CONVEYOR-TYPE HYDRAULIC-POWERED ENDGATE SPREADER

• US 3,583,645 A
• Filed: 06/09/1969
• Issued: 06/08/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fred K. Tarrant, Gregory J. Murray
• Original Assignee: Fred K. Tarrant, Gregory J. Murray
• Inventors: Murray, Gregory J., Tarrant, Fred K.
• Application Number:
  US04/831,453
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• US Class Current: 239/657
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/20 Apparatus for distributing, e.g. spreading, granular or pulverulent materials, e.g. sand, gravel, salt, dry binders E01C19/21, E01C19/4813, E01C19/482, E01C23/098, E01C23/166 take precedence; fertiliser distributors A01C15/00 ; permanently-installed devices for applying gritting or thawing materials E01H10/005; mobile spreaders specially adapted for treating wintry roads E01H10/007
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/203 Centrifugal spreaders with substantially vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 2019/2085 with transverse conveyor belt
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 2019/2095 by tipping

Abstract

A material spreader for a dump truck is pivotally attached to the rear of the truck body in a normally fixed position and has a transverse bar flight conveyor and a spinner assembly which is self-leveling. The truck tailgate forms an end wall when the truck is used for spreading material and has side shields to contain such material. A cover for the conveyor in closed position provides a smooth surface to permit the truck to be used for conventional hauling, dumping, etc., and in open position is attachable to the end gate to uncover the conveyor. A pressure plate on the cover operates an indicator in the cab to signal when the spreader needs more material.

Claims

1. A material spreader for a dump truck of the type having a cab, a body with a tailgate, and body-hoisting means, the tailgate being pivoted at its upper end at the rear end of the truck body, comprising a hopper having a front end attached by pivotal connection at the rear end of the truck at its bottom, means for maintaining said hopper at a desired angle with respect to the bottom of the truck, means for securing the bottom of the tailgate in an open position so that it extends over said hopper, a conveyor in said hopper extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the truck, and a cover connected to said hopper and movable from a position where it covers said conveyor, permitting the truck to be used as a conventional dump truck, to a position where it is attached to the tailgate of the truck so that the conveyor is uncovered and the truck may be used for the spreading of material.

2. The material spreader of claim 1 which includes a self-leveling spinner Member pivotally connected at one side of said hopper to receive material to be spread from said conveyor, whereby when the truck body is raised to deliver material to the conveyor the conveyor remains at said desired angle with the bottom of the truck body while the spinner member is parallel to the ground for all positions of the truck body.

3. In the material spreader of claim 2 a discharge chute hinged at the other side of said hopper to receive material from said conveyor, hydraulic motor means connected to operate said conveyor, and valve means for reversing said motor to permit discharge of material selectively to the spinner member or the discharge chute.

4. The material spreader of claim 3 in which the conveyor has a drive shaft, said hopper comprises a pair of spaced opposed channel members, a torque arm is connected to one of said channel members, and said hydraulic motor means is mounted on said torque arm and is connected to said shaft.

5. The material spreader of claim 4 in which said hopper comprises a pair of spaced members, said drive shaft extends between said members and is supported in a pair of bearings carried by said members, an idler shaft for said conveyor, a second pair of bearings for said idler shaft, and spring means engaging said second bearings for maintaining tension in said conveyor.

6. In the material spreader of claim 1, a pair of parallel vertical members forming said hopper, a plate extending between said members, channels attached to said vertical members above said plate, said conveyor having crossbars movable transversely of the longitudinal axis of the truck and chains connecting said crossbars, said chains being supported by said channels for moving said crossbars above and below said plate in spaced relation thereto, and a movement limiting member attached to the upper surface of said plate and extending longitudinally thereof, said last named member being normally spaced from and out of contact with said crossbars and limiting the vertical depression of the bars when they are deflected under an abnormally heavy load in said hopper to prevent the formation of permanent curvature of said crossbars.

7. In the material spreader of claim 6 material flow gates positioned at the opposite ends of said conveyor, rate adjustment means attached to the flow gate adjacent said spinner member, and tension means connected to said gate whereby said flow gate normally limits the rate of delivery of material from said conveyor to said spinner to a desired amount but is movable in the presence of an obstructing object on the conveyor to permit passage of such object, said tension means returning said flow gate to its prior position after such passage.

8. The material spreader of claim 1 in which said conveyor cover plate has a sensor plate attached to its lower surface and a pressure switch positioned between said sensor plate and said lower surface, and means connected to said switch for actuating an indicator whereby when said conveyor cover plate is attached to the tailgate of the truck the pressure of material to be spread against said sensor plate normally prevents actuation of the indicator but the absence of material to be spread causes the pressure switch to actuate the indicator.