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 - 18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . 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 dump body having a rear first end and a front second end and a first side wall and a second side wall, said dump body being pivotally secured to said truck chassis about a first pivotal axis;   a hoist extending between said dump body and said truck chassis;   a tailgate pivotally secured to said rear first end of said dump body about a second pivotal axis for selectively permitting dumping of the materials when said dump body is pivoted about said first pivotal axis;   a first auger disposed substantially along a lower portion of said dump body and extending substantially between said rear first end and said front second end thereof for transporting the materials along said dump body;   said tailgate defining an opening which co-operates with said first auger for permitting the materials to flow through the opening, the arrangement being such that selective spreading and dumping of the materials from said opening is permitted; and   said first side wall and said second side wall curving downwardly and inwardly toward said first auger 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 first auger substantially along the length of said first auger.   
   
   
       20 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said tailgate has a top portion and a bottom portion, said tailgate further including:
 a deflector secured to said bottom portion of said tailgate, said deflector deflecting the materials within said dump body toward said first auger; and   a gate selectively controlling said flow of materials through said opening.   
   
   
       21 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said pivotal axis extends normal to said first side wall and said second side wall and wherein said second pivotal axis is disposed spaced and parallel to said first pivotal axis such that when said tailgate is in a closed position, the materials are contained within said dump body and when said tailgate is pivoted about said second pivotal axis to an open position, dumping of the materials from said dump body is permitted. 
   
   
       22 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said tailgate extends from said first side wall to said second side wall of said dump body, said second pivotal axis being disposed adjacent to said top portion of said tailgate. 
   
   
       23 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said first side wall and said second side wall of said body are disposed substantially parallel and spaced relative to each other. 
   
   
       24 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 19  further comprising:
 a second auger, said first auger and said second auger being disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other between said first side wall and said second side wall of said dump body;   said first auger comprising:
 a first elongate shaft; 
 a first spiral flight secured to said first elongate shaft such that when said first elongate shaft is rotated, said first spiral flight interacts with the materials for feeding the materials toward said first end of said dump body; 
   said second auger comprising:
 a second elongate shaft; 
 a second spiral flight secured to said second elongate shaft such that when said second elongate shaft is rotated, said second spiral flight interacts with the materials for feeding the materials toward said second end of said dump body; 
   a drive operably connected to said first auger and to said second auger for driving said first auger and said second auger.   
   
   
       25 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 24  wherein said drive comprises a drive motor associated with said first auger and said second auger, said drive motor and said first auger and said second auger being arranged such that movement of the materials in either or both directions between said ends of said dump body is permitted. 
   
   
       26 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said second end of said dump body defines an aperture which co-operates with said first auger for permitting the materials to flow through the aperture, the arrangement being such that selective spreading of the materials through said aperture is permitted so that when the materials flow through the aperture, spreading of the materials from said second end of said dump body is permitted for increasing traction of said combined dump truck and spreader apparatus. 
   
   
       27 . 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 rear first end, a front second end, a first side wall, and a second side wall, said dump body being pivotally secured to said truck chassis about a first pivotal axis;   a hoist extending between said dump body and said truck chassis;   a tailgate pivotally secured to said rear first end of said dump body about a second pivotal axis for selectively permitting dumping of the materials when said dump body is pivoted about said first pivotal axis;   a conveyor disposed substantially at a bottom of said dump body and extending substantially between said rear first end and said front second end of said dump body for conveying the materials along said dump body;   a first spreader cooperating with said conveyor for spreading the materials; and   said first side wall and said second side wall curving downwardly and inwardly toward said conveyor 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.   
   
   
       28 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 27  wherein said first spreader is provided adjacent the front second end of the dump body. 
   
   
       29 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 27  wherein said first spreader is provided adjacent the rear first end of the dump body. 
   
   
       30 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 27  wherein said conveyor comprises:
 at least one chain disposed substantially between said first side wall and said second side wall of said dump body;   a first sprocket co-operating with said chain and disposed adjacent to said rear first end of said dump body for guiding said chain;   a second sprocket co-operating with said chain and disposed adjacent to said front second end of said dump body for guiding said chain;   a drive motor operably connected to at least one of said first and second sprockets for driving said conveyor, said drive motor associated with at least one of said first and second sprockets, said conveyor being arranged for moving the materials toward the front second end of said dump body.   
   
   
       31 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 27  wherein said conveyor comprises:
 at least one chain disposed substantially between said first side wall and said second side wall of said dump body;   a first sprocket co-operating with said chain and disposed adjacent to said rear first end of said dump body for guiding said chain;   a second sprocket co-operating with said chain and disposed adjacent to said front second end of said dump body for guiding said chain;   a drive motor operably connected to at least one of said first and second sprockets for driving said conveyor, said drive motor associated with at least one of said first and second sprockets, said conveyor being arranged for moving the materials toward the rear first end of said dump body.   
   
   
       32 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 27  wherein said first spreader is provided adjacent the rear first end of the dump body and further comprising a second spreader provided adjacent the front second end of the dump body;
 said conveyor comprising:   at least one chain disposed substantially between said first side wall and said second side wall of said dump body;   a first sprocket co-operating with said chain and disposed adjacent to said rear first end of said dump body for guiding said chain;   a second sprocket co-operating with said chain and disposed adjacent to said front second end of said dump body for guiding said chain;   a drive motor operably connected to at least one of said first and second sprockets for driving said conveyor, said drive motor being associated with at least one of said first and second sprockets, said conveyor being arranged for moving the materials selectively toward the rear first end of the dump body or toward the front second end of the dump body.   
   
   
       33 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 27  wherein said conveyor comprises:
 a first chain and a second chain, said chains being disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other substantially between said first side wall and said second side wall of said dump body;   a plurality of materials moving slats, each slat extending between said chains;   a first sprocket co-operating with said chains and disposed adjacent to said rear first end of said dump body for guiding said chains;   a second sprocket co-operating with said chains and disposed adjacent to said front second end of said dump body for guiding said chains; and   a drive operably connected to at least one of said first and second sprockets.   
   
   
       34 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 33  wherein said drive comprises:
 a drive motor associated with at least one of said first and second sprockets;   said drive motor and the associated sprocket being connected such that movement of said conveyor moves the materials in either direction between said ends of said dump body.   
   
   
       35 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 27  wherein said conveyor comprises:
 an auger; and   a drive motor operably connected to said auger for driving said auger, said auger being arranged for moving the materials toward the front second end of said dump body.   
   
   
       36 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 27  wherein said conveyor comprises:
 an auger; and   a drive motor operably connected to said auger for driving said auger, said auger being arranged for moving the materials toward the rear first end of said dump body.   
   
   
       37 . A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus as set forth in  claim 27  wherein said first side wall and said second side wall guide the materials downwardly toward said conveyor, 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. 
   
   
       38 . 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 rear first end, a front second end, a first side wall, and a second side wall, said dump body being pivotally secured to said truck chassis about a first pivotal axis;   a hoist extending between said dump body and said truck chassis;   a tailgate pivotally secured to said rear first end of said dump body about a second pivotal axis for selectively permitting dumping of the materials when said dump body is pivoted about said first pivotal axis;   a conveyor disposed substantially at a bottom of said dump body and extending substantially between said rear first end and said front second end of said dump body for conveying the materials along said dump body;   said tailgate comprising an opening which co-operates with said conveyor for selectively permitting the flow of the materials through the opening;   a first spreader cooperating with said conveyor for spreading the materials; and   said first side wall and said second side wall curving downwardly and inwardly toward said conveyor 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.