Material or article handling – Self-loading or unloading vehicles – Conveyor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-10
2001-12-04
Werner, Frank E. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Self-loading or unloading vehicles
Conveyor
C414S523000, C414S326000, C192S03000R, C198S674000, C222S413000, C477S175000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325588
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present of the invention relates to the remote operation of an auger and more specifically, to using a radio signal to remotely operate an auger attached to a bin used to transport, store, and distribute particulate matter.
2. Problems in the Art
Bins equipped with augers are well-known in the art. The purpose of such bins is to transport, store, and distribute grain in a desired amount or to a desired location. Such auger equipped bins are a common sight on many of today's farms. Although prior art auger equipped bins have many desirable features, they also suffer from several problems. The starting and stopping of the flow of material from the augers of such bins currently requires the use of cables and pulleys or manual control. Other prior art auger equipped bins require the use of a hydraulic motor to regulate the flow of material. Such prior art requires a user to physically turn the unit on or off at the unit's location. This exposes the user to possibly severe weather conditions and/or environmental hazards. It is therefore desirable to allow a user turn an auger on or off and/or regulate the flow of material remotely.
Current auger equipped bins are designed to transport, store and distribute specific materials. It is therefore desirable to provide an auger equipped bin capable of handling a variety of materials.
Additionally, prior art auger equipped bins such as the grain cart shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,094 to Bergkamp, et al., have been developed with discharge chutes adaptable to make the bin easier to store and transport. Such adaptable discharge chutes require a user to manually prepare the discharge chute for operation. Further, highway laws limit the height and width of bins including the discharge chute. It is therefore desirable to have a bin with a discharge chute affixed so as to require no adaptation by the user prior to operation of the auger. It is also desirable to have an auger equipped bin with an affixed discharge chute which is capable of traveling on highways and capable of being stored without the need to reposition the discharge chute.
The present invention is an apparatus and method for solving these and other problems.
3. Features of the Invention
It is therefore objective of the present invention to provide an auger assembly which may be remotely controlled by a user.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide an auger equipped bin capable of transporting, storing, and discharging various types of particulate matter.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an auger equipped bin with a discharge chute that does not need to be repositioned for travel or storage.
A still further objective of the present invention is to allow a user to remain in a secured and comfortable environment while operating an auger equipped bin.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a portable auger unit that allows a user to buy feed in bulk quantities and dispense desired amounts of that feed to specific locations.
A still further objective of the present invention is to allow a user to remain in a secured and comfortable environment while operating an auger equipped bin.
These, as well as other features, objects and advantages of the present invention, will become apparent from the following specification and claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally comprises a portable unit for storing and transporting particulate matter which is capable of being operated by remote control. Initially, particulate matter is loaded into a bin which uses gravity feed to supply an unloading auger. The auger, which is located within a discharge chute, unloads particulate matter from the bin.
The bin is supported by a frame. Sidewalls of the bin converge downwardly and inwardly to a discharge end so that particulate matter may flow through the discharge end and into the discharge chute. Once in the discharge chute, particulate matter is discharged by operation of the unloading auger. The unloading auger is powered by a motor which is secured to the frame. The motor engages the auger upon receipt of a signal by a receiver which then increases or decreases the output of the motor. This increase in output causes the motor to engage a clutch assembly and operate a belt, chain, gear, shaft or other drive mechanism which transfers power from the motor to the auger.
The transmitter operated by the user sends the signal to the receiver and thereby operates the auger and discharges the particulate matter. Another signal sent by the user and received by the receiver decreases the output of the motor and disengages the clutch, thereby causing the discharge of particulate matter to cease.
Though the present invention has many uses in the farming industry, such as feeding on pasture for a rotation program, drought feeding, or winter feeding, it may also be used to allow horse owners to buy bulk oats, allow dog kennel owners to buy bulk dog food, and allow fish farm owners to transport feed to various ponds with ease. The portable unit can be used by farmers, ranchers, horse stable owners, wild game managers, seed producers, dog kennels, fish farms, zoos, and anyone needing to transport, store, and move dry bulk material.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4522553 (1985-06-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 5013208 (1991-05-01), Grieshop
patent: 5100281 (1992-03-01), Grieshop
patent: 5733094 (1998-03-01), Bergkamp
patent: 5746261 (1998-05-01), Bowling
patent: 5888044 (1999-03-01), Baskerville
patent: 6120233 (2000-09-01), Adam
Sudenga Industries, Inc., Gravity Wagon Auger, Mar., 1997, Place of Publication not known.
Bulk Seed Tender, Introducing the Friesen Bulk Seed Tender Seed Loading and Delivery System, No date available, Place of Publication not known.
Pride Products, Inc.
Simmons Perrine Albright & Ellwood PLC
Werner Frank E.
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