Patent · US Expired

Incline grain conveyor for grain bins

US7588405B2 · kind B2 · utility

25Cited by
30References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 13, 2005
Grant dateSep 15, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 27, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65G65/42
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method for unloading grain bins. The apparatus (10) comprises an endless conveyor belt (18) supported on a set of rollers. A first section of the supported conveyor belt (18) is adapted for insertion at or near the bottom of a grain bin. A second section is adapted for extension out of the grain bin to an outlet. The conveyor belt (18) is supported in a manner that allows transport of the grain with a minimization of friction, trauma or interaction between the grain to maintain quality of the grain. The speed of the conveyor belt (18) is selected to make for efficient throughput of unloading. Other aspects of the invention include a structure to incline the output end of a conveyor belt (18), support the conveyor belt (18), adapt the conveyor to different sizes, and assist in movement of the conveyor, and ancillary parts to allow selective use of the conveyor relative to the bin.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.