Land vehicles: dumping – Two-wheel
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-13
2001-09-18
Gordon, Stephen T. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: dumping
Two-wheel
C298S02200C, C298S010000, C298S02000A
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290301
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of this invention relates generally to dump carts, and more particularly, to an improved dump cart apparatus and method for efficient self-dumping.
Agricultural, lawn and garden, and related industries typically utilize a cart, wagon, trailer or other transport to haul materials from place to place. Such a cart or transport may be pulled by an all terrain vehicle (ATV), a lawn or garden tractor, a tractor or other vehicle. Unloading the cart or transport presents potential problems. Unloading can be performed by manually removing the contents of the cart or transport, which is not a preferred method. Alternatively, unloading can be accomplished through dumping.
Various dump carts have been designed through the years in attempts to provide effective self-dumping. Problems with self-dumping carts are that some means is needed to secure the wheels of the cart against rotation. In addition, the cart may not achieve a substantially 180° dumping position.
For example, the Kaster patent, U.S. Pat. No. 2,131,326, shows a cart which is dumped by backing the trailer, but the wheels are secured against rotation during the dumping. Similarly, in the Boys patent, U.S. Pat. No. 1,563,685, the trailer is tipped when the vehicle is driven in reverse, but the wheels are secured against rotation via brakes.
In the Meisenhelder patent, U.S. Pat. No. 2,436,443, the cart is dumped when the tractor moves forwardly, with the wheels secured against rotation.
The Wirsbinski patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,417,765, discloses a cart which dumps 180°, as shown in FIG.
7
. However, the cart initially is dumped without backing up, and then the tractor is backed up to turn the cart over 180°, which also lifts the wheels substantially off the ground.
The Campbell patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,390 discloses a trailer which tips when the tractor is moved rearwardly, but relies upon inertia to cause the trailer tray to slide in order to accomplish such dumping.
These inventions have not solved the problems that remain with self-dumping carts.
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved dump cart.
A further objective is to provide for a dump cart that is easy to operate.
A still further objective is to provide for a dump cart that is safe to operate.
A still further objective is to provide for a dump cart that does not require auxiliary power for dumping.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a cart which can be rotated 180° from its frame to completely dump the contents of the cart.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a cart which dumps by rearward rotation of the cart wheels.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The dump cart of the present invention includes a box that is mounted upon a frame having a tongue for hitching the cart to a vehicle, such as an ATV, a lawn tractor, a garden tractor, a tractor, or other vehicle for towing. The box is pivotally connected to the frame approximately mid-way between the front and rear edges of the box. Removable pins are provided for maintaining the cart in an upright position for loading and towing. When it is desired to empty the cart, the pins are removed and are inserted through a slot in the wheels for receipt in a bushing extending from each side of the cart. The tractor is then backed up, such that the wheels turn rearwardly, and at the same time pivot the cart about its pivot connection point to the frame due to the interlock between the cart and wheel provided by the pins. Preferably, the cart is short in height, such that the cart pivots 180° when dumped.
In an alternative embodiment, the pins are replaced with a lever which is pivotably moveable between a locked and unlocked position via a cord or rope. When the lever is in a latched position, the cart is ready for loading and towing. When the rope is pulled to unlatch the lever, the tire brakes lock the cart to the wheels, such that the cart will pivot rearwardly and dump when the vehicle is driven in reverse.
In a third embodiment, electric brakes are used to lock the cart to the tire, and thereby dump the box when the tractor is driven in reverse.
REFERENCES:
patent: 149806 (1874-04-01), Swan
patent: 955878 (1910-04-01), Jacklin
patent: 1047009 (1912-12-01), Edgington
patent: 1563685 (1925-12-01), Boys
patent: 2131326 (1938-09-01), Kaster
patent: 2436443 (1948-02-01), Meisenhelder
patent: 2491417 (1949-12-01), Pflatz et al.
patent: 2546030 (1951-03-01), Grewe
patent: 2925186 (1960-02-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 3260547 (1966-07-01), Heilig et al.
patent: 3547290 (1970-12-01), Fratzke et al.
patent: 3578806 (1971-05-01), Tonelli
patent: 4417765 (1983-11-01), Wirsbinski
patent: 4659147 (1987-04-01), Smiltneek
patent: 4711499 (1987-12-01), Fortin
patent: 4861110 (1989-08-01), Rumpke
patent: 4889390 (1989-12-01), Campbell
patent: 5395163 (1995-03-01), Mandell et al.
patent: 5544944 (1996-08-01), Keech
Gordon Stephen T.
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
LandOfFree
Self-dumping cart does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Self-dumping cart, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Self-dumping cart will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2522506