Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This is a continuation-in-part application of Petitioner&#39;s earlier application Ser. No. 11/807,467, filed May 29, 2007, entitled SIDE DUMP BODY. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a side dump body and more particularly to a side dump body for use on a trailer or truck and which has increased carrying capacity when compared to conventional side dump trailers. More particularly, this invention relates to a side dump body wherein a plurality of side dump bodies are mounted on a trailer or truck with each of the side dump bodies being selectively pivotally movable between transport and dumping positions by a single hydraulic cylinder. Even more particularly, this invention relates to an improvement of the side dump body disclosed in the co-pending application. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Dump bodies which are employed on trailers or trucks normally are of the end dump type or the side dump type. Since the introduction of the side dump body disclosed in applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,214, side dump trucks and trailers have experienced wide acceptance. Perhaps the only drawback to applicant&#39;s earlier side dump body is that the body does not have as much carrying capacity as an end dump body due to the fact that the side walls of the side dump body extend upwardly and outwardly from a bottom wall, rather than extending vertically upwardly from a bottom wall as in most conventional end dump bodies. The bottom dump or belly dump bodies also suffer the same drawback, since the side walls of those trailers normally extend upwardly and outwardly from a bottom wall rather than substantially vertically from a bottom wall. A further disadvantage of the conventional side dump and end dump trailers is that they are only able to haul a single commodity. 
   Applicant overcame the objections noted above to side dump trailers by way the inventions disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,615 and 6,179,385. Although the side dump bodies of the above-identified patents performed their intended functions in an exceptional manner, the side dump bodies thereof required a hydraulic cylinder at each end of each of the side dump bodies for pivotally moving the side dump body from the transport to dumping positions and vice versa. Further, the side dump bodies of applicant&#39;s earlier patents required that the end walls, side walls and bottoms thereof be welded together which involved considerable time and expense. Further, the side dump bodies disclosed in applicant&#39;s earlier patents experienced increased weight due to the fact that a pair of hydraulic cylinders was required for each of the dump bodies. 
   In the co-pending application, a substantial improvement in the side dump body art is disclosed. The instant invention represents an improvement over that disclosed in the co-pending application. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A side dump body is disclosed which has substantially vertically disposed side walls and end walls to increase the carrying capacity of the body as compared to those side dump bodies having upwardly and outwardly extending side walls. One or more side dump bodies may be mounted on a truck or trailer. The side dump body also has a bottom wall which extends between the lower ends of the side walls and end walls. The bottom wall of the side dump body has an elongated rectangular opening formed therein at the center thereof. Assuming that a single dump body is utilized, first and second, horizontally spaced-apart and upstanding supports are secured to outside surface of one of the longitudinally extending frames of the frame means of the truck or trailer. A side dump body is positioned between the first and second supports and is pivotally secured thereto. 
   A hollow casing member is provided in the interior of the side dump body and has an open bottom end which is in communication with the opening formed in the bottom wall of the dump body. A cross member assembly is secured to the frame members of the frame means and extends therebetween below the open bottom end of the casing member. An upstanding third support is secured to the outside surface of the one frame member of the frame means, the upper end of which is pivotally secured to the casing member. An elongated brace is secured to the upper end of the third support and to the cross member and extends therebetween. A hydraulic cylinder has its base end pivotally secured to the cross member and its rod end secured to the upper end of the casing member at the interior thereof. Extension of the hydraulic cylinder causes the dump body to be pivotally moved from a transport position to a dumping position at one side of the truck or trailer. Retraction of the hydraulic cylinder causes the side dump body to be pivotally moved from its dumping position to its transport position. 
   The side dump body of this invention is comprised of a lightweight tensile steel material with the sections thereof being secured together by glue or adhesive to eliminate the need for welding the same together and which thereby provides a leakproof dump body. Preferably, a plurality of the dump bodies are mounted on the truck or trailer with each of the side dump bodies being controlled by a single hydraulic cylinder which is secured to the center of the dump body to distribute the payload more evenly and allow for a lighter trailer assembly. 
   It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved side dump body for use on a truck or trailer. 
   A further object of the invention is to provide a side dump body having an increased carrying capacity when compared to conventional side dump bodies. 
   Yet another object of the invention is to provide a side dump body which is pivotally moved between transport and dumping positions by a single hydraulic cylinder. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a side dump truck or trailer wherein a plurality of side dump bodies are individually selectively pivotally secured to the frame means of the truck or trailer. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a standard side dump body size which facilitates manufacture and results in a less expensive product. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a side dump body which provides a superior weight/length ratio for high quality. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a side dump body which is leakproof. 
   Yet another object of the invention is to provide a side dump body wherein easy access is provided for all pivoting points for trouble-free maintenance. 
   A further object of the invention is to provide a side dump body of the type described which is lightweight but strong and which requires a minimum of maintenance. 
   A further object of the invention is to provide a side dump body wherein the side walls, end walls and bottom are secured together by glue or adhesive. 
   These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of the side dump body of this invention with one of the tubs or bodies being illustrated in a dumping position; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the invention wherein two bodies are utilized; 
       FIG. 2A  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  except that three bodies are utilized; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of one of the side dump bodies; 
       FIG. 4  is an end elevational view of one of the side dump bodies; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial side elevational view of the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a rear elevation view of the side dump body of this invention in its transport position; and 
       FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  except that the dump body operatively secured is shown in its dumping position. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The side dump body of this invention is referred generally by the reference numeral  10  and comprises one or more side dump units  12  mounted on a frame means  14  which may be incorporated into a trailer or into which is commonly called a straight truck. Although the drawings illustrate the side dump body being mounted on a trailer  16 , the side dump body could be mounted on a truck as described. 
   Frame means  14  normally comprises a pair of longitudinally extending frame members  18  and  20  which are conventionally supported on a running gear  22 . For purposes of description, the frame means  14  will be described as including a forward end  24 , rearward end  26 , and opposite sides  28  and  30 . Although the drawings illustrate the side dump bodies being able to be dumped to the driver&#39;s side of the truck or trailer, the side dump bodies could easily be modified so as to dump to the passenger side of the truck or trailer. 
   Inasmuch as each of the side dump units  12  are identical, only a single side dump unit  12  will be described in detail. Side dump unit  12  includes a body or tub  32  including a bottom wall  34 , rear wall  36 , front wall  38 , and side walls  40  and  42 . Each of the walls  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  are vertically disposed and are preferably comprised of a high tensile strength steel material having a thickness of approximately 0.07 inches. The walls  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  may be secured together by any convenient means, but it is preferred that they be secured together by an adhesive or glue material to eliminate the need for welding the same together. 
   Bottom wall  34  is provided with an elongated, rectangular-shaped opening  44  formed therein which extends between side walls  40  and  42 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Reinforcing posts  46  and  48  are secured to the inside surfaces of rear wall  36  and front wall  38  by any convenient means such as by glue or the like and are preferably constructed of a steel material. The posts  46  and  48  have openings  50  and  52  formed therein, respectively, adjacent the upper ends thereof which communicate with openings formed in the rear wall  36  and the front wall  38 , respectively, for receiving pivot pins  54  and  56  therein, respectively. 
   Preferably, a steel angle member  58  is secured to the lower edge of rear wall  36  and the rearward end of floor  34  by any convenient means such as by glue or adhesive. Similarly, angle members  60  and  60 ′ are secured to the lower ends of side wall  40  and one side of bottom  34  by glue or adhesive. Preferably, steel angle members are also provided between the lower end of side wall  42  and the side of  34  and a steel angle member is provided at the lower end of front wall  38  and the forward end of bottom  34 . Preferably, an elongated steel stiffening member  62  is secured to the outer upper surface of side wall  40  by glue or adhesive and an elongated steel stiffening member  64  is secured to the upper inner surface of side wall  42  by glue or adhesive. Preferably, a pair of elongated support members  68  are secured to the underside of bottom wall  34  at the side edges of the rectangular opening  44  by glue or adhesive. Preferably, a pair of elongated, longitudinally extending support members or stiffening members  66  and  68  are secured to the underside of bottom wall  34  by glue or adhesive and extend between rear wall  36  and front wall  38 . 
   The numeral  70  refers to a hollow, steel casing member which is positioned in tub  32  over opening  44 . Casing member  70  includes a front wall  72 , a back wall  74 , a tapered or inclined top wall  76  extending between the upper ends of walls  72  and  74 , ends  78  and  80 , and an open lower end  82 . Ends  78  and  80  of casing member  70  are secured to the inside surfaces of walls  42  and  40 , respectively, by any convenient means such as glue or adhesive. The lower ends of walls  72  and  74  are secured to the bottom wall  34  by any convenient means such as glue or adhesive. Reinforcing plates  84  and  86  are secured to the inside surfaces of walls  72  and  74 , respectively, adjacent the upper ends thereof inwardly of end  80 . Plates  84  and  86  are provided with openings  88  and  90  formed therein, respectively, adapted to receive pivot pin  126  therein which extends therebetween. 
   The numeral  94  refers to a pivot pin support assembly or end pivot support assembly which is provided at the rearward and forward ends of the tub  32 . Each of the pivot pin support assemblies  94  includes a mounting plate  96  which is secured to the outside surfaces of frame member  18  by bolts or the like. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the pivot pin support assembly  94  includes support plates  97  and  98  which are welded together with the lower ends thereof being welded to plate  96 . The upper ends  99  and  100  of plates  97  and  98  have a bushing  102  mounted therein which is adapted to receive the pivot pin  54  which extends through bushing  102  and the opening  50  in post  46 . The pivot pin support assembly  94  which is positioned at the forward side of front wall  38  also has a bushing  102  provided at the upper outer end thereof which is adapted to receive the pivot pin  56  which is adapted to be received in the opening  52  of post  48 . If a body  32  is positioned forwardly of the forward pivot pin assembly  94  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the pivot pin  76  would be received by the opening  50  in the post  46  in the container  32  positioned forwardly thereof. 
   The numeral  104  refers to a support brace which extends between the upper end of support assembly  94  and a cross member  105  which is secured to frame members  16  and  18  and extends therebetween. The lower end of brace  104  is secured to cross member  105  by pin P 1 . The upper end of brace  104  has a bushing B which receives the pin  54   
   The numeral  110  refers to a cylinder base assembly having plates  112  and  114  at the opposite ends thereof which are secured to the frame members  18  and  20 , respectively, by bolts or the like. The number  115  refers to a support which is secured to the outside of frame  18 . The upper end of support  115  is provided with spaced-apart bushings  116  and  118  which are adapted to receive the pivot pin  92  therein. The base end  120  of hydraulic cylinder  122  is pivotally secured to the cylinder base assembly  110  by means of a pivot pin  111 . The rod end  124  of cylinder  122  is pivotally connected to the plates  84  and  86  by means of the pivot pin  126  extending therethrough and through the openings  88  and  90  in plates  84  and  86 , respectively. Brace  128  has its lower end  130  secured to cylinder base assembly  110  by pin  132 . Brace  128  has its upper end  134  secured to bushings  116  and  118  by pin  136 . 
   If more than one of the bodies  32  are being utilized, a single pivot pin assembly  94  will be positioned between the bodies  32 . The fact that the walls and bottom of the tub  32  are glued together eliminates the need of welding the same together which not only reduces the weight of the tub but also results in the reduction of time and labor associated with the welding process. The fact that the walls and bottom are secured together by glue or adhesive also ensures that the tub will be leakproof. 
   Extension of the hydraulic cylinder  122  causes the body  32  to pivotally move from the solid line transport position of  FIG. 6  to the dotted line dumping position illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Retraction of the hydraulic cylinder  122  causes the body  32  to be pivotally moved from the dotted line dumping position of  FIG. 7  to the transport position of  FIG. 6 . 
   The fact that a single hydraulic cylinder  122  is required to pivotally move the body  32  eliminates the need of a second cylinder as is shown in applicant&#39;s earlier patents which therefore reduces the cost and weight of the tub. 
   If it is desired to increase the height of the body  32 , additional end wall sections and side wall sections may be glued to the upper end of the tub  32 , as illustrated by the broken lines in  FIG. 7 . Preferably, the wall sections which are added to the existing wall sections will be six inches high or nine inches high or any number or combination thereof. The six inch sections are referred to by the reference letter A while the nine inch sections are referred to by the reference letter B. It is preferred that the upper ends of the end walls be cured to facilitate the extension of tarps thereover. 
   Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Technology Category: 7