US2256705A - Demountable truck body - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 23, 1941. DELIVUK DEMOUNTABLE TRUCK BODY 4 sheetsQsheet 1 v Us, 5

lNvlaNToR loew/Well@ BY wa/f Filed Dec.4 16, 1940' ATTORNEY Sept. 23, 1941. l.. DELIVLYJK DEMOUN TABLE TRUCK ODY Filed Dec. 16, 1940 4 lshee'fS-sheet 2 ATTORNEY v Sept. 23, 1941.

` L. DELIVUK DEMOUNTIABLE TRUCK BODY Filed Deo. 16, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 23, 1941. L. DELIVUK DEMOUNTABLE TRUCK BODY Filed Dec. 16, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ,zazfAza-a Patented Sept. 23, 1941 -U NITED STAT ES T OFiFi-IQCSE 2,256,705 y DEMoUNfrABIfE TRUCKiBoDY Louis Lennik, Spokane, wash.

Application December 16', 1940,-Seria1No.370;260

' 1c claims. tomes-2v) The object .o'f this invention lis tov provide a self-contained, demountable, .quick discharging `grain body for trucks.

Farmers employ a single truck in many capacities and hence special and various types of bodies are required for each use. A very special capacity is the hauling of grain from the .combine in the field to the elevator, and a truckbodyfor among which is the ability of the bodyduickly to discharge `its contents at the `elevator without the delay incident tosweeping or shoveling out quantities ,of grain that has not been discharged.

'this purpose must meet special requirements Congestion of traic approaching an .elevator A `further object isto provide a truck vbody that.v

may beidemountably and very securelyA connected with the frame of any modern truck without -drilling or in any way altering the truck frame, and since modern trucks include 4portions dis- I, posed in a position 'to obstruct agravity discharge of grain, it is a feature of this'invention to provide a body having discharging portions that will avoid any obstructing portions Aof the running gear or 'frame of `the `truck, and which will, at

the same time, afford a maximum efficiency for `f quick discharge.

Because Vof the extensive .use of trucks in entering and leaving the harvestelds, which are frequently hilly, and Ato obtain a maximumcapacity and also lower the .center of mass orgravity as far'as'possible, it isa feature of this invention to vextend the body as far as possible below the top of the frame on which-it is .demountably secured,thereby preserving equilibrium and stabilization as much as possible.

Because of the low locations ofthedischarging portions of the body with respect'to the frame, it is a feature Vof this invention to providea novel type of operating mechanism which is located below the frame, Vfor the purpose of controlling discharge, and this mechanism is Vprovided with a detachable section to permit removal of the body from the truck frame.

The invention has manyother objects and features which will be more fully described in the v following specification and which ywill .be more tparticularly pointed out in and by the appended claims.

ln theldrawings:

Fig. 1 'is a'longitudinal vertical sectional view Y,discharge opening.

of .one rform of my improved body illustrating-the Working Vposition it would ,assume on D*a Vtruck 'frame-fthe latter ibeing shown .partly insection ,and partlyin elevation.

'Fig."2 is va plan View of a portion .of va truck frame and a part ofthe running gear, Von a reducedscale. j

Fig. 3 is aaview in side Neleva-tion ofthe body and a portion of the truck frame showingpthe same on .a slightlyreducejd scale.

'.Fig. 4 is `a sectional'viewon an enlarged sca" taken on ,line 1 -'4 :ofjlg '1, showing lthe front discharge ,opening and looking .to the right, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view on'the Same scale'as Fig. 4, and is aiongitudinal sectional view-through the rear Fig. `6is a sectional'view taken on`line6; of

Fig. '1.

Eig. 'I is a plan viewof the improved closures or gatesforithe vdischarge openings and ,thecon- `nectirig rods therefor.

-Figx is anedgeview thereof. vFig.9;is-a"sectiona1view online 9-'9 of Fig, y5. Fig. `ZLO'is aview in elevation of a lrrictional `clamping device-'looking inthe direction of arrow l0., of Figfl.

jFig. l'l'is a'esectional View on line `ll--il `of iFgf. n 4Figx12 is aface kviewof kone ofthe supporting shoes with the clamping 'bolts omitted.

Fig. V13 is a sectional `view on line "l 3-13 of Fig. v12.

Fig. Misa diagrammatic'end-view ofthe-truck bodywith details omitted.

Like characters of 'reference designate Similar parts 4throughout the .different 4iiguresv of the drawings.

I will rst briefly describe a conventional -form of truck von `which my improved vgrainy body is disposed, with special 'reference 'to ',Fgs. l; 2 andS.

The spring supported frame comprises "longitudinal frame members I, which are reducedin vertical Vthickness at 2, throughout therear por.- tion of `the length thereof. The longitudinal members `l are lshown'bracedby transverse frame members 3and :45 and the'frame is supported by springs '5 on rear axle 6, the rearvwhefclsbeing indicated at '1 `and 4theiront wheels .at 8; The differential casing is shown at 9 and its shaft, which extends forwardly to `the change' speed .gear (not shown) is indicated at 10. Because Vof the fact that the frame is spring supported 'it .willbe clear that a portion of therunninggear, which may be the casing 9, will take various section, the purpose of which will be later described., A rear wall is indicated at I3, and the same is vertical and has near its ,lower end an inclined hopper section I4. Said body is provided with side walls which are of uniform con-,v

merals will be applied, and as shown, particu- Y struction and to which the same reference nuiz lv larly in Fig. 14, the upper portionsof the sider walls are parallel 'and upright and are indicated Y to substantially overhang said frame laterally thereof.V The lower portions of said side walls converge vinwardly to form hopper sections, the upper portions having an inclination' indicated at I6 and the lower portions having-anY inclination ,indicated at I'I. :The lowerfedges of said Walls are indicated at IS, and'it'is important to vat I5, and are spaced apart tofsuch an extent, kwith respect ,to the width of the truck'frameLas note that these hopper sections extend substantiallybelow the plane on which the body is supported on the truck frame, as ywill later appear. It may also be stated that the different angles of inclination are not essential to this invention although they are advantageous in affording the greatest possible heightfor the upright sides and the widest spacing of the 'hopper Sections below the tops of the longitudinal frame members I`.

` Further, the hopper units IB, whichv arefmore nearly horizontal than the units IT, serve to susjtainarelatively greater portion of the weight of the load, while the units I'I. serve tofacilitate quickV discharge ofthe grain.

Howeven itis more important to note that 'f the inclination of both units I6 .and IT are, inV

practice, at least thirty degreesor more,'sin`cefthe inclination of repose of grainuisfless than this degree, and by employing this degree of inclination there is absolute assurance that the, grain A will descend by gravitywithout leaving any undischarged'portion. However, in anI abundance of caution, I prefer to cover the inner face of the hopper portions I6 and I l with a smooth'm'etal Vsuch as sheet iron or othersuita'ble material, as shown at I9. Because th'eang'leY of repose of grain varies somewhat with respect Yto the degree ofdampness, and also tothe dirt content of the grain,A asv well as other factors, I have demonstrated that by'establishing a minimum angle of thirty degrees, and covering the saine, I am assured 4of the most eifective possible 'gravity discharge.

' `Reference willrnext be made to the V*manner in which thetruck `body is st'iifened so that'it` fcanrbe made of wood or other comparatively light weight material. Y l l Iemploy vertically disposed stays suitably dis-` tributed along the sides'of said body and which preferablyextend to the full height of sai'dbody, and as all of said stays Yare alike in formand function',-o'nly one need be described in detail.

' .As shown, six full length .or main stays are provided on eachsid'e o'f said' body and *are gen'- erally indicated at 20.' I prefer to employ metal stays, and in the present 'construction I have shownthe stays' formed of channel iron 0r steel withthe Webs 2|l thereof disposedin abutting relationagainstthe exterior" Aof. the sides and secured thereto in any desired manner as by means of bolts or screws 22, the flanges 23 projecting outwardly. Said channel stays are shaped to conform to the shape of the sides, as shown, for instance in Fig. 4, and they terminate at their lower ends at 24 in substantially flush relation with the bottom edge I8 of the sides, and hence they strengthen the body throughout its height and constitute an effective means for also taking the major load stresses, as will presently appear. It is very important to VVrelieve the body, as far as possible, from these load stresses and provide a frame Work to take such stresses be- Y cause trucks carrying grain not only traverse the rough terrain of harvest fields but also equally rough roads.

Reference will neXt be made to the manner in which the truck body is demountably mounted on the truck frame.

Each of said stays is provided with means for engaging the truck frame which functions not only to support the truck body, but which also serves to maintain the latter. against shiftmg movement laterally or longitudinally of the truck frame. t t Y As all the body supporting devices are alike in form and function, yonly YoneV need be described in detail. 'I I Reference is made to Figs. 4, 6, 12 and 13, in which I have shown a stay providedl with a. shoe formed of angle iron or steel in which one flange or limb is substantially horizontally disposedas indicated at 25, for engagement with the top of truck frame member I. This flange 25 vis. of a length to extend laterally ofthe flanges 23 to form clampingv ends 26, and. I preferably, although not necessarily, turn' up the end edges as shown at, 21. The remaining flange 28 Yis substantially vertically disposed and is adapted for engagement with an inside face of truck 'frame memberV I to stabilize the truck body against a lateral movement. As shown, the truck members Land the reduced portions 2 thereof, are formed of channel steel with the webs thereof disposed outwardly and the flanges inwardly in the usual manner, and it will be seen that the ange 28 of the shoe Vengages the inner edge of the upper flange of said truck frame channel.

Reference will next be made, to the manner in which theshoes are secured to the stays.

As` shown, the flanges 23 are recessed to conform to the angular shape of the elbow ortbight 29 of the shoe, and th'e'l'atter is preferably welded to the' recesses insaid channel stay, `and as a further anchorageV I prefer to spot weld they elbow to the'web 2lv and the inner faces .of the channel anges 23, as indicated at'3. vrThus, the shoe is rigidly secured tothe stay, although it will be understood I do not wish to be limitedtdthis particular manner of Yanchoring the shoeI to the stay. i Y

As thus far described, itQwill beclear how the truck body can be supported by ythese shoes, one ofwhich is provided for eachv stay, but this kind of support would notV prevent longitudinalfsliding movement of the bodyv on the truck frame. Therefore, I will next describe lmy novel Ameans for frictionally clamping the body onto the truck frame and eifectively preventing itslongitudinal movement thereon without in any way drilling 'or'alteringthetruck frame.

Referring to Fig. 4,"for instance, my improved clamping device, which of course is incorporated with the shoe, specifically involves a pair of U` bolts. The bights 3| of said bolts seat on said ment of the shoe with the truck vframe member I-"2,any tendency of the body .to slide 'lengthwise of the truck frame would impose a binding action on this clamping device which would'render the latter highly effective in resisting such slid-ing movement. lI-t will be seent'hatthe -U-'bolts must be longer where they .ceact with lthe enlarged frame members I than wheretheycoa'ctwith the reduced portions '2, but otherwise al1-the clamping devices areidentical inform and'function.

Reference Iwill next be made to Athe -man-ner and means 4for strengthening the body at an intermediate portion of its length.

It may be stated that the bottom I-8 of the fside walls is at the same level throughout `the' length of said walls, but because of the transverse truck frame members 3 and 4, it is necessary toirecess the side walls as indicated at 236 and 311; To 'a certain extent these recesses serve to weaken the side walls of the body and to strengthen the body at these locations, namely, the locationsvof the recessed portions I provide relatively short stays 38 and 39, which are identical in form and yfunction, hence only one need be described in detail.

These stays, as shown in Fig. 3, only extend from shoe consists of an angle iron or steel lhaving a .5.

horizontally disposed flange-43 adapted Atoirest in frame member I, and a vertical flange 44, adapted to engage the inner face of member I.' This shoe is welded to stay 39 in the same manner as .the shoes of the main stays, heretofore described, and I have shownin Fig. 6 the bight or elbow spot welded at 45.

In order to brace this portion vof the truck body, I utilize these short pairs `of stays for the purpose of 4disposing 4a cross tie, and'in Fig. 6, I have shown a cross tie strip of metal 145 extending across the open body and having its -ends 46 secured to the webs 4I, of said short stays by means such as screws 41. Each pair of short :stays will be thus equipped and this disposition of the cross stays 45' will not impede discharge ef grainfrom said body lbecause they are disposed at a bottom of the body point through which grain is not discharged, as will presently appear.

Because of the fact that my improved body completely discharges its content of grain, it is possible to brace the body in a manner which I will Anext describe. f

The front and rear walls may be provided with one or more channel irons 48 and 49, respectively, and I have shown longitudinal braces or -brace rods 50 and 5I, adapted to extend through said front and rear walls and their channel irons, and be secured by nuts 52 and 53. ASaid'rods. take their stresses in tension, and I have provided 'each thereof -withaa sleeve-54 and -55,respectively, which sleevesfabut against suitable washers y'156 and -B'I' jinterposed between the A`ends of Vsaid sleeves and said'fronlt and rear walls IIa-nd -I3, respectively. These sleeves take-their-stresses in com-pressionpand it wil-l now be clear that when the nuts 52 and 53 are tightened the opposite Walls -will-be-susta'ined very-rigidly innxed spaced relation. I- have 1--also shown ltransvers'e bracesl of fthesame type, -in-which the rods are indicated at ISaand the sleeves atl-59, as to the upper pair, the -lower r`pairlbe'ing A -indicatedlby '166 for the Jreds and '64 'torthe sleeves. f .Oflcou-rse itl will belunderstood that vthe Lrods -wil1= extend through the webs lof the main-filanged stays 20,and be-providedwith vnuts 6-2 vand'I-IS, Aand that the said transverse braces Lw-ill be identical vvith'the heretofore described longitudinal .braces inail respects, whereby the Abody will be ieiectiv'elybraced against all types of stresses, bothinwardly and outwardly, inline 'with said1braces.- o Y Reference will neXt--beMi-nade fto *the bottom Astructure ofthe' body and to f-themanner in which I insure complete gravity discharge of all the Ycontents ofthe body.

Said bottom .structure has .a `plura'lityvof bottomdischarge sections extending belowthe plane of engagement of said shoes with the truckvframe members I-2, which, in this particular form of .the invention, .consists Vof 1 al front and a 4vrear botztom .discharge.section. 'Said `bottom .structure also :has an intermediatek section which not l only spans .oribridges .the transverseiframemembers 3 and 4, and forms a clearance space lfor ldownward movementof vtheloodyyvlren loaded, or up- .ward movement .of :thedifferentialril .but which additionally performsagravityi'discharge for lthe grain .toward said `front andrear -discharge sections. .Y

,It `.will be .seenzthat :the front .hopper or grain guiding plane section I2.and.the lilserear section :I4 `extenddownwardly to thescommon lower edge .plane I8, ,at whichtheconverging sections' of the side walls I1 terminate, and thiselevationfisbelow the `plane of supporti-ng engagement Aof the shoes withfthelongitudinal .frame members `I2 of the truck iframe. Of..course the sections I2 and'. I4 juncture lateral-1y 'with .the sections I6 and I'I; to form a `continuous causeway hopper leading downwardly to .the vdischarge openings A and' B. lhuszthe vfront section1l2 leads .to thefront side ofthe front opening A, the sectionl4'leads to the rearY side *.of rthe `rear opening B, andthe converg- -ingsectionslead to the lateral sides of said openings, the latter being shown of'recta-ngular form. The intermediatesection is shown -in the form of an inverted V, and has argrain guiding hopper section 64 formed by one limb, and Vwhich extends downwardly from the linear apex 65, to the rear side'of the front opening A, anda similar section 66 which vextends `downwardly from theapexi65 to the 'front side of the rear discharge openingr B. .Of cou- rse sections 64 and 66 juncture laterally withztheconverging sectionsuI/E and Il', sorthat bothaopen'ings A and B, will be surrounded by hoppers leading all the grain content toward the discharge `openings A and B, b-y gravity.

vIt will now 'fbe clear how the intermediate sec tion no'tfonly spans the transverse members 3 and v4, but forms :a clearance area a: for downward movement of the body, :or upward movement of the differential casingt, and also permits .of a disposition of the tie straps .4-5'in such Vaposition that they cannot obstruct .the discharge ofl grain. 'Ihave also shown .these hopperzsecti'ons .covered Aav with Athin material-such asY sheet metal, as indicated at I4" and 6 0.` vThis facing has; been omitted in Fig. 1 becausejof the small scaleat which itwould have to be shown.- l rg' Reference will. next be made to the closures or gates for controlling discharge of the grain from said body. i v

The discharge opening A is provided with a gate frame comprising front and rear sides 61 and 68 (Fig. l) andrlateralsides 69 (Fig. 4), and to the bottom-of this frame are attached gate guides Y which are recessed at 1| to form, together with the'bottom of sides 69, a guide-way for slidably Lsupporting a closure or gate 12, which may be formed of thin steel or the like. As shown in Fig. 7, the guides 10 (only one shown) are long enough to permit ofvslidable movement of the gate far enough tor Vuncover opening A andstill retain the gate Y12 Vin coactive relation with said guide.Y It will also be seen from Fig. 1 thatthis gate 12 is disposed below the transverse frame members 3 and 4 of the truck frame.

The lopening B is-qlikewise providedwithla gate frame' (Figs. 5 and 1l) which is in .horizontal alinement with the gate frame of opening A, and whichconsists of Yfront andY rearsides 13 and 14, and lateral sides 15. Gate guides 16recessed at 11, are secured tothe lateral sides forguiding areargate 18. 'c Y Y Y Reference will next be madeA tothe improved means for operating saidgates in unison as this is greatly preferable to individual operation thereof although the latter is not outside the scope of vthis invention. n Y Y v .As shown, gate operating bars 19 (Figs: 1 and Y4) areprigidly securedto the .bottom of gate12,

and vbars 80, which are provided withj rack teeth, are secured rigidly to the bottom of gate 18. bars 1'9 and 80 are detachably connected by intermediate bar sections 8| by screws 82', as illustrated in Fig. 5, or in any other desired manner.

The importance i-of this detachable'connection resides in the fact that the'sections Blare of a length at least equal to the spacing of fframe members 3 and 4, so that saidA sections 8| can be detached when it is desired to dispose the` truck body onto the frame of the-truck, and-then connectedup, or detached when it is desired to remove the body from the truck. This being desirable because Vthe bars are below the frame members 3 and 4|.V However, even though the sections 8| were of less length than the spacing of members 3 and 4, this feature would meet the opera- Vtiverequirements of the invention since the gates -12 and l18 could beadjusted endwise to permit the demountable body to be put on andvtaken 0E the truck frame, respectively. j

Reference will next be made to vthe manner of operating the gates;

A shaft 82 (Figs. 1, 4 and 11) is journalled in bearings 83 (one only being shown) and said shaft extends transversely across the truck frame near the vrear thereof and is provided with an operatingfcrank 84, which, in vpractice will be disposed in Vaclearly accessible position at one side of the truck, Apreferably at lthe left handside thereof.

In order to avoid drilling the truck frame and for the Vpurpose of obtaining effectivedemountable support Ifor the shaft 8,2, I provide-gusset plates 85V on the rearmost clamping devices that are 'formed integral with' the bearings83. v v.

Saidshaft 82l is provided with gears v86, mesh-l ing withfthe teeth of rack rods 80 so that when the crank 84 is turnedthe gates 12 and 18 will be shifted in'unison into and outof discharging The web` 2| of the stay, and of course the rear wall I3 can be nailed or -otherwise secured to said beam 81. v

Itfis believed that the operation of the device ofjmy invention will-be clear from the foregoinggbut Iwill very brieiiy recapitulate the same as follows:

In mounting the body the bar sections 8| will be detached, and the body will be deposited Von the truck frame by a Vcrane or otherwise into the position shown in Fig. 1. Then the sections 8| will be connected up and the crank 84 will be turned to close the gates r12 and V18, whereupon the body will be ready to receive a load of grain.-

When the truck reaches an elevator the crank 84 will be turned to shift thegates 12 and 18 in unison into an open position, Vand the grain will all discharge through said openings A and B, as will now be clear. Y

Because grain is hauled from the harvest field over rough ground and often over rough roads,

it is important to establish and sustain equilibrium as far as possible, and the fact that the discharge sections A and B extend so far below the plane of engagement of the shoes with the truck frame,

loadedV I v greatly increase stabilization of the truck. v

It will be clear that since the entire vWeight of the Vbody is taken by the stays 20, to which the body is secured, said stays constitute, with the cross ties, a rigid frame that not only very greatly strengthens the body and permits of relatively light Weight material being used, but this frame also'takes the major load stresses by reason of the fact that the load stresses yare directly transmitted from the shoes to the stays, instead of to Vthe body, and a feature of very great importance ,in this respect is that the main stays 20 are vertically disposed.

In traversing a rough terrain, the loaded truck body is not only subjected to spreading stresses, especially laterally, but in making turns, as well `as in traversing ruts, the truck body is subjected to torsional stresses, all of which it is the purpose of this invention to resist and overcome, without resorting to excessive weight.

By using a plurality of vertical stays on each side of the body, together with the cross ties traversing the interior of thebody, I can not only make the body'of relatively lighter weight material, but I can also use main stays of lighter weight, and this is a feature of great importance. It will also ybe seen that the grain body is entirely self-contained, bothy las regards its lfixed portions ,and its operating portions, hence it can be demountably secured to a truck without in any converging hopper sections. extending downwardly from said sides and the lower portions thereof Iextending between the longitudinal frame members,` shoes fixed to said hopper sections for engaging the longitudinal frame members for removably supporting said body thereon, said body having a bottom provided with a rectangular front discharge opening disposed forwardly of said transverse fra-me members and a rectangular rear discharge opening disposed rearwardly of said transverse frame members and said hopper sections extending to the lateral sides of said front and rear openings, said bottom also comprising a transversely disposed grain guiding unit of inverted V-form longitudinally spanning said transverse frame members and laterally juncturing with said hopper sections and having one plane section extending forwardly and' downwardly to the rear side of said front discharge opening and the remaining plane section extending rearwardly and downwardly to the front side of said rear opening, and said bottom having an inclined plane section extending rearwardly and downwardly to the front side of said front opening and a plane section extending forwardly and downwardly to the rear side of said rear opening, whereby the entire lower area of said body will slope toward and discharge toward said openings for quick and complete egress of the contents, and means for controlling egress through said discharge openings.

2. In a demountable grain truck body structure for a truck having longitudinal frame members, a truck body for grain having upright sides laterally overhanging the truck frame and the lower portions of said sides converging inwardly to form hopper sections and being proportioned to be disposed between the frame members, a pluralinty of vertically disposed stays of channel iron secured to the exterior of said sides in suitable spaced relation and shaped to the contour of said sides and hopper sections to stiffen said body and take the load stress, and certain of said stays each having a shoe of angle iron fixed to the flanges thereof with one flange of the shoe engaging the top of the frame member and the remaining flange of the shoe engaging an inner iace of the frame member to respectively support and laterally stabilize said body on the frame.

3. In a demountable grain truck body structure for a truck having longitudinal frame members, a truck body for grain having upright sides laterally overhanging the truck frame members and the lower portions of said sides converging inwardly to form hopper sections and being proportioned to be disposed inwardly between said frame members, a plurality of vertically disposed stays of channel iron shaped to conform to the contour of and secured to the exterior of said sides to stiften said body and take the load stress, and certain of said stays each having a shoe of angle iron rigidly fixed thereto with one Flange of the shoe engaging the top of the frame member and having clamping ends extending laterally of its stay and the remaininor :dange of said shoe enf-faging an inner face of the frame member to respectively support and laterally stabilize said body on said frame, U-bolts having their bights engaging said clamping ends and their limbs extending downwardly on opposite sides of the frame member, and a gusset plate on the lower face of the frame member accommodating the ends of said limbs, and nuts on said limbs engaging said gusset plate for frictionally clamping said shoe to the: frame member.

fi. In a demountable grain truck body structure for a truck having longitudinal frame members, a truck body for grain having upright sides laterally overhanging the truck frame` members and the lower portions of' said sidesl converginginwardiy to form hopper sections and bei-ng proportioned to be disposed inwardly between the frame members, a plurality of vertically disposed metal stays shaped to conform to the contour of and secured to the exterior of said sidestostiffen said body and talee the load stress, certain lof said stays each having a shoe engaging the frame member, and means embracing the frame member for frictionally clamping the shoe to the` frame member to hold said body against longitudinal or lateral movement with respect to' the frame members.

5. In a grain truck body structure for a tru-ck having a spring supported truck frame comprising longitudinal and transverse frame members and a running gear element movable upwardly relative to the frame between said transverse members, a grain truck body having supporting mea-ns for engagement withthe'frarne, said: body having bottom sections extending downwardly below the plane of supporting engagement of said means with the frame, one bottom section being disposed forwardly and another rearwardly of said transverse members and each of said sections having a controlled discharge opening for grain, and that portion of said bottom directly above said transverse frame members and gear element being elevated to bridge said members and permit unobstructed upwardly movement of said @lenient with respect to said frame.

6. In a grain truck body structure of the class described, a truck body having sides and ends and provided with a reiatively enlarged upper portion and said sides and ends being convergingly tapered at their lower portions and provided with controlled grain discharge openings, metal stays shaped to conform to and being secured to the exterior of said sides and ends to stiifen the body, tension rods extending lengthwise through said enlarged portion from end to end and being tensioned against certain of said stays, strut sleeves surrounding said rods and engaging said ends, and tension rods extending transversely of said enlarged portion and being tensioned against certain stays of the latter, and said last named rods each being surrounded by a strut sleeve engaging said sides.

'7. In a demountable grain truck body structure for a truck having a frame composed of longitudinal and transverse frame members, a truck body having supporting means engaging the frame and provided with a bottom having an intermediate section elevated to span the transverse frame members and provided with an front bottom section extending below said transverse frame members and disposed in advance thereof and a rear bottom section extending below said transverse frame members and disposed rearwardly thereof, each of said bottom sections having a discharge opening, a slidably mounted gate for controlling each opening, a rod disposed below said transverse members and rigidly connecting said gates to shift the same in unison ond said rod extending to the rear of said body, and means at the rear of said body for imparting lengthwise movement to said rod to open or close said gates in unison, and said rod having a detachable section of a length substantially coextensive with the spacing of Ysaid transverse mem-1 bers to permitY of lmounting andrremoval of said body to and from. the frame, respectively.V

. 8. In a demountableL grain truck body structurefor a truck havingla framercomposed of longitudinal and transverse frame members, a truck body having supporting means engaging the frame and 'provided with a bottom having an intermediate section elevated to span the trans-V verse frame members and provided with a front bottom section extending below the tops of the transverse frameA members and disposed in advance thereof and a rear bottom section extending below the tops of said .transverse frame members and disposed rearwardly thereof, each of said bottom sectionsfhaving a. discharge opening,v a closure for each opening, and mechanism disposed below saidtransverse frame members for operating said closures in unison, said mechansm havingadetachable portion to permit of mounting and removing said body, respectively, onto and off from the frame.

9. Ina demountable hopper truck body structure for a truck having longitudinal frame mem'- bers, a truck body having upright'l sides laterally overhanging the truck frame andthe lower portions of said sides converging inwardly to form hopper sections and being proportioned to be disposed between the frame members, a plurality of vertically disposed stays secured to the exterior of said sides in suitable spaced relation and shaped to the contour of said sides and hopper sections to stiiien said body and Itake the load stress, certain ofl said stays each having a shoe xed thereto for engagement with a frame member to support said body on the frame, and means for holding said shoes against lateral or longitudinal shifting movement on the frame members.

10. Ina demountable hopper truck body structure for a truck having longitudinal frame members, a truck body having sides laterally overhanging the truck frame and the lower por-tions of said sides converging inwardly to form hopper Y n section-s and being proportioned to be disposed between the frame members, a plurality of vertically disposed stays secured to said sides and hopper sections to stiien said body, and means secured to said stays for'engagement With the frame members to support said body thereon, whereby the load stress will be sustained by said stays and means.

Y LOUIS DELIVUK.

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