Aggregate material spreader
First Claim
1. In combination with a motor vehicle, an aggregate spreading apparatus for receiving and dispensing a loose aggregate material in a substantially uniform layer, said aggregate spreading apparatus comprising:
- (a) an expandable hopper having an inner hopper sleeve and an outer hopper sleeve, said inner hopper sleeve being disposed in slidable engagement with said outer hopper sleeve, an upper inlet opening and a lower discharge opening;
(b) expansion means for moving said inner hopper sleeve laterally with respect to said outer hopper sleeve;
(c) dispensing means for dispensing aggregate material, said dispensing means comprising;
(i) a plurality of gates coupled to said expandable hopper, each of said plurality of gates being operably associated with said lower discharge opening of said expandable hopper;
(ii) gate actuating means for providing common control of the opening and closing of said plurality of gates;
(d) drive means for driving said gate actuating means; and
(e) control means operably coupled to said drive means and to said motor vehicle for sensing a speed of the motor vehicle, controlling said drive means, thereby actuating said gate actuating means to commonly control the opening and closing of said plurality of gates.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A material spreader consisting of a hopper, attached to a motor vehicle, which receives and dispenses an aggregate material in predetermined quantities and in a layer having substantial uniformity in thickness. The rate of dispensing the aggregate material is controlled by a computer which receives the desired weight of aggregate per area data input from the operator, senses the velocity of the motor vehicle, and adjusts the release rate of the aggregate from the hopper. The hopper is laterally expansible to accommodate varying road widths, and dispenses the aggregate material through gate openings in the bottom of the hopper. The aggregate is dispensed from the hopper without the aid of any operational parts exposed to the aggregate material within the interior area of the hopper.
81 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. In combination with a motor vehicle, an aggregate spreading apparatus for receiving and dispensing a loose aggregate material in a substantially uniform layer, said aggregate spreading apparatus comprising:
-
(a) an expandable hopper having an inner hopper sleeve and an outer hopper sleeve, said inner hopper sleeve being disposed in slidable engagement with said outer hopper sleeve, an upper inlet opening and a lower discharge opening; (b) expansion means for moving said inner hopper sleeve laterally with respect to said outer hopper sleeve; (c) dispensing means for dispensing aggregate material, said dispensing means comprising; (i) a plurality of gates coupled to said expandable hopper, each of said plurality of gates being operably associated with said lower discharge opening of said expandable hopper; (ii) gate actuating means for providing common control of the opening and closing of said plurality of gates; (d) drive means for driving said gate actuating means; and (e) control means operably coupled to said drive means and to said motor vehicle for sensing a speed of the motor vehicle, controlling said drive means, thereby actuating said gate actuating means to commonly control the opening and closing of said plurality of gates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification