US3815765A

US3815765A - Material transport

Info

Publication number: US3815765A
Application number: US00354450A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Moser; R Stedman
Original assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co
Current assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Priority date: 1973-04-25
Filing date: 1973-04-25
Publication date: 1974-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-11

Abstract

A material transport providing a material receiving body having a forwardly disposed loading end and a normally closed rearward ejection end including a pusher mechanism disposed transversely of and reciprocably mounted within the material receiving body. The pusher mechanism includes a pair of members which are relatively movable between a first position providing an opening therebetween for admitting material into the material receiving body through the pusher mechanism and a second position forming a substantially continuous wall. A power actuating device is operatively associated with the pusher mechanism for selectively moving the pair of members between the first and second positions and for selectively reciprocating the pusher mechanism between the loading and ejection ends of the material receiving body.

Description

United States Patent Moser et a1 MATERIAL TRANSPORT [75] Inventors: Raymond L. Moser, Tremont;

Robert N. Stedman, Chillicothe,

both of 111.

[73] Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, 111.

[22] Filed: Apr. 25, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 354,450

[52] U.S. Cl 214/82, 214/510, 214/83.3 [51] Int. Cl B60p 1/00 [58] Field of Search 214/82, 83.3, 510

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,284,661 6/1942 Joy 214/82 2,430,973 11/1947 Boissonnault.... 214/82 X 2,695,110 11/1954 Feidert 214/83.3 X

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,501,990 10/1967 France 214/83.3

403 ,629 6/ 1 966 Switzerland 1 June 11, 1974 Primary ExaminerAlbert .1. Makay Assistant ExnminerR. B. Johnson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ralph E. Walters 5 7] ABSTRACT A material transport providing a material receiving body having a forwardly disposed loading end and a normally closed rearward ejection end including a pusher mechanism disposed transversely of and reciprocably mounted within the material receiving body. The pusher mechanism includes a pair of members which are relatively movable between a first position providing an opening therebetween for admitting material into the material receiving body through the pusher mechanism and a second position forming a substantially continuous wall. A power actuating device is operatively associated with the pusher mechanism for selectively moving the pair of members between the first and second positions and for selectively reciprocating the pusher mechanism between the loading and ejection ends of the material receiving body.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJuu 1 1 I914 SHEET 10F 3 PATENTEDJUN 1 1 1914 3.8 1 5; 765

PATENTEDJUNJ 1 i914 snmaur 3 \s2 lE E MATERIAL TRANSPORT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Front loading refuse trucks have attained wide acceptance for the collection of residential-type refuse because of the close proximity of the refuse loading opening to the operator cab. This enables the vehicle to be efficiently loaded and operated by a one-man crew. Such front loading refuse vehicles have not been adapted to utilizing the mechanical ejector commonly found on rear loading refuse trucks because of the difficulties encountered with attempting to place such an.

ejector at the front end of the body without interfering with the front loading opening into the body. Consequently, refuse is gravity discharged from most front loading vehicles by tilting the body upwardly and rearwardly. Because of the adhesiveness of the refuse this discharging method normally leaves a substantial amount of residue inside the body which reduces capacity during subsequent use and which ultimately OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a material transport having an improved pusher mechanism disposed within a material receiving body which permits material to be loaded into one end of the body and to be discharged from the other.

Another object of this invention is to provide such an improved pusher mechanism which insures effective distribution and compaction of material uniformly throughout the entire expanse of the body.

Another object of this invention is to provide such an improved pusher mechanism which provides positive mechanical discharge of material to insure its complete removal from the body.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon reference to the accompanying drawings and following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevational view of a material transport having a pusher mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the pusher mechanism disposed'in a material receiving position.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating the pusher mechanism in an intermediate material loading position.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view similar to the preceding Fig, but illustrating the pusher mechanism in a material packing-ejecting position.

FIG. 5 is a rear sectional view taken along the line V-V of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating an alternate embodiment of the pusher mechanism of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring more particularly to the drawings, a material transport having an improved pusher mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention is generally indicated at 10 in association with a material handling vehicle 11. The material handling device 11 includes a chassis 12 having an elongated main frame 14 disposed along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and supported by front and

rear wheels

16 and 17, respectively. As best shown in FIG. 2, the main frame 14 includes a relatively broad open-topped material loading box 18 interposed the front and

rear wheels

16 and 17. The loading box 18 is formed by a horizontal floor l9'disposed across the bottom of the frame and vertical sidewalls 20 positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle at opposite sides of the floor. A rearwardly and upwardly inclined wall 22 is disposed across the rearward end of the loading box and a perforate front wall 23 is disposed across the forward end thereof. A pair of horizontally disposed channel members 25 are individually mounted to the inner surfaces of the sidewalls 20 of the loading box.

An operators cab 27 is carried on the forward end of the main frame 14 and has a rear wall 28 disposed adjacent to the front wall 23 of the loading box 18. The cab 27 has a recess 29 formed therein opening through the rear wall 28.

As shown in FIG. I, the material handling vehicle 11 further includes an elongatedmaterial receiving body 30 which is carried on top of the rearward end of the main frame 14. The body 30 has a forwardly disposed material loading end 31 and a rearwardly disposed material ejection end 32. As best shown in FIG. 2, the material loading end is spaced behind the rear wall 28 of the cab and is disposed in partially covering relation over the loading box 18 intermediate the front and

rear walls

23 and 22 thereof, respectively. The loading box is thereby divided into a forward portion defining a loading bin 34 disposed ahead of the material loading end 31 and a rearward portion defining a material directing channel 35 underlying and extending rearwardly from the loading end of the body 30.

The material receiving body 30 is formed by a top wall 37, a bottom wall 38, and parallel opposite sidewalls 39. The sidewalls are individually spaced outwardly from the sidewalls 20 of the loading box 18 and are rigidly connected to the respective opposite lateral v edges of the top wall and bottom wall of the body. The bottom wall has an opening 41 formed therein which is coincident with the material directing channel 35 of the loading box 18 to provide communication between the loading bin 34 and the body 30.

A pair of horizontally disposed guide rails 42 are individually mounted to the inside surface of each of the sidewalls 39 and extended along their full lengths for purposes subsequently to be described.

The material ejection end 32 of the body 30 is normally closed by a tailgate 44 as shown in FIG. 1. The tailgate is pivotally attached along its upper edge to the rear end of the top wall 37 of the body by a hinge 45. The tailgate is controlled for movement between open and closed positions by selective actuation of a hydraulic jack 46.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, a material stuffing mechanism 50 is reciprocably mounted for longitudinal movement within the loading bin 34 and includes an arcuately shaped stuffer blade 51 having a height substantially equal to the height of the sidewalls 20 in the loading bin. A pair of rollers 52 are attached by a bracket 53 to each of the opposite sides of the stuffer blade and are rollably mouted in the channel members 25 which extend substantially the length of the loading bin and a relatively short distance through the perforate front wall 23 to guide the stuffer blade during its reciprocative movement. A pair of hydraulic jacks, one of which is shown at 54, each have a cylinder end connected to the frame 14 and a rod end pivotally connected to the stuffer blade 51. Extension and retraction of the jacks effects longitudinal movement of the stuffer blade through the loading bin 34.

An extensible and retractable cover device 56 includes a pair of

cover plates

58 and 59. Cover plate 58 has one end rigidly connected to the upper edge of the stuffer blade 51. A lost motion mechanism 60 is utilized to couple the

cover plates

58 and 59 together to fully cover the loading bin 34 when the stuffing mechanism is extended and to provide compact storage of the cover device when the stuffing mechanism is retracted.

Such lost mechanism includes an upwardly extending lip 62 formed on the other end of the plate 58 which is slidably mounted within a groove 63 formed in the under surface of the plate 59. When retracted, the cover device 56 is stored out of the way in the recess 29 provided in the cab 27.

The pusher mechanism includes a traveling carrier frame 65 having a pair of laterally disposed side plates 66. The side plates are individually positioned in spaced parallel relationship to the opposite sidewalls 39 of the material receiving body 30 and form a pair of relatively narrow cavities 68 respectively therebetween. The side plates 66 are disposed in substantially parallel alignment with the opposite sidewalls of the loading box 18 for a purpose to be subsequently described. Each side plate is generallytriangularly shaped and includes a forward end 69 having a substantially vertical edge 70, and a rearwardly disposed lower corner 71 having a generally inclined edge 72 extending upwardly and forwardly therefrom which forms an upper apex 73 with the vertical edge 70.

A pair of outwardly extending end plates 74 are individually attached to the inclined edges 72 ofeach of the side plates 66. The end plates 74 have outward edges disposed in relatively closely material scraping relationship with the corresponding sidewall 39 of the material receiving body 30.

The side plates 66 of the carrier frame 65 are interconnected by a transverse support member 76 which is disposed between the apexes 73 thereof for maintaining their spaced relationship and for additional strength and rigidity. Each of the side plates rotatably mounts a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers 78 which are disposed within their respective cavities 68 in rolling engagement within the guide rails 42 during reciprocative movement of the carrier frame 65 between the loading end 31 and the ejection end 32 of the body 30.

The pusher mechanism 10 further includes a normally upright pusher blade 80 disposed transversely be tween the side plates 66 of the carrier frame 65 adjacent to their front edges 70. The pusher blade includes opposite upper and lower ends 82 and 83, respectively, and a rearward wall 84. The rearward wall is formed having an upper planar surface 86 and a lower contoured surface 87.

Y The upper end 82 is pivotally mounted at a pivot connection 89 to the carrier frame 65 adjacent the apexes 73 of the side plates 66 for providing pivotal movement of the pusher blade from a normally upright material receiving position forming the front wall of the body 30, as shown in FIG. 2, to an inclined material compacting-ejecting position which is substantially parallel with the inclined edges 72 of the carrier side plates 66, as shown in FIG. 4.

When the pusher blade 80 is disposed in the material receiving position shown in FIG. 2, the lower end 83, in conjunction with the floor 19 and sidewalls 20 of the loading box 18, combine to form a rectangularly shaped opening 90 at the rear of the loading bin 34.

A material loading ramp 92 is laterally disposed between the side plates 66 of the carrier frame 65 and is normally extended downwardly into the material directing channel 35 to provide an inclined surface 94 leading from the open rear end of the loading bin 34v and into the body 30 for loading purposes. The ramp 92 includes a pivot end 95 disposed adjacent the lower rearward corner 71 of the carrier side plates 66 and a forwardly extending free end 96.

The pusher mechanism 10 is manipulated by a power actuating device 98 which includes a pair of telescoping multi-stage hydraulic jacks 99. The jacks are individually longitudinally disposed along the base of each of the carrier cavities 68. Each jack 99 has its cylinder end pivotally mounted to the material receiving body 30 by a bracket 100 and its rod end pivotally connected to one end of a pair of levers 102, as best shown in FIG. 5. A pair of shafts 103 each have one end individually nonrotatably attached to the other ends of the levers 102. The shafts 103 are rotatably extended through their associated carrier side plates 66 adjacent the lower corners 71 thereof and have their opposite ends nonrotatably connected to the pivot end 95 of the ramp 92. The shafts 103 also function as a pivot connection for pivotally connecting the pivot end ofthe ramp to the carrier frame 65.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, a pair of links 105 are individually disposed between the carrier side plates 66 and opposite lateral sides of the pusher blade 80 and the ramp 92. A first pivot connection 106 pivotally connects one end of the links to the ramp 92 intermediate its pivot end 95 and its free end 96. A second pivot connection 107 pivotally connects the other end of the link to the pusher blade 80 adjacent its lower end 83.

SECOND FORM An alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein components identical to those employed in the first form are designated by corresponding reference numerals. In this embodiment, an alternate pusher mechanism 110 has a carrier frame 111 which includes a pair of laterally spaced upstanding sidewalls 112 having a rearwardly disposed lower corner 113. The sidewalls have a parallel spacing equidistant to the width of the material loading box 18 for permitting upward pivotal movement of a loading ramp 115 between the sidewalls. The ramp includes a free end 116 and a pivot end 117. The pivot end 117 is connected to the sidewalls adjacent to the lower corners 113 thereof and the power actuating device 98 in the same manner as described with respect to the first form. A pusher blade 118 is formed integrally with the sidewalls and includes a rearward wall 119 having a rearwardly disposed peak 120 disposed intermediate upper and lower ends 121 and 122, respectively, of the pusher blade. The rearward wall 119 also has a forwardly sloping surface 124 extending upwardly from the peak 120 and an arcuately shaped surface 125 extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom.

OPERATION While the operation of the present invention is believed to be clearly apparent from the foregoing description, further amplification will subsequently be made in the following brief summary of such operation. In operation, material is deposited into the loading bin 34 when the pusher mechanism and the material stuffing mechanism 50 are disposed in their normal material receiving positions, as best shown in FIG. 2. After the material is loaded, it is transferred from the loading bin 34 by the material stuffing mechanism 50 through the selective actuation of the hydraulic jacks 54. Such actuation causes longitudinal movement of the stuffer blade 51 through the loading bin from its forward position shown in FIG. 2 to its rearward position shown in FIG. 3. During such movement, the stuffer blade causes the material to be forced through the rectangular opening 90 at the rear end of the loading bin, up the loading ramp 92 and into the material receiving body 30.

As repetitive cycles of the material stuffing mechanism 50 begin filling the body with material, the subsequent material being forced into the body by the stuffer blade 51 results in some preliminary compaction of the material in the body. During the cycling of the stuffer blade the cover device 56 prevents material from spilling over onto the jack side of the stuffer blade which permits continuous loading as any deposited material is automatically scraped off the cover device into the loading bin by engagement with the rear wall 28 of the operators cab 27 upon retraction of the cover device into the recess 29. 1

The pusher mechanism 10 is periodically employed during the above loading operation to obtain greater compaction of the material and to more evenly distribute it throughout the body 30. The utilization of the pusher mechanism 10 also aids in preventing the possible buildup of localized concentrations of material in the body, such as along the bottom wall 38 thereof. The pusher mechanism is utilized by the selective actuation of the telescoping hydraulic jacks 99. Acting through the levers 102 and shafts 103, the initial extension of the jacks 99 causes counterclockwise pivotal rotation of the ramp 92 through an arcuate path from a lower position shown in FIG. 2, through an intermediate position shown in FIG. 3, to a raised position shown in FIG. 4.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the arcuately shaped stuffer blade 51 is formed coincident to the arcuate path followed by the free end 96 of the ramp between the lower and intermediate positions so thatsubstantially all of the material transported into the material directing channel 35 by the stuffer blade is transferred into the material receiving body 30 by the upward pivotal movement of the ramp.

In the lower position wherein the free end 96 of the ramp is disposed along the floor 19 of the loading box 18 as shown in FIG. 2, the second pivot connections 107 of the links 105 are disposed forwardly of and elevationally higher than the first pivot connections 106. Therefore, when the ramp pivots upwardly to its intermediate position, the lower end 83 of the pusher blade is induced by the links to pivot forwardly to permit sufficient operating clearance between it and the free end of the ramp. Upon reaching the intermediate position wherein the free end of the ramp is disposed along the contoured lower surface 87 adjacent to the lower end 83 of the pusher blade as shown in FIG. 3, the second pivot connections 107 are forwardly of and substantially level with the first pivot connections 106. Consequently, as the ramp continues upwardly toward its raised position, the links cross over center to cause the lower end of the pusher blade to reverse its forward pivotal movement and to swing rearwardly in relatively close following relationship with the ramp. In the raised position wherein the free end 96 is disposed along the rearward wall 84 intermediate the upper planar surface 86 and the contoured lower surface 87 as shown in FIG. 4, the second pivot connections 107 are disposed rearwardly of and elevationally lower than the first pivot connections 106. Such a condition permits the disposition of the upper planar surface 86 in substantially linear alignment with the inclined surface 94 of the ramp to form a continuous wall having a relatively steep inclined rearward surface extending downwardly and rearwardly from the carrier side plate apexes 73 to the pivot end 95 of the ramp.

Between the intermediate and raised positions of the ramp the links and the contoured surface 87 coact to maintain the free end 96 of the ramp in relatively close material scraping relationship to the rearward wall 84 of the pusher blade to minimize any tendency for accumulation of material on the pusher blade.

As the ramp 92 is raised through the initial extension of the telescoping jacks 99, the material contained thereon is propelled upwards to aid in the distribution of the material in the upper portion of the body 30. Continued extension of the jacks causes rearward movement of the pusher mechanism 10 along the guide rails 42 from the front loading end 31 toward the rear ejection end 32. With the tailgate 44 closed, such rearward travel of the pusher mechanism 10 results in further compaction of the material in the body 30, and the inclined surface of the continuous wall functions as a wedge to further aid in propelling the material upwardly to obtain a uniform distribution of the material throughout the body.

Upon the completion of the extension of the telescoping jacks 99, the jacks are retracted to return the pusher mechanism 10 to the front loading end 31 of the material receiving body 30 and to its former material receiving position as shown in FIG. 2. Additional material may then be loaded into the body 30 by subsequent cycles of the material stuffing mechanism 50 in the manner previously described.

After completing the loading of the material receiving body 30, the body is unloaded by raising the tailgate particularly due to the sloping rearward surface of the continuous wall from which material is permitted freely to gravitate. Repositioning of the pusher mechanism 10 at the loading end 31 of the body and closing of the tailgate 44 reconditions the vehicle for the further collection of material.

OPERATlON OF SECOND FORM of the material loading box 18 in the lower position as shown in FIG. 6. In the raised position, the free end is disposed along the peak 120 so that the continuous wall has a rearward surface sloping upwardly and forwardly from the pivot end 117 of the ramp to the upper end 121 of the pusher blade. The arcuately shaped surface 125 is formed coincident to the arcuate path of the ramp so that the free end 116 thereof is continually disposed in relatively closely spaced material scraping relationship to such surface throughout the entire range of pivotal movement of the ramp along the surface. Be-

cause the pusher blade 118 is formed integrally with the carrier frame 111, the arcuately shaped surface 125 is substituted for the pivotal movement of the previously described pusher blade 80. However, the links 105 are eliminated which were formerly required to coordinate such pivotal movement of the pusher blade 80 with pivotal movement of the ramp 92.

In view of the foregoing, it is readily apparent that the 7 structure of the present invention facilitates the operation and rapid loading of material with a one-man crew by locating the loading bin of the material receiving body immediately behind the operator cab. Thus, the necessity and expense of having additional crew members to do such loading is thereby eliminated. In addition, because the loading bin is integrally formed into the main frame of the vehicle, the top of the bin is muchcloser to the ground than that of bins customarily placed on top of the frame. Consequently, the time and energy required to load material into the bin is also greatly reduced. It is furtherapparent that the load carrying efficiency of the vehicle is greatly increased by the structure of the pusher mechanism which causes the material to be forced upwardly by the action of the ramp relative to the pusher blade and the movement of the inclined continuous wall formed by the coacting pusher blade and ramp to distribute the material uniformly throughout the entire volume of the body in a maximum compacted condition. The pusher mechanism also functions as an ejector for attaining complete and positive discharge of material from the rear of the body when the tailgate is raised.

It is therefore readily apparent that the ramp and pusher blade coact in a unique manner to load, compact and discharge material handled by the transport vehicle of the present invention unlike any vehicle heretofore devised for the purpose.

While the invention has been describedand shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention which is not intended to be limited except as defined in the following claims. i

What is claimed is:

1. A material transport providing a material receiving body having a loading end and a normally closed ejection end, comprising;

pusher means including frame means having a pair of pusher members mounted thereon and disposed within said material receiving body for reciprocal movement between said loading and ejection ends thereof, means for moving at least one member of said pair of members relative to the other member of said pair of members on said frame means be tween a first and second position when said members are located adjacent said loading end such that when the one movable member is in said first positionit provides an opening and a material guiding means for admitting material into said receiving body and when said movable member is in said second position it forms a substantially continuous material pushing wall surface with the other member of said pair of members,

multi-phase actuating means operatively connected to said pusher means for selective powered movement of said members between said first and second positions in one phase-of operation and for se lective powered reciprocation of said pusher means between said loading and ejection ends of said material receiving body when said members are in said second position in another phase of operation.

2. The material transport of claim 1 wherein one of said pair of members is a generally upright pusher blade having opposite upper and lower ends and a rearward wall, and the other of said pair of members is a material loading ramp having a pivot end and an opposite free end.

3. The material transport of claim 2 wherein said material receiving body includes a pair of parallel opposite sidewalls and said frame means includes;

a carrier frame having a pair of interconnected laterally spaced upstanding side plates individually disposed adjacent to said opposite sidewalls of the body and each having a forward end, a lower rearward corner, and a pivot connection mounted adjacent said lower rearward corner, said pusher blade being supported by said side plates in interconnecting relation therebetween adjacent the forward ends thereof, and said pivot connection pivotally mounting the pivot end of said ramp to said side plate for swinging movement of said free end in an arcuate path between a lower position disposed below said lower end of the pusher blade and a raised position disposed along said rearward wall of the pusher blade.

4. The material transport of claim 3 wherein said multi-phase actuating means includes;

a pair of levers individually rotatably connected to said side plates of the carrier frame and having opposite ends, one end thereof being nonrotatably mounted on said pivot end of the ramp; and

a pair of hydraulic jacks individually mounted on said body and having an end pivotally connected to the other end of said levers whereby initial extension of said hydraulic jacks causes said pivotal movement of said ramp from its lower position to its raised position and further extension of said jacks moves said pusher means toward the ejection end of said body.

5. The material transport of claim 4 including;

a pair of laterally spaced horizontal guide members. longitudinally extended within and attached to said material receiving body; and

a pair of roller members individually attached to each of said side plates of the carrier frame for rolling engagement with said guide members whereby said pusher means is supported for longitudinal movement between said loading and ejection ends of the body.

6. The material transport of claim 5 wherein each of said side plates of the carrier frame are generally triangularly shaped and are disposed in substantially parallel spaced relationship to their respectively adjacent sidewalls of said body and have a substantially vertical front edge and a generally inclined rearward edge sloping upwardly forwardly to form an upper apex with said front edge, and said carrier frame includes a pair of outwardly extending end plates individually connected to said inclined edges and having outwardly disposed edges in closely sealing material scraping relationship to their respectively adjacent sidewalls of said body.

7. The material transport of claim 6 including;

pivot means for pivotally connecting the upper end of the pusher blade to the carrier frame adjacent to the apexes of the carrier side plates; and

control means including a link having a first pivot connection pivotally connecting one end thereof to the ramp intermediate its pivot and free ends, and a second pivot connection pivotally connecting the other end thereof to the pusher blade adjacent to its lower end for coupling the pusher blade to the ramp whereby initial upward pivotal movement of said ramp from said lower position permits the free end of the ramp to move into material scraping relationship with the rearward wall of said pusher blade adjacent its lower end and thereafter continued pivotal movement of said ramp toward said raised position is operative through said link to maintain said material scraping relationship of said free end of the ramp with said rearward wall.

8. The material transport of claim 7 wherein said second pivot connection is disposed forwardly of and elevationally higher than the first pivot connection when the ramp is in its lower position'forwardly of and substantially level therewith when the free end of the ramp is raised adjacent the lower end of the pusher blade and rearwardly of and elevationally lower than the first pivot connection when the ramp is in its raised position to induce forward pivotal movement of the pusher blade during initial upward pivotal movement of the ramp to permit clearance of the free end of the ramp with the lower end of the pusher blade and thereafter toinduce rearward pivotal movement of the pusher blade in relatively closely spaced following relationship with the ramp during continued upward pivotal movement of the ramp toward the raised position.

9. The material transport of claim 8 wherein said control means includes a contoured lower surface formed on the rearward wall of the pusher blade to cooperate with said link in maintaining said material scraping relationship of the free end of the ramp with said rearward wall and to permit substantially linear alignment of the pusher blade with the ramp when disposed in said raised position to minimize entrapment of material therebetween.

10. The material transport of claim 5 wherein aid pusher blade is formed integrally with said carrier frame and said rearward wall thereof includes;

a rearwardly disposed peak formed thereon intermediate the upper and lower ends of said pusher blade and having a relatively steep forwardly sloping surface extending upwardly therefrom and an arcuately shaped surface extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom.

11. The material transport of claim 10 wherein said continuous material pushing wall surface is formed when said loading ramp is disposed in said raised position with said free end of the ramp being disposed adjacent to said peak, said continuous material pushing wall surface having a rearward portion sloping forwardly and upwardly from the pivot end of said ramp to the upper end of said pusher blade.

12. The material transport of claim ll] wherein said arcuately shaped surface substantially coincides with the arcuate path described by the free end of said ramp so that said free end is continually relatively closely disposed adjacent to said arcuately shaped surface during the pivotal movement of the ramp between the lower end of the pusher blade and the peak.

Claims

1. A material transport providing a material receiving body having a loading end and a normally closed ejection end, comprising; pusher means including frame means having a pair of pusher members mounted thereon and disposed within said material receiving body for reciprocal movement between said loading and ejection ends thereof, means for moving at least one member of said pair of members relative to the other member of said pair of members on said frame means between a first and second position when said members are located adjacent said loading end such that when the one movable member is in said first position it provides an opening and a material guiding means for admitting material into said receiving body and when said movable member is in said second position it forms a substantially continuous material pushing wall surface with the other member of said pair of members, multi-phase actuating means operatively connected to said pusher means for selective powered movement of said members between said first and second positions in one phase of operation and for selective powered reciprocation of said pusher means between said loading and ejection ends of said material receiving body when said members are in said second position in another phase of operation.

3. The material transport of claim 2 wherein said material receiving body includes a pair of parallel opposite sidewalls and said frame means includes; a carrier frame having a pair of interconnected laterally spaced upstanding side plates individually disposed adjacent to said opposite sidewalls of the body and each having a forward end, a lower rearward corner, and a pivot connection mounted adjacent said lower rearward corner, said pusher blade being supported by said side plates in interconnecting relation therebetween adjacent the forward ends thereof, and said pivot connection pivotally mounting the pivot end of said ramp to said side plate for swinging movement of said free end in an arcuate path between a lower position disposed below said lower end of the pusher blade and a raised position disposed along said rearward wall of the pusher blade.

4. The material transport of claim 3 wherein said multi-phase actuating means includes; a pair of levers individually rotatably connected to said side plates of the carrier frame and having opposite ends, one end thereof being nonrotatably mounted on said pivot end of the ramp; and a pair of hydraulic jacks individually mounted on said body and having an end pivotally connected to the other end of said levers whereby initial extension of said hydraulic jacks causes said pivotal movement of said ramp from its lower position to its raised position and further extension of said jacks moves said pusher means toward the ejection end of said body.

5. The material transport of claim 4 including; a pair of laterally spaced horizontal guide members, longitudinally extended within and attached to said material receiving body; and a pair of roller members individually attached to each of said side plates of the carrier frame for rolling engagement with said guide members whereby said pusher means is supported for longitudinal movement between said loading and ejection ends of the body.

7. The material transport of claim 6 including; pivot means for pivotally connecting the upper end of the pusher blade to the carrier frame adjacent to the apexes of the carrier side plates; and control means including a link having a first pivot connection pivotally connecting one end thereof to the ramp intermediate its pivot and free ends, and a second pivot connection pivotally connecting the other end thereof to the pusher blade adjacent to its lower end for coupling the pusher blade to the ramp whereby initial upward pivotal movement of said ramp from said lower position permits the free end of the ramp to move into material scraping relationship with the rearward wall of said pusher blade adjacent its lower end and thereafter continued pivotal movement of said ramp toward said raised position is operative through said link to maintain said material scraping relationship of said free end of the ramp with said rearward wall.

8. The material transport of claim 7 wherein said second pivot connection is disposed forwardly of and elevationally higher than the first pivot connection when the ramp is in its lower position forwardly of and substantially level therewith when the free end of the ramp is raised adjacent the lower end of the pusher blade and rearwardly of and elevationally lower than the first pivot connection when the ramp is in its raised position to induce forward pivotal movement of the pusher blade during initial upward pivotal movement of the ramp to permit clearance of the free end of the ramp with the lower end of the pusher blade and thereafter to induce rearward pivotal movement of the pusher blade in relatively closely spaced following relationship with the ramp during continued upward pivotal movement of the ramp toward the raised position.

10. The material transport of claim 5 wherein aid pusher blade is formed integrally with said carrier frame and said rearward wall thereof includes; a rearwardly disposed peak formed thereon intermediate the upper and lower ends of said pusher blade and having a relatively steep forwardly sloping surface extending upwardly therefrom and an arcuately shaped surface extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom.

12. The material transport of claim 11 wherein said arcuately shaped surface substantially coincides with the arcuate path described by the free end of said ramp so that said free end is continually relatively closely disposed adjacent to said arcuately shaped surface during the pivotal movement of the ramp between the lower end of the pusher blade and the peak.