US2780369A

US2780369A - Self-unloading transport truck

Info

Publication number: US2780369A
Application number: US420862A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward E Kaney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-04-05
Filing date: 1954-04-05
Publication date: 1957-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 1974-02-05

Description

Feb. 5, 1957 E. E. KANEY' SELFUNLOADING [TRANSPORT TRUCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5, 1954 Feb. 5, 1957 E. E. KANEY SELF-UNLOADING TRANSPORT TRUCK Filed April 5, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 r l l l J 1 z \N y rl wwlwml i'ww I 1 4 f-n/z/anfir Edward E Zaney Feb. 5, 1957 E. E. KANEY SELF-UNLOADING TRANSPORT TRUCK Filed April 5, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Edward E. Haney Feb. 5, 1957 E. E. KANEY SELF-UNLOADING TRANSPORT TRUCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 5, 1954 14% Edward E Haney United States Patent M 2,780,369 SELF-UNLOADING TRANSPORT TRUCK Edward E. Kaney, Freeport, Ill.

Application April 5, 1954, Serial No. 420,862

27 Claims. c1. 214-83.28)

This invention relates to a new and improved selfunloading highway transport truck construction designed for the transportation interchangeably 'of liquids and granular or pulverized materials, the truck being so constructed that commodities of dry powdered or granular type may be readily and speedily unloaded under air pressure.

The salient feature of my invention consists in the provision, extending lengthwise of the bottom portion of the tank body of the truck at a predetermined elevation with respect to the bottom wall, of compressed air pipes disposed in the lower cut-away portions of the transverse bafiie plates and having nozzles provided thereon in longitudinally spaced relation, some of which are directed upwardly in a predetermined relation to the bafiie plates to agitate and churn up the the material so that it will settle freely and be entrained with the stream of material flowing toward the rear outlet along the bottom wall, all of the other nozzles being directed downwardly and rearwardly to convey the material to an outlet neck provided on the rear end of the tank. The nozzles are all employed in this way in the handling of bulk cement and other pow-' dered and granular products. When handling flour and similar food products, the air employed for discharge of the material will be suitably purified and the domes and unloading valves will be of stainless steel construction to comply with pure food regulations. In the handling of petroleum products, all of the nozzles will be either capped or shut off from inside the pipes if the pipes are not dismounted and removed. In the handling of milk and other food products the domes and unloading valve will be of stainless steel construction and likewise the pipes and nozzles and the caps on the nozzles, if the pipes are not dismounted and removed.

Another important feature of my invention is the provision on the rear lower end portion of the tank of an outlet neck having a peripheral attaching flange on the end thereof onto which various adapters may be secured interchangeably to suit difierent requirements, depending partly upon the material being handled and partly upon where the material is being discharged. The various adapters are also either provided with unloading valves or have such valves connected thereto designed to suit the kind of material being handled, and in the case of an adapter for the discharge of grain or similar material it is preferably equipped with a flexible h-ose extension to permit directing the discharge from one to another of 'two or more bins, hoppers or elevators into which the grain or other material is being unloaded.

Theinven'tion is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 and 2 are plan and side views, respectively, of a transport truck semi-trailer the tank body of which embodies the improvements of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 33 of Fig. 2, indieating in dotted lines how the connections for the two pipes may be jackknifed to enable withdrawal of the pipes;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the battle plate shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is another view similar to Fig. 6 but showing still another form of adapter having a flexible discharge hose attached thereto;

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are a side, top and end view of the outlet neck;

Fig. 13 is a view taken on the line 13-13 of Figs 2 and 14 showing the spacing and arrangement of nozzles on one of the two air discharge pipes in a typical compart-' ment of the tank;

Fig. 14 is a developed section on the line 1414 of Figs. 1, l3 and 15, showing two typical nozzles with their discharge ends capped, and

Figs. 15 and 16 are horizontal sectional details along the lines of Fig. 13 illustrating two methods of sealing the air discharge pipes when the compressed air for discharge of material is not being used and the pipes are not disconnected and removed, Fig. 15 showing caps applied, as in Fig. 14, and Fig. 16 showing a slidable sleeve valve for the inside of the pipe.

Similar reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring to the drawings, and first of all mainly to Figs. 1 to 5, the reference numeral 17 designates an elongated tank body for a semi-trailer, the same having a turntable or upper coupler plate 18 under its front end for supporting the same on the truck to which the trailer is adapted to be detachably coupled in the usual way, the trailer having its front end supported on jacks 19 when it is uncoupled and having tandem axles equipped with dual wheels 20 for support of the rear end. The tank 17 has the usual number of battles or surge plates 21 provided therein transversely thereof at spaced intervals and these the compartments for filling, the openings in the domes being large enough to serve as manholes and the openings 22 being also large enough to permit a workman who has entered the tank to go from one compartment into another. The construction thus far described is 'oldand well known, and it will soon be evident that the improvements of my invention have been designed with a view to incorporating the same with a minimum amount of change in the rest of the construction.

In accordance with my invention, the holes 23, which are all in alignment longitudinally of the bottom of the tank 17, are utilized for the extension lengthwise in the bottom portion of the tank at a suitable elevation with respect to the bottom wall of a pair of compressed air conduits or

pipes

25 and 26 which are suitably capped at the rear end, as indicated at 27, and are interconnected at their front ends ;by

elbows

28 and 29 interconnected by by a nipple 30 on an axis parellel to the

pipes

25 and 26, so that the connections may be jackknifed, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, to enable withdrawal of the pipes from the rear end of the tank. Brackets 31 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the baffles 21 and projecting inwardly from the opposite sides of the V openings 23 serve as supports for the

pipes

25 and 26,

Patented Feb. 5, 1957 a sen l but when the connections. 28-29. are jackknifed these pipes are brought together close enough to clear the brackets and drop to the bottom of the tank so that they may be removed. through the outlet neck 32 after removal of the cover plate 33 that is bolted to the attaching flange 34 provided on the rear end of the neck 32. The

pipes

25 and 26 have 90 elbow shaped

nozzles

35 and 36 provided thereon in longitudinally spaced relation. Nozzles 35 project horizontally inwardly toward one another from

pipes

25 and 26 and are directed rearwardly and more or less downwardly toward the bottom of the tank to discharge powerful air streams toward the rear end of the tank so as to. conduct the. material of powdered or granular type with it for discharge directly out of the neck 32 or through a suitable unloading valve, mounted thereon or on an adapter. In Fig. 1 these jets are indicated at a and b. The nozzles 36 project from the other sides of. the pipes and are directed more, or. less downwardly and inwardly and rearwardly 10.1 callseeutrainment of. materialffromithe side portions of the compartments with the stream of material moving rearwardly along. the rearwardly and downwardly inclinedggangway defined on the bottom of the tank through the longitudinally aligned openings 23. These jets are indicatediatc and d in Fig. l. The hopper-like bottom portion of the tank 17 (see Figs. 3 and makes the material gravitate toward the nozzles. Also, as indicated at123', the baffles 21 have their lower portions on opposite sides of openings 23 bent rearwardly so as to expedite entrainment. of material from the sides of each compartment in the rearward flow of the materialtoward the outlet. At least one nozzles 37 of the 45 typeis directed upwardly from each of the pipes and 26 at both ends'of each? compartment against the adjacent baffle 21, as shown at the left and right hand ends of Fig. 13, to be sure that the material willn'ot-tend to remain static at these places and-thus interfere with the desired quick discharge of the contents of the tank.

Any suitable or preferred means may be employed for delivery of compressed air to the

pipes

25 and 26.

It may be on the'truck or independent of it. I'have indicatedin Figs. 1 and 2 a transversely. extending manifold '3S which has risers 39 and 40extending upwardly therefrom and suitably detachably coupled with the pipes 25- and 26 respectively, so that the pipes can be disconnecte'd from the manifoldSS -through one of the domes 24 communicatingwith the compartment in which these couplings are located, thus permitting rearward removal ofth'e-

pipes

25 and 26 from the tank,'as previously mentioned. The manifold 38 is connected by a pipe 41 with an aircompressor 42-which is drivenby an internal cornbustion engine 43, the compressor and engine being mountedv on a carriage 44'suitably' secured to andrsuspended from the frame under the tank 17.

In operation, the nozzles 35--37 are all employed in the manner described in the handling of bulk cement and" other powdered and granular" productsf When handlingflour and similar food product sfthef air em ploy'edfor discharge of the material will be suitably purified to prevent contamination, andthe pipes, nozzlesand domes and unloading valve attached to the-neck 32 will be of stainless steel construction, and the inside of the tank will be suitably coated tocomply-with regulations. In the handling of petroleum products, assuming that pipes 25 and26 are to be removed, the risers 39"and I40 are uncoupled from

pipes

25 and 26 and are suitably capped," and then the connections 23 are jackknifed to permit removal of the pipesjrom the tank,through the rear end thereof. on the other hand, these nozzles.

may be fitted with caps likethose indicated at 45 in 14 and 15, or all of thenozzles may be shut ofl by means of a sleeve'valve 46 which may be provided extendinglengthwise of thebore in each of thepipes 25 and '26.,as iIl"'Fig..16, aIld arranged to be moved endwise or turned with respect to the pipe to'shut off all of the' nozzles by moving ports 47 provided in the sleeve out of register with the holes in the pipes with which the nozzles communicate. The sleeves 46 may be operated from the rear end of the tank upon removal of the cover plate 33 and removal of the caps 27 from the rear ends of the pipes. The tank 17 if intended for such uses is preferably coated on the inside to make it resistant to acids and impervious to petroleum products as well as a non-conductor of electricity.

The outlet neck 32 as illustrated in Figs. 10 to 12, is of oblong shape, and, hence, when petroleum products, milk, or acids are being transported, an adapter like that shown at 48 in Figs. 6 and 7 is applied to the neck by means of an attaching flange 49 made to fit the flange 34 and perforated to provide bolt holes registering with the bolt holes in the flange 34 to accommodate a series of bolts a suitable gasket (not shown) being, of course, inserted between the attaching flanges to provide a liquid tight joint. The neck 51 of the adapter 48 is of circular form and has a circular attaching flange 52 by means of which the adapter may be fastened to a suitable unloading val'vetnot shown); In the handling of milk, and other food products, the domes and unloading valve and adapter will be of stainless steel construction and likewise the pipes 25 and26 and caps 45 applied to the nozzles on the pipes, if the pipes are not dismounted and removed.

In the handling of grain, an adapter like that shown at 53 in Fig. 9 is applied to the discharge neck 32 after the cover plate 33 has been removed, the adapter 53 having an attaching flange 54 which can be bolted to the attaching flange 34, as indicated at 55. A second adaoter 56 boltsonto the attaching flange 57 of the adapter 53 by means of its attaching flange 58 and a flexible extension hose 59 of canvas or other suitable construction is secured to the adapter 56 and serves to conduct the grain or other granular material to the bin, hopper, elevator, or other receptable that is to receive the material.

In the handling of bulk cement, an adapter like that shown at 60 in Fig. 8 is secured to the neck 32 by bolting onto the attachingflange 34 similarly as in Fig. 9 when the cover plate 33 has been removed. This adapter 60 has the discharge neck thereof of rectangular form and has ahand-controlled unloading valve 61 provided therein swingable like a gate with the cross-rod 62 from a substantially vertical closed position to as wide an open position as desired, as indicated in dotted lines. A rectangular cap 63 is fastenable by means of its attaching flange 64 to the attaching flange 65 on the outlet end of the adapter 60. A handle 66 is shown extending'from one end of the rod 62 for manipulation of the unloading valve 61.

For off-the-road use, as in interplant carrying of materials, asfor processing, the tank 17 may be made much larger, so as to enable handling. much larger amounts of material than could be transported on highways due to load'restrictions. And in such units the compressed air would be suppliedfrom the plant lines. Conversely, while'I'have shown a fairly large tank 17, it will be understood that smaller tanks may beprovided, and-in some of these only one compressed air pipe may be used. While I have not shown any protective rear bumper, it will, of course, be understood that one is provided in actual practice shielding the unloading valve and outlet neck from possible damage in the event of collisions.

In closing, I would add that thefront end of the tank 17 may be raised inanysuitable manner, as by jacks 19 or other means, to further speed up the unloading of certain materials that might otherwise take too long with only the small amount of normal inclination of-the tank bottom indicated.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and advantages of my invenarm. The: apphrided cla'ims' have been-drawn: tozcoverl all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

l. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated load carrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending substantially vertical battles mounted therein defining separate compartments therebetween, the baflles having longitudinally aligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable size establishing communication between neighboring compartments and permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the battles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the baflles and having nozzles thereon in each of said compartments directed toward the outlet end of the tank so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, and means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles.

2. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated load carrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending substantially vertical baflles mounted therein defining separate compartments therebetween, the bafiles having longitudinally aligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable size establishing communication between neighboring compartments and permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the bafiles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the baflies and having nozzles thereon in each of said compartments, some of which are directed toward the outlet end of the tank so 3 as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, while others are directed in acute angle relationship to the direction of discharge from the first mentioned nozzles to cause entrainment of material from the side portions of the compartments with the stream of material propelled by the first mentioned nozzles, and means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles.

3. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated load carrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending substantially vertical battles mounted therein defining separate compartments therebetween, the batlles having longitudinally aligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable size establishing communication between neighboring compartments and permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the battles, a pipe extending lengthwise 'of the tank through said aligned openings in the bafiies and having nozzles thereon, some of which are directed toward the outlet end of the tank so as to propel drymaterial under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge t'rom the tank, while others are directed in acute angle relationship to the direction of discharge from the first mentioned nozzles to cause entrainment of material from the side portions of the compartments with the stream of material propelled by the first mentioned nozzles, and while still others are directed upwardly against the battles to loosen the material in that vicinity and cause it to settle to the vicinity of the first mentioned nozzles, and means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles.

4. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated load carrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending substantially vertical bafiles mounted therein defining separate compartments therebetween, the baflles having longitudinally aligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable size establishing communication between neighboring compartments and permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesald openings in the baffles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the baffles and having nozzles thereon in each of said compartments, some of which are directed toward the outlet end of the tank so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, while others are directed upwardly against the bafiles to loosen the material in that vicinity and cause it to settle to the vicinity of the first mentioned nozzles, and means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles.

5. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 including a second pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the baffles in laterally spaced relationship to the other pipe, said second pipe having nozzles thereon similarly as the other pipe and being likewise supplied with compressed air for discharge from said nozzles.

6. A vehicle as set forth in claim 2 including a second pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the bafiles in laterally spaced relationship to the other pipe, said second pipe having nozzles thereon similarly as the other pipe and being likewise supplied with compressed air for discharge from said nozzles.

7. A vehicle as set forth in claim 3 including a second pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the battles in laterally spaced relationship to the other pipe, said second pipe having nozzles thereon similarly as the other pipe and being likewise supplied with compressed air for discharge from said nozzles.

8. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated load carrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending bafies mounted therein, the baffles having longitudinally aligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable size permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the bafiles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the bafiles and having nozzles thereon, some of which are directed toward the outlet end of the tank so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, while others are directed upwardly against the baffles to loosen the material in that vicinity and cause it to settle to the vicinity of the first mentioned nozzles, means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, and a second pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the battles in laterally spaced relationship to the other pipe, said second pipe having nozzles thereon similarly as the other pipe and being likewise supplied with compressed air for discharge from said nozzles.

9. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated load carrying tank having a plurality of Iongitudinally spaced, transversely extending baffles mounted therein, the batlles having longitudinally aligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable size permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the bafiles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the baffles and having nozzles thereon directed toward the outlet end of the tank so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, and means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, each of said baflles having the portions on opposite sides of the bottom openingbent at an acute angle to the rest of the baffle in the general direction of the outlet end of the tank so asto facilitate compartments and permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of: said; tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in; the; baffles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the battles and havingnozzles thereon directed toward the outlet end of the: tank so asto propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, and-means for elevating the tank at the end remote from the outlet to facilitate unloading of certain materials.

11. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated load carrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending bafi'les mounted therein, the baffles having longitudinally aligned bottomopenings provided therein of appreciable size permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of, the tankthe full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the bafies, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank'through said aligned openingsin the baffies and having nozzles thereon directed toward-the outlet end of the tank so as to propel dry materialunder air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, said tank being adapted to be used interchangeably for transportation of liquids, and caps applied to and closing said nozzles against ingress of liquid when the tank is loaded with liquid.

12. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated load carrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely. extending. baflies mounted therein, the baffles having longitudinally aligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable size permittingniaterial to, flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of-the tank, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment'with the aforesaid openings in the batfles, a pipe extending lengthwise of thetank through said-alignedopenings in the battles and having nozzles thereon directed toward the outlet end of the tank so asto propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for'discharge-from the tank, mean for supplying: compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, said tank being: adapted to be used interchangeably for transportationof liquids, and a ported sleeve valve inside said pipe having its portsnormally in register with open ings provided in the pipe communicating with the nozzles, saidsleeve valve being shiftable to a closed position to prevent entry of liquid when the tank is loaded with liquid.

13. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an-elongated-load carrying tank having aplurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending bafiles mounted therein, the baffles having longitudinally aligned bottom openings provided therein ofappreciable size permitting material to flow freely lengthwise-'ofith'e bottom of the tank the full lengtlinthereof, an outlet" on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment, with the. aforesaid. openings in the. baflles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through. said alignedopenings in the baffi'es and having nozzles thereon directed toward the outlct'end of the tank so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, said tank being adapted to be used interchangeably for transportation of liquids, and means detachably connecting said pipe with said last named means so as to permit removal of the pipe when the tank is to be loaded with liquid.

14. A vehicle of the character described, comprising; an elongated load carrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending bafilcs mounted therein, the baffies having longitudinally alignedbottom openings provided therein of appreciable size permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of. the tank the full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the bafiles, a pair of substantially parallel pipes extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the bafiles and having nozzles thereon directed toward the outlet end of the tank so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, supporting ledges on said baflles on opposite sides of said openings on which the pipes are normally disposed in a predetermined elevated relation to the bottom of the tank, said pipes being interconnected at at least one end thereof by laterally extending portions which have a hinge connection, which when extended to hold the pipes apart serve to retain the same on said ledges and which when folded bring the pipes closer together clear of the ledges so as to enable dropping the same to the tank bottom for removal from the tank, said tank being adapted to be used interchangeably for transportation of liquids, means for supplying compressed air to said pipes for discharge from said nozzles, and means detachably connecting said pipes with said last named means so as to permit removal of the pipes when the tank is to be loaded with liquid.

15. A vehicle of the character described adapted for use interchangeably in the transportation of dry granular and powdered materials or liquids, said vehicle comprising an elongated substantially horizontal load carrying tank provided with an outlet on the lower rear end portion thereof, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank in the lower portion thereof in front of said outlet having nozzles directed toward said outlet so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said outlet for discharge from the tank, means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, and caps applied to and closing said nozzles against ingress of liquid when the tank is loaded 'with liquid.

16. A vehicle of the character described adapted for use interchangeably in the transportation of dry granular and powdered materials or liquids, said vehicle comprising an elongated substantially horizontal load carrying tank provided with an outlet on the lower rear end portion thereof, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank in the lower portion thereof in front of said outlet having nozzles directed toward said outlet so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said outlet for discharge from the tank, means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, and a ported: sleeve valve inside said pipe having its ports normally in register with openings provided in the pipe communicating with the nozzles, said sleeve valve being shiftable to a closed position to prevent entry of liquid when the tank is loaded with liquid.

17. A vehicle of the character described adapted for use interchangeably in the transportation of dry granular and powdered materials or liquids, said vehicle compris-' ing an elongated'substantially horizontal load carrying" tank provided with an outlet on the lower rear end portion thereof, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank in the lower portion thereof in front of said outlet having nozzles directed toward said outlet so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said outlet for discharge from the tank, means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, and means detachably connecting said .pipe with said last named means so as to perinit removal of the pipe when the tank is to be loaded with liquid.

18. A vehicle of the character described adapted for use interchangeably in the transportation of dry granular and powdered materials or liquids, said vehicle comprising an elongated substantially horizontal load carrying tank provided with an outlet neck on the lower rear end portion thereof, said neck being provided with an attaching flange, a closure plate removably applied to said flange to close the outlet, an adapter discharge fitting having an attaching flange matching the last named flange and applicable thereto upon removal of said plate, and a hand controlled unloading valve in said fitting.

19. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated load carrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending bafiies mounted therein, the balfles having longitudinally aligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable size permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the baflles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the battles and having nozzles thereon directed toward the outlet end of the tank so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, a second pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the baifles in laterally spaced relationship to the other pipe and having nozzles thereon also directed toward the outlet end of the tank to propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aligned openings for discharge from the tank, and means for supplying compressed air to said pipes for discharge from said nozzles, said pipes being disposed adjacent opposite sides of said aligned openings, and said battles having the portions thereof on opposite sides of said openings bent at an acute angle in the general direction of the outlet end of the tank to facilitate entrainment of material from the sides of the compartments defined between baffles with the stream of material flowing through said aligned openings toward said outlet.

20. A vehicle of the character described adapted for use interchangeably in the transportation of dry granular and powdered materials or liquids, said vehicle comprising an elongated substantially horizontal load carrying tank provided with an outlet neck on the lower rear end portion thereof, said neck being provided with an attaching flange, an adapter discharge fitting equipped with an attaching flange to match the last named flange for detachable application to the outlet neck to suit the material or liquid to be carried in the tank and be discharged from the neck, and an unloading valve in said fitting.

21. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated load carrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending substantially vertical baflles mounted therein defining separate compartments therebetween, the baflles having longitudinally aligned bottom openings provided therein of appreciable size establishing communication between neighboring compartments and permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid opening-s in the bafiles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the battles and having nozzles thereon in each of said compartments directed toward the outlet end of the tank was to'propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, said baflies having the portions thereof on opposite sides of said openings bent at an acute angle in the general direction of the outlet end of the tank to facilitate flow of material from the sides of the compartments with the stream of material flowing through said aligned openings toward said outlet, means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, and means for elevating the 'tank at the end remote from the outlet to facilitate unloading of said materials.

22. A vehicle as set forth in claim 21, including nozzles on said pipe in each of said compartments directed at an acute angle relationship to the direction of discharge from the other nozzles to encourage entrainment of material from the side portions of the compartments with the stream of material propelled by the other nozzles.

23. A vehicle as set forth in claim 21, including other nozzles on said pipe in each of said compartments directed upwardly against the baflles to loosen the material in that vicinity and cause it to settle to the vicinity of the other nozzles.

24. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated load carrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending substantially vertical baflles mounted therein defining separate compartments therebetween, the baflles having longitudinally aligned bottom opening provided therein of appreciable size establishing communication between neighboring compartments and permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the baffles, a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the baffles and having nozzles thereon in each of said compartments directed toward the outlet end of the tank so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, other nozzles on said pipe in each of said compartments directed in acute angle relationship to the direction of discharge from the first mentioned nozzles to encourage entrainment of material from the side portions of the compartments with the stream of material propelled by the first mentioned nozzles, means'for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, and means for elevating tthe tank at the end remote from the outlet end to facilitate unloading of said materials.

25. A vehicle of the character described, comprising an elongated load carrying tank having a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending substantially vertical baffles mounted therein defining separate compartments 'therebetween, the bafiles having longitudinally aligned bottom opening provided therein of appreciable size establishing communication between neighboring compartments and permitting material to flow freely lengthwise of the bottom of the tank the full length thereof, an outlet on one end of the bottom portion of said tank in longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid openings in the baflles, -a pipe extending lengthwise of the tank through said aligned openings in the bafiles and having nozzles thereon in each of said compartments directed toward the outlet end of the tank so as to propel dry material under air pressure toward said end through the aforesaid aligned openings for discharge from the tank, other nozzles on said pipe in each of said compartments directed upwardly against the baflles to loosen the material in that vicinity and cause it to settle to the vicinity of the first mentioned nozzles, means for supplying compressed air to said pipe for discharge from said nozzles, and means for elevating the tank at the end remote from the outlet to facilitate unloading of said materials.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Grindl- Aug. 21, Sche're'r Sept. 21, Robinson Apr. 7, Thv'ia'ifs June 20, McKe'n'na -2 Feb. 20, Evans Jan. 20, Kefidall Oct, 17, Cellwork Jan. 2, Bdiich Dec. 25, I-Ia'ckley 2 Apr. 22,

FOREIGN PATENTS France Apr. 10,

Germany Aug. 6,