Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
BULK MATERIAL SHIPPING CONTAINER UNLOADER
BACKGROUND
[0001] Various bulk material shipping containers are known. Such
known
material bulk shipping containers, sometimes referred to herein for brevity as
known
containers or as known bulk containers, are used to transport a wide range of
products,
parts, components, items, and materials such as, but not limited to, seeds,
shavings,
fasteners, and granular materials (such as sand). These are sometimes called
loose
materials or materials.
[0002] New and improved bulk material shipping containers are
continuously being developed. For example, U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Serial
No. 62/357,023, filed June 30, 2016, which is owned by the assignee of the
present
application, discloses new bulk material shipping containers.
[0003] As these new bulk material shipping containers are developed,
there is a continuing need to develop unloading devices that can be used for
unloading
loose materials from these new bulk material shipping containers.
[0004] In various uses, certain of these new bulk material shipping
containers need to be supported substantially above the ground to be unloaded.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for bulk material
shipping
container unloading apparatus.
SUMMARY
[0006] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide bulk
material shipping container unloaders that solve or meet the above needs. The
bulk
material shipping container unloaders of the present disclosure may sometimes
be
referred herein for brevity as the shipping container unloader(s), the
container
unloader(s), the material unloader(s), or the unloader(s).
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CA 2972323 2017-06-29
[0007] In various embodiments, the bulk material shipping container
unloader of the present disclosure generally includes: (a) a supporter; (b) a
pallet
receiver supported by the supporter; (c) a material director supported by the
pallet
receiver; and (d) a bulk material shipping container gate mover.
[0008] In various embodiments, the shipping container unloader of
the
present disclosure is configured to receive, support, and hold a bulk material
shipping
container that is configured to hold materials in the container.
[0009] In various embodiments, the shipping container unloader of
the
present disclosure is configured to support one shipping container or multiple
stacked
shipping containers.
[0010] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the height
of the
pallet receiver and the material director are fixed, and thus they support the
bulk
material container at a single position or height.
[0011] In other various embodiments of the present disclosure, the
supporter is extendable or expandable. In these embodiments, the extendable or
expandable supporter is movable from a retracted position to one or more
extended or
expanded positions to change the height of the pallet receiver and the
material director,
and thus to support the bulk material container at different desired positions
or heights.
[0012] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the
material
director is movable.
[0013] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the
material
director can be angled in different directions.
[0014] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the
material
director can moved to one or more storage or shipment positions.
[0015] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a bottom
portion
of the material director can be detached from an upper portion of the material
director.
[0016] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the
material
director is configured to work or operate with one or more adjacent unloaders
of the
present disclosure to unload materials from multiple containers into a common
material
receiver. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the material
receiver is
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stationary. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the material
receiver is
movable. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the material
receiver is
connected to a movable vehicle.
[0017] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the bulk
material
shipping container gate mover is configured to receive and engage a downwardly
extending handle of a gate of a material unloading assembly of a bulk material
shipping
container to open and close the gate.
[0018] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the bulk
material
shipping container gate mover is configured to automatically open and close a
gate of a
material unloading assembly of a bulk material shipping container.
[0019] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the bulk
material
shipping container gate mover is configured to automatically open and close a
gate of a
material unloading assembly of the bulk material shipping container under
control a
remote control or controlling device.
[0020] Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a rack
that
supports one or more bulk material shipping container unloaders such as the
unloaders
of the present disclosure.
[0021] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
are
described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of
Exemplary
Embodiments and the figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Fig. 1 is a top front perspective view of three adjacently
positioned
bulk material shipping container unloaders of one example embodiment of the
present
disclosure, shown respectively supporting three adjacent bulk material
shipping
containers.
[0023] Fig. 2 is a bottom front perspective view of the three bulk
material
shipping container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown respectively supporting three
bulk
material shipping containers.
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[0024] Fig. 3 is a front view of the three bulk material shipping
container
unloaders of Fig. 1, shown respectively supporting three bulk material
shipping
containers.
[0025] Fig. 4 is a rear view of the three bulk material shipping
container
unloaders of Fig. 1, shown respectively supporting three bulk material
shipping
containers.
[0026] Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the three bulk material shipping
container
unloaders of Fig. 1, shown respectively supporting three bulk material
shipping
containers.
[0027] Fig. 6 is a top view of the three bulk material shipping
container
unloaders of Fig. 1, shown respectively supporting three bulk material
shipping
containers.
[0028] Fig. 7 is a right side view of the three bulk material
shipping
container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown respectively supporting three bulk
material
shipping containers.
[0029] Fig. 8 is a left side view of the three bulk material
shipping
container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown respectively supporting three bulk
material
shipping containers.
[0030] Fig. 9 is a top front perspective view of three bulk
material shipping
container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown respectively supporting two bulk material
shipping
containers (i.e., with one of the three bulk material shipping containers
removed), and
showing part of the automatic gate mover of bulk material shipping container
unloader.
[0031] Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary top front perspective
view of two
of the bulk material shipping container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown
respectively
supporting one bulk material shipping container, and showing part of the
automatic gate
mover of bulk material shipping container unloader.
[0032] Fig. 11 is a further enlarged fragmentary top front
perspective view
of two of the bulk material shipping container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown
respectively
supporting one bulk material shipping container, and showing part of the
automatic gate
mover of bulk material shipping container unloader.
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[0033] Fig. 12 is a top rear fragmentary perspective view of two of
the bulk
material shipping container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown with the bulk material
shipping
containers removed, and showing part of the automatic gate mover of bulk
material
shipping container unloader.
[0034] Fig. 13 is a top rear fragmentary perspective view of two of
the bulk
material shipping container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown with the bulk material
shipping
containers removed, and showing part of the automatic gate mover of bulk
material
shipping container unloader.
[0035] Fig. 14 is an enlarged front fragmentary perspective view of
the
three bulk material shipping container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown with two of
the bulk
material shipping containers removed, and showing parts of the material
directors of the
material shipping container unloaders.
[0036] Fig. 15 is an enlarged rear fragmentary perspective view of
the
three bulk material shipping container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown with two of
the bulk
material shipping containers removed, and showing parts of the material
directors of the
material shipping container unloaders.
[0037] Fig. 16 is an enlarged front fragmentary perspective view of
the
three bulk material shipping container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown with two of
the bulk
material shipping containers removed, and showing parts of the material
directors of the
material shipping container unloaders.
[0038] Fig. 17 is a front perspective view of the three bulk
material
shipping container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown respectively supporting three
bulk
material shipping containers, and showing a material receiving vehicle
positioned
partially under the middle loader to receive unloaded materials from the three
bulk
material shipping containers through the three bulk material shipping
container
unloaders.
[0039] Fig. 18 is a side perspective view of the three bulk
material shipping
container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown respectively supporting three bulk
material
shipping containers, and showing a material receiving vehicle positioned
partially under
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
the middle loader to receive unloaded materials from the three bulk material
shipping
containers through the three bulk material shipping container unloaders.
[0040] Fig. 19 is a rear perspective view of the three bulk
material shipping
container unloaders of Fig. 1, shown respectively supporting three bulk
material
shipping containers, and showing a material receiving vehicle positioned
partially under
the middle loader to receive unloaded materials from the three bulk material
shipping
containers through the three bulk material shipping container unloaders.
[0041] Fig. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative example
embodiment
of the present disclosure of three adjacently positioned bulk material
shipping container
unloaders, shown being supported by a rack and respectively supporting three
adjacent
bulk material shipping containers.
[0042] Fig. 21 is a bottom front perspective view of the three bulk
material
shipping container unloaders of Fig. 20, shown being supported by the rack and
respectively supporting three adjacent bulk material shipping containers.
[0043] Fig. 22 is a top rear perspective view of the three bulk
material
shipping container unloaders of Fig. 20, shown being supported by the rack and
respectively supporting three adjacent bulk material shipping containers.
[0044] Fig. 23 is a top front view of the three bulk material
shipping
container unloaders of Fig. 20, shown being supported by the rack and
respectively
supporting three adjacent bulk material shipping containers.
[0045] Fig. 24 is a bottom view of the three bulk material shipping
container unloaders of Fig. 20, shown being supported by the rack and
respectively
supporting three adjacent bulk material shipping containers.
[0046] Fig. 25 is a top view of the three bulk material shipping
container
unloaders of Fig. 20, shown being supported by the rack and respectively
supporting
three adjacent bulk material shipping containers.
[0047] Fig. 26 is a right side view of the three bulk material
shipping
container unloaders of Fig. 20, shown being supported by the rack and
respectively
supporting three adjacent bulk material shipping containers.
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[0048] Fig. 27 is a left side view of the three bulk material
shipping
container unloaders of Fig. 20, shown being supported by the rack and
respectively
supporting three adjacent bulk material shipping containers.
[0049] Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the three bulk material
shipping
container unloaders of Fig. 20, showing the rack on which the unloaders are
positioned,
and for each unloader a supporter connected to and supported by the rack, a
pallet
receiver connected to and supported by the supporter, a material director
connected to
and supported by the pallet receiver, and an automatic bulk material container
gate
mover connected to and supported by the pallet receiver.
[0050] Fig. 29 is a rear view of one of the three bulk material
shipping
container unloaders of Fig. 20, showing a portion of the rack, a supporter
connected to
and supported by the rack, a pallet receiver connected to and supported by the
supporter, a material director connected to and supported by the pallet
receiver, and an
automatic bulk material container gate mover connected to and supported by the
pallet
receiver.
[0051] Fig. 30 is front view of the bulk material shipping
container unloader
of Fig. 29, showing a portion of the rack, the supporter connected to and
supported by
the rack, the pallet receiver connected to and supported by the supporter, the
material
director connected to and supported by the pallet receiver, and the automatic
bulk
material container gate mover connected to and supported by the pallet
receiver.
[0052] Fig. 31A is a front view of the unloader of Fig. 29, showing
the
supporter, the pallet receiver connected to and supported by the supporter,
and the
automatic bulk material container gate mover connected to and supported by the
pallet
receiver of the unloader, and partially showing dual leg stands and single leg
stands of
the rack supporting the unloader.
[0053] Fig. 31B is a rear perspective view of the unloader of Fig.
29,
showing the supporter, the pallet receiver connected to and supported by the
supporter,
and the automatic bulk material container gate mover connected to and
supported by
the pallet receiver of the unloader, and partially showing dual leg stands and
single leg
stands of the rack supporting the unloader.
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[0054] Fig.31C is a perspective view of a leg of the unloader of
Fig. 29,
showing the supporter, the pallet receiver connected to and supported by the
supporter,
and the automatic bulk material container gate mover connected to and
supported by
the pallet receiver of the unloader, and partially showing dual leg stands and
single leg
stands of the rack supporting the unloader.
[0055] Fig. 31D is an enlarged perspective view of a locking block
of the
unloader of Fig. 29.
[0056] Fig. 31E an enlarged perspective view of a leg securing
assembly
engaging a locking block of one unloader and a locking block of an adjacent
unloader.
[0057] Fig. 31F is a top view of the leg securing engaging two
adjacent
locking blocks of Fig. 31E.
[0058] Fig. 31G is a perspective view of the leg securing assembly
of Fig.
31D engaging and locking securing a leg of one of the unloaders of Fig. 28 and
an
adjacent leg of an adjacent unloader of Fig. 28.
[0059] Fig. 31H is a front view of the leg of the unloader of Fig.
29,
showing a first bracket and a second bracket of an operation status light
supporting
assembly connected to the leg of the unloader and supporting an operation
light of the
unloader.
[0060] Fig. 311 is an enlarged perspective view of the first
bracket and
second bracket of the operation status light supporting assembly of Fig. 31 H
supporting
an operation status light of the unloader.
[0061] Fig. 32A is a top perspective view of the pallet receiver of
the
unloader of Fig. 29, shown removed from the rest of the unloader.
[0062] Fig. 32B is an exploded top perspective view partially
showing a
weight measuring system of the pallet receiver of the unloader and showing a
first
weight measuring assembly and a second weight measuring assembly connected by
a
first bridge.
[0063] Fig. 32C is a top perspective view of a load cell of a
weight
measuring assembly of the pallet receiver of the unloader.
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[0064] Fig. 32D is a top perspective view of a first bridge of the
weight
measuring system of the pallet receiver of the unloader.
[0065] Fig. 33A is a top perspective view of a material director of
the
unloader of Fig. 29, showing a fixed chute section, a chute connector section
connected
to the fixed chute section and a movable and removable chute section, and the
movable
and removable chute section connected to the chute connector section and shown
removed from the rest of the unloader.
[0066] Fig. 33B is a rear perspective view of the material director
of the
unloader of Fig. 29, showing the fixed chute section, the chute connector
section
connected to the fixed chute section and the movable and removable chute
section, and
the movable and removable chute section connected to the chute connector
section.
[0067] Fig. 33C is an enlarged exploded view of a material director
opening assembly of the fixed chute section of the unloader of Fig. 29.
[0068] Fig. 33D is an enlarged perspective view of the material
director
opening assembly of the fixed chute section of the unloader of Fig. 29.
[0069] Fig. 33E is rear view of the material director opening
assembly of
the fixed chute section of the unloader of Fig. 29.
[0070] Fig. 33F is a left side view of the material director
opening
assembly of the fixed chute section of the unloader of Fig. 29.
[0071] Fig. 33G is a right side view of the material director
opening
assembly of the fixed chute section of the unloader of Fig. 29.
[0072] Fig. 33H is top view of the material director opening
assembly of
the fixed chute section of the unloader of Fig. 29.
[0073] Fig. 331 is a bottom view of the material director opening
assembly
of the fixed chute section of the unloader of Fig. 29.
[0074] Fig. 33J is a perspective view of a shaft of the fixed chute
section of
the material director of the unloader of Fig. 29.
[0075] Fig. 33K is a front exploded perspective view of the chute
connector section of the material director of the unloader of Fig. 29.
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[0076] Fig. 33L is a rear exploded perspective view of the chute
connector
section of the material director of the unloader of Fig. 29.
[0077] Fig. 33M is an enlarged perspective view of a hinge of the
chute
connector section of the material director of the unloader of Fig. 29.
[0078] Fig. 33N is a perspective view of the chute connector
section of the
material director of the unloader of Fig. 29, showing certain components of
the chute
connector section.
[0079] Fig 330 is an exploded view of the movable and removable
chute
section of the material director of the unloader of Fig. 29.
[0080] Fig 33P is an exploded view of a material director of a
middle
unloader of Fig. 28.
[0081] Fig. 34A is a perspective view of the automatic bulk
material
container gate mover of the unloader of Fig. 29, showing a track assembly and
partially
showing a gate mover assembly supported by the track assembly and shown
removed
from the rest of the unloader.
[0082] Fig. 34B is an exploded perspective view of a first track of
the track
assembly of Fig. 34B and a partial showing of a forklift tine receiver.
[0083] Fig. 34C is a perspective view of a first track of the track
assembly
of Fig. 34B and a partial showing of the forklift tine receiver.
[0084] Fig. 34D is perspective view of the gate mover assembly of
Fig. 29.
[0085] Fig. 34E is an exploded perspective view of the gate mover
assembly of Fig. 34A.
[0086] Fig. 34F is bottom perspective view of a first trolley of
the gate
mover assembly of Fig. 34A, showing an outer surface of a C-bracket of the
first trolley.
[0087] Fig. 34G is a top perspective view of the first trolley of
the gate
mover assembly of Fig. 34A, showing wheels of the first trolley removed.
[0088] Fig. 34H is a top perspective view of the first trolley of
the gate
mover assembly of Fig. 34A, showing an inner surface of the C-bracket of the
first
trolley and showing wheels connected to the first trolley.
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
[0089] Fig. 341 is a perspective view of a trolley connector of the
gate
mover assembly of Fig. 34A.
[0090] Fig. 34J is an exploded perspective view of a trolley
connector of
the gate mover assembly of Fig. 34A.
[0091] Fig. 34K is a perspective view of a first trolley mover
assembly of
the gate mover assembly of Fig. 34A, showing the first trolley mover connected
to a
partial showing of the first trolley.
[0092] Fig. 34L is a perspective view of a trolley mover assembly
controller
supported by a trolley mover assembly housing of Fig. 34A.
[0093] Fig. 34M is a front view the trolley mover assembly
controller of Fig.
34L supported by the trolley mover assembly housing.
[0094] Fig. 34N is an exploded perspective view of the trolley
mover
assembly housing of Fig. 34L, showing the trolley mover assembly controller
removed.
[0095] Fig. 35A is a perspective view of the rack of Fig. 29,
showing dual
and single leg stands and unloader stabilizers removed.
[0096] Fig. 35B is a top view of the rack of Fig. 35A, showing the
dual and
single leg stands and the unloader stabilizers removed.
[0097] Fig. 35C is a bottom view of the rack of Fig. 35A.
[0098] Fig. 35D is a left perspective view of the rack of Fig. 35A,
showing
the dual and single leg stands and the unloader stabilizers removed.
[0099] Fig. 35E is a right perspective view of the rack of Fig. 35A, showing
the
dual and single leg stands and the unloader stabilizers removed.
[00100] Fig. 35F is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
rack of
Fig. 35A, partially showing a grating assembly, a base beam, and a forklift
tine receiver
assembly partially positioned through an opening of the base beam.
[00101] Fig. 35G is a perspective view of the rack of Fig. 35A,
showing the
dual and single leg stands.
[00102] Fig. 35H is an exploded view of one dual leg stand of the
rack of
Fig. 35A that supports the unloaders of Fig. 28.
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[00103] Fig. 351 is an exploded view of one single leg stand of the
rack of
Fig. 35A that supports the unloaders of Fig. 28.
[00104] Fig. 35J is an exploded view of one unloader stabilizer of
the rack
of Fig. 35A that supports the unloaders of Fig. 28.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[00105] Referring now to the drawings, Figs. 1 to 19 illustrate
three example
embodiments of the bulk material shipping container unloader of the present
disclosure,
which are respectively, indicated by numerals 100, 200, and 300.
[00106] These three bulk material shipping container unloaders 100,
200,
and 300 are shown respectively supporting three bulk material shipping
containers 1, 2,
and 3 (that are configured as further described in U.S. Provisional Patent
Application
No. Serial No. 62/357,023, filed June 30, 2016). It should be appreciated that
in various
example embodiments, each unloader of the present disclosure is configured to
hold a
shipping container that includes a compartment having a bottom portion with a
selectively openable and closeable material unloading assembly, and wherein
the
material unloading assembly includes a gate with a downwardly extending
handle. The
gate is movable or slidable from a closed position to a plurality of different
partially open
positions, and then to a fully open position, and back to the closed position.
[00107] The bulk material shipping container unloader 100 generally
includes: (a) an expandable or extendable supporter; (b) a pallet receiver
supported by
the expandable or extendable supporter; (c) a first material director
supported by the
pallet receiver; and (d) an automatic bulk material container gate mover.
[00108] The bulk material shipping container unloader 200 generally
includes: (a) an expandable or extendable supporter; (b) a pallet receiver
supported by
the expandable or extendable supporter; (c) a second material director
supported by the
pallet receiver; and (d) an automatic bulk material container gate mover.
[00109] The bulk material shipping container unloader 300 generally
includes: (a) an expandable or extendable supporter; (b) a pallet receiver
supported by
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the expandable or extendable supporter; (c) a third material director
supported by the
pallet receiver; and (d) an automatic bulk material container gate mover.
[00110] In these example embodiments, these three bulk material
shipping
container unloaders 100, 200, and 300 are identical except that they each
include a
differently configured material director. Thus, for brevity, the expandable or
extendable
supporter, the pallet receiver, and the automatic bulk material container gate
mover of
the unloader 100 is primarily described, and it should be appreciated that
such
description also applies to the unloaders 200 and 300 that are identically
configured
(except for the material director) in this illustrated example embodiment.
[00111] Generally, (a) the expandable supporter 110 of the unloader
100 is
configured to support the pallet receiver 130, the material director 150, and
the gate
mover 170; (b) the pallet receiver 130 is configured to support a bulk
material shipping
container 1; (c) the material director 150 is configured to receive and direct
material
exiting the bulk material shipping container to and through a material
unloading chute
and port; and (d) the gate mover 170 is configured to open and close the gate
of the
material unloading assembly (not shown) of the container 1.
[00112] In this illustrated example embodiment, the expandable
supporter
110 is movable from a retracted position to one or more expanded positions to
change
the height of the pallet receiver 130, the material director 150, and the
automatic gate
mover 170. The expandable or extendable supporter 110 includes: (a) expandable
legs; (b) feet respectively attached to the bottom of the legs; (c) leg
stabilizers attached
to the legs; and (d) locking members configured to respectively hold or secure
the legs
in the expanded and retracted positions.
[00113] In this illustrated example embodiment, the expandable legs
each
include telescoping upper and lower sections with alignable openings that
provide for
the expansion or height adjustment of the pallet receiver 130, the material
director 150,
and the automatic gate mover 170.
[00114] In this illustrated example embodiment, the locking members
are
configured to extend through the aligned openings to hold the legs in the
expanded and
retracted positions.
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[00115] In this illustrated example embodiment, the legs and the leg
stabilizers are each made from a steel tubular material. The leg stabilizers
are welded to
the upper sections of the legs to provide a suitable support structure for the
unloader
100. It should also be appreciated that the feet are also made of steel and
welded or
otherwise suitably respectively attached to the legs in this illustrated
example
embodiment.
[00116] It should be appreciated that these components are made from
steel to: (a) facilitate attachment or connection of these components by
welding and/or
suitable fasteners; (b) provide structural strength and rigidity; (c)
facilitate ease of
cleaning; and (d) facilitate ease of repair. However, it should be appreciated
that in
alternative embodiments, one or more of these components can be made from
other
suitably strong materials and can be attached in other suitable manners.
[00117] The pallet receiver 130 is configured to receive, support,
and hold a
pallet of a bulk material shipping container 1. More specifically, in this
illustrated
example embodiment, the pallet receiver 130 includes: (a) a pallet supporting
frame
including a plurality of pallet supports; and (b) nesting supports connected
to and
extending upwardly from the pallet supports.
[00118] In this illustrated example embodiment, the pallet support
frame is
made from steel and the nesting supports are each made from steel components
and
welded to the pallet support frame. It should be appreciated that these
components are
made from steel to: (a) facilitate attachment or connection of these
components by
welding and/or suitable fasteners; (b) provide structural strength and
rigidity; (c)
facilitate ease of cleaning; and (d) facilitate ease of repair. However, it
should be
appreciated that in alternative embodiments, one or more of these components
can be
made from other suitably strong materials and can be attached in other
suitable
manners. It should also be appreciated that the nesting supports can be
configured in a
similar manner as in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.
62/357,023.
[00119] The first material director 150 of the unloader 100 is
supported by
the pallet receiver 130 and is configured to direct material exiting the bulk
material
shipping container 1 resting on the unloader 100 to an exit area and
specifically through
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a material unloading chute and port. More specifically, first material
director 150
includes a partially fixed and movable section connected to and supported by
the pallet
supporting frame of the pallet receiver. In this illustrated example
embodiment, the
partially moveable chute is configured to move to a position such that part of
the chute
extends under the adjacent unloader 200. In this illustrated example
embodiment, the
material director is primarily made of steel. It should be appreciated that
these
components are made from steel to: (a) facilitate attachment or connection of
these
components by welding and/or suitable fasteners; (b) provide structural
strength and
rigidity; (c) facilitate ease of cleaning; and (d) facilitate ease of repair.
However, it
should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, one or more of these
components can be made from other suitably strong materials and can be
attached in
other suitable manners. In this illustrated example embodiment, the first
material
director 150 of the unloader 100 includes one or more hingedly connected
sections
which are moveable with respect to one or more other sections of the first
material
director 150 to facilitate the chute of the material director 150 extending
under the
adjacent unloader 250.
[00120] The second material director 250 of the unloader 200 is
supported
by the pallet receiver of that unloader 200 and is configured to direct
material exiting the
bulk material shipping container 2 resting on the unloader 200 to an exit area
and
specifically through a material unloading chute and port. More specifically,
second
material director 250 includes a partially fixed and movable section connected
to and
supported by the pallet supporting frame of the pallet receiver. The partially
moveable
chute of the second material director 250 is configured to move to a position
such that
the chute extends under the unloader 200. In an alternative embodiment, this
second
material director 250 is stationary or not moveable.
[00121] The third material director 350 of the unloader 300 is like
the first
material director 150 of the unloader 100. The third material director 350 of
the
unloader 300 is supported by the pallet receiver of that unloader 300 and is
configured
to direct material exiting the bulk material shipping container 3 resting on
the unloader
300 to an exit area and specifically through a material unloading chute and
port. More
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
specifically, third material director 350 includes a partially fixed and
movable section
connected to and supported by the pallet supporting frame of the pallet
receiver. The
partially moveable chute of the third material director 350 is configured to
move to a
position such that part of the chute extends under the adjacent unloader 200.
In this
illustrated example embodiment, the third material director 350 of the
unloader 300
includes one or more hingedly connected sections which are moveable with
respect to
one or more other sections of the third material director 350 to facilitate
the chute of the
material director 350 extending under the adjacent unloader 250.
[00122] The automatic bulk material container gate mover 170 of the
unloader 100 is configured to automatically open a gate with a downwardly
extending
handle (not shown) of a bulk material shipping container such as container 1.
The
automatic bulk material container gate mover 170 of this illustrated example
embodiment generally includes: (a) a track assembly 172 connected to and
supported
by the pallet receiver; and (b) a gate mover assembly 180 supported by track
assembly
172 and configured to receive and engage a downwardly extending handle of a
gate of
a material unloading assembly of the container.
[00123] More specifically, the track assembly 172 includes a first
track 174
connected to and supported by the pallet receiver and a second track 176
spaced apart
from the first track and connected to and supported by the pallet receiver
130.
[00124] The gate mover assembly 180 includes: (a) a first trolley
184
configured move along the first track 174; (b) a second trolley 186 configured
move
along the second track 176; (c) a trolley connector 188 that is connected to
the first
trolley 184 and the second trolley 186; (d) a gate receiver and engager 190
configured
to receive and engage the downwardly extending handle of the gate; (e) a first
trolley
mover 196 connected to the first trolley; and (f) a second trolley mover 198
connected to
the second trolley.
[00125] In this illustrated example embodiment, the first trolley
mover 196
includes a first hydraulic piston and the second trolley mover 198 includes a
second
hydraulic piston. The first hydraulic piston and the second hydraulic piston
are
simultaneously controlled and co-act or operate together to simultaneously
move the
16
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first and second trolleys 184 and 186 respectively along the first and second
tracks 174
and 176 from the first position shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11 to a second
position (not
shown).
[00126] The gate receiver and engager 190 includes four spaced apart
upwardly extending hands 191a, 191b, 191c, and 191d that are configured to
receive
and engage the downwardly extending handle of the gate. More specifically, two
of the
upwardly extending hands 191a and 191d are configured to engage the front side
of the
downwardly extending handle of the gate and two of the upwardly extending
hands
191b and 191c are configured to engage the rear side of the downwardly
extending
handle of the gate. When the container 1 is placed on or positioned on the
unloader
100, the gate of the material unloading assembly of the container 1 is in the
closed
position and the handle of the gate extends downwardly between the hands.
[00127] When the first trolley mover 196 and the second trolley
mover 198
cause the first trolley 184 and the second trolley 186 to move forwardly, the
hands 191b
and 191c engage the rear side of the downwardly extending handle and cause the
gate
to move toward one of the partially opened positions or the fully opened
position.
[00128] After the gate is fully or partially opened, when the first
trolley
mover 196 and the second trolley mover 198 cause the first trolley 184 and the
second
trolley 186 to move rearwardly, the hands 191a and 191d engage the front side
of the
downwardly extending handle and cause the gate to move back toward or till the
fully
closed position.
[00129] It should be appreciated (as further described below) that
the bulk
material container unloader of the present disclosure will include a suitable
power and
control system (not shown) for controlling (such as remotely controlling) the
gate mover
assembly and specifically the first and second hydraulic pistons.
[00130] It should be appreciated (as further described below) that
power
and control system can include one or more indicators such as lights (not
shown) that
indicate the positions of the gate mover assembly and thus of the gate of the
container
positioned on such unloader.
17
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[00131]
It should be appreciated (as further described below) that power
and control system can include one or more sensors and display units (not
shown) that
are configured to determine the weight of the container positioned on the
unloader.
[00132]
It should be appreciated (as further described below) that while
these illustrated example embodiments of the unloader of the present
disclosure are
extendable or expandable, the bulk material shipping container unloader of the
present
disclosure does not have to be extendable or expandable.
[00133]
As mentioned above, various embodiments of the shipping
container unloader of the present disclosure are primarily made from steel.
In
alternative embodiments, the shipping container unloader of the present
disclosure or
certain parts thereof, can be made from a suitably strong plastic material or
other
material.
[00134]
Referring specifically now to Figs. 20 to 35J, and particularly initially
to Figs. 20 to 30, three co-operating alternative example embodiments of the
bulk
material shipping container unloader of the present disclosure are illustrated
adjacent to
each other and respectively indicated by numerals 2000, 3000, and 4000. As
mentioned
above, for brevity, the bulk material shipping container unloaders 2000, 3000,
and 4000
are often referred to herein as unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000.
[00135]
The various components of these unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000
are described in detail below. It should be appreciated that such descriptions
sometimes
use the phrase "integrally connected" which for this illustrated example
embodiment
includes connected by welding. It should be appreciated that many of the
different
components can be connected in different or other suitable manners such as by
suitable
fasteners (which are typically not shown in the Figures).
[00136]
As best shown in Figs. 20 to 28, the example unloaders 2000,
3000, and 4000 are configured to adjacently (or side by side) rest on and be
supported
by a rack 5000 that is part of the present disclosure and described in more
detail below.
It should be appreciated that the rack which is part of the present disclosure
can be
employed with one or more unloaders of the present disclosure or other
suitable
unloaders.
18
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[00137] The three example bulk material shipping container unloaders
2000, 3000, and 4000 are shown respectively supporting three of the same or
identical
bulk material shipping containers 20, 30, and 40 in Figs. 20 to 28. It should
be
appreciated that the unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000 are each configured to
support a
shipping container that includes a compartment having a bottom portion with a
selectively openable and closeable material unloading assembly, and
specifically
where: (i) such material unloading assembly includes a gate or closure member
with a
downwardly extending handle or engagement member; and (ii) the gate is movable
or
slidable from a closed position to a plurality of different partially open
positions, and then
to a fully open position, and then back to the closed position. The unloaders
2000, 3000,
and 4000 are configured to operate individually and together to open and close
the
respective gates of the respective material unloading assemblies of the
containers
(such as containers 20, 30, and 40) respectively positioned on the unloaders
2000,
3000, and 4000 and direct loose materials (such as sand) stored in such
containers to a
common material receiver (such as a material blender) positioned at a
retrieval location
under the centrally positioned unloader 3000. It should be appreciated that
the material
receiver can be stationary or movable, and can be a movable vehicle such as
shown in
Figs. 17, 18, and 19.
[00138] More specifically, the illustrated example bulk material
shipping
container unloader 2000 generally includes: (a) a supporter 2100; (b) a pallet
receiver
2300 connected to and supported by the supporter; (c) a first material
director 2500
connected to and supported by the pallet receiver; (d) an automatic bulk
material
container gate mover 2700 connected to and supported by the supporter 2100;
and (e)
one or more power, control, status indication, and lighting systems. As
discussed in
further detail below: (a) the supporter 2100 of the unloader 2100 is
configured to
support the pallet receiver 2300, the material director 2500, and the gate
mover 2700;
(b) the pallet receiver 2300 is configured to support and assist in weighing a
bulk
material shipping container 20; (c) the material director 2500 is configured
to receive
and direct loose materials exiting the bulk material shipping container to and
through a
19
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material unloading port and chute; and (d) the gate mover 2700 is configured
to open
and close the gate of the material unloading assembly (not shown) of the
container 20.
[00139] Likewise, the illustrated example bulk material shipping
container
unloader 3000 generally includes: (a) a supporter 3100; (b) a pallet receiver
3300
connected to and supported by the supporter; (c) a second material director
3500
connected to and supported by the pallet receiver; (d) an automatic bulk
material
container gate mover 3700 connected to and supported by the supporter 3100;
and (e)
one or more power, control, status indication, and lighting systems.
[00140] Likewise, the illustrated example bulk material shipping
container
unloader 4000 generally includes: (a) a supporter 4100; (b) a pallet receiver
4300
connected to and supported by the supporter; (c) a third material director
4500
connected to and supported by the pallet receiver; (d) an automatic bulk
material
container gate mover 4700 connected to and supported by the supporter 4100;
and (e)
one or more power, control, status indication, and lighting systems.
[00141] It should be appreciated that in this example embodiment,
these
three illustrated example bulk material shipping container unloaders 2000,
3000, and
4000 are substantially similar except that they include certain different
components such
as differently configured material directors. For brevity, only the supporter,
the pallet
receiver, and the automatic bulk material container gate mover of the unloader
2000 are
primarily described in detail herein: and it should be appreciated that such
descriptions
also apply to the various corresponding components of the unloaders 3000 and
4000
that are substantially similarly configured (except for parts of the material
directors) in
this illustrated example embodiment.
The Supporter
[00142] In this illustrated example embodiment, the supporter 2100
of the
unloader 2000 is configured to support the pallet receiver 2300, the automatic
bulk
material container gate mover 2700, and a bulk material shipping container,
such as the
bulk material shipping container 20 shown in Figs. 20 to 28. The supporter
2100 is also
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
configured to rest on and be supported by dual and single leg stands of the
rack 5000
(as further described below) so that the unloader 2000 is raised to a suitable
level or
height above the rack 5000. Therefore, materials that exit the container 20
can move
through the material director and into the material blender (as generally
shown in Figs.
17, 18, and 19).
[00143] More specifically, as best shown in Figs. 31A to 311, in
this
illustrated example embodiment, the supporter 2100 of the unloader 2000
includes: (a)
legs 2102, 2104, 2106, and 2108; (b) leg stabilizers or braces 2110, 2112,
2114, 2116,
2118, 2120, 2122, and 2124 integrally connected to the legs 2102, 2104, 2106,
and
2108, respectively, (and also to various components of the pallet receiver
2300); (c)
bumpers or spacers 2126, 2128, 2130, and 2132 integrally connected to the legs
2102,
2104, 2106, and 2108, respectively; (d) locking blocks 2134, 2136, 2138, and
2140
integrally connected to the legs 2102, 2104, 2106, and 2108, respectively; (e)
at least
one leg securing assembly 2142 connected to and supported by a locking block;
and (f)
an operation status light supporting assembly 2144 connected to and supported
by the
leg 2104.
[00144] In this illustrated example embodiment, the supporter 2100
is not
expandable or movable from a retracted position to one or more expanded
positions.
However, it should be appreciated that the supporter 2110 can be expandable in
alternative embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00145] The legs 2102, 2104, 2106, and 2108 are configured to
support the
various other components of the unloader 2000 and a container positioned on
the
unloader 2000. In this illustrated example embodiment, the legs 2102, 2104,
2106, and
2108 are also configured rest on and be supported by various components of a
rack
such as rack 5000 shown in Figs. 20 to 28. For example, in this illustrated
example
embodiment, the legs 2102, 2104, 2106, and 2108 are each configured to rest on
and
be supported by single or dual leg stands that enable the unloader 2000 to
stand upright
on the rack 5000, as show in Figs. 20 to 28 and as further described below.
The legs
2102, 2104, 2106, and 2108 are also each configured to support various
components of
the unloader 2000 and the pallet of the container 20, as also further
described below. It
21
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
should be appreciated that other suitably configured legs can be employed in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[00146] The leg stabilizers or braces 2110, 2112, 2114, 2116, 2118,
2120,
2122, and 2124 are configured to or co-act to support, strengthen, stabilize,
and brace
the legs 2102, 2104, 2106, and 2108 that extend in the upright positions. It
should be
appreciated that other suitably configured leg stabilizers or braces can be
employed in
accordance with the present disclosure. In this illustrated example embodiment
and
best shown in Figs. 31A to 31C: (a) one end of the leg stabilizer 2110 is
integrally
connected to the leg 2102 and an opposing end is integrally connected to a
pallet
support base 2302 and a forklift tine receiver 2334; (b) one end of the leg
stabilizer
2112 is integrally connected to the leg 2110 and an opposing end is integrally
connected to a pallet support base 2304; (c) one end of the leg stabilizer
2114 is
integrally connected to the leg 2104 and an opposing end is integrally
connected to a
pallet support base 2304; (d) one end of the leg stabilizer 2116 is integrally
connected
to the leg 2104 and an opposing end is integrally connected to a pallet
support base
2306; (e) one end of the leg stabilizer 2118 is integrally connected to the
leg 2106 and
an opposing end is integrally connected to a pallet support base 2306; (f) one
end of the
leg stabilizer 2120 is integrally connected to the leg 2106 and an opposing
end is
integrally connected to a pallet support base 2308; (g) one end of the leg
stabilizer 2122
is integrally connected to the leg 2108 and an opposing end is integrally
connected to a
pallet support base 2308; and (h) one end of the leg stabilizer 2124 is
integrally
connected to the leg 2108 and an opposing end is integrally connected to a
pallet
support base 2302 and the forklift tine receiver 2336. The pallet support
bases 2302,
2304, 2306, and 2308 and the forklift tine receivers 2334 and 2336 of the
pallet receiver
2300 are further described below.
[00147] The bumpers or spacers 2126, 2128, 2130, and 2132 of the
unloader 2000 are configured to enable adjacent or side by side unloaders to
engage
each other and to be suitably spaced apart from each other at a desired or
certain
distance. More specifically, each bumper of an unloader is configured to
engage an
opposing bumper of an adjacent unloader. For example, as shown in Fig. 28, the
22
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
bumper 2132 of the unloader 2000 engages an opposing bumper 3126 of the
unloader
3000. In this illustrated example embodiment and as best shown in Figs. 31A,
31B, and
31C: (a) bumper 2126 is integrally connected to, supported by, and extends
outwardly
from the leg 2102; (b) bumper 2128 is integrally connected to, supported by,
and
extends outwardly from the leg 2104; (c) bumper 2130 is integrally connected
to,
supported by, and extends outwardly from the leg 2106 and toward the unloader
3000;
and (d) bumper 2132 is integrally connected to, supported by, and extends
outwardly
from the leg 2108 and toward the unloader 3000. In this illustrated example
embodiment, each bumper need not be adjacent to a bumper of an adjacent
unloader
(i.e., bumpers 2126 and 2128 are each not adjacent to bumpers of an adjacent
unloader
in this illustrated example embodiment). It should be appreciated that the
bumpers
2126, 2128, 2130, and 2132 are structurally substantially similar in this
illustrated
example embodiment. Thus, for brevity, only the bumper 2126 is further
described in
more detail.
[00148] In this illustrated example embodiment and as shown in Fig.
31C,
the example bumper 2126 includes a body 2126a and a lip 2126b. One end of the
body
2126a is integrally connected to the leg 2102 as shown in Fig. 31C. The lip
2126b is
integrally connected to an opposing end of the body 2126a. The lip of one
bumper is
configured to engage an opposing lip of an opposing bumper of an opposing
unloader,
as shown in Fig. 28.
[00149] The locking blocks of the each unloader are configured to
enable or
facilitate two adjacent unloaders to be locked together or to each other. For
example,
the locking blocks 2134, 2136, 2138, and 2140 of the unloader 2000 are each
configured to enable unloader 2000 to be locked to an adjacent unloader such
as
unloader 3000. In this illustrated example embodiment, a leg securing
assembly, such
as the leg securing assembly 2142m is employed to secure two adjacent locking
blocks
together. More specifically, in this illustrated example embodiment and as
best shown in
Figs. 30A, 30B, and 30C: (a) locking block 2134 is integrally connected to,
supported
by, and extends inwardly from the leg 2102; (b) locking block 2136 is
integrally
connected to, supported by, and extends inwardly from the leg 2104; (c)
locking block
23
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
2138 is integrally connected to, supported by, and extends inwardly from the
leg 2106;
and (d) locking block 2140 is integrally connected to, supported by, and
extends
inwardly from the leg 2108. It should be appreciated that the locking blocks
2134, 2136,
2138, and 2140 are substantially similar in this illustrated example
embodiment. Thus,
for brevity, only locking block 2138 is further described in more detail.
[00150] As shown in Fig. 31D, this example locking block 2138
includes a
generally tubular body 2138a. An end of the body 2138a is integrally connected
to leg
2106 of the supporter 2000 as shown in Fig. 31B. The body 2138a includes an
inner
surface 2138b that defines an opening. This opening is configured to partially
receive a
leg securing assembly, such as the leg securing assembly 2142 that is shown in
Fig.
31E and further described in more detail below.
[00151] This example leg securing assembly 2142 is configured to
securely
connect adjacent legs of adjacent unloaders, such as one leg of the unloader
2000 and
one leg of the unloader 3000. More specifically, the leg securing assembly
2142 is
configured to engage a locking block of an unloader and an opposing locking
block of
an adjacent unloader. For example, as best shown in Fig. 31G, the leg securing
assembly 2142 engages the locking block 2138 of the unloader 2000 and an
unloader
block 3138 of the unloader 3000 to securely connect the leg 2106 of the
unloader 2000
and the leg 3104 of the unloader 3000.
[00152] As best shown in Figs. 31E and 31F, the leg securing
assembly
2142 of this illustrated embodiment includes: (a) a first arm 2142a; (b) a
second arm
2142b; and (b) a first screw 2142c. It should be appreciated that the first
arm 2142 and
the second arm 2142b of the leg securing assembly 2142 are structurally
substantially
similar in this illustrated example embodiment. Thus, for brevity, only the
first arm 2142a
is further described in more detail.
[00153] In this illustrated example embodiment, the first arm 2142a
includes
a body (not labeled). The body includes an inner surface (not labeled), which
further
includes helical threads (not labeled) that extend from the surface and are
configured to
threadably engage helical threads (not labeled) of the first screw 2142c. The
inner
surface defines an opening that is configured to receive one end of the first
screw
24
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
2142c. The opposing end of the first screw 2142c is configured to be inserted
into an
opening of the second arm 2142b in a similar manner. The first screw 2142c is
thus
configured to be rotatable in the opening of the first arm 2142a and the
second arm
2142b.
[00154] As best shown in Figs. 31E, 31F, and 31G, the first arm
2142a is
configured to engage the inner surface 2138b of the locking block 2138b. The
second
arm 2142b is configured to engage an opposing locking block in a similar
manner.
When the first screw 2142c is rotated, the first arm 2142a and the second arm
2142b
move closer to each other. Consequently, each arm 2142a and 2142b engages the
respective inner surface of the locking block it engages with a greater force.
This
configuration enables the leg securing assembly 2142 to securely connect the
leg of
one unloader and an opposing leg of an adjacent unloader. Fig. 31G illustrates
the leg
securing assembly 2142 connecting the leg 2106 of the unloader and the leg
3106 of
the unloader 3000. The first arm 2142a of the leg securing assembly engages
the
locking block 2138 and the second arm 2142b engages the locking block 3138. It
should be appreciated that the leg securing assembly 2142 of the present
disclosure
can be connected to a member of the unloader 2000 via a chain or another
suitable
connection device.
[00155] The operation status light supporting assembly 2144 is
configured
to support an operation status light, as further described below. In this
illustrated
example embodiment, the operation status light supporting assembly 2144 is
integrally
connected to the supporter 2100 and, specifically the leg 2104. It should be
appreciated
that the operation status light supporting assembly 2144 can be connected to a
different
leg or another suitable component of the unloader 2000 in accordance with the
present
disclosure.
[00156] More specifically, as shown in Figs. 31H and 311, the
operation
status light supporting assembly 2144 includes: (a) a first bracket 2144a
integrally
connected to and extending horizontally from the leg 2104; and (b) a second
bracket
2144b, wherein an end of the second bracket 2144b is integrally connected to
the first
bracket 2144a and an opposing end of the second bracket 2144b is integrally
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
connected to and extends from the leg 2104 at a suitable angle. The first
bracket 2144a
is configured to support an operation status light, as further described
below.
[00157] Although not shown, the supporter 2100 can include suitable
feet
each configured to be connectable to the legs 2102, 2104, 2106, and 2108 to
support
the legs 2102, 2104, 2106, and 2108 in an upright position in accordance with
the
present disclosure.
[00158] It should be appreciated that in this illustrated example
embodiment, the legs 2102, 2104, 2106, and 2108; the leg stabilizers or braces
2110,
2112, 2114, 2116, 2118, 2120, 2122, and 2124; the bumpers 2126, 2128, 2130,
and
2132; the locking blocks 2134, 2136, 2138, and 2140; and the operation status
light
supporting assembly are each made of a suitable material, such as steel. It
should
further be appreciated that each of the leg securing assemblies such as
assembly 2142
can be made of various suitable materials.
The Pallet Receiver
[00159] In this illustrated example embodiment, the pallet receiver
2300 is
configured to support a container, such as the container 20 shown in Figs. 20
to 28. The
pallet receiver 2300 is also configured to support the material director 2500
and the
automatic bulk material gate mover 2700.
[00160] In this illustrated example embodiment and shown in Figs.
32A,
32B, 32C, and 32D, the pallet receiver 2300 of the unloader 2000 includes: (a)
pallet
support bases 2302, 2304, 2306, and 2308 integrally connected to the legs
2102, 2104,
2106, and 2108, respectively; (b) primary pallet support base braces (or
sometimes
referred to herein as primary pallet support base stabilizers) 2310, 2312,
2314, and
2316 integrally connected to the pallet support bases 2302, 2304, 2306, and
2308,
respectively, and a track assembly 2702 (described below) of the automatic
bulk
material container gate mover 2700; (c) secondary pallet support base braces
(that are
sometimes referred to herein as secondary pallet support base stabilizers)
2318 and
2320 integrally connected to the pallet support bases 2302 and 2306,
respectively; (d)
26
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
pallet support base brace connectors (that are sometimes referred to herein as
pallet
support base stabilizer connectors) 2322 and 2324 integrally connected to the
secondary pallet support base stabilizers 2318 and 2320, respectively; (e)
corner
nesting support assemblies 2326, 2328, 2330, and 2332 integrally connected to
and
supported by the pallet support bases 2302, 2304, 2306, and 2308,
respectively, and
the legs 2102, 2104, 2106, and 2108, respectively; (f) forklift tine receivers
2334 and
2336 integrally connected to the pallet support bases 2302, and 2306,
respectively; (g)
primary weld-on d-rings 2338 and 2340 integrally connected to the pallet
support bases
2304 and 2308, respectively; (h) secondary weld-on d-rings 2344 (one is not
shown and
therefore not labeled) integrally connected to and supported by the pallet
support bases
2304 and 2308, respectively; and (i) a container weight measuring system (not
labeled)
connected to and supported by the pallet support bases 2302, 2304, 2306, and
2308.
[00161] More specifically, as best shown in Fig. 32A, the pallet
support
bases 2302, 2304, 2306, and 2308; the primary pallet support base stabilizers
2310,
2312, 2314, and 2316; the secondary pallet support base stabilizers 2318 and
2320;
and the pallet support base stabilizer connectors 2322 and 2324 are each
configured to
co-act to support the pallet of the container 20.
[00162] In this illustrated example embodiment and as best shown in
Fig.
32A, (a) the pallet support base 2302 is integrally connected to and extends
from the
leg 2102 and the leg 2108; (b) the pallet support base 2306 is spaced apart
from the
pallet support base 2302 and is integrally connected to and extends from the
leg 2104
and the leg 2106; (c) the pallet support base 2304 is integrally connected to
and
extends from the leg 2102 and the leg 2104; and (d) the pallet support base
2308 is
spaced apart from the pallet support base 2304 and is integrally connected to
and
extends from the leg 2106 and the leg 2108.
[00163] In this illustrated example embodiment as best shown in
Figs. 28
and 32A: (a) one end of the primary support base stabilizer 2310 is integrally
connected
to the pallet support base 2304 and an opposing end is integrally connected to
the pallet
support base 2302 and a bottom surface of a first track 2706; (b) one end of
the primary
support base stabilizer 2312 is integrally connected to the pallet support
base 2304 and
27
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
an opposing end is integrally connected to the pallet support base 2306 and a
bottom
surface of the first track 2706; (c) one end of the primary support base
stabilizer 2314 is
integrally connected to the pallet support base 2308 and an opposing end is
integrally
connected to the pallet support base 2306 and a bottom surface of a second
track 2708;
and (d) one end of the primary support base stabilizer 2316 is integrally
connected to
the pallet support base 2308 and an opposing end is integrally connected to
the pallet
support base 2302 and a bottom surface of the second track 2708. The first
track 2706
and the second track 2708 are each a component of the track assembly 2702 of
the
automatic bulk material container gate mover 2700 and are each further
described
below.
[00164] In this illustrated example embodiment and as best shown in
Fig.
32A: (a) the secondary pallet support base stabilizer 2318 is integrally
connected to and
extends from the pallet support base 2302 and the pallet support base 2306;
and (b) the
secondary pallet support base stabilizer 2320 is spaced apart from the
secondary pallet
support base stabilizer 2318 and is integrally connected to and extends from
the pallet
support base 2302 and the pallet support base 2306.
[00165] In this illustrated example embodiment and as best shown in
Fig.
32A: (a) the pallet support base stabilizer connector 2322 is integrally
connected to and
extends from the secondary pallet support base stabilizer 2318 and the
secondary pallet
support base stabilizer 2320; and (b) the pallet support base stabilizer
connector 2324
is spaced apart from the pallet support base stabilizer connector 2322 and is
integrally
connected to and extends from the secondary pallet support base stabilizer
2318 and
the secondary pallet support base stabilizer 2320.
[00166] The corner nesting support assemblies 2326, 2328, 2330, and
2332 are each configured to engage and assist in correctly aligning the pallet
of the
container 20 on the unloader 2000. It should be appreciated that the corner
nesting
support assemblies 2326, 2328, 2330, and 2332 are substantially similar in
this
illustrated example embodiment. Thus, for brevity, only the corner nesting
support
assembly 2326 is further described in detail.
28
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
[00167] More specifically, as best shown in Fig. 32A, the corner
nesting
support assembly 2326 includes: (a) a horizontally extending base 2326a
integrally
connected to and supported by the pallet support bases 2302 and 2304 and the
leg
2102; (b) a vertically extending tubular body 2326b integrally connected to
and
extending upwardly from the base 2326a; (c) a generally rectangular
horizontally
extending cap 2326c integrally connected to the top of the horizontally
extending tubular
body 2326b, and (d) a vertically extending corner pin 2326d integrally
connected to and
extending upwardly from the cap 2326c. In this illustrated example embodiment,
the
horizontally extending base 2326a is substantially similar to the cap 2326c
and includes
a generally rectangular body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front
edge, a rear
edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The tubular body 2326b
includes four
integrally connected upwardly extending walls, each having an upper edge, a
bottom
edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The cap 2326c is integrally
connected to
each upper edge of the upwardly extending walls of the tubular body 2326b. The
corner
pin 2326d in this illustrated example embodiment is a solid piece of steel
configured to
partially engage a corner of the pallet of the container 20 for alignment
purposes.
[00168] As described above, the corner nesting support assemblies
2326,
2328, 2330, and 2332 are substantially similar in this illustrated example
embodiment.
Therefore, a horizontally extending base of the corner nesting support
assembly 2328 is
integrally connected to and supported by the pallet support bases 2304 and
2306 and
the leg 2104; a horizontally extending base of the corner nesting support
assembly
2330 is integrally connected to and supported by the pallet support bases 2306
and
2308 and the leg 2106; and a horizontally extending base of the corner nesting
support
assembly 2332 is integrally connected to and supported by the pallet support
bases
2308 and 2302 and the leg 2108.
[00169] The forklift tine receivers 2334 and 2336 are each
configured to
receive a fork of the forklift to enable a forklift to lift the unloader 2000
from a first
position to a second position (such as from the bed of a truck to a sub-grade
or onto the
dual and single leg stands of the rack 5000 (as further described below)). It
should be
appreciated that the forklift tine receivers 2334 and 2336 are substantially
similar in this
29
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
illustrated example embodiment. Thus, for brevity, only the forklift tine
receiver 2334 is
further described in detail.
[00170] As best shown in Fig. 32A, the forklift tine receiver 2334
includes a
tubular body (not labeled) having four integrally connected horizontally
extending walls
(each not labeled). Each wall includes an inner surface. The inner surfaces of
the four
walls define a forklift tine receiving channel configured to receive a fork of
the forklift.
[00171] The forklift tine receiver 2334 also includes: (a) a first
tine deflector
(not shown) that is integrally connected and extends downwardly from a bottom
wall of
one end of the forklift tine receiver 2334; and (b) a second tine deflector
(not shown)
that is spaced apart from the first tine deflector and integrally connected to
the bottom
wall at the opposite end of the forklift tine receiver 2334. The first and
second tine
deflectors are each configured to be engaged by a fork or time of a forklift
to deflect the
fork or tine of the forklift and prevent the fork or time of the forklift from
engaging and/or
damaging other components of the unloader 2000.
[00172] As best shown in Fig. 32A, in this illustrated example
embodiment,
the forklift tine receiver 2334 is integrally connected to a bottom surface of
the pallet
support base 2302, the end of the leg stabilizer 2310, a bottom surface of the
pallet
support base 2306, and the end of the leg stabilizer 2312. The forklift tine
receiver 2336
is spaced apart from the forklift tine receiver 2334 and is integrally
connected to the
bottom surface of the pallet support base 2302, the end of the leg stabilizer
2316, the
bottom surface of the pallet support base 2306, and the end of the leg
stabilizer 2314.
[00173] The primary weld-on d-rings 2338 and 2340 are each configured
to
enable a connecting apparatus (such as a cord or line) to be connected to the
primary
weld-on d-ring and a portion of the material director 2500 to assist in
stabilizing the
material director 2500. In this illustrated example embodiment as shown in
Fig. 31C, the
primary weld-on d-ring 2338 is integrally connected to and extends downwardly
from the
pallet support base 2304. The primary weld-on d-ring 2340 is integrally
connected to
and extends downwardly from the bottom of the pallet support base 2308, as
best
shown in Fig. 31B.
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
[00174] The secondary weld-on d-rings 2344 (one not shown and thus
not
labeled) are each configured to enable a connecting apparatus (such as a cord
or line)
to be connected to the secondary weld on d-ring and to another structure to
assist in
stabilizing or maintaining the position of the unloader 2000. In this
illustrated example
embodiment as shown in Fig. 32A, one secondary weld-on d-ring is integrally
connected
to and extends inwardly from the pallet support base 2304. Another secondary
weld-on
d-ring 2344 is integrally connected to and extends inwardly from the pallet
support base
2308.
[00175] The container weight measuring system is configured to
support
the pallet of a container such as the container 20 (and thus the entire weight
of the
container 20 including its contents). The container weight measuring system is
also
configured to determine the entire weight of the container 20 and its
contents. As
shown in Fig. 32A, the container weight measuring system includes weight
measuring
assemblies 2346, 2348, 2350, and 2352, a first bridge 2354, and a second
bridge 2356.
[00176] The container weight measuring system also includes one or
more
controllers (including one or more processors) electrically connected to each
of the
weight measuring assemblies 2346, 2348, 2350, and 2352. The weight measuring
assemblies 2346, 2348, 2350, and 2352 and the controller(s) (not shown) are
configured to co-act to determine the weight of the container 20 when the
container 20
is placed on the pallet receiver 2300 of the unloader 2000. The weight of the
container
20 can be determined at various different points in time such as when the
container 20
is filled with loose materials, as the loose materials are released from the
container 20,
and when the container 20 is almost or completely empty. It should be
appreciated that
the weight measuring assemblies 2346, 2348, 2350, and 2352 are substantially
similar
(except for their location) in this illustrated example embodiment. Thus, for
brevity, only
the weight measuring assembly 2346 is further described in more detail.
[00177] As best shown in Fig. 32B, the weight measuring assembly
2346
includes: (a) a housing 2346a integrally connected to and supported by the
pallet
support base 2304; and (b) a first load cell 2346b suitably connected to and
supported
by the housing 2346a and electrically connected to the controller (not shown).
31
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
[00178] As best shown in Fig. 32B, the first housing 2346a is
configured to
support the first load cell 2346b. The first housing 2346a includes: (a) a
horizontally
planar base 2346c integrally connected to and supported by the pallet support
base
2304; (b) a first horizontally extending wall 2346d integrally connected to
and extending
upwardly from the base 2346c; (c) a second horizontally extending wall (not
shown)
spaced apart from the first wall 2346d and integrally connected to and
extending
upwardly from the base 2346c, (d) an L-shaped bracket 2346e integrally
connected to
the pallet support base 2304 and the second horizontally extending wall; and
(e) a
container guiding bracket 2346f that includes a base 2346g, a first upwardly
extending
wall 2346h, a second upwardly extending wall 2346i, and a third upwardly
extending
wall 2346j. The walls 2346h, 2346i, and 2346j are each configured to engage a
portion
of a first track and the container 20 when the container 20 is positioned or
rests on the
unloader 2000.
[00179] It should be appreciated that in this illustrated example
embodiment, the base 2346c of the first housing 2346a is integrally connected
to the
base 2326a of the corner nesting support assembly 2326 such that a top surface
of the
base 2346c of the first housing 2346a is continuous with the top surface of
the base
2326a of the corner nesting support assembly 2326.
[00180] The first load cell 2346b is configured to partially support
the
container 20. The first load cell 2346b is also configured to convert the
portion of the
weight of the container that it partially supports to an electrical signal.
This electrical
signal, along with other electrical signals generated by the other weight
measuring
assemblies 2348, 2350, and 2352, respectively, are further analyzed or used by
the
processor of the controller to determine the weight of the container 20.
[00181] As shown in Fig. 32C, the first load cell 2346b includes a
body
2346k and a pivotable horizontally planar bracket 23461 pivotally connected to
the body
2346k via an upwardly extending wall (not labeled). The bracket 23461 includes
a body
2346k that defines a plurality of fastener openings each configured to receive
a suitable
fastener to connect a first or second bridge to the bracket 23461, as further
described
below. The body 2346k defines a plurality of fastener openings each configured
to
32
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
receive a suitable fastener to connect the body 2346k to the base 2346c of the
housing
2346.
[00182] The load cells of the weight measuring assemblies 2346,
2348,
2350, and 2352 are commercially available (such as from Rice Lake Weighing
Systems). It should be appreciated that in alternative example embodiments,
the
unloader can include a different number of weight measuring assemblies,
housings,
and/or load cells in accordance with the present disclosure.
[00183] As best shown in Figs. 32A, 32B, and 32D, as mentioned
above,
the container weight measuring system includes: (a) the first bridge 2354; and
(b) the
second bridge 2356. In this illustrated example embodiment the first bridge
2354 and
the second bridge 2356 are each configured to partially engage and support the
pallet
of the container 20. It should be appreciated that the first bridge 2354 and
the second
bridge 2356 are substantially similar in this illustrated example embodiment.
Thus, for
brevity, only the first bridge 2354 is further described below.
[00184] As best shown in Fig. 32D, the first bridge 2354 includes:
(a) a
horizontally planar top container engagement wall 2354a that defines a
plurality of
fastener openings each configured to receive a suitable fastener to connect
the first
bridge 2354a to the bracket 23461 of the first load cell 2346b and a bracket
23481 of a
second load cell 2348b; (b) a first vertically extending wall 2354b integrally
connected to
and extending downwardly from the wall 2354a; and (c) a second vertically
extending
wall 2354c integrally connected to and extending downwardly from the wall
2354a.
[00185] It should be appreciated from the above, to determine the
weight of
the contents of the container 20 when the container 20 is placed on the
unloader 2000,
the processor of the weight measuring system analyzes the electrical signals
generated
by the load cells 2346b, 2348h, 2350b, and 2352b to determine the total weight
of the
container and its contents and then subtracts the known weight of the
container to
determine the weight of the contents of the container at any point in time. In
this
illustrated embodiment, the weight measuring system also subtracts the known
weights
of the first bridge 2354 and the second bridge 2356 for this calculation.
33
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
[00186] It should be appreciated that the first bridge 2354, the
second
bridge 2356, and the load cells of the weight measuring assemblies 2346, 2348,
2350,
and 2352 co-act or work in unison to assist in determining the weight of the
container
and materials in the container.
[00187] It should further be appreciated that the first bridge 2354
and the
second bridge 2356 are further configured to stabilize the container 20 when
the
container 20 is positioned on the pallet receiver 2300 of the unloader 2000.
[00188] It should be appreciated that in this illustrated example
embodiment, the pallet support bases 2302, 2304, 2306, and 2308; the primary
pallet
support base braces 2310, 2312, 2314, and 2316; the secondary pallet support
base
braces 2318 and 2320; the pallet support base brace connectors 2322 and 2324;
the
corner nesting support assemblies 2326, 2328, 2330, and 2332; the forklift
tine
receivers 2334 and 2336; the primary weld-on d-rings 2338 and 2340; and the
secondary weld-on d-rings 2344 (one is not shown and labeled) are each made of
a
suitable material, such as steel. It should further be appreciated that the
housing of
each load cell assembly of the present disclosure is made of a suitable metal
material,
such as steel. It should further be appreciated that the first bridge 2354 and
the second
bridge 2356 of the present disclosure are each made of a suitable material,
such as
aluminum.
The Material Director
[00189] In this illustrated example embodiment, the material
director 2500
of the unloader 200 is configured to be connected to the pallet receiver 2300
so that the
material 2500 extends downwardly and at an angle underneath the pallet
receiver 2300.
This enables the material director 2500 to direct loose materials from the
container 20 to
the material blender (as best shown Figs. 17, 18, and 19). Likewise, the
material
director 4500 of the unloader 4000 is positioned underneath the pallet
receiver 4300
and extends downwardly and at an angle from the pallet receiver 4500 so that
the
material director 4500 can direct loose materials from the container 40 to the
material
34
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
blender. The material director 3500 of the unloader 3000 extends downwardly
substantially straight from the pallet receiver 3300 so that the material
director 3500 can
direct loose materials from the container 30 to the material blender.
[00190] It should be appreciated that in this illustrated example
embodiment, the material directors 2500, 3500, and 4500 are configured in such
a
manner so that they co-act or cooperate with each other to direct loose
materials from
the containers that are positioned on the unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000 to
the
material blender positioned underneath the pallet receiver 3300 of the
unloader 3000 at
a desired times (such as at the same time).
[00191] In this illustrated example embodiment, the unloader 2000
and the
unloader 4000 each have similar or substantially similar material directors
2500 and
4500, respectively that are mirror images of each other. For brevity, only the
material
director 2500 is thus discussed in further detail. It should be appreciated
that the
material director 3500 is configured differently than the material directors
2500 and
4500. Thus, after the discussion regarding the material director 2500, a
discussion
regarding the material director 3500 is provided.
[00192] As shown in Figs. 33A to 330, in this illustrated example
embodiment, the material director 2500 of the unloader 2000 includes: (a) a
fixed chute
section 2502 connected to and supported by the pallet support base stabilizer
connectors 2322 and 2324 of the pallet supporter 2300; (b) a chute connector
section
2504 hingedly connectable to the partially fixed chute section 2502 and
connected to a
movable and removable chute section 2506 via suitable fasteners; and (c) a
movable
and removable chute section 2506.
[00193] More specifically, the fixed chute section 2502 is
configured to
direct material that exits the gate assembly (not shown) of the container 20
on the
unloader 2000. The fixed chute section 2502 is also configured to extend
downwardly at
an angle to and underneath the pallet receiver 2300 of the unloader 2000.
[00194] As best shown in Figs. 33A to 33J, the fixed chute section
2502
includes: (a) a material directing opening assembly 2508 connected to and
supported
the pallet support base stabilizer connectors 2322 and 2324 of the pallet
supporter 2300
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
(as best shown in Figs. 28, 29 and 30); and (b) a shaft 2510 connected to the
material
directing opening assembly 2508 and the chute connector section 2504.
[00195] More specifically, as best shown in Figs. 33C to 331, the
material
directing opening assembly 2508 includes: (a) a first pallet receiver
stabilizer connector
bracket 2508a connected to the pallet receiver stabilizer connector 2322; (b)
a second
pallet receiver stabilizer connector bracket 2508b spaced apart from the first
pallet
receiver stabilizer connector bracket 2508a and integrally connected to the
pallet
receiver stabilizer connector 2324; (c) a first material directing bracket
2508c connected
via suitable fasteners to the first pallet receiver stabilizer connector
bracket 2508a; (d) a
second material directing bracket 2508d spaced apart from the first material
directing
bracket 2508c and connected via suitable fasteners to the second pallet
receiver
stabilizer connector bracket 2508b; (e) a third material directing bracket
2508e integrally
connected to the first material direction bracket 2508c and the second
material direction
bracket 2508d; and (f) a fourth material directing bracket 2508f spaced apart
from the
third material directing bracket 2508e and integrally connected to the first
material
direction bracket 2508c and the second material direction bracket 2508d.
[00196] As best shown in Figs. 33C to 331, the material directing
opening
assembly 2508 further includes: (a) a first S-shaped bracket 2508g connected
via
suitable fasteners to the first material directing bracket 2508c; (b) a second
S-shaped
bracket 2508h spaced apart from the first S-shaped bracket 2508g and connected
via
suitable fasteners to the second material directing bracket 2508d; (c) a third
S-shaped
bracket 2508i connected via suitable fasteners to an L-shaped bracket 2508j;
and (d) a
fourth S-shaped bracket 2508k spaced apart from the third S-shaped bracket
2508i and
connected via suitable fasteners to the fourth material directing bracket
2508f.
[00197] More specifically, the first material directing bracket
2508c includes
a material directing surface (not labeled); the second material directing
bracket 2508d
includes a material directing surface (not labeled); the third material
directing bracket
2508e includes a material directing surface (not labeled); and the fourth
material
directing bracket 2508f includes a material directing surface (not labeled).
The
respective material directing surface of each material directing bracket is
configured to
36
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
be engaged by and direct loose materials (such as sand) that exit the gate
assembly of
the container 20 through the material directing opening assembly 2508 and the
other
members of the material director 2500, as further described below.
[00198] Additionally, an upwardly extending wall 2509a of the first
S-shaped
bracket 2508g, an upwardly extending wall 2509bof the first material directing
bracket
2508c, an upwardly extending wall 2509c of the second S-shaped bracket 2508h,
and
upwardly extending wall 2509d of the second material directing bracket 2508d,
an
upwardly extending wall 2509e of the L-shaped bracket 2508j, an upwardly
extending
wall 2509f of the third material directing bracket 2508e, an upwardly
extending wall
2509g of the fourth S-shaped bracket 2508k, and an upwardly extending wall
2509h of
the fourth material directing bracket 2508f together define a contiguous
channel. This
channel is configured to receive one or more suitable compressible sealing
strip(s) or
gasket(s) 2510 (such as a foam material) that is/are positioned in this
channel. When
positioned in this channel, each sealing strip 2510 extends upwardly. Each
sealing strip
2510 is configured to form a tight seal between the gate opening of the gate
opening
assembly of the container 20 and the material directing opening assembly 2508
of the
material director 2500 so that loose materials that exit the gate assembly of
the
container 20 and move through the material directing opening assembly 2508 of
the
material director 2500 do not leak out from the material directing opening
assembly.
[00199] As shown in Figs. 33C, 33D, 33F, 33G, 33H, and 331, the L-
shaped
bracket 2508j further includes a horizontally extending trolley access wall
2509i that is
integrally connected to the upwardly extending wall 2509e. The trolley access
wall 2509i
and the upwardly extending wall 2509e define a trolley access area (not
labeled) above
the trolley access wall 2509i and adjacent to the upwardly extending wall
2509e. The
trolley access area is configured to enable the gate mover assembly 2704, and
particularly either the first trolley 2720 or the second trolley 2722, to be
positioned in the
trolley access area, and particularly adjacent to the upwardly extending wall
2509e of
and above the trolley access wall 2509i, without the first trolley 2720 or the
second
trolley 2722 engaging and/or damaging any components of the material director
2500
37
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
when the gate mover assembly 2704 is in a resting position and the gate of the
container 20 is in a fully closed position.
[00200] It should be appreciated that the fixed chute section 2502
can
include a downwardly extending plate 2501 that is integrally connected to the
first pallet
receiver stabilizer connector bracket 2508a, as best shown in Fig. 33B. The
downwardly
extending plate 2501 is configured to provide the material director 2500, and
particularly
the material directing opening assembly 2508 with more structural integrity.
[00201] As shown in Fig. 33J, the shaft 2512 of the fixed chute 2502
section
includes: (a) a first side 2512a, wherein one end of the first side 2512a
includes an
angled edge 2513a; (b) a second side 2512b spaced apart from the first side
2512a,
wherein one end of the second side 2512b includes an angled edge 2513b, (c) a
third
side 2512c integrally connected to the first side 2512a and the second side
2512b; (d) a
fourth side 2512d integrally connected to the first side 2512a, the second
side 2512b,
and the third side 2512c; (e) a fifth side 2512e integrally connected to the
first side
2512a, the second side 2512b, and the fourth side 2512d; (f) a sixth side
2512f
integrally connected to the first side 2512a, the second side 2512b, and the
fifth side
2512e and angled upwardly relative to the fifth side 2512e, wherein the sixth
side 2512f
includes a body that defines a plurality of fastener openings each configured
to receive
a suitable fastener; and (g) a seventh side 2512g spaced apart from the third,
fourth,
and fifth sides 2512c, 2512d, and 2512e, respectively, and integrally
connected to the
first side 2512a and the second side 2512b, wherein the seventh side 2512g
includes a
first upwardly extending wall 2512h integrally connected to the first side
2512a and a
second upwardly extending wall 2512i spaced apart from the first upwardly
extending
wall 2512h and integrally connected to the second side 2512b;
[00202] One end of the fixed chute section 2502 is configured to be
integrally connected (by welding and by suitable fasteners) to the material
directing
opening assembly 2508 (as best shown in Figs. 33A and 33B). More specifically,
the
angled edge 2513a of the first side 2512a, the angled edge 2513b of the second
side
2512b, and an end of the seventh side 2512g are welded to a bottom portion of
the third
material directing bracket 2508e, a bottom portion of the fourth material
directing
38
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
bracket 2508f, and a bottom portion of the first material directing bracket
2508c,
respectively. Additionally, the sixth side 2512f is connected to the second
material
directing bracket 2508d via suitable fasteners.
[00203] In this illustrated example embodiment inner surfaces of the
first
side 2508a, the second side 2508b, the third side 2508c, the fourth side
2508d, the fifth
side 2508e, the sixth side 2508f, and the seventh side 2508g together define a
material
directing channel, which is configured to direct materials through the fixed
chute section
2502.
[00204] As best shown in Figs. 33K, 33L, 33M, and 33N, the chute
connector section 2504 includes: (a) a first base bracket 2504a; (b) a second
base
bracket 2504b; (c) a third base bracket 2504c; (e) a fourth base bracket
2504d; (f) a fifth
base bracket 2504e; (g) a sixth base bracket 2504f, (h) a seventh base bracket
2504g;
and (i) an eighth base bracket 2504h. These base brackets 2504a, 2504b, 2504c,
2504d, 2504e, 2504f, 2504g, and 2504h each include a body that defines
fastener
openings configured to receive suitable fasteners. Thus, the first base
bracket 2504a
and the second base 2504b bracket are connected via suitable fasteners; the
third base
bracket 2504c and the fourth base 2504d bracket are connected via suitable
fasteners;
fifth base bracket 2504e and the sixth base bracket 2504f are connected via
suitable
fasteners; and seventh base bracket 2504g and the eighth base bracket 2504h
are
connected via suitable fasteners.
[00205] As best shown in Figs. 33K, 33L, 33M, and 33N, the chute
connector section 2504 further includes: (a) a first body wall 2504i
integrally connected
to the second base bracket 2504b; (b) a second body wall 2504j spaced apart
from the
first body wall 2504i and integrally connected to the sixth base bracket
2504f; (c) a third
body wall 2504k integrally connected to the first and second body walls 2504i
and 2504j
and the fourth base bracket 2504d; and (d) a fourth body wall 25041 spaced
apart from
the third body wall 2504k and integrally connected to the first and second
body walls
2504i and 2504j and the eighth base bracket 2504h.
[00206] It should be appreciated that in this illustrated example
embodiment, the third body wall 2504k and the fourth body wall 25041 taper
toward the
39
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
first body wall 25041 so that the chute connector section 2504 directs the
loose materials
in the desired direction. It should further be appreciated that in this
illustrated example
embodiment, the chute connector section 2504 can include one or more suitable
gaskets, such as gasket 2505f shown in Fig. 33N, configured to create a tight
seal
between the chute connector section 2504 and the fixed chute section 2502
and/or the
chute connector section 2504 and the movable and removable chute section 2506.
[00207] As best shown in Figs. 33K, 33L, 33M, and 33N, the chute
connector section 2504 further includes: (a) a first elongated top bracket
2504m
integrally connected to the first, third and fourth body walls 2504i, 2504k,
and 2504L,
respectively; (b) a second elongated top bracket 2504n spaced apart from the
first
elongated top bracket 2504m and integrally connected to the second, third, and
fourth
body walls 2504j, 2504k, and 2504L, respectively; (c) a third elongated top
bracket
2504o adjacent to the second elongated top bracket 2504n and integrally
connected to
the second elongated top bracket 2504n; (d) a generally tubular top bracket
2504p
integrally connected to the first elongated top bracket 2504m, the third
elongated top
bracket 2504o, the third body wall 2504k, and the fourth body wall 25041; (e)
a first C-
shaped top bracket 2504q integrally connected to the top generally tubular top
bracket
2504p; (f) a second C-shaped top bracket 2504r adjacent to the first C-shaped
top
bracket 2504q and integrally connected to the first C-shaped top bracket
2504q; (g) a
third C-shaped top bracket 2504s spaced apart from the first C-shaped top
bracket
2504q and integrally connected to the generally tubular top bracket 2504p; and
(h) a
fourth C-shaped top bracket 2504t adjacent to the third C-shaped top bracket
2504s
and integrally connected to the third C-shaped top bracket 2504s.
[00208] The chute connector section 2504 further includes: (a) a
first hinge
connector bracket 2504u integrally connected to the generally tubular top
bracket
2504p; (b) a second hinge connector bracket 2504v spaced apart from the first
hinge
connector bracket 2504u and integrally connected to the generally tubular top
bracket
2504p; (c) a third hinge connector bracket 2504w integrally connected to the
generally
tubular top bracket 2504p; (d) a fourth hinge connector bracket 2504x spaced
apart
from the third hinge connector bracket 2504w and integrally connected to the
generally
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
tubular top bracket 2504p; and (e) a front wall 2504y that includes an
elongated
vertically extending wall 2504z, a horizontally extending top wall (not
labeled), and a
horizontally extending bottom wall (not labeled), wherein the top and bottom
walls
define a plurality of hinge connector bracket grooves each configured to
direct or guide
where the hinge connector brackets 2504u, 2504v, 2504w, and 2504x connect to
the
front wall 2504y. The bottom wall is integrally connected to the generally
tubular top
bracket 2504p. The front wall also includes a ring base (not labeled)
integrally
connected to the front wall. The ring base is integrally connected to a ring
(not labeled),
which includes a washer (not labeled) positioned between the ring and the ring
base.
One end of a connecting apparatus (such as a cord or line) can be connected to
the
ring, and another opposing end of the connecting apparatus can be connected to
one of
the primary D-rings of the pallet receiver 2300 to assist in stabilizing the
material
director 2500.
[00209] The front wall 2504y is also configured to engage a side of
the fixed
chute section 2502 when the chute connector section 2504 is hingedly connected
to the
fixed chute section 2502. This enables the chute connector section 2504 to
properly
connect to the fixed chute section 2502.
[00210] The first, second, third, and fourth hinge connector
brackets 2504u,
2504v, 2504w, and 2504x each include a body that defines a plurality of
fastener
openings configured to each receive a suitable fastener to connect a hinge of
the chute
connector section to a respective hinge connector bracket, as best shown in
Fig. 33N
and further described below.
[00211] In this illustrated example embodiment, an inner surface of
the first
body wall 2504i, the second body wall 2504j, the third body wall 2504k, and
the fourth
body wall 25041 together define a material directing channel that is
configured to direct
materials through the chute connector section 2504.
[00212] As best shown in Fig. 33L, the chute connector section 2504
further
includes: (a) a plurality of clamp or clamping devices 2505a, 2505b, 2505c,
2505d, and
2505e that are each configured to assist in connecting the chute connector
section 2504
to the fixed chute section 2502; (b) a first hinge 2514; and (c) a second
hinge 2516.
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CA 2972323 2017-06-29
[00213] The first hinge 2514 and the second hinge 2516 are
configured to
hingedly connect the chute connector section 2504 to the fixed chute section
2502. It
should be appreciated that the first hinge 2514 and the second hinge 2516 are
substantially similar in this illustrated example embodiment. Thus, for
brevity, only the
first hinge 2514 is further described below.
[00214] As best shown in Fig. 33M, the first hinge 2514 includes:
(a) a first
arm 2514a that includes a body that defines a plurality of fastener openings
configured
to receive a connecting apparatus; (b) a second arm 2514b spaced apart from
the first
arm 2514a that includes a body that defines a plurality of suitable fastener
openings
configured to receive a connecting apparatus; (c) a first bracket 2514c,
wherein the first
bracket 2514c includes a generally planar portion 2514d and a vertically
extending
portion 2514e integrally connected to the generally planar portion 2514d; and
(d) and a
connecting apparatus 2515.
[00215] The generally planar portion 2514d of the first bracket
2514c
includes a body that defines a plurality of fastener openings each configured
to receive
a suitable fastener. The vertically extending portion 2514e of the first
bracket 2514c
extends at an angle relative to the planar portion 2514d of the first bracket
2514c. This
angle can be ninety degrees or less.
[00216] The connecting apparatus 2515 includes: (a) a stem 2515a
that is
configured to be positioned in the fastener openings of the first arm 2514a
and the
second arm 2514b; (b) a rotatable handle 2515b; and (c) a wire 2515c that
includes one
end integrally connected to the handle 2515b and an opposing end connected to
the
first arm 2514a via a suitable fastener (not shown). The wire 2515c is of a
suitable
length to enable the first hinge 2514 to rotate.
[00217] The first hinge 2514 also includes a generally planar second
bracket 2514f that includes a body that defines a plurality of fastener
openings each
configured to receive a suitable fastener. This generally planar bracket 2514f
is
connected via suitable fastener to the generally planar portion 2514d of the
first bracket
2514c.
42
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[00218] As best shown in Fig. 33N, when the stem 2515a of the
connecting
apparatus 2515 is positioned in the fastener openings of the first arm 2514a
and the
second arm 2514b of the first hinge 2514, the first arm 2514a and second arm
2514b
can rotate relative to the stem 2515a. This enables the chute connector
section 2504 to
suitably connect to the fixed chute section 2502.
[00219] The first hinge 2514 and the second hinge 2516 are spaced
apart
from each other. Each hinge is integrally connected to the first and second
base
brackets 2504a and 2504b.
[00220] The movable and removable chute section 2506 is configured to
direct loose materials that exits the gate assembly of the container 20,
thereafter moves
through the fixed chute section 2502, thereafter moves through the chute
connector
section, and thereafter direct materials to the material blender (such as the
blender
shown in Figs. 17, 18, and 19). The movable and removable chute section 2506
is also
configured to extend at an angle from the fixed chute section 2502 and
underneath the
adjacent unloader 3000.
[00221] As shown in Fig. 330, the movable and removable chute section
2506 includes: (a) a generally rectangular top wall 2506a; (b) a generally
rectangular
bottom wall 2506b spaced apart from the top wall 2506a; (c) a first side wall
2506c
integrally connected to the top wall 2506a and the bottom wall 2506b; (d) a
second side
wall 2506d spaced apart from the first side wall 2506c and integrally
connected to the
top wall 2506a and the bottom wall 2506b, (e) a first top handle 2506e
integrally
connected to the top wall 2506a via suitable fasteners; (g) a second top
handle 2506f
spaced apart from the first handle 2506e and integrally connected to the top
wall 2506a
via suitable fasteners; (h) a first side handle 2506g integrally connected to
the first side
wall 2506c via suitable fasteners; and (i) a second side handle 2506h
integrally
connected to the second side wall 2506d via suitable fasteners.
[00222] More specifically, the top wall 2506a includes: (a) a planar
wall
2507a; (b) a first downwardly extending wall 2507b integrally connected to the
planar
wall 2507a; and (c) a second downwardly extending wall 2507c spaced apart from
the
first downwardly extending wall 2507b and integrally connected to the planar
wall
43
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
2507a. The first downwardly extending wall 2507c is configured to engage and
connect
to the first side wall 2506c. The second downwardly extending wall 2507c is
configured
to engage and connect to the second side wall 2506d.
[00223] In this illustrated example embodiment, one end of the
movable
and removable chute section 2506 is connected to the chute connector section
2504 so
that materials that travel through the chute connector section 2504 can
continue to
travel through the movable and removable chute section 2506 (as best shown in
Figs.
33A and 33B).
[00224] The handles 2506e, 2506f, 2506g, and 2506h are configured to
enable a user to move the movable and removable chute section 2506.
[00225] In this illustrated example embodiment, inner surfaces of
the top
wall 2506a, the bottom wall 2506b, the first side wall 2506c, and the second
side wall
2506d together define a material directing channel, that is configured to
direct materials
through the movable and removable chute section 2506.
[00226] It should be appreciated from the above that the material
director
2500 (and likewise the material director 4500) is configured to be positioned
underneath
the pallet receiver 2500 so that loose materials that exit the gate of the
container 20
travel through the material director 2500 and into the material blender
positioned
beneath the pallet receiver 3500 of the unloader 3000. More specifically, the
material
directing opening assembly 2508 of the fixed chute section 2502 directs loose
material
that exits the gate of the container 20 to the shaft 2512 of the fixed chute
section 2502.
The loose materials thereafter travel through the chute connector section
2504. The
loose materials thereafter travel through the movable and removable chute
section
2506. The loose materials thereafter exit from the movable and removable chute
section
2506 and into the material blender underneath the pallet receiver 3300 of the
unloader
3000.
[00227] As described above, the material director 4500 of the
unloader
4000 is substantially similar to the material director 2500 of the unloader
2000.
However, the material director 3500 of the unloader 3000 includes different
members or
44
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
components than the material directors 2500 and 4500. Thus, the material
director 3500
is further described below and best shown in Fig. 33P.
[00228] The material director 3500 is positioned beneath the
unloader
3000. The material director 3500 is configured to direct materials that exit
the gate
opening of the gate assembly of the container 30 when the gate assembly is
opened to
a blender beneath the material director 3500. As shown in Fig. 330, the
material
director 3500 includes: (a) a material directing opening assembly 3502
connected to
and supported by the pallet receiver 3300 of the unloader 3000; and (b) a
shaft 3504
connected via suitable fasteners to the material directing opening assembly
3502.
[00229] The material directing opening assembly 3502 is
substantially
similar to the material directing opening assembly 2508 of the material
director 2500.
Thus, the components of the material directing opening assembly 3502 and a
description of the material direction assembly opening 3502 are not provided.
[00230] The shaft 3504 includes: (a) a first wall 3504a, (b) a
second wall
3504b spaced apart from the first wall 3504b; (c) a third wall 3504c
integrally connected
to the first wall 3504a and the second wall 3504b; (d) a fourth wall 3504d
spaced apart
from the third wall 3504c and integrally connected to the first wall 3504a and
the second
wall 3504b; (e) a first bottom wall 3504e integrally connected to the first
wall 3504a; (f) a
second bottom wall 3504f spaced apart from the first bottom wall 3504e and
integrally
connected to the second wall 3504b; (g) a third bottom wall 3504g integrally
connected
to the first bottom wall 3504e, the second bottom wall 3504f, and the third
wall 3504c;
and (h) a fourth bottom wall 3504h integrally connected to the first bottom
wall 3504e,
the second bottom wall 3504f, and the fourth wall 3504d.
[00231] The walls 3504a, 3504b, 3504c, 3504d, 3504e, 3504f, 3504g,
3504h each includes an inner surface that together define a material directing
channel
configure to direct materials through the shaft 3504 of the material director
3500.
[00232] Thus, the material director is configured to be positioned
underneath the pallet receiver 3300 so that loose materials that exit the gate
of the
container 30 travel through the material director 3500 and into the material
blender
positioned beneath the pallet receiver 3500 of the unloader 3000. More
specifically, the
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
material directing opening assembly 3502 of the material director 35000
directs loose
material that exits the gate of the container 30 to the shaft 3504 of the
material director
3500. The loose materials thereafter exit from the shaft 3504 and into the
material
blender underneath the pallet receiver 3300 of the unloader 3000.
[00233]
It should be appreciated that in this illustrated example
embodiment, the components of the material directing opening assembly 2508
(except
the one or more suitable compressible sealing strip(s) or gasket(s) 2510) of
the material
director 2500 and the components of the material directing opening (not
labeled) of the
material director 4500 are made of a suitable material, such as steel. It
should further be
appreciated that the components of the shaft 2512 of the material director
2500 and the
components of the shaft (not labeled) of the material director 4500 are made
of a
suitable material, such as aluminum. It should further be appreciated that the
components of the chute connector section 2504 of the material director 2500
and the
components of the chute connector section (not labeled) material director 4500
are
made of a suitable material, such as aluminum. It should further be
appreciated that the
components of the movable and removable and removable chute section 2506 of
the
material director 2500 and the components of the movable and removable and
removable chute section (not labeled) of the material director 4500 are made
of a
suitable material, such as steel. It should further be appreciated that the
components of
the material director 3500 are made of a suitable material, such as steel.
[00234]
In this illustrated example embodiment, the bulk material shipping
container unloader 2000 includes one or more vibrators (not labeled) connected
to and
supported by the material director 2500 in a suitable manner. Each vibrator is
configured vibrate the material director 2500 to remove or dislodge materials
so that the
materials travel through the material director 2500.
The Automatic Bulk Material Container Gate Mover
[00235]
The illustrated example automatic bulk material container gate
mover 2700 of the unloader 2000 is configured to cause a gate assembly (not
shown) of
46
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
the container 20, and particularly a gate closure member (not shown) of a gate
assembly, to partially, open fully, and thereafter close. This process is
described in
more detail below.
[00236] Referring now to Figs. 34A to 34N, in this illustrated
example
embodiment, the automatic bulk material container gate mover 2700 of the
unloader
2000 includes: (a) a track assembly 2702 integrally connected to and supported
by the
pallet receiver 2300; and (b) a gate mover assembly 2704 supported by the
track
assembly 2702 and configured to receive and engage a downwardly extending
handle
or engagement member (not shown) of a gate of a material unloading assembly of
the
bulk material shipping container 20.
[00237] More specifically, as best shown in Figs. 34A, 34B, and 340,
the
track assembly includes: (a) a first track 2706 integrally connected to and
supported by
the pallet receiver 2300 (and thus the supporter 2100); and (b) a second track
2708
spaced apart from the first track 2706 and integrally connected to and
supported by the
pallet receiver 2300. The first track 2706 and the second track 2708 are each
configured to enable components of the gate mover assembly 2704 to be movable
along the first track 2706 and the second track 2708. It should be appreciated
that the
first track 2706 and the second track 2708 are substantially similar or
substantially
mirror images of each other in this illustrated example embodiment. Thus, for
brevity,
only the first track 2706 is further described in more detail.
[00238] As best shown in Figs. 34B and 34C, the first track 2706
includes a
C-shaped bracket 2710. The bracket 2710 includes: (a) an elongated
horizontally
extending wall 2712; (b) an upper wall 2714 integrally connected to and
extending
horizontally inwardly from the wall 2712; and (c) a lower wall 2716 spaced
apart from
the upper wall 2714 and integrally connected to and extending horizontally
inwardly
from the wall 2712.
[00239] In this illustrated example embodiment, one end of the wall
2712 of
the first track 2706 is integrally connected to the pallet support base 2302
(as shown in
Fig. 28). An opposing end of the wall 2712 of the first track 2706 is
integrally connected
to the pallet support base 2306 (as shown in Fig. 28). An end of the lower
wall 2716 of
47
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
the first track 2706 is integrally connected to the pallet support base 2302
(as shown in
Fig. 28). An opposing end of the lower wall 2716 is integrally connected to
the pallet
support base 2306 (as shown in Fig. 28). It should be appreciated that in this
illustrated
example embodiment, the length of the lower wall 2716 of the first track 2706
is greater
in length than the length of the upper wall 2714 of the first track 2706. A
plurality of
brackets 2718a, 2718b, 2718c, and 2718d are each integrally connected to the
wall
2712 of the first track 2706 and are each configured to connect the wall 2712
of the first
track 2706 and an upper surface of the forklift receiver 2334 (as shown in
Fig. 34C).
[00240] Likewise, in this illustrated example embodiment, an end of
a wall
of the second track 2708 is integrally connected to the pallet support base
(as shown in
Fig. 28). An opposing end of the wall of the second track 2708 is integrally
connected to
the pallet support base (as shown in Fig. 28). An end of a lower wall of the
second track
2708 is integrally connected to the pallet support base (as shown in Fig. 28).
An
opposing end of the lower wall of the second track 2708 is integrally
connected to the
pallet support base (as shown in Fig. 28). It should be appreciated that in
this illustrated
example embodiment, the length of the lower wall of the second track 2708 is
greater
than the length of the upper wall of the second track 2708. A plurality of
brackets are
each integrally connected to a surface of the wall of the second track 2708
and are each
configured to connect the wall of the second track 2708 and an upper surface
of the
forklift receiver.
[00241] Referring now to Figs 34D to 34H, the gate mover assembly
2704
includes: (a) a first trolley 2720; (b) a second trolley 2722 spaced apart
from the first
trolley 2722; (c) a trolley connector 2724 connected to the first trolley 2720
and the
second trolley 2722; (d) a gate receiver and engager 2726 integrally connected
to and
supported by the trolley connector 2724; (e) a first trolley mover assembly
2728
connected to the first trolley 2720; (f) a second trolley mover assembly 2730
connected
to the second trolley 2722; and (g) a trolley mover assembly controller 2732
fluidly
connected to the first trolley mover assembly 2728 and the second trolley
mover
assembly 2730.
48
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
[00242] The first trolley 2720 and the second trolley 2722 are
configured to
move along the first track 2706 and the second track 2708, respectively. It
should be
appreciated that first trolley 2720 and the second trolley 2722 are
substantially similar in
this illustrated example embodiment. Thus, for brevity, only the first trolley
2720 is
further described in more detail.
[00243] As best shown in Figs. 34E to 34H, the first trolley 2720
includes a
C-shaped bracket 2720a. The bracket 2720a includes: (a) an elongated
horizontally
extending wall 2720b that includes a body that defines a plurality of fastener
openings
each configured to receive a suitable fastener, wherein the wall 2720b has an
outer
surface 2720c and an inner surface 2720d and the body of the wall 2720b
defines an
opening configured to receive a bracket (as further described below); (b) an
upper wall
2720e integrally connected to and extending horizontally inwardly from the
wall 2720b,
wherein the upper wall includes an outer surface and an inner surface; (c) a
lower wall
2720f spaced apart from the upper wall 2720e and integrally connected to and
extending horizontally inwardly from the wall 2720b, wherein the lower wall
includes an
outer surface and an inner surface; and (d) a trolley connector bracket 2734
that
includes a planar upper wall 2734a, an L-shaped first side wall 2734b
integrally
connected to the planar upper wall 2734a and the inner surface 2720d of the
wall
2720b, and an L-shaped second side wall 2734c spaced apart from the L-shaped
first
side wall 2734b and integrally connected to the planar upper wall 2734a and
the inner
surface 2720d of the wall 2720b, wherein the trolley connector bracket
includes a body
that defines a plurality of fasteners openings each configured to receive a
suitable
fastener to connect the trolley connector 2724 and the trolley connector
bracket 2734.
[00244] As best shown in Figs. 34E to 34H, the bracket 2720a further
includes: (a) a generally planar bracket 2720g integrally connected to the
wall 2720b
and positioned through the opening of the body of the wall 2720b so that the
planar
bracket 2720g partially extends past the outer surface 2720c of the wall 2720b
and the
inner surface 2720d of the wall 2720b and integrally connected to the L-shaped
first
side bracket 2734b, wherein the planar bracket 2720g includes a body that
defines a
fastener opening configured to receive a suitable fastener to connect a wheel
to the first
49
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
trolley 2720; (b) a vertically extending bracket 2720h integrally connected to
the inner
surface 2720d of the wall 2720b and one end of the generally planar bracket
2720g; (c)
a generally semi-cylindrical bracket 2720i integrally connected to and
extending
horizontally from the vertically extending bracket 2720h, wherein the semi-
cylindrical
bracket 2720i includes a body that defines a first trolley mover fastener
opening
configured to receive a suitable fastener to connect the first trolley mover
2728 and the
first trolley 2720; (d) a rectangular bracket (not shown) connected to and
extending
inwardly from the inner surface 2720d of the wall 2720b, wherein the wall
includes a
body that defines a fastener opening configured to receive a suitable fastener
to
connect one of the wheels of the first trolley 2720; (e) a vertically
extending rectangular
wall (not shown) integrally connected to and extending downwardly from the
inner
surface of the upper wall, connected to and extending upwardly from an upper
surface
of the rectangular bracket, and integrally connected to a surface of the
vertically
extending bracket 2720h; (f) a first wheel 2720j connected to the wall 2720b
of the first
trolley 2720; (g) a second wheel 2720k spaced apart from the first wheel 2720j
and
connected to the wall 2720b of the first trolley 2720; and (h) a third wheel
27201
positioned between the first wheel 2720j and the second wheel 2720k and
connected to
the generally planar bracket 2720g of first trolley 2720.
[00245]
The first wheel 2720j, the second wheel 2720k, and the third wheel
27201 are each configured to be movable along the first track 2706 and thus
enable the
first trolley 2720 to be movable along the first track 2706. The first wheel
2720j is each
configured to rotate about a first horizontal axis. The second wheel 2720k is
configured
to rotate about a second different horizontal axis. The third wheel 27201 is
configured to
rotate about a vertical axis. The third wheel 27201 is configured to prevent
the first trolley
2720 from moving tangentially or substantially tangentially to the first track
2706 when
moving along the first track 2706. Since the first wheel 2720j, the second
wheel 2720k,
and the third wheel 27201 are each configured to be movable along the first
track 2706,
the first horizontal axis about which the first wheel 2720j rotates, the
second horizontal
axis about which the second wheel 2720k rotates, and the first vertical axis
about which
the third wheel 27201 rotates are each movable along or relative to the first
track 2706.
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
[00246] The first wheel 2720j includes a body that defines a
fastener
opening configured to receive a suitable fastener. The first wheel 2720j is
connected to
the wall 2720b of the first trolley 2720 by inserting and securing a suitable
fastener
through the fastener opening defined by the body of the wheel 2720j and
further through
the fastener opening defined by the wall 2720b.
[00247] The second wheel 2720k includes a body that defines a
fastener
opening configured to receive a suitable fastener. The second wheel 2720k is
connected to the wall 2720b of the first trolley 2720 by inserting and
securing a suitable
fastener through the fastener opening defined by the body of the wheel 2720k,
further
through the fastener opening defined by the wall 2720b, and further through
the
fastener opening defined by the rectangular wall (not shown).
[00248] The third wheel 27201 includes a body that defines a
fastener
opening configured to receive a suitable fastener. The third wheel 27201 is
connected to
the generally planar bracket 2720g of the first trolley 2720 by inserting and
securing a
suitable fastener through the fastener opening defined by the body of the
third wheel
27201 and further through the fastener opening defined by the generally planar
bracket
2720g.
[00249] In this illustrated example embodiment, the wall 2720b also
defines
an opening (not labeled) adjacent to the opening that is configured to receive
the planar
bracket 2720g. This opening (not labeled) has a circular portion, a first
rectangular
portion extending from the circular portion, and an opposing, second shorter
rectangular
portion extending from the circular portion
[00250] The trolley connector 2704 connects the first trolley 2720
to the
second trolley 2722, as best shown in Fig. 34D.
[00251] As best shown in Figs. 341 and 34J, the trolley connector
2704
includes a C-shaped bracket 2704a. The bracket 2704a includes: (a) a
horizontally
extending planar wall 2704b that includes a body that defines a plurality of
fastener
openings; (b) a first vertically extending wall 2704c integrally connected to
and
extending downwardly from the horizontally extending wall 2704b, wherein the
first
vertically extending wall 2704c includes a body that defines a plurality of
fastener
51
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openings; and (c) a second vertically extending wall 2704d integrally
connected to and
extending downwardly from the horizontally extending wall 2704c, wherein the
second
vertically extending wall 2704d includes a body that defines a plurality of
fastener
openings.
[00252] The fastener openings defined by the bodies of the walls
2704b,
2704c, and 2704d, respectively, are each configured to connect one end of the
trolley
connector 2704 to the trolley connector bracket 2734 of the first trolley 2720
and
connect an opposing end of the trolley connector 2704 to a trolley connector
bracket of
the second trolley 2722.
[00253] The gate receiver and engager 2726 is configured to receive
and
engage the downwardly extending handle or engagement member of the gate or
closure member of the container 20.
[00254] The gate receiver and engager 2726 include four spaced apart
upwardly extending hands 2726a, 2726b, 2726c, and 2726d. The gate receiver and
engager 2726 can further include additional different and separately spaced
apart
upwardly extending locking engager hands (not shown). The four spaced apart
upwardly extending hands 2726a, 2726b, 2726c, and 2726d are each configured to
receive and engage the downwardly extending handle of the gate.
[00255] More specifically, two of the upwardly extending hands 2726a
and
2726d are each configured to simultaneously engage a rear side of the
downwardly
extending handle of the gate. Thus, when the first trolley 2720 and the second
trolley
2722 move along the first track 2706 and the second track 2708, respectively,
the
upwardly extending hands 2726a and 2726d engage an inwardly facing surface of
the
downwardly extending handle of the gate and partially open the gate, and
thereafter
fully open the gate. This enables loose materials in the container 20 to exit
the container
20 and travel through the material director 2500. Two of the upwardly
extending hands
2726b and 2726c are configured to simultaneously engage a front side of the
downwardly extending handle of the gate. Thus, when the first trolley 2720 and
the
second trolley 2722 move along the first track 2706 and the second track 2708,
respectively, in an opposite direction to the direction which causes an
opening of the
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gate, the upwardly extending hands 2726b and 2726c engage and outwardly facing
surface of the downwardly extending handle of the gate to partially close the
gate, and
thereafter fully close the gate.
[00256] It should be appreciated that the movement of the first
trolley 2720
and the second trolley 2722 move along the first track 2706 and the second
track 2708,
respectively, can be controlled by the trolley mover assembly controller 2732
(as further
described below). Thus, the gate mover assembly 2704 can control the rate or
speed
and how far the gate of the container should be opened or closed. Therefore,
the gate
mover assembly 2704 can partially control the rate or speed at which loose
materials
exit the gate of the container 20 and into the material director 2500.
[00257] The upwardly extending locking engager hand is configured to
engage a locking assembly of the gate assembly of the container 20. This
enables the
gate of the container 20 to remain locked when the gate is closed and the
container 20
is positioned on the pallet receiver 2500 of the unloader 2000.
[00258] The first trolley mover assembly 2728 and the second trolley
mover
assembly 2730 are respectively configured to cause the first trolley 2720 and
the
second trolley 2722 to move along the first track 2706 and the second track
2708,
respectively. It should be appreciated that first trolley mover assembly 2728
and the
second trolley mover assembly 2730 are substantially similar or substantially
mirror
images of each other in this illustrated example embodiment. Thus, for
brevity, only the
first trolley mover assembly 2728 is further described below.
[00259] As best shown in Fig. 34k, the first trolley mover 2728
includes: (a)
a first bracket 2728a integrally connected to and supported by the pallet
support base
2706; (b) a first bracket connector 2728b lockingly connected to the first
bracket 2728a;
(c) a locking bracket fastener 2728c; (d) a first hydraulic piston housing
2728d integrally
connected to the first bracket connector 2728b; (e) a first hydraulic piston
2728e
movable in the first hydraulic piston housing 2728d; (f) a first hydraulic
piston bracket
connector 2728f integrally connected to the first hydraulic piston 2728e; and
(g) a first
hydraulic piston bracket connector fastener 2728g.
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CA 2972323 2017-06-29
[00260] More specifically, the first bracket 2728a connects the
first trolley
mover assembly 2728 and the pallet support base 2306. As best shown in Fig.
34k, the
first bracket 2728a includes: (a) a body 2729a integrally connected to an
upper surface
of the pallet support base 2306; (b) a first triangular wall 2729b integrally
connected to a
surface of the body 2729a of the first bracket 2928a and the upper surface of
the pallet
support base 2306; (c) a second triangular wall (not labeled) spaced apart
from the first
triangular wall 2729b and integrally connected to the surface of the body of
the first
bracket 2728a and the upper surface of the pallet support base 2306; and (d) a
semi-
cylindrical bracket 2729c integrally connected to and extending horizontally
from a
surface of the body 2729a of the first bracket 2728a, wherein the semi-
cylindrical
bracket 2729c includes a body that defines a fastener opening configured to
receive a
suitable fastener to connect the first bracket connector 2728b to the first
bracket 2728a.
[00261] As best shown in Fig. 34K, the first bracket connector 2728b
is
configured to connect the first bracket 2728a and the first hydraulic piston
housing
2728d. The first bracket connector 2728b includes: (a) a body having: (i) a
housing
engager surface 2729d configured to engage and be integrally connected to an
end of
the first hydraulic piston housing 2728d, (ii) a bracket engaging surface
2729e; and (iii)
four planar walls (not labeled) integrally connected to the housing engager
surface
2729d and the bracket engaging surface 2729e; (b) a first horizontally
extending upper
semi-cylindrical bracket 2729f integrally connected to and extending
horizontally from
the bracket engaging surface 2729e, wherein the first bracket includes a body
that
defines a fastener opening configured to receive the locking bracket fastener
2728c to
connect the first bracket connector 2728b to the first bracket 2728a; and (c)
a second
horizontally extending lower semi-cylindrical bracket 2729g spaced apart from
the first
upper bracket 2729f and integrally connected to and extending horizontally
from the
bracket engaging surface 2729e, wherein the second bracket 2729g includes a
body
that defines a fastener opening configured to receive a suitable fastener to
connect the
first bracket connector to the first bracket.
[00262] The locking bracket fastener 2728c is configured to be is
inserted
through the fastener openings defined by the body of the first semi-
cylindrical bracket
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2728f of the first bracket connector 2728b, the body of the semi-cylindrical
bracket
2729c of the first bracket 2728a, and the body of the second semi-cylindrical
bracket
2729g of the first bracket connector 2728b to lockingly connect the first
bracket
connector 2728b to the first bracket 2728a. The locking bracket fastener 2728c
is
further lockingly secured with at least one J-pin (not labeled).
[00263] The first hydraulic piston housing 2728d is configured to
receive the
first hydraulic piston 2728e. The first hydraulic piston housing 2728d
includes a body
that has an outer cylindrical surface and an inner cylindrical surface. The
inner surface
defines a chamber configured to receive the first hydraulic piston 2728e and
enable the
first hydraulic piston 2728e to be movable. The first hydraulic piston housing
2728d
further includes four spaced apart horizontally extending housing support rods
(not
labeled) connected to the housing engager surface 2729d of the first bracket
connector
2728b and an opposing surface (not labeled).
[00264] The first hydraulic piston 2728e is configured to be movable
in the
first hydraulic piston housing 2728d to cause the first trolley 2720 to move
along the first
track 2706.
[00265] The first hydraulic piston bracket connector 2728f is
configured to
connect the first hydraulic piston 2728e to the first trolley 2720. As best
shown in Fig.
34K, the first hydraulic piston bracket connector 2728f includes: (a) a body
2729h
having a cylindrical inner surface that defines a channel configured to engage
and
connect with an end of the first hydraulic piston 2728e; (b) a first
horizontally extending
semi-cylindrical bracket 2729i integrally connected to and extending from the
body
2729h, and (c) a second horizontally extending semi-cylindrical bracket 2729j
spaced
apart from the first semi-cylindrical bracket 2729i and integrally connected
to and
extending from the body 2729h.
[00266] The first bracket 2729i of the first hydraulic piston
bracket
connector 2728f includes a body that defines a fastener opening configure to
receive
the first hydraulic piston bracket connector fastener 2728g to lockingly
connect the first
hydraulic piston connector 2728f to the first trolley 2720. The second bracket
2729j of
the first hydraulic piston bracket connector 2728f includes a body that
defines a fastener
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
opening configure to receive the first hydraulic piston bracket connector
fastener 2728g
to lockingly connect the first hydraulic piston connector 2728f to the first
trolley 2720.
[00267] The first hydraulic piston bracket connector fastener 2728g
is
configured to be is inserted through the fastener openings defined by the body
of the
first bracket 2729i of the first hydraulic piston bracket connector 2728f, the
body of the
semi-cylindrical bracket 2720i of the first trolley 2720, and the body of the
second semi-
cylindrical bracket 2729j of the first hydraulic piston bracket connector
2728f to lockingly
connect the first hydraulic piston bracket connector 2728f to the first
trolley 2720. The
first hydraulic piston bracket connector fastener 2728g is further lockingly
secured with
at least one J-pin (not shown).
[00268] In this illustrated example embodiment, the first hydraulic
piston
2728e and a second hydraulic piston of the second trolley mover assembly 2730
are
simultaneously controlled and co-act or operate together to simultaneously
move the
first and second trolleys 2720 and 2722 respectively along the first and
second tracks
2706 and 2708. This enables the gate mover assembly 2704 to control how far to
open
or close the gate of the container 20. This also enables the gate mover
assembly 2704
to control the rate or speed at which loose materials exits the gate of the
container 20
and into the material director 2500 of the unloader 2000.
[00269] Referring now to Figs. 34L, 34M, and 34N, the trolley mover
assembly controller 2732 is configured to control the first trolley mover
assembly 2728
and the second trolley mover assembly 2730. The trolley mover assembly
controller
2732 is supported by a trolley mover assembly housing 2734. The trolley mover
assembly housing 2734 is integrally connected to and extends downwardly from
the
secondary pallet support base stabilizers 2318 and 2320.
[00270] More specifically, as best shown in Fig. 35N, the trolley
mover
assembly controller housing 2734 includes: (a) a first housing base 2734a; (b)
a second
housing base 2734b spaced apart from the first housing base 2734a; (c) a first
housing
base bracket 2734c integrally connected to the first housing base 2734a and
the second
housing base 2734b, wherein the first housing base bracket 2734c includes a
body that
defines a plurality of fastener openings each configured to receive a suitable
fastener to
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CA 2972323 2017-06-29
connect the trolley mover assembly controller 2732 to the body of the first
housing base
bracket 2734c, (f) a second housing bracket 2734d spaced apart from the first
housing
bracket 2734c and integrally connected to the first housing base 2734a and the
second
housing base 2734b, wherein the second housing base bracket 2734d includes a
body
that defines a plurality of fastener openings each configured to receive a
suitable
fastener to connect the trolley mover assembly controller 2732 to the body of
the
second housing base bracket 2734d; (g) a first vertically extending bracket
2734e
including: (i) a vertically extending generally V-shaped wall 2735a integrally
connected
to the first housing base 2734a and the second housing base 2734b, wherein the
V-
shaped wall 2735a includes a body that defines fasteners openings each
configured to
receive suitable fasteners; (ii) a first inwardly extending wall 2735b
integrally connected
to one end of the V-shaped wall 2735a and the first housing base 2734a; (iii)
a second
inwardly extending wall 2735c interally connected to an opposing end of the V-
shaped
wall 2735a and the second housing base 2734b; and (iv) an inwardly extending
base
wall (not shown) integrally connected to the V-shaped wall 2735a and
configured to
partially support the trolley mover assembly controller 2732; (h) a second
vertically
extending bracket 2734f spaced apart from the first vertically extending
bracket 2734e
and including: (i) a vertically extending V-shaped wall 2735d integrally
connected to the
first housing base 2734a and the second housing base 2734b, wherein the V-
shaped
wall 2734a includes a body that defines fasteners openings each configured to
receive
suitable fasteners; (ii) a first inwardly extending wall 2735f integrally
connected to one
end of the V-shaped wall 2735a and the first housing base 2734a; and (iii) a
second
inwardly extending wall 2735g interally connected to an opposing end of the V-
shaped
wall 2735a and the second housing base 2734b; and (iv) an inwardly extending
base
wall 2735h integrally connected to the V-shaped wall 2735d and configured to
partially
support the trolley mover assembly controller 2732; (l) a first connecting
bracket (not
shown) including: (i) a first vertically extending wall integrally connected
to the first wall
of the first vertically extending bracket and the second wall of the fourth
vertically
extending bracket via a suitable fastener; and (ii) a second horizontally
extending wall
integrally connected to the first vertically extending wall and integrally
connected to a
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CA 2972323 2017-06-29
bottom surface of the pallet support base stabilizer 2318; and (j) a second
connecting
bracket including: (i) a first vertically extending wall integrally connected
to the second
wall of the second vertically extending bracket and the first wall of the
third vertically
extending bracket via a suitable fastener; and (ii) a second horizontally
extending wall
integrally connected to the first vertically extending wall and integrally
connected to a
bottom surface of the pallet support base stabilizer 2320.
[00271] In this illustrated example embodiment, the trolley mover
assembly
controller 2732 is connected to and supported by the first housing base
bracket 2734c
and the second housing base bracket 2734d via suitable fasteners.
Additionally, in this
illustrated example embodiment, the trolley mover assembly controller housing
2734 is
configured to support a heater (not shown), which can be adjacent to the
trolley mover
assembly controller 2732 and configured to provide heat to the trolley mover
assembly
controller 2732. More specifically, the heater can provide heat to the trolley
mover
assembly controller 2732 so that hydraulic fluid of the trolley mover assembly
controller
2732 can be maintained in a fluidized state (regardless of relatively cold
temperatures)
to move suitably through various channels, ports, etc. to cause the first
trolley mover
assembly 2730 and the second trolley mover assembly 2732 to move the first
trolley
2720 and the second trolley 2722 along the first track 2706 and the second
track 2708,
respectively.
[00272] It should be appreciated that in this illustrated example
embodiment, the components of the track assembly 2702 are made of a suitable
material, such as steel. It should further be appreciated that the first
trolley 2720 and the
second trolley 2722 (except the first, second, and third wheels 2720j, 2720k,
and 27201
of the first trolley 2720 and the first, second, and third wheels (each not
labeled) of the
second trolley 2722) are made of a suitable material, such as steel. It should
further be
appreciated that the first, second, and third wheels 2720j, 2720k, and 27201
of the first
trolley 2720 and the first, second, and third wheels (each not labeled) of the
second
trolley 2722 are made of a suitable material, such as a plastic or rubber. It
should further
be appreciated that the trolley connector 2724; the gate receiver and engager
2726; the
first bracket 2728a of the first trolley mover 2728; the first bracket
connector 2728b of
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CA 2972323 2017-06-29
the first trolley mover 2728 (and likewise, a first bracket (not labeled) of
the second
trolley mover 2730 and a first bracket connector (not labeled) of the second
trolley
mover 2730); and the trolley mover assembly controller housing 2734 are each
made of
a suitable material, such as steel.
The Rack
[00273] The illustrated example rack 5000 of the present disclosure
is
configured to support the supporters 2100, 3100, and 4100 of the unloaders
2000,
3000, and 4000 (as best shown in Fig. 28). More specifically, the rack 5000 is
configured to support the supporters 2100, 3100, and 4100 at a suitable height
above a
grating assembly (further described below) of the rack 5000. This enables the
material
directors 2500, 3500, and 4500 to be suitably positioned so that these
material directors
can cooperate to release materials that exit the gates of the containers 20,
30, and 40
into a material blender beneath the pallet receiver 3300 of the unloader 3000.
[00274] More specifically, as shown in Figs. 35A to 35J, and
particularly
Fig. 35A, the rack 5000 is generally U-shaped. The rack includes three
sections: 5001a,
5001b, and 5001c. The section 5001a is configured to position the unloader
2000
relative to the unloaders 3000 and 4000. The section 5001b is configured to
position the
unloader 3000 relative to the unloaders 2000 and 4000. The section 5001c is
configured
to position the unloader 4000 relative to the unloaders 2000 and 3000. The U-
shaped
rack 5000 includes an open area configured to receive a truck and/or a
material blender
that is suitably positioned underneath and/or adjacent to the material
directors 2500,
3500, and 4500 (as best shown in Figs. 17, 18, and19) so that loose materials
can
travel through the gate of the containers 20, 30, and 40 (when the gate is at
least
partially opened) and into the material blender.
[00275] More specifically, as shown in Figs. 35A to 35J, the rack
5000
includes: (a) base beams 5002, 5004, 5006, 5008, 5010, 5012, 5014, and 5016;
(b)
supporting brackets 5018, 5020, 5022, and 5024 integrally connected to base
beams
5002 and 5006; (c) a plurality of diagonally extending braces 5026, 5028,
5030, and
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CA 2972323 2017-06-29
5032 integrally connected to base beams 5002, 5006, and 5010 and positioned
through
openings that are defined by a body of the base beams 5004, 5014, and 5016 (as
further described below); (d) forklift tine receiver assemblies 5034 and 5036
integrally
connected to base beams 5002, 5004, 5006, 5010, 5014, and 5016 and positioned
through opening that are defined by the body of the base beam 5004 (as further
described below); (e) dual leg stands 5038, 5040, 5042, and 5044 integrally
connected
to base beams 5002, 5006, and 5010, diagonally extending braces 5026, 5028,
5030,
and 5032, and forklift tine receiver assemblies 5034 and 5036; (f) single leg
stands
5046, 5048, 5050, and 5052 integrally connected to base beams 5002, 5006,
5008,
5010, and 5012 and diagonally extending braces 5026, 5028, 5030, and 5032; (g)
unloader stabilizers 5054 and 5056 integrally connected to base beams 5004,
5014,
and 5016; (h) a plurality of D-rings 5060a, 5060b, 5060c, and 5060d integrally
connected to base beams 5008 and 5012; and (i) a top grating assembly 5062
removably positioned on a top surface of the base beams 5002, 5004, 5006,
5008,
5010, 5012, 5014, and 5016, a top surface of the diagonally extending braces
5026,
5028, 5030, and 5032, and a top surface of the forklift tine receiver
assemblies 5034
and 5036.
[00276] It should be appreciated that in alternative example
embodiments,
the unloader stabilizers 5054 and 5056 can be connected to other components of
the
unloader 2000, 3000, and/or 4000, such as the legs of one of the unloaders.
[00277] The base beams 5002, 5004, 5006, 5008, 5010, 5012, 5014, and
5016 are configured to co-act together to support the dual leg stands 5038,
5040, 5042,
and 5044; the single leg stands 5046, 5048, 5050, and 5052; and thus the
unloaders
2000, 3000, and 4000 and the containers 20, 30, and 40 the unloaders each
respectively support. Each base beam includes a top surface and a bottom
surface. The
bottom surfaces of the base beams are configured to engage a substrate on
which the
rack 5000 rests.
[00278] It should be appreciated that base beams 5002, 5004, 5006,
5008,
5010, 5012, 5014, and 5016 are substantially similar in this illustrated
example
embodiment. Thus, for brevity, only the base beam 5002 is further described in
detail.
CA 2972323 2017-06-29
As best shown in Fig. 35E, the base beam 5002 includes: (a) an elongated
vertically
extending wall 5002a; (b) an elongated top wall 5002b integrally connected to
and
extending horizontally from the vertically extending wall 5002a; and (c) an
elongated
bottom wall 5002c spaced apart from the top wall 5002b and integrally
connected to and
extending horizontally from the vertically extending wall 5002a.
[00279] As best shown in Fig. 35C, in this illustrated example
embodiment,
base beams 5004, 5014, and 5016 each include a body (not labeled). Each body
of the
base beams 5004, 5014 and 5016 define a plurality of openings. Each opening is
configured to receive a portion of the diagonally extending braces 5026, 5028,
5030,
and 5032. Additionally, in this illustrated example embodiment, the body of
the base
beam 5004 defines a plurality of different openings each configured to receive
a portion
of the forklift tine receiver assemblies 5034 and 5036.
[00280] The supporting brackets are each configured to provide
additional
support for the base beams 5002 and 5006 to assist in supporting the dual leg
stands
5038, 5040, 5042, and 5044; the single leg stands 5046, 5048, 5050, and 5052;
and
thus the unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000 and the containers 20, 30, and 40 the
unloaders each respectively support.
[00281] It should be appreciated that the supporting brackets 5018,
5020,
5022, and 5024 are substantially similar in this illustrated example
embodiment. Thus,
for brevity, only the supporting bracket 5018 is further described below.
[00282] As best shown in Fig. 35A, the supporting bracket 5018
includes:
(a) a first vertically extending wall (not labeled); (b) a second vertically
extending wall
(not labeled) spaced apart from the first wall; (c) a third vertically
extending wall (not
labeled) integrally connected to the first wall and second wall; (d) a fourth
vertically
extending wall (not labeled) spaced apart from the third wall and integrally
connected to
the first wall and second wall; (e) a top wall (not labeled) integrally
connected to the first
wall, second wall, third wall, and fourth wall; and (f) a bottom wall (not
labeled) spaced
apart from the top wall and integrally connected to the first wall, second
wall, third wall,
and fourth wall.
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[00283] The top wall of the supporting bracket 5018 is integrally
connected
to the top wall 5002b of the base beam 5002. The bottom wall of the supporting
bracket
5018 is integrally connected to the bottom wall 5002c of the base beam 5002.
[00284] The second support 5020 bracket is spaced apart from the
first
support bracket 5018 and is integrally connected to the top wall 5002b and
bottom wall
5002c of the base beam 5002.
[00285] The third support bracket 5022 and the fourth support
bracket 5024
are spaced apart from one another and are integrally connected to the top wall
and
bottom wall of the third base beam 5006.
[00286] The forklift tine receiver assemblies 5034 and 5036 are each
configured to receive a forklift tine of a forklift and assist the forklift in
lifting and moving
the rack 5000, and/or the unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000 when each unloader is
connected to and supported by the rack from a first position to a plurality of
second
positions.
[00287] As best shown in Fig. 35C and 34G, in this illustrated
example
embodiment, one end of the forklift tine receiver assembly 5034 is integrally
connected
to one end of the base beam 5002. A middle portion of the forklift tine
receiver assembly
5034 is integrally connected to one end of the base beam 5014. A different
middle
portion of the forklift tine receiver assembly 5034 is positioned through the
opening
defined by the body of the base beam 5004. An opposing end of the forklift
tine
assembly is integrally connected to the base beam 5010.
[00288] Likewise, in this illustrated example embodiment, one end of
the
forklift tine receiver assembly 5036 is integrally connected to one end of the
base beam
5006. A middle portion of the forklift tine receiver assembly 5036 is
integrally connected
to one end of the base beam 5016. A different middle portion of the forklift
tine receiver
assembly 5036 is positioned through the opening defined by the body of the
base beam
5004. An opposing end of the forklift tine assembly is integrally connected to
the base
beam 5010.
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CA 2972323 2017-06-29
[00289] It should be appreciated that the forklift tine receiver
assemblies
5034 and 5036 are substantially similar in this illustrated example
embodiment. Thus,
for brevity, only the forklift tine receiver assembly 5036 is further
described below.
[00290] As best shown in Figs. 35F, the forklift tine receiver
assembly 5036
includes: (a) a forklift tine receiver body 5036a; (b) a first elongated bar
5036b integrally
connected to the forklift tine receiver body 5036a; (c) a second elongated bar
5036c
spaced apart from the first elongated bar 5036b and integrally connected to
the forklift
tine receiver body 5036a; and (d) a cover plate 5036d integrally connected to
the base
beam 5002, the forklift tine receiver body 5036a, one end of the first
elongated bar
5036b, and one end of the second elongated bar 5036c.
[00291] The forklift tine receiver body 5036a includes four
vertically
extending walls integrally connected to each other (each not labeled). An
inner surface
of each wall defines a channel that is configured to receive a forklift tine
of a forklift so
that the forklift can move the rack 5000, and/or the unloaders 2000, 3000, and
4000
when each unloader is connected to and supported by the rack from a first
position to a
plurality of second positions.
[00292] The first elongated bar 5036b and the second elongated bar
5036c
are each configured to provide structural support to the forklift tine
receiver assembly
5036 and provide suitable spacing so that the cover plate 5036d is connected
to the
proper portions of the base beam 5006 and the forklift tine receiver assembly
5036.
[00293] As best shown in Fig. 35F, the cover plate includes a
frontwardly
facing wall 5036e that is generally C shaped. This wall 5036e is integrally
connected to
the top wall (not labeled) of the base beam 5006, the bottom wall (not
labeled) of the
base beam 5006, the forklift tine receiver body 5036a, one end of the first
elongated bar
5036b and one end of the second elongated bar 5036c.
[00294] As best shown in Fig. 35F, the cover plate further includes
a side
wall 5036f. The side wall 5036f is integrally connected to the top wall (not
labeled) of the
base beam 5006, the bottom wall (not labeled) of the base beam 5006, and the
vertically extending wall (not labeled) of the base beam 5006.
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[00295] The dual leg stands 5038, 5040, 5042, and 5044 are each
configured to support and be removably and securely connected to the one leg
of one
unloader and another adjacent leg of an adjacent unloader.
[00296] It should be appreciated that the dual leg stands 5038,
5040, 5042,
and 5044 are substantially similar in this illustrated example embodiment.
Thus, for
brevity, only the dual leg stand 5038 is further described below.
[00297] As best shown in Figs. 35G and 35H, the dual leg stand 5038
stand
includes: (a) a pentagonal shaped base 5038a integrally connected to a top
surface of
the base beams 5002, a top surface of the diagonally extending braces 5028,
and a top
surface of the forklift tine receiver assembly 5034; (b) a first leg supporter
5038b
integrally connected to the base 5038a; (c) a second leg supporter 5038c
spaced apart
from the first leg supporter 5038b and integrally connected to the base 5038a;
(d)
support brackets 5038d, 5038e, 5038f, and 5038g integrally connected to the
first leg
supporter 5038a, the second leg supporter 5038b, and the base 5038a; (e) a leg
supporter connector bracket 5038h integrally connected to the first leg
supporter 5038a,
the second leg supporter 5038b and the base 5038a; and (f) a first leg engager
platform
5038i integrally connected to the first leg supporter 5038b, the support
brackets 5038d
and 5038e, and the leg supporter connector bracket 5038h; and (g) a second leg
engager platform 5038j integrally connected to the second leg supporter 5038c,
the
support brackets 5038f and 5038g, and the leg supporter connector bracket
5038h.
[00298] More specifically, the first leg supporter 5038b includes
four
vertically extending walls integrally connected to each other (each not
labeled). Each
wall is configured to be positioned in a channel defined by a leg of an
unloader when
the unloader is positioned and securely connected to the dual leg stand 5038
of the rack
5000. A body of one of the walls of the first leg supporter 5038b and a body
of an
opposing wall of the first leg supporter 5038b each defines plurality of
openings
configured to receive a pin or locking apparatus. This locking apparatus is
configured to
be positioned in these openings to lockingly secure a leg of an unloader to
the first leg
supporter 5038b when the unloader is positioned and securely connected to the
dual
leg stand 5038 of the rack 5000.
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[00299] Likewise, the second leg supporter 5038c includes four
vertically
extending walls integrally connected to each other (each not labeled). Each
wall is
configured to be positioned in a channel defined by a leg of an unloader when
the
unloader is positioned and securely connected to the dual leg stand 5038 of
the rack
5000. A body of one of the walls of the second leg supporter 5038c and a body
of an
opposing wall of the second leg supporter 5038c each defines plurality of
openings
configured to receive a pin or locking apparatus. This locking apparatus is
configured to
be positioned in these openings to lockingly secure a leg of an unloader to
the second
leg supporter 5038c when the unloader is positioned and securely connected to
the dual
leg stand 5038 of the rack 5000.
[00300] It should be appreciated that in alternative example
embodiments,
the legs of the supporter can include a telescoping mechanism that co-acts
with the
dual leg stand(s) of the rack.
[00301] The first and second leg engager platforms 5038i and 5038j
are
each configured to engage bottom edges of a leg of an unloader when the
unloader is
positioned on the dual leg stand 5038 of the rack 5000. This enables the legs
of the
unloader to be positioned on the rack 5000 and be supported by the dual leg
stand
5038, and thus the rack 5000.
[00302] The single leg stands 5046, 5048, 5050, and 5052 are each
configured to support and be removably and securely connected to respective
legs of
one unloader.
[00303] It should be appreciated that the single leg stands 5046,
5048,
5050, and 5052 are substantially similar in this illustrated example
embodiment. Thus,
for brevity, only the single leg stand 5046 is further described in detail.
[00304] As best shown in Figs. 35G and 341, the single leg stand
5046
includes: (a) a base 5046a integrally connected to the base beams 5002 and
5012 and
the diagonally extending brace 5026; (b) a leg supporter 5046b integrally
connected to
the base 5046a; (c) support brackets 5046c and 5046d integrally connected to
the leg
supporter 5046b and the base 5046a; and (d) a leg engager platform 5046e
integrally
connected to the leg supporter 5046b and the support brackets 5046c and 5046d.
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[00305] More specifically, the leg supporter 5046b includes four
vertically
extending walls integrally connected to each other (each not labeled). Each
wall is
configured to be positioned in a channel defined by a leg of an unloader when
the
unloader is positioned and securely connected to the single leg stand 5046 of
the rack
5000. A body of one of the walls of the leg supporter 5046b and a body of an
opposing
wall of the leg supporter 5046b each defines plurality of openings configured
to receive
a locking pin or locking apparatus. This locking apparatus is configured to be
positioned
in these openings to lockingly secure a leg of an unloader to the leg
supporter 5046b
when the unloader is positioned and securely connected to the single leg stand
5046 of
the rack 5000.
[00306] It should be appreciated that in alternative example
embodiments,
the legs of the supporter can include a telescoping mechanism that co-acts
with the
single leg stand(s) of the rack.
[00307] The leg engager platform 5046e is configured to be engaged
by the
bottom edges of a leg of an unloader when the unloader is positioned on the
single leg
stand 5046 of the rack 5000. This enables the leg of the unloader to be
positioned on
the rack 5000 and be supported by the single leg stand 5046, and thus the rack
5000.
[00308] The unloader stabilizers 5054 and 5056 are each configured
to
extend from a first position to a plurality of different second extended
positions to
stabilize the rack 5000 and the unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000 when the
containers
20, 30, and 40 are positioned on or off each respective unloader. More
specifically, the
unloader stabilizers 5054 and 5056 can extend past the rack 5000 and can be
lowered
to engage a substrate on which the rack 5000 rests. Therefore, if there is any
substantial force displacement due to weight displacement when the containers
are
positioned on or off each respective unloader, the unloader stabilizers 5054
and 5056
can prevent the force of the weight of the container from causing the
unloaders and/or
the rack to move or tip over.
[00309] It should be appreciated that the stabilizers 5054 and 5056
are
substantially similar in this illustrated example embodiment. Thus, for
brevity, only the
stabilizer 5054 is further described below.
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[00310] As best shown in Figs. 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, and 35J,
and
particularly Fig. 35J, the unloader stabilizer 5054 includes: (a) a first
upwardly extending
tubular base 5054a integrally connected to a top surface the base beam 5014;
(b) a
second upwardly extending tubular base 5054b integrally connected to a top
surface of
the base beam 5004; (c) an extendable bar housing 5054c integrally connected
to the
first and second tubular bases 5054a and 5054b; (d) an extendable bar 5054d at
least
partially positioned in the extendable bar housing 5054c; (e) an extendable
bar stabilizer
engager wall 5054e integrally connected to one end of the extendable bar
5054d, (f) a
supporting bar 5054f integrally connected to an extendable bar stabilizer
engager wall
5054e and a bottom surface of the extendable bar 5054d; and (g) an extendable
bar
stabilizer 5055 integrally connected to the extendable bar stabilizer engager
wall 5054e.
[00311] The extendable bar housing 5054c includes four spaced apart
integrally connected walls. Each wall includes a body, wherein one of the
bodies defines
a plurality of openings configured to receive a locking pin or locking
apparatus. This
locking apparatus is configured to be positioned in one of these openings to
lockingly
secure the extendable bar 5054d in a suitable extended position past the rack
5000.
[00312] Likewise, the extendable bar 5054d includes four spaced
apart
integrally connected walls. Each wall includes a body, wherein one of the
bodies defines
a plurality of openings configured to receive a locking pin or locking
apparatus. These
openings align with the openings on the extendable bar housing 5054c. This
locking
apparatus is configured to be positioned in one of these openings to lockingly
secure
the extendable bar 5054d in a suitable extended position past the rack 5000.
The
extendable bar 5054d is thus configured to be extendable and movable through
the
extendable bar housing 5054c
[00313] The extendable bar stabilizer 5055 is configured to be
movable so
that a base of the extendable bar stabilizer 5055 can engage a substrate on
which the
rack 5000 rests. This enables the extendable bar, and therefore the unloader
stabilizer
5054, to prevent the rack 5000 and unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000 from moving
or
tipping when the containers are positioned on or off of the unloaders.
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[00314] The extendable bar stabilizer 5055 includes: (a) a housing
5055a,
(b) a movable tubular body 5055b at least partially positioned in the housing
5055a and
integrally connected to the extendable bar stabilizer engager wall 5054e; (c)
a movable
base 5055c integrally connected to the tubular body 5055b; (d) a crank or
handle 5055d
suitably connected to the tubular body 5055b and the housing 5055a so that
when the
handle 5055d is rotated, the tubular body 5055b and the base 5055c move
upwardly or
downwardly; (e) a cap 5055e integrally connected to the tubular body 5055b;
and (f) a
locking pin 5055f integrally connected to the base 5055c. The extendable bar
stabilizer
5055 can also include a securing member (not shown) configured to secure the
base
5055c to the substrate with which the base 5055c engages. This can assist the
unloader stabilizer in stabilizing the unloader and/or the rack.
[00315] As described above, the extendable bar stabilizer 5055 is
configured to be movable so that the base 5055c engages the substrate on which
the
rack 5000 rests. Thus, when the extendable bar 5054d is extended to a suitable
length
past the rack 5000, the handle 5055d is rotated to cause the tubular body
5055b and
the base 5055c to move downwardly so that the base 5055c engages the
substrate,
and the base is secured by force to the substrate, the unloader stabilizer
5054 (and also
the unloader stabilizer 5056) can suitably prevent the force of the weight of
the
container from causing the unloaders and/or the rack to move or tip when the
containers
are positioned on or off the unloaders.
[00316] The grating assembly 5062 is configured to collect or
capture
material that leaks out of the containers or the material directors. The
grating assembly
5062 can be made of rubber or another suitable material. The grating assembly
5062
can be made in one section or more than one section. The grating assembly 5062
can
be removable from the rack 5000.
[00317] It should be appreciated that in this illustrated example
embodiment, the base beams 5002, 5004, 5006, 5008, 5010, 5012, 5014, and 5016;
the supporting brackets 5018, 5020, 5022, and 5024; the plurality of
diagonally
extending braces 5026, 5028, 5030, and 5032; the components of the forklift
tine
receiver assemblies 5034 and 5036; the components of the dual leg stands 5038,
5040,
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5042, and 5044; the components of the single leg stands 5046, 5048, 5050, and
5052;
the components of the unloader stabilizers 5054 and 5056; and the plurality of
D-rings
5060a, 5060b, 5060c, and 5060d are each made of a suitable material, such as
steel. It
should further be appreciated that the top grating assembly 5062 is made of a
suitable
material, such as a rubber.
Additional Features
[00318] As described above, in this illustrated example embodiment,
the
unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000 each include one or more power, control, status
indication, and lighting systems. These systems of each unloader are identical
or
substantially similar for each unloader. Thus, for brevity, only the one or
more power,
control, status indication, and lighting systems of the unloader 2000 is
further described
below. It should be appreciated that the unloader of the preset disclosure can
include
any suitable alternative power, control, status indication, and lighting
systems.
[00319] In this illustrated example embodiment, the power and
control
systems of the unloader 2000 are housed in a suitable control housing box 6000
that is
connected to and extends downwardly from the pallet receiver 2300 and that is
supported by the supporter 2100 (as shown in Fig. 20). The control housing box
6000
can include one or more heaters (not shown) and/or air conditioners (not
shown)
configured to regulate the temperatures for the power and control systems
housed in
the control housing box 6000. It should be appreciated that additional or
alternative
housings can be provided for the electronic and electrical components of the
unloader
of the present disclosure.
[00320] Generally, in this illustrated example embodiment, the power
systems are configured to provide power to the control system, the status
indication
system (not shown), the lighting system (not shown), the weight measuring
system, the
heaters, the air conditioners, the vibrators, and the automatic bulk material
container
gate movers of the unloader 2000.
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[00321] Generally, in this illustrated example embodiment, the
control
systems are suitably configured to control the operation of the status
indication system,
the lighting system, the weight measuring system, the heaters, the air
conditioners, the
vibrator(s), and the automatic bulk material container gate movers of the
unloader 2000.
[00322] More specifically, in this illustrated example embodiment,
the
control systems are configured to operate the lights of the operation status
indication
system 2146. The status lights such as light 2146 is configured to indicate
the
operation statues of the unloader to an operator.
[00323] In this illustrated example embodiment, the control systems
are
configured to operate a different light assembly, such as an explosion proof
light
assembly (not shown). The explosion proof light assembly can be connected to
and
supported by the supporter of the unloader and/or the pallet receiver of the
unloader.
The explosion proof light assembly can be configured to provide lighting to
the unloader
and/or area surrounding the unloader, and particularly to the unloader and/or
area
surrounding the unloader if an explosion(s) occur.
[00324] In this illustrated example embodiment, the control systems
include
or are configured to operate the computing or control portion of the weight
measuring
system. More specifically, when the container is positioned on the unloader,
the control
system can operate the computing or control portion of the weight measuring
system to
determine the weight of the container and materials in the container as
described
above.
[00325] In this illustrated example embodiment, the control systems
are
configured to operate the automatic bulk material container gate mover. More
specifically, the control system operates the automatic bulk material
container gate
mover to partially open the gate of the container to a plurality of second
positions, fully
open the gate of the container, close the gate of the container to a plurality
of second
positions, and/or fully close the gate of the container. The control system
that operates
the automatic bulk material container gate mover can further co-act or operate
with the
control systems that operate the computing or control portion of the weight
measuring
system to determine at what position the gate of the container should be
opened or
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closed. This can enable the control of the rate at which loose materials exit
the
container.
[00326] In this illustrated example embodiment, the control systems
are
configured to operate the one or more heaters of the unloader so that
hydraulic fluid of
the trolley mover assembly controller is maintained at suitable operating
temperatures.
[00327] In this illustrated example embodiment, the control systems
are
configured to operate one or more vibrators connected to the material director
of the
unloader. More specifically, the control systems can operate or control the
frequency
and/or the duration at which one or more vibrators operate.
[00328] It should be appreciated that the control systems can
further be
configured to operate with any other controller or processors of or
controlling any of the
other unloaders 3000 and 4000.
[00329] It should be appreciated that the one or more control
systems can
control one or more operations of the unloader that are described at
simultaneous times
or at different times.
[00330] It should be appreciated that in various embodiments of the
present
disclosure, the unloader includes one or more container identification devices
(such as
an RFID identification device) electrically connected to the unloader control
system that
enables the controller identify a container positioned on the unloader.
[00331] It should be appreciated that in various embodiments of the
present
disclosure, the unloader includes one or more electronic communication devices
or
electronic transmitters/receivers (such as cellular communication devices)
electrically
connected to the unloader control system that enables the controller to
communicate
with remote electronic systems (such a monitoring systems).
[00332] It should be appreciated that in various embodiments of the
present
disclosure, the unloader includes one or more electronic display devices
electrically
connected to the unloader control system that enables the controller to cause
a display
of information regarding the unloader or container on the unloader such as one
or more
weight measurements or determinations.
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[00333]
It should be understood that modifications and variations may be
effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present
disclosure, and it should be understood that this application is to be limited
only by the
scope of the appended claims.
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