both extended; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the end assembly of  FIG. 3A  with its actuators retracted; 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the end assembly of  FIG. 3C  with the door actuator and the lifting actuator both extended; 
         FIG. 5A  is a first perspective view of the container body of the container of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a second perspective view of the container body of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a first perspective view of the floor of the container of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 6B  is a second perspective view of the floor of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a first perspective view of the side door of the container of  FIG. 1A ; and 
         FIG. 7B  is a second perspective view of the side door of  FIG. 7A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An example of a side tipper system for a vehicle  100  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1A to 1D . 
     The system will typically be provided for use with a vehicle  100  including a chassis  110  supported by wheels  111 . In the current example, the vehicle  100  is in the form of a trailer that may be driven by a prime mover in use, although the system may be used with alternative types of vehicles, such as a truck or a carriage. 
     In broad terms, the system includes a container  120  for carrying material and selectively discharging carried material to a lateral discharge side of the chassis  110 , along with first and second end assemblies  160  mounted to the chassis  110  at respective ends of the container  120 . Each end assembly  160  is operatively coupled to the container  120  for supporting the container  120  relative to the chassis  110  and controlling the discharge of carried material from the container  120 . 
     The container  120  includes a container body  130  defining an upper portion of a first side wall  131  of the container  120  on the discharge side, a second side wall  132  of the container  120  opposing the first side wall  131 , and a pair of opposing end walls  133 ,  134  of the container  120 . The container  120  further includes a floor  140  pivotally coupled to the second side wall  132 , and a side door  150  pivotally coupled to the floor  140 . The side door  150  effectively defines a lower portion of the first side wall  131  of the container  120  in a closed position (as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1C ) and forms a discharge opening in an open position (as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1D ). 
     Each end assembly is particularly configured to control the discharge of carried material from the container  120  by moving the side door  150  from the closed position to the open position, and lifting the container body  130  relative to the chassis  110  (as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1D ), to thereby cause carried material to be discharged to the discharge side via the discharge opening. 
     In view of the above, it will be appreciated that the system can facilitate the discharge of material from the container  120  using a lifting motion that can help to avoid moving the centre of gravity of the container  120  and material laterally with respect to the chassis. As can be seen in  FIGS. 1B and 1D , the container body  130  remains in a substantially central position after lifting, whilst the floor  140  and the side door  150 , being pivotally moveable to the container body  130 , may assume a position for directing the material to the discharge side of the vehicle  100 . 
     Accordingly, the design of the system can help to avoid problems encountered in previous side tipper designs, such as the risk of tipping over in situations where the container is moved laterally during discharge, and discharging material too close to the vehicle. 
     Moreover, the system may be implemented using modular construction by having self-contained end assemblies  160  for mounting the container  120  to the chassis  110  and providing the interfaces for supporting and controlling operation of the discharge procedure. 
     Furthermore, in view of the relatively straightforward arrangement of the container using pivotally connected floor  140  and side door components  150 , as opposed to some of the more complex container arrangements seen in conventional systems, lightweight yet robust construction techniques may be used, such as forming the container parts using aluminium rather than the more traditional choice of steel. 
     Further preferred or optional features of the system will now be outlined. 
     Each end assembly  160  may be provided as a modular assembly that can be adapted for use at either end of the container  120 . It will be appreciated that this can help to reduce the unique parts count of the system and facilitate easier installation and maintenance of the system. Preferably, each end assembly  160  will be configured so that it simply needs to be mounted on the chassis  110  and coupled to interface points provided at the respective end of the container  120 . 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1D , each end assembly  160  includes a door actuator  170  for moving the side door  150  between the closed position and the open position, and a lifting actuator  180  for lifting the container body relative to the chassis. However, different arrangements of actuators may be used. For example, in some implementations, the door actuator  170  may be omitted and movement of the side door  150  may be controlled by mechanically linking the side door  150  to the lifting actuator  180 . 
     Preferably, the end assemblies  160  are configured so that lifting the container body  130  causes the floor  140  to pivotally rotate away from the container body  130 , to thereby define a discharge ramp for directing material to the discharge side. This is best seen in  FIG. 1D . It will be appreciated that, as the container body  130  is lifted, material carried in the container  120  will be allowed to slide across the discharge ramp provided by the floor  140  and exit the discharge opening that is formed by the side door  150  in the open position. 
     The end assemblies  160  may be configured so that lifting the container body  130  causes the floor  140  to be oriented at a ramp angle that depends on a lifting height to which the container body  130  is lifted. For instance, as lifting commences the floor  140  will define a shallow ramp angle and as the container body  130  is lifted higher, the ramp angle will become proportionally steeper. In use, the container body  130  may be lifted up to a sufficient lifting height to complete the discharge of material that may depend on qualities of the particular material such as its angle of repose. 
     With further regard to  FIG. 1D , it will be appreciated that the side door  150  in the open position may effectively extend the discharge ramp formed by the floor  140  laterally beyond the chassis  110  on the discharge side. Thus, discharged material can be directed to a position further away from the vehicle  100 , to help to prevent the discharged material fouling the wheels  111 . However, it should be understood that the system achieves this without having to move the container  120  onto the discharge side, thereby avoiding the risk of tipping over that can arise in conventional side tipper arrangements where this is the case. 
     Preferably, the end assembly  160  is configured so that lifting the container body  120  causes the container body  120  to tip away from the discharge side, as can also be seen in  FIG. 1D . It will be appreciated that this tipping movement of the container body  120  can assist in the effective discharge of material across the discharge ramp formed by the floor  140  and open side door  150 , especially in the case of wet or irregular materials that may be prone to becoming stuck in the container  120 . 
     The end assemblies  160  may be configured so that lifting the container body  130  causes the second side wall  132  to be oriented at a tipping angle that depends on a lifting height to which the container body  130  is lifted. For instance, as lifting commences the second side wall  132  will move from a substantially vertical orientation to define a small tipping angle and as the container body  130  is lifted higher, the tipping angle will become proportionally greater. 
     In some implementations, when the container body  130  is lifted to a predetermined lifting height, the second side wall  132  and the floor  140  may become substantially aligned, as in the configuration depicted in  FIG. 1D . It will be appreciated that, when the container body  130  is lifted to the predetermined height, the second side wall  132 , the floor  140  and the side door  150  may each be substantially aligned to define a substantially continuous discharge ramp. Thus, material can be allowed to readily slide from the container body  130  along the floor  140  and side door  150  to be discharged to the discharge side. 
     Typically, the side door  150  will be substantially aligned with the upper portion of the first side wall  131  in the closed position. When the container body  130  is not lifted, a base of the upper portion of the first side wall  131  may be offset from the floor  140 , and the side door  150  may extend between the floor  140  and the offset base of the upper portion of the first side wall  131  in the closed position. 
     On the other hand, the side door  150  will typically be substantially aligned with the floor  140  in the open position, and it will be appreciated that this facilitates the extension of the discharge ramp formed by the floor  140  as the container body  130  is lifted, as discussed above. 
     Thus it should be understood that, in the example described above, moving the side door  150  to the open position will form the above mentioned discharge opening between the floor  140  and the offset base of the upper portion of the first side wall  131 , and lifting the container body  130  will expand the discharge opening. As can be seen in  FIGS. 1B and 1D , this expansion of the discharge opening may be even further increased by the above discussed functionality of the end assemblies  160  for simultaneously tipping the container body  130  as it is lifted. 
     With regard to  FIGS. 1A to 1D , the floor  140  typically includes a first floor edge  141  that is pivotally coupled to a base of the second side wall  132 , and an opposing second floor edge  142  that is pivotally coupled to the side door  150 . In turn, the side door  150  includes a first door edge  151  that is pivotally coupled to the second floor edge  142 , and an opposing second door edge  152  that abuts a base of the upper portion of the first side wall  131  when the side door  150  is in the closed position. 
     The second floor edge  142  may be pivotally coupled to the end assemblies  160  such that the second floor edge  142  is not lifted when the container body  130  is lifted. It will be appreciated that this may be used to control how the floor  140  defines a discharge ramp as the container body  130  is lifted, as discussed above. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1A to 1D , the floor  140  may also include a pair of opposing end plates  143 ,  144  protruding from respective ends of the floor  140 . Further details of these end plates  143 ,  144  can be seen in the detailed views of the floor  140  in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . When the container body  130  is not lifted (as per  FIGS. 1A and 1C ), the end plates  143 ,  144  extend inside the container body  130  alongside the end walls. On the other hand, when the container body  130  is lifted (as per  FIGS. 1B and 1D ), the end plates  143 ,  144  extend between the floor and the end walls. 
     It will be appreciated that these end plates  143 ,  144  will help to prevent the material from overflowing from the ends of the discharge ramp defined by the floor  140  and the open side door  150 . These end plates  143 ,  144  may be considered to define an effective discharge chute in conjunction with the discharge ramp. 
     The end plates  143 ,  144  may be provided with a curved edge as can be seen in  FIGS. 1B and 1D  and  FIGS. 6A and 6B . It is noted that the curvature of the curved edge will typically correlate to the curved arc through which the floor  140  will pivotally rotate relative to the container body  130 . 
     The end walls  133 ,  134  of the container body  130  may also have specific adaptations to allow effective operation of the end plates  143 ,  144 . For example, as shown in the detailed views of the container body  130  in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , each end wall  133 ,  134  may have a smooth inside surface  510  having a shape corresponding to a respective end plate  143 ,  144  shape. This surface  510  will preferably be kept free of protrusions or obstructions to allow a close parallel relationship between the end plates  143 ,  144  and the end walls  133 ,  134 . Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment of the system, the container body  130  is configured so that interfaces to other elements of the system are provided outside of this surface  510  corresponding to the end plates  143 ,  144 . Furthermore, each end wall  133 ,  134  may include a plate guide  520  for supporting an edge of a respective end plate  143 ,  144 . It will be appreciated that this can prevent sliding friction between the end walls  133 ,  134  and the end plates  143 ,  144  whilst permitting lighter construction of the end plates  143 ,  144 . 
     Whilst not shown in the Figures, the side door  150  may also include a pair of opposing shedder plates protruding from respective ends of the side door  150 . These may have a similar function as the end plates  143 ,  144 , i.e. for helping to direct the discharge of material and preventing overflow from ends of the side door  150  which it is in the open position. 
       FIGS. 2A to 2C  show simplified representations of the container  120  and an end assembly  160  in different operational positions, and  FIGS. 3A to 3C  show more detailed views of the end assembly  160  corresponding to the positions of  FIGS. 2A to 2C . 
     In preferred embodiments, each end assembly  160  generally includes the main elements of a frame  161 , a lever arm  162  pivotally coupled to the frame  161  and the container body  130 ; and a linkage  163  pivotally coupled to the frame  161  and the container body  130 , along with the door actuator  170  and the lifting actuator  180  as mentioned above. 
       FIG. 2A  particularly shows the container  120  arranged in its normal material carrying configuration, in which the side door  150  is in the closed position and the container body  130  has not been lifted. Typically, the door actuator  170  and the lifting actuator  180  will be provided as cylinder actuators, such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, and in this example both actuators are in a retracted state during this carrying configuration, as can be observed in the corresponding  FIG. 3A . 
     Usually, the first step in discharging material from the container  120  is causing the side door  150  to move to the open position, where the side door  150  pivotally rotates into alignment with the floor  140  as shown in  FIG. 2B . This is achieved using the door actuator  170 , typically by extending the door actuator  170  as shown in the corresponding  FIG. 3B . This serves to form the discharge opening below the upper portion of the first side wall  131 . 
     However, it should be appreciated that the side door  150  does not need to be moved completely to the open position before lifting of the container body  130  commences. In some implementations, the container body  130  may be lifted whilst the side door  150  is being opened. Accordingly, the side door  150  may be progressively moved from the closed position towards the open position as the container body  130  is being lifted. It will be appreciated that this can allow the door actuator  170  and the lifting actuator  180  to be activated simultaneously rather than in sequence. Despite this, it is preferable to have the side door  150  move completely to the open position at a predetermined point in the lifting process to ensure that the side door  150  can effectively extend the discharge ramp provided by the floor  140  and thus not impede the discharge of material. 
       FIG. 2A  shows an example configuration of the container  120  and the end assembly  160  after the container body  130  has been lifted. It should be noted that lifting the container body  130  is a continuous procedure and the speed of lifting and the final lifting height may be varied depending on requirements and subject to the actual discharge of material. For example, some materials, such as easily flowing particulate materials, may be discharged without needing to lift the container body  130  as high as for other materials, such as irregularly shaped or sticky materials that may require higher discharge ramp angles. 
     In any event, lifting of the container body  130  is achieved using the lifting actuator  180 , typically by extending the lifting actuator  180  as shown in the corresponding  FIG. 3C . In this example, extension of the lifting actuator  180  causes the container body  130  to be lifted using a lever arrangement facilitated by the lever arm  162 . In addition, the container body  130  may be tipped as it is lifted, with the tipping motion of the container body  130  being controlled by the linkage  163 . In particular, the end assembly  160  may be configured so that the lifting actuator  180  pivotally rotates the lever arm  162  relative to the frame  161  for lifting the container body  130 , whilst the linkage  163  controls an orientation of the container body  130  as the container body is lifted. The movements of the lever arm  162  and the linkage  163  due to extension of the lifting actuator  180  can be seen more clearly in  FIG. 3C . 
     Specific details of an example configuration of the end assembly  160  for achieving this functionality will now be described with further regard to  FIGS. 3A to 3C  and the perspective views of the end assembly in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
     In this example, the frame  161  particularly includes a frame base  311  for mounting the end assembly  160  to the chassis  110 , and a frame arm  314  extending away from the discharge side, i.e. to a non-discharge side of the chassis  110 . The frame  161  may also include connecting structure extending between the frame base  311  and the frame arm  314  such as the frame struts  312  extending upwardly from the frame base and the frame junction  313  into which the frame struts come together and from which the frame arm  314  extends as shown. However, it will be appreciated that the particular configuration of the frame  161  is not essential, and different arrangements of connecting structures may be used in the frame  161  whilst providing similar functionality. 
     In any event, in this example, the lever arm  162  has a first lever end  321  pivotally coupled to the frame base  311  on the discharge side and a second lever end  322  pivotally coupled to the container body  130  proximate to the base of the second side wall  132 . Turning back to  FIGS. 1A to 1D , it will be seen that the second level end  322  may be coupled to a first container fitting  135  via a fitting at the first door end  141 . 
     The linkage  163  has a first linkage end  331  pivotally coupled to a distal end  315  of the frame arm  314  and a second linkage end  332  pivotally coupled to the container body  130  proximate to the base of the upper portion of the first side wall  131 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 1A to 1D , the second level end  332  may be coupled to a second container fitting  136  that protrudes above the area that is occupied by the end plates  143 ,  144 . 
     The lifting actuator  180  may be pivotally coupled to the frame  161  and the lever arm  162 . In this example, the lifting actuator  180  is specifically coupled to the frame base  311  on the non-discharge side, and coupled to the lever arm  162  near the second lever end  322 . A lifting actuator bracket  323  may be provided at the second lever end  322  to facilitate attachment of the lifting actuator  180  to the lever arm  162 . In this example, the lifting actuator bracket  323  extends beyond the second lever end  322  and may also facilitate coupling the lever arm  162  to the container body  130 . Typically, the lifting actuator  180  is a cylinder actuator configured so that extension of the lifting actuator  180  causes the lever arm  162  to pivotally rotate relative to the frame  161 , thereby causing the container body  130  to be lifted, as mentioned above. 
     The door actuator  170  may be pivotally coupled to the lever arm  162  and the side door  150 . In this particular example, a door actuator bracket  324  is provided at the second lever end  322  to facilitate attachment of the door actuator  170  to the lever arm  162 . The door actuator bracket  324  extends transversely from lever arm  162  so that the door actuator  170  is offset from the lever arm  162 . Typically, the door actuator  170  is a cylinder actuator configured so that extension of the door actuator  170  causes the side door  150  to pivotally rotate between the closed position and the open position, as mentioned above. 
     The respective door actuators  170  and lifting actuators  180  of the end assemblies  160  on each side will typically have their operation synchronised to ensure smooth operation without inducing undesirable loading on the container  120  parts that could otherwise occur if this were not the case. In one example, master and slave phasing arrangement for synchronising the corresponding actuators  170  at each end. Alternatively, other synchronising techniques may be used, for instance a flow control system may be used. 
     Further specific implementation features of the end assemblies  160  will now be outlines with regard to  FIGS. 3A to 3C  and  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
     It will be appreciated that the end assemblies  160  may be configured to provide all of the necessary interfaces for supporting the container  120  and moving the components of the container  120  in a coordinated manner during the discharge of material. For instance, each end assembly  160  provides a floor pivot point  301  on the discharge side of the frame base  311  for interfacing with the second floor end  142  to thereby prevent that end of the floor  140  from lifting and thus allowing a discharge ramp to be formed as the container body  130  is lifted. A first container pivot point  302  is provided on the lifting actuator bracket  323  for interfacing to the first floor end  141  which in turn couples to the first container fitting  135  near the base of the second side wall  132 . A second container pivot point  303  is provided on the second linkage end  332  for coupling to the second container fitting  136  near the base of the upper portion of the first side wall  131 . Finally, the door actuator  170  provides a door pivot point  304  which interfaces with the door  150  to allow it to be opened and closed. 
     Turing to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , specific features of the container body  130  can be seen including the placement of the first container fitting  135  and second container fitting  136  on each end wall  133 ,  134 , which are the primary connection points for supporting the container body  130  and for enabling lifting and tipping of the container body  130  in use. The relative locations of the inside surfaces  510  and plate guides  520  corresponding to the end plates  143 ,  144  can also be seen, noting that the first and second container fittings  135 ,  136  are located outside of the inside surface  510 . 
     The pivotal coupling between the base of the second side wall  132  and the door  140  may be facilitated by mounting a shaft or pins to the respective first container fitting  135  at each end wall  133 ,  134 . However, in this case, an additional coupling point  530  is also provided at an approximate mid-point along the base of the second side wall  132  to provide additional support for this pivotal coupling. 
     With regard to the detailed views of the floor  140  shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the curved edges of the end plates  143 ,  144  can be seen along with the particular interfaces with other components. The floor  140  may include a first floor fitting  610  at each end of the first door edge  141 , which may be coupled to the first container fitting  135  of the container  120  for both coupling the floor  140  to the container. 
     The floor  140  may also include a second floor fitting  620  at each end of the second door edge  142  for coupling the floor  140  to the side door  150 . As with the connection between the container body  130  and the door  140 , an additional coupling point  630  is also provided at an approximate mid-point along the second floor edge  142  to provide additional support for this pivotal coupling. 
     The floor  140  may also include a lifting fitting  640 , which may be provided for facilitating lifting of the container body  130  using the lever arm  162  when the lifting actuator  180  is extended. In this particular example, the lifting fitting  640  may be coupled to lifting bracket  323  at the second end  322  of the lever arm  162 , via the first container pivot point  302  as mentioned above. However, it should be appreciated that this is but one example of a suitable coupling arrangement for facilitating lifting of the container body  130 , but a range of different coupling arrangements may be used whilst providing similar functionality as hereinbefore described. 
     Finally, further details of the side door  150  can be seen in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . The side door  150  may include first floor fittings  710  and an additional coupling point  730  for coupling with the corresponding second floor fittings  620  and additional coupling point  630  of the floor, to thereby facilitate the pivotal coupling between the side door  150  and the floor  140 . In addition, the side door  150  may including protruding second door fittings  720  for allowing the door actuator to be coupled to the side door  150 . 
     In any event, it will be appreciated that the particular implementation features discussed above are provided to assist understanding of the invention described herein but are not necessarily essential, and a range of different design approaches may be taken to provide equivalent functionality as broadly described. 
     In summary of the above, it will be appreciated that the system provides a side tipper arrangement which uses a container having a floor and side door that are moveable relative to a main container body such that, when the side door is open and the container body is lifted, material carried in the container can be effectively discharged through a discharge opening formed by opening the door. The discharge opening may be significantly enlarged as the container body is lifted, and the floor and side door may effectively form a discharge ramp for directing the flow of material to the discharge side of the vehicle. The container body may also be tipped as part of the lifting action to further enhance the discharge of material. 
     Importantly, the effective discharge of material to the side of the vehicle can be achieved by lifting the container body upwardly without having requiring substantial sideways movement of the container body of carried material, thereby significantly reducing the risk of tipping over that is often present in traditional side tipper designs. In contrast to conventional side tippers, embodiments of the system may be inherently stable in use. 
     Moreover, the container may be supported by and operationally controlled by end assemblies which provide the actuators for opening the side door and lifting/tipping the container body to cause the discharge of material. The end assemblies can be conveniently provided in a modular format in which only the end assemblies are mounted to the vehicle and provide all necessary interfaces to the container for achieving the above discussed functionalities. 
     Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. As used herein and unless otherwise stated, the term “approximately” means ±20%. 
     It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a support” includes a plurality of supports. In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings unless a contrary intention is apparent. 
     It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.