AU2010100214A4 - Improved tipper tailgate - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT IMPROVED TIPPER TAILGATE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

Title of the Invention Improved Tipper Tailgate 5 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tailgate for use in tipping or discharging material such as grain from the first trailer of a B double style set of tipping bodies. Background of the Invention 0 In the trucking industry it is accepted that it is almost impossible to discharge a load from a B double-articulated assembly eg. a truck pulling both a semi-trailer and a second trailer, without the door of the front trailer fouling on the rear trailer. Accordingly, conventional practice is to uncouple the rear trailer from the front trailer prior to discharging and to tip the two components of the unit separately. 15 Modifications to the assembly include a trailer comprising a single tailgate, which is anteriorly raked at about 55-850 to a longitudinal axis of the truck or first trailer, requires a forward hinge system limiting the door opening angle. Furthermore, the prior art describes tailgate designs that can be operated in a bottom-opening mode. Such designs are frequently seen in connection with 1 automobiles and refuse hauling and disposal vehicles. While functional for these and related types of applications, such designs are not adaptable for use with vehicles to transport and discharge bulk quantities of particulate material such as grains, where cubic capacity is a major consideration. 5 The problem still exists, on opening of a tailgate, of fouling and damage to the second semi-trailer and/or tailgate during discharge of material from the trailer. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved tipper tailgate. Summary of the Invention o The invention provides a truck and/or a trailer assembly comprising: a truck and/or a trailer adapted for discharging or tipping a load of material through a tailgate; and a semitrailer which is coupled to the truck or trailer wherein the tailgate comprises a lower door and an upper door adapted to secure open and 15 closed positions. Preferably, the upper door is hydraulically opened to a 170-1800 angle to the resting or closed position. Preferably, a hydraulic ram and or a pneumatic ram activate the opening and closing of the tailgate. 2 Preferably, the assembly is used for tipping or discharging of material selected from grain, mulch, bark, wood chips, fertiliser, soil, coal and minerals and the like. Preferably, the tailgate in the closed position is at 900 to horizontal axis of the 5 truck or trailer. In another aspect, the invention provides a truck and/or a trailer assembly comprising: a truck and/or a trailer adapted for discharging or tipping load of material through a tailgate; 0 a semitrailer which is attached to the truck or trailer wherein the tailgate comprises a plurality of openings. Preferably, the tailgate comprises two doors adapted to secure an open and closed position. 15 Brief Description of the drawings Figure 1 shows the door in the fully closed position with the lower door pivot point shown as point 1. Point 2 shows the upper door lock, the lower door air actuator is shown as point 3. The lower door lock is point 4. The multi point upper door opening mechanism is shown as point 5. The door opening hydraulic cylinder is point 6. The 20 lower door is independently operated from the top door. 3 Figure 2 shows the lower door retracted, the lower door locks (4) released and the lower door switch engaged. Figure 3 shows the total door unit in full upper position between 170 and 180 degrees with upper door locks retracted. 5 Figures 4 and 5 show plan view of B double trailer combination in straight and skewed positions. These figures show the problem associated with opening rear tailgate and tipping load. Figure 6 shows benefits of a split rear door, while opening straight or skewed. 0 Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 shows the door in the fully closed position with the lower door pivot point shown as point 1. Point 2 shows the upper door lock, the lower door air actuator is shown as point 3. The lower door lock is point 4. The multi point upper door opening mechanism is shown as point 5. The door opening hydraulic cylinder is point 6. The 15 lower door is independently operated from the top door. The split fold rear tipping door is unique in the way the lower part of the door is unlocked then raised by pneumatic ram to allow discharge of free flowing media eg. grain, when the upper door locks are released and the total door assembly is pivoted with the five point pivoting cantilever operated by hydraulic ram. The total door unit is 20 raised 170-180 degrees from the resting point giving free flow to the likes of woodchip and compost material. The front and rear trailers are able to be tipped 4 either together or independently without fouling. This arrangement allows the lead trailer to have a rear tailgate angle of 90 degrees, thereby improving cubic capacity of the lead trailer. The trailer and semi-trailer may be further coupled to another or a series of semi 5 trailers or the like to form a combination adapted to transport and discharge or tip material. Any combination suitable for connection to the truck falls within the scope of this invention. Such combinations include the B double type of tipping bodies. As an example, the B double type combination comprises a truck, a trailer and a semi trailer which is coupled to the trailer. 0 Figure 2 shows the lower door retracted, the lower door locks (4) released and the lower door switch engaged. The lower door pivot (1) allows the door to swing in closed and open positions. The upper door lock (2) locks the upper door whilst lower door is open. The lower door actuator controls opening and closing of the door. Preferably, the controls for the doors are activated by the user in the cabin of the 5 truck. In another embodiment, the door is activated by a switch, which is located near the tailgate within reach of a user, to open and to close the door. Figure 3 shows the total door unit in full upper position between 170 and 180 degrees with upper door locks retracted. 20 Figures 4 and 5 show a plan view of B double trailer combination in straight and skewed positions in operation with a single door or without the split door. 5 Figure 4 shows the problem associated with opening rear tailgate and tipping load. In the fully raised position, there is contact between the single door and the rear trailer chassis. Figure 5 shows contact with rear trailer in operation without use of a split door, s resulting in damage to the rear trailer and to the door. Figure 6 shows benefits of a split rear door, while opening straight or skewed. This configuration ensures adequate clearance between the trailer and semi-trailer and that any material is tipped safely, without fouling and without the need to uncouple the trailers during tipping. This arrangement also ensures that the o combination of the truck, trailer, and semi-trailer is not damaged during tipping and allows safe and efficient tipping of the material. Preferably, material such as grain is tipped while opening with the rear trailer straight, skewed or jack knifed. Initial tipping occurs with the trailer and semi-trailer coupled and the rear or semi-trailer is jack knifed. Later stages of the tipping would s require the front trailer to move forward to allow further tipping of the material in the trailer. At this stage, as the trailer is skewed and moves away from the jack knifed position, there is considerable danger of damage to the tailgate and the semi-trailer due to fouling when using a single door. The use of a split door tailgate according to the present invention provides adequate clearance, thereby overcoming this problem 20 of fouling. The material suitable for transporting, discharging and/or tipping includes and is not limited to grain, mulch, bark, wood chips, fertiliser, soil, coal and minerals. 6 Minerals include iron ore, zinc, copper and other mining minerals. Any particulate or free flowing material may be transported and tipped according to the present invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein s described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. 0 15 7

Claims (5)

1. A truck and/or a trailer assembly comprising: a truck and/or a trailer adapted for discharging or tipping a load of material 5 through a tailgate; and a semitrailer which is coupled to the truck or trailer wherein the tailgate comprises a lower door and an upper door adapted to secure open and closed positions.

2. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the upper door is hydraulically 0 opened to a 170-1800 angle to the resting or closed position.

3. The assembly according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a hydraulic ram and or a pneumatic ram activate the opening and closing of the tailgate.

4. The assembly according to claim 3 for tipping or discharging of material selected from grain, mulch, bark wood chips, fertiliser, soil, coal and minerals. 15

5. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the tailgate in the closed position is at 900 to horizontal axis of the truck or trailer. Jogias Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 10 March 2010 8