Horizontal Ejector Truck Body

Abstract

A horizontal ejection system for a vehicle. An ejector is adapted to travel axially through the interior from the front to the back of the truck body. A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic circuit for moving the ejector, and an ejector signal processing system signals the hydraulic circuit. The ejector signal processing system includes one or more proximity switches for detecting the location of the ejector and triggering the movement of the ejector. The switches are disposed on the truck body to sense the location of both the ejector and the tailgate. As a result, the hydraulic circuit is signaled to control the hydraulic system and thereby move the ejector based on a position of the ejector and the tailgate, wherein, in combination, the ejector and the tailgate control a load of material within the truck body.

1 . A method for controlling an ejector of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 in a truck having a truck body and a back, activating a pneumatic tailgate switch to thereby open tailgate latches and enable use of a hydraulic system and ejector signal processing system in response to movement of a tailgate;   with said tailgate configured to operate in a standard mode and a high lift mode, wherein in said high lift mode said tailgate lifts upwards and away from said back, extending said ejector, thereby pushing material through said tailgate, as a result at least partially swinging said tailgate in standard mode;   in response to said tailgate swinging past a pre-set field in said standard mode, disabling said hydraulic system to thereby stop said ejector; and,   in response to said tailgate lifting into said high lift mode, re-enabling said hydraulic system, wherein said material is intermittently pushed through said tailgate and out from said vehicle in both said standard mode and said high lift mode.   
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of disabling said hydraulic system in response to said ejector reaching a fully-extended position.