FINISHED REAR SWIVEL SUPPORT OF A TRUCK TIPPING BODY

Abstract

Finished rear pivot support (310) comprising: a pair of rear pivot points (311) spaced apart in a first direction, the rear pivot points (311) being configured to be welded in line with longitudinal body support members (377) on a floor (35) of a tipping body (30); and a cross member (314) extending in the first direction between the rear pivot points (311), the cross member (314) being welded to inwardly facing sides of the rear pivot points (311), wherein each of the rear pivot points (311) has two recesses (313) spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein the two recesses (313) of each of the rear pivot points (311) are provided on opposite sides of the cross member (314) in a side view of the finished rear pivot support (310).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present disclosure relates to trucks, and more particularly to a finished rear pivot support of a dump body of a truck, and systems, components, and methods therefor. background

[0002] Tipper bodies of off-highway trucks are typically supported by pivots at the rear of the truck frame. The support joints of the tipper body for the pivots can be drilled independently or if the final tipper body is completely welded. This can lead to a reduction in production cycle efficiency, as the drilling machines are typically set up and operated in a relatively large location and typically require a large crane capacity.

[0003] US Patent Publication US 2017 / 0066359 A1 ("the '359 Publication") describes a pivot joint or hinge structure for a truck body of a dump truck. The '359 Publication describes each pivot joint being provided on an underside of the truck body, with the pivot joint being secured to one of the truck body's chassis beams by welding or other known fastening means. The '359 Publication also shows a plurality of ribs extending through the pivot joints and the chassis beams.

[0004] CN 2 09 141 984 U discloses a vehicle for an electric wheel dump truck.

[0005] US 2003 / 0 178 883 A1 refers to a trough body with a box part and a skeleton structure.

[0006] US 2002 / 0 180 242 A1 discloses tipping bodies, in particular a joint isolation system for reducing stresses in joints between adjacent plates in a tipping body. Summary of Revelation

[0007] In one aspect, a finished rear pivot support is disclosed. The finished rear pivot support may include: a pair of rear pivot points spaced apart in a first direction, the rear pivot points configured to be welded in line with longitudinal body support members to a floor of a dump body; and a cross member extending in the first direction between the rear pivot points, the cross member welded to inboard sides of the rear pivot points. Each of the rear pivot points includes two recesses spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the two recesses of each of the rear pivot points are provided on opposite sides of the cross member in a side view of the finished rear pivot support.

[0008] In another aspect, a truck tipping body is disclosed. The truck tipping body may include: a body portion having a length and a width and a top surface, configured as a container for receiving transport material; wherein longitudinal body support members are provided at a bottom of the tipping body portion, the longitudinal body support members being spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the tipping body portion and extending parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction of the tipping body portion from a front portion of the tipping body portion to a rear portion of the tipping body portion;wherein transverse body support elements are provided on the underside of the body section, wherein the transverse body support elements are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the tilting body section and extend in the width direction of the tilting body from a first side of the tilting body section to a second side of the tilting body section opposite the first side, wherein the transverse body support elements extend perpendicular to the longitudinal body support elements;and a finished rear pivot support welded in line with the longitudinal body support members. The finished rear pivot support may include a pair of rear pivot points spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the body portion, the rear pivot points each welded in line with the longitudinal body support members, and a cross member provided between the rear pivot points and the transverse body support members, the cross member welded to the inward sides of the rear pivot points and extending parallel to the transverse body support members.

[0009] And in another aspect, a method is disclosed. The method may include providing a tipping body, providing a finished rear pivot support, and welding the provided finished rear pivot support in line with longitudinal body support members provided on a floor of the tipping body. At the time of welding the finished rear pivot support in line with the longitudinal body support members, each of the rear pivot points of the finished rear pivot support includes a pivot point bore configured to pivotally connect a rear frame joint of a space frame on which the tipping body is to be operatively positioned.The tipping body may comprise: a body portion having a top surface formed as a container for receiving conveying material, wherein the elongated body support members are provided on the underside of the tipping body portion, wherein the longitudinal body support members are spaced from each other in a width direction of the tipping body portion and extend from a front part of the tipping body portion to a rear part of the tipping body portion, and a pair of transverse body support members provided on the underside of the body portion, wherein the transverse body support members are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tipping body portion and extend in the width direction of the tipping body from a first side of the tipping body portion to a second side of the tipping body portion opposite the first side.The finished rear pivot support may include the rear pivot points spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the body portion and a cross member provided between the rear pivot points and the cross body support members.

[0010] Further features and aspects of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a side view of a machine according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine from Fig. 1, with the operator's cab removed to show a tubular space frame and a dump body according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Fig. 3 is a side view of a space frame according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Fig. 4 is a front and side view of a dump body according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Fig. 5 is a side view of the tipping body of Fig. 4 from the bottom. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a lower portion of the tipping body of Fig. 4, which particularly shows a rear pivot support according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Fig. 7 shows a section of the rear swivel support from Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a front and side view of the dump body positioned on the space frame according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the space frame and dump body to show the defined contact points according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Detailed description

[0011] With reference to the drawings and in particular to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, these figures show an exemplary embodiment of a machine 10. The machine 10 may be a mobile machine that performs a specific activity in an industry such as mining, construction, or any other industry known in the art. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the machine 10 may be, for example, an earthmoving machine, in particular an off-road rear-loading truck 10.

[0012] The machine 10 may include a tubular frame 20 supported by front wheels 14 and rear wheels 16 (including their respective tires). The front and rear wheels 14, 16 may be connected to the tubular frame 20 by front suspension members and rear suspension systems, respectively. The machine 10 may also include a bed or body 30 supported by the tubular frame 20. Such a bed or body 30 may be referred to herein as a dump body 30. The dump body 30 may be configured as a container for receiving conveyed material.

[0013] A rear portion 34 of the tipping body 30 may be pivotally connected or secured to a portion (including portions) at the rear 24 of the space frame 20. As explained in more detail below, portions of the tipping body 30 may be movably positioned between the rear portion 34 and a front portion 36 of the tipping body 30 relative to corresponding portions of the space frame 20 to support the tipping body 30 on the space frame 20 in a rest position of the tipping body 30. The rest position of the tipping body 30 may be considered to be positioning the tipping body 30 with the front portion 36 of the tipping body 30 in the lowest position (i.e., not raised).The tipping body 30 can be pivoted at the rear portion 34 about the rear side 24 of the space frame 20 to raise or lower the portion of the tipping body 30 forward of the pivot point (and thereby move the portion of the tipping body 30 rearward of the pivot point in the opposite direction). Such pivoting of the tipping body 30 to raise the front portion 36 of the tipping body 30 can serve to unload contents from within the tipping body 30. Similarly, pivoting of the tipping body 30 to lower the front portion 36 of the tipping body 30 to the rest position can serve to load the contents into the tipping body 30.

[0014] The machine 10 may include an operator's cab 18 supported by the tubular frame 20. The machine 10 may also be equipped with a steering mechanism and controls for moving the machine 10, as well as controls for raising and lowering the tipping body 30. The steering mechanism and controls may be located in the operator's cab 18 of the machine 10.

[0015] The machine 10 may be equipped with a prime mover (not expressly shown) supported by a space frame 20. Generally, the prime mover may be housed within a space 21 of the space frame 20. The prime mover may be configured to drive the front and rear wheels 14, 16 in a forward or reverse direction. The prime mover may be oriented longitudinally along a direction of travel of the machine 10 on the space frame 20. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the prime mover may also be oriented transversely. In an exemplary embodiment, the prime mover may be an internal combustion engine, which may be, for example, a two-stroke or four-stroke diesel engine. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the prime mover may be any other type of internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline engine or a gaseous fuel engine.The prime mover may be connected to the front and / or rear wheels 14, 16 via other components such as a drive train (not shown) to transmit drive power and move the front and / or rear wheels 14, 16 in a forward or reverse direction.

[0016] The exhaust gases of the prime mover may be discharged via one or more exhaust outlets (not expressly shown). Optionally, the one or more exhaust outlets may be provided generally between the operator's cab 18 and a front wall 37 of the dump body 30 such that the exhaust gases are directed toward at least a predetermined portion of the front wall 37. A coupling (e.g., a bellows) may be provided to connect the one or more exhaust outlets to the front wall 37 of the dump body 30, for example, to a heating duct provided in or on the front wall 37 of the dump body 30 to heat the material located in the dump body 30.

[0017] In general, a space frame according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, such as space frame 20, may be a frame comprising structural elements connected to one another at nodes and / or joints. The structural elements may comprise hollow tubes and / or solid tubes, and in some cases, they may be connected according to a triangular structure. The structural elements may be made, for example, from metal, metal alloys, or reinforced composite materials.

[0018] Fig. 3 shows a more detailed view of the space frame 20. As shown, the space frame 20 may include a pair of rear frame links 210 at the rear 24 of the space frame 20, a pair of center lower frame links 220, a center upper horizontal frame link 225, a pair of center upper frame links 230, a pair of center upper frame node links 240, a pair of front upper frame links 250, a pair of front lower frame links 260, a front upper frame link 270, a pair of front upper suspension links 280, and a front lower suspension link 290. The aforementioned links may be castings or constructions.In general, a casting may refer to a connection that is not welded to another support component of the space frame 20, and a construction may refer to a connection that is welded to another support component of the space frame 20.

[0019] The middle lower frame connections 220 and the corresponding connections may be implemented as described in US application No. 16 / 663,892; the middle upper horizontal frame connection 225 and the corresponding connections may be implemented as described in US application No. 16 / 663,930; the middle upper frame connections 230 and the corresponding connections may be implemented as described in US application No. 16 / 664,042; the middle upper frame node connections 240 and the corresponding connections may be implemented as described in US application No. 16 / 663,955; the front upper frame connections 250 and the corresponding connections may be implemented as described in US application No. 16 / 664,010; the front lower frame connections 260 and the corresponding connections may be implemented as described in US application No.No. 16 / 664,104; the front upper suspension links 280 and the corresponding connections may be implemented as described in U.S. Application No. 16 / 664,124; and / or the front lower suspension link 290 and the corresponding connections may be implemented as described in U.S. Application No. 16 / 664,169. The aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0020] The space frame 20 may further comprise a plurality of elongated support members, such as elongated support members 201. Elongated support members may, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, be in the form of rods and / or tubes, for example, circular, wherein some or all of the rods and / or tubes may be solid or hollow.

[0021] As in Fig. 3, each elongated support member 201 may be disposed between the rear frame joints 210 and the front upper frame joint 270 in a plan view of the space frame 20. More specifically, each elongated support member 201 may be disposed between the center upper horizontal frame joint 225 and one of the rear frame joints 210. Further, each elongated support member 201 may extend longitudinally generally horizontally, in this case from the center upper horizontal frame joint 225 at a positive acute angle rearward relative to a horizontal plane passing through the front wheels 14 and the rear wheels 16. Since the elongated support members 201 are provided at an outer portion of the space frame 20 in a width direction of the space frame 20, the elongated support members 201 may be considered outer elongated support members 201.The outer elongated support elements 201 may, for example, be outer frame tubes.

[0022] Each rear frame connection 210, which may be a cast part, may include a rear support 211 and a rear suspension node 215. The rear support 211 may directly support the dump body 30, and the rear suspension node 215 may be connected to a rear suspension member 115 of the rear suspension system, as discussed in more detail below. The rear frame connections 210 may also be connected to a variety of elongated support members, including elongated support members 201.

[0023] According to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, each of the rear frame connections 210 may be a seven-point connection. According to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the rear frame connections 210 and the corresponding connections may be configured, for example, as set forth in U.S. Application No. 16 / 663,815, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0024] The rear support 211 may be formed as a pivot boss with a pivot bore or opening 212. According to one or more embodiments, an outer surface of the rear support 211 (i.e., the pivot boss) and the pivot bore 212 may be cylindrical. An axis of the pivot bore 212 may extend in a width direction of the space frame 20. Furthermore, the axes of the pivot bores 212 of the rear supports 211 of the pair of rear frame links 210 may be aligned with each other. That is, the axes of the pivot bores 212 may be coaxial or coexist.The pivot pin bore 212 may be configured to receive a pivot pin of a pivot pin coupling 213, such that the pivot pin coupling 213 is pivotally connected to the rear support 211 via the pivot pin bore 212, and the pivot pin coupling 213 may pivot or rotate about the axes of the pivot pin bore 212 and the pivot pin of the pivot pin coupling 213. The pivot pin coupling 213 may also be connected to the floor 35 of the tipping body 30, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0025] As in Fig. 3, the front upper frame link 270 may be fixedly connected to the front upper suspension links 280, and a bottom of the front upper frame link 270 may be fixedly connected to the front upper frame links 250. Additionally, the front upper frame link 270, which may be a structure, may include a configuration having a pair of rocker attachment couplings 272 on a top surface thereof. According to one or more embodiments, the front upper frame link 270 and the corresponding links may be as described in U.S. Application No. 16 / 663,849, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0026] The rocker attachment couplings 272 may be spaced apart from one another in a width direction of the space frame 20, for example, at opposite outer side edges of the structure of the front upper frame connection 270, as in Fig. 3. Each rocker mounting coupling 272 may include a pivot pin bore formed to receive a pivot pin. Optionally, the pivot pin may be considered part of the rocker mounting coupling 272. A rotation axis for the pivot pin bore and the pivot pin may be horizontal or substantially horizontal in a longitudinal direction of the space frame 20. Furthermore, the pivot axes of the rocker mounting couplings 272 may be parallel to each other.

[0027] A support rocker 274 can be pivotally attached to each rocker attachment coupling 272 via the pivot pin. Because the rocker attachment couplings 272 can be spaced apart from one another in the width direction of the tubular space frame 20, the support rockers 274 can also be spaced apart. Furthermore, the support rockers 274 can rotate or pivot laterally or in a width direction of the tubular space frame 20 about the respective pivot axes defined by the rocker attachment couplings 272.

[0028] According to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, each support rocker 274 may have an upwardly facing contact surface 275. The upwardly facing contact surface 275 may be concave, for example, semi-cylindrical, elliptical, or multi-surface. Additionally, the upwardly facing contact surface 275 may be or include padding. The support rockers 274, particularly the upwardly facing contact surfaces 275, may receive a portion of the corresponding vertical support structures 370 of the tipping body 30, as discussed in more detail below.

[0029] With reference to Fig. 4 to 7, the tipping body 30 may have a rear pivot support 310 and a pair of flat contact surfaces 301 on its floor 35 and a pair of vertical support structures 370 on its front wall 37.

[0030] The rear pivot support 310 may be provided on the rear portion 34 of the tipping body 30, as shown in Fig. 5. As explained in more detail below, the rear pivot support 310 may be a finished rear pivot support. According to one or more embodiments, the rear pivot support 310 may be symmetrical in a front view and / or a side view.

[0031] The rear pivot support 310 may have a pair of rear pivot points 311. The rear pivot points 311 may be spaced apart in a width or lateral direction of the tipping body 30, as shown in Fig. 4 to 6. A cross member 314 may be provided between the rear pivot points 311.

[0032] The rear pivot support 310 may be fixedly connected to the floor 35 of the tipping body 30. For example, the rear pivot support 310 may be welded to the floor 35 of the tipping body 30. In particular, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, each rear pivot point 311 may be welded to a corresponding longitudinal body support member 377 on the floor 37 of the tipping body 30. As shown in Fig. 6, for example, each rear pivot point 311 may be welded in line with the corresponding longitudinal body support member 377. Thus, the rear pivot point 311 may be considered part of (i.e., integral and / or one-piece with) the longitudinal body support member 377. Otherwise, the longitudinal body support members 377 may be spaced apart from one another in the width direction of the tipping body 30 and may extend in the longitudinal direction of the tipping body 30 from the front portion 36 to the rear portion 34 of the tipping body 30. According to one or more embodiments, the longitudinal support members 377 may extend wholly or partially parallel to one another.

[0033] The rear pivot support 310 may also include a cross member 314, which may be provided between the rear pivot points 311. Optionally, the cross member 314 may be provided between adjacent cross body support members 378 on the floor 35 of the tipping body 30. Furthermore, the cross body support members 378 may be spaced apart from one another in the length direction of the tipping body 30 and may extend in the width direction of the tipping body 30, for example, from one side of the tipping body 30 to the other side of the tipping body 30. Furthermore, the cross body support members 378 may extend entirely or partially parallel to one another. Optionally, the cross member 314 may extend parallel to the cross body support members 378 between the rear pivot points 311.

[0034] The cross member 314 may be fixedly connected to the rear pivot points 311 or considered part of them (i.e., integral and / or one-piece with them). According to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the cross member 314 may be welded to inboard sides of the rear pivot points, as shown in Fig. 6. More specifically, the cross member 314 may include a base 317 and a pair of struts 319. The struts 319, which may extend from one side of the base 317, may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tipping body 40. The pair of struts 319 may extend from the inboard sides of the rear pivot points 311. Optionally, the struts 319 may be welded to the inboard sides of the rear pivot points 311.

[0035] The side of the base opposite the side from which the struts 319 extend may be flat. According to one or more embodiments, this side may contact the floor 37 of the tipping body 30. Optionally, the end portions 318 of the base 317 may extend below the rear pivot points 311. In one or more embodiments, the end portions 318 may extend beyond the rear pivot points 311, as shown in Fig. 7 shown.

[0036] As in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, each rear pivot point 311 may also include a plurality of recesses 313, for example, two recesses 313 spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tipping body 30. Each recess 313 may receive or accommodate a transverse body support member 378. That is, each of the recesses 313 may extend around a corresponding transverse body support member 378. For example, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, each recess 313 may extend around the transverse body support member 378 so that it surrounds three sides of the transverse body support member 378. Optionally, the edges defining the end of the recess 313 may contact the floor 37 of the tipping body 30 on opposite sides of the transverse body support member 378.According to one or more embodiments, the two recesses 313 of each of the rear pivot points 311 may be arranged on opposite sides of the cross member 314 in a side view of the rear pivot support 310.

[0037] The recesses 313 of one of the rear pivot points 311 can accommodate various transverse support elements 378, e.g., adjacent transverse support elements 378, as shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Additionally, as shown, each transverse support member 378 may extend through a recess 313 of one rear pivot point 311 and through an opposite recess 313 of the other rear pivot point 311.

[0038] Each rear pivot point 311 may have a pivot point bore 315. Fig. For example, Fig. 6 shows that each rear pivot point 311 includes the pivot hole 315 with two aligned pivot hole portions spaced apart in the width direction of the tipping body 30. Furthermore, the pivot hole 315 of one rear pivot point 311 may be aligned with the pivot hole 315 of the other rear pivot point 311 in the width direction of the tipping body 30. Thus, the pivot holes 315 may share a common axis. Since the pivot holes 315 may be circular openings, the portion (or portions) of the rear pivot point 311 forming the pivot hole 315 may be considered cylindrical.

[0039] According to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the rear pivot points 311 may also include a mounting coupling 312 on an outer side surface or outwardly facing side thereof, as shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. As a non-limiting example, the mounting coupling 312 may include a pair of protrusions configured to mate with corresponding notches of the pivot coupling 213.

[0040] The rear pivot points 311 can be pivotally connected to the rear supports 211 of the space frame 20 via the pivot pin coupling 213. In particular, for each pair of rear pivot point 311 and rear support 211, the rear support 211 can be provided in a pivot point bore of the rear pivot point 311 (e.g., between the two pivot point bore sections of a single rear pivot point 311) such that the pivot point bore 212 of the rear support 211 is aligned with the pivot point bore 315 and a pin of the pivot pin coupling 213 extends through the pivot point bore 212 of the rear support 211 and the pivot point bore 315 of the rear pivot point 311. An arm 214 of the pivot coupling 213 may have one or more notches configured to engage with one or more corresponding projections of the mounting coupling 312.

[0041] The pivot coupling 213 may be held in position by the connection between the notches of the pivot coupling 213 and the projections of the mounting coupling 312. Furthermore, the arm 214 may be fixedly connected to the mounting coupling 312. For example, a bracket 316 may be fixedly or removably connected to the projections above the arm 214 of the pivot coupling 213 to prevent the pivot coupling 213 from moving laterally outward from the rear pivot point 311. The bracket 214 may be attached to the projections with screws, rivets, or welding, to name a few examples.

[0042] The floor 35 of the tipping body 30 may have a plurality of flat contact surfaces 301, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The flat contact surfaces 301 may be provided generally in a central portion of the tipping body 30. In a plan view of the tipping body 30, the pair of flat contact surfaces 301 may be located between the rear pivot support 310 and the pair of vertical support structures 370. Additionally, the flat contact surfaces 301 may be provided on corresponding longitudinal support structure elements 377. The flat contact surfaces 301 may, for example, be provided on inwardly facing surfaces of the longitudinal support structure elements 377. Thus, in embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the flat contact surfaces 301 may be vertically oriented, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Furthermore, the flat contact surface 301 on one longitudinal support structure element 377 may be spaced apart from the flat contact surface 301 on the opposite longitudinal support structure element 377 in the width direction of the tipping structure 30. Therefore, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, only one flat contact surface 301 (although this surface may include multiple flat contact surface portions, as discussed below), with the other being provided on the inwardly facing surface of the proximal longitudinal support structural member 377. The flat contact surfaces 301 may be connected to the longitudinal support structural members 377, e.g., by welding, riveting, or bolting, as non-limiting examples.

[0043] According to one or more embodiments, each flat contact surface 301 may consist of a first flat contact surface portion and a second flat contact surface portion spaced from the first flat contact surface portion in the longitudinal direction of the tilting structure 30, as shown in Fig. 5. Optionally, the first and second flat contact surface portions of the flat contact surface 301 may have the same configuration. Of course, each flat contact surface 301 may be represented by a single flat contact surface (e.g., a single plate) according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. For example, only one of the Fig. 8, the first or second flat contact surface sections form the flat contact surface 301.

[0044] When the tipping body 30 is in a lowered position (ie rest position), the flat contact surfaces 301 attached to the tipping body 30 can be arranged as shown in Fig. 9. That is, the flat contact surfaces 301 may be provided adjacent to the outer or lateral sides of the outer elongated support elements 201.

[0045] The vertical support structures 370 of the tipping body 30 may extend from a front side of the front wall 37 of the tipping body 30. The vertical support structures 370 may be attached to the front side of the front wall 37, for example, by welding. The vertical support structures 370 may be spaced apart from one another in the width direction of the tipping body 30. According to one or more embodiments, the vertical support structures 370 may be centered on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the tipping body 30 in a front view of the machine 10, as shown in Fig. 2. The vertical support structures 370 may be as described in U.S. Application No. 16 / 663,825, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0046] The vertical support structures 370 may be vertical, at least in the front view of the tipping body 30. Depending on the configuration of the front wall 37 of the tipping body 30, the vertical support structures 370 may be generally vertical in a side view of the tipping body 30, for example, at an angle of 10 degrees or less to the vertical.

[0047] According to one or more embodiments, the vertical support structures 370 may extend through a horizontal support structure 375, which may also be attached (e.g., welded) to the front of the front wall 37. The intersecting surfaces of the horizontal support structure 375 and each vertical support structure 370 may be fixedly connected, for example, by welding. The horizontal support structure 375 may be as described in U.S. Application No. 16 / 663,825, which, as noted above, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0048] Each vertical support structure 370 may have a downwardly facing contact surface 371. According to one or more embodiments, the downwardly facing contact surface 371 may be convex, for example, semi-cylindrical, elliptical, or multi-planar. The downwardly facing contact surfaces 371 may be configured to be received or seated in the upwardly facing contact surfaces 275 of the support rockers 274. Unlike the support rockers 274, the vertical support structures 370 themselves are not pivotable. Industrial applicability

[0049] As previously mentioned, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a finished rear pivot support assembly for a dump truck body, and systems, components, and methods therefor.

[0050] The rear pivot support 310, in particular its spaced rear pivot points 311, can be welded in line with the respective longitudinal body support elements 377. The rear pivot support 310 can be finish-machined prior to assembly with the longitudinal body support elements 377. For example, the pivot point bores 315 can be finish-machined prior to assembly of the rear pivot support 310 with the longitudinal body support elements 377. Such finish-machining can eliminate the need to bore out the pivot point bores 315 after assembly, since boring out can lead to a lower efficiency of a production cycle for the tipping body 30.

[0051] The configuration of the tipper body 30 on the space frame 20, including the rear pivot support 310 and corresponding connections, can provide a lightweight, durable machine configuration with reliable support definition of load points between the tipper body 30 and the space frame 20, for example, with regard to dimensional deviations due to tolerances and / or component deflection.

[0052] The tipping body 30 may operatively contact the space frame 20 according to a predetermined contact arrangement. For example, a six-point contact arrangement may be provided between the tipping body 30 and the space frame 20. Such a contact arrangement may be provided when the tipping body 30 is in a rest position. Rest position here may mean that the tipping body 30 is in the lowest position and is not lifted by the lift cylinders 125, which may be connected to the middle lower frame links 220, as shown in Fig. 8 shown.

[0053] With reference to Fig. 9, which shows an exploded view of the space frame 20 and the tipping body 30 of the machine 10, a first pair of contact points may be formed by the rear supports 211 of the space frame 20 and the rear pivot points 311 of the rear pivot supports 310 of the tipping body 30. Each rear support 211 may be pivotally connected to the tipping body 30 via the rear pivot point 311. Such a connection allows the front section 36 of the tipping body 30 to be raised and lowered between the uppermost and lowermost positions by pivoting about the common pivot axis created by the connection between the rear supports 211 and the rear pivot points 311.

[0054] A second pair of contact points can be provided by positioning the flat contact surfaces 301 relative to the elongated support elements 201. In particular, the flat contact surfaces 301, which can be located on the tipping body 30 and not on the space frame 20, can be arranged on the outer or lateral sides of the elongated support elements 201, as shown in Fig. 9. The flat contact surfaces 301 may be arranged parallel to the elongated support elements 201. Furthermore, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the flat contact surfaces 301 may contact the elongated support elements 201. Such positioning of the flat contact surfaces 301 may occur when the tipping body 30 is in the lowermost or rest position. Furthermore, such positioning of the flat contact surfaces 301 may absorb lateral or horizontal forces from the corresponding elongated support elements 201 of the space frame 20. Because the flat contact surfaces 301 may have a chamfered portion at a lower edge, such a chamfered portion may assist in centering the tipping body 30 when the tipping body 30 transitions to the rest or fully lowered position.

[0055] A third pair of contact points may be provided by positioning the vertical support structures 370, in particular the downward contact surfaces 371, on the support rockers 274, in particular the upward contact surfaces 275. According to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the downward contact surface 371 may be removably seated on the upward contact surface 275. Furthermore, in a front view of the machine 10, a vertical centerline axis of the downward contact surface 371 of each of the vertical support structures 270 may be offset from the rotation axis (i.e., the pivot axis) of a corresponding one of the support rockers 274. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the vertical centerline axis of the downward contact surface 371 may be offset inwardly in a width direction of the machine 10 relative to the rotational axis of the support rocker 274.

[0056] The vertical support structures 370, in particular the downward contact surfaces 371, when in contact with the upward contact surfaces 275 of the support rockers 274, can transmit loads through the space frame 20 to the front suspension system and the front wheels 14. In addition, the vertical support structures 370 can support the horizontal components of the force vectors related to the load of the dump body 30, which are transmitted through the space frame 20 and the front suspension system to the front wheels 14. Since the support rockers 274 can pivot laterally and independently of one another and since both the support rockers 274 and the vertical support structures 371 have cooperating contact surfaces (i.e., upward contact surfaces 275 anddownwardly directed contact surfaces 371), the correct fit between the vertical support structures 371 and the support rockers 274 can be maintained, particularly when the tipping body 30 is in the rest position, even when the machine 10 is moving, for example. Such an arrangement as shown in . Fig. 2, can thus ensure a uniform load distribution LD with respect to each side of the support arrangement (ie from side to side or lateral).

[0057] The additional Fig. The combinations of support rocker 274 and vertical support structure 270 shown in a front view in FIG. 2 may be arranged along the longitudinal axes of the respective front struts 121, which are connected to the respective front suspension elements 120 on the same sides of the space frame 20. For example, the pivot axis of the support rocker 274 may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of a corresponding front strut 121. The longitudinal axes may intersect at a point CL1 on a vertical centerline at the top of the dump body 30. Of course, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are not so limited, and the longitudinal axis of the front strut 121 may not be aligned with the combination of support rocker 271 and support structure 270, such as the pivot axis of the support rocker 274. As shown in Fig.2, the longitudinal axes of additional suspension elements on opposite sides of the space frame 20 may intersect at a point CL2 that lies on the same vertical centerline of the machine 10 as point CL1. The arrangement of the third pair of contact points may therefore provide for a uniform load transfer from the dump body 30 via the support legs 274 and the space frame 20 to the front suspension system.

[0058] While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the above embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by modifying the disclosed machines, assemblies, systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Such embodiments are to be understood as falling within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based on the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[1] Finished rear pivot support (310) comprising: a pair of rear pivot points (311) spaced apart in a first direction, the rear pivot points (311) being configured to be welded in line with longitudinal body support members (377) on a floor (35) of a tipping body (30); and a cross member (314) extending in the first direction between the rear pivot points (311), the cross member (314) being welded to inwardly facing sides of the rear pivot points (311), wherein each of the rear pivot points (311) has two recesses (313) spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein the two recesses (313) of each of the rear pivot points (311) are provided on opposite sides of the cross member (314) in a side view of the finished rear pivot support (310). [2] A finished rear pivot support according to claim 1, wherein each of the recesses (313) is configured to extend around a corresponding transverse body support member (378) on the floor (35) of the dump body (30). [3] A finished rear pivot support according to claim 1, wherein the finished rear pivot support (310) is symmetrical in a front view and / or in a side view. [4] The finished rear pivot support of claim 1, wherein each rear pivot point (311) includes a pair of pivot point bores (315) spaced apart from each other in the first direction, a space between the pivot point bores (315) being configured to receive a rear frame connection (210) of a space frame (20). [5] The finished rear pivot support of claim 1, wherein the finished rear pivot support (310) includes a pair of mounting couplings (312) on outboard sides of the rear pivot points (311), each of the mounting couplings (312) configured to connect to a pivot pin coupling (213) connecting the finished rear pivot support (310) to a rear frame connection (210) of a space frame (20). [6] Finished rear swivel support according to claim 1, wherein the cross member (314) has a base (317) and a pair of struts (319) spaced apart in the second direction and extending from a first side of the base (317), and wherein opposite ends of the base (317) extend below the rear pivot points (311). [7] A finished rear pivot support according to claim 6, wherein the opposite ends of the base (317) of the cross member (314) are located between the two recesses (313) of the rear pivot points (311). [8] Procedure comprising: Providing a tipping body (30) comprising: a body section with a top configured as a container for receiving conveyed material, a pair of elongated body support members (377) provided on a floor (35) of the tilting body portion, the longitudinal body support members being spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the tilting body portion and extending from a front portion (36) of the tilting body portion to a rear portion (34) of the tilting body portion, and a pair of transverse body support members (378) provided on the floor (35) of the tilting body portion, the transverse body support members (378) being spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tilting body portion and extending in the width direction of the tilting body portion from a first side of the tilting body portion to a second side of the tilting body portion opposite the first side; Providing a finished rear pivot support (310) comprising: a pair of rear pivot points (311) spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the tipping body section, and a cross member (314) provided between the rear pivot points (311) and the transverse body support members (378); and Welding the intended finished rear pivot support (310) in line with the longitudinal body support elements (377), wherein the rear pivot points (311) of the finished rear pivot support (310) are in line with the longitudinal body support members (377) at the time of welding the finished rear pivot support (310), each having a pivot point bore (315) configured to pivotally connect a rear frame connection (210) of a tubular space frame (20) on which the tipping body (30) is to be operatively positioned. [9] The method of claim 8, wherein the finished rear pivot support (310) is welded such that a base (317) of the cross member (314) contacts the floor (35) of the tipping body section and the cross body support members (378) are provided in corresponding recesses (313) of the rear pivot points (311). [10] The method of claim 8, further comprising pivotally connecting the finished rear pivot support (310) to the rear frame connections (210) of the space frame (20).

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