GB2349133A

GB2349133A - A vehicle and delivery apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2349133A
Application number: GB9919672A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Butterworth; Kevin Buckley; Geoff Jarvis
Original assignee: TARMAC UK Ltd; Tarmac Heavy Building Materials UK Ltd
Current assignee: TARMAC UK Ltd; Tarmac Heavy Building Materials UK Ltd
Priority date: 1999-04-23
Filing date: 1999-08-20
Publication date: 2000-10-25
Also published as: GB9909282D0; GB9919672D0; GB2334504A

Abstract

A vehicle and delivery apparatus combination in which the vehicle has a load carrying space 2, and the delivery apparatus includes a collection conveyor 5 (a screw conveyor) adapted to collect load material from the load carrying space, and transport it to a discharge point 11. A discharge conveyor 12 (a belt conveyor) is provided to transport the load material from the discharge point to a delivery position. The discharge conveyor is pivotally mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis B. In one embodiment the discharge conveyor is mounted on a slew ring (50, Fig. 3a) to additionally permit rotation about a second axis (C, Fig. 3b) which is perpendicular to the axis B. Mechanical interlocking means are also provided so that the slew ring can be locked in a fixed position. In a further embodiment the discharge conveyor may be telescopically extended (Fig. 5). Imaging means may also be provided so that the operation of the delivery apparatus can be view from the vehicle cab.

Description

1 2349133

Title: Vehicle and Delivery Apparatus Combination Description of Invention

The invention relates to a vehicle and delivery apparatus combination, more particularly, but not exclusively a vehicle and delivery apparatus combination for delivering a granular material such as asphalt.

When a load of granular material such as asphalt is delivered to a delivery site, it may be delivered in a truck with a tipping body. The asphalt is loaded into a load carrying space of the truck body, and when the truck reaches the delivery site, the truck body is tipped so that the asphalt slides out. This method is effective for unloading a full load of asphalt in one go, but it is difficult to unload only a small proportion of the total load as the asphalt tends to stick together and move as a single mass. Also, the asphalt tends to spread over a large area when it is tipped out, and it is difficult to control the location of the asphalt deposit or to concentrate it into a smaller area.

In EP-A-0260260 there is disclosed an apparatus for unloading bulk material from a vehicle. The apparatus includes a screw collection conveyor which delivers the bulk material to a discharge point from where the bulk material is conveyed to a spreading position by a second screw delivery conveyer.

Whereas such an arrangement is an improvement over previous arrangements in which the bulk material simply moved under gravity down a chute from the discharge position, the second screw delivery conveyer is necessarily of small handling capacity because the delivery conveyer is mounted at one end relative to the vehicle, and it is not convenient to support the conveyor otherwise along its length.

According to one aspect of the invention, we provide a vehicle and delivery apparatus combination, the vehicle having a load carrying space, and 2 the delivery apparatus having a collection conveyor being a screw conveyor adapted to collect load material from the load carrying space and transport the load material to a discharge point, and the delivery apparatus ftirther having a discharge conveyor being a belt conveyor adapted to transport load material from the discharge point to a delivery point.

By virtue of the delivery apparatus, a proportion only of the total load may be discharged firom the vehicle, and moreover, because the delivery conveyor is a belt conveyor, this may handle greater capacities of the load material, facilitating more rapid load material discharge than with, for example, a screw conveyor. Also, a belt conveyor is more able to cope with large lumps of load material than a screw conveyor.

In one embodiment, there may be an opening between the load carrying space and the delivery apparatus, and the delivery apparatus may include a separator positioned in the opening, the separator being movable between a first position which closes the opening and prevents load material passing from the load carrying space to the delivery apparatus and a second position which allows load material to pass through the opening from the load carrying space to the delivery apparatus.

Alternatively, the load carrying space may be adapted to restrict the volume of load material which can impinge upon the collection conveyor to prevent the collection conveyor being swamped with the load material.

The collection conveyor may include a first and second screw conveyor part, the first screw conveyor part having a right handed flight and the second screw conveyor part having a left handed flight, the two screw conveyor parts being arranged with one end of the first conveyor part end to end with or at least closely adjacent to the end of the second conveyor part and being rotatable in a common sense of rotation so that the two conveyor parts convey the load material towards the discharge point where the two conveyor parts meet.

3 The discharge conveyor may have a first end positioned at the discharge point where load material is received, and a second end at or closer to (e.g. above) the delivery point.

The discharge conveyor may be mounted for movement up and down at least, e.g. about a first generally horizontal axis which may pass close to the discharge point preferably at or adjacent to the first end, and thus the location of the delivery position, i.e. where the discharged material lands, may be varied by moving the discharge conveyor about the first axis. This also permits the load material readily to be discharged into another container, so that the combination facilitates unloading a batch of the load material into a container e.g. on or near a site where the material will be used.

Where it is desired to discharge the load material directly for use, e.g. to either side of the vehicle for filling trenches or laying pavement, the discharge conveyor may be mounted for movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis. For example when the discharge conveyor is generally horizontal, the second axis may be substantially vertical. This may be achieved by mounting the discharge conveyor on a slew ring which may be driven to move the discharge conveyor about the second axis.

The second axis will incline to the vertical as the discharge conveyor is also moved about the first axis from a generally horizontal position. Preferably therefore a mechanical interlocking means is provided to lock the slew ring in a set rotational position when the discharge conveyor is in use.

The load carrying space may have a base which is movable relative to the vehicle, between a first position in which the base lies on a generally horizontal plane and a second position in which the base lies on a plane inclined towards the delivery apparatus. When the base is in the second position, the load may slide down the load carrying space towards and onto the collection conveyor.

4 The belt discharge conveyor may include first and second axial sections which may be telescoped between a first, in use, condition in which the discharge conveyor is telescoped to a maximum length, and a second stowed condition in which the discharge conveyor is telescoped to a minimum length. Thus the first and second axial sections may be telescoped to a ininimum. length, and the discharge conveyor moved about the first generally horizontal axis upwardly to an upright condition for transport, to reduce the overall height of the vehicle and delivery apparatus whist maintaining maximum reach in use.

At least one of the collection and delivery conveyors may be driven by an electrically controlled hydraulic actuating means, e.g. hydraulic motor driven from an engine driven pump. To enable an operator to control load material discharge from within a cab of a vehicle, there may be provided an imaging means such as a closed circuit TV camera at the rear of the vehicle where the delivery apparatus is provided, to provide images to the operator in the cab.

The vehicle may include a weighing system which measures the weight of the load material in the load carrying space. By monitoring the weight loss as load material is discharged, the weight of material discharged may be measured and hence a desired weight of load material may be delivered to a particular delivery site.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a delivery apparatus adapted to fit onto a vehicle to form a vehicle and delivery combination according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention, we provide a method of delivering load material using a vehicle and delivery apparatus combination according to the first aspect of the invention, the method including operating the collection conveyor to collect load material from the load carrying space and transport load material to a discharge point, and operating the discharge conveyor to transport load material from the discharge point to the delivery point.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, we provide a method of adapting a vehicle including a load carrying space to deliver load material, the method including attaching a delivery apparatus to the vehicle, the delivery apparatus having the features of the delivery apparatus of the combination of the first aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described with reference to. the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure I is an illustrative side view of a first embodiment of a vehicle and delivery apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a more detailed illustrative perspective view of the rear of the vehicle and delivery apparatus of figure 1, with parts omitted for clarity.

Figure 3a is a rear illustrative view and figure 3b is a side illustrative view of a second embodiment.

Figures 4a and 4b are views similar to figure 3b but showing the apparatus in alternative conditions.

Figure 5 is a side illustrative view of yet another embodiment.

Referring to figures I and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a vehicle I having a load carrying space 2, mounted on a chassis 8 of the vehicle 1, the load carrying space 2 having a base 7 and four sides 20, 21, 22, 23 and there being an opening 24 in a rear side 20. There is a delivery apparatus 3 mounted via an attachment means 4 to the rear side 20 of the load carrying space 2. The attachment means 4 is attached to the rear side 20 of the load cai-rying space 2 by a joint 27 at the top of the attachment means 4 and at least one releasable fastener (not seen) which retains the attachment means 4 adjacent to the rear side 20 of the load carrying space 2. The attachment means 4 is pivotal about the joint 27, and on releasing the at least one releasable fastener, the delivery apparatus 3 may be lifted to allow load material to pass out of the load carrying 6 space 2 through the opening 24 without using the delivery apparatus 3, when required.

The base 7 of the load carrying space 2 may be tipped relative to the chassis 8 of the vehicle I by means of at least one hydraulic actuator 26 connected between the chassis 8 and the base 7 of the load carrying space 2, the actuator 26 being positioned remote from the rear edge 6 of the base 7. The actuator 26 can be operated to move the load carrying space 2 from a travelling position in which the base 7 of the load carrying space 2 is generally horizontal as shown in Figure 1, to an inclined position in which the base 7 of the load carrying space 2 is inclined at an angle to the chassis 8 as shown in Figure 2. The base 7 of the load carrying space 2 may be inclined up to an angle of about 80' to the horizontal.

The delivery apparatus 3 has a collection conveyor 5 positioned towards a lower end of the attachment means 4 adjacent to the opening 24 in the rear side 20 of the load carrying space 2. The collection conveyor 5 includes two screw conveyor parts 9, 10, having right and left hand flights respectively, mounted with the end of the first screw conveyor 9 being at least closely adjacent to the end of the second screw conveyor 10. Longitudinal axes A of the two screw conveyor parts 9, 10 are in this arrangement, coincident and generally parallel to the edge 6 of the base 7 of the load carrying space 2. The two screw conveyor parts 9, 10 are rotated in the same direction about the longitudinal axis A, e.g. by a hydraulic motor, and load material collected by each screw conveyor 9, 10 is transported along each screw conveyor 9, 10 to a generally central discharge point I I between the two ends of the screw conveyors 9, 10, although in another arrangement the discharge point may be closer to one or other of the sides 22,23 of the vehicle 1.

Two movable separators 18, 19 are mounted side by side to open or close the opening 24 in the rear side 20 of the load carrying space 2. The two separators 18, 19 in this example are plates and an actuator (not seen) is 7 connected to each. By operating each actuator the separators 18, 19 may be moved vertically, separately or together, relative to the attachment means 4, from a closed position in which the separators 18, 19 each partly, or together completely, close the opening 24 and prevent load material passing through the open - ing 24 from the load carrying space 2, to an open position which allows load material to pass through the opening 24.

The collection conveyor 5 is positioned close to the base 7 of the load carrying space 2, so that at least when the load carrying space 2 is tipped to the inclined position, and the separator 18 is in an open position, load material passes from the load carrying space 2 through the opening 24 onto the first screw conveyor part 9 of collection conveyor 5. Similarly, at least when the load carrying space 2 is tipped to the inclined position, and the separator 19 is in an open position, load material may pass from the load carrying space 2 through the opening 24 onto the second screw conveyor part 10 of collection conveyor 5. It is possible to move the separators 18, 19 a small amount from the closed position to provide a small opening through which load material may pass, or a large amount from the closed position to provide a large opening through which load material may pass. Thus the rate at which load material falls on the collection conveyor 5 may be controlled by varying the amount moved by the separators 18, 19 and hence varying the size of the opening.

It may be the case that, particularly when the load carrying space 2 is full and/or the load material is able to flow, no or minimal tipping of the load carrying space is required to cause the load material to move towards the delivery apparatus 3 for collection by the collection conveyor 5.

The delivery apparatus 3 also includes a discharge conveyor 12 extending from a first end 13, which is mounted beneath the discharge point 11, to a second end 14, which is adjacent to a delivery position. The discharge conveyor 12 is a belt conveyor having a belt 15. The belt 15 of the discharge conveyor 12 is driven by a hydraulic or electrical motor 25 and a top run of the 8 conveyor belt 15 moves towards the second end 14. Load material falls under gravity from the discharge point I I onto the top run of the conveyor belt 15 at the first end 13 of the discharge conveyor 12 and is transported to the second end 14. The conveyor belt 15 may be made from flexible, durable rubber.

A chute 16 is optionally attached to the second end 14 of the discharge conveyor 12, and the load material falls off the belt 15 at the second end 14 of the discharge conveyor 12, slides down the chute 16 under gravity and lands at the delivery position on the surface below. A scraping bar (not seen) may be positioned across a lower ran of the belt 15 so as to scrape off any material sticking to the belt 15 of the discharge conveyor 12.

The discharge conveyor 12 is movable up and down about a generally horizontal axis B, generally parallel to the axis A, the axis B being positioned at or near the first end 13 of the discharge conveyor 12. An actuator 17, e.g. a hydraulic actuator is located between a mounting e.g. at the top of the attachment means 4, and a mounting at approximately the centre of the discharge conveyor 12. By extending the actuator 17, the angle between the discharge conveyor 12 and rear side 20 of load carrying space 2 may be increased from about 0' (when travelling for example) to 90' or more. Preferably the discharge conveyor 12 is held between the horizontal and up to a maximum angle of 40' to the horizontal when delivering load material.

A weighing means is provided to measure the weight of the load carrying space 2 in order to calculate the weight of discharged load material. Four load cells (not seen) are positioned between the load carrying space 2 and the chassis 8. The readings from the load cells are processed in a processing unit to provide a value of the weight of the load material in the load carrying space 2 and the weight is displayed on a display unit normally located in a driver's cab. The display unit may or may not be incorporated in the Processing unit, but in any event the display unit may be connected by a lead, which is sufficiently long for the processing and display unit to be movable 9 from inside the cab of the vehicle 1 to, for example, near the delivery apparatus 3 at the rear of the vehicle 1.

The actuator 26 for tipping the load carrying space 2, the actuator 17 for tipping the discharge conveyor 12, and the means for moving the separators 18, 19, and the drive means for driving the conveyors 5, 12 may be driven by hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical means. The power to run these systems may be supplied from the vehicle 1, e.g. by a gearbox mounted power take off, driving a hydraulic pump, although if desired, an external power supply may be used.

This invention is particularly useful where asphalt is the load material, but may also be used with other granular materials such as sand, gravel, and cement.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the load carrying space 2 may have sides enclosing a generally cylindrical or ellipsoidal space and may be tipped using means external to the vehicle, for example using a crane, or the load carrying space 2 may be immovable relative to the vehicle chassis 8.

The attachment means 4 may be permanently attached to the load carrying space 2, for example by welding or using permanent fasteners such as bolts, instead of being connected by a joint 27 as described above.

The two screw conveyor parts 9, 10 of the collection conveyor 5 may be arranged with their longitudinal axes non-coincident and non-parallel. Alternatively, the collection conveyor 5 may include only one screw conveyor part, the discharge point 11 being at one end of the screw conveyor part.

The delivery apparatus may be attached to, other than the rear 20, e.g. one of sides 22 or 23 of the load carrying space 2.

The invention may be applied where the vehicle is a lorry, as illustrated, or is a railway wagon.

Means may be provided to vary the speed at which the discharge conveyor 12 discharges load material.

Referring now to figures 3a, 3b and 4a and 4b, there is shown a second embodiment of the invention. Similar parts to those indicated in figures I and 2 are labelled with the same reference numerals. In this example, the discharge conveyor 12 is mounted not only for up and down movement about a generally horizontal axis, which in this example is the axis A of rotation of the collection conveyor 5, but is also moveable about a second axis C which is generally perpendicular to the first axis A. This is achieved by the discharge conveyor 12 being mounted on a slew ring 50 which is preferably driven via a gear from a hydraulic actuator such as a hydraulic motor.

In figures 3a and 3b, the discharge conveyor 12 is shown in a generally horizontal condition and moved about the axis C such that the discharge conveyor 12 extends sidewards of the vehicle. In such position the discharge conveyor 12 receives load material from the discharge point I I intermediate flights 9 and 10 of the screw conveyor 5, and may convey the load material conveniently to a discharge position where the load material may be used for filling trenches, or laying or reinstating pavements for example. Thus during delivery of the load material by operating the discharge conveyor 12, the vehicle may continue to be moved alongside the trench or pavement so that the load material can be continuously discharged. In figures 3a and 3b, the base 7 of the vehicle is shown lying on a generally horizontal plane. In figures 4a and 4b, the base 7 is inclined so that load material carried in the container 2 of the vehicle may move along the base towards the delivery apparatus 3. To prevent the load material swamping the collection conveyor 5, if desired the delivery apparatus 3 may include a baffle or the like to provide a permanent restriction to the amount of load material which can at any time, be collected by the collection conveyor 5.

11 As the container 2 is tipped as indicated in figures 4a and 4b, the discharge conveyor 12 may be maintained level by simultaneously operating the actuator 17. Thus the discharge conveyor 12 may be retained in the level attitude shown in figure 3a throughout a whole arc movement of substantially 180' from generally perpendicular to one of the vehicle sides 22 to the other 23.

The discharge conveyor 12 may however be moved about the generally horizontal axis A to raise the discharge end 14 of the discharge conveyor 12 for example to enable load material to be discharged from the container 2 into another container. It will be appreciated that by raising the discharge end 14 of the conveyor, for example to the position of the conveyor shown in figure 2, it will be not be possible to maintain the second axis C generally vertical other than when the discharge conveyor 12 is extending generally perpendicular to axis A, but rather, axis C will become inclined to the horizontal as indicated in figure 4b. Thus the upper run of the belt 15 of the discharge conveyor 12 will too be inclined to the horizontal and so there will be a maximum angle through which the discharge end 12 of the discharge conveyor 12 is inclined about axis A, from which load material can usefully be discharged. However, by moving the discharge conveyor 12 about axis C so as to extend substantially rearwardly of the vehicle, the discharge conveyor 12 may be raised about axis A to any desired angle relative to the vehicle container 2 with the belt 15 level, to enable the load material to be discharged at greater heights.

Thus the invention lends itself to use in a batchin-Y method in which a large vehicle I delivers a proportion of its load into a container on site for subsequent use, or into another vehicle container as desired.

Referring now to figure 5, a modified arrangement similar to that shown in figures 3 and 4 is shown.

It will be appreciated that it is desirable in some situations for the overall length of the discharge conveyor 12 to be long so that the discharge position 12 can be spaced a substantial distance from the delivery vehicle 1. However this presents a problem in transporting the discharge conveyor 12 whilst still attached to the apparatus 3. It is preferred for the discharge conveyor 12 to be pivoted about axis A when in a rearwardly extending position so that the discharge conveyor 12 can be stowed generally upright adjacent the rear side 20 of the vehicle. However there are restrictions in height of the vehicle due to bridges for example on motorway routes.

In accordance with the invention, the discharge conveyor 12 includes a first section 55 which is mounted on the slew ring 50, and a second relatively telescopic section 56 which may be telescoped inside the first section 55 (or vice versa) to reduce the overall length of the discharge conveyor 12. In figure 5, the discharge conveyor 12 shown is its inwardly telescoped condition is in full lines, and in dotted lines the extended telescoped position of section 56 is indicated.

Thus in use, the second section 56 may be telescoped outwardly of first section 55 to provide a maximum distance between the vehicle I and the discharge end 14 of the discharge conveyor 12. For transport though, the sections 55 and 56 may be telescoped to provide a reduced overall distance, so that the discharge conveyor 12 may be transported in a generally upright condition adjacent rear 20 of the vehicle 1, and comply with height restrictions along the transport route.

Such telescoping may be achieved manually, or there may be provided a hydraulic actuator or lead screw for example to provide for powered extension of the second section 56.

Of course, when the first and second sections 55 and 56 are inwardly telescoped, the belt 15 may require to be accommodated as lengths of the belt will be loose and not properly entrained on the conveyor mechanism.

It is preferred for at least the collection conveyor 5 and/or the discharge conveyor 12 to be driven by hydraulic means as described, hydraulic fluid 13 under pressure for which may be provided by a pump driven from a power take off or the like from the engine of the vehicle 1.

It is envisaged that the hydraulic motor or motors, and the actuator 17 and slew ring 50 gear may be controlled from within a cab of the vehicle by an operator. Thus the hydraulic functions are preferably each electrically controlled. To enable the operator to have a view of the operation of the delivery apparatus 3, if desired an imaging means such as a closed circuit TV camera may be provided at a rear of the vehicle I to provide images of the operation to the operator in the cab. Additionally or alternatively, the hydraulic functions may be controlled by a control means which may be connected physically via a cable or by some transmitting apparatus to the vehicle, which would enable an operator to move with the control means away from the cab 1 throughout at least limited range.

The various hydraulic apparatus may be controlled via a valve block which may ensure preferential hydraulic fluid flow to the collection conveyor 5 and/or discharge conveyor 12 rather than the actuator 26 which causes container 2 tipping, although any other desired hydraulic control arrangement suitable for the purpose may be provided.

If desired, the collection conveyor 5 and/or discharge conveyor 12 may be lubricated from a spray system, and the delivery apparatus 3 may be maintained in a state clear of load material with the aid of a spray cleaning solution system to provide a spray of cleaning solution at desired position.

Although in the example described in figure 5 the discharge conveyor 12 has two sections 55 and 56, it will be appreciated that additional sections may be provided as required to provide an even greater distance between the discharge end 14 of the discharge conveyor 12 at the vehicle I whilst permitting the height of the discharge conveyor 12 when in an upright transport position to comply with height restrictions along a transport route.

14 As a safety feature, to lock the discharge conveyor 12 in position when for example the second axis C is inclined to the horizontal as indicated in figure 4b there may be provided a spring applied mechanical interlock including a hydraulic released lock bolt which may be located in any one of a plurality e.g. twenty holes in the slew ring 50 to lock the slew ring 50 in position rather than simply relying on a hydraulic drive system to maintain the discharge conveyor 12 in position.

The features disclosed in the' foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A vehicle and delivery apparatus combination in which the vehicle includes a load carrying space, and the delivery apparatus includes a collection conveyor being a screw conveyor adapted to collect load material from the load carrying space and transport it to a discharge point and a discharge conveyor being a belt conveyor adapted to transport load material ftom the discharge point to a delivery position.

2. A combination as claimed in claim I including a separator which is positioned in an opening between the load carrying space and the delivery apparatus, the separator being movable between a first position which closes the opening and prevents load material passing from the load carrying space to the delivery apparatus and a second position which allows load material to pass through the opening from the load carrying space to the delivery apparatus.

3. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the collection conveyor includes first and second screw conveyor parts, the first screw conveyor part having a right handed flight and the second screw conveyor part having a left handed flight, the two screw conveyor parts being arranged with one end of the first conveyor part end to end with or at least closely adjacent to the end of the second conveyor part and being rotatable in a common sense of rotation so that the two conveyor parts convey the load material towards the discharge point where the two conveyor parts meet.

4. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the discharge conveyor has a first end positioned at the discharge point where load material is received, and a second end at or closer to the delivery point.

16

5. A combination as claimed in claim 4 wherein the discharge conveyor is mounted for movement about a first generally horizontal axis which passes close' to the discharge point.

6. A combination according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the discharge conveyor is mounted for movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis.

7. A combination according to claim 6 wherein the discharge conveyor is mounted on a slew ring which is driven to move the discharge conveyor about the second axis.

8. A combination according to claim 7 wherein mechanical interlocking means are provided to lock the slew ring in a set rotational position when the discharge conveyor is in use.

9. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the load carrying space has a base which is movable between a first position in which the base lies on a generally horizontal plane and a second position in which the base lies on a plane inclined towards the delivery apparatus.

10. A combination according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the belt discharge conveyor includes at least first and second axial sections which are telescoped between a first, in use, condition in which the discharge conveyor is telescoped to a maximum length, and a second stowed condition in which the discharge conveyor is telescoped to a minimum length.

17

11. A combination according to claim 10 where appended to claim 5 wherein the first and second sections are telescoped to a minimum length and the discharge conveyor is moved about the first generally horizontal axis upwardly to an upright transport condition.

12. A combination according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the collection and delivery conveyors is driven by an electrically controlled hydraulic activating means.

13. A combination according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there is mounted at a rear of the vehicle where the delivery apparatus is provided, an imaging means to provide images to an operator in a cab of the vehicle during operation of the delivery apparatus.

14. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim, including a weighing system which measures the weight of the load material in the load carrying space.

15., A combination substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

16. A delivery apparatus which is adapted to fit onto a vehicle to form a vehicle and delivery apparatus combination as claimed in any preceding claim.

17. A delivery apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

18. A method of delivering load material using a vehicle and delivery apparatus combination as claimed in any preceding claim, the method including is operating the collection conveyor to collect load material from the load carrying space and transport load material to a discharge point, and operating the discharge conveyor to transport load material from the discharge point to the delivery point.

19. A method of delivering material using a vehicle and delivery apparatus combination substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A method of adapting a vehicle including a load carrying space, to deliver. load material, the method including attaching a delivery apparatus to the vehicle, the delivery apparatus having the features of the delivery apparatus of the combination claimed in claims 1-15.

21. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as herein described and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.