The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a lifting and lowering sequence of a load carrying body (20) of a vehicle (1) and to a vehicle comprising a chassis structure (10) and the load carrying body (20) pivotally mounted on the chassis structure (10) with respect to a pivot axis being substantially parallel to either a pitch axis (Y) or a roll axis (X) of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle (1) comprises sensing means (11) provided on the chassis structure for measuring roll angle and pitch angle of the chassis structure and sensing means (21) provided on the load carrying body for measuring roll angle and pitch angle of the load carrying body. The method comprises the steps of: —(S1) measuring roll angle and pitch angle of the chassis structure and of the load carrying body during the lifting and lowering sequence, by means of the sensing means, —(S2) determining absolute roll angle and pitch angle of the chassis structure and the load carrying body, respectively, with respect to a reference, —(S3) determining a relative roll angle between the chassis structure and the load carrying body by comparing the measured roll angles of the chassis structure and the load carrying body when the load carrying body is pivotally mounted with respect to the pivot axis being substantially parallel to the pitch axis, or determining a relative pitch angle between the chassis structure and the load carrying body by comparing the measured pitch angles of the chassis structure and the load carrying body when the load carrying body is pivotally mounted with respect to the pivot axis being substantially parallel to the roll axis, —(S4) controlling the lifting and lowering sequence at least based on the determined absolute and relative angles.

A cargo transport system is provided that has an ability to move cargo in an autonomous or semi-autonomous manner, using a compact lift vehicle capable of lifting relatively heavy objects. The system includes a cargo loading system, a sensor suite coupled with a controller, dunnage detection, cross-decking capability, cargo stacking capability, autonomous navigation, tip detection and prevention, or any combinations thereof. The system may include a fork assembly coupled with a mast and movable in a vertical direction relative to the mast. Further, the mast may be coupled with a platform or deck and movable in a horizontal direction relative to the platform, to allow the fork assembly to be lowered below a top plane of the platform when the mast is at a forward location relative to the platform. The controller and sensor suite and may provide for autonomous or semi-autonomous control and movement of the cargo transport system.

A mechanically fastened outrigger arrangement provides an anchor point for an automatic four bar linkage tailgate. The mechanically fastened outrigger arrangement includes an outrigger arrangement support frame and an outrigger extending outward from the outrigger arrangement support frame to a distal end configured to support a tailgate actuation link. Outrigger braces also extend from the outrigger arrangement support frame to the distal end of the outrigger. A lower clamp is configured to secure the outrigger arrangement support frame to a lateral support of a truck, and a truck frame clamp is configured to secure the outrigger arrangement support frame to a truck frame.

A tipper assembly comprises a chassis having a first chassis linkage point; a body pivotally attached to the chassis about a body pivot axis, the body being pivotable between a lowered position and a raised position; a tailgate moveable between a closed position in which the tailgate is arranged across an end opening of the body and an open position in which the tailgate is pivoted away from the end opening; and a first tailgate lift assembly configured to lift the tailgate from the closed position to the open position on movement of the body from the lowered position to the raised position. The first tailgate lift assembly comprises: a first arm having a tailgate end fixedly attached to the tailgate and a first arm linkage point, the first arm being pivotally attached to the body about an arm pivot axis, the arm pivot axis being arranged between the tailgate end and the first arm linkage point; and a first linkage assembly connecting the first arm linkage point to the first chassis linkage point, the first linkage assembly comprising an arm link and a rapid opening assembly, the rapid opening assembly having a first end attached to the body or the chassis and a second end attached to an intermediate portion of the arm link. The rapid opening assembly is configured to create a v-shape in the arm link, drawing the first arm linkage point closer to the first chassis linkage point on rotation of the body about the body pivot axis from the lowered to the raised position.

A tipper assembly comprises a chassis having a first chassis linkage point; a body pivotally attached to the chassis about a body pivot axis, the body being pivotable between a lowered position and a raised position; a tailgate moveable between a closed position in which the tailgate is arranged across an end opening of the body and an open position in which the tailgate is pivoted away from the end opening; and a first tailgate lift assembly configured to lift the tailgate from the closed position to the open position on movement of the body from the lowered position to the raised position. The first tailgate lift assembly comprises: a first arm having a tailgate end fixedly attached to the tailgate and a first arm linkage point, the first arm being pivotally attached to the body about an arm pivot axis, the arm pivot axis being arranged between the tailgate end and the first arm linkage point; and a first linkage assembly connecting the first arm linkage point to the first chassis linkage point, the first linkage assembly comprising an arm link and a rapid opening assembly, the rapid opening assembly having a first end attached to the body or the chassis and a second end attached to an intermediate portion of the arm link. The rapid opening assembly is configured to create a v-shape in the arm link, drawing the first arm linkage point closer to the first chassis linkage point on rotation of the body about the body pivot axis from the lowered to the raised position.

A side tipper system for a vehicle includes a container for carrying material and selectively discharging carried material. The container includes a container body defining an upper portion of a first side wall, a second side wall opposing the first side wall, and a pair of opposing end walls; a floor pivotally coupled to the second side wall; and a side door pivotally coupled to the floor and defining a lower portion of the first side wall in a closed position and forming a discharge opening in an open position. The system further includes end assemblies configured to be mounted to a vehicle chassis at respective ends of the container, each end assembly operatively coupled to the container for supporting the container and for controlling discharge of material by: moving the side door from the closed position to the open position; and lifting the container body relative to the chassis.

A side tipper system for a vehicle includes a container for carrying material and selectively discharging carried material. The container includes a container body defining an upper portion of a first side wall, a second side wall opposing the first side wall, and a pair of opposing end walls; a floor pivotally coupled to the second side wall; and a side door pivotally coupled to the floor and defining a lower portion of the first side wall in a closed position and forming a discharge opening in an open position. The system further includes end assemblies configured to be mounted to a vehicle chassis at respective ends of the container, each end assembly operatively coupled to the container for supporting the container and for controlling discharge of material by: moving the side door from the closed position to the open position; and lifting the container body relative to the chassis.

This present disclosure describes an automatically sealing tailgate mechanism for the transport of fluidic materials in vessels such as roll off containers and truck bodies. Currently, preventing material leakage from such vessels is ensured using manually operated locks, which put operating personnel of such vessels at risk. The automatic vessel locking system disclosed does not require manual operating intervention other than actions taken to perform a dumping operation.

A mechanically fastened outrigger arrangement provides an anchor point for an automatic four bar linkage tailgate. The mechanically fastened outrigger arrangement includes an outrigger arrangement support frame and an outrigger extending outward from the outrigger arrangement support frame to a distal end configured to support a tailgate actuation link. Outrigger braces also extend from the outrigger arrangement support frame to the distal end of the outrigger. A lower clamp is configured to secure the outrigger arrangement support frame to a lateral support of a truck, and a truck frame clamp is configured to secure the outrigger arrangement support frame to a truck frame.

A multi-purpose trailer includes: a trailer frame with a tongue or a gooseneck located at a forward end of the trailer frame and an axle with wheels located adjacent a rearward end of the trailer frame; a pair of slanted arms affixed adjacent the rearward end of the trailer frame; a box pivotally mounted to a distal end of each slanted arm, the box having an upper structural frame and a slanted tailgate; and a pair of movement arms with one end of each movement arm pivotally affixed to the trailer frame and/or adjacent the slanted arm and another end of each movement arm pivotally affixed to the upper structural frame of the box, the movement arms move the box between a load position and a dump position.