GB2587182A

GB2587182A - Tipper truck apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2587182A
Application number: GB1911904.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chadwick Lee
Original assignee: BRIT TIPP Ltd
Current assignee: BRIT TIPP Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-20
Filing date: 2019-08-20
Publication date: 2021-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-20
Also published as: EP4017762A1; GB2587182B; WO2021032988A1; GB201911904D0

Abstract

A tipping assembly for a tipper truck (fig 1) on a truck chassis has a tipper body with a steel floor 301 fixed to a tiltable frame of side-to-side aluminium bearers 303,305 by stud welding. The frame also has longitudinal runners 302 with channels (710, fig 7) in the sides for T-bolts (figs 8a-c) to attach to angle brackets 312. The floor 301 can be formed of two steel sheets with projecting lips (fig 5) and alignable holes for fixing together. The stud welding can be capacitor discharge or drawn arc. Thus the weight of the body can be reduced.

Description

TIPPER TRUCK APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to tipper trucks, also known as dump trucks or dumper trucks. In particular, the application relates to a tipper apparatus having an improved tipper body and frame construction compared to conventional tipper trucks, which may reduce the weight and improve ease of construction, while maintaining the required strength.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tipper trucks (also known as dump trucks, dumper trucks, tipper lorries or tip-trailers) are vehicles having a truck or lorry chassis and with a tippable apparatus on the back. The tippable apparatus normally comprises a tiltable frame that can be attached to the chassis and tipped relative to the chassis, for example by means of a raising mechanism, such as a hydraulic ram. Attached to the tiltable frame is a tipper body (sometimes referred to as a tipper bin), having a base and sides. The sides may be movable or removable so that the body can be tipped or tilted, which causes the contents of the body to be tipped or dumped out.

Tipper trucks are generally used for transporting sand, gravel, tarmac or construction waste. Therefore the tipper body has to be strong enough to hold heavy contents; generally the tipper body is made from steel, such as mild steel.

There is also a desire to reduce the weight of tipper trucks since this means the truck can hold more and/or reduces running costs (e.g. less fuel required). Therefore the movable sides of the tipper body can be formed of aluminium, which reduces the weight. However, the base of the tipper body needs to be formed of a stronger material, so steel is generally still used for the base or floor of the tipper body. The tiltable frame also requires Generally steel sheeting can only be sourced in fairly narrow widths (e.g. less than 2m or even less than 1.5m), so multiple (generally two) steel sheets often need to be attached together to form the floor of the tipper body.

Tipper assemblies for adding to a truck chassis are generally constructed separately from the truck chassis itself by specialist tipper apparatus constructors because putting the frame and body together and securing to the truck chassis is very complex and requires specialist skills and know-how. This means the tipper assemblies tend to be constructed and secured to trucks before transporting to end users or consumers. Transport of a complete tipper assembly is expensive (especially if attached to the truck chassis) compared to transporting the individual components of the tipper apparatus. Therefore there is a desire to create a tipper apparatus that is simpler to construct and can be shipped to the end customer as a kit of parts.

The inventors have developed improved construction means and arrangements for tipper trucks to alleviate some or all of these issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims and preferable features are set out in the dependent claims.

There is described herein a tipping assembly for a tipper truck comprising: a tipper body comprising a steel floor; and a tiltable frame comprising a plurality of aluminium bearers; wherein the steel floor is fixed to the aluminium bearers by stud welding.

Advantageously, due to aluminium being lighter, the weight of the tipping assembly can be reduced, e.g. by around 100kg for an average sized tipper truck with a conventional steel frame. In addition, the stud welding provides a secure attachment with a clean finish since holes do not need to be made in the floor for receiving through bolts to attach the body to the frame. Conventional tipper truck frames for supporting the tippable bodies have been made from steel and so the frame and body can be welded together, however it would not be possible (or would at least be very difficult) to secure an aluminium frame to a steel floor body by welding the two directly together. One possibility is to form hole or apertures in the body floor and use countersunk bolts to attach the frame. However this can lead to problems such as swarf in the machining process and may cause the tipper body to deteriorate more quickly, e.g. due to the contents of the tipper truck catching on the countersunk boltheads as it slides down the floor whilst the tipper body is being tilted.

Preferably the studs are formed of stainless steel. In alternative embodiments, the studs may be formed of galvanised steel, but this is more expensive and not as strong as stainless steel stud fasteners.

For example, each of the aluminium bearers may comprise a plurality of stud apertures; and the tipping assembly may comprise a stud fastener positioned in each stud aperture for fixing the steel floor to the aluminium bearer. Advantageously the stud fasteners can be welded to the body floor prior to assembly. Then during assembly, the aluminium bearers can be positioned with a stud fastener through each stud aperture and a nut secured onto the end of the stud fasteners to secure the bearers to the floor. This allows a simple and quick assembly procedure, in which specialist equipment is not required. The aluminium bearers may be formed of aluminium of between around 0.5mm and 10mm in thickness, preferably between around 1mm and 5mm in thickness, more preferably between around 2mm and 4mm in thickness, for example around 2.5mm. The stud fasteners should be long enough to extend through the thickness of the aluminium bearers. For example the stud fasteners may have a shank of at least 1mm in length, preferably at least 2mm or at least 3mm in length. Generally the shank of the stud fasteners will be less than 12mm long, preferably less than 8mm long, more preferably less than 5mm long. In some embodiments the stud fasteners have a shank of length between 2.5mm and 3.5mm.

Preferably, the steel floor is formed of two steel sheet portions; and each of the plurality of stud apertures is a longitudinal slot. It is more economical to form the floor of two separate sheets and providing the floor in the form of two separate sheets aids in the build process. The longitudinal slot can allow the two sheets to be moved together during assembly, with the stud fasteners already in place. In some embodiments the stud fasteners are positioned on the steel sheets (and at this stage may be fixedly attached to the sheet by stud welding) and the sheets are positioned next to one another with a small gap between them. The aluminium bearer is then slotted onto the stud fasteners, with a stud fastener in each slot-shaped stud aperture. Because the stud apertures are slots, the sheets can then be moved together so the small gap disappears. The stud fasteners may then be used to secure the aluminium bearer to the steel floor sheets, e.g. where the stud fastener is a threaded fastener, by fastening a threaded nut onto the end of the fastener. In alternative embodiments, the stud welding of welding the stud fastener to the steel floor sheet may be performed at this stage (i.e. after moving the sheets together). The longitudinal slots are preferably between around 30mm and around 200mm in length, more preferably between around 50mm and 100mm, such as around 80mm. In some embodiments the longitudinal slots are spaced between around 100mm and 500mm apart, preferably between 200mm and 400mm apart, such as around 300mm apart.

Preferably, each of the steel sheet portions is formed of: a planar steel sheet having an inside edge, for placing against the inside edge of an adjacent steel sheet portion, and an outside edge opposite the inside edge; an outside edge projection projecting from the outside edge substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the planar steel sheet; and a projection lip projecting substantially perpendicularly from the outside edge projection towards the inside edge of the planar steel sheet. Thus the projection lip is substantially parallel to the plane of the planar steel sheet. The distance the projection lip extends from the outside edge may be a similar (e.g. the same, or just smaller than, e.g. within 1mm, 2mm of 5mm of) length to the length of the longitudinal slots of the stud apertures. Thus the bearer can be placed directly on the planar surface of the sheet portions when the sheets are separated by a small distance (e.g. when the stud fasteners are located at or towards the inside end of the longitudinal slot) as the lip will not interfere, but when the sheets are moved together (e.g. so the stud fasteners are located at or towards the outside end of the longitudinal slots) the lip overlaps the aluminium bearer to help secure it to the floor.

Optionally, the projection lip is displaced from the plane of the planar steel sheet by the thickness of the aluminium bearers. Thus the projection lip may be in contact with the top sides of one or more of the aluminium bearers and provide additional force to keep the bearers attached to the steel sheets. For example, the height of the projection can be similar to (e.g. the same, or just smaller than, e.g. within 1mm, 2mm of 5mm of) the thickness of the aluminium bearers. In some embodiments the thickness of the bearers (e.g. the width of the side sections) is between around 30mm and 300mm, preferably between around 60mm and 150mm, or between 90mm and 100mm, for example around 94mm. Thus the height of the outside edge projection (or displacement from the sheet of the projection lip) is preferably also between around 30mm and 300mm, more preferably between around 50mm and 120mm, such as around 98mm. The projection lip preferably has a width of between around 5mm and 50mm, preferably between 8mm and 20mm, such as around 10mm.

Preferably, at least two of the plurality of aluminium bearers have a length equal to the width of the steel floor. For example, the length of at least two of the aluminium bearers may be equal to the distance between the outside edges of two adjacent planar steel sheets when the inside edges of the two planar steel sheets are in contact.

Optionally, the stud welding is provided by a plurality of stud fasteners, and preferably each stud fastener is one of a threaded, unthreaded or tapped fastener.

The stud welding may be formed by one of: capacitor discharge stud welding; and drawn arc stud welding.

The steel floor may be formed of galvanised steel. The steel sheets are generally between around 0.5mm and 10mm in thickness, preferably between around 1mm and 5mm in thickness, for example between around 2mm and 4mm in thickness, for example around 2.5mm.

The steel floor may be formed of at least two steel sheet portions, each steel sheet portion being formed of a planar steel sheet having an inside edge for placing against the inside edge of an adjacent steel sheet portion, and having a raised lip along the inside edge for connecting to the adjacent steel sheet portion. The steel lip of one sheet can be positioned directly against the steel lip of the adjacent steel sheet. The raised lip may be along the inside edge of the sheet. The raised lip projects perpendicularly from the plane of the planar steel sheet.

Each raised lip can have a plurality of holes for aligning with a corresponding plurality of holes on the raised lip of the adjacent steel sheet portion and the adjacent steel sheet portions can be fixed together by a fixing through each of the plurality of aligned holes in the raised lips. The fixing may be a hexagonal but and bolt set, for example an M8 Grade 8.8 bolt and attachable nut.

The raised lip of each steel sheet can have one or more gaps along its length, each gap for receiving one of the aluminium bearers. In other words, the raised lip along the side of the steel sheet is discontinuous, having one or more gaps for receiving an aluminium bearer. Thus the aluminium bearer can sit directly against the steel floor.

Preferably, the tiltable frame further comprises: at least one runner fixed substantially perpendicularly to the aluminium bearers. In most embodiments there will be two longitudinal runners fixed to the aluminium bearers. Preferably the runners are also aluminium.

Optionally, each runner comprises at least one channel for receiving bolt heads; and the tiltable frame further comprises: a plurality of bolts fitted in the channel of each runner and securing the runner to the aluminium bearers. Advantageously, the channel means that bolt heads can be moved along the channel and makes assembly easier since it is easier to line up the runner with the other components and to insert the bolt than if only a single hole were provided by each bolt.

Each of the plurality of bolts can be a T-bolt, wherein the head of each T-bolt is locked into the channel. Channel T-bolts can be used. The T-bolt head is generally rectangular in cross-section, with two diagonally opposed curved or rounded corners and the remaining two diagonally opposed corners being square. The channel is longitudinal and has a length, a width and a depth. The channel has an open side along its length, the open side being narrower than the channel width (e.g. such that there are two protruding lips along the open side of the channel). The width of the rectangular cross-section of the T-bolt head fits into the narrower open side of the channel, but the length of the rectangular cross-section of the T-bolt head is very close to that of the channel width and cannot fit into the open side. Therefore the T-bolt head can be inserted into the open side of the channel and then rotated (due to the rounded corners) to be locked into place in the channel. This gives the advantage that bolts can be placed at any position along the channel but do not need to be moved into the channel from one or other end, which makes construction easier.

In some embodiments the T-bolt has a slot at the end opposing the head. A screwdriver can be inserted into the slot to allow the T-bolt to be turned and locked into the channel, and may also facilitate fastening or steadying the bolt into the channel.

The tipping assembly (e.g. the frame) may further comprise a plurality of angle brackets for securing the runner to the aluminium bearers, preferably wherein each bracket has at least one bolt aperture receiving a bolt to attach the bracket to the runner and at least one bolt aperture receiving a bolt to attach the bracket to an aluminium bearer. Generally each aluminium bearer comprises one or more bolt apertures receiving the bolt to attach the bracket to the aluminium bearer. The bolts may be fastened or secured by means of a nut. The bolt for attaching the bracket to the aluminium bearer is can be any sort of bolt, and is generally fixed by means of a nut.

The tipper body may further comprise: one or more side sections extending perpendicularly from the steel floor. These side sections may thus form the side walls of the tipper body. The side walls are preferably detachable or moveable with respect to the steel floor, such that they can be dropped or removed from the sides of the body to enable the contents of the tipper body to be tipped out.

The tipping assembly preferably also comprises a lifting mechanism for tilting the liftable frame and attached tipper body.

There is also described herein a tipper truck comprising: a truck chassis; a tipping assembly substantially as described above; a base frame section movably fixed to the tiltable frame and attached to the truck chassis.

There is also described herein: a runner for a tiltable frame for a tipper truck comprising: at least one channel for receiving and securing a plurality of boltheads. The runner may have any of the features of the runner described above.

There is also described herein: a tipping assembly for a tipper truck comprising: a tiltable frame comprising: at least one runner, substantially as described above; a plurality of bearers; and a plurality of bolts fitted in the channel of each runner and securing the runner to the bearers; and a tipper body fixed to the tiltable frame.

There is also described herein: a kit of parts for a tipping assembly, the kit comprising: a tipper body comprising a steel floor; a plurality of stud fasteners stud welded to the steel floor; and a plurality of aluminium bearers arrangeable into a tiltable frame, each aluminium bearer comprising a plurality of stud apertures for receiving the stud fasteners.

The floor, fasteners and bearers in the kit of parts may have any or all of the features described above in relation to the tipping assembly. The kit of parts may further comprise at least one runner, substantially as described above.

There is also described herein: a method for constructing a tipping assembly for a tipper truck, the method comprising: providing a steel floor for a tipper body; providing a plurality of aluminium bearers; and providing a plurality of stud fasteners for fixing the steel floor to the aluminium bearers by means of stud welding.

The method may further comprise: stud welding the plurality of stud fasteners to the steel floor. For example, this may be done by capacitor discharge stud welding or drawn arc stud welding.

Where each of the aluminium bearers comprises a plurality of stud apertures and wherein a plurality of stud fasteners are welded to the steel floor; then the method can further comprise fixing the steel floor to the aluminium bearers by: positioning the aluminium bearers such that one of the stud fasteners is received in each stud aperture. the bearers may then be fixed to the steel floor by securing a nut on the end of the stud fastener.

In some embodiments, the steel floor comprises two steel sheet portions, and each of the stud apertures comprises a longitudinal slot having a slot length; and so the method may further comprise: positioning the steel sheet portions a distance apart that is less than or equal to two slot lengths prior to positioning the aluminium bearers such that one of the stud fasteners is received in each stud aperture; after positioning the aluminium bearers such that one of the stud fasteners is received in each stud aperture, moving the steel sheet portions together along the direction of the longitudinal slots until the two steel sheet portions are in contact with; and fixing the aluminium bearers to the steel sheet portions by means of the stud welded stud fasteners.

There is also described herein: a method for constructing a tiltable frame for a tipper truck, the method comprising: providing a plurality of bearers; and providing at least one runner having at least one channel for receiving and securing a plurality of bolt heads; and fixing the plurality of bearers to the at least one runner by fitting the heads of a plurality of bolts in the channel of each runner.

The method may further comprise: providing a plurality of angle brackets, each angle bracket having at least one bolt aperture; inserting the head of each of the plurality of bolts into the channel of each runner; sliding each of the bolts along the channel to a location in which it is lined up with one of the bolt apertures in one of the brackets; and fixing each of the bolts in the location in the channel and through the one of the bolt apertures in one of the brackets. The fixing may be done by securing a nut on the end of the bolt. The method may also comprise fixing a bolt through an aperture in each of the bearers and through a further bolt aperture in each angle bracket to secure the runner to the bearers by means of the bracket.

Any system feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to system aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Tipping assemblies for tipper trucks and methods for making the same are described by way of example only, in relation to the Figures, wherein: Figure 1 shows an example tipper truck; Figure 2 shows an example base frame for a tipper assembly; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an example tipping assembly from underneath; Figure 4 shows a view of the tipping assembly of Figure 3 from directly below; Figure 5 shows an example floor for a tippable body in unassembled form; Figure 6A shows a top view of an example cross-bearer for a tipper assembly base frame; Figure 6B shows a perspective view of the cross-bearer of Figure 6A; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a portion of an example longitudinal runner for a tipper assembly base frame; Figure 8A shows an example T-bolt from a perspective view; Figure 8B shows the T-bolt of Figure 8A from above; and Figure 8C shows the T-bolt of Figure 8A from one side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1, a tipper truck 110 will now be described. The tipper truck 110 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a cab at the front for seating the driver and any passengers. The chassis of the truck supports a tipping assembly 120 on the back.

The tipping assembly 120 comprises a tippable body attached to a tilting frame that can tip to around 45 degrees with respect to the chassis of the tipper truck 110. The tippable body has a floor 100 and dropsides 130, a headboard 140 and a droppable and removable tailgate 135. The floor 100 of the body is formed of galvanised steel for strength, whilst the dropsides 130, tailgate 135 and headboard 140 are made of aluminium to reduce the weight. The floor 100 has a width of 2175mm and a length of 3076mm.

The tipper truck 110 also has a toolbox 150, formed of aluminium, located between the tipping assembly 120 and the cab.

Figure 2 shows a base frame 270 for a tipping assembly. For example the base frame 270 shown in Figure 2 may be used as part of the tipping assembly 120 of Figure 1. The base frame 270 is intended to be rigidly attached to the chassis of a tipper truck and to a tiltable frame that is attached to the tippable body, so that the tiltable frame and tippable body can tip at an angle to the base frame 270.

The base frame 270 includes two longitudinal supports 201 to be positioned lengthways on the chassis of the tipper truck connected to two mid-section transverse supports 202 and two end transverse supports 204 to be positioned transversely on the chassis. The mid-section transverse supports 202 are secured to the longitudinal supports 201 by bolting each end of the mid-section transverse supports 202 to support plates 205 having apertures mid-way along the longitudinal supports 201. The end transverse supports 204 are secured to the longitudinal supports 201 by bolting each end of the end transverse supports 204 to support plates 206 having apertures at or near the end of the longitudinal supports 201. The supports 201, 202, 204 are formed of aluminium, which reduces the weight of the assembly.

The base frame 270 has twelve mounting brackets 209 for securing the base frame 270 to the chassis of the tipper truck. The base frame 270 also has an angle support 210 at the back end of each of the longitudinal supports 201, behind the end transverse support 204 and an angle support 211 on each longitudinal support 201 between the end transverse support 204 and the mid-section transverse supports 202, which are angle supports which are used to mount the toolbox 150.

The base frame 270 is provided with a ram 208 for tipping the tiltable frame and tipping body. The ram 208 is attached to two supports 203 located between the mid-section transverse supports 202. The attachment of the ram 208 to the supports 203 is by a trunnion, or pivot, 207 to accommodate the angular displacement of the end of the ram 208 that occurs during the tipping motion. A mounting configuration 250 is attached to one of the mid-section transverse supports 202 for mounting a power pack to power the ram 208. A body prop support plate 260 is also provided, which allows the body prop to rest at the required angle.

The base frame 270 also has rubber blocks 212, on which the tiltable frame rests when it is in a horizontal, or untipped configuration.

Figure 3 shows a tipping assembly 300 for a tippable body from underneath, showing the underside of the floor of the tippable body attached to a tilting frame. The tipping assembly 300 of Figure 3 may be used as the tipping assembly 120 shown on the tipper truck 110 of Figure 1.

The tipping assembly 300 includes a floor formed of two floor sheet portions 301, placed side-by-side. The floor sheet portions 301 are made of 2.5mm thick galvanised steel, which provides the strength required for holding and tipping construction materials. The floor sheet portions 301 are substantially planar and have a width of 1050mm and length of 3050mm. The floor is made of two sheet portions 301 (rather than a single steel sheet) to aid construction and attachment to the tilting or tiltable frame. It is also difficult to source steel sheets having a width wide enough to cover the entire floor of the tippable body in one sheet. The floor sheet portions 301 are located side-by-side and joined to each other along one edge. The joining edge is lengthwise along the middle of the floor. Forming the floor of two separate sheets is more economical than forming it of a single sheet. Furthermore, having the sheets in two parts provides an improved and more efficient build process.

Secured to the underneath of the floor of the tippable body is a tiltable or tippable frame formed of a plurality of aluminium bearers. Using aluminium for the frame reduces the weight of the tipping apparatus, which maintains the required strength due to the steel floor of the tipping body. The tilting frame comprises six full-width cross-bearers 303, 305, which extend from one side to the other side of the floor, across (and generally perpendicular to) the joining edges of the sheet portions 301 in the middle of the floor. The tilting frame also comprises one part-width cross-bearer 304 which extends across the join of the two sheet portions 301, but does not extend as far as the outside edges of the sheet portions 301. Two of the full-width cross-bearers are end cross-bearers 305, located at either end of the floor. Four of the full-width cross-bearers are mid-section cross-bearers 305 and located at intervals along the length of the floor (between the end cross-bearers 303). The full-width cross-bearers 303, 305 are 2095mm in length. The part-width cross bearer 304 is 1420mm in length.

Figures 6A and 6B shows one of the mid-section full-width cross-bearers 303 of Figure 3, from a top and perspective view, respectively. The cross-bearers 303 are longitudinal members, with a substantially U-shaped cross-section formed of aluminium sheet of 2.5mm thickness.

The cross-bearers 303 have a bottom flat portion 620, of width 90mm, extending along the length of the bearers, and two side-sections 630, of height 94mm, extending perpendicularly from either side of the bottom flat portion 620, along the length of the bearer 303. The bottom flat portion 620 is for placing against the planar steel sheets 301 of the tipping body floor. The bottom flat portion 620 has a plurality of longitudinal slots 610 along the length of the cross-bearer 303. The full-width mid-section cross-bearers 303 have six longitudinal slots 610. The slots are of length 80mm and are spaced 300mm apart along the length of the bottom portion 620. The longitudinal slots 610 are for receiving weld studs, welded onto the planar steel sheets of the tipping body floor in order to connect the floor to the aluminium frame.

The side-sections 630 each have a bearer lip 640 along the top, i.e. along the edge opposing the edge attached to the bottom portion 620. The bearer lips 640 extend perpendicularly from the side-section 630, such that they are parallel to the plane of the bottom flat portion 620. The bearer lips 640 extend outward from the centre-line of the bearer 303. Each bearer lip 640 has a plurality of bolt apertures 645 for securing the cross-bearer 303 to longitudinal runners 302 of the tilting frame.

The end cross-bearers 305 and part-width cross-bearer 304 also have bottom portions 620 with slots 610 for securing to the floor of the tipping body, side-sections 630 and lips 640, in the same way as the full-width cross-bearer 303 shown in Figures 6A and 20 6B.

The end cross-bearers 305 differ from the mid-section cross-bearers 304 in that the end cross-bearers 305 each have one lip that extends from the top of the side-section 630 away from the centre-line of the bearer 305 and one lip that projects from the end of the side-section 630 towards the centre-line of the bearer 305. This provides a flat piece at the end of the floor so that the side-section can sit flush with the end of the steel sheet portions 301 to provide a square back and front to the body floor.

The cross-bearers 303, 304, 305 may be formed of one sheet of aluminium bent into bottom and side sections, each having a lip. Alternatively, the cross-bearers 303, 304, 305 may be formed of separate flat portions, that are fixed together (e.g. by welding) to form the generally u-shaped configuration.

Figure 5 shows a floor 510 for a tippable body in unassembled form, which may be used as the floor of the tippable body shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4. The floor 510 comprises two separate steel sheet portions 520, 530, which may be used as the steel sheet portions 301 shown in Figure 3.

The steel sheet portions 520, 530 are mirror images of each other. Each steel sheet portion 520, 530 is formed of a single piece of steel sheeting, of thickness 2.5mm. The steel sheet portions 520, 530 have opposing inside edges 522, 532 and outside edges 524, 534 and have a planar surface 523, 533 therebetween. When assembled in the tippable body, the inside edge 522 of the first steel sheet portion 520 positioned adjacent to and touching the inside edge 532 of the second steel sheet portion 530. The outside edges 524, 534 are located at the sides of the tipper body.

Along the inside edges 522, 532 the steel sheeting is bent at right-angles to the plane to form an attachment lip 525, 535; in other words, the attachment lips 525, 535 project in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the planar surface 523, 533. The height of the lips 525, 535 (i.e. the furthest distance the lips extend from the planar surface 523, 533) is 25mm. The attachment lips 525, 535 are broken, or intermittent, each having seven gaps 526, 536 for receiving transverse bearers or cross-bearers 303, 304 of the tilting frame and allowing the transverse bearers or cross-bearers 303, 304 to sit in direct contact with the planar surface 523, 533 of the steel sheet portions 520, 530. Each attachment lip 525, 535 also comprises a plurality of bolt apertures 527, 537 for receiving bolts. When assembled the bolt apertures 527 in the attachment lip 525 of the first sheet portion 520 align with the bolt apertures 537 in the attachment lip 535 of the second sheet portion 530 and have bolts fixed therein to secure the first sheet portion 520 to the second sheet portion 530.

Each sheet portion 520, 530 also has an outside edge projection 540, 550 along the outside edge 524, 534. The outside edge projection 540, 550 is formed by bending the steel sheeting in the same direction as the attachment lip 525, 535 on the inner edge 522, 532, i.e. at right-angles to the planar surface 523, 533, or in the first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the planar surface 523, 533. The height of the outside edge projections 540, 550 (i.e. the furthest the outside edge projections extend from the planar surface 523, 533) ranges from around 50mm -120mm in different embodiments. This corresponds to the height of the transverse bearers or cross-bearers 303, 304 of the tilting frame. Each outside edge projection 540, 550 has a projection lip 542, 552, projecting at right-angles to the edge projection 540, 550 and in a direction towards the inner edge 522, 532. Thus the projection lip 542, 552 extends in a plane parallel to the planar surface 523, 533. The projection lip 542, 552 extends a distance of 10mm from the outside edge projection 540, 550. When assembled and attached to the tilting frame, the cross-bearers 303 are positioned under the projection lips 542, 552, such that the projection lips 542, 552 help to hold the bearers 303 in place.

The attachment lips 525, 535 and outside edge projections 540, 550 in this example are formed of the same sheet of steel as the planar surface 523, 533, by bending the sheet.

However in alternative embodiments the attachment lips 525, 535 and outside edge projection 540, 550 may be formed of separate pieces of sheeting and fixed, e.g. by welding, to the planar surface 523, 533 of the sheets.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a portion of a longitudinal runner 302, which may form part of the tipping frame shown in Figure 3. The longitudinal runner 302 is for attaching to the cross-bearers 303, 304, 305. The longitudinal runner 302 is also made of aluminium; in this example the longitudinal runner is an extruded section of aluminium, which has a high tensile strength, commonly known as "high tensile Aluminium".

The longitudinal runner 302 is generally rectangular in cross-section, thus the runner has two opposing thick sides and two opposing thin sides. The runner 302 has a plurality of channels 710 in the sides, extending from one end of the runner 302 to the other, and open at each end. The channels 710 are shaped to receive T-bolt heads for attaching to other parts of the tilting frame. The runner 302 shown in Figure 7 has two channels 710 along each of the thick sides and one channel in one of the thin sides.

Each channel 710 has an opening that is wide enough to receive the width of a T-bolt head. Behind the opening the channel has a larger dimension, such that it can receive the length of a T-bolt head. Thus a T-bolt can be inserted into the channel 710 width-ways, at any point along the channel, and then be twisted in the desired position, such that the lengthways dimension of the T-bolt head prevents the T-bolt being pulled out of the channel 710. The width of the opening is 11mm, the width of the channel behind the opening is 22mm and the depth of the channel behind the opening is 6.5mm, in order to accommodate the T-bolt head. The width of the thick edges ranges from 80mm to 150mm in different embodiments.

In this example the centre of the runner 302 has a hollow inner portion 750, which can reduce the weight. In this example the channels 702 in the runner 302 are open at both ends, but in alternative examples they may be open only at one end, or not open at either end.

Figure 8A shows an example of a T-bolt 800 from a perspective view. The T-bolt 800 may be used to secure the runner 302 of Figure 7 to other parts of the tiltable frame. The T-bolt 800 has a T-bolt head 805, which has a generally rectangular shape, and a threaded shank 810.

Figure 8B shows the head 805 of the T-bolt 800 from above. The T-bolt head 805 has a generally rectangular cross-section, having a length dimension that is longer than a width dimension. Here the length is 21.5mm and the width 10mm. The T-bolt has two square corners 820, diagonally opposed to one another, and two rounded corners 815, on the other diagonal. This enables the T-bolt head 805 to be inserted into the opening of the channel 702 widthways anywhere along the channel 702 and then rotated 90 degrees so to fit securely in the channel, such that it cannot be pulled out from the direction of the shank.

Figure 8C shows the T-bolt 800 from a side view. The depth of the T-bolt head 805 is 6mm and the length of the threaded shank 810 is 30mm. The diameter of threaded shank 810 (not shown in this view) is 9.5mm, just less than the width of the T-bolt head 805.

Returning to Figure 3, the construction of the tipping assembly will now be described.

The two floor portions 301 are provided with steel weld studs, welded to the planar surface in lines for attaching the cross-bearers 303, 304, 305 to the floor. The weld studs are positioned to line up with the stud slots 610 of the cross-bearers. In particular, the weld studs are positioned so that they fit in the outside end of the slots 610 (the end of the slots furthest from the centre of the cross-bearers 303, 304, 305) when the floor is in its assembled state (with the inner edges of the floor portions 301 (such as the lips 525, 523) touching and connected together. The weld studs should also be positioned to line up with the gaps 526, 536 in the lips 525, 535, as this is where the cross-bearers 303, 304, 305 are placed. Due to the longitudinal slots 610, the bearers 303, 304, 305 can be placed onto the steel sheets 520, 530 with the sheets slightly separated such that the bearer can get past the projection lips 542, 552 on the outside edges of the floor portions 301, and the weld studs positioned in or towards the inner end of the longitudinal slots 610. The height of the bearers is just less than the height of the edge projection 540, 550 of the steel sheet portions 520, 530. Once the bearers 303, 304, 305 are positioned flat against the steel sheets, with the weld studs in the longitudinal slots 610, the sheet floor portions 520, 530 can be pushed together, with the projection lips 542, 552 fitting on top of the bearers 303, 304, 305 to help keep them in place. Once pushed together, bolts can be put in lip apertures 527, 537 and fixed with a bolt for keeping the sheets together. Bolts can also be secured on the threaded shank of the weld studs to secure the aluminium bearers 303, 304, 305 to the steel floor.

Runners 302 are placed perpendicularly across the bearers 303, 304, 305, such as the runner 302 shown in Figure 7. The runners 302 are secured to the cross-bearers 303, 304, 305 by angle brackets 312. Each runner 302 is secured to each cross-bearer 303, 304, 305 by one angle bracket 312. The angle brackets 312 are formed of mild steel sheet, bent at a right-angle. Each planar part of the steel sheet has one or more apertures for receiving a bolt. Each angle bracket 312 is placed with a first planar surface against the thick side of the runner 302, and a second planar surface (perpendicular to the first planar surface) against the cross-bearer. The angle bracket 312 has one aperture in the first planar surface and two apertures in the second planar surface. The angle bracket 312 is lined up so that the two apertures in the second planar surface line up with a pair of bolt apertures 645 in the lips 640 of the cross-bearers 303, 304, 305. Thus a bolt can be inserted through the angle bracket and lip 640 of the cross-bearer to secure the two together. The angle bracket 312 is secured to the runner 302 by means of a T-bolt 800 inserted into one of the channels 710 along the thick side of the runner 302. The T-bolt 800 is inserted into the channel 710 and slid along until it is in the correct position for lining up with the aperture in the first planar surface of the angle bracket 312. The T-bolt can then be rotated 90 degrees to secure it in the correct position in the channel, before placing the aperture of the angle bracket 312 over the shank 810 of the T-bolt. This aids in ease of construction as bolts do not have to be threaded into the channel from the end and can be done as each angle bracket 312 is placed. Nuts are then placed on the T-bolt and on the bolts in the lip of the cross-bearer to secure the angle bracket 312 to the runner 302 and cross-bearer 303, 304, 305. The bracket 312 is formed of steel of thickness 3mm.

Figure 3 also shows the tiltable frame having a steel channel 306 attached to the runners 302 by a connector plate 307 at each end. The connection between the connector plate 307 and runner 302 is also by means of a T-bolt, in a similar manner to the connection between the angle bracket 312 and the cross-bearer 303, 304, 305. However the connector plate 307 has four apertures, in two pairs. A first pair lines up with a first channel 710 in the thick side of the runner 302 and a second pair lines up with a second channel 710 in the thick side of the runner 302, to ensure a strong connection. The steel channel 306 has a ram bracket 308 for securing the tilting frame to the ram, which provides the tipping or tilting motion.

The tiltable frame also has two wear plates 309 attached to the top (thin) surface of the runner 302 and a guide bracket 310 aligned with each wear plate 309. There is also a locator bracket 311 formed of steel attached to one of the full-width cross-bearers for supporting a body prop. The body prop locates inside the bracket when in use.

There is also a stiffener channel 313, supported between the two runners 302 towards the back of the body. The stiffener channel 313 is formed of steel and is for providing additional strength to the aluminium frame and helps to reduce twisting in the frame. Two steel plates 314 are used to connect the stiffener channel 313 to the runners 302. The connection between the steel plates 314, like with the angle brackets 312, is through holes in the steel plates 314, through which T-bolts 800 are inserted. The head 805 of these T-bolts is also supported in the channel 710 of the runner 302.

Figure 4 shows the tipping assembly of Figure 3 from directly below, rather than from a perspective view.

The above embodiments and examples are to be understood as illustrative examples. Further embodiments, aspects or examples are envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment, aspect or example may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, aspects or examples, or any combination of any other of the embodiments, aspects or examples.

Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Example embodiments are described in the following numbered clauses:- 1 A tipping assembly for a tipper truck comprising: a tipper body comprising a steel floor; and a tiltable frame comprising a plurality of aluminium bearers; wherein the steel floor is fixed to the aluminium bearers by stud welding.

2. A tipping assembly according to clause 1, wherein each of the aluminium bearers comprises a plurality of stud apertures; and the tipping assembly comprises a stud fastener positioned in each stud aperture for fixing the steel floor to the aluminium bearer.

3. A tipping assembly according to clause 2, wherein the steel floor is formed of two steel sheet portions; and wherein each of the plurality of stud apertures is a longitudinal slot.

4. A tipping assembly according to any of clauses 2 or 3, wherein each of the steel sheet portions is formed of: a planar steel sheet having an inside edge, for placing against the inside edge of an adjacent steel sheet portion, and an outside edge opposite the inside edge; an outside edge projection projecting from the outside edge substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the planar steel sheet; and a projection lip projecting substantially perpendicularly from the outside edge projection towards the inside edge of the planar steel sheet.

5. A tipping assembly according to clause 4, wherein the projection lip is displaced from the plane of the planar steel sheet by the thickness of the aluminium bearers.

6. A tipping assembly according to any preceding clause, wherein at least two of the plurality of aluminium bearers have a length equal to the width of the steel floor.

7. A tipping assembly according to any preceding clause, wherein the stud welding is provided by a plurality of stud fasteners, preferably wherein each stud fastener is one of a threaded, unthreaded or tapped fastener.

8. A tipping assembly according to any preceding clause, wherein the stud welding is formed by one of: capacitor discharge stud welding; and drawn arc stud welding.

9. A tipping assembly according to any preceding clause, wherein the steel floor is formed of galvanised steel.

10. A tipping assembly according to any preceding clause, wherein the steel floor is formed of at least two steel sheet portions, each steel sheet portion being formed of a planar steel sheet having an inside edge for placing against the inside edge of an adjacent steel sheet portion, and having a raised lip along the inside edge for connecting to the adjacent steel sheet portion.

11. A tipping assembly according to clause 10, wherein each raised lip has a plurality of holes for aligning with a corresponding plurality of holes on the raised lip of the adjacent steel sheet portion and wherein adjacent steel sheet portions are fixed together by a fixing through each of the plurality of aligned holes in the raised lips.

12. A tipping assembly according to clause 10 or 11, wherein the raised lip of each steel sheet has one or more gaps along its length, each gap for receiving one of the aluminium bearers.

13. A tipping assembly according to any preceding clause, wherein the tiltable frame further comprises: at least one runner fixed substantially perpendicularly to the aluminium bearers.

14. A tipping assembly according to clause 13, wherein each runner comprises at least one channel for receiving bolt heads; and wherein the tiltable frame further comprises: a plurality of bolts fitted in the channel of each runner and securing the runner to the aluminium bearers.

15. A runner for a tiltable frame for a tipper truck comprising: at least one channel for receiving and securing a plurality of boltheads.

16. A tipping assembly for a tipper truck comprising: a tiltable frame comprising: at least one runner according to clause 15; a plurality of bearers; and a plurality of bolts fitted in the channel of each runner and securing the runner to the bearers; and a tipper body fixed to the tiltable frame.

17. A tipping assembly according to clause 14 or 16, wherein each of the plurality of bolts is a T-bolt, and wherein the head of each T-bolt is locked into the channel.

18. A tipping assembly according to any of clauses 13 to 17, further comprising a plurality of angle brackets for securing the runner to the (aluminium) bearers, preferably wherein each bracket has at least one bolt aperture receiving a bolt to attach the bracket to the runner and at least one bolt aperture receiving a bolt to attach the bracket to an (aluminium) bearer.

19. A tipping assembly according to any preceding clause, wherein the tipper body further comprises: one or more side sections extending perpendicularly from the steel floor.

20. A tipping assembly according to any preceding clause, further comprising a lifting mechanism for tilting the tiltable frame and attached tipper body.

21. A tipping assembly according to any preceding clause, further comprising: a base frame section movably fixed to the tiltable frame for attaching to a truck chassis.

22. A tipper truck comprising: a truck chassis; a tipping assembly according to clause 19; and a base frame section movably fixed to the tiltable frame and attached to the truck chassis.

23. A kit of parts for a tipping assembly, the kit comprising: a tipper body comprising a steel floor; a plurality of stud fasteners stud welded to the steel floor; and a plurality of aluminium bearers arrangeable into a tiltable frame, each aluminium bearer comprising a plurality of stud apertures for receiving the stud fasteners.

24. A method for constructing a tipping assembly for a tipper truck, the method comprising: providing a steel floor for a tipper body; providing a plurality of aluminium bearers; and providing a plurality of stud fasteners for fixing the steel floor to the aluminium bearers by means of stud welding.

25. A method according to clause 24, further comprising: stud welding the plurality of stud fasteners to the steel floor.

26. A method according to clause 24 or 25, wherein each of the aluminium bearers comprises a plurality of stud apertures and wherein a plurality of stud fasteners are welded to the steel floor; and wherein the method further comprises fixing the steel floor to the aluminium bearers by: positioning the aluminium bearers such that one of the stud fasteners is received in each stud aperture.

27. A method according to clause 26 when dependent on clause 25, wherein the steel floor comprises two steel sheet portions, and wherein each of the stud apertures comprises a longitudinal slot having a slot length; and wherein the method further comprises: positioning the steel sheet portions a distance apart that is less than or equal to two slot lengths prior to positioning the aluminium bearers such that one of the stud fasteners is received in each stud aperture; after positioning the aluminium bearers such that one of the stud fasteners is received in each stud aperture, moving the steel sheet portions together along the direction of the longitudinal slots until the two steel sheet portions are in contact with; and fixing the aluminium bearers to the steel sheet portions by means of the stud welded stud fasteners.

28. A method for constructing a tiltable frame for a tipper truck, the method comprising: providing a plurality of bearers; and providing at least one runner having at least one channel for receiving and securing a plurality of boltheads; and fixing the plurality of bearers to the at least one runner by fitting the heads of a plurality of bolts in the channel of each runner.

29. A method according to clause 28, further comprising: providing a plurality of angle brackets, each angle bracket having at least one bolt aperture; inserting the head of each of the plurality of bolts into the channel of each runner; sliding each of the bolts along the channel to a location in which it is lined up with one of the bolt apertures in one of the brackets; and fixing each of the bolts in the location in the channel and through the one of the bolt apertures in one of the brackets.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tipping assembly for a tipper truck comprising: a tipper body comprising a steel floor; and a tiltable frame comprising a plurality of aluminium bearers; wherein the steel floor is fixed to the aluminium bearers by stud welding.
2. A tipping assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the aluminium bearers comprises a plurality of stud apertures; and the tipping assembly comprises a stud fastener positioned in each stud aperture for fixing the steel floor to the aluminium bearer.
3. A tipping assembly according to claim 2, wherein the steel floor is formed of two steel sheet portions; and wherein each of the plurality of stud apertures is a longitudinal slot.
4. A tipping assembly according to any of claims 2 or 3, wherein each of the steel sheet portions is formed of: a planar steel sheet having an inside edge, for placing against the inside edge of an adjacent steel sheet portion, and an outside edge opposite the inside edge; an outside edge projection projecting from the outside edge substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the planar steel sheet; and a projection lip projecting substantially perpendicularly from the outside edge projection towards the inside edge of the planar steel sheet.
5. A tipping assembly according to claim 4, wherein the projection lip is displaced from the plane of the planar steel sheet by the thickness of the aluminium bearers.
6. A tipping assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least two of the plurality of aluminium bearers have a length equal to the width of the steel floor.
7. A tipping assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the stud welding is provided by a plurality of stud fasteners, preferably wherein each stud fastener is one of a threaded, unthreaded or tapped fastener.
8. A tipping assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the stud welding is formed by one of capacitor discharge stud welding; and drawn arc stud welding.
9. A tipping assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the steel floor is formed of at least two steel sheet portions, each steel sheet portion being formed of a planar steel sheet having an inside edge for placing against the inside edge of an adjacent steel sheet portion, and having a raised lip along the inside edge for connecting to the adjacent steel sheet portion.
10. A tipping assembly according to claim 9, wherein each raised lip has a plurality of holes for aligning with a corresponding plurality of holes on the raised lip of the adjacent steel sheet portion and wherein adjacent steel sheet portions are fixed together by a fixing through each of the plurality of aligned holes in the raised lips.
11. A tipping assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the raised lip of each steel sheet has one or more gaps along its length, each gap for receiving one of the aluminium bearers.
12. A tipping assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the tiltable frame further comprises: at least one runner fixed substantially perpendicularly to the aluminium bearers, wherein each runner comprises at least one channel for receiving bolt heads; and wherein the tiltable frame further comprises: a plurality of bolts fitted in the channel of each runner and securing the runner to the aluminium bearers.
13. A runner for a tiltable frame for a tipper truck comprising: at least one channel for receiving and securing a plurality of boltheads.
14. A tipping assembly for a tipper truck comprising: a tiltable frame comprising: at least one runner according to claim 13; a plurality of bearers; and a plurality of bolts fitted in the channel of each runner and securing the runner to the bearers; and a tipper body fixed to the tiltable frame.
15. A tipping assembly according to claim 12 or 14, wherein each of the plurality of bolts is a T-bolt, and wherein the head of each T-bolt is locked into the channel.
16. A tipping assembly according to any of claims 12 to 15, further comprising a plurality of angle brackets for securing the runner to the bearers, preferably wherein each bracket has at least one bolt aperture receiving a bolt to attach the bracket to the runner and at least one bolt aperture receiving a bolt to attach the bracket to an bearer.
17. A tipping assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a lifting mechanism for tilting the tiltable frame and attached tipper body.
18. A tipper truck comprising: a truck chassis; a tipping assembly according to claim 17; and a base frame section movably fixed to the tiltable frame and attached to the truck chassis.
19. A kit of parts for a tipping assembly, the kit comprising: a tipper body comprising a steel floor; a plurality of stud fasteners stud welded to the steel floor; and a plurality of aluminium bearers arrangeable into a tiltable frame, each aluminium bearer comprising a plurality of stud apertures for receiving the stud fasteners.
20. A method for constructing a tipping assembly for a tipper truck, the method comprising: providing a steel floor for a tipper body; providing a plurality of aluminium bearers; and providing a plurality of stud fasteners for fixing the steel floor to the aluminium bearers by means of stud welding.
21. A method according to claim 20, further comprising: stud welding the plurality of stud fasteners to the steel floor.
22. A method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein each of the aluminium bearers comprises a plurality of stud apertures and wherein a plurality of stud fasteners are welded to the steel floor; and wherein the method further comprises fixing the steel floor to the aluminium bearers by: positioning the aluminium bearers such that one of the stud fasteners is received in each stud aperture.
23. A method according to claim 22 when dependent on claim 21, wherein the steel floor comprises two steel sheet portions, and wherein each of the stud apertures comprises a longitudinal slot having a slot length; and wherein the method further comprises: positioning the steel sheet portions a distance apart that is less than or equal to two slot lengths prior to positioning the aluminium bearers such that one of the stud fasteners is received in each stud aperture; after positioning the aluminium bearers such that one of the stud fasteners is received in each stud aperture, moving the steel sheet portions together along the direction of the longitudinal slots until the two steel sheet portions are in contact with; and fixing the aluminium bearers to the steel sheet portions by means of the stud welded stud fasteners.
24. A method for constructing a tiltable frame for a tipper truck, the method comprising: providing a plurality of bearers; and providing at least one runner having at least one channel for receiving and securing a plurality of boltheads; and fixing the plurality of bearers to the at least one runner by fitting the heads of a plurality of bolts in the channel of each runner.
25. A method according to claim 24, further comprising: providing a plurality of angle brackets, each angle bracket having at least one bolt aperture; inserting the head of each of the plurality of bolts into the channel of each runner; sliding each of the bolts along the channel to a location in which it is lined up with one of the bolt apertures in one of the brackets; and fixing each of the bolts in the location in the channel and through the one of the bolt apertures in one of the brackets.