Abstract: A grain sweep assembly having an A-shaped frame, a first and a second panel connected to the frame, and a drive assembly that has a plurality of paddles connected to a continuous chain that extend through a return chamber.

Abstract: A grain sweep (1) for use on a floor comprises an elongated frame, said frame comprises an elongated hood (2) comprising a top panel (3) and first (4) and second (5) side walls. It further comprises a first (6) and a second wheel rotatably attached to said elongated frame adjacent a first and a second end of said elongated frame, respectively, a drive means (7) passing about said first (6) and second wheels, and a plurality of spaced apart paddles (8) arranged on said drive means (7). The hood (2) further comprises one bottom wall (9) extending from one of said side walls. At least one paddle (10) comprises a side with one part (11) adjacent the bottom wall and parallel with the floor and one part (12) with corresponding shape to the bottom wall (9).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved device and method for removing grain or other particulate matter from a grain bin. The invention comprises a sweeping arm having inlets, a joint, and a vacuum tube in operational communication with the sweeping arm. The sweeping arm is passed around the circumference of the grain bin around the joint, so that the particulate matter can be collected by way of the inlets in the sweeping arm and the vacuum. A handcart may be used to propel the arm around the joint. The inlets are of adjustable size.

Abstract: A system for reducing wear includes a receptacle having at least one wall and a floor for holding material within the receptacle. An opening is located in the floor for accessing material held in the receptacle. A sliding frame is located above and parallel to the floor for agitating material held in the receptacle. At least one component is included inside the receptacle to reduce wear on the floor and/or sliding frame, and/or a wear indicator is located outside of the receptacle to monitor wear on the floor and/or the sliding frame.

Abstract: A grain sweep (1) for use on a floor comprises an elongated frame, said frame comprises an elongated hood (2) comprising a top panel (3) and first (4) and second (5) side walls. It further comprises a first (6) and a second wheel rotatably attached to said elongated frame adjacent a first and a second end of said elongated frame, respectively, a drive means (7) passing about said first (6) and second wheels, and a plurality of spaced apart paddles (8) arranged on said drive means (7). The hood (2) further comprises one bottom wall (9) extending from one of said side walls. At least one paddle (10) comprises a side with one part (11) adjacent the bottom wall and parallel with the floor and one part (12) with corresponding shape to the bottom wall (9).

Abstract: A bottom unloader for conveying feed material from a silo is disclosed. The unloader may have a housing with a drive unit and discharge, a conveyor positioned in the trough of a silo and a rotating cutter arm. The bottom unloader may be equipped with heavy-duty hooks having a wide uniform forward profile to prevent breaking and clogging of the conveyor. The hooks may be arranged in a repeating sequence to optimize unloading. The silo trough may have a wide chamfered section to prevent bridging. A discharge cover may extend from the conveyor to cover the top of the trough within the silo. The discharge cover remains fixed to conveyor backbone and is removed from the silo with conveyor.

Abstract: A silo includes a stuffing box forming for use with a reciprocating frame. A push-rod extends from a hydraulic cylinder through a stuffing box and a silo wall to actuate a reciprocating frame. The stuffing box forms a floating seal around the push-rod capable of moving with the push-rod to accommodate misalignment.

Abstract: A silo for storing viscous material such as sludge, the silo comprising a floor and a perimeter wall connected to the floor, is disclosed. The silo further comprises a moveable frame adjacent to the floor wherein the frame defines an area less than the area of the floor, and an opening in the floor. A crosspiece having opposite ends mounted to generally opposing portions of the perimeter wall is provided within the silo adjacent to the moveable frame. The crosspiece contains a surface facing the floor and is positioned adjacent to the frame. The crosspiece further comprises one or more diverter portions connected to the crosspiece which extend from the floor facing surface of the crosspiece towards the floor.

Abstract: A silo includes a stuffing box forming for use with a reciprocating frame. A push-rod extends from a hydraulic cylinder through a stuffing box and a silo wall to actuate a reciprocating frame. The stuffing box forms a floating seal around the push-rod capable of moving with the push-rod to accommodate misalignment.

Abstract: A reciprocating frame for a silo has outside bevels located on outer surfaces of a rim. Outside bevels slide under material as the reciprocating frame moves across a silo floor. The reciprocating frame has inside bevels located on inner surfaces of the rim. The inside bevels contact material at an angle that provides downward force to the reciprocating frame as it moves across the silo floor.

Abstract: A silo with a reciprocating frame includes a blanking plate that is capable of limiting the amount of material released from the silo. A blanking plate is attached to at least one reciprocating frame and is configured to substantially cover an opening in a floor when the reciprocating frame is centered above the opening in the floor.

Abstract: A reciprocating frame for a silo has a rim and at least one support extending across an interior of the rim. A first composite blade is located on the rim and includes a filler material. A method of manufacturing a composite blade for a reciprocating frame includes forming an angle base to define a pocket, filling the pocket with a filler material, and forming the angle base and filler material into a composite beveled cutting surface for reciprocating frame.

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.

Abstract: A power sweep for an agricultural grain bin includes a powered belt conveyor adapted to unload the grain when desired. The inboard end of the belt conveyor includes an idler roller which is frictionally coupled to the inner surface of the belt and, through a power transmission, may be actuated, by means of a clutch, to drive a power sweep for cleaning residual grain from the bottom of the storage bin after the belt conveyor has removed the bulk of the grain.

Abstract: A bottom unloader for conveying feed material from a silo is disclosed. The unloader may have a housing with a drive unit and discharge, a conveyor positioned in the trough of a silo and a rotating cutter arm. The bottom unloader may be equipped with heavy-duty hooks having a wide uniform forward profile to prevent breaking and clogging of the conveyor. The hooks may be arranged in a repeating sequence to optimize unloading. The silo trough may have a wide chamfered section to prevent bridging. A discharge cover may extend from the conveyor to cover the top of the trough within the silo. The discharge cover remains fixed to conveyor backbone and is removed from the silo with conveyor.

Abstract: One embodiment provides for a material reclaiming apparatus for use with a bulk storage bin. The bulk storage bin includes a bottom which defines an elongated plurality of outlet openings from the storage bin. The material reclaiming apparatus includes a plurality of gates. Each gate is associated with a respective outlet opening, and each gate is moveable from a first position (blocking the associated outlet opening), to a second position (not blocking the associated outlet opening). The material reclaiming apparatus further includes a traveling reclaimer located beneath the bottom of the bulk storage bin, and which is configured to travel along the bottom beneath the gates. The traveling reclaimer includes a gate actuator. As a result of positioning the traveling reclaimer under any given gate, the gate actuator engages the gate to allow the gate actuator to move the gate from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A carrier wheel assembly for supporting a sweep auger at intermediate positions having a first wheel that is rotatably mounted to the shaft of the auger and extends rearwardly through a slot and secured to the backboard of the auger, and having a rearward wheel rotatably mounted to the assembly and positioned rearwardly of the auger.

Abstract: A carrier wheel assembly for supporting a sweep auger at intermediate positions having a first wheel that is rotatably mounted to the shaft of the auger and extends rearwardly through a slot and secured to the backboard of the auger, and having a rearward wheel rotatably mounted to the assembly and positioned rearwardly of the auger.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for use in the treatment of waste and/or organic materials which includes a main body having a treatment chamber therein having a base which when the apparatus is in a harvesting mode is arranged with a space there below. The base includes a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart support elements, the support elements being spaced apart at a distance sufficient to support the material within the chamber during the treatment process and enable extraction of the treated material through the spaces between the support elements during a harvesting process. There is also disclosed a harvesting device comprising a plurality of extraction elements which are adapted to project through the spaces between the support elements to dislodge and extract the treated material through the base. The apparatus and harvesting device is particularly useful for removing worm casting in vermiculture.

Abstract: The silo unloader having one or more augers journaled for rotation therein is arranged to travel in a circular manner within a tower silo to auger silage to a collection point at the center thereof. Located proximate the central collection point is a transfer conveyor comprising two vertically oriented snowmobile track assemblies arranged to have corresponding flights of the track belt engaged with one another. As the tracks are driven by an electric motor, silage becomes entrained between the two adjacent tracks and is propelled therealong onto a discharge conveyor that leads to a drop chute opening in the wall of the silo.

Abstract: An arcuate structure for bulk particulate solids which has inner and outer concentric containment walls. The space between the inner and outer walls is subdivided into a plurality of storage subspaces, and covered with a continuous roof. A radial stacker conveyor system receives particulate solids to be stored, and transfers these particulate solids into a selected storage space through access apertures disposed on a circular arc in the roof. To allow the radial stacker to access each roof aperture, it is rotatable about an axis concentric with the inner and outer walls, and the roof apertures are located on an arc concentric with the inner and outer walls. A separate radially located conveyor system is provided beneath the floor of each storage space, by means of which particulate solid stored in any chosen storage subspace can be retrieved through discharge gates located in the floor of each storage space above the conveyor, and transported to a delivery system adjacent to the radial stacker.

Abstract: One embodiment provides for a material reclaiming apparatus for use with a bulk storage bin. The bulk storage bin includes a bottom which defines an elongated plurality of outlet openings from the storage bin. The material reclaiming apparatus includes a plurality of gates. Each gate is associated with a respective outlet opening, and each gate is moveable from a first position (blocking the associated outlet opening), to a second position (not blocking the associated outlet opening). The material reclaiming apparatus further includes a traveling reclaimer located beneath the bottom of the bulk storage bin, and which is configured to travel along the bottom beneath the gates. The traveling reclaimer includes a gate actuator. As a result of positioning the traveling reclaimer under any given gate, the gate actuator engages the gate to allow the gate actuator to move the gate from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An arcuate structure for bulk particulate solids which has inner and outer concentric containment walls. The space between the inner and outer walls is subdivided into a plurality of storage subspaces, and covered with a continuous roof. A radial stacker conveyor system receives particulate solids to be stored, and transfers these particulate solids into a selected storage space through access apertures disposed on a circular arc in the roof. To allow the radial stacker to access each roof aperture, it is rotatable about an axis concentric with the inner and outer walls, and the roof apertures are located on an arc concentric with the inner and outer walls. A separate radially located conveyor system is provided beneath the floor of each storage space, by means of which particulate solid stored in any chosen storage subspace can be retrieved through discharge gates located in the floor of each storage space above the conveyor, and transported to a delivery system adjacent to the radial stacker.

Abstract: A crop material is unloaded from a storage bin by providing a generally triangular pit arranged below the base pad surface of the bin into which crop material can fall from the bin through one of two openings in the base floor. Opening the door of one of the openings at the center of the bin allows discharge of the material into the pit by gravity to an apex at a bottom of the pit below the opening. The pit has a bottom wall inclined upwardly and outwardly to exterior opening outside the bin. An auger standing outside the bin with an inclined auger tube is moved to a position extending downwardly from a top discharge end of the auger to a bottom feed end of the auger which is inserted into the pit through the exterior opening so as to extend to the apex at the bottom of the pit for extracting the material falling into the pit through the center opening.

Abstract: Device for discharging material from a silo (10), comprising a long discharge channel (22) extending centrally over the silo floor (14), and a push-frame (20) which can be pushed back and forth hydraulically over the silo floor (14), over the discharge channel (22), crossways to the longitudinal extension of said discharge channel (22). According to the invention, the push-frame (20) is driven by means of two radially arranged hydraulic cylinders (40) which face each other diametrically inside the silo (10). The hydraulic cylinders can be activated with a push-pull control mechanism, and are each situated in a cylinder housing, said cylinder housing being connected to the silo floor (14). The piston rods (46) of the hydraulic cylinders are arranged so that their opposite front faces (44) fit against a driver bearing (48) from opposite sides, said driver bearing (48) being located in the center of the push-frame (20).

Abstract: A grain dryer includes a wall assembly having (i) an inner wall and an outer wall which defines a grain flow path therebetween, and (ii) a discharge slot defined in the wall assembly thereof through which grain may flow. The grain further includes a grain shelf floor positioned relative to the wall assembly such that grain flowing through the discharge slot advances onto the grain shelf floor. In addition, the grain dryer includes a floor sweep assembly positioned vertically above the grain shelf floor. Moreover, the grain dryer includes a motor for rotating the floor sweep assembly about a central axis.

Abstract: A device for removing residual deposits from storage vessels by moving the deposits radially inwardly to a central outlet in the floor of the vessel. The device includes a sweep arm pivotably connected about the central outlet at its inner end and extending outwardly generally parallel with the floor. The sweep arm includes a ramp which plows the deposits up onto a perforated platform which is sloped inwardly towards the outlet. Air pressure is provided into a plenum chamber under the platform so as to create a bearing for the deposits to transverse from the platform to the outlet. A motive drive force is provided so as to pivot the sweep arm about the central outlet thereby plowing the deposits from the floor to the platform and conveying them into the outlet.

Abstract: A device for raking flowable material from a storage facility, with a plurality of storage units such as bunkers, silos, stockpiles, has a bunker table positioned at the bottom of the storage units and a rake tunnel positioned above the bunker table. A raking carriage is positioned in the rake tunnel above the bunker table so as to be moveable in a longitudinal direction of the rake tunnel along the bunker table. A drive unit, including a gear box and a drive shaft, is connected to the raking carriage. A raking wheel is rotatably connected perpendicular to a rotational plane of the raking wheel with the drive shaft to the raking carriage. The bunker table has a longitudinal slot. The raking wheel rakes with two opposite sides the flowable material on the bunker table through the slot of the bunker table onto a continuous conveyor system located under the bunker table.

Abstract: A bin unloading apparatus for unloading materials such as, for example, sawdust, peat, grains, silage, municipal waste, dry chemicals, shredded tires, and other ground bulk products accommodated in a bin, with the bin unloader including two cantilevered tapered screw conveyors and a single standard screw. The screw conveyors draw materials from the walls of the bin toward the center. The materials drop to the exit screw mounted at a right angle to the screw conveyor with the material in the exit screw then being transported out of the bin. The screw conveyors are supported on a head assembly mounted on a support beam of rail using a cam follower bearing and a chain drive system provides a reciprocating motion of the head assembly utilizing a ratchet mechanism driven by a drive of the exit screw. The screw conveyors are attached to the head assembly by a flange attachment and a spring loaded arm or linkage mechanism runs on an eccentric to drive the chain.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging fine material from a silo with a cylindrical wall 2 and a bottom 3 provided with a central hole 11 and a discharge aperture 4, comprises: a cylindrical skirt 5 suspended from the wall above the bottom and having a crenellated edge formed of projections 6 alternating with spaces 7; a mobile discharge arm 8, having a central connection and two ends trapped in a peripheral zone between the skirt and the periphery of the bottom, for transferring fine material to the discharge aperture; rollers 9, 10 disposed on the ends of the arm for directing the displacement of the arm in cooperation with the skirt; a central revolving shaft 13 passing through the central hole to engage the central connection for rotating the arm; and first and second actuating cylinders 17, 18 acting on the central shaft in substantially perpendicular directions for alternately moving the shaft along the periphery of the central hole such that when a first roller advances on a route outside a projection a correspo

Abstract: An extraction device for extracting a material in particulate form from a reservoir includes an extraction member in the form of a helicoidal winding connected to a motor for driving it in rotation about its central axis. The helicoidal winding is driven so as to sweep it about an axis of sweep along the bottom of the reservoir and the winding may be curved at its distal end so as to sweep along the periphery of the reservoir. The winding may be enclosed within a tubular conduit and a section of the peripheral wall of the reservoir may be provided to cooperate with the helical winding.

Abstract: In an apparatus for discharging a silo (1), at the bottom (3) of the silo, a discharge mechanism (9) with at least two arms is mounted in bearings on an eccentric trunnion (7) of a vertical drive shaft (5) centrally disposed in the silo. The movement of the discharge mechanism is guided by rollers (12) disposed at the ends of the discharge arms and by pins (11) disposed at the bottom of the silo, by way of which the rollers move along a substantially epicycloidal path around the pins (11) while the shaft rotates.

Abstract: A flail chain unloader for discharging particulate material from a lower output of an upright storage vessel includes a rotating shaft extending upwardly of the central portion of the vessel above the outlet and flail chains secured to the shaft at different levels thereon to rotate with the shaft and loosen the particulate materials in the vessel to flow downwardly for discharge through the lower outlet. One or more upper flail chains are secured adjacent an upper level portion of the shaft and have outer ends movable in a generally circular path closely adjacent the inside wall surface of the vessel for loosening the material adjacent the vessel wall. At least one set of intermediate flail chains of a relatively short length is provided at spaced apart lower levels below the upper flail chains in order to dig out the material in the central portion of the vessel around the shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to a discharge apparatus for storage bins and tanks having a central bottom outlet opening to allow a discharge conveyor to remove bulk material and a sweep conveyor within the storage bin, the improvement is that the outlet opening is adapted so that the sweep conveyor can be driven by its own motor or through gearing means driven by the discharge conveyor motor. A bearing support is provided for mounting the sweep conveyor with its own motor, and a structure is provided to mount a gear box connectably drivable by the discharge conveyor. The gear box arrangement comprises an upper and lower conventional gear box, together with a clutch to engage or disengage the sweep conveyor as required. Another improvement resides in having the sweep auger of the single drive system detachable. A further improvement lies in supplying a broom auger, in parallel with the sweep auger.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding wood chips and the like into a treatment bin includes a feed tube assembly adapted to lead into the bin at a non-zero angle relative to the horizon. A plate is supported underneath the lower end of the feed tube assembly to collect in a mound wood chips fed through the feed tube. The height of the lower end of the feed tube assembly is adjusted so that the lower end of the feed tube assembly engages the mound of wood chips and thereby forms a seal with the mound. A plow is supported between the plate and the lower end of the feed tube assembly. Either the plate is stationary and the plow rotates or the plow is stationary and the plate rotates to knock wood whips from the mound off the plate. The apparatus optionally includes a feed screw mounted within and longitudinally of the feed tube assembly to compress the wood chips into the mound.

Abstract: A reciprocating discharger for discharging solid materials from the underside of a pile, has at least one reciprocating stoker rod with a piston at one end connected to a piston rod reciprocating in a stationary cylinder which is mounted on a thrust member frame. The frame has a width greater than the length of a piston stroke, so that the piston rod does not extend outside the frame, thus the solid materials in the pile do not contact the piston rod. A hydraulic system is provided for the cylinder with a hydraulic oil reservoir, an integral power unit with an electric motor directly coupled to a variable flow, reversible piston type pump connected in a closed loop hydraulic circuit with the cylinder, and an automatic reverse arrangement to reverse flow of hydraulic oil to the cylinder after each stroke.

Abstract: Apparatus for bulk ice making, storage and dispensing is described. The apparatus comprises an insulated horizontal container with an internal storage chamber having a blower mounted below the ceiling thereof in a position such that ice falling from ice making equipment on the top of the container into the chamber is blown throughout the chamber. Means are provided to move the settled ice into breakers and to dispense it from the chamber to the exterior of the container. Means are also provided to precool the feed water to the ice making equipment and to use chilled air from the storage chamber to maintain a low temperature atmosphere surrounding the ice making equipment to improve efficiency. Preferable the container is an insulated ocean cargo container.

Abstract: A reciprocating discharger for discharging solid materials from the underside of a pile, has at least one reciprocating stoker rod with a piston arm at one end reciprocating in a stationary cylinder which is mounted on a thrust member frame. The frame has a width greater than the length of a piston stroke, so that the piston arm does not extend outside the frame, which answers that the solid materials in the pile do not contact the piston arm.

Abstract: A discharging apparatus for a large diameter, generally vertically walled reaction vessel in which a recessed dish or receiving structure having the same diameter as the reaction vessel is mounted beneath the lower discharge end of the reaction vessel. There is an aperture in the floor of this receiving structure and a rotating impeller urges material received from the reaction vessel through this aperture into a smaller diameter recessed receiving structure which is also equipped with a rotating impeller to remove material to a screw conveyor for removal from the system. This screw conveyor can be significantly smaller than would be required using a conventional screw conveyor reaction vessel discharge.

Abstract: An improved cutter chain construction for a bottom unloader of a storage structure. A cutter arm is mounted for rotation about the center of the storage structure, and an endless chain travels in an endless path on the cutter arm and carries a plurality of cutting members or hooks that are mounted at spaced intervals along the length of the chain. Each cutting member has a relatively thin body with a sharp leading edge and an outer enlarged head. The cutting members are mounted in a sequence along the length of the chain. A first cutting member in the sequence extends laterally outward from the chain and is disposed in a first plane, while the next succeeding cutting member lies in a second plane disposed at an acute angle to the first plane, whereby movement of the cutting members through the stored material will cut a wedge shaped mass.

Abstract: An upright silo has a U-shaped central discharge opening in the floor and a cavity below the floor in vertical alignment with the opening. A hopper in the cavity has an upright wall terminating at an upper edge and a smooth, inclined slip ramp contiguous with the edge and rigidly secured to the floor along the opening. The horizontal configurations of the opening, the cavity, the wall and the ramp are identical. The silage falls freely from a cutter arm above the floor into the hopper such that unloading time is substantially decreased. In one embodiment, a rake is movable within the cavity adjacent the ramp and is operable to break up otherwise lodged silage. In another embodiment, a somewhat similar rake has an outer segment which is pivotal about a vertical axis for retraction when not in use.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for bottom unloading of storage structures (e.g., farm silos and the like). The apparatus includes a pivotable sweep arm which may include either a rotatable auger or an endless chain. Unique ratchet advancement mechanism at the inner end of the sweep arm pivots the sweep arm. A planetary gear mechanism is adapted to transmit rotational energy provided by the power source to the sweep arm. An improved tooth is described for penetrating and dislodging bulk material in a storage structure.

Abstract: A furnace having a fuel hopper in communication with a combustion chamber provided with an inclined, fuel-supporting grate. A rotary, flexible feed arm composed of a helically coiled wire serves to feed fuel from the hopper on to the grate. A draft is induced through the combustion chamber and passes through the grate and fuel supported thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus for unloading material from a silo comprises a chain drive wheel located near a discharge opening on one side of the silo, a chain idler wheel, a pair of angularly spaced apart rotatable chain guide wheels mounted on a ring which is drivable in a circular path around the silo floor, and an endless flexible cutting chain reeved around the aforesaid wheels. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the ring in the circular path and to rotate the chain drive wheel to drive the chain as the chain guide wheels move, whereby reaches of the chain sweep across the silo floor to unload the material through the discharge opening. The chain drive wheel and drive mechanism therefor are located outside the opening in the silo. The chain idler wheel is located inside the silo and within the ring. Protective devices are provided on the silo floor to prevent that reach of chain extending between the chain drive wheel and the chain idler wheel from being subjected to pressure from material thereabove in the silo.

Abstract: The combination of a storage silo and bottom unloader therefor wherein the base of the silo is formed as a hopper having a substantially central discharge outlet, the unloader being arranged to project into the silo through the discharge outlet and comprising a sweep arm pivoted for rotation in the hopper about a vertical axis disposed centrally of the discharge outlet and for vertical movement away from the surface of the hopper and means for varying the effective length of the arm comprising a mounting supporting the arm for pivotal movement about the centrally disposed vertical axis, the mounting arrangement being such that the length of the arm projecting into the silo can be altered.

Abstract: Silo unloading apparatus of the bottom unloading type is provided, wherein an auger is mounted for rotation on its own axis and for arcuate sweeping motion across the floor of the silo, conveying silage toward a central opening, and a single drive is provided for driving a central shaft that both rotates the auger about its own axis, and which rotates an intermediate mechanism that transfers relatively uniform rotational motion from the shaft into an intermittent rotational motion whereby a band located in the silo floor and spaced from the center of the silo is incrementally driven preferably by means of a toothed wheel, for incrementally sweeping the auger across the silo floor. The band is carried in a generally circular track in the floor of a silo and a cover for the opening into the track is provided, carried by the band for movement therewith.

Abstract: A bowl having a spiral track on its own inner circumference is fixed fast on a vibrating plate. To this vibrating plate is given the obliquely rotational vibration composed of the horizontal rotation and the up-and-down motion, and the elliptical vibration as well, with the use of a driving mechanism driven by a motor jointly with an up-and-down mechanism. These vibrations may be made now linear now non-linear dependingly on the form of the cam attached to the shaft of the motor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a guard for the discharge opening of a grain bin which assures free flow of grain therethrough by precluding blockage of the opening by compacted grain. The guard includes a plurality of blades which are adapted to be disposed over the opening. The blades extend substantially perpendicularly to the opening and include grain engaging cutting edges for cutting and breaking-up compacted grain over the discharge opening to assure free flow of grain therethrough. The guard is also readily removable from its operative position over the discharge opening to permit complete emptying of the bin by a sweep auger.

Abstract: A system for reclaiming bulk solids from a storage pile outside on the ground or inside in a warehouse has a longitudinally extending row of arches that stand underneath the pile on the ground and that are interconnected by at least one beam extending longitudinally along the row of arches. A longitudinally extending and downwardly concave roof is supported on the arches and has lower edges spaced above the ground. A longitudinally extending conveyor is provided underneath the roof and below its lower edges. A carriage is reciprocated the full length of the row beneath the roof and above the conveyor while rotating an impeller about an upright axis. This impeller has arms which define an orbit projecting horizontally outwardly beyond the lower edges of the roof into the pile so that when rotated it sweeps bulk solids from the pile onto the conveyor so that the conveyor in turn can carry these bulk solids longitudinally out of the pile.

Abstract: Bulk solids are reclaimed from a large bulk-solids storage pile standing on the ground by a system having a row of arches extending underneath the pile and having feet standing on the ground. An elongated downwardly concave roof is supported on this row of arches and has horizontally spaced lower edges spaced above the ground. A pair of longitudinally extending and parallel tables are supported on the arches below the lower edges of the roof and each have an outer edge turned away from the other table and an inner edge defining with the inner edge of the other table a horizontally extending slot so that bulk solids can flow under the lower edges onto the tables. A carriage is displaceable longitudinally along the row of arches above the slot and under the roof and carries an impeller which is displaceable across the tables and across the slot so that it can sweep material on the tables into the slot.