Material spreader for a vehicle

Abstract

An apparatus for depositing associated materials, including but not limited to salt or sand, onto a surface includes a material spreader hopper, a conveyor to convey associated material in the hopper toward an opening at one end of the hopper; a feed gate adapted to selectively close the opening, an extension and a spreader adapted as described herein, to mount to the extension.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A material spreading apparatus comprises:
 a hopper;   a conveyor longitudinally positioned within the hopper and having a first end that extends beyond the hopper through an opening in the hopper;   a feed gate selectively movable between a first position to close the opening in the hopper and a second position; wherein the feed gate is attached to a handle at a single attachment point, the handle having a pivot point about which the handle rotates in an arc to move the feed gate from the first to the second position;   a mounting bracket enclosing the first end of the conveyor, the mounting bracket comprising first and second shelves;   A drive mechanism operatively connected to the conveyor to drive the conveyor;   a spreader comprising a body having first and second tabs, wherein the spreader is slidably received onto the first and second shelves of the mounting bracket by the tabs, wherein the spreader is positioned below the first end of the conveyor; the spreader further comprising a drive shaft connected at first end to a spinner;   wherein the drive shaft of the spreader and the conveyor are driven by a single power source.