Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02911609 2015-11-09
UNLOAD TEE
FIELD
[0001] Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to techniques for unload
tees
used in transporting materials.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Unload tees are used in a variety of industries to transport and
deliver bulk
materials. Unload tees may be installed at the bottom of transportation
vehicles (or
other difficult to reach places) and further, conventional unload tees may be
difficult to
operate at certain angles or in certain situations. This may result in
haphazard securing
of the tee when delivery is complete, resulting in damage to the assembly
and/or
vehicle. Thus, there is a need for an improved unload tee that is secure, safe
and
allows for ease of operation.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] An unload tee has a tee body with a front side and a rear side. The tee
assembly
includes an extendable link pivotally connected at one end to the tee body and
at the
other end to the handle, which also acts as part of the linkage. This
extendable link
allows for the compact storage of the linkage while in the 'closed' position
and also
allows the linkage to have the necessary span to allow the door to be
completely out of
the path of the falling material when the tee is in the `open' position.
[0004] The door is located on the very bottom of the tee body and is situated
to cover an
opening that extends from the very top through to the bottom, allowing for the
passage
of material through the tee. The door is pivotally connected to the 'rear' of
the tee body
and at the 'front' side it is pivotally connected to the handle, which as
previously stated,
is also connected to one end of the extendable link.
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[0005] In one broad aspect, an unload tee assembly apparatus is provided
comprising a
handle connected to a door of the unload tee assembly, wherein the handle is
configured for opening the door with one action. Further, the handle ca be
further
configured for closing the door with one action.
[0006] In another aspect, an unload tee is provided having a tee body with a
front side
and a rear side, and further comprising: an extendable link pivotally
connected to the
front side of the tee body, wherein the extendable link is slidable from a
first position
wherein the extendable link is shortened to a second position wherein the
extendable
link is lengthened relative to the first position. An arm is pivotally
connected at an
opposite end of the extendable link and a door is pivotally connected to an
end of the
arm unconnected to the extendable link and configured to cover an opening of
the tee
body, wherein an end of the door unconnected to the arm is pivotally connected
proximate the rear side of the tee body.
[0007] In another broad aspect, a method of unloading a volume of materials
through an
unload tee assembly is provided comprising the steps of manipulating a handle
of the
unload tee assembly with one action; and opening a door of the unload tee
assembly
according to the step of manipulating the handle. The method can further
comprises the
closing the door of the unload tee assembly according to another step of
manipulating
the handle.
[0008] In another aspect, a method of unloading a volume of materials through
an
unload tee is provided comprising the steps of: manipulating a handle
connected to an
arm, wherein the arm is pivotally connected to an extendable link, and wherein
the arm
is pivotally connected to a door at one end of the arm; transferring motion
from the
handle to the arm and the extendable link, wherein the extendable link is
capable of
shortening and lengthening and is pivotally connected to a front beam of the
unload tee;
pivoting the extendable link about the front beam; lengthening the extendable
link;
pivoting the arm about the extendable link; and opening a door of the unload
tee.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The exemplary embodiments may be better understood, and numerous
objects,
features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by
referencing the
accompanying drawings. These drawings are used to illustrate only exemplary
embodiments, and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the
disclosure may
admit to other equally effective exemplary embodiments. The
figures are not
necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may
be shown
exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and
conciseness.
Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an unload
tee in a
fully open position.
Figure 1A depicts a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a
transportation
vehicle or storage vessel, valve and unload tee with the unload tee in a fully
open
position delivering a volume of material.
Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an unload
tee in a
closed position.
Figure 3 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an unload tee in a
closed
position.
Figure 4 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an unload tee in a
partially
open position following the position of Figure 3 when opening.
Figure 5 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an unload tee in
another
partially open position following the position of Figure 4 when opening.
Figure 6 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an unload tee in a
fully
open position following the position of Figure 5 when opening.
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DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)
[0010] The description that follows includes exemplary apparatus, methods,
techniques,
and instruction sequences that embody techniques of the inventive subject
matter.
However, it is understood that the described exemplary embodiments may be
practiced
without these specific details.
[0011] Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an
unload
tee 10 in a fully open position. Figure IA depicts a schematic view of an
exemplary
embodiment of the unload tee 10 in the fully open position delivering a volume
of
material 70 below a transportation vehicle 60 and valve 50. The unload tee 10
has a tee
body 12 which defines a bore 14 that travels through the tee body 12. As known
to one
having ordinary skill in the art, at one end of the bore 14 is a flange 16
configured for
attaching or mounting to a controllable valve 50 (such as, for example, a
butterfly valve)
sandwiched between the flange 16 and a transportation vehicle/storage vessel
60 (or
other pipe or conduit system to which the unload tee 10 is connected). At the
opposite
end of the bore 14 from flange 16 (and forming part of the bore 14) is an
opening 13,
which is covered by the tee door 24 when the unload tee 10 is in a closed
position (see
Figure 2). Further, the tee body 12 may have coupling ends 18 at an axis
perpendicular
to the bore 14. The coupling ends 18 as known to one having ordinary skill in
the art
may run along the vehicle/storage vessel 60 and/or may connect the unload tee
10 for
establishing flow along the vehicle 60 to pipes, hoses, tees or other fittings
as part of the
materials transport or pipe system. The unload tee 10 may further be
characterized by
having a front or operating side 30 and a back or rear side 32. The operating
or front
side 30 may be the face, plane or side of the unload tee 10 that the operator
of the
transport or pipe system substantially interacts with to manipulate or change
the
position of the unload tee 10 and/or the control valve.
[0012] The unload tee 10 further includes a plurality of beams 11 which extend
outwards
from the tee body 12 and are coupled to a door assembly 20. The beams 11 may
further be characterized into front beams 11a on the front side 30 and rear
beams 11 b
on the rear side 32. Both front and rear beams 11a, lib may both be located
towards
the lower end or underside 34 of the body 12 (or towards the opening 13 for
the door
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24). Additionally, the unload tee 10 may optionally include one or more
projection(s) or
keeper(s) 17, one of which may define a fastener port 19 for use with securing
and/or
latching the door assembly 20 into the closed position. Other means for safely
securing
the door assembly 20 to the tee body 12 in the closed position may be
implemented as
known to one having ordinary skill in the art.
100131 The door assembly 20 of the unload tee 10 in an exemplary embodiment
includes the door 24, at least one arm 22 (two shown), a handle or lever 26,
and at least
one extendable links 40 (two shown). In one embodiment, assuming two
extendable
links 40, the two extendable links 40 are made of two barrels 21, and two
shafts 23.
Each barrel 21 is pivotally and/or rotatably coupled to one of the front beams
lla of the
tee body 12. The barrels 21 should be configured to have a range of rotation
such that
the barrels 21 may be able to rotate, invert or reverse beneath the underside
34 of the
tee body 12. At the opposite end of each of the barrels 21, a shaft 23 is
inserted into
the barrel 21 and allowed to slidably move into and out of the barrel 21. In
one
exemplary embodiment the extendable link 40 (or barrel 21 and shaft 23) are
telescoping parts. In another exemplary embodiment the extendable link 40 or
barrel 21
may be a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder with the shaft 23, for example,
functioning as
a piston, or may be spring loaded. The extendable link may function to urge,
bias or
maintain the door 24 in the closed position (Fig. 3) and/or the open position
(Fig. 6).
The opposite end of each shaft 23 is inserted into an open bracket 25 defined
on one
end of an arm 22. The connection between each shaft 23 and each bracket 25
should
allow the shaft 23 to pivot, swivel or rotate within the bracket 25 about the
connection
point.
100141 One of the arms 22 may be connected to, and may be unitary or integral
with, a
handle 26. As depicted in Figure 1, the handle 26 is connected (in a unitary
manner
and preferably aligned) to the arm 22a. The handle 26 should be configured to
be
accessible by the operator of the system from the operating or front side 30.
In the
closed position, the handle 26 may extend above the flange 16 for ease of
access by
the operator of the transportation system. The second arm 22b in Figure 1
defines a
means for fastening or a fastener port 29, for fastening to the tee body 12.
In alternative
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exemplary embodiments, the handle 26 may be connected to, contiguous with or
unitary
with the arm 22b, and the fastener port 29 may be defined instead on the arm
22a.
Although one handle 26 is currently preferred, in certain exemplary
embodiments
greater than one handle 26 may be implemented (e.g., such as connected to arm
22b).
100151 The ends of the arms 22 not connected with the shaft 23 are pivotally
coupled
with the door 24. Further, when the unload tee 10 is in the fully open
position (see
Figures 1, 1A and 6) the arms 22 may define a void 27 (defined between the
first arm
22a and the second arm 22b) such that the arms 22 (or other parts of the door
assembly 20) allow or do not inhibit the flow or delivery of a volume of
materials 70 from
the opening 13.
100161 When in the unload tee 10 is in the closed position, as is depicted in
Figures 2
and 3, a fastener 28 may be used to secure the door assembly 20 and the tee
body 12.
The fastener 28, as depicted, is a clevis pin 28a inserted through fastener
port 19 on the
projection 17 of the body 12 and fastener port 29 on the arm 22b, but other
safe means
of fastening may be implemented as is known in the art. The fastener 28 should
be
easily removed and reusable to allow for ease and efficiency of operation. In
an
exemplary embodiment, the fastener 28 and fastener ports 19, 29 may be located
on
the operating or front side 30 of the unload tee 10.
10017] Figures 3-6 depict a side view of the unload tee 10 as the unload tee
10 moves
between a fully closed position (in Figure 3), to partially open positions (in
Figures 4-5),
and then subsequently to a fully open position (in Figure 6). The progressive
opening of
the unload tee 10 from Figure 3 to 4, from Figure 4 to 5, and from Figure 5 to
6 (or also
from Figure 3 to 6) may all occur with one motion or action from the operator
(normally a
human) exerting force onto the handle 26. The closing of the unload tee 10,
may also
likewise occur with a singular motion or action from the operator onto the
handle 26.
Preferably, the foregoing one opening action and singular closing action are
exclusive of
any additional (external) motive force or action for opening and/or closing of
the door
24. As depicted in the closed tee 10 position seen in Figures 2 and 3, the
handle 26 is
aligned with the bore 14 of the tee body 12 and raised above the flange 16 in
the closed
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position. The extendable link 40 is in a first position wherein the extendable
link 40 is
shortened as shown in Figure 2, Figure 3 and/or Figure 4. Further, the
fastener 28 may
be engaged with the fastener ports 19 and 29 to secure and retain the door
assembly
20 in the desired closed position. When the operator needs to deliver the
desired bulk
materials, goods or product through the unload tee 10 to the desired location
(or
otherwise needs to manipulate unload tee 10 into an open position), the
fastener 28, if
implemented, is first removed or disengaged from the fastener ports 19 and 29.
[0018] Then the operator manipulates or pulls the handle 26 to move outwards
and
away from its upright position adjacent to the tee body 12 to a partially open
position of
the unload tee 10 as depicted in Figure 4. When the handle 26 is thus
manipulated, the
barrels 21 pivot about the front beams 11 a to extend outwards and away from
the tee
body 12. The extendable link 40 may remain in the first position (where the
extendable
link 40 remains shortened) in Figure 4. The handle 26 transfers the movement
from the
operator to the arms 22 as well, which pivot about their connection to the
door 24 to
point towards the front side 30, and may cause the door 24 to move slightly
ajar and
reveal the opening 13 as the door pivots about the rear beam(s) 11b.
[0019] To further open the unload tee 10, the handle 26 is further manipulated
or
pushed downwards into another partially open position as seen in Figure 5
following the
position of Figure 4 when opening. The barrels 21 shown at this position have
pivoted
to point downwards and the shaft 23 may adjust in or out of the barrels 21 to
compensate for any necessary distance/tension as the arms 22 move. Thus, the
extendable link 40 may slidably lengthen in the second position (as depicted
in Figures
1,1A, and/or 5-6) relative to the first position of the extendable link 40
(which is depicted
in Figures 2,3 and/or 4, wherein the extendable link 40 is shortened). The
door 24 also
pivots open about the rear beams 11b, further revealing opening 13.
[0020] Figure 6 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the unload
tee 10 in
a fully open position. To move the unload tee 10 to the fully open position in
Figure 6
from the partially open position in Figure 5, the handle 26 is further
manipulated to push
the door 24 further open and away from the opening 13. In order to transition
from the
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partially open position in Figure 5 to the fully open position in Figure 6,
the barrels 21
pivot or reverse about the front beams 11a to point backwards, or reverse,
towards the
door 24 upon transferred motion from the handle 26. Each of the arms 22 also
pivot
about the bracket connection 25 with the shafts 23 such that the handle 26 is
angled
upwards towards the operator for single sided operation from the front side 30
when the
operator desires to close the unload tee 10. In the fully open position of the
unload tee
in Figures 1 and 6, the door 24 and the arms 22 (and all other parts of the
door
assembly 20) do not block or inhibit a direct materials flow from the opening
13. Thus
the unload tee 10 may be manipulated into an open position with one
action/exertion
from the operator onto the handle 26, as the motion from the operator onto
handle 26
may be transferred to the various components and enables moving or pivoting
points,
and/or joints of the unload tee 10. At this point, the operator may decide to
open the
control valve connected to the flange 16, or manipulate a valve at another
point in the
pipe system, to allow a flow of materials through the opening 13 to the
desired location.
When satisfied with the delivery of materials, the operator may shut off the
valve and
reverse the steps of opening the unload tee 10 to fully close the tee 10.
Preferably, the
length of the door 24 is less than the clearance between the underside/lower
end of tee
body 34 and the surface of the ground.
[0021] To close the unload tee 10 from the fully open position as shown in
Figure 6, the
handle 26 is pulled upward and forward or away from the tee body 12. The
barrels 21
and shafts 23 pivot away and downwards from the body 12 as depicted Figure 5.
Continued pulling of the handle 26 towards the operator or the front/operating
side 30
will extend the barrels 21 to point outward from the body 12 and towards the
front side
of operation 30, as seen in Figure 4. The shafts 23 may progressively
contract, insert,
or slide inwards or shorten into the barrels 21 when the unload tee 10 is
moved more
towards a fully closed position. Finally, the handle 26 may be lifted above
the flange 16,
the motion of which causes the barrels 21 to flip or fold upward and over the
front
beams 11a and closes the tee door 24 against the opening 13. Thus the unload
tee 10
may be manipulated into a closed position with one motion or action from the
operator
onto the handle 26, as the motion from the operator onto handle 26 may be
transferred
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to the various components and enables moving or pivoting points, and/or joints
of the
unload tee 10. The unload tee 10 may now be secured into the fully closed
position by
engaging the optional fastener 28 with fastener ports 19, 29 on the body 12
and arms
29 respectively.
[0022] All pivots/pivotables shown and/or described herein in an exemplary
embodiment
may be made from a hinge with linkage (as shown) or in any other manner known
to
one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0023] While the exemplary embodiments are described with reference to various
implementations and exploitations, it will be understood that these exemplary
embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventive subject
matter is not
limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements
are
possible. For example, while the implementations and techniques used herein
are
discussed primarily in relation to the bulk handling transportation
industries, alternative
exemplary embodiments of the unload tee 10 may be applied to alternate
industries,
such as, by way of example only, petrochemical, irrigation, food and beverage
industries and the like.
[0024] Plural instances may be provided for components, operations or
structures
described herein as a single instance. In general, structures and
functionality presented
as separate components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a
combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality
presented as a
single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other
variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the
scope of the
inventive subject matter.
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