PORTABLE SAND BAG HOPPER

• US 20100071806A1
• Filed: 09/19/2008
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Michael England
• Original Assignee: James Michael England
• Inventors: ENGLAND, JAMES MICHAEL
• Granted Patent: US 7,954,520 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/313
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 1/36 by volumetric devices or methods checking volume of filled material B65B1/48
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 67/12 Sack holders, i.e. stands or frames with means for supporting sacks in the open condition to facilitate filling with articles or materials nozzles, funnels or guides adapted to support sacks B65B39/06

Abstract

A highly portable sand bag hopper has the shape of a cabinet with the front open. The top of the cabinet has a loading opening for loading sand into a lower cone. The loading cone has a larger upper end attached to the top opening and a lower, smaller tapered end inside the cabinet. A horizontal sliding door is located near the lower, smaller tapered end of the cone and opens and closes the lower discharge opening. The sliding door is rotatably attached to a horizontal lever by a pin. The lever arm and door are normally biased closed by a spring. The upper part of the cone is loaded with sand at a predetermined level and a sand bag is attached or held under the lower discharge opening. As the lever arm is pulled towards the back of the cabinet, the lower door slides open, discharging the sand into the sand bag. The upper part of the cone may be marked to measure discreet amounts of sand to be discharged into the sand bag. A seal may be located around the lower opening to sweep sand or debris from the top of the discharge door.

Claims

1. :

A portable sandbag hopper for filling sand bags, comprising;

(a) An essentially rectangular cabinet having an open front and essentially vertical sides and back connected to an essentially horizontal top, said top having an essentially circular opening;

(b) A loading cone inside of said cabinet wherein the upper, larger part of said cone is attached to said upper top opening, the lower, smaller tapered part of said cone having a discharge hole;

(c) A horizontal, slidable discharge door located in the lower part of said cone, wherein said door is adapted to slide to open or close the lower discharge hole;

(d) A discharge lever pivotably connected to one side of said cabinet, connected to said discharge door and biased towards the closed position by a spring;

wherein movement of said lever towards the back of said cabinet opens said discharge door and allows sand to be discharged from said loading cone.

2. :

A portable sand bag hopper as in claim 1, further comprising a seal on top of said slidable door.