Patent ID: 8573917

Claim:
A transport trailer operable to transport a bin assembly filled with particulate material to a use site, and to unload particulate material from the bin assembly at the use site, said bin assembly being separate from the transport trailer and having a bin with a lower particulate outlet, and upright legs supporting said bin on and above a support surface, said transport trailer comprising: an elongated mobile lower frame having a forward end and a rearward end and wheels operable to support the lower frame on said support surface, said lower frame having a longitudinal axis extending along the length thereof; a lift frame operably coupled with said lower frame and selectively movable relative to the lower frame and said wheels between a lower position and an elevated position, said lower frame and said lift frame in the lower position thereof movable to a bin-engaging location beneath said bin and between said legs, said lift frame including structure operable to elevate and support said bin assembly when the lift frame is moved to said elevated position thereof at said bin-engaging location, in order to permit transport of said bin assembly to said use site; a conveyor assembly operable to unload particulate from said bin at said use site, comprising an intermediate conveyor having an inlet and an outlet, and a delivery conveyor having an inlet and an outlet, said intermediate conveyor being elongated and presenting a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with said lower frame longitudinal axis; shifting structure supporting said intermediate conveyor for selective translatory axial movement of the intermediate conveyor along said longitudinal axis thereof at said use site with the lift frame engaging and supporting said bin, between a retracted lower travel position and an extended unloading position where the intermediate conveyor inlet is below said bin assembly lower outlet and said intermediate conveyor outlet communicates with said delivery conveyor inlet; and pivot structure supporting said delivery conveyor for pivoting movement thereof about an upright pivot axis independent of said intermediate conveyor, said shifting and pivot structures supporting said intermediate and delivery conveyors such that said particulate material at said use site follows a path of travel from said bin along the longitudinal axes of the intermediate and delivery conveyors for delivery of the particulate material forwardly of said forward end of said lower frame.