CA2264589A1

CA2264589A1 - Improved tipping system

Info

Publication number: CA2264589A1
Application number: CA002264589A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Bernd Ostermeyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-08-29
Filing date: 1997-08-28
Publication date: 1998-03-05
Also published as: CN1230151A; KR20000035873A; ID18153A; NZ334396A; EP0918659A1; BR9711458A; AUPO200596A0; AR009486A1; ZA977811B; JP2001500450A; WO1998008707A1; EP0918659A4

Abstract

A container for transporting particulate materials comprising a chassis (42), two body sections (41) each having one open end (49) and each supported on said chassis (42) in longitudinal alignment with the open ends (49, 49) adjacent. A rigid upstanding side wall (12) on either side of the bodies (41) fixed to the chassis (42) and spanning the junction of the aligned body portions (41). Each body portion (41) being connected to the walls (12) to pivot relative thereto about respective axes transverse to the chassis (42) to inclined positions with the open end (49) of each body section (41) displaced downwardly from the aligned relation.

Description

ï»¿1015202530CA 02264589 1999-02-26WO 98/08707 PCT/AU97/005571IMPROVED TIPPING SYSTEMThe present invention is directed to bulk material transportation by acontainer supported on or incorporated in a vehicle.An area of transportation which utilises special discharging facilities arecommonly referred to as bottom dumper containers, which are particularlyselected for a the of reason of lower centre of gravity and hence great stabilitywhile discharging.The conventional bottom dump container are usually a relatively largestructure due to the fact that the discharging angle of the container floor must besufficient to promote gravity flow of the total payload being transported. Thisinclination of the floor reduces payload volume and/or increases the height ofthe container as it requires the angle of the âVâ shape floor bottom to besufficient to enable gravity discharge its payload, and the required payloadcapacity.The âV" shape can also produces a bottle neck situation at the dischargepoint, that can lead to problems such as choking of the outlet and/or jamming ofhinged or sliding gates at the discharge opening. The bottle neck can alsoincrease discharge time by the need to use relatively small aperture for strengthrequirement to avoid distortion and resulting jamming that slows the flow rateand/or large product not being able to pass through the opening.There is disclosed in US Patent 3161148 by Konig, a rail truck forcarrying particulate material, having box sections mounted on a chassis ingeneral longitudinal alignment, with the inner end of each box open. Each ofthe boxes is hinged at its lower inner end to the chassis for pivotal movementabout respective transverse axis. This allows each box to be raised to a tiltedposition by pivotal movement about the respective axis, whereby the contents ofthe boxes is discharged through a central opening between the respectivehinged ends. Fixed side walls are provided on either side of the chassis to spanthe open areas between the respective boxes, both when the boxes are in thehorizontal transport and the inclined discharge positions.The disadvantages of the Konig construction is firstly that each of theboxes is pivoted at the lower inner corners thereof, and that the contents of theï»¿1015202530CA 02264589 1999-02-26WO 98/08707 PCT/AU97/005572two boxes, when the boxes are upwardly inclined, is discharged through asingle fixed side opening provided in the floor of the vehicle between the innerends of the respective boxes. This construction limits the rate at which thecontents of the boxes can be discharged, and has potential to promote instabilitydue to the degree of inclination of the boxes necessary to ensure discharge ofthe total contents, at an acceptable rate.An important factor in this form of transport equipment is that it must becapable of carrying a substantial payload, together with the ability to rapidlydischarge the payload whilst also maintaining a high degree of stability of thevehicle during the dumping of the payload, thereby reducing the risk of thevehicle tipping sideways with the accompanying risk of injury to persons as wellas damage to the vehicle and substantial loss of operating time.in the Konig construction there is a relatively small size central dischargeopening which extends no more than 50% of the width of the vehicle, henceseverely restricting the rate of discharge of the contents of the vehicle.Secondly, Konig has each of the basis pivotally connected to the vehicle frameat the lower inner extremity of the box. This results in the necessity to raise theouter ends of the respective boxes to a substantial height in order to achieve areasonable flow rate of material from the boxes through the small centralopening. This necessitates the use of a high angle of tilt of the respective boxes,substantially increases the risk of the vehicle falling sideways and requiressubstantial hydraulic equipment to affect the lifting of the boxes as there is nocounter-balancing effect during tipping.It is the object of the present invention to provide a bulk materialstransport container having twin inwardly tipping load carriers and having thesignificantly improved stability, particularly during discharge of the contents, andenables more effective and rapid discharge of the contents.With this in mind, the present invention provides a container fortransporting particulate materials comprising a chassis, two body portions eachpivotally supported on the chassis in longitudinal alignment, each body beingopen at the adjacent ends and relatively disposed to define a unitary loadcarrying area, said body portions being selectively pivotal relative to the chassisï»¿1015202530CA 02264589 1999-02-26WO 98/08707 PCT/AU97/005573to displace the open ends thereof downward relative to the chassis form thealigned relation to permit gravital discharge therebetween of material fromwithin the body portions.More specifically there is provided a container for transporting particulatematerials comprising a chassis, two body portions each having one open endand supported on said chassis in longitudinal alignment with said open ends inadjacent aligned relation. a rigid upstanding side wall on either side of thebodies fixed to the chassis and spanning the junction of the aligned bodyportions, each body portion being connected to the walls to pivot relative theretoabout respective axes transverse to the chassis to respective inclined positionswith the open end of each body portion displaced downwardly from the alignedrelation.By arranging the pivotal movement of the body portions so that the innerends thereof move downwardly to affect the discharge operation, enables thepivot axis to be located intermediate the length of the respective body portions,rather than at the inner end thereof as in the prior art, results in the load beingdistributed both fore and aft of the pivot axis, so reducing the effort required toeffect the tipping of the body portions to the inclined discharge position.In addition, by locating the pivot axis of each body portion upwardly fromthe lower wall or floor of the respective body portion, the discharge openingdefined by the transverse edges of the respective body portions willprogressively increase as the inclination of the body portions increases, therebyenabling very rapid discharge of the contents of the body portions.The increase in the size of the discharge opening, as the body portionsare inclined, is proportional to the distance that the pivot axis of each of the bodyportion is displaced from the open end thereof through which the dischargetakes place. In addition the distance that each pivot axis is displaced upwardlyfrom the base of the body portion will also increase the size of the dischargeopening. The maximum benefit is obtained by a construction wherein the pivotpoint is displaced both upwardly from the base of the body portion, and inwardlyfrom the open end of the body portion at which discharge occurs.The invention will be further described by reference to the accompanyingï»¿1015202530CA 02264589 1999-02-26WO 98/08707 PCT/AU97/005574drawings illustrated one practical arrangement of a transport container.In the drawings:-Figure 1 is a side view of transport container, incorporating anembodiment of the invention in the mobile form.Figure 2 is a view as in Figure 1 in the discharge position.Figure 3 is a perspective view of the chassis of an alternative constructionof the container.Figure 4 is a perspective view of a bin for use with the chassis shown inFigure 3.Figure 5 is a side view of an assembly of two bins and a chassis asshown in Figures 3 and 4.Referring now to the drawings it is to be understood that the containerdepicted therein may be mounted on or incorporated in a range of vehiclesincluding both rail and road vehicles and may be in a form directed mounted onthe chassis of a vehicle or may be in the form of a trailer supported on its ownwheel formation and connectable in a towing relation to a vehicle. in additionthe container may be in a free-standing form which is transferable between oneform of transportation to another, and in this regard, may be used in conjunctionwith either a road or rail vehicle or a ship or aircraft. Thus in some forms of theinvention the chassis indicated at 10 in Figure 3 may be an integral part of thevehicle which effects the transportation thereof and in other forms may be aseparate structure which is permanently or releasably attached to the structuralframe of the vehicle.Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated therein one practicalarrangement of a container for transporting particulate materials andincorporating two wheel and axle assemblies suitable for operating on aconventional rail track. Other forms of wheel assemblies may be used for roaduse, or the container may not be equipped with wheels but is loaded onto asuitable vehicle or vessel for transporting thereof.The container 40 comprises two body portions or bins 41 arranged in analigned relation on the base chassis 42 mounted on conventional rail boggles43. Mounted on each side of chassis 42 is a respective upstanding side wall 44.ï»¿1015202530CA 02264589 1999-02-26WO 98/08707 PCT/AU97/005575Each of the bins 41 are pivotally attached to the respective side walls 44 byrespective pivot bearing assemblies 45, one on each of the opposite sides of thecontainer. As can be seen the axis of the respective pivot bearing assemblies45 is spaced inwardly from the inner or central end 46 of the respective bin, andalso spaced upwardly from the base of the bin.Mounted at a fixed location centrally of the length of the chassis 42 is afixed dividing wall 46 extending the width of the chassis between the uprightside walls 44. The end of each of the bins 41 adjacent the walls 46 are notprovided with an integral end wall but are open, and when the bins are in thehorizontal position as shown in Figure 1, abut the dividing wall 46 to be closedthereby. Also the upper corner portion 48 of the side walls of the bins, adjacentthe wall 46, is of an arcuate shape having a centre at the pivot bearingassemblies 45, and extends through an arc of 90Â°.At either end of the chassis 42 there is provided a respective telescopichydraulic ram 50 attached at the lower end 51 to the chassis 42 and at the upperportion 52 to the end wall 53 of the bin 41. Upon expanding the hydraulic rams50 each of the bins 43 pivot on the respective pivot bearing assemblies 45 fromthe disposition shown in Figure 1 to that shown in Figure 2. As the bins move tothe inclined position shown in Figure 2 the inner open end thereof is displaceddownwardly and outward away from the dividing wall 46 to expose the openlower portion 49 of each of the bins to thereby permit the gravity discharge of thecontents of the respective bins.As can be seen in Figure 2 the pivotal movement of the bin creates asubstantial opening 55 for the discharge of the contents of the bin, and thisopening extends across the full width of the bin, thereby providing rapiddischarged of the contents of the bin.Also, as the axis of the pivotal movement 45 of the bin is located asubstantial distance above the floor of the bin and inward from the end thereof,there is created a downward and rearward displacement of that portion of thebin as the bin is tipped, the complete structure is more stable during dischargeof the contents.Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 the container comprises the baseï»¿1015202530CA 02264589 1999-02-26WO 98/08707 PCT/AU97/005576chassis 10 and two body sections 11 (one shown in Figure 4) of identicalconstruction that are assembled in use with the chassis 10 in an end to endrelationship, similar to that shown in Figure 1. Each body 11 is of a generallyrectangular shape having opposed side walls 12 and one end wall 13extending between the side walls 12 at the outer end of the structure, to form anopen top and one open end rectangular box.At the inner end 11a of each body 11 there is no end wall and each of theside walls 12 are constructed to form a upward and rearwardly sloping edgeportion 14. These edge portions 14 are structurally reinforced by members 15,and adjacent the upper and rearward end thereof are provided respectivealigned bearing structures 16 on the opposite sides of the body 11.The chassis 10 is of an open frame structure of an overall length andwidth appropriate to support the two bodies 11 when arranged in an end to andrelationship with the lower edges 25 of the open ends abutting. Centrally of thechassis 10 there is provided a rectangular opening 19 extending through the fulldepth of the chassis 10 and defined by the respective opposed transverse walls17 and longitudinal walls 18.Upstanding from the chassis 10, on the two opposite sides thereof, arerespective bearing pillars 20, each carrying two longitudinally spaced bearingunits 21.provided on the bin that is located therebetween, and are rotatably securedEach bearing unit is arranged to align with a bearing structure 16together to pivotally attach each of the bins to the chassis.When the two body sections 11 are assembled to the chassis with thebearing assemblies in place, the respective transverse edges 25 of the two bodysections 11 will be in an abutting relation so that the central opening 19 in thechassis is closed to prevent the contents of the containers escaping through thecentral opening 19 in the chassis. However, upon pivotal movement of therespective body sections 11 about the bearing structures 16 in a manner similarto that shown in Figure 2, the edges 24 of the floor 11a of the containers will bemoved in an arcuate movement about the respective bearing structure asubstantial distance apart to define a transverse opening to permit the contentsof the containers to gravity discharge through the central opening 19 in theï»¿10152025CA 02264589 1999-02-26WO 98/08707 PCT/AU97l00557chassis.in order to limit and hopefully prevent spillage of material beingtransported in the container appropriate provision is made to effectly sealbetween components of the container which are subject to relative movementduring use. Particular areas where movement occurs is between the walls ofthe tiltale body and the upstanding side walls to which the body is pivotablyattached and where the transverse edges of the inner end of the bars of thebody's engage when in the transport position.A convenient form of seal is a solid or hollow rod of resilientlycompressable material such as an appropriate material such as an appropriategrade of rubber such as synthetic rubber. It is preferred that the rod is of adiameter to be compressed when assembled between the relevant componentsof the container to ensure effective sealing. The composition of the rod mustalso be selected so binding thereof does not occur as the component of thecontainer move relative to one another such as during tiltering of the bodies.It will be appreciated that, as a result of the pivot axis of the bodies beingdisplaced from the edges 24 of the bodies, the edges 24 can move apart anddownward to create a relatively wide opening therebetween, extending acrossthe full width of the central opening 19, thereby permitting rapid discharge of thecontents of the body. Also as part of the respective bodies is displaceddownwardly, into or through the opening 19, during discharge the resultingcharge is weight distribution improves the stability of the complete container.The tilting of the bodies 11 may be effected by hydraulic rams similar tothat previously described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or by appropriatealternative means such as overhead crane equipment provided at the locationwhere the contents of the container is to be delivered.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A container for transporting particulate materials comprising a chassis, two body portions each pivotally supported on the chassis in longitudinal alignment, each body portion being open at the adjacent ends and relatively disposed to define a unitary load carrying body, said body portions being respectively pivotal relative to the chassis to displace the open ends thereof downward relative to the chassis from the aligned relation to permit gravital discharge therebetween of material from within the body portions.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pivot support of the respective body portions are arranged so that in response to said pivotal movement thereof the spacing between at least the lower extremities of the body portions is increased.

3. A container for transporting particulate materials comprising a chassis, two body portions each having one open end and each supported on said chassis in longitudinal alignment with said open ends in adjacent aligned relation, a rigid upstanding side wall on either side of the bodies fixed to thechassis and spanning the junction of the aligned body portions, each body portion being connected to the walls to pivot relative thereto about respective axes transverse to the chassis, to respective inclined positions with the open end of each body portion displaced downwardly from the aligned relation.

4. A container as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the pivot axis of each body portion is spaced upwardly from the chassis so the body portions pivot about respective axes intermediate the height of the body portions.

5. A container as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the pivot axis or each body portion is offset from the lower portion of the open end thereof towards the opposite end of said body portion.

6. A container as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 5 including means operably interposed between the respective body portions and the chassis and selectively operable to move the body portions between the aligned and downwardly inclined positions.

7. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein each body portion is adapted for selective attachment to lift means operable to effect thepivoting of the respective body portions.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7 wherein the two body portions are adapted for selective attachment to a single lift means to be lifted simultaneously.

9. A container as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein each body portion includes two opposed side walls defining at one end of the body portion said open end, each side wall having a rearwardly inclined upper edge extending from the lower edge of the open end to the upper edge thereof, said upstanding side walls fixed to the chassis being shaped and positioned to cover said rearwardly inclined portions of the side walls in a manner to prevent leakage between the body portion and side wall of particulate material in the body.

10. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 or 9 wherein the body portions are configured at the discharge ends to abut when both are in the aligned position to prevent discharge therebetween.

11. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, 9 or 10 wherein the chassis defines an opening therethrough configured and located so the body portions can extend into or through said opening when the body portions are pivoted downwardly.