Bi-directional autonomous truck
First Claim
1. An autonomous truck having a longitudinal axis defining a first truck end and a second truck end, comprising a truck chassis and a dump bed supported by said truck chassis, said truck chassis having a first lifting mechanism and a first bearing connected to the first truck end and a second lifting mechanism and a second bearing connected to the second truck end, said first lifting mechanism being coupled to a first dump-bed end of the dump bed and said second lifting mechanism being coupled to a second dump-bed end of the dump bed, wherein the first bearing is adapted to receive and pivotally retain said dump bed when said dump bed is being lifted by the second lifting mechanism, and to release said dump bed when said dump bed is being lifted by the first lifting mechanism, and wherein the second bearing is adapted to receive and pivotally retain said dump bed when said dump bed is being lifted by the first lifting mechanism, and to release said dump bed when said dump bed is being lifted by the second lifting mechanism.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bi-directional autonomous truck. The truck includes a drive-train including one or more drive wheels, the drive-train having drive characteristics that are substantially the same whether the drive wheels rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The drive characteristics may consist of the ability to reach a maximum rotational speed of the drive wheels, but may include other characteristics, such as the ability to steer corresponding pairs of drive wheels that are situated at opposite ends of the truck. Preferably, the truck includes a dump bed that is adapted for dumping in either of two opposite directions.
-
Citations
8 Claims
- 1. An autonomous truck having a longitudinal axis defining a first truck end and a second truck end, comprising a truck chassis and a dump bed supported by said truck chassis, said truck chassis having a first lifting mechanism and a first bearing connected to the first truck end and a second lifting mechanism and a second bearing connected to the second truck end, said first lifting mechanism being coupled to a first dump-bed end of the dump bed and said second lifting mechanism being coupled to a second dump-bed end of the dump bed, wherein the first bearing is adapted to receive and pivotally retain said dump bed when said dump bed is being lifted by the second lifting mechanism, and to release said dump bed when said dump bed is being lifted by the first lifting mechanism, and wherein the second bearing is adapted to receive and pivotally retain said dump bed when said dump bed is being lifted by the first lifting mechanism, and to release said dump bed when said dump bed is being lifted by the second lifting mechanism.
Specification