AU2016204862A1 - A Truck or Trailer Unloading System - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The invention provides in one aspect, an unloading system for a truck or a trailer. The truck or trailer having a load carrying area defined by a tray base with a pair of sidewalls and a tailgate. The unloading system includes at least one ram that is carried on the respective truck or trailer. The ram drives a blade that extends laterally across the width of the load carrying area of the truck or trailer, and is shaped so that it is adapted to form an effective seal between the sides of the blade and each respective sidewall of the load carrying area. The ram is adapted to drive the blade from a normally retracted position, at the forward end of the load carrying area, to a fully extended position, where the blade is at the rearmost position of the load carrying area, in the vicinity of the tailgate, thereby forcing the payload to unload from the rear of the truck or trailer. The ram in either the truck or the trailer are operable by the operator either simultaneously, or individually, from within the truck cabin, or externally to the truck cabin, at a safe distance, via a wired or wireless remote control. C)

Description

2016204862 12 Μ 2016 1 A Truck or Trailer Unloading System

Field of the Invention 5

This invention relates to unloading systems for trucks or trailers that enables the truck or trailer to unload its payload from its load carrying area.

Background of the Invention 10

Large trucks and trailers are used every day in the transport and civil construction industry. By far the most common heavy transport and delivery vehicles are tipping trucks and tipping trailers. These trucks and trailers use gravity to deliver the payload at the desired location. As the load carrying area of the truck or trailer is raised at one 15 end, the floor of the load carrying area assumes a steeper and steeper incline, relative to the ground. Once the slipping angle is reached, the payload, typically sand, gravel or rocks, etc. begins to subside and slide down the slope and exits the truck or trailer from the rear. 20 There is an ever increasing demand for the transportation and unloading of greater loads in a single delivery. This has created a demand for bigger trucks and bigger trailers. A very significant problem associated with tipping trucks and trailers, which gets worse as the size of the truck or trailer get larger, is the danger they pose to life and limb, as well as surrounding infrastructure, because of their inherent susceptibility to sudden 25 roll-over events. Furthermore, when the vehicle or trailer is raised, the body of the vehicle becomes higher, and therefore has the potential to come into contact with overhead obstacles in the vicinity of the dumping location, such as power lines, telephone lines, tree branches, bridges, etc. as the tipping portion is raised. On large trailers, the peak of the vehicle, when the trailer is fully raised, may exceed 10m in 30 height. 2 2016204862 12 Μ 2016

It is also desirable in some jobs for the payload to be “run-out”. This means that the truck and trailer are moved forward as the tipping portion is raised and the payload slides out the back of the truck or the trailer. The payload is then deposited in a layer as the vehicle moves forward. Since the truck or trailer continue to gain height as the 5 vehicle is moved forward, the chances of it coming into contact with overhead obstacles is increased. Particularly in the case of high voltage power lines, this may pose a significant threat to people working in the vicinity of the truck or trailer. Further to this, on some “sticky” loads, such as wet loads, the load may not slide off truck or trailer evenly when the tipping point is reached. This may result in portion(s) of the 10 run receiving only a little, or none, of the load, and other portion(s) of the run receiving too much.

Another significant risk factor is associated with the change in the centre of gravity for either the truck or the trailer as it is tipped upwardly. Because of the heights involved 15 in the operation of the tipping action, the centre of gravity may get so high that any unevenness on the ground beneath the truck or the trailer may cause them to tip over sideways. This is called a roll-over event. These events are extremely dangerous and can easily cause death or significant injury to people in the vicinity of the roll-over event, or the destruction of property, or the destruction of the truck or trailer involved. 20

The problem is exacerbated if any of the material making up the payload sticks in place, relative to the load carrying area. An example of this problem would involve the transportation of a sticky clay soil. The problem is most significant if the portion of the payload sticks near the front of the load carrying area of the truck or the trailer, then 25 this results in a large localised weight at the highest point of the tipping portion of the truck or trailer. This large weight, so high up in the air, significantly degrades the stability of the truck or trailer by pushing the centre of gravity well above the wheels of the truck or trailer. As trailers get longer, so that they can carry larger loads, then the roll-over risk increases significantly. Any small subsidence, or camber, in the 30 ground on which the truck or the trailer is standing, is amplified at the uppermost point of the tipping portion of the truck or the trailer. A sudden subsidence in the ground under any of the wheels of the truck or trailer during the tipping operation may cause the centre of gravity to lurch suddenly over beyond the roll-over point and the truck or 3 2016204862 12 Μ 2016 trailer, thereby causing it to suddenly roll-over. The problem is worse if the unloading of the payload requires the load to be run out. As the truck and trailer moves forward, the wheels may encounter a sudden dip, or an area of subsidence, or a region of undulation in the ground upon which the wheels are running over. The resulting sudden 5 movement this causes may cause a sudden roll-over.

Finally, there is an ever increasing pressure on transport operators to rapidly transport, unload and return with another payload. This time pressure often results in drivers driving away from the unloading site before waiting a sufficient time for the tipping 10 portion of the truck or the trailer to return to its normal rest position. This may also result in collision with overhead obstacles or sudden roll-over.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an unloading system for a truck or a trailer that at least mitigates some of these problems. 15

Disclosure of the Invention

The invention provides in one aspect, an unloading system for a truck or a trailer. The truck or trailer having a load carrying area defined by a tray base with a pair of sidewalls 20 and a tailgate. The unloading system includes at least one ram that is carried on the respective truck or trailer. The ram drives a blade that extends laterally across the width of the load carrying area of the truck or trailer, and is shaped so that it is adapted to form an effective seal between the sides of the blade and each respective sidewall of the load carrying area. The ram is adapted to drive the blade from a normally retracted 25 position, at the forward end of the load carrying area, to a fully extended position, where the blade is at the rearmost position of the load carrying area, in the vicinity of the tailgate, thereby forcing the payload to unload from the rear of the truck or trailer. The ram in either the truck or the trailer are operable by the operator either simultaneously, or individually, from within the truck cabin, or externally to the truck 30 cabin, at a safe distance, via a wired or wireless remote control.

Preferably the speed at which the blade moves, from its retracted position to its fully extended position, is able to be controlled by the operator, and a variety of different 4 2016204862 12 Jul2016 speeds can be set for the blade in the truck, and the blade in the trailer, respectively, so that the rate of unloading the payload from either is separately controllable.

Preferably the at least one ram is powered by a hydraulic cylinder. 5

Optionally the at least one ram is powered by a pneumatic cylinder.

Optionally the at least one ram is powered by an electric winch. 10 Preferably the truck, or a truck with a trailer in tow, is adapted to be able to drive forward while either the unloading system in the truck, or in the trailer, is in operation, so that the payload is unloaded in a continuous layer on the ground as the truck is moved forward. 15 Preferably the rate of unloading from the truck is controlled so that the size of the layer deposited on the ground is sufficiently small enough to enable the wheels of the trailer that the truck is towing to be able to ride over the layer as the truck is moved forward.

Preferably the blade includes a plurality of extensions that extend outwardly from the 20 blade and engage with the payload.

Preferably the plurality of extensions extend substantially around the left and right hand sides and the base of the blade. 25 Preferably at least some of the extensions are biased to rest substantially coplanar with the plane of the blade, so that when the blade is fully retracted, and at all points along the path it takes to become fully extended, the extensions are forced into a substantially lateral orientation with respect to the blade. Then when the blade is fully extended, the extensions are able to clear the floor and the sidewalls of the load carrying area, thereby 30 allowing them to open outwardly under the influence of the biasing means, respectively to the sides and downwardly. Then when the blade is retracted, the floor and sidewalls 5 2016204862 12M2016 of the load carrying area respectively overcome the bias and force the extensions back into their substantially lateral orientation.

Preferably the extensions are a plurality of finger like extensions. 5

Preferably the finger like extensions are wedged shaped, and each are respectively capable of sliding underneath, or to the sides of, the payload, so as to break up the payload in the vicinity of the fingers, and to break any bonds between the payload and either the floor or sidewalls of the load carrying area. 10

Optionally, at least some of the extensions are wipers.

Optionally, at least some of the extensions are brushes. 15 Optionally the angle of the blade can be adjusted so that the blade can be substantially vertical relative to the floor of the load carrying area, or can be adjusted to lean at a forward or at a rearward angle, relative to the floor of the load carrying area.

Optionally the unloading system includes vibratory means that vibrate with sufficient 20 frequency and amplitude to agitate the payload, at least in the vicinity of the blade, and break up clumping within the payload or bonding between the payload and either the sidewalls or the floor of the load carrying area, to make the payload easier to unload.

Preferably a seal is included along each sidewall of the load carrying area, and each 25 respective seal extends along the length of each sidewall and comprises a strip that extends inwardly, and either the blade, or the relevant finger like extensions located on each side of the blade, or both, has a respective notch that inter-engages with the sidewall strip, so that when the payload is deposited into the load carrying area, any deformation or localised outward bulging of the sidewalls of the load carrying area, 30 each strip remains engaged with the notch to prevent any substantial portion of the payload from passing behind the blade in the lowermost region of the blade. 6 2016204862 12 Jul2016

Preferably the coupling between the truck and the trailer includes protective and diverting means that protect the components of the coupling, and the hydraulic coupling and control means, from impact damage as the payload is unloaded on top of it from the truck, and it also diverts the flow of the unloading payload material around the 5 coupling components.

Preferred aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 10 Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is an isometric view of unloading assembly separated from a load carrying area on a truck or trailer in accordance with the present invention where the blade is in the fully retracted position. 15

Figure 2 is an isometric view of unloading assembly separated from a load carrying area on a truck or trailer in accordance with the present invention where the blade is in the fully extended position. 20 Figure 3 is a side elevation of a truck and trailer assembly where both the truck and the trailer have separate unloading systems in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a cut-away side view of a trailer in accordance with the present invention with the blade in the fully retracted position. 25

Figure 5 is a cut-away side view of a trailer in accordance with the present invention with the blade in the fully extended position.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments 30

Turning firstly to Figures 1 and 2, we see the unloading system 1 separated from the load carrying area of a truck or trailer. In this view we are shown connector means 3 in the form of a pair of arms that connect the movable portion of the system 1 to a 7 2016204862 12 Jul2016 hydraulic cylinder (not shown in this view). The connector means 3 are connected to a support frame 5 that in turn carries a blade 7. In Figure 1 we are shown the system 1 in the fully retracted position, and in Figure 2 we are shown the system 1 in the fully extended position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the left and right hand 5 sides and the bottom edge of the blade 7 include a plurality of fingers 9. The fingers 9 a substantially wedged shaped, and are capable of wedging themselves between the respective base and sidewalls of the load carrying area, and the payload. As the blade 7 is moved from its fully retracted position to its fully extended position, the fingers locally lift and break up the payload, and break any bonding between the payload and 10 the sidewalls or floor of the load carrying area. This makes it easier for the blade to push the payload out of the payload area as it is moved towards the fully extended position.

Figure 3 shows a side view of a typical application of the present invention. Both the 15 truck 11 and the trailer 13 are coupled together. The driver of the truck is also the operator of the system 1. He or she can operate the system 1 from the comfort and safety of the truck cabin. The system includes control means that enable the operator to unload either the truck exclusively, or the trailer exclusively, at a particular job site, or alternatively, both the truck and the trailer can be unloaded simultaneously. The 20 coupling 15 includes the conduits required to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder, as well as control means that enable the operator to control the operation of the unloading system in the trailer 13. To protect the coupling 15 from the impact of the payload as it is unloaded from the truck, protective shielding is included. The shielding protects and redirects the flow of the payload material as it falls out of the 25 rear of the truck. The rate at which at least the truck 11 discharges its payload is fully controllable by the operator. In some cases, it is desirable to drive the truck forward at a constant rate as the payload is unloaded. This creates a layer of payload material on the ground. The speed of the truck movements, and the rate at which the payload is unloaded are controlled so that the wheels of the trailer 13 are able to road upon the 30 layer or material as the truck moves forward.

Figure 4 shows a cut-away view of a trailer used in accordance with the present invention where the system 1 is in the fully retracted position. The volume between 8 2016204862 12 Jul2016 the tailgate 17 and the blade 7, and the floor and sidewalls of the trailer, form the load carrying area. When the blade 7 is retracted, and at all positions as it moves towards its fully extended position, the fingers 9 are orientated substantially laterally to the plane of the blade 7, pointing towards the tailgate 17. The fingers 9 are biased. When 5 the blade gets close to the fully extended position, the fingers 9 are no longer constrained by either the sidewalls or the floor of the load carrying area. The fingers are then able to open outwardly, under the influence of the bias, so that they are substantially coplanar with the plane of the blade 7. This assist in fully unloading the payload. When the blade 7 is retracted, each of the fingers 9 is forced by either an 10 interaction with a sidewall or the floor of the load carrying area so that the fingers are forced back into the substantially lateral orientation.

Figure 5 shows the tailgate 17 in its raised position. This is done first before the system is activated. The blade is then forced towards its fully extended position, thereby 15 pushing the payload out of the load carrying are via the rear end.

The big advantage of this invention is that the payload can be unloaded by the system without any need to raise the truck or the trailer to tip the payload out of the load carrying area. This means that overhead obstacles like power lines, structures such as 20 bridges, or tree branches and the like are far less susceptible from being broken or damaged by coming into contact with the truck or trailer body. This is particularly advantageous when the payload is unloaded as the truck is moved forward. Furthermore, once the unloading procedure has completed, the truck is able to drive away much more quickly so that it can go and fetch another load compared to 25 conventional truck and trailer systems where the driver needs to wait for the tipping portion to retract back downwardly. The system can be reset to the fully retracted position as the truck is driving away from the payload deposit site. The benefits to both health and safety, and to productivity are substantial. 30 Other advantages of the invention include the elimination of falls from heights due to the fact that there is no requirement for an operator to climb up into the truck or trailer to attempt to dislodge any stuck payload material. The invention eliminates the need for manual handling by the operator. There is no need to use a shovel or other tools to 9 2016204862 12 Jul2016 break up sticky or clumpy payload material. The payload can be delivered to areas that are level, such as cambered roads, or ditches etc. It eliminates the likelihood of a roll over even when running out material on an undulating road surface. 5 In one aspect, the invention enables an operator of the ram to be located externally to the cabin of the truck. The operator may locate him or herself at a safe distance from the truck or trailer, and at least operate the action of the blade via either wired or wireless remote control means. Alternatively, the invention eliminates the need for a driver to exit the safety of the truck cabin, thereby eliminating the chances of being 10 struck by falling material.

For the purposes of this preferred embodiment, a system using a hydraulic cylinder is disclosed, however it does not deviate from the present invention if other movement means, such as a pneumatic cylinder, or electric winch, is used on either or the truck or 15 the trailer.

Also for the purposes of this preferred embodiment, a plurality of finger like extensions are described, however it should be noted that suitable extensions may include wipers or brushes, and any combination thereof. 20

While the above description includes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention. 25

It will be also understood that where the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are used in this specification, unless the context requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or features but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature or features. 30

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Claims (19)

1. Claims

   1. An unloading system for a truck or a trailer, said truck or trailer having a load carrying area defined by a tray base with a pair of sidewalls and a tailgate, wherein the unloading system includes at least one ram that is carried on the respective truck or trailer, and wherein the ram drives a blade that extends laterally across the width of the load carrying area of the truck or trailer, and is shaped so that it is adapted to form an effective seal between each side of the blade and its respective sidewall of the load carrying area, and wherein the ram is adapted to drive the blade from a normally retracted position, at the forward end of the load carrying area, to a fully extended position, where the blade is at the rearmost position of the load carrying area, in the vicinity of the tailgate, thereby forcing the payload to unload from the rear of the truck or trailer, and wherein the ram, in either the truck or the trailer, are operable by the operator either simultaneously, or individually, from within the truck cabin, or externally to the truck cabin, at a safe distance, via a wired or wireless remote control.
2. 2. An unloading system as defined in claim 1 wherein the speed at which the blade moves, from its retracted position to its fully extended position, is able to be controlled by the operator, and a variety of different speeds can be set for the blade in the truck, and the blade in the trailer, respectively, so that the rate of unloading the payload from either is separately controllable.
3. 3. An unloading system as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one ram is powered by a hydraulic cylinder.
4. 4. An unloading system as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one ram is powered by a pneumatic cylinder.
5. 5. An unloading system as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one ram is powered by an electric winch.
6. 6. An unloading system as defined in claim 1 wherein the truck, or a truck with a trailer in tow, is adapted to be able to drive forward while either the unloading system in the truck, or in the trailer, is in operation, so that the payload is unloaded in a continuous layer on the ground as the truck is moved forward.
7. 7. An unloading system as defined in claim 2 wherein the rate of unloading from the truck is controlled so that the size of the layer deposited on the ground is sufficiently small enough to enable the wheels of the trailer that the truck is towing to be able to ride over the layer as the truck is moved forward.
8. 8. An unloading system as defined in claim 1 wherein the blade includes a plurality of extensions that extend outwardly from the blade and engage with the payload.
9. 9. An unloading system as defined in claim 8 wherein the plurality of extensions extend substantially around the left and right hand sides and the base of the blade.
10. 10. An unloading system as defined in claim 8 wherein at least some of the extensions are biased to rest substantially coplanar with the plane of the blade, so that when the blade is fully retracted, and at all points along the path it takes to become fully extended, the extensions are forced into a substantially lateral orientation with respect to the blade. Then when the blade is fully extended, the extensions are able to clear the floor and the sidewalls of the load carrying area, thereby allowing them to open outwardly under the influence of the biasing means, respectively to the sides and downwardly. Then when the blade is retracted, the floor and sidewalls of the load carrying area respectively overcome the bias and force the extensions back into their substantially lateral orientation.
11. 11. An unloading system as defined in claim 8 wherein the plurality of extensions are a plurality of finger like extensions.
12. 12. An unloading system as defined in claim 11 wherein the finger like extensions are wedged shaped, and each are respectively capable of sliding underneath, or to the sides of, the payload, so as to break up the payload in the vicinity of the fingers, and to break any bonds between the payload and either the floor or sidewalls of the load carrying area.
13. 13. An unloading system as defined in claim 8 wherein at least some of the plurality of extensions are wipers.
14. 14. An unloading system as defined in claim 8 wherein at least some of the plurality of extensions are wipers.
15. 15. An unloading system as defined in claim 8 wherein at least some of the plurality of extensions are brushes.
16. 16. An unloading system as defined in claim 1 wherein the angle of the blade can be adjusted so that the blade can be substantially vertical relative to the floor of the load carrying area, or can be adjusted to lean at a forward or at a rearward angle, relative to the floor of the load carrying area.
17. 17. An unloading system as defined in any previous claim wherein the unloading system includes vibratory means that vibrate with sufficient frequency and amplitude to agitate the payload, at least in the vicinity of the blade, and break up clumping within the payload or bonding between the payload and either the sidewalls or the floor of the load carrying area, to make the payload easier to unload.
18. 18. An unloading system as defined in claim 1 wherein a seal is included along each sidewall of the load carrying area, and each respective seal extends along the length of each sidewall and comprises a strip that extends inwardly, and either the blade, or the relevant finger like extensions located on each side of the blade, or both, has a respective notch that inter-engages with the sidewall strip, so that when the payload is deposited into the load carrying area, any deformation or localised outward bulging of the sidewalls of the load carrying area, each strip remains engaged with the notch to prevent any substantial portion of the payload from passing behind the blade in the lowermost region of the blade.
19. 19. An unloading system as defined in claim 1 wherein the coupling between the truck and the trailer includes protective and diverting means that protect the components of the coupling, and the hydraulic coupling and control means, from impact damage as the payload is unloaded on top of it from the truck, and it also diverts the flow of the unloading payload material around the coupling components.