Dump trailer for asphalt paving

• US 20020122694A1
• Filed: 03/04/2002
• Published: 09/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Obermeyer, James H.
• Original Assignee: Obermeyer, James H.
• Inventors: Obermeyer, James H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,880,894 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/101
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/283 Elements of tipping devices
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/48 for laying-down the materials and consolidating them, or finishing the surface , e.g. slip forms therefor, forming kerbs or gutters in a continuous operation in situ E01C19/002, E01C23/065 take precedence; devices for guiding or controlling the machines along a predetermined path E01C19/004
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 2301/02 Feeding devices for pavers
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 2301/08 Pushing devices for lorries

Abstract

An improved dump trailer hinge design for use in asphalt paving applications is disclosed. The hinge system may be used on dump or straight trailers having half or full trailer frames. The trailer dump bed is hingeably mounted to the trailer frame by hinge arms having a length greater than the vertical distance between the hinge and the trailer bed. A mud flap mounting bracket suitable for use with the hinge system is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A trailer for delivering asphalt material to a paving machine comprising:

a trailer bed for holding asphalt material;

a trailer frame having at least one axle; and

at least one hinge arm having a length separating two end portions wherein the first end portion is fixed to said trailer bed and the second end portion is mounted to said axle, and wherein said hinge arm is disposed at a non-vertical angle between said trailer bed and said trailer frame.

2. The trailer of claim 1 wherein the length of said hinge arm is greater than the vertical distance between said trailer bed and said axle.

3. The trailer of claim 2 wherein said trailer includes at least two parallel hinge arms.

4. The trailer of claim 2 wherein said trailer includes at least two axles.

5. The trailer of claim 1 wherein said axle is mounted below said frame.

6. The trailer of claim 1 wherein said second end portion is pivotably mounted to said axle.

7. The trailer of claim 1 wherein said trailer is a full length dump trailer.

8. The trailer of claim 1 wherein said trailer is a semi-length dump trailer.

9. The trailer of claim 1 wherein said trailer is a full frame trailer.

10. The trailer of claim 1 wherein said trailer is a half frame trailer.

11. The trailer of claim 1 wherein said trailer further comprises a mud flap bracket substantially parallel to said hinge arm attached to said trailer bed between said hinge arm and the end of said trailer bed.

13. The hinge of claim 12 wherein said frame end is mounted to said frame by at least one axle.

14. The hinge of claim 13 wherein the length of said body member is greater than the vertical distance between said dump bed and said axle.

16. The mud flap unit of claim 15 wherein said bracket is substantially parallel to a hinge arm connecting the dump bed to the frame of the trailer.

18. The trailer of claim 17 wherein said hinge arm is disposed at a non-vertical angle between said trailer frame and said trailer bed.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said trailer includes a hinge member attached to said bed portion and said frame portion.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said hinge member is disposed at a non-vertical angle between said bed portion and said frame portion.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein said bed portion includes a spill guard.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said delivery step further comprises moving said spill guard over said front panel.

12. A hinge positioned near the rear of a trailer for delivering asphalt material to a paving machine comprising:

a body member having a bed end and a frame end;

wherein said bed end is fixed to the dump bed of said trailer; and

wherein said frame end is pivotably mounted to the frame of said trailer between the rear of said trailer and said bed end.

15. A mud flap unit positioned near the rear of a trailer for delivering asphalt material to a paving machine comprising:

a bracket having a bed end and a flap end;

wherein said bed end is fixed to the dump bed of the trailer; and

a mud flap mounted to said flap end between the rear of the trailer and said bed end.

17. A trailer for delivering asphalt material to a paving machine comprising:

a trailer frame having a back portion;

a trailer bed mounted to said trailer frame for holding asphalt material wherein said trailer bed is movable between a lowered position and a raised position; and

,

at least one hinge arm extending between said trailer bed and said trailer frame wherein said hinge arm operates to move said trailer bed upward and backward relative to said trailer frame when said trailer is moved between said lowered position and said raised position.

19. A method for delivering asphalt material from a trailer to a paving machine hopper comprising:

providing a paving machine having an asphalt material hopper with a front panel;

providing a trailer having a bed portion containing asphalt material and a frame portion;

aligning said paving machine with said trailer; and

,

delivering asphalt material to said hopper by moving said bed portion upward and towards said hopper.