Patent Abstract:
A pivot pin and saddle assembly is provided for a side-dump trailer or truck with the pivot pin and saddle assembly including structure which limits the relative movement between the side-dump body of the trailer or truck with respect to the frame of the trailer or truck. The saddle assembly of this invention includes a bearing block comprised of Nylon® or other composite material which supports the pivot pin to prevent metal-to-metal contact between the pivot pin and the associated saddle assembly.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an improved pivot pin and saddle assembly for a side-dump trailer or truck. More particularly, a plurality of the saddle assemblies are secured to the frame of the truck or trailer upon which the side-dump body is movably positioned with the saddle assemblies receiving pivot pins secured to the side-dump body. Even more particularly, the saddle assemblies of this invention pivotally support the pivot pins of the side-dump body upon a Nylon® or composite bearing block. The design of the pivot pins and saddle assemblies prevents longitudinal movement of the side-dump body with respect to the truck or trailer frame. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, side-dump bodies mounted on trailers or trucks have become extremely popular. The assignee of the instant invention has obtained many patents on side-dump bodies with one of the first patents being U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,214 to Ralph Rogers. 
     In most of Applicants&#39; prior art patents relating to side-dump trailers and in most of the side-dump bodies of the competitors of assignee, the side-dump bodies are pivotally mounted on a truck or trailer frame in a manner so that they may be dumped to either side of the truck or trailer frame. In most cases, pivot pins are secured to the sides of the side-dump body with the pivot pins being received in saddle assemblies mounted on the trailer or truck frame. To the best of Applicants&#39; knowledge, no one working in the side-dump body industry has provided pivot pin and saddle assemblies which adequately limit the longitudinal movement of the side-dump body with respect to the truck or trailer frame. Further, to the best of Applicants&#39; knowledge, all the prior art side-dump bodies have metal-to-metal contact between the pivot pins and the saddle assemblies. In that situation, the pivot pins and saddle assemblies may become worn which will eventually effect the operation of the side-dump body with respect to those saddle assemblies which will then require repair or replacement of the pivot pins and saddle assemblies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A pivot pin and saddle assembly is disclosed for use with a side-dump trailer or truck. The side-dump trailer or truck includes a wheeled frame having a forward end, a rearward end, a first side and a second side. An elongated side-dump body is movably positioned on the wheeled frame and has a forward end, a rearward end, a first side and a second side. The side-dump body also includes an upstanding front bulkhead with upper and lower ends, an upstanding back bulkhead with upper and lower ends, a first side wall having forward and rearward ends, a second side wall having forward and rearward ends, a bottom wall having forward and rearward ends, and an open upper end for receiving materials therein to be transported. A first diagonally extending pivot tube, having upper and lower ends, is secured to the front bulkhead. The upper end of the first pivot tube is positioned adjacent the upper end of the front bulkhead with the first pivot tube extending downwardly and outwardly from its upper end to its lower end. A second diagonally extending pivot tube, having upper and lower ends, is secured to the front bulkhead with the upper end of the second pivot tube being positioned adjacent the upper end of the front bulkhead. The second pivot tube extends downwardly and outwardly from its upper end to its lower end. A third diagonally extending pivot tube, having upper and lower ends, is secured to the back bulkhead. The upper end of the third pivot tube is positioned adjacent the upper end of the back bulkhead with the third pivot tube extending downwardly and outwardly from its upper end to its lower end. A fourth diagonally extending pivot tube, having upper and lower ends, is secured to the back bulkhead with the upper end of the fourth pivot tube being positioned adjacent the upper end of the back bulkhead. The fourth pivot tube extends downwardly and outwardly from its upper end to its lower end. 
     A first horizontally disposed pivot pin, having forward and rearward ends, is secured to the lower end of the first diagonally extending pivot tube with the first pivot pin having a first disc-shaped ring member mounted thereon rearwardly of its forward end and a second disc-shaped ring member mounted thereon forwardly of its rearward end. The first and second disc-shaped ring members are horizontally spaced-apart on the first pivot pin. 
     A second horizontally disposed pivot pin, having forward and rearward ends, is secured to the lower end of the second diagonally extending pivot tube with the second pivot pin having a first disc-shaped ring member mounted thereon rearwardly of its forward end and a second pivot pin having a disc-shaped ring member mounted thereon forwardly of its rearward end. The first and second disc-shaped ring members are horizontally spaced-apart on the second pivot pin. 
     A third horizontally disposed pivot pin, having forward and rearward ends, is secured to the lower end of the third diagonally extending pivot tube with the third pivot pin having a first disc-shaped ring member mounted thereon rearwardly of its forward end and a second disc-shaped ring member mounted thereon forwardly of its rearward end. The first and second disc-shaped ring members are horizontally spaced-apart on the third pivot pin. 
     A fourth horizontally disposed pivot pin, having forward and rearward ends, is secured to the lower end of the fourth diagonally extending pivot tube with the fourth pivot pin having a first disc-shaped ring member mounted thereon rearwardly of its forward end and having a second disc-shaped ring member mounted thereon forwardly of its rearward end. The first and second disc-shaped ring members are horizontally spaced-apart on the fourth pivot pin. 
     A first saddle assembly is secured to the wheeled frame adjacent the lower end of the first pivot tube and a second saddle assembly is secured to the wheeled frame adjacent the lower end of the second pivot tube. A third saddle assembly is secured to the wheeled frame adjacent the lower end of the third pivot tube. A fourth saddle assembly is secured to the wheeled frame adjacent the lower end of the fourth pivot tube. The first, second, third and fourth pivot pins are selectively pivotally received by the first, second third and fourth saddle assemblies respectively. A locking device is associated with each of the saddle assemblies to selectively lock the pivot pin in the saddle assembly. Each of the first, second, third and fourth pivot pins and the first, second, third and fourth saddle assemblies include means thereon for limiting the longitudinal movement of the side-dump body with respect to the saddle assembly and the wheeled frame. Further, the pivot pins of the side-dump body are supported upon Nylon® bearing blocks positioned on the saddle assemblies with each of the bearing blocks having a semi-circular recess formed therein which partially receives the associated pivot pin. The side-dump body may be pivotally movable between a transport position to a dumping position at either side of the truck or trailer. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved pivot pin/saddle assembly for a side-dump trailer or truck. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a pivot pin/saddle assembly for a side-dump trailer or truck which limits the longitudinal movement of the side-dump body with respect to the trailer or truck frame. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a saddle assembly for a side-dump trailer or truck which includes a Nylon® or composite bearing block which supports the associated pivot pin thereon. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a pivot pin/saddle assembly for a side-dump trailer which prevents the metal-to-metal contact normally associated with the pivot pins and saddle assemblies of conventional side-dump trailers or trucks. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of The present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a side-dump trailer having a plurality of pivot pin/saddle assemblies of this invention secured thereto; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the side-dump body of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded front perspective view of the saddle assembly, two of which are secured to the left side of the trailer or truck frame; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a pivot pin being lowered into the saddle assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 4  except that the pivot pin is locked into the saddle assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view of the pivot pin/saddle assembly of  FIG. 3  with the pivot pin being locked into the saddle assembly; and 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded front perspective view of one of the saddle assemblies which are secured to the right side of the truck or trailer frame. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     In  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 - 6 , the numeral  10  refers generally to a wheeled frame which may be part of a truck or trailer. For purposes of description, the wheeled frame  10  will be described as having a left side  12 , a right side  14 , a forward end  16 , and a rearward end  18 . A conventional side-dump body such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,214 is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and is referred to generally by the reference numeral  20 . For purposes of description, side-dump body  20  will be described as having a forward end wall or bulkhead  22 , a rearward end wall or bulkhead  24 , a first side wall  26 , a second side wall  28 , and a bottom wall  30  which may be curved or flat. Bottom wall  30  may be integrally formed with side walls  26  and  28 . 
     A pair of diagonally extending pivot tubes  32  and  34  are secured to the forward side of forward bulkhead  22  and have longitudinally extending pivot pins  36  and  38  secured to the lower ends respectively. A pair of diagonally extending pivot tubes  40  and  42  are secured to the rearward side of rearward bulkhead  24  and have longitudinally extending pivot pins  44  and  46  secured thereto respectively. Inasmuch as the pivot pins  36 ,  38 ,  44  and  46  are identical, only pivot pin  36  will be described in detail. Pivot pin  36  has a pair of spaced-apart, disc-shaped ring members  48  and  50  secured thereto by welding or the like. 
     A saddle assembly  52  is secured to the web of frame member  10 L as seen in  FIG. 2  by bolts or the like so as to be positioned below the lower end of pivot tube  32 . Saddle assembly  54  is secured to the web of frame member  10 R as seen in  FIG. 2  by bolts or the like so as to be positioned below the lower end of pivot tube  34 . Saddle assembly  56  is secured to the web of frame member  10 L as seen in  FIG. 1  by bolts or the like so as to be positioned below the lower end of pivot tube  40 . Saddle assembly  58  is secured to the web of frame member  10 R so as to be positioned below the lower end of pivot tube  42 . 
     Inasmuch as saddle assemblies  52  and  56  are identical, only saddle member  52  will be described in detail. Inasmuch as saddle assemblies  54  and  58  are identical, only saddle assembly  54  will be described in detail. The only difference between saddle assemblies  52  and  54  is the location of the locking devices as will be described in more detail hereinafter. All of the saddle assemblies described above could be constructed identical to saddle assembly  52  if so desired as will be explained hereinafter. 
     Saddle assembly  52  includes a vertically disposed mounting plate  60  having bolt openings  62  formed therein. Mounting plate  60  is bolted to the web of frame member  10 L by bolt  64  extending through opening  62  and through registering bolt openings in frame member  10 L. Horizontally spaced-apart front and back side plates  66  and  68  are welded to mounting plate  60  and extend outwardly therefrom as seen in the drawings. Front side plate  66  has a generally U-shaped pivot pin receiving opening  70  formed therein which has a generally semi-circular lower end  72 . Front side plate  66  has a pair of spaced-apart ears  74  and  76  at its upper end which are bent forwardly as seen in  FIG. 3 . The forward side of side plate  66  has a pair of spaced-apart collars or bushings  78  and  80  welded thereto. The numeral  82  refers to a locking plate which has a tube or sleeve  84  at its lower end. Locking plate  82  includes an opening  86  formed therein. Sleeve  84  is positioned between bushings  78  and  80  and is held therebetween in a pivotal manner by means of pin  88  extending through bushing  80 , sleeve  84  and bushing  78 . Pin  88  is held in place by any suitable means such as by a cotter key or the like extending through bore  90  in pin  88 . 
     The numeral  92  refers to a spring-lock assembly which is mounted on the front side of front side plate  66 . Assembly  92  includes a box-like bracket  94  which is welded to side plate  66 . A pin  96  extends through bracket  94  and has a spring  98  embracing it to yieldably urge the pin  96  towards mounting plate  60  beyond the outer side of opening  70 . Assembly  92  includes means to maintain pin  96  in a retracted non-locking position in conventional fashion. Back side plate  68  includes rearwardly bent ears  100  and  102  and a U-shaped opening  104  having a semi-circular lower end  106 . 
     A bearing block mounting plate  108  is positioned between side plates  66  and  68  adjacent the lower ends thereof and is welded thereto and to the mounting plate  62 . the outer end of mounting plate  108  is provided with an upturned lip  110 . The forward and rearward side edges of mounting plate  108  are provided with notches  112  and  114  formed therein which receive the lower ends of ring members  48  and  50  when pivot pin  36  is received by the saddle assembly  52 . The numeral  116  refers to a bearing block which is comprised of Nylon®, plastic or a composite material. The upper surface of bearing block  116  has an elongated recessed area  118  formed therein which has a generally semi-circular cross-section. Bearing block  116  is positioned on mounting plate  108  between side plates  66  and  68  and is secured to mounting plate  108  by bolts  120  and  122  which extend downwardly through bolt openings  124  and  126  respectively in baring block  116 . When bearing block  116  is positioned on mounting plate  108 , the lower end  128  of the recessed area  118  dwells in a plane above the lower ends  72  and  106  of U-shaped openings  70  and  104  in side plates  66  and  68  respectively so that pivot pin  36  is held in a plane above the lower ends  72  and  106  by openings  70  and  104 . The bearing block  116  prevents pivot pin  36  from engaging the lower ends  72  and  106  of openings  70  and  104 . If bearing block  116  becomes worn, it is easily replaced or vertically adjusted. 
     As previously stated, saddle assemblies  52  and  56  are identical. Saddle assemblies  52  and  56  are positioned on the left side of the wheeled frame  10 , as viewed from the rear thereof, so that the locking plates  82  will be at the forward sides of the saddle assemblies  52  and  56  and will be readily visible to the driver of the vehicle. If the saddle assembly  52  was used on the right side of the wheeled frame  10 , the locking plates would be at the rearward side of the saddle assembly and would not be clearly visible from the front of the vehicle. Thus, a slight modification is made to a saddle assembly  52  so that it may be used on the right side of the vehicle. It should be noted that while it is preferred that the locking plate  82  be positioned at the forward side of the saddle assembly for observation purposes, it is not necessary. 
     The saddle assembly  54  illustrated in  FIG. 7  is different from saddle assembly in only two respects. First, the locking plate  82  on saddle assembly  54  is positioned on the forward side of side plate  68  rather than on side plate  66 . Secondly, the spring-lock assembly  92  is also located on the front side of side plate  68  so as to cooperate with locking plate  68 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the pivot pin  36  seated within the saddle assembly  52  with the locking pin  96  being positioned outwardly of the locking plate  82  to maintain the pivot pin  36  in the saddle assembly  52 . When the locking pin  36  is received within the saddle assembly  52 , the lower ends of the ring members  48  and  50  are received in the notches  112  and  114  of the mounting plate  108 . The close proximity of the ring members  48  and  50  to the side plates  66  and  68  limits the longitudinal movement of the pivot tube  32  and the side-dump body with respect to the saddle assembly  52 . The pivot pin  36  is supported upon the bearing block  116  with the lower end of the pivot pin  36  being disposed above the lower end  72  of the opening  70  in side plate  66  and above the lower end  106  of the opening  104  in the side plate  68  thereby preventing a metal-to-metal contact between the pivot pin and the side plates. The fact that the pivot pins are secured to the lower ends of the pivot tubes and the fact that the pivot tubes are secured to the forward end wall or the rearward end wall of a side-dump body transfers any forces imposed thereon to the front bulkhead rather than to the sides of the side-dump body. 
     Should the bearing block  116  become worn, the bearing block  116  is easily replaced or adjustably vertically moved upwardly by inserting washers or the like beneath the bearing block  116  above the mounting plate  108 . 
     To further describe the invention and assuming that the pivot tube  32  is disposed above the saddle assembly  52  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , as the pivot tube  32  is lowered, the ring members  48  and  50  may engage the portions  74 ,  76 ,  100  and  102  to move the pivot pin in a proper relationship with respect to the saddle assembly. As the pivot tube  32  is lowered with respect to the saddle assembly  52 , the ring members  46  and  50  guide the pivot tube downwardly into the recessed area  118  of the bearing block  116 . When the pivot pin  36  is seated in the recessed area  118  of the bearing block  116 , the locking plate  82  is pivotally moved upwardly from the position of  FIG. 4  to the position of  FIG. 5  so that the opening  86  of the locking plate  82  receives the end of the pivot pin  36 . The spring-lock assembly  92  is then actuated so that the pin  96  extends therefrom adjacent the outer side of the locking plate  82  to maintain the locking plate  82  in its locked position. 
     The side-dump body is pivotally movable from a transport position to a dumping position at either side of the wheeled frame by a hydraulic cylinder at the forward end of the side-dump body and a hydraulic cylinder at the rearward end of the side-dump body in conventional fashion. 
     Thus it can be seen that a novel pivot pin and saddle assembly has been provided for a side-dump trailer or truck which prevents metal-to-metal contact between the pivot pin and the saddle assembly and which limits the longitudinal movement of the side-dump body with respect to the saddle assembly. Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1