Apparatus and method for loading agricultural material

• US 6,186,730 B1
• Filed: 01/12/1998
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Justin Place
• Original Assignee: Justin Place
• Inventors: Place, Justin
• Primary Examiner(s): Keenan, James W.
• Application Number:
  US09/005,652
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 414/295, 414/397, 414/398, 414/399, 414/414, 414/519, 414/808, 414/809, 198/535, 198/560
• US Class Current: 414/519
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/16 Preventing pulverisation, deformation, breakage, or other mechanical damage to the goods or materials

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus and method for reduced impact loading of impact sensitive materials, such as agricultural seed material, into a bin from above. The loading apparatus includes a door selectively movable between a lower position and an upper position. A guide mounts the door at the bin and provides a predetermined path between the lower and upper positions for the door. A drive is used to selectively vary the position of the door along the path in response to accumulation of material loaded from above. The door is first moved to the lower position for initial loading. A material dispenser having a discharge end is extended through an access opening in the bin at the door for initial loading of material therein. As material accumulates in the bin during loading, the discharge end is selectively raised in the access opening to maintain it within a predetermined distance range above such material. The door is also selectively raised to varying positions above the lower position to cover the access opening as material accumulates in the bin.

Claims

1. An agricultural loading apparatus for a planter bin to reduce impact on agricultural material loaded with a transfer device having a discharge end portion, the apparatus comprising:

a receptacle having a side wall defining a loading port capable of receiving therethrough a discharge end portion of an agricultural material transfer device to facilitate loading of the receptacle through the side wall at varying heights;

a door at the loading port movable along a predetermined path to selectively expose and cover the loading port;

a guide mounting the door at the loading port and providing the predetermined path; and

a drive for selectively moving the door along the path in response to accumulation of agricultural material during loading of the receptacle through the loading port.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the guide includes a pair of spaced rails to guide the door along the predetermined path.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the predetermined path is substantially vertical and loading of the receptacle is done through the loading port with a discharge end portion of an agricultural transfer device at a predetermined vertical distance relative to the door and the door being movable vertically as agricultural material accumulates in the receptacle.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 further comprising a control device to coordinate movement of the door with agricultural material accumulation.