Bulk lift and dump system

Abstract

A detachable loading device mounted on the side walls of a vehicle having a flat cargo bed, such as a dump truck, for handling, lifting, and dumping bulk and piece goods materials it retrieves at or near ground level. Among its primary functions is to pick up and dump grass clippings, lawn debris, soil, and yard waste from ground level and place them in the cargo container, which eliminates manual lifting and handling.

Description

[0001] BULK LIFT AND DUMP SYSTEM

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1.) Field of Invention

[0004] The concept concerns the manual moving of bulk materials such as grass clippings, soil, stone, mulch etc., up and into a cargo vehicle with a generally open top such as a dump truck, dump trailer, dump insert, flatbed truck and / or flatbed trailer, shipboard container, storage bin, etc., for temporary storage and / or transport.

[0005] 2.) Description of Related Art

[0006] After a lawnmowers' grass collection containers are full from mowing, the operator drives the mower to the cargo vehicle whereby the operator separates the grass clippings from the mower and then lifts each collection container over the top of a cargo container and dumps the grass clippings or other bulk materials onto the cargo container's floor. Typically, the operator loads the cargo container from both sides (driver's side and passenger side) as well as from the back tail gate area to create a level and balanced load.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view of dump truck equipped with lift assembly mounted on shoulder side of truck with lift container collapsed and stowed for transport above dump container.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of dump truck with lift container collapsed and positioned half way up lift rack of lift assembly.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of dump truck with lift container collapsed and positioned near the bottom of lift tracks of lift assembly.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of dump truck with lift container unfolded, filled with bulk material and positioned on lift assembly resting on the ground.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of dump truck with lift container filled with bulk material and positioned near top rail of dump body secured to tracks of lift assembly.

[0013] FIG. 6 is an end view of dump truck with lift container unfolded and filled with bulk material positioned and connected to bottom of tracks of lift assembly.

[0014] FIG. 7 is an end view of dump truck with lift container filled with bulk material and positioned half way up tracks and lift system.

[0015] FIG. 8 is an end view of dump truck with empty lift container positioned at top of tracks while bulk material is loaded into dump body via lift system.

[0016] FIG. 9 is an end view of dump truck with empty lift container remaining at top of tracks while bulk material rests on floor of dump body.

[0017] FIG. 10 is an end view of dump truck partially filled with bulk material while tracks of lift assembly remain inside the mirror on the cab of dump truck.

[0018] FIG. 11 is an end view of dump truck with lift assembly stowed on top of and within the width of the dump body.

[0019] FIG. 11a is an end view of dump truck body equipped with a curved guide rail secured to the dump body via a dump body roller assembly.

[0020] FIG. 11 b is an end of a curved guide rail equipped with a guide rail cart secured to a dump body via dump body roller assembly.

[0021] FIG. 11c is an end view of a lift post secured to guide rail cart while the other end is secured between two side rollers as part of lift system mounted on a dump body.

[0022] FIG, 11 d is a detailed end view of guard rail secured to dump body via dump body roller assembly.

[0023] FIG. 11 e is a detailed end view of guard rail equipped with guard rail cart secured to dump body via a roller assembly.

[0024] FIG. 11 f is a side view of lift system installed on a dump body showing the dump body roller assembly, chain drive assembly attached to the guard rails and side rollers fixed to the base plate of the dump body roller assembly.

[0025] FIG. 11g is a top view of lift assembly attached to dump body showing the motor, chain drive system for raising and lowering the lift post assembly.

[0026] FIG. 11ga is a top view of lift assembly attached to dump body equipped with a motor, drives shafts and right angle gear boxes operating long linear actuator type screws and nuts to move guide rail assembly up and down.

[0027] FIG. 11 h is a partial top view of a chain drive system with motor secured to lift posts for raising and lowering lift bucket in on lift tracks.

[0028] FIG. 11 i is a top view of lift assembly mounted on dump body showing a motor and chain drive system to move the lift system back and forth on dump body.

[0029] FIG. 11 j is an end view of a dump body on a truck showing lift frame post(s) equipped with a L shaped platform handling piece goods cargo and proximity switches.

[0030] FIG. 11 k is an end view of a lift system installed on a dump body showing lift tracks as straight in a horizontal position equipped with a dumping bucket.

[0031] FIG. 12 is an end view of lift assembly moved towards shoulder side of dump truck while remaining connected to trolley frame of lift assembly.

[0032] FIG. 13 is an end view of lift assembly angled downward while remaining connected to trolley frame mounted to rails of dump body prior to use.

[0033] FIG. 14 is an end view of dump truck with lift container lowered to the ground via tracks of lift assembly positioned for loading.

[0034] FIG. 15 is an end view of dump truck equipped with lift assembly having track extensions added to tracks.

[0035] FIG. 16 is a top view of dump body on dump truck with lift frame assembly stowed on trolley frame near the end of dump body.

[0036] FIG. 17 is a top view of dump body of dump truck with lift assembly equipped with trolley frame moved towards the other end of dump body via the trolley frames wheels running on top rail of dump body. FIG. 18 is a top view of hydraulic pump with six flow valves connected to three hydraulic motors for forward and reverse shaft directions on lift system.

[0037] FIG. 19 is a top view of hydraulic pump system showing two valves and hydraulic circuits equipped with flow controllers to allow change of RPM of motors on lift system.

[0038] FIG.20 is a top view of control enclosure of lift system equipped with a hydraulic pump and tank, a programmable logic controller, a power inverter, an antenna and remote pendant switch.

[0039] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are side views of a dump truck 20 equipped with a lift assembly 21 . In FIG. 1 , the lift assembly 21 is equipped with a collapsed lift container 29 for transport at top of lift tracks 23a and 23b attached a top rail 32 of a dump body 33. Lift assembly 21 is secured to the dump body 31 via a lift assembly lock 53 when not in use. Also shown, the lift container 29 secured to the lift tracks 23a and 23b via a roller beam 43 and rollers 44a and 44b. To provide movement of the lift assembly 21 along the top rail 32 of the dump body 31 , wheel brackets 33a and 33b are equipped with wheels 34a and 34b are secured to a cross support 24c of the lift frame assembly 21 . Lift tracks 23a and 23b are about 2 inches wide which remain inside of a cab mirror 57 (see FIG. 10) that is suitable and legal for operation on most roads in the world. In FIG. 2, the lift container 29 of the lift assembly 21 mounted on the dump body 31 of the dump truck 20 is lowered on the rails 23a and 23b in a collapsed configuration positioned about half way down the lift tracks 23 and 23b. Also shown is the lift assembly 21 with a lift assembly lock 53 removed to provide more filling locations along the side of the dump body 31 . In FIG. 3, the lift container 29 remains in a collapsed configuration at bottom of the lift tracks 23a and 23b of the lift assembly 21 . The lift container 29 may be provided in a rigid configuration as well as a collapsed configuration. In FIG. 4, the lift assembly 21 has been moved towards the center of the dump body 31 via the wheels 34a and 34b on the top rail 32 of the dump body 31 . As shown, the lift container 29 is opened with a back wall 40 and a lift container front wall 41 providing about 2 to 3 feet of space filled with about 200 pounds of a load grass clippings 22. When a hydraulic pump 45 is used to power the lift container 29 up and down the lift tracks 23a and 23b, it can be used in conjunction with a hydraulic hose reel 51 and hydraulic hoses 46 and 47 (see FIG. 5) to provide adequate movement of the lift assembly 21 along the top rail 32 of the dump body 31 . The hydraulic hoses 46 and 47 (FIG. 5) can be equipped with quick-disconnect fittings when the lift assembly 21 is not in use. Other power systems such as winches, linear actuators, gear motors, air cylinders, rotary actuators, chains and sprockets, cable and pulley assemblies, etc... can be used in place of the hydraulic pump 45. In FIG. 5, the lift container 29 filled with the grass clippings 22 has been elevated towards top end of the lift tracks 23a and 23bh keep of the lift assembly 21 .

[0041] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are end views of the lift assembly 21 attached to the dump body 31 of the dump truck 20 with the lift container 21 at different height levels of operation during the loading process. In FIG. 6, the lift assembly 21 , which can be quickly and easily detached from and / or re-attached to the dump body 31 by positioning a collar bracket 56 of the lift assembly 21 over the top rail 32 via lifting and lowering the lift system 21 via an overhead lifting equipment is shown with the lift container 29 filled with the grass clippings 22 while resting on ground 63. Also shown is a control enclosure 54 secured to the lift assembly 21 and / or the collar bracket 56, which houses the hydraulic pump 45 (FIG. 5), a cable and pulley assembly and other control and lift components. Other power systems and devices such as linear actuators, rotary actuators, air cylinders, load cells, scales, winches and other lifting and control devices may be used instead of hydraulics, grouped with the hydraulic pump 45. Attached to the collar bracket 56 is a wheel bracket 33a and a wheel 34a which allow the lift assembly 21 to be rolled along the top rail 32 of the dump body 31 as desired during the loading operation. In FIG. 7, the lift container 29. filled with the grass clippings 22 has been moved upward on the lift tracks 23a and 23b (FIG. 5) via a lift cable on the lift assembly 21 . In FIG. 8, the lift container 29 is empty and positioned at top end of the lift assembly track 21 with the load of grass clippings 22 discharged into the dump body 31 of the dump truck 20. In FIG. 9. the grass clippings 22 are piled on floor of the dump body 31 while the lift container 29 remains in a locked and stowed position before a truck 20 can move. In FIG. 10, the grass clippings 22 have been dumped onto the floor of the dump body 31 . Also shown is the lift track 23a, which is about 2 inches wide, that remains against side of the dump body 31 and within the of outer width dimension of the mirror 57 on the truck 20 to meet the highway vehicle width limit of most countries around the world.

[0042] FIGS. 11A, 11b and 11c are end views of truck 20 equipped with dump body 31 showing guide rail 103a extending from the top of dump body side wall 31a to the top of dump body side wall 31 b. Guide rail 103a and 103b (see FIG. 11f) provide a curved transition path to move the lift assembly 21 (see FIG. 10) from a horizontal position on top of the dump body 31 to a more vertical position to the right side of dump body 31 for accepting loaded of bulk material and or other materials. Also, to provide lateral movement of guide rails 103a and 103b (FIG. 11f) from the front of the dump body 31 to the rear of dump body 31 , guide rails 103a and 103b (FIG. 11 f) are fixed to guide rail base plates 102a and 102b, as well as 102c and 102d (opposite side) which may be bolted to trolley frames 100a and 100b. With respect to guide rail 103a, trolley frames 100a and 100b are equipped with side flanges 101a and 101b above dump body side wall 31a as well as side flanges 101c and 101 d above dump body side wall 31b. As shown, side flanges 101a and 101 b, fixed to trolley frame 100a, hold top roller 98 and bottom roller 97a in place via axles 99a and 99b respectively which in turn may roll along roller pipe 96a. Likewise, side flanges 101c and 101 d, fixed to trolley frame 100c, hold top roller 98b and bottom roller 97b via axles 99c and 99d respectively which in turn may roller along roller pipe 96c. Directly below bottom rollers 97a and 97b are dump body base plates 94a and 94b, which are fixed (welded and / or bolted) to the dump body sides 31a and 31 b respectively. Please note that guide rail 103b (not shown) is configured in the same manner as guide rail 103a. In FIG. 11b, notice that roller pipes 96a and 96b are held in place on dump body 31 via dump body end plates 95a and 95b respectively, which may be welded to dump body base plates 94a and 94b. Also notice that guide rail cart 104 is attached to guide rails 103a and 103b (opposite side) via cart roller assemblies 105a and 105c, and 105b and 105d (opposite side) and cart roller assemblies 105c and 105d (opposite side). In FIG. 11c, the left end of lift frame posts 21 Pa and 21 Pb (opposite side) on attached to guide rail cart 104 via cart axles 110 and 110b (opposite side). In conjunction with cart axles 110a and 110b (opposite side), the right end of lift frame posts 21 Pa and 21 Pb (opposite side) are held between fixed rollers 60a and 60b (opposite side) and side rollers 73a and 73b (opposite side) via roller connectors 74a and 74b (opposite side). As guide rail cart 104 moves upward and follows guide rail 103a and 103b (opposite side), lift frame posts 21 Pa and 21 Pb (opposite side) will move from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position in a repeatable and more precise operation which can be performed manually by an operator or by an automatic, motorized system.

[0043] FIGS. 11 d and 11e are more detailed side views of dump body roller assembly 109a, which provides lateral movement of guide rail 103a. In FIG. 11d, dump body roller assembly 109a is not attached to dump body 31a because dump body end plate 95a (FIG. 11e) is missing and not fixed to dump body base plate 94a. In FIG. 11e, dump body end plate 95a is fixed to dump body base plate 94a to hold roller pipe 96a in place while extending through matching hole in of dump body end plate 95a. For removal and / or installation of guide rails 103a and 103b (opposite side) from dump body 31 , roller pipes 96a and 96b (opposite side) may be removed from dump body end plates 95a and 95b, 95c and 95d (not shown) to remove the lift system 21 S from truck 20. Lift system 21 S may be quickly and safely removed and / or reinstalled on dump body 31 (see FIG. 11 j, for example) as desired depending on the different uses of truck 20.

[0044] FIG. 11 f is a side view of a side of dump body 31a equipped with dump body base plate 94 with end plates 95a and 95b welded to it. Dump body base plate 94 may be fastened to and / or welded to the side of dump body 31a to hold it firmly in place. Notice roller pipe 96 passes through ends plates 95a and 95b and held in place via lock pins 112a and 112b. As shown, trolley frame 100 is secured to roller pipe 96 via dump body roller assemblies 110a and 110b as well as dump body roller assemblies 110c and 110d (opposite side). As shown, guide rails 103a and 103b are equipped with guide rail base plates 102a and 102b respectively so that guide rail base plates can be fastened to and their exact placement adjusted on trolley frame 100. Chain roller brackets 132a and 132b are secured to guide rails 103a and 103b respectively. One or more chain brackets 132 may be secured to each guide rail 103 to properly support and guide the path of chains 117a and 117b (not shown) are adjacent to the path of guide rails 103a and 103b for attachment to guide rail cart 104 (FIG. 11e). Please note that chain roller brackets 132a and 132b are located on guide rails 103 between the gap between cart roller assembly 105 (not shown) of guide rail cart 104. Sprockets 131a and 131 b are freewheeling and secured to chain bracket 132a as are also freewheeling sprockets 131c and 131 d which are secured to chain bracket 132b. Also shown are lift frame roller assemblies 74Xa and 74Xb secured to trolley frame 100 between guide rails 103a and 103b which hold lift frame posts 21 Pa and 21 Pb in place. Chain guards 133a and 133b may be added to chain brackets 132a and 132b respectively.

[0045] FIG. 11g is a partial top view of lift system 21 S attached to roller pipes 96a and 96b. As shown, chain frames 114a and 114b and guide rails 103a and 103b are attached to guide rail base plates 102a and 102b respectively. Also shown are trolley frames 100a and 100b secured together via connector 115 so that guide rail cart 104 may slide back and forth on guide rails 103a and 103b. Notice that with so that axles 110a and 110b are attached to lift frame posts 21 Pa and 21 Pb. Notice that with axles 110a and 110b, which are fixed to guide rail cart 104, are attached to lift frame posts 21 Pa and 21 Pb so that the movement of chains 117a and 117b, which are secured to guide rail cart 104 via chain connectors 120a and 120b respectively, will control the movement of lift frame posts 21 Pa and 21 Pb. Also shown are limit switches 79a and 79b located on guide rail 103a as well as limit switches 79c and 79d located on guide rail 103b, that will limit the movement on of guide rail cart, especially if the lift system 21 S is motorized. Notice that lift tracks 23a and 23b are fixed to lift frame posts 21 Pa and 21 Pb via lift track brackets 122a, 122b, 122c and 122d. Also shown are lift frame roller assemblies 74Xa and 74Xb, fixed to guide rail base plate 102b which hold lift frame posts 21 Pa and 21 Pb in place while they transition from a horizontal position to a more vertical position. Motor 121 and drive axle 118 are attached to the bottom of guide rails 103a and 103b. Chains 117a and 117b are located on sprockets 116a and 116c on drive axle 118 while sprockets 116b and 116d are attached to axle 119, which is freewheeling. Motor 121 may be a hydraulic motor or an electrical motor. While the average width of a dump body 31 is 96 inches, lift system 21 S may extend up to 102 inches in width which is the maximum legal width of vehicles permitted in the United States and most other countries. The width of lift system 21 S may vary as do the legal widths of vehicles in other countries.

[0046] FIG. 11ga is a partial top view of guide rail cart 104 mounted on guide rails 103a and 103b which is moved back and forth on guide rails via screw shaft drive assembly 111 . As shown, motor 121 is equipped with drive gear 125 and interfaced with axle gear 126 on drive shaft 135 which is connected to right angle gear boxes 134a and 134b. Notice that gear motor shafts 139a and 139b from right angle gear boxes 134a and 134b respectively are connected to universal shaft couplers 136a and 136b to allow a change of angle and movement away from the plane of gear box shafts 139a and 139b respectively. As screw shafts 137a and 136b rotate, shaft nuts 138a and 138b, which are fixed to guide rail cart 104, will allow guide rail cart 104 to move. Screw shaft drive assembly 111 may be used as an option instead of a chain powered system or other drive systems on lift system 21S.

[0047] FIG. 11 h is a partial top view of lift posts 21 Pa and 21 Pb equipped with motor 121a and drive axle 118a. As shown, drive axle 118a is equipped with sprockets 116e and 116g while axle 119b that equipped with sprockets 116f and 116h which hold chains 117c and 117d in place. Similar in design as to the drive system shown in FIG. 11g, as motor operates in forward and backwards directions, chains 117c and 117d move back and forth which control the movement of lift container 29 (FIG. 11) as it is secured to chain connectors 120a and 120b and lift tracks 23a and 23b.

[0048] Also notice proximity switches 123a and 123b attached to lift posts 21 Pa and 21 Pb respectively to stop the operation of drive motor 121a and movement of chains 117c and 117d. As lift posts 21 Pa and 21 Pb transition from a horizontal position to a mostly vertical position, all motion of lift posts 21 Pa and 21 Pb will stop if a interference such as guard rail, wheel barrow, person or other objects are in the way. Limit switches 79e, 79f, 79g and 79h are attached to lift tracks 23a and 23b to limit the motion of lift container 27. It is anticipated that more limit switches 79 and proximity switches 123 will be located on lift system 21S to control motion. One of the benefits of using a hydraulic pump and hydraulic components is the options to use pressure and flow control devices to change power and speed settings.

[0049] FIG. 11 i is a partial top view of lift system 21 S that also uses a drive system that is very similar to what's shown in FIGS. 11H and 11 i. Drive motor 121 is interfaced with drive axle 118 via drive gear 125 and drive axle gear 126 to operate the movement of guide rail base plates 102a and 102b on dump body 31 (FIG. 11). As shown, bearings 124a and 124c hold drive axle 118 to pipe rail 95a and 96b as well as bearings 124b and 124d holding axle 119 between pipe rails 96a and 96b. Chain 117b is attached to sprockets 116c and 116d and connected to guide rail base plate 102b via chain connector 120a while chain 117a is attached to sprockets 116a and 116b and connected to guide rail base plate 102a. To control the lateral movement of lift system 21 S, limit switches 79i and 79j are secured to pipe rail 96a. When proximity switches 124a, 124b, 124c and 124d are activated, motor 121 will stop. Limit switches 79 may be used in place of proximity switches 124.

[0050] FIG. 11j is an end view of truck 20 with dump body 31 showing lift system 21 S using lift tracks 23a and 23b (opposite side) that are straight (not cane shaped) equipped with L shaped platform 128 secured to lift tracks 72a and 72b (opposite side ) via rollers 44a and 44b as well as 44c and 44d (opposite side). L shaped platform 128 is equipped with proximity switches 123c and 12d while lift tracks 72a and 72b (opposite side) are equipped with proximity switches 123a and 123e and 123b and 123f (opposite side). In this configuration, lift system 21 S may handle non-bulk materials such as bags of sand 127a, 127b and 127c and / or other piece goods. As shown, to keep bags of sand 127a, 127b and 127c from falling over as they transition from moving vertically to horizontally, sandwich plate 129 is fastened and locked in place on L shaped platform.

[0051] FIG. 11k is an end view of lift system 21 S equipped with straight lift tracks 23a and 23b (FIG. 16) equipped with lift container 29 that provides a dumping motion operated via lift container axle 29X and hydraulic cylinder 25a. Hydraulic cylinder 25a is mounted on cylinder base plate 130 and attached to Any combination of track styles (cane shape vs. straight and lift container configuration may be used with lift system 21 S. Lift containers 29 may be perforated with holes so as not allow water to collect in them.

[0052] FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are end views of the lift assembly 21 mounted on the dump body 31 via a trolley frame 58 which is secured in a horizontal position to the top rails 32a and 32b whereby the lift assembly 21 and the trolley frame 58 do not extend beyond width of the dump body 31 . In FIG. 11 , the lift assembly 21 is in its stowed position for transport secured to the trolley frame 58 via trolley wheels 59a and 59b (opposite side) and fixed rollers 60 and 60b (opposite side). Trolley frame 58 is equipped with collar brackets 56a and 56b which keep trolley frame 58 and lift assembly 21 centered between top rails 32a and 32b of dump body 31 . Also shown are wheel brackets 33a and 33b, each equipped with wheels 34a and 34b respectively that are fixed to trolley frame 58. The wheels 34a and 34b allow the trolley frame 58 and the lift assembly 21 to move from the front of the dump body 31 to the back end of the dump body 31 . The wheels 34a and 34b may be powered with small 115V or 12V motors for automatic and / or powered movement as the dump body 31 is filled with the lift assembly 21 from one end to the other end to create a level fill. The control enclosure 54 is fixed to the lift assembly 21 via the lift tracks 23a and 23b (FIG. 1). The lift container 29 is attached to the lift tracks 23a and 23b (FIG. 11 h) and / or the cross supports 24a, 24b and 24c (FIG. 1). The lift container 29, which may be rigid as shown or collapsible, is attached to the lift frame tracks 23a and 23b (FIG. 1) via a set of rollers 44a and 44b and a roller beam 43. For some applications, the wheels 44a, 44b and 44c and 44d (opposite side) may be secured directly to the lift container 29. In FIG. 12, the operator has removed assembly the lift lock 54 that holds the lift assembly 21 to the trolley frame 54 and has rolled the lift assembly 21 across the trolley frame 58 via a swivel pole handle 82. For the majority of applications, the lift assembly 21 may be moved back and forth on the trolley frame 58 via a linear actuator and the cable and pulley assembly contained in the control enclosure 54. In FIG. 13, as the lift frame 21 is pulled further along the trolley frame 58, a set of trolley wheels 59a and 59b are able to move upward via a set of trolley wheel openings 61a and 61b. The lift assembly 21 remains connected to the trolley frame 58 via fixed the rollers 60a and 60b (opposite side) as a set of roller connectors 74a and 74b (opposite side) in conjunction with the side rollers 73a and 73b (opposite side) and as they remain engaged with the side rails 72a and 72b (opposite side) fixed to the lift tracks 23a and 23b (FIG. 1). In FIG. 14, the lift frame 21 has been lowered to the ground 63 on the passenger side of the truck 20. The lift tracks 23a and 23b remain connected to the trolley frame 58 and the dump body 31 via the side rails 72a and 72b which are contained between the fixed rollers 60a and 60b (opposite side), the side rollers 73a and 73b (not shown) and the roller connectors 74a and 74b (opposite side). In FIG. 15, a set of track extensions 62a and 62b, which may be adjustable in height, have been temporarily attached to the lift tracks 23a and 23b so that top end of the lift assembly 21 provides a higher and more centered position over the dump body 31 for the lift container 29 to provide a more balanced and centered load of the grass clippings 22b or other bulk materials within the dump container 31 . As the lift container 29 is moved up the lift assembly 21 with another load of the grass clippings 22a, even with the lift tracks 23a and 23b (FIG. 1) angled and positioned higher on the dump body 31 , the lift assembly 21 remains secured to the dump body 31 via a fixed roller 70 on the trolley frame 58 with the side rollers 73a and 73b (opposite side) and the roller connectors 74a and 74b (not shown) containing the roller connectors 74a and 74b (opposite side).

[0053] FIGS. 16 and 17 are top views of the trolley frame 58 equipped with the lift assembly 21 stowed in different locations on the dump container 31 . In FIG. 16, the trolley frame 58 and the lift assembly 21 are locked in position via the lift assembly lock 53 (FIG. 1 ) while the truck 20 (FIG. 1 ) is parked and / or moving. The collar bracket 56a on the trolley frame 58 is equipped with the wheels 34a and 34c while the collar bracket 56b on the trolley frame 58 is equipped with the wheels 34b and 34d which are used for moving the trolley frame 58 along the top rails 32a and 32b of the dump body 31 . The wheels 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d or connected to a motorized chain or the cable / pulley system. To comply with certain traffic and highway laws around the world which limit the width of a highway vehicles, the trolley frame 58 and the lift assembly 21 remain within the width of the dump body 31 . In FIG. 17, the trolley frame 58 and the lift assembly 21 have been unlocked from their stowed position and moved along the top rails 32a and 32b towards the back end of the dump body 31 via the wheels 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d.

[0054] FIG. 18 is a top view of lift system 21S equipped with control enclosure 54 which contains hydraulic pump 45 and hydraulic tank 45T connected to hydraulic motors 121a, 121b and 121c. Hydraulic pump 45 is equipped with hydraulic valves 46Va, 46Vb, 46Vc, 46Vd, 46Ve and 46Vf which are controlled via pendant switch 140. As shown, to operate motor 121a, hydraulic hose 46a delivers hydraulic fluid from hydraulic pump 45 to motor 121a while allowing hydraulic fluid to return hydraulic valve 46Vd on hydraulic pump 45 via hydraulic valve 46Vd. Also shown is motor 121b being powered by the flow of hydraulic fluid from hydraulic valve 46Vb through hydraulic hose 46c as well the return of hydraulic fluid back to hydraulic pump 45 via hydraulic hose 46d to hydraulic valve 46Ve. In the same manner, motor 121c is powered by the flow of hydraulic fluid from hydraulic valve 46Vc while the return of hydraulic fluid back to hydraulic pump flows through hydraulic hose 46f to hydraulic valve 46Vf.

[0055] FIG. 19 is a schematic top view of control enclosure 54, hydraulic pump 45, hydraulic tank 45T interfaced with hydraulic motor 121a using flow control valves 143a and 143b. As shown, hydraulic motor 121a is powered by hydraulic fluid flowing from hydraulic valve 46Va through hydraulic hose 46a to flow controller 143a, which can be adjusted to reduce flow rate through of hydraulic fluid to motor 121a which enables the operator to adjust the rpm of drive motor shaft 121S of motor 121a. As the flow rate of hydraulic fluid is reduced, the excess hydraulic fluid created in flow controller 143a flows back to return fitting 142 on hydraulic tank 45T via hydraulic return hose 144a. To change the direction of drive motor shaft 121 S, hydraulic valve 46Vf opens via pendant switch 140 to allow hydraulic fluid to flow through hydraulic hose 46c to flow controller 143b. Flow controller 143b may be adjusted to change the flow rate of hydraulic fluid to motor 121a so that as the maximum flow rate is reduced, the excess hydraulic fluid may be returned to hydraulic tank 45T via hydraulic return hose 144b and return flow fitting 142. Lift system 21 S may be powered by a wide range of power sources such as electric and / or hydraulic motors. Because the vehicle carrying lift system 21 S, which has either a 12V battery, 24V battery or 36V electrical system a standard equipment, a 12V DC electrical hydraulic pump may offer the best match. To offer the operator several options for locating pendant switch 140 near a user use location, pendant cord 150 may be for 10' to 25' in length. Also, control enclosure 54 may be located and attached to lift system 21 S as desired by the operator. For some applications, the pressure setting of hydraulic pump 45 may need to be reduced since hydraulic motors typically require lower pressure settings than hydraulic cylinders. For a typical application of lift system 21 S, pressure setting of hydraulic pump 45 may need to be reduced from 3000 PSI to about 1000 PSI with the addition of flow controller 143a to reduce flow rates to hydraulic motor 121a to achieve lower RPM's of motor drive shaft 121S of hydraulic motor 121a. Flow controller 143a may be adjusted and / or readjusted as the operator desires. However, to provide a high level of safety to not over-speed the various functions of lift system 21 S, a governor device may be used with flow controller 143a to operate at a safe speed.

[0056] FIG. 20 is a top view of control enclosure 54 with hydraulic pump 45 and hydraulic tank 45T equipped with programmable logic controller 141 to provide the operator the options of combining certain functions of lift system 21 S with regard to timing, sequence and speed. Also shown is remote control switch 145 and antenna 146 which may allow the operator the option to control lift system 21 S from a remote location such as when mowing a lawn away from lift system 21 S. Control enclosure may also be equipped with a power inverter 147 to convert DC electrical current to AC electrical. The power inverter 147 may be configured to convert DC electrical current supplied by the truck 20, for example, into AC current that can be utilized by electrical equipment associated with the loading apparatus.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:1 . A loading apparatus configured to be mounted on a dump body (31 ) of a vehicle (20) for handling, lifting, and dumping bulk materials comprising: a first guide rail (103a) and a second guide rail (103b) having lengths sized to span a distance between a first side wall (31 a) and a second side wall (31 b) of a dump body (31 ) of a vehicle (20); a guide rail cart (104) configured to secure the first guide rail (103a) and the second guide rail (103b) in a spaced apart and parallel relationship; a first lift frame post (21 Pa) configured to be secured parallel to and proximate the first guide rail (103a) via the guide rail cart (104), and a second lift frame post (21 Pb) configured to be secured parallel to and proximate the second guide rail (103b) via the guide rail cart (104); a first trolley frame assembly (100a) configured to be secured to a first end of the first guide rail (103a) for translating along the first side wall (31a); a second trolley frame assembly (100b) configured to be secured to a first end of the second guide rail (103b) for translating along the first side wall (31 a); a third trolley frame assembly (100c) configured to be secured to a second end of the first guide rail (103a) for translating along the second side wall (31 b); and a fourth trolley frame assembly (100d) configured to be secured to a second end of the first guide rail (103a) for translating along the second side wall (31 b); whereby bulk materials loaded within a lift container (29) secured to the first lift frame post (21 Pa) and second lift frame post (21 Pb) can be lifted by the first lift frame post and second lift frame post by rolling along the first guide rail (103a) and second guide rail (103b) respectively, can be translated laterally along dump body (31 ) by the trolley frame assemblies (100), and then can be dumped into the dump body.

2. The loading apparatus of claim 1 , the guide rail cart (104) comprising: a first cart axle (110a) securable to the first lift frame post (21 Pa); a second cart axle (110b) securable to the second lift frame post (21 Pb);a first cart roller assembly (105a) and a third cart roller assembly (105c) rollingly secured to the first guide rail (103a); and a second cart roller assembly (105b) and a fourth cart roller assembly (105d) rollingly secured to the second guide rail (103b).

3. The loading apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a connector (115) for securing the first trolley frame assembly (100a) and the second trolley frame assembly (100b) together; at least one chain connector (120a, 120b) securable to the rail cart (104); a drive axle (118) securable to the first guide rail (103a) and the second guide rail (103b); a freewheeling axle (119); at least one chain (117a, 117b) configured to be in operative communication with the drive axle (118) and the freewheeling axle (119); and a motor (121), whereby bulk materials loaded within a lift container (29) secured to the first lift frame post (21 Pa) and second lift frame post (21 Pb) can be lifted by operation of the motor (121).

4. The loading apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a first lift track (23a) securable to the first lift frame post (21 Pa); and a second lift track (23b) securable to the second lift frame post (21 Pb).

5. The loading apparatus of claim 4, further comprising at one limit switch (79e, 79f, 79g, 79h) securable to the first lift track (23a) and / or the second lift track (23b).

6. The loading apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: at least one drive axle sprocket (116a, 116c) securable to the drive axle (118) and the at least one chain (117a, 117b); at least one freewheeling axle sprocket (116b, 166d) securable to the freewheeling axle (119); and at least one chain frame (114a, 114b).

7. The loading apparatus of claim 6, further comprising at least one limit switch (79a, 79b, 79c, 79d) securable to the first guide rail (103a) and / or the second guide rail (103b).

8. The loading apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a first dump body base plate (94a) securable to the first dump body side wall (31a); a first end plate (95a) securable perpendicularly proximate a first end of the first dump body base plate (94a); a second end plate (95b) securable perpendicularly proximate a second end of the first dump body base plate (94a); a first roller pipe (96a) removably securable between the first end plate (95a) and the second end plate (95b); a second dump body base plate (94b) securable to the second dump body side wall (31b); a third end plate (95c) securable perpendicularly proximate a first end of the second dump body base plate (94b); a fourth end plate (95d) securable perpendicularly proximate a second end of the second dump body base plate (94b); a second roller pipe (96b) removably securable between the third end plate (95c) and the fourth end plate (95d).

9. The loading apparatus of claim 8, the first trolley frame assembly (100a) comprising a first top roller (98a) rotatably secured to the first trolley frame assembly and configured to roll on the first roller pipe (96a); the second trolley frame assembly (100b) comprising a second top roller (98c) rotatably secured to the second trolley frame assembly and configured to roll on the first roller pipe (96a); the third trolley frame assembly (100c) comprising a third top roller (98b) rotatably secured to the third trolley frame assembly and configured to roll on the second roller pipe (96b);the fourth trolley frame assembly (100d) comprising a fourth top roller (98d) rotatably secured to the fourth trolley frame assembly and configured to roll on the second roller pipe (96b).

10. The loading apparatus of claim 9, the first trolley frame assembly (100a) further comprising a first bottom roller (97a) rotatably secured to the first trolley frame assembly beneath the first top roller (98a) and configured to roll on the first roller pipe (96a); the second trolley frame assembly (100b) further comprising a second bottom roller (97c) rotatably secured to the second trolley frame assembly beneath the second top roller (98c) and configured to roll on the first roller pipe (96a); the third trolley frame assembly (100c) further comprising a third bottom roller (97b) rotatably secured to the third trolley frame assembly beneath the third top roller (98b) and configured to roll on the second roller pipe (96b); the fourth trolley frame assembly (100d) further comprising a fourth bottom roller (97d) rotatably secured to the fourth trolley frame assembly beneath the fourth top roller (98d) and configured to roll on the second roller pipe (96b).

11. The loading apparatus of claim 10, the first trolley frame assembly (100a) comprising: first opposing side flanges (101a, 101b); an upper axle (99a) securable to the opposing side flanges (101a, 101b) for holding the top roller (98a); and a lower axle (99b) securable to the first opposing side flanges (101a, 101b) for holding the bottom roller (97a); and the third trolley frame assembly (100c) comprising: second opposing flanges (101c, 101 d); an upper axle (99c) securable to the second opposing side flanges (101a, 101b) for holding the top roller (98b); and a lower axle (99d) securable to the second opposing side flanges (101a, 101b) for holding the bottom roller (97b).

12. The loading apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:a first base plate (102a) securable to the first guide rail (103a) first end and the second guide rail (103b) first end; a second base plate (102b) securable to the first guide rail (103a) second end and second guide rail (103b) second end; a drive axle (118); a freewheeling axle (119); at least one chain (117a, 117b) operatively connectable to the drive axle (118), freewheeling axle (119), the first base plate (102a), and the second base plate (102b); and a drive motor (121) operatively connectable to the drive axle (118), whereby the guide rails (103a, 103b) and therefore the lift container (29) can be moved to different positions over the dump body (31) by operating the drive motor (121).

13. The loading apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a first chain connector (120b) attachable to the first base plate (102a); a second chain connector (120a) attachable to the second base plate (102b); the drive axle (118) configured to be rotatably secured between a first bearing (124a) proximate the first end plate (95a) and a third bearing (124c) proximate the third end plate (95c); the freewheeling axle (119) configured to be rotatably secured between a second bearing (124b) proximate the second end plate (95b) and a fourth bearing (95d) proximate the fourth end plate (95d); a first sprocket (116a) securable on the drive axle (118) proximate the first bearing (124a); a second sprocket (116b) securable on the freewheeling axle (119) proximate the second bearing (124b); a third sprocket (116c) securable on the drive axle (118) proximate the third bearing (124c); and a fourth sprocket (116d) securable on the freewheeling axle (119) proximate the fourth bearing (124d).

14. The loading apparatus of claim 13; further comprising:a drive gear (125) configured to be in operative communication with the drive motor (121); and a drive axle gear (126) securable to the drive axle (118) and configured to be in operative communication with the drive gear (125).

15. The loading apparatus of claim 12, further comprising limit switches (79i, 79j) securable to the first pipe rail (96a).

16. The loading apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a first lift frame roller assembly (74Xa) securable proximate the first guide rail (103a) second end, the first lift frame roller assembly comprising: a first fixed roller (60a); a first side roller (73a); and a first roller connector (74a) connecting axes of the first fixed roller and the first side roller for guiding the first lift frame post (21 Pa); and a second lift frame roller assembly (74Xb) securable proximate the second guide rail (103b) second end, the second lift frame roller assembly comprising: a second fixed roller (60b); a second side roller (73b); and a second roller connector (74b) connecting axes of the second fixed roller and the second side roller for guiding the second lift frame post (21 Pb).

17. The loading apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: a first lift track (72a) configured to rollingly engage the first fixed roller (60a) and first side roller (73a); a second lift track (72b) configured to rollingly engage the second fixed roller (60b) and second side roller (73b); and an L-shaped platform (128) configured to engage in a sliding relationship with the first and second lift tracks, whereby the loading apparatus lifts and dumps bags of sand (127a, 127b, 127c) or other bulk materials by lifting them with the L-shaped platform.

18. The loading apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:a sandwich plate (129) securable to the L-shaped platform (128) to keep the bags of sand (127a, 127b, 127c) from falling over when the apparatus is in operation.

19. The loading apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: at least one proximity switch (123c, 123d) securable to the L-shaped platform (128); and at least one proximity switch (123a, 123e,) securable to the first lift track (72a); and at least one proximity switch (123b, 123f) securable to the second lift track (72b).

20. The loading apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a first chain roller bracket (132a) securable to the first guide rail (103a), the first chain roller bracket comprising: a first freewheeling sprocket (131a); and a second freewheeling sprocket (131b); and a second chain roller bracket (132b) securable to the second guide rail (103b), the second roller bracket comprising: a third freewheeling sprocket (131c); and a fourth freewheeling sprocket (131 d).21 . The loading apparatus of claim 20, the first chain roller bracket (132a) further comprising a first chain guard (133a); and the second chain roller bracket (132b) further comprising a second chain guard (133b).

22. The loading apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one shaft nut (138a, 138b) securable to the guide rail cart (104); at least one screw shaft (137a, 137b) sized to operatively engage the at least one shaft nut;at least one universal shaft coupler (136a, 136b) securable to the at least one screw shaft; at least one right angle gear box (134a, 134b) configured to be operatively coupled to the at least one universal shaft coupler; a drive shaft (135) configured to be operatively coupled to the at least one right angle gear box; and a motor (121) configured to be operatively coupled to the drive shaft.

23. The loading apparatus of claim 22, further comprising: at least one limit switch (79a, 79b, 79c, 79d) securable to the first guide rail (103a) and / or the second guide rail (103b).

24. The loading apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a lift container axle (29X) securable to the first lift track (23a) and the second lift track (23b); a lift container (29) rotatably securable to the lift container axle; and a hydraulic cylinder (25a) securable to the lift container for facilitating dumping bulk materials from the lift container.

25. The loading apparatus of claim 6, wherein the motor (121) is a plurality of hydraulic motors (121a-121c), the loading apparatus further comprising: a hydraulic pump (45); a plurality of hydraulic valves (46V) in operative communication with the hydraulic pump; and a plurality of hydraulic hoses (46) in operative communication between the hydraulic valves (46V) and the hydraulic motors, whereby operating hydraulic valves (46V) controls the hydraulic motors (121) which operate the loading apparatus.

26. The loading apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: a hydraulic tank (45T) for containing hydraulic fluid in communication with the hydraulic pump (45);a control enclosure (54), the control enclosure containing the hydraulic pump (45), the plurality of hydraulic valves (46V), and the hydraulic tank (45T); and a pendant switch (140) configured to control the hydraulic valves (46V).

27. The loading apparatus of claim 25, the plurality of hydraulic motors comprising three hydraulic motors (121a- 121c); the plurality of hydraulic valves comprising six hydraulic valves (46Va-46Vf); and the plurality of hydraulic hoses comprising six hydraulic hoses (46a-46f), whereby a) hydraulic fluid is delivered from the hydraulic pump to each respective hydraulic motor of the three hydraulic motors by a respective one of the six hydraulic hoses via a respective one of the six hydraulic valves, and b) hydraulic fluid is returned to the hydraulic pump from each respective hydraulic motor of the three hydraulic motors by a respective one of the six hydraulic hoses via a respective one of the six hydraulic valves.

28. The loading apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: a return fitting (142) on the hydraulic tank (45T); a first flow controller (143a) in hydraulic communication with one of the plurality of hydraulic valves (46V), the return fitting (142), and one of the plurality of hydraulic motors (121a); a second flow controller (143b) in hydraulic communication with another of the plurality of hydraulic valves (46V), the return fitting (142), and the one of the plurality of hydraulic motors (121a); the one of the plurality of hydraulic motors (121a) comprises a drive motor shaft (121 S), whereby the first and second flow controllers (143a, 143b) are configured so that adjusting a flow rate through the first and second flow controllers (143a, 143b) selectively adjusts the rpm of the drive motor shaft (121 S) and selectively changes the direction of the drive motor shaft (121 S).

29. The loading apparatus of claim 25, wherein the hydraulic pump (45) is a 12 volt DC electrical hydraulic pump.

30. The loading apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: a hydraulic tank (45T) for containing hydraulic fluid in communication with the hydraulic pump (45); a programmable logic controller (141) programmed to enable an operator to control functions of the apparatus with regard to timing, sequence, and speed; and a control enclosure (54), the control enclosure containing the hydraulic pump (45), the plurality of hydraulic valves (46V), the hydraulic tank (45T), and the programmable logic controller (141).31 . The loading apparatus of claim 30, further comprising: a power inverter (147) configured to convert DC electrical power provided by the vehicle (20) to AC electrical power that can be utilized by electrical equipment associated with the loading apparatus.

32. The loading apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: an antenna (146); and a remote control switch (145) for enabling an operator to control the apparatus from a remote location.

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