Screw Type Patents (Class 414/526)
  • Patent number: 7393275
    Abstract: The grain holding bin of a combine harvester can be rapidly unloaded either on-the-go or at a standstill by an inclined unloading conveyor having its intake end at a low point in the bin adjacent the far side of the bin. The unloading conveyor extends gradually upwardly and outwardly in a straight line from its intake end to a point above and beyond the opposite side of the bin to provide a straight, unrestricted run for grain being unloaded without twists, turns and significant breaks in auger flighting. The outer end of the unloading conveyor can be pivoted back into a rearwardly extending transport position about a simple generally upright pivot hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Voss, Chris F. Halfman
  • Patent number: 7381131
    Abstract: An extendable auger conveyor including a screw thread sleeve snugly and slidably receiving a rotary drive shaft having a non-round cross section, both housed within a pair of telescoping sections of a casing having an infeed port intermediate the length of the supporting casing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Danny J. Harpole
  • Patent number: 7367881
    Abstract: The grain holding bin of a combine harvester can be rapidly unloaded either on-the-go or at a standstill by an inclined unloading conveyor having its intake end at a low point in the bin adjacent the far side of the bin. The unloading conveyor extends gradually upwardly and outwardly in a straight line from its intake end to a point above and beyond the opposite side of the bin to provide a straight, unrestricted run for grain being unloaded without twists, turns and significant breaks in auger flighting. The outer end of the unloading conveyor can be pivoted back into a rearwardly extending transport position about a simple generally upright pivot hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Voss, Chris F. Halfman
  • Publication number: 20080101904
    Abstract: An HMA distribution system on the rear of a piece of road building equipment which does not have a center support or at least does not have a wide center drive chain region which causes a center striping problem, instead the two inboard augers are driven from motors on opposite ends of the distribution system. Additionally, optional outboard augers are used to move material further outward from drive motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: CEDARAPIDS, INC.
    Inventor: JOSEPH E. MUSIL
  • Publication number: 20080095599
    Abstract: A transfer vehicle is pulled by a towing vehicle. The transfer vehicle comprises a container and an unloading conveyor. The container serves to receive bulk goods. The unloading conveyor serves to unload the bulk goods located in the container. In order to allow a simple technical construction and a variable drive of the unloading conveyor, an electrical drive is coupled to the unloading conveyor and serves exclusively for driving the unloading conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Klaus Hahn
  • Patent number: 7303362
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for moving and placing in hard to reach locations granular and other particulate material such as sand, gravel, earth and similar materials. The system includes an improved auger for moving the material and an improved rotary airlock mechanism designed to withstand the abrasive action of the particulate material and at the same time move the material several hundred feet through a flexible conduit for placement in a pre-designated location. A system and apparatus is also disclosed for transporting on one vehicle all of the devices needed at a remote site for operation the particulate placement system, including a front loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Dunlop, Robert Griffin, Steven C. Stokes, Denis A. Stokes, Gary Bonney
  • Patent number: 7267519
    Abstract: An agricultural commodity cart loading conveyor apparatus comprises a conveyor mounted to an agricultural commodity cart. A hopper is pivotally attached to the lower end of the conveyor tube and a hopper conveyor section is mounted along a bottom of the hopper. The hopper pivots from an extended position to a folded position. In the extended position the hopper is oriented at an angle to the conveyor tube such that the hopper extends along the ground when the conveyor is in the operating position, and is connected to the lower end of the conveyor tube such that the hopper conveyor section conveys material entering the hopper into the lower end of the conveyor tube for conveyance up the conveyor tube. A lock is operative to lock the hopper and conveyor together when the hopper is in the extended position. Hydraulic cylinders can be provided to facilitate use with larger conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Bourgault Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Cresswell, Scot Jagow, Bob Cochran, Dean Thomas
  • Patent number: 7198450
    Abstract: An agricultural combine including an unloading system wherein an unloading conduit assembly is, in an operational set-up, rotatable or swivelable through an arc of 360° to permit grain unloading into a grain truck located at any point around the combine, whether the combine is stationary or moving. For road travel or storage the unloading conduit assembly, or some portion of it, is pivoted into a set-up wherein the longitudinal conduit is retracted into nesting relationship against the side of the combine and below the top of the grain tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Matousek, Jonathon E. Ricketts, Joshua J. Wolters, Dennis P. Silver
  • Patent number: 7134830
    Abstract: A grain wagon includes a wheel supported frame supporting a container having inclined front and rear walls connected by opposite inclined side walls. Each side wall has inwardly projecting wall portions defining a wheel well for receiving longitudinally offset dual wheels or extra wide wheels. The rear wall includes a portion sloping between the wheel well wall portions to a forward grain removal zone, and generally triangular diverter walls extend from the rear wall to the wheel well wall portions. A corner discharge auger conveyor extends from the grain removal zone and has an upper portion which pivots to a stored position adjacent the front wall of the container. The dual wheels are positioned within the wheel wells by support members having end portions pivotally connected to the wagon frame and opposite end portions connected to the frame by laterally slidable clamping plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: J. & M. Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Wood
  • Patent number: 7093707
    Abstract: A grain delivery conveyor for a grain tank of an agricultural combine includes a first gear box including a first input connectable in rotatably driven relation to a rotatable power source for rotation about a first axis, and a first output rotatable about a second axis angularly related to the first axis by rotation of the first rotatable input; a second gear box including a second rotatable input connected in rotatably driven relation to the first output for rotation about the second axis, and a second output rotatably driveable about a third axis angularly related to the second axis by rotation of the second rotatable input; and an elongate conveyor assembly connected in rotatably driven relation to the second output, the second gear box and the conveyor being jointly pivotable about at least the second axis for varying a position of a free end of the conveyor relative to the grain tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Matousek, Kelvin Bennett, Peter J. Ungs, William Cooksey
  • Patent number: 6964551
    Abstract: An improved trailer for transporting bulk seed boxes is provided. The trailer includes a bed, a hopper extending below the bed for receiving seed from the bulk seed box, and an auger for unloading seed from the hopper. The bed includes upwardly and outwardly extending guide plates to provide self-centering of the seed box when the box is loaded onto the bed with a forklift truck. The bed includes lock bars moveable between locked and unlocked positions to secure the seed box to the bed. The hopper includes a slide gate with a control arm connected to the gate and extending to the auger side of the trailer for moving the slide gate between open and closed position. The auger includes a foldable upper section which is pivotal between a folded transport position and an extended raised operative position. The folding of the upper auger section is facilitated by a gas cylinder and a lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Friesen USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Garry D. Friesen
  • Patent number: 6910845
    Abstract: An improved combination of a powered combine carrying a combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and a towed grain cart carrying a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain includes improved harvested grain transfer between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and improved off-loading of harvested grain from the combination. A generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly is pivotally connected within the combine grain bin and pivotally connected within the grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. A generally vertically disposed second grain movement assembly is cooperatively operable with the first grain movement assembly for transferring grain from the grain cart bin to the first grain movement assembly and thence to the combine grain bin. An off-loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off-loading grain only from the combine grain bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventor: Ben N. Dillon
  • Patent number: 6908380
    Abstract: A hinged unloading auger for an agricultural combine that reduces the portion of the unloading auger that extends beyond the rear end of the combine when the unloading auger is in its storage position. The horizontal section of the unloading auger includes a hinged joint that connects a first segment and a second segment. In the storage position, the joint is separated to provide a compact storage package. In the unloading position, the second segment is rotated around the hinge so that the axes of the first and second segments are coaxial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Dennis P. Silver
  • Patent number: 6893202
    Abstract: A two-wheeled hoppered cart is particularly adapted to receive crop from a combine and transfer same to another transport vehicle with an unloading conveyor, and to conveniently transport products to an air-seeder cart. The frame comprises a rear frame portion supporting the hoppered container, and a front frame portion extending forward and down from the rear frame portion to a hitch. A port with a gate is located below the rear frame, and a pair of wheels is mounted on the frame such that the rotational axis is located below the rear frame portion and rearward of the port. An access area below the port, ahead of the port, and to the first side of the port, is unobstructed. An intake hopper of a conventional air-seeder cart filling conveyor can be positioned under the port with the filling conveyor in front of the wheel on the first side of the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Bourgault Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeff Hunt
  • Patent number: 6881022
    Abstract: A combined dump truck and spreader apparatus is disclosed for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The apparatus includes a truck chassis and a body for receiving and dispensing the materials. The body has a first and a second end and a first and second curved side wall. The body is secured to the chassis and a tailgate is secured to the first end of the body. An auger arrangement is disposed within the body and extends between the first and second ends thereof for transporting the materials along the body. The tailgate defines an opening which co-operates with the auger arrangement for permitting the flow therethrough of the materials. The arrangement is such that selective spreading and dumping of the materials from the opening is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignees: Cives Corporation, Monroe Truck Equipment Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Feller
  • Publication number: 20040184905
    Abstract: An agricultural grain wagon includes a one-piece floor auger which may be removed as a unit from the rear of the wagon for servicing. A clean-out pan is slidably mounted beneath the floor auger and a lower tough forming the bottom of the hopper. The clean-out pan may be reciprocated beneath the floor auger to clean out any residual grain beneath the hopper. The wagon also includes a forward two-piece unload auger having an upper section which may be positioned to a field fold position using an auger stand, thus reducing the time to place the unload auger in the discharge position and providing an extended reach of the unloaded auger to facilitate unloading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: KINZE MANUFACTURING, INC. (Iowa Corporation)
    Inventors: Jon E. Kinzenbaw, Alan F. Barry, Dan L. Garland, Lisle J. Dunham
  • Publication number: 20040179929
    Abstract: A self-unloading cart has a hopper with a sump and several inclined floor portions arranged substantially symmetrically about a longitudinal plane through the sump and extending generally outward and upward from the sump. An inclined floor auger having a inlet underneath the sump and an outlet at a predetermined height above the inlet is disposed beneath a forward one of inclined floor portions and extends to a front of the cart. The inclined floor auger has a first helical blade disposed rotatably about an axial centerline of the inclined floor auger within a hollow, partially enclosed first cylinder. A vertical folding auger with an entrance end connectably disposed to the outlet for receiving material transported by the inclined floor auger and a discharge end is disposed proximate to the front of the cart. The vertical folding auger has a second helical blade disposed rotatably within a hollow, enclosed second cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Michael D. Van Mill
  • Patent number: 6776569
    Abstract: A self-unloading grain cart having a horizontal auger and a vertical auger for unloading grain from the cart. The cart having a plurality of gates for accessing a portion of the auger at one time so as not to overload the auger. The cart also having a clutch for engaging or disengaging the horizontal auger so that the vertical auger can be turned independently from the horizontal auger. The starting and stopping of the movement of grain when unloading the cart is thereby enhanced to prevent spillage and for quicker restarts with lower power requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Balzer, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy McMahon, Frank Bazzoli, Donald Marcy, Trent J. Hoek
  • Patent number: 6767174
    Abstract: A self-unloading container apparatus comprises a container mounted on a vehicle. An upright auger tube has its bottom end in the container and top end outside the container. An intermediate auger tube is pivotally attached at one end to the upright auger tube so as to pivot about a pivot axis on a pivot plane and at the other end to a lateral auger tube at a fixed oblique angle. A universal joint connects the intermediate flighting shaft to the upright flighting shaft with the center of the joint on the pivot plane and axis. A constant velocity universal joint connects the intermediate flighting shaft to the lateral flighting shaft with a center thereof located at the intersection of axes of the intermediate and lateral auger tubes. The lateral auger tube pivots from a transport position aligned with the travel direction, to an operating position transverse to the travel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Bourgault Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Cresswell
  • Publication number: 20040067125
    Abstract: An improved combination of a powered combine carrying a combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and a towed grain cart carrying a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain includes improved harvested grain transfer between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and improved off-loading of harvested grain from the combination. A generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly is pivotally connected within the combine grain bin and pivotally connected within the grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. A generally vertically disposed second grain movement assembly is cooperatively operable with the first grain movement assembly for transferring grain from the grain cart bin to the first grain movement assembly and thence to the combine grain bin. An off-loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off-loading grain only from the combine grain cart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Ben N. Dillon
  • Patent number: 6688834
    Abstract: A self-contained hydraulic power unit is described for powering a hydraulic actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder or a hydraulic motor positioned on a grain trailer or the like. A battery operated hydraulic pump pressurizes a hydraulic accumulator so that when needed, hydraulic fluid can be supplied from the pressurized hydraulic accumulator to a valve which in turn is connected to a hydraulic actuator or actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Vinc L. Aulick
  • Publication number: 20040013506
    Abstract: A work vehicle is provided for conveying an agricultural product via a movable member or tube to an adjacent product receiving bin. The movable member is controllable to swing back and forth accurately over the bin under precise operator control to enable the bin to be “topped off”. An auger or other conveyer device is used to feed product into the movable member. The vehicle's control system includes an extend switch and a retract switch which operate in a latched first mode when the conveyer device is not actuated. In the latched first mode, the extend or retract switches are pressed once to start the swinging motion of the movable member and are pressed a second time to stop the swinging motion. However, when the conveyer device is turned on to feed product into the movable member, the vehicle's control system switches to an unlatched second mode. In the unlatched second mode, the operator presses the extend or retract switch and the corresponding swinging motion commences upon such contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Quentin L. Guhr, John F. Link, Jay D. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6623233
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a process for the removal of bulk material from a container, in particular, from a box-shaped transport container. In order to be able to suction the bulk material off in a simple and reliable manner out of the transport container, one first of all attaches to an outlet area of container (10) a removal instrument (23) that has a conveyance device. This conveyance device conveys the bulk material in the removal instrument (23) essentially against its direction of outflow out of container (10) into a discharge area of the removal instrument (23) out of which bulk material is sectioned off by means of an off-suctioning device (39) that is connected thereto. To support the off-suctioning of the bulk material, air—by means of an air supply device (17, 19, 20′)—is so piped into the bulk material located in container (10) that the bulk material is fluidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Arthur Peveling
  • Publication number: 20030175103
    Abstract: A two-wheeled hoppered cart is particularly adapted to receive crop from a combine and transfer same to another transport vehicle with an unloading conveyor, and to conveniently transport products to an air-seeder cart. The frame comprises a rear frame portion supporting the hoppered container, and a front frame portion extending forward and down from the rear frame portion to a hitch. A port with a gate is located below the rear frame, and a pair of wheels is mounted on the frame such that the rotational axis is located below the rear frame portion and rearward of the port. An access area below the port, ahead of the port, and to the first side of the port, is unobstructed. An intake hopper of a conventional air-seeder cart filling conveyor can be positioned under the port with the filling conveyor in front of the wheel on the first side of the cart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Bourgault Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeff Hunt
  • Publication number: 20030175102
    Abstract: A self-unloading container apparatus comprises a container mounted on a vehicle. An upright auger tube has its bottom end in the container and top end outside the container. An intermediate auger tube is pivotally attached at one end to the upright auger tube so as to pivot about a pivot axis on a pivot plane and at the other end to a lateral auger tube at a fixed oblique angle. A universal joint connects the intermediate flighting shaft to the upright flighting shaft with the center of the joint on the pivot plane and axis. A constant velocity universal joint connects the intermediate flighting shaft to the lateral flighting shaft with a center thereof located at the intersection of axes of the intermediate and lateral auger tubes. The lateral auger tube pivots from a transport position aligned with the travel direction, to an operating position transverse to the travel direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Bourgault Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark Cresswell
  • Patent number: 6606844
    Abstract: The present invention is a grain unloading assembly for unloading clean grain from a combine grain bin, wherein a combine harvests grain and cleans it to provide the clean grain. Such grain unloading assembly includes a vertical flighted conveyor adapted to operate in either direction which is disposed within a housing that is fitted at its top with a bin spout, a discharge spout, and a moveable door that permits communication of the flighted conveyor either with the bin spout or with the discharge spout. Another aspect of the invention is an unload assembly including a distal frame nested within a proximal frame. The distal frame is extensible from and retractable into the proximal frame. This unload assembly includes a conveyor system that permits the conveyor to extend as the distal conveyor extends and retract as the distal conveyor retracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventors: Ben N. Dillon, Thomas E. Sparrow
  • Patent number: 6585472
    Abstract: A vehicle including a combination body for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The vehicle includes, at least, a chassis and a body pivotably secured to the chassis at a hinge. The body is comprised of front and rear ends having upper and lower edges and first and second side walls having lower edges. A hoist is provided which extends between the body and the chassis for pivoting the body about the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Henderson Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark Stephen Hollinrake, Timothy Ray Schenk, David Alan Cabalka, Terry J. Sommerfelt, Thomas E. Amthauer, Marc E. Cabalka, Mart E. Ward
  • Patent number: 6425725
    Abstract: The invention is a bulk handing apparatus attachable to the flat bed of a truck having a flat bed tiltable on the frame of the truck rearward at an angle. The apparatus has a rectangular elongated frame having side frame members spaced from one another to receive seed containers with projecting ledges the bottom of the containers. The side frame members have inward flanges for engagement over the projecting ledges of seed containers to lock the containers between the side frames and is adapted to receive a plurality of seed containers between the side frame members..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. Ehlers
  • Patent number: 6422376
    Abstract: An auger coupler for a folding grain conveyor is disclosed which operates to connect an upper auger to a lower auger. A drive member adapted to be connected to the lower auger include a pilot shaft designed to help align the drive member with the driven member and an annular thrust bearing surface surrounding the pilot shaft. Spaced outwardly from the thrust bearing surface is an annular row of drive teeth. The drive teeth project axially upwardly from an annular base surface which is parallel to and concentric with the thrust bearing surface. A driven member adapted to be connected to the upper auger includes a receiver sized and shaped to accept the pilot shaft of the drive member. The receiver is also surrounded by an annular thrust bearing surface. Spaced radially outwardly from the thrust bearing surface is an annular row of driven teeth which are structurally identical to the drive teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Sunflower Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk E. Nichols, Jeffrey S. Hughes
  • Patent number: 6422803
    Abstract: A discharge system with dual doors and an intermediate auger for dispensing materials from a storage receptacle either beneath the receptacle or remotely. The operator may select to discharge stored materials beneath the receptacle by opening an upper door and lower door to permit gravitational discharge from the receptacle. An intermediate auger is remotely coupled to an auger system for remote discharge. The auger system comprises two discrete sections selectively coupled by a pivot assembly. During coupling, the second section arcuately moves from a stowed position into a discharge position wherein receptive contact is established with the first section. The first section comprises an elongated conveyor disposed between the upper and lower doors to receive dispensed materials for subsequent output adjacent the trailer periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Industrial Ironworks, Inc.
    Inventor: William Wesley Adams
  • Publication number: 20020081183
    Abstract: A belly dump vehicle includes a containment body with an exterior surface and an underlying belly having opposed ends. An auger tunnel extends through one of the opposed ends of the belly and communicates with the exterior surface of the body. A rotatably mounted auger extends between the opposed ends of the belly and protrudes into the auger tunnel. A granular matter broadcast assembly is mounted to the exterior of the body in communication with the auger tunnel. A prime mover selectively rotates the auger, whereby granular matter from a load contained in the belly is fed by the auger through the auger tunnel to the broadcast assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Mike E. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6325588
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the remote operation of an auger attached to a portable unit for storing and transporting particulate matter. A bin having a number of sidewalls which converge downwardly and inwardly to a discharge end secured to a frame. A discharge chute is attached to the bin to receive particulate matter from the bin and transfer the particulate matter from the bin. An unloading auger is secured within the discharge chute and powered by a motor which is secured to the frame. In general operation, a clutch assembly engages the motor to the unloading auger causing the particulate matter to be unloaded. A user may use a transmitter to send a signal to a receiver which increases or decreases the output of the motor and engages or disengages the clutch such that the auger may be started or stopped. The transmitter and receiver may communicate using a radio signal. Additionally, wheels may support the frame and a trailer hitch may be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Pride Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl W. Nolin
  • Patent number: 6261050
    Abstract: A system and auger assembly for conveying a solid granular material includes a rotatable auger, a first auger tube and a second auger tube telescopically recieved in the first auger tube. A drive mechanism longitudinally moves the second tube between a first position in which the second tube extends from the first tube and over a remaining portion of the length of the auger, and a second position in which the second tube is telescopically recieved within the first auger tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: E-Z Trail, Inc.
    Inventor: Abe B. Kuhns
  • Patent number: 6173917
    Abstract: A granular material spreader is adapted for towing behind a yard tractor. A frame upports an inverted cone which is sized to contain a supply of granular material for distribution. The bin sweep rod is carried adjacent to the inside surface of the cone, and turns a drive spring. The drive spring drives a helix, which rotates about the bin sweep rod, driving the granular material toward the narrow base of the cone. Should the helix become jammed, the drive spring snaps past the helix, rather than risk damage by forcing its movement. A bin sweep drive wheel is also driven by the revolution of the bin sweep. Movement of the wheel against the an upper portion of the outside surface of the cone moves the bin sweep rod and helix in a circular path about the inside surface of the cone. A valve at the base of the cone allows granular material to drop into a housing which defines slots about portions of its perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: David Whitell
  • Patent number: 6152668
    Abstract: A coal charging car for a coke-oven battery has a screw-type feeder beneath the coal hopper shiftable on the chassis of the car to allow positioning of the outlet of that feeder over the hole communicating with the coking chamber without moving the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Thyssen Krupp Encoke GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Knoch
  • Patent number: 6129499
    Abstract: A discharge system with dual doors and an intermediate auger for dispensing materials from a storage receptacle either beneath the receptacle or remotely. The operator may select to discharge stored materials beneath the receptacle by opening an upper door and lower door to permit gravitational discharge from the receptacle. An intermediate auger is remotely coupled to an auger system for remote discharge. The auger system comprises two discrete sections selectively coupled by a pivot assembly. During coupling, the second section arcuately moves from a stowed position into a discharge position wherein receptive contact is established with the first section. The first section comprises an elongated conveyor disposed between the upper and lower doors to receive dispensed materials for subsequent output adjacent the trailer periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Industrial Iron Works, Inc.
    Inventor: William Wesley Adams
  • Patent number: 6120233
    Abstract: A bulk seed bag carrier and dispenser of the present invention is adapted to transport and dispense the contents of a plurality of bulk seed bags. The bag carrier and dispenser includes a plurality of hoppers having V-shaped bottoms which help to empty the contents of the bag as well as stabilize the bag within the hopper. A horizontal auger is disposed below the hoppers and empties into a discharge auger having a movable and telescoping spout. The hoppers of the bulk seed carrier are offset to one side to allow a fork lift to move closer to the hoppers. The bulk seed carrier is preferably controlled by a wireless remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Gerald E. Adam
  • Patent number: 6113339
    Abstract: An auger system for a gravitationally dispensing storage receptacle associated with a trailer. The system comprises two discrete sections selectively coupled by a pivot assembly. During coupling, the second section arcuately moves from a stowed position into a discharge position wherein receptive contact is established with the first section. The first section comprises an elongated conveyor disposed beneath the bin to receive dispensed materials for subsequent output adjacent the trailer periphery. The conveyor comprises a cylindrical housing supporting a terminal hydraulic motor that rotates an internal screw auger to propel dispensed particulate material inside the transporter to an output orifice for transfer into the second section for external delivery. The second section comprises a auger transporter that comprises a cylindrical housing supporting a terminal motor rotating an internal screw auger that propels materials therethrough to an external discharge spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Industrial Iron Works
    Inventor: William Wesley Adams
  • Patent number: 6092974
    Abstract: A low profile trailer adapted for use with bulk material containers having either a central discharge port, or a side discharge port. The trailer includes a trailer bed having a pair of container decks each adapted to receive and support a bulk container. Each of the container decks has both a central discharge opening and a side discharge opening disposed to register with the central and side discharge ports of various bulk containers. A retainer lip extends up from and around three sides of each container deck so that a rigid bulk container may be loaded on the container deck with a fork lift and be conveniently positioned and secured on the deck. All discharge openings communicate with a hopper located under the trailer bed, and a hydraulically powered auger is used to discharge material, such as seed, from the hopper to the seed boxes of a planter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Jason B. Roth
  • Patent number: 6042326
    Abstract: In a grain cart equipped with a lower horizontally-disposed input drag auger, a vertically disposed lift auger, and an upper horizontally disposed discharge auger, a unique drive train is used. The lift auger and the discharge auger can be activated independently of the input auger in order to empty their contents on start-up of the grain cart discharge system. By so doing the strain on the drive train is considerably lessened thus permitting very large grain carts to be emptied without damage to the drive train system. A hydraulic cylinder activates a belt-tightener between a drive sheave and a driven sheave. The driven sheave is attached to the axis of the drag auger. When the hydraulic cylinder is extended, pressure exerted on the belt causes the input auger to rotate and to feed the lift and discharge augers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Bourgault Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Dean Thomas, Darren Borstmayer, Ronald Allan
  • Patent number: 6017182
    Abstract: A wheel supported wagon includes a gravity discharge container or hopper for directing grain, feed, dry fertilizer or other granular material into a receiving box mounted on the side of the hopper. An inclined elongated auger unit includes a tubular conduit enclosing a hydraulically driven auger, and the lower end portion of the conduit has an inwardly projecting and upwardly curved annular upper flange. The flange seats on a downwardly projecting and outwardly curved lower flange forming part of an annular auger support member projecting downwardly from the material receiving box. The mating flanges provide for rotating the auger unit on a vertical axis and also for tilting the auger unit in a vertical plane at any selected rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: J. & M. Manfacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice Grieshop
  • Patent number: 5927617
    Abstract: A truck in accordance with the present invention includes a dump body, a truck frame with a rear axle, a lift system, and a conveying system. The dump body is defined by a unitary floor, a pair of sidewalls which extend tip from opposite sides of the floor, and a front wall and a back wall located on opposite sides of the floor and extending between the sidewalls. The dump body is pivotally connected to the truck frame adjacent to the back wall. The lift system is mounted to the truck frame and the dump body for lifting an end of the dump body proximate the front wall between a lowered resting position on the truck frame and an upper raised position. The conveying system is positioned on the floor behind the rear axle and extends between the pair of sidewalls. The dump body has at least one opening in alignment with the conveying system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventors: Charles S. Musso, Jr., Tom Musso
  • Patent number: 5906471
    Abstract: A vehicle has a mixing bin with a discharge chute, with or without a discharge door. An adjustable duct assembly in communication with the discharge chute has a second chute. Bedding materials are mixed in the bin, discharged through the discharge chute, and mechanically moved through the duct assembly to the second chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Inventor: Larry J. Schwoerer
  • Patent number: 5876176
    Abstract: A stowage latch assembly for an auger includes a hopper for holding granular material and an auger barrel which is swingably movable in an auger-stowing path from a hopper-unloading position, where the auger barrel extends outwardly from the hopper, to an auger-stowage position, where the auger is positioned adjacent a sidewall of the hopper. An auger-latching support assembly is provided, which includes a gate member openable for receiving the auger barrel when the barrel is moved from the hopper-unloading position to the auger-stowage position. The gate member is locked in a closed position when the auger is in the stowage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Smith, Michael J. Hilvers, Kenneth L. Bellmann
  • Patent number: 5864971
    Abstract: An earthmoving apparatus collects windrows of loose material left behind during roadmaking via a ground tracking pick up head and without damaging the ground surface. The apparatus can be used for removing other types of loose material from the ground without damage to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Norton Thomas Jones
  • Patent number: 5855466
    Abstract: A vehicle discharge system for a vehicle (1) provided with a rearwardly tippable bed (2) which includes a tailgate (3) is constituted by a housing (5) mounted at the rear of the bed (2) adjacent to the tailgate (3), a discharge auger (4) rotatably supported within the housing (5) and arranged to receive material which passes the tailgate (3) when the bed is tipped, an auger drive (9) to drive the auger and discharge material carried within the vehicle bed (2) to the side of the vehicle (1) as the bed is tipped and flow control structure (1) capable of differentially exposing material held within the vehicle bed (2) to the discharge auger (4). The flow control structure is constituted by a flow control gate (1) which is capable of being moved in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base of the vehicle bed (2) and tilted to form a tapered and adjustable opening which exposes material within the vehicle bed to the auger as the bed is tipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Harsh Limited
    Inventors: Robert Grant Faulkner, Stephen Carl Henderson, Andrew Michael Brown
  • Patent number: 5829949
    Abstract: A dispensing bucket apparatus that removably connects to a loader vehicle. The apparatus is a bucket that is adapted to receive and hold a flowable material and has an exit opening in its front end that is selectively opened and closed by a gate. The position of the gate may be controlled by the user from within the loader vehicle to control the flow and flow rate of the flowable material from the bucket. An alternate bucket design uses a manual latch to release the gate to an opened position. The side walls of the bucket converge toward the front of the bucket and form a funnel that directs the flowable material to the exit opening. The construction of the apparatus is such that the user can view the pour at all times and, thereby, reduce spillage and waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Akard & Griffin
    Inventor: Rodney E. Brown
  • Patent number: 5827038
    Abstract: An improved means for dispensing a substantially even flow of semi-liquid material such as, concrete, into remote areas includes the use of an auger assembly mounted within a bucket of a construction machine. The auger assembly has a tubular housing with sealed end portions and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion has a receiving passage defined therein. An auger is mounted within the tubular housing and has a blade portion which is rotatable in either a first or second direction by power supplied through a bi-directional motor. The semi-liquid material is poured into the bucket and enters the auger only through the receiving passage. The direction of rotation is chosen by an operator so that the material is conveyed along a rotational axis toward either a first or second opening, respectively, adjacent a remote area. The semi-liquid material flows substantially evenly through either the first or second openings to fill the remote area uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Barden
  • Patent number: 5800116
    Abstract: A gravity box grain cart has an auger assembly for conveying granular material. The auger assembly includes an auger with an axis and a helical flight along the axis, with the auger having a feed end, a discharge end and a central auger section therebetween. A cylindrical auger tube surrounds at least the central auger section, and the feed end of the auger extends outwardly from the tube. A sump for granular material is connected to the auger tube and surrounds the feed end of the auger. The auger, auger tube and sump are pivotable about approximately the feed end of the auger in approximately a first plane. The auger, auger tube and sump are further pivotable about approximately the feed end of the auger in a second plane approximately perpendicular to the first plane. The sump has a diameter through the axis of the auger which is about perpendicular to the second plane, and which is at least about 40-100% larger than the diameter of the auger tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Smith, Steven R. Hilvers
  • Patent number: 5797480
    Abstract: A hanger bearing is provided for use with a bulk feed truck or trailer having a discharge auger located in an auger trough at the lower end of the feed body. The hanger bearing includes a threaded upper end which is vertically adjustably secured to a hanger bearing support positioned above the discharge auger. A split bearing is mounted at the lower end of the hanger bearing which removably embraces the auger shaft of the discharge auger to rotatably support the discharge auger in the auger trough. An access opening is provided in the auger trough below the hanger bearing and is selectively closed by an access door so that the hanger bearing may be replaced or serviced should the occasion arise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Courtesy Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Gaddis, Roy Gaddis, Myland D. Hepker