Aggregate spreading system

• US 9,797,098 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2015
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George Guilmette
• Original Assignee: George Guilmette
• Inventors: Guilmette, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHU, KATHERINE J
• Application Number:
  US14/829,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20170051460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 404101, 298 13, 298 7, 37274, 37281
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/15 for laying-down uncoated stone or similar materials, or for striking-off or spreading same without compacting, e.g. for crushed rock base courses, sand cushions for paving E01C19/466 , E01C19/52 take precedence; distributing E01C19/20; laying down and rolling E01C19/482
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/4866 with solely non-vibratory or non-percussive pressing or smoothing means for consolidating or finishing E01C19/4886 takes precedence; combined with rollers E01C19/488
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/4886 for forming in a continuous operation kerbs, gutters, berms, safety kerbs, median barriers or like structures in situ, e.g. by slip-forming, by extrusion removable forms for kerbs, gutters or similar structures E01C19/506; making conduits in situ E02D29/10
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 2019/2075 with longitudinal conveyor belt
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/7695 Graders, bulldozers or the like comprising elevators or conveyors

Abstract

An aggregate spreading system includes a dump truck that has a cab and a bed. The bed may contain an aggregate. A transport unit is coupled to the dump truck. The transport unit is positioned on the bed to urge the aggregate forwardly in the bed. A distribution unit is coupled to the dump truck. The distribution unit is positioned on the bed to receive the aggregate from the transport unit. Thus, the distribution unit distributes the aggregate onto a support surface. The distribution unit levels the aggregate on the support surface when the aggregate has been released onto the support surface.

Claims

1. An aggregate spreading system comprising:

a dump truck having a cab and a bed, said bed being configured to contain an aggregate, said bed having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said peripheral wall having a first lateral side, a back side and a front side;

a transport unit being coupled to said dump truck, said transport unit being positioned on said bed wherein said transport unit is configured to urge the aggregate forwardly in said bed; and

a distribution unit being coupled to said dump truck, said distribution unit being positioned on said bed wherein said distribution unit is configured to receive the aggregate from said transport unit thereby facilitating said distribution unit to distribute the aggregate onto a support surface, said distribution unit being configured to level the aggregate on the support surface when the aggregate has been released onto the support surface, said distribution unit further comprising

a box including a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall and a rear wall extending between said first lateral wall and said second lateral wall, said box having a bottom edge, each of said first lateral wall and said second lateral wall extending forwardly from said rear wall, said first lateral wall and said second lateral wall being spaced from each other such that said box has a U-shape, said rear wall having a forward surface, and

a support being coupled to and extending between said first lateral wall and said second lateral wall, said support having a primary section being slidably coupled to a secondary section such that support has a telescopically adjustable length, said support being spaced from said rear wall such that said support inhibits said first lateral wall from being urged toward said second lateral wall.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said transport unit comprises a conveyor belt being positioned on said bottom wall wherein said conveyor belt is configured to be in communication with the aggregate, said conveyor belt extending substantially between said front side and said back side, said conveyor belt being aligned with said first lateral side.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said transport unit further comprises a motor being coupled to said bottom wall, said motor being electrically coupled to said dump truck such that said motor is selectively turned on and off.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said transport unit further comprises a drive belt being coupled between said motor and said conveyor belt, said motor rotating said drive belt when said motor is turned on, said drive belt urging said conveyor belt to rotate toward said front side wherein said conveyor belt is configured to transport the aggregate toward said front side.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said distribution unit comprises a chute having a lower wall and a pair of lateral walls, each of said lateral walls extending upwardly from said lower wall, said lateral walls being spaced from each other, said chute having a front end and a back end, said front end being open.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein:

said transport unit includes a conveyor belt;

said chute includes a plate being hingedly coupled to said back side, said plate being coupled to said bed such that said chute extends away from said first lateral side, said chute being positioned proximate an intersection of said front side and said first lateral side, said chute being aligned with said conveyor belt wherein said conveyor belt is configured to transport the aggregate into said chute thereby facilitating said chute to release the aggregate outwardly through said front end; and

said chute being positionable in a deployed position having said chute angling downwardly from said bed, said chute being positionable in a stored position having said chute extending laterally away from said bed.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said distribution unit further comprises a mount comprising a pair of longitudinal arms and a plurality of lateral arms, each of said lateral arms being coupled to and extending away from said longitudinal arms, each of said lateral arms being coupled to said first lateral side of said bed such that said longitudinal arms are spaced from said first lateral side, said mount being positioned closer to a chute than said back side of said bed.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said distribution unit further comprises a blade having a front surface, a back surface, a top edge and a lower edge, said blade being slidably coupled to said rear wall such that said back surface abuts said forward surface of said rear wall wherein said blade is configured to smooth the aggregate on the support surface when dump truck is driven along the support surface, each of said front surface and said back surface being curved such that blade curves forwardly between said top edge and said lower edge.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein:

said rear wall has a first section and a second section; and

said blade has a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being coupled to said first section of said rear wall, said second portion being coupled to said second section of said rear wall.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said distribution unit further comprises a crank being coupled to said rear wall of said box, said crank including a handle and a screw, said screw being coupled to said top edge corresponding to said first portion of said blade such said screw raises and lowers said first portion when said handle is manipulated wherein said blade is configured to smooth the aggregate to a selected thickness on the support surface.

8. An aggregate spreading system comprising:

a dump truck having a cab and a bed, said bed being configured to contain an aggregate, said bed having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said peripheral wall having a first lateral side, a back side and a front side;

a transport unit being coupled to said dump truck, said transport unit being positioned on said bed wherein said transport unit is configured to urge the aggregate forwardly in said bed;

a distribution unit being coupled to said dump truck, said distribution unit being positioned on said bed wherein said distribution unit is configured to receive the aggregate from said transport unit thereby facilitating said distribution unit to distribute the aggregate onto a support surface, said distribution unit being configured to level the aggregate on the support surface when the aggregate has been released onto the support surface, said distribution unit further comprising a box including a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall and a rear wall extending between said first lateral wall and said second lateral wall, said box having a bottom edge, each of said first lateral wall and said second lateral wall extending forwardly from said rear wall, said first lateral wall and said second lateral wall being spaced from each other such that said box has a U-shape, said rear wall having a forward surface;

said distribution unit including a mount and a chute, said mount having a pair of longitudinal arms;

said rear wall having a first section being slidably coupled to a second section such that said second lateral wall is movable a selected distance away from said first lateral wall, said first lateral wall being hingedly coupled to said longitudinal arms of said mount; and

said box being positionable in a deployed position having said bottom edge of said box being coextensive with and being spaced from the support surface wherein said box is configured to receive the aggregate from said chute, said box being positionable in a stored position having said box extending upwardly along said first lateral side of said bed.

12. An aggregate spreading system comprising:

a dump truck having a cab and a bed, said bed being configured to contain an aggregate, said bed having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said peripheral wall having a first lateral side, a back side and a front side;

a transport unit being coupled to said dump truck, said transport unit being positioned on said bed wherein said transport unit is configured to urge the aggregate forwardly in said bed, said transport unit comprising;

a conveyor belt being positioned on said bottom wall wherein said conveyor belt is configured to be in communication with the aggregate, said conveyor belt extending substantially between said front side and said back side, said conveyor belt being aligned with said first lateral side,

a motor being coupled to said bottom wall, said motor being electrically coupled to said dump truck such that said motor is selectively turned on and off, and

a drive belt being coupled between said motor and said conveyor belt, said motor rotating said drive belt when said motor is turned on, said drive belt urging said conveyor belt to rotate toward said front side wherein said conveyor belt is configured to transport the aggregate toward said front side; and

a distribution unit being coupled to said dump truck, said distribution unit being positioned on said bed wherein said distribution unit is configured to receive the aggregate from said transport unit thereby facilitating said distribution unit to distribute the aggregate onto a support surface, said distribution unit being configured to level the aggregate on the support surface when the aggregate has been released onto the support surface, said distribution unit comprising;

a chute having a lower wall and a pair of lateral walls, each of said lateral walls extending upwardly from said lower wall, said lateral walls being spaced from each other, said chute having a front end and a back end, said front end being open, said chute including a plate being hingedly coupled to said back side, said plate being coupled to said bed such that said chute extends away from said first lateral side, said chute being positioned proximate an intersection of said front side and said first lateral side, said chute being aligned with said conveyor belt wherein said conveyor belt is configured to transport the aggregate into said chute thereby facilitating said chute to release the aggregate outwardly through said front end, said chute being positionable in a deployed position having said chute angling downwardly from said bed, said chute being positionable in a stored position having said chute extending laterally away from said bed,

a mount comprising a pair of longitudinal arms and a plurality of lateral arms, each of said lateral arms being coupled to and extending away from said longitudinal arms, each of said lateral arms being coupled to said first lateral side of said bed such that said longitudinal arms are spaced from said first lateral side, said mount being positioned closer to said chute than said back side of said bed,

a box including a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall and a rear wall extending between said first lateral wall and said second lateral wall, said box having a bottom edge, each of said first lateral wall and said second lateral wall extending forwardly from said rear wall, said first lateral wall and said second lateral wall being spaced from each other such that said box has a U-shape, said rear wall having a forward surface, said rear wall having a first section being slidably coupled to a second section such that said second lateral wall is movable a selected distance away from said first lateral wall, said first lateral wall being hingedly coupled to said longitudinal arms of said mount, said box being positionable in a deployed position having said bottom edge of said box being coextensive with and being spaced from the support surface wherein said box is configured to receive the aggregate from said chute, said box being positionable in a stored position having said box extending upwardly along said first lateral side of said bed,

a support being coupled to and extending between said first lateral wall and said second lateral wall, said support having a primary section being slidably coupled to a secondary section such that support has a telescopically adjustable length, said support being spaced from said rear wall such that said support inhibits said first lateral wall from being urged toward said second lateral wall,

a blade having a front surface, a back surface, a top edge and a lower edge, said blade being slidably coupled to said rear wall such that said back surface abuts said forward surface of said rear wall wherein said blade is configured to smooth the aggregate on the support surface when dump truck is driven along the support surface, each of said front surface and said back surface being curved such that blade curves forwardly between said top edge and said lower edge, said blade having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being coupled to said first section of said box, said second portion being coupled to said second section of said box, and

a crank being coupled to said rear wall of said box, said crank including a handle and a screw, said screw being coupled to said top edge corresponding to said first portion of said blade such said screw raises and lowers said first portion when said handle is manipulated wherein said blade is configured to smooth the aggregate to a selected thickness on the support surface.