Patent ID: 12227220

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference toFIG.1, the cart of the preferred embodiment of present invention includes a base1which is wider than the width of the tailgate and deeper than the thickest point of the tailgate to provide stability during use. In the disclosed preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are caster wheels2with a locking mechanism22, seeFIG.4, to prevent undesired motion of the cart when engaged rotatably disposed beneath the base1at the corners which allow near direct movement of the cart to any point in a horizontal plane. Further, the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes two support arms3one near each end of the cart with features constraining the movement of the spreader tailgate along the width of the cart and away from the dump body16. One of the support arms3is a cantilevered arm4on one side to allow the cart to roll past a salt spinner5, seeFIG.5, which is disposed pivotably beneath the spreader tailgate15. The cantilevered arm4could be located in numerous positions or configurations to accommodate almost any accessory equipment or protrusion disposed beneath the spreader tailgate15, seeFIG.3.

With further reference toFIG.1, the preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes a tie down member6near the middle of the cart which extends first vertically from near the middle of the width of the cart then obliquely toward a position near the top of the middle of the spreader tailgate15, seeFIG.3, when the cart is positioned underneath the spreader tailgate.

With further reference toFIG.1, the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a means of securing the spreader tailgate15, seeFIG.3, to the cart of a chain7and load rated clasp8whereby the chain7is passed through a lifting loop25and secured to itself with the clasp8to prevent tipping of the tailgate. The preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a tray compartment9within the base1of the cart to receive hydraulic hoses or other lines such that said hoses or lines do not drag along the ground and remain within the space of the cart to reduce opportunity for pinching or kinking the lines. The preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes handles10for manually pushing or pulling the cart disposed on multiple sides of the cart. Further, the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a means for directing a lift truck or similar equipment towards suitable lifting points on the cart. These means in the preferred embodiment of the present invention are tubular pockets11disposed on the underside of the cart base1and at positions which straddle the center of mass for both the empty cart and loaded cart. Tie down loops12are located at various points to facilitate securing the tailgate to the cart. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is constructed from carbon steel and joined in manners known to the art, but the cart could easily be made from any metal or other material with appropriate strength as determined by one skilled in the art.

With reference toFIG.2, the prop of the present invention includes a member with two ends. The disclosed preferred embodiment of the present invention of the prop includes a first end with a perpendicular male protrusion13of a diameter near or slightly less than the diameter of the lower tailgate pin19, seeFIG.7, and length near that of the tailgate pin19such that it will fit into the tailgate latching mechanism18. The preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a second end with a perpendicular pipe female protrusion14of an inside diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the tailgate pin19and similar length to the pin thereof such that it will receive the pin. The prop in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is constructed of mild steel by welding 3 pieces. The member has a hole in each end a distance apart which allows for easy insertion of the prop. The pipe and shaft protrude on both sides of the member but only slightly on one side. The pipe and shaft are welded on both sides of the member continuously around their circumference. The prop of the present invention, however, could easily be made from an array of materials including aluminum, stainless steel, etc. and using a variety of methods including casting, machining, drop forging, etc. by one skilled in the art.

With reference toFIG.3, the preferred application of the present method requires a functioning hoist27, seeFIG.5, spreader tailgate15, a dump body16, and the present invention. The present method comprises of three parts: removal, storage, and reinstallation of the spreader tailgate15. To remove the spreader tailgate15, the hoist27is operated, after disengaging the tailgate latch mechanism18, to raise the dump body16making the spreader tailgate15pivot about a set of top pins26, seeFIG.5. With the spreader tailgate15in the open position, the prop17is inserted between the spreader tailgate15and the dump body16. The prop17of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is of length such that the bottom of the spreader tailgate15will be suspended parallel to the horizontal plane near the middle of the range of motion of the hoist27and dump body16when the male protrusion13, seeFIG.2, is in the tailgate latch mechanism18and the female protrusion14is around a tailgate bottom pin19, seeFIG.7. When the prop17is inserted, moving the hoist27and dump body16down will raise the height of the spreader tailgate15and raising the dump body16and hoist27will lower the height of the spreader tailgate15. The spreader tailgate15may need to be manually pivoted about the top pins26to insert the prop17. Once the prop17is secured, the dump body16and hoist27should be lowered such that the spreader tailgate15rotates upward providing greater clearance height beneath it. The prop17is held in the inserted position by the weight of the spreader tailgate15. The tailgate latch mechanism18is closed to ensure the prop17is constrained in case the dump body16and hoist27are required to be raised above the position where the prop17had been inserted. The cart20then is positioned beneath the spreader tailgate15. The dump body hoist27, seeFIG.5, is raised rotating the spreader down toward the cart20. As the spreader approaches the horizontal, the cart20may require adjustment or repositioning. The height of the support arms3, seeFIG.1, of the cart20in the preferred embodiment of the present invention are near the height of the bottom edges of the spreader tailgate15as it approaches parallel to the horizontal plane. The dump body hoist27is raised until the spreader tailgate15contacts the cart20and its weight is transferred from the top pins26, seeFIG.5, to the support arms3of the cart20. While raising the hoist27to set the tailgate spreader15on the cart20, the tailgate latch mechanism18may be opened allowing a greater degree of freedom to limit the possibility of crushing the cart20with the dump body hoist27. With the weight of the tailgate spreader15on the cart20, the tailgate spreader15is secured to the cart20using the tie down member6by looping the chain7through the lifting loop25, seeFIG.6, on the spreader tailgate15and securing the clasp8. Once secured to the cart20, the top pins26of the tailgate are removed. Any hydraulic, electric, or other lines21, seeFIG.5, are disconnected, and the spreader tailgate15is completely disconnected from the dump body.

With reference toFIG.4, the preferred application of the present method for storage includes stowing hydraulic, electric, or other lines21and transporting the cart20to a desired location by means of pushing or pulling manually or by machine including a lift truck. Before moving the cart20, the preferred embodiment of the present invention allows the hydraulic, electric, or other lines to be placed securely in the tray compartment9in the cart20base1. Once at its desired location, the locking mechanism22of the locking caster wheels2of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is engaged to prevent undesired motion until motion is required later and the locking mechanism22is released.

With additional reference toFIG.3, the preferred application of the present method includes a technique of reinstalling a spreader tailgate15. The application includes positioning the loaded cart20at the rear of the dump body16. The dump body hoist27, seeFIG.5, is raised with tailgate latching mechanism18, seeFIG.7, unlocked while the cart20is manipulated into position such that the female means of pivot23at the top of the spreader tailgate15are aligned with the female means of pivot24on top of the dump body16. The spreader tailgate15top pins26, seeFIG.5, are inserted, and the hoist27and dump body16are lowered. The weight of the spreader tailgate15is transferred from the cart20to the top pins26of the dump body16as the dump body16moves closer to the horizontal and raises the spreader tailgate15. The hydraulic or other lines21, seeFIG.4., are connected as necessary, and the tie down clasp8is removed. The cart20is then removed and positioned as desired. Finally, the dump body hoist27is lowered and the latching mechanism18is locked.