Combined dump truck and spreader apparatus

Abstract

A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a truck chassis and a dump body for receiving and dispensing materials. The dump body has a first end, a second end, a first side wall and a second side wall, the dump body being pivotally secured to the chassis about a pivotal axis. A hoist device extends between the dump body and the chassis for selectively pivoting the dump body about the pivotal axis. A tailgate is pivotally secured to the first end of the dump body about a further pivotal axis for selectively permitting dumping of the materials therethrough when the dump body is pivoted about the pivotal axis. A conveyor device is disposed substantially at a bottom of the dump body and extends substantially between the first end and the second end thereof for conveying the materials along the dump body. A spreader device cooperates with the conveyor device for spreading the materials. Also, the first side wall and the second side wall curve downwardly and inwardly toward the conveyor device such that the dump body defines a substantially semi-circular cross sectional configuration for guiding and deflecting the materials within the dump body toward the conveyor device.

1 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus, said apparatus comprising: 
 a truck chassis;    a dump body for receiving and dispensing materials, said dump body having a first end, a second end, a first side wall, and a second side wall, said dump body being pivotally secured to said chassis about a pivotal axis;    hoist means extending between said dump body and said chassis for selectively pivoting said dump body about said pivotal axis;    a tailgate pivotally secured to said first end of said dump body about a further pivotal axis for selectively permitting dumping of the materials therethrough when said dump body is pivoted about said pivotal axis;    conveyor means disposed substantially at a bottom of said dump body and extending substantially between said first end and said second end thereof for conveying the materials along said dump body;    spreader means cooperating with said conveyor means for spreading the materials; and    said first side wall and said second side wall curving downwardly and inwardly toward said conveyor means such that said dump body defines a substantially semi-circular cross sectional configuration for guiding and deflecting the materials within said dump body toward said conveyor means.    
   
   
       2 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 said spreader means includes:    a spreader provided adjacent the second end of the dump body.    
   
   
       3 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 said spreader means includes:    a spreader provided adjacent the first end of the dump body.    
   
   
       4 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein 
 said conveyor means includes:    at least one chain disposed between said first side wall and said second side wall of said dump body;    first sprocket means drivingly co-operating with said chain and disposed adjacent to said first end of said dump body for guiding said chain;    second sprocket means drivingly co-operating with said chain and disposed adjacent to said second end of said dump body for guiding said chain;    drive means operably connected to at least one of said sprocket means for driving said conveyor means, said drive means including a drive motor associated with at least one of said first and second sprocket means, said conveyor means being arranged for moving the materials toward the second end of said dump body.    
   
   
       5 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein 
 said conveyor means includes:    at least one chain disposed between said first side wall and said second side wall of said dump body;    first sprocket means drivingly co-operating with said chain and disposed adjacent to said first end of said dump body for guiding said chain;    second sprocket means drivingly co-operating with said chain and disposed adjacent to said second end of said dump body for guiding said chain;    drive means operably connected to at least one of said sprocket means for driving said conveyor means, said drive means including a drive motor associated with at least one of said first and second sprocket means, said conveyor means being arranged for moving the materials toward the first end of said dump body.    
   
   
       6 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 said spreader means includes:    a first spreader provided adjacent the first end of the dump body and a second spreader provided adjacent the second end of the dump body;    said conveyor means including:    at least one chain disposed between said side walls of said dump body;    first sprocket means drivingly co-operating with said chain and disposed adjacent to said first end of said dump body for guiding said chain;    second sprocket means drivingly co-operating with said chain and disposed adjacent to said second end of said dump body for guiding said chain;    drive means operably connected to at least one of said sprocket means for driving said conveyor means, said drive means including a drive motor associated with at least one of said first and second sprocket means, said conveyor means being arranged for moving the materials selectively toward the first end of the dump body or toward the second end of the dump body.    
   
   
       7 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 4  wherein 
 said first side wall and said second side wall guide the materials downwardly toward said conveyor means, the arrangement being such that when the materials are received within said dump body, said first side wall and said second side wall deflect the materials toward said conveyor means.    
   
   
       8 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 5  wherein 
 said first side wall and said second side wall guide the materials downwardly toward said conveyor means, the arrangement being such that when the materials are received within said dump body, said first side wall and said second side wall deflect the materials toward said conveyor means.    
   
   
       9 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein 
 said first side wall and said second side wall guide the materials downwardly toward said conveyor means, the arrangement being such that when the materials are received within said dump body, said first side wall and said second side wall deflect the materials toward said conveyor means.    
   
   
       10 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 said conveyor means includes:    a first and second chain, said chains being disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other between said first side wall and said second side wall of said body;    a plurality of materials moving slats, each slat extending between said chains;    a first sprocket means drivingly co-operating with said chains and disposed adjacent to said first end of said dump body for guiding said chains;    a second sprocket means drivingly co-operating with said chains and disposed adjacent to said second end of said dump body for guiding said chains; and    drive means operably connected to at least one of said sprocket means for driving said conveyor means.    
   
   
       11 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein 
 said drive means includes:    a drive motor associated with at least one of said first and second sprocket means;    means operatively connected between said drive motor and the associated sprocket means, the arrangement being such that movement of said conveyor means for moving the materials in either direction between said ends of said body is permitted.    
   
   
       12 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein 
 said conveyor means includes:    an auger;    drive means operably connected to said auger for driving said auger;    said drive means including:    a drive motor;    said conveyor means being arranged for moving the materials toward the second end of said dump body.    
   
   
       13 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein 
 said conveyor means includes:    an auger;    drive means operably connected to said auger for driving said auger;    said drive means including:    a drive motor;    said conveyor means being arranged for moving the materials toward the first end of said dump body.    
   
   
       14 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 said spreader means includes:    a first spreader provided adjacent the first end of the dump body and a second spreader provided adjacent the second end of the dump body;    said conveyor means including:    an auger;    drive means operably connected to said auger for driving said auger;    said drive means including:    a drive motor;    said conveyor means being arranged for moving the materials selectively toward the first end of the dump body or toward the second end of the dump body.    
   
   
       15 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 12  wherein 
 said first side wall and said second side wall guide the materials downwardly toward said conveyor means, the arrangement being such that when the materials are received within said dump body, said first side wall and said second side wall deflect the materials toward said conveyor means.    
   
   
       16 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 13  wherein 
 said first side wall and said second side wall guide the materials downwardly toward said conveyor means, the arrangement being such that when the materials are received within said dump body, said first side wall and said second side wall deflect the materials toward said conveyor means.    
   
   
       17 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 14  wherein 
 said first side wall and said second side wall guide the materials downwardly toward said conveyor means, the arrangement being such that when the materials are received within said dump body, said first side wall and said second side wall deflect the materials toward said conveyor means.    
   
   
       18 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus for selectively dumping and spreading materials, said apparatus comprising: 
 a truck chassis;    a dump body for receiving and dispensing the materials, said body having a first and a second end and a first and a second side wall, said body being pivotally secured to said chassis about a pivotal axis;    hoist means extending between said body and said chassis for selectively pivoting said body about said pivotal axis;    a tailgate pivotally secured to said first end of said body about a further pivotal axis for selectively permitting dumping of the materials therethrough when said body is pivoted about said pivotal axis;    auger means disposed within said body and extending between said first and second ends thereof for transporting the materials along said body;    said tailgate defining an opening which co-operates with said auger means for permitting the flow therethrough of the materials, the arrangement being such that selective spreading and dumping of the materials from said opening is permitted; and    said side walls curving downwardly and inwardly towards said auger means such that said dump body defines a substantially semi-circular cross sectional configuration for guiding and evenly deflecting all of the materials within said body towards said auger means along the entire length of said auger means.