APPARATUS FOR TIPPING CONTAINERS AND METHOD THEREFOR CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] The present application claims priority on United States Provisional Patent Application No.61/322,044 filed on April 8 ^th , 2010 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates an apparatus for tipping containers and a method therefore. More particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for tipping material carrying containers mounted to vehicles such as trucks in order to empty them.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Commercial vehicles such as trucks or lorries are widely used for transporting various materials. These commercial vehicles include a tractor unit and a detachable semi-trailer mounted thereto. The tractor unit includes a cabin, an engine and a rear coupling for attaching the semi-trailer. The semi-trailer includes a chassis with a material carrying container mounted thereon. The container is usually a rectangular shaped box providing cargo space for material therein and including a rear door for releasing the material therefrom. [0004] In order to facilitate the material emptying operation, the container is tipped via a tipper so its front end (i.e. the end adjacent the tractor unit) is moved upwardly, thereby creating an angle between the container underside, the rear end of the trailer and the longitudinal length of the trailer (i.e. the chassis). The foregoing allows gravity to act on the material and cause it to slide or fall from the container and out of the open door.

[0005] A drawback with conventional tippers is that the aforementioned angle (the tipping angle) is not great enough to allow for the full force of gravity to act on the material thus necessitating workers to enter the container and physically empty it using shovels and the like. This greatly increases the emptying operation thereby increasing costs and delivery time and well as slowing down projects requiring this transported material. Using a larger tipping angle with conventional tippers is not convenient and results in unstable tipped containers, with their center of gravity being raised at potentially unsustainable levels. Such configurations greatly increase the risk of accidents. In many cases, such angles, configurations or container heights are not permitted by authorities regulating these activities.

OBJECTS

[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for tipping containers.

[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a trailer with an apparatus for tipping containers mounted thereto.

[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method for tipping containers. [0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide apparatus for tipping material carrying containers mounted on the trailers of vehicles during emptying of these containers

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method for tipping material carrying containers mounted on the trailers of vehicles during emptying of these containers.

SUMMARY

[0011] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for tipping a material carrying container of a trailer having a chassis, the apparatus comprising:

[0012] a movable end for being mounted to the chassis and for mounting the container thereto about a first portion along the length of the container;

[0013] a movement imparting device for imparting an upward movement to the movable end relative to the chassis; and [0014] a pivotable end opposite the movable end and defining a pivot axis for being mounted to the chassis and for mounting the container thereto about a second portion along the length of the container,

[0015] wherein the movement imparting device and the movable end provide for lifting the container at the first portion thereof and the pivotable end providing for concurrently pivoting the container at the second portion thereof about the pivot axis thereby tipping the container towards an inclined position so as to empty the material therein.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a trailer for hauling material comprising:

[0017] a chassis; [0018] a tipping apparatus comprising a movable end for being mounted to the chassis, a movement imparting device for imparting an upward movement to the movable end relative to the chassis and a pivotable end opposite the movable end and defining a pivot axis for being mounted to the chassis;

[0019] a container for containing the hauled material therein and comprising an opening at one longitudinal end thereof, the container being mounted about a first portion thereof to the movable member and at a second portion thereof to the pivotable member;

[0020] wherein the movement imparting device and the movable end provide for lifting the container at the first portion thereof and the pivotable end providing for concurrently pivoting the container at the second portion thereof about the pivot axis thereby tipping the container towards an inclined position so as to empty the material therein via the opening.

[0021] In an embodiment, the movable end comprises a front end of the apparatus and the pivotable end comprises a rear end of the apparatus. In an embodiment, the movable end is mounted to the front end of the chassis. In an embodiment, the movable end provides for mounting the front end of the container thereto. In an embodiment, the movable member comprises a longitudinal member mounted to the chassis. In an embodiment, the longitudinal member is mounted to the chassis via base elements. In an embodiment, the longitudinal member defines a floor for mounting the container thereto. In an embodiment, the floor comprises stoppers for stopping the container from slipping during tipping. In an embodiment, the container is connected to the movable member via drop lock pins. In an embodiment, the longitudinal member defines a backing wall, the backing wall being connected to the movement imparting device.

[0022] In an embodiment, the movement imparting device and the movable end provide for moving the container between a generally flat position and a selectively inclined position. In an embodiment, the movement imparting device and the movable end provide for lifting the front end of the container. In an embodiment, the movement imparting device comprises an actuator assembly operatively connected to the movable end for lifting the movable end upwardly relative to the chassis. In an embodiment, the actuator assembly comprises a piston and a cylinder. In an embodiment, the cylinder is connected to the movable member. In an embodiment, the cylinder is connected to the movable member via a connector. In an embodiment, the piston provides for lifting the cylinder upwardly relative to the chassis. In an embodiment, the piston is connected to the chassis. In an embodiment, the piston is connected to the chassis via a connector. [0023] In an embodiment, the pivotable end is mounted to the rear end of the chassis. In an embodiment, the pivotable end provides for mounting the rear end of the container thereto. In an embodiment, the pivotable end provides for pivoting the rear end of the container. In an embodiment, the pivotable end comprises a longitudinal base member. In an embodiment, the pivotable end comprises a longitudinal movable member pivotably mounted to the longitudinal base member. In an embodiment, the longitudinal movable member pivotably is hinged to the longitudinal base member. In an embodiment, the longitudinal movable member comprises mounting elements for mounting the container thereto. In an embodiment, the mounting elements comprise twist locks. In an embodiment, the longitudinal base member comprises chassis-mounting elements. In an embodiment, the chassis-mounting elements comprise slots for receiving respective chassis twist locks.

[0024] In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a frame structure interposed between the opposite movable and pivotable ends. In an embodiment, the frame structure extends along the length of the chassis. In an embodiment, the frame structure rests on the chassis. In an embodiment, the frame structure comprises a pair of lateral members, the lateral members being mounted at their respective longitudinal ends to the movable and pivotable ends respectively. In an embodiment, the frame structure comprises reinforcement gussets. In an embodiment, the frame structure is pivotably mounted at one longitudinal end thereof to the pivotable end and fixedly mounted at the opposite longitudinal end thereof to the movable end. In an embodiment, the frame supports the underside of the container when it is being tipped.

[0025] In an embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the chassis and the longitudinal axis of the container when tilted form an angle of about 47° at the pivot axis. [0026] In an embodiment, the container opening is formed at the rear end of the container.

[0027] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of emptying the contents of a container containing material therein, having an opening at one longitudinal end thereof and being mounted to the chassis of a trailer, the method comprising: [0028] interposing a movable member between a first portion of the container and the chassis;

[0029] interposing a pivotable member beween a second portion of the container and the chassis thereby defining a pivot axis; [0030] imparting an upward movement to the movable member thereby lifting the container relative to the chassis about the first portion thereof; and

[0031] concurrently during lifting pivoting the second portion of the container about the pivot axis by way of the pivot member thereby achieving an inclined position in which the material contents therein are emptied via the opening. [0032] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an apparatus for tipping a material carrying container of a trailer having a chassis, the apparatus comprises:

[0033] a movable front end for being mounted to the front end of the chassis and for mounting the front end of the container thereto; [0034] an actuator assembly operatively connected to the movable front end for lifting the movable front end upwardly with respect to the chassis; and

[0035] a pivotable rear end defining a pivot axis for being mounted to the rear end of the chassis and for mounting the rear end of the container thereto,

[0036] wherein when mounting the apparatus on the chassis and when mounting the container of the apparatus, the actuator assembly and the front end provide for raising the front end of the container and the rear end provides for pivoting the rear end of the container about the pivot axis thereby tipping the container between a flat position to an inclined position so as to empty the material contained therein. [0037] In an embodiment, a frame structure is provided between the front and read ends of the apparatus.

[0038] In an embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for tipping a material carrying container of a trailer having a chassis includes opposite a movable and pivotable ends and a movement imparting device. The movable end is mounted to the chassis. The movement imparting device imparts an upward movement to the movable end relative to the chassis. The pivotable end defines a pivot axis and is mounted to the chassis. The container is mounted to the opposite movable and pivotable ends. The movement imparting device and the movable end provide for lifting the container at a first portion thereof and the pivotable end provides for concurrently pivoting the container at the second portion thereof about the pivot axis thereby tipping the container towards an inclined position so as to empty the material therein through an opening in the container.

[0039] Other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of non-limiting illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] In the appended drawings, where like reference numerals denote like elements throughout and in where:

[0041] Figure 1 is perspective view of the Figure of the apparatus for tipping containers in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure; [0042] Figure 2 is front view of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

[0043] Figure 3 is a is a rear view of the apparatus of Figure 1 ; Figure 4 is a rear view of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

[0044] Figure 4 is a perspective partial rear view of the apparatus of

Figure 1 ; and [0045] Figure 5 is a lateral side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 mounted to the chassis of a truck and being shown in operation in accordance with a non restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Generally states, there is provided a tipper apparatus for being mounted to the chassis of a trailer and for receiving a container thereon. The tipper includes front and rear ends interconnected by a frame structure. The front end comprises a movable member mounted to an actuator for being lifted thereby. The rear end comprises a pivotable member. The front and rear ends of the container are respectively mounted to the front movable member and the rear pivotable member. The front end of the apparatus, via the actuator assembly, lifts the front end of the container while the rear end of the container pivots along with the pivotable member providing for tipping the container from a flat position to an inclined position which allows material to fall therefrom.

[0047] With reference to the appended drawings, non-restrictive illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein so as to exemplify the disclosure and not limit the scope thereof.

[0048] The Figure shows an apparatus 10 for tipping containers C (see

Figure 5) used in transport trucks and like vehicles V. The apparatus 10 is herein referred to as a tipper.

[0049] The tipper 10 includes a movable end 12 and a pivotable end 14. In this example, the movable and pivotable ends are respectively front and rear ends.

[0050] The tipper can also include an interconnecting frame structure 16 that pivots along with the pivatable end 14 and the is fixed to the movable end.

[0051] With respect to Figures 1 , 3 and 4, the rear end 14 includes a longitudinal base member 18 having chassis-mounting elements 20. In this example the chassis-mounting elements 20 are provided in the form of slots for receiving a chassis twist lock. In another embodiment, the longitudinal base 18 can be directly welded on to the chassis 19 (see Figure 5, not fully shown but well known in the art as requiring no further description). A longitudinal movable or pivotable member 22 is movably mounted on the base member 18. The base member 18 includes openings 24 for hinges 26 which are connected to the member 22, via connectors 28. The member 22 includes mounting elements 30 for mounting the container C thereto. More specifically, the mounting elements 30 can be provided in the form of twist locks for locking the container C thereto, including a twist lock element 32 as well as a locking handle 34. The member 22 includes an extending cover portion to 64 which is convenient for covering the hinges 26.

[0052] With respect to Figures 1 and 2, the front end 12 of the tipper 10 includes a front longitudinal member 36 mounted at each end thereof to base elements 38 and including a backing wall 40 as well as a floor 42.

[0053] The front longitudinal member 36 is connected to a movement imparting device exemplified herein in the form of an actuator assembly 44.

[0054] More specifically, the backing wall 40 is mounted to a cylinder boom 46. The cylinder boom 46 is directly mounted to an actuator in the form of a hydraulic cylinder 48. In this example, the hydraulic cylinder 48 has been turned on its head with the larger cylinder portion 50 up standing from a cylinder cradle 52 thereby causing the piston 54 (which can be a telescoping structure see Figures 2 and 5 as is known in the art) within cylinder 50 to push the cylinder 50 upwards. [0055] With reference to Figure 5, the container C is mounted at its rear side R to the rear longitudinal member 22, via the twist lock elements 32. The container C is mounted at its front side F to the front longitudinal member 36 via container drop lock pins 56 (see Figure 2). The floor 42 of the front longitudinal member 36 includes stoppers 58 which stop the container from slipping during the tipping operation.

[0056] Stability between the front and bottom ends 12 and 14 respectively of the tipper device 10 is provided by frame 16. [0057] With reference to Figure 1 , frame 16 includes a pair of lateral side members 60 and 62 which are mounted at their front end to the base members 38 and at their rear end to the inner body 23 of member 22 (see Figure 4). The frame 16 also includes a pair of intermediate members 66 and 68 which cross each other providing an X-like structure. The opposite longitudinal ends of the intermediate members 66 and 68 are respectively mounted to the lateral side members 60 and 62. The frame 16 also includes a plurality of reinforcement gussets 70 which add reinforcement to the overall structure. As such, the frame structure is pivotably mounted at one longitudinal end thereof to the pivotable end 14 and fixedly mounted at the opposite longitudinal end thereof to the movable end 12.

[0058] The container C is mounted at the front F and rear R ends thereof to the front and rear longitudinal members 36 and 22 respectively.

[0059] In operation, the base member 18 is mounted to the chassis H of a trailer T (see Figure 5). During tipping, the actuator assembly 44 is activated causing the cylinder 50 to move along with the boom 46 upwardly thereby moving the front longitudinal element 36 in the same upward direction allowing the container C rear end R to pivot along with the rear longitudinal member 22 about the pivot P provided by the hinges 26. The frame 16 supports the underside U of the container C during tipping. [0060] In this way, a greater tipping angle (a) can be obtained between the underside U of the Container C and the chassis H thereby allowing the material contained within the container C to be emptied by gravity action thereon without resorting to the use of workers having to go inside the tipped container and physically remove material therefrom. In one embodiment, an angle (a) of 47° is provided. [0061] The container C of course includes an opening O as will well known in the art at its rear end R for being emptied of the contents therein.

[0062] The container C can be mounted at other portions thereof along its length between its front and rear extremities as can be contemplated by the skilled artisan. The container C and chassis along with the tipper 10 provide a trailer T. The frame 16 can be provided in a variety of configurations and in other example, there can be no frame 16 at all. A variety of movement imparting devices can be contemplated to lift the movable end 6 upwardly relative to the chassis.

[0063] The various members, elements, structures and the like that connect two or more other pieces with each other can generally be referred to as connectors.

[0064] It should be noted that the various components and features of the described above can be combined in a variety of ways so as to provide other non- illustrated embodiments within the scope of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, although the present disclosure has been described hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit, scope and nature of the subject disclosure as defined herein and in the appended claims.