Hopper closure assembly with telescoping gate and method of using same
First Claim
1. A hopper closure assembly for opening and closing a discharge opening in a hopper containing granular material, the hopper closure assembly comprising:
- a gate frame surrounding the discharge opening;
a gate moveably mounted to the gate frame from a closed position in covering relation over the discharge opening to an open position uncovering at least a portion of the discharge opening for removal of the granular material through the discharge opening;
the gate having a first section and a second section;
the first section having a minor door moveable from a closed gate position to a partially open gate position;
the second section having a main door moveable from a partially open gate position to an open gate position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A closure mechanism for a hopper bottom trailer is provided which utilizes a telescoping gate with a minor door and a main door. A method of using a hopper closure assembly which involves the steps moving the gate from a closed position to a partially open position by sliding a first section minor door over a second section major door and then moving the gate to an open position by moving the minor and major doors across the discharge opening. The method also includes the steps moving the gate from the open position to a partially closed position and then to a closed position.
8 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hopper closure assembly for opening and closing a discharge opening in a hopper containing granular material, the hopper closure assembly comprising:
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a gate frame surrounding the discharge opening;
a gate moveably mounted to the gate frame from a closed position in covering relation over the discharge opening to an open position uncovering at least a portion of the discharge opening for removal of the granular material through the discharge opening;
the gate having a first section and a second section;
the first section having a minor door moveable from a closed gate position to a partially open gate position;
the second section having a main door moveable from a partially open gate position to an open gate position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A hopper bottom trailer using a hopper closure assembly for opening and closing a discharge opening in a hopper containing granular material, the hopper closure assembly comprising in combination:
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a gate frame engaging the discharge opening;
a gate operably mounted in the gate frame for longitudinal movement;
the gate having a first section with a minor door and a second section with a main door;
the minor and main doors each having a front portion and a rear portion;
wherein when the gate is in a closed position the minor door front portion is adjacent the gate frame and the minor door rear portion is slidingly coupled to the main door front portion;
wherein when the gate is in a partially open position the minor door at least partially telescopes upon the main door;
wherein when the gate is in an open position the minor and main doors move together to open the discharge opening. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of opening a hopper closure assembly having a hopper containing granular material and a discharge opening below the granular material whereby the granular material by gravity has a weight force directed toward the discharge opening, the method comprising:
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providing a gate having a first section with a minor door and a second section with a main door covering the discharge opening;
moving the gate from a closed position wherein the first section and second section cover the discharge opening, to a partially open position wherein the first section opens the discharge opening to initially permit the granular material to move through a portion of the discharge opening;
moving the gate from a partially open position to an open position wherein the second section further opens the discharge opening. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification