Vehicle dispensing system

• US 6,464,426 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2000
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Girouard, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): MITCHELL, KATHERINE W
• Application Number:
  US09/654,479
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 198/839, 198/861.4, 198/861.5, 198/861.6, 198/826, 414/503, 414/504, 414/505, 414/523, 414/528, 404/101, 404/108
• US Class Current: 404/101
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/36 using endless chains or belts thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/42 mounted on the load-transporting element

Abstract

A flowable material delivering vehicle in combination with a material dispensing system including a fixed conveyor extending continuously from a position located adjacent a vehicle container outlet aperture to a position located adjacent a vehicle cab front end. A dispensing adapter is attached to the vehicle for receiving a portion of the flowable material when the latter emanates from the fixed conveyor. In one embodiment, the dispensing adapter includes a pivotable conveyor pivotally attached to the vehicle and a configuring mechanism. The configuring mechanism allows the pivotable conveyor to pivot between a stowed configuration wherein it lies in a generally proximal and parallel relationship relative to an edge of the vehicle and a working configuration wherein the pivotable conveyor extends away from the vehicle so as to allow discharging of the flowable material away from the vehicle. In another embodiment, the dispensing adapter includes a dispensing chute defining a chute inlet end positioned adjacent the fixed conveyor discharge section, a laterally and downwardly extending chute body and a chute outlet end positioned laterally relative to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A material dispensing system in combination with a flowable material delivering vehicle, said vehicle including a vehicle frame and an operator cab mounted on said vehicle frame, said operator cab defining a cab front end and a cab rear end, said vehicle also including a material container mounted on said vehicle frame rearwardly relative to said operator cab for receiving a volume of flowable material, said material container having a container outlet aperture, said material dispensing system comprising:

a fixed conveyor, said fixed conveyor being attached to said vehicle, said fixed conveyor extending continuously from a fixed conveyor receiving section located adjacent said container outlet aperture to a fixed conveyor discharge section located frontwardly relative to said cab rear end and adjacent said cab front end;

a dispensing adapter attached to said vehicle adjacent said fixed conveyor discharge section for receiving a portion of said flowable material when the latter emanates from said fixed conveyor discharge section and selectively dispensing said portion of flowable material at a predetermined location.

2. A material dispensing system in combination with a vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein

I. said vehicle includes a vehicle engine mounted generally frontwardly on said vehicle frame;

II. said operator cab is mounted on said vehicle frame in a generally overlying relationship relative to said vehicle engine;

III. said material container has a bottom wall and said container outlet aperture extends through said bottom wall;

IV. said fixed conveyor is positioned generally underneath said bottom wall and extends continuously from a fixed conveyor receiving section located underneath said container outlet aperture to a fixed conveyor discharge section located frontwardly relative to said cab rear end and adjacent said cab front end.

3. A material dispensing system in combination with a vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein said dispensing adapter includes

a pivotable conveyor, said pivotable conveyor having a generally elongated configuration defining a pivotable conveyor first end and a pivotable conveyor second end, said pivotable conveyor first end being pivotally attached to said vehicle adjacent said fixed conveyor discharge section;

a conveyor configuring means for allowing said pivotable conveyor to pivot between a stowed configuration wherein it lies in a generally proximal and parallel relationship relative to an edge of said vehicle and a working configuration wherein said pivotable conveyor extends away from said vehicle so as to allow discharging of at least a portion of said volume of flowable material away from said vehicle.

4. A material dispensing system in combination with a vehicle as recited in claim 3 wherein

said pivotable conveyor first end is pivotally attached to an aligning structure, said aligning structure being pivotally attached to said vehicle adjacent said vehicle front end;

said conveyor configuring means including

a first pivoting means for pivoting said aligning structure about a generally vertical first pivotal axis between an aligning structure first position wherein said pivotable conveyor first end is generally in register with said fixed conveyor discharge section and an aligning structure second position wherein said pivotable conveyor first end is generally offset laterally relative to said fixed conveyor discharge section;

I. a second pivoting means for pivoting said pivotable conveyor relative to said aligning structure about a generally vertical second pivotal axis so that the trajectory of said pivotable conveyor second end defines a generally horizontal arc when said pivotable conveyor pivots about said second pivotal axis;

 

whereby,

I. when said aligning structure is in said aligning structure first position, said pivotable conveyor is in said working configuration wherein said pivotable conveyor extends away from said vehicle so as to allow discharging of at least a portion of said volume of flowable material away from said vehicle through a predetermined arc determined by the pivotal movement of said pivotable conveyor relative to said aligning structure and,

II. when said aligning structure is in said aligning structure second position, said pivotable conveyor can be pivoted relative to said aligning structure to said stowed position wherein said pivotable conveyor extends in a generally proximate and parallel relationship with a vehicle edge.

5. A material dispensing system in combination with a vehicle as recited in claim 4 including

I. a supporting platform defining a platform base plate attached to said vehicle adjacent said vehicle front end;

II. a linkage arm defining a linkage arm longitudinal axis, a linkage arm first end and an opposed linkage arm second end;

said linkage arm first end being pivotally attached to said platform base plate and said pivotable conveyor first end being pivotally attached to said linkage arm second end;

III. a first pivoting drive means mechanically coupled to both said supporting platform and said linkage arm for selectively pivoting said linkage arm relative to said supporting platform;

IV. a second drive means mechanically coupled to both said linkage arm and said pivotable conveyor for selectively pivoting said pivotable conveyor relative to said linkage arm.

6. A material dispensing system in combination with a vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein said conveyor configuring means allows said pivotable conveyor to pivot between a stowed configuration wherein it lies in a generally proximal and parallel relationship relative to a lateral and generally longitudinally extending edge of said vehicle and a working configuration wherein said pivotable conveyor extends away from said vehicle so as to allow discharging of at least a portion of said volume offlowable material away from said vehicle.

7. A material dispensing system in combination with a vehicle as recited in claim 6 further comprising a third pivoting means for pivoting said pivotable conveyor about a generally horizontal third pivotal axis so that the trajectory of said pivotable conveyor second end forms a generally vertical arc when said pivotable conveyor is pivoted about said third pivotal axis.

8. A material dispensing system in combination with a vehicle as recited in claim 6 wherein said pivotable conveyor includes

I. a pivotable conveyor belt;

II. a belt configuring means mechanically coupled to said pivotable conveyor for allowing the cross-sectional configuration of a configurable section of said pivotable conveyor belt located adjacent said pivotable conveyor second end to be modified so as to vary the dispensing pattern of said flowable material as said flowable material is dispensed by said pivotable conveyor.

9. A material dispensing system in combination with a vehicle as recited in claim 8 wherein said pivotable conveyor includes

a generally elongated truss-like boom frame pivotally attached to said aligning structure, said boom frame including a pair of spaced apart side plates;

a pair of configuring rollers supporting at least a fraction of said configurable section, each of said configuration rollers having a corresponding configuration roller axle for allowing rotation of said configuration rollers about their respective longitudinal axis, each of said configuration rollers defining a configuration roller proximal end located relatively proximal to an adjacent side plate and a configuration roller distal end located relative distally relative to an adjacent side plate, said configuration roller distal ends being in a relatively proximal relationship relative to each other;

a roller pivoting means attached to said configuration rollers for pivoting said configuration rollers between a concave configuration wherein said pair of configuration rollers extend at an angle from each other with said configuration roller distal ends positioned in a first geometrical plane located above said configuration roller proximal ends and a convex configuration wherein said pair of configuration rollers extend at an angle from each other with said configuration roller distal ends positioned in a second geometrical plane located underneath said configuration roller proximal ends.

10. A material dispensing system in combination with a vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein said dispensing adapter includes a dispensing chute attached to said vehicle adjacent said vehicle front end;

said dispensing chute defining a chute inlet end positioned adjacent said fixed conveyor discharge section, a laterally and downwardly extending chute body and a chute outlet end positioned laterally relative to said vehicle.

11. A material dispensing system in combination with a vehicle as recited in claim 10 wherein said dispensing chute includes a chute positioning means for allowing adjustment of the lateral positioning of said chute outlet relative to said vehicle.

12. A material dispensing system in combination with a flowable material delivering vehicle, said vehicle defining a vehicle front end and a vehicle rear end, said vehicle including a vehicle frame mounted on wheels, an operator cab mounted on said vehicle frame adjacent said vehicle front end, a material container mounted on said vehicle frame rearwardly relative to said operator cab, said material container having a bottom wall defining a container, outlet aperture, a blocking gate for selectively blocking said container outlet aperture, said material dispensing system comprising:

a fixed conveyor means, said fixed conveyor means being attached to said vehicle so as to extend from a position substantially underneath said container outlet aperture to a position located adjacent said vehicle front end, said fixed conveyor means defining a frontwardly positioned fixed conveyor discharge section;

a dispensing adapter for selectively dispensing said flowable material emanating from said fixed conveyor discharge section at a predetermined location according to a predetermined dispensing pattern;

said dispensing adapter including

a pivotable conveyor means, said pivotable conveyor means having a generally elongated configuration defining a pivotable conveyor first end and a pivotable conveyor second end, said pivotable conveyor first end being pivotally attached to an aligning structure, said aligning structure being pivotally attached to said vehicle adjacent said vehicle front end;

first pivoting means for pivoting said aligning structure about a substantially vertical first pivotal axis between a working position wherein said pivotable conveyor first end is substantially in register with said fixed conveyor discharge section and a stowed position wherein said pivotable conveyor first end is positioned laterally relative to said fixed conveyor discharge section;

second pivoting means for pivoting said pivotable conveyor about a substantially vertical second pivotal axis so that the trajectory of said pivotable conveyor second end forms a generally horizontal arc;

whereby when said aligning structure is in said working position said pivotable conveyor can be used to discharge flowable material emanating from said fixed conveyor discharge section away from said vehicle through a predetermined arc and when said aligning structure is in said stowed position said pivotable conveyor can be pivoted to a lateral position substantially proximal and parallel to said vehicle frame;

said dispensing system further comprising a third pivoting means for pivoting said pivotable conveyor about a substantially horizontal third pivotal axis so that the trajectory of said pivotable conveyor second end forms a generally vertical arc;

said first pivoting means including

a supporting platform defining a platform base plate attached to said vehicle adjacent said vehicle front end;

a linkage arm defining a linkage arm longitudinal axis, a linkage arm first end and an opposed linkage arm second end, said linkage arm first end being pivotally attached to said platform base plate and said pivotable conveyor first end being pivotally attached to said linkage arm second end;

a first pivoting drive means mechanically coupled to both said supporting platform and said linkage arm for selectively pivoting said linkage arm relative to said supporting platform;

said linkage arm being provided with a linkage arm first sleeve extending in a direction generally perpendicular to said linkage arm longitudinal axis, said linkage arm first sleeve defining a first sleeve first end and an opposed first sleeve second end;

a substantially vertical platform mast extending from said platform base plate;

a mast first mounting plate extending from an upper segment of said platform mast, said mast first mounting plate having a first axle stub extending perpendicularly therefrom, said first axle stub being inserted in said first sleeve first end;

said platform base plate being provided with a second axle stub extending perpendicularly therefrom, said second axle stub being inserted in said first sleeve second end.

13. A dispensing system as recited in claim 12 wherein

a mast second mounting plate extends from said platform mast intermediate said mast first mounting plate and said platform base plate;

a first sleeve sprocket is mounted on said first sleeve;

a first driving motor is attached to said mast second mounting plate, said first driving motor having a first driving chain mechanically coupled to said first sleeve sprocket.

14. A dispensing system as recited in claim 13 wherein

said platform mast defines a pair of angled mast abutment surfaces and said linkage arm defines a pair of arm abutment surfaces, said mast abutment surfaces and said arm abutment surfaces being configured and sized for abuttingly limiting the range of pivotal movement between said supporting platform and said linkage arm between said working and said stowed positions.

15. A dispensing system as recited in claim 14 wherein

said linkage arm is provided with a linkage arm second sleeve positioned substantially opposite said linkage arm first sleeve and extending in a direction generally perpendicular to said linkage arm longitudinal axis, said linkage arm second sleeve defining a second sleeve first end and an opposed second sleeve second end;

a pivotable conveyor axle is rotatably inserted in said linkage arm second sleeve;

a pivotable conveyor attachment plate is solidly attached to said pivotable conveyor axle;

a second pivoting drive means mechanically coupled to both said linkage arm and said pivotable conveyor axle for selectively pivoting said pivotable conveyor attachment plate relative to said linkage arm.

16. A dispensing system as recited in claim 15 wherein

a linkage arm mounting plate is fixed to said linkage arm intermediate said linkage arm first and second sleeves;

an axle sprocket is mounted on said axle intermediate said second sleeve and said pivotable conveyor attachment plate;

a second driving motor is attached to said linkage arm mounting plate, said second driving motor having a second driving chain mechanically coupled to said axle sprocket.

17. A dispensing system as recited in claim 16 wherein

said pivotable conveyor attachment plate is provided with a pair of mounting plate flanges extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom;

a flange axle extends from at least one of the mounting plate flanges, said flange axle being rotatably attached to said pivotable conveyor means adjacent said pivotable conveyor first end;

a third pivoting drive means is mechanically coupled to both said second sleeve and said pivotable conveyor for selectively pivoting said pivotable conveyor relative to said linkage arm about said flange axle.

18. A dispensing system as recited in claim 17 wherein

a second sleeve mounting plate is fixed to said second sleeve opposite said pivotable conveyor attachment plate;

a jack-type component is attached at a jack first end thereof to said second sleeve mounting plate and at a jack second end thereof to said pivotable conveyor distally relative to said flange axle.

19. A material dispensing system for use with a flowable material delivering vehicle, said vehicle defining a vehicle front end and a vehicle rear end, said vehicle including a vehicle frame mounted on wheels, an operator cab mounted on said vehicle frame adjacent said vehicle front end, a material container mounted on said vehicle frame rearwardly relative to said operator cab, said material container having a bottom wall defining a container outlet aperture, a blocking gate for selectively blocking said container outlet aperture, said material dispensing system comprising:

a fixed conveyor means, said fixed conveyor means being attached to said vehicle so as to extend from a position substantially underneath said container outlet aperture to a position located adjacent said vehicle front end, said fixed conveyor means defining a frontwardly positioned fixed conveyor discharge section;

a dispensing adapter for selectively dispensing said flowable material emanating from said fixed conveyor discharge section at a predetermined location according to a predetermined dispensing-pattern;

said dispensing adapter including

a pivotable conveyor means, said pivotable conveyor means having a generally elongated configuration defining a pivotable conveyor first end and a pivotable conveyor second end, said pivotable conveyor first end being pivotally attached to an aligning structure, said aligning structure being pivotally attached to said vehicle adjacent said vehicle-front end;

first pivoting means for pivoting said aligning structure about a substantially vertical first pivotal axis between a working position wherein said pivotable conveyor first end is substantially in register with said fixed conveyor discharge section and a stowed position wherein said pivotable conveyor first end is positioned laterally relative to said fixed conveyor discharge section;

second pivoting means for pivoting said pivotable conveyor about a substantially vertical second pivotal axis so that the trajectory of said pivotable conveyor second end forms a generally horizontal arc;

whereby When said aligning structure is in said working position said pivotable conveyor can be used to discharge flowable material emanating from said fixed conveyor discharge section away from said vehicle through a predetermined arc and when said aligning structure is in said stowed position said pivotable conveyor can be pivoted to a lateral position substantially proximal and parallel to said vehicle frame;

said pivotable conveyor means including

a generally elongated truss-like boom frame pivotally attached to said aligning structure, said boom frame including a pair of spaced apart side plates;

first and second end drums rotatably mounted to said boom frame between said side plates respectively adjacent said pivotable conveyor first and second ends;

intervening longitudinally spaced apart idler rollers;

an endless conveyor belt extending around said first and second end drums and supported along said boom frame by said idler rollers;

a belt configuring means for allowing the cross-sectional configuration of a predetermined longitudinal configurable section of said conveyor belt to be selectively changed between a generally concave cross-sectional configuration and a generally convex cross-sectional configuration.

20. A dispensing system as recited in claim 19 wherein said belt configuring means includes

a pair of configuring rollers supporting at least a fraction of said configurable section, each of said configuration rollers having a corresponding configuration roller axle for allowing rotation of said configuration rollers about their respective longitudinal axis, each of said configuration rollers defining a configuration roller proximal end located relatively proximal to an adjacent side plate and a configuration roller distal end located relative distally relative to an adjacent side plate, said configuration roller distal ends being in a relatively proximal relationship relative to each other;

a roller pivoting means attached to said configuration rollers for pivoting said configuration rollers between a concave configuration wherein said pair of configuration rollers extend at an angle from each other with said configuration roller distal ends positioned in a first geometrical plane located above said configuration roller proximal ends and a convex configuration wherein said pair of configuration rollers extend at an angle from each other with said configuration roller distal ends positioned in a second geometrical plane located underneath said configuration roller proximal ends.

21. A dispensing system as recited in claim 20 wherein said roller pivoting means includes a rocker arm, said rocker arm defining a rocker arm proximal end and a rocker arm distal end, said rocker arm proximal end being attached by an arm-to-piston attachment means to the distal end of a piston-type component, said piston-type component being attached at a proximal end thereof to said boom frame;

said rocker arm distal end being attached by an arm-to-roller attachment means to both said configuration roller distal ends;

said rocker arm being pivotally attached intermediate said rocker arm proximal and distal ends to said boom frame by an arm-to-frame attachment means so as to allow said rocker arm to pivot about a generally horizontal rocker arm pivotal axis;

said rocker arm being configured and sized such that linear movement of said piston-type component causes said rocker arm to pivot about said rocker arm pivotal axis and said pair of configuration rollers to pivot between said concave and convex configurations.

22. A dispensing system as recited in claim 21 wherein said dispensing adapter includes a dispensing chute attached to said vehicle adjacent said vehicle front end;

said dispensing chute defining a chute inlet end positioned adjacent said fixed conveyor discharge section, a laterally and downwardly extending chute body and a chute outlet end positioned laterally relative to said vehicle.

23. A dispensing system as recited in claim 22 wherein said chute body includes a chute positioning means for allowing customized adjustment of the lateral positioning of said chute outlet end relative to said vehicle.

24. A dispensing system as recited in claim 23 wherein said dispensing adapter also includes a plough blade, said plough blade being attached to said vehicle by a plough attachment frame so that said plough blade is positioned laterally relative to said vehicle and rearwardly relative to said chute outlet.

25. A dispensing system as recited in claim 24 wherein said plough attachment frame is provided with a plough angle adjustment means for allowing the selective adjustment of the angular relationship between said plough blade and a horizontal plane.

26. A dispensing system as recited in claim 24 wherein said plough attachment frame is provided with a plough raising and lowering means for allowing the selective raising and lowering of said plough blade.

27. A dispensing system as recited in claim 24 wherein said plough attachment frame is provided with a plough width adjustment means for allowing the selective adjustment of the width of said plough blade.