Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
08925614CA1
TRANSPORTABLE DRIVE-OVER CONVEYOR SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to grain or other bulk
material
handling and, more particularly, to augers and conveyors for conveying grain.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the agricultural industry, there are generally two categories of
mechanical systems used for conveying grain, the belt conveyor and rotary
screw or
auger.
[0003] Offloading grain from a grain truck or other transport vehicle may
be done
with a swing-type auger that is swung underneath the grain-storage tank or by
driving the truck over a drive-over hopper. Grain is then discharged
downwardly
onto the drive-over hopper or onto the swing-type auger. Both of these prior-
art
systems have drawbacks. Swing-type augers are cumbersome and slow to
maneuver. Drive-over hoppers typically need to be assembled and moved each
time an unloading operation is to be performed.
[0004] For example of a drive-over hopper is the PitStopTM drive-over belt
conveyor by Batco Manufacturing, a division of Ag Growth International. This
is a
portable, drive-over, grain-receiving pit-type conveyor for fast unloading of
belly-
dump trailers.
[0006] Another example is the GrainDeckTM drive-over conveyor by Brandt
Agricultural Products Ltd.
[0006] Although both of these drive-over conveyors provide quick and easy
unloading of grain, these separate systems do have some shortcomings. Since
these are separate systems, they have to be moved around on their own and
cannot
be transported as a single unit. It is believed that this also means that it
will cost
more to buy a separate drive-over conveyor unit and a separate auger. The
separate drive-over units are also powered by a separate power source, whether
electric or gas motor.
-1-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
[0007] Also
known in the industry is the Pit ExpressTM by Mast Productions Inc.
which is an integrated single-unit drive-over auger conveyor.
However, this
conveyor is moved on its own wheel assembly due to its substantial weight. The
drive-over Pit Express auger cannot be folded underneath the main auger for
transport such as towing by a truck (i.e. it cannot be lifted and supported by
the main
auger due to its substantial weight).
[0008] In
view of the shortcomings of the above-mentioned prior art
technologies, an improvement would thus be highly desirable.
SUMMARY
[0009] The
present invention is directed to a transportable drive-over conveyor
system and its method of use in the offloading of grain from a grain truck or
other
transport vehicle. The transportable drive-over conveyor system in general
terms
provides a first (drive-over) conveyor that receives grain from the grain
truck or other
vehicle. The first conveyor, e.g. a belt conveyor, delivers the grain to a
second
conveyor, e.g. an auger, via a transition section that disposes the downstream
end
of the first conveyor relative to the second conveyor such that the grain
falls from the
first conveyor onto the second conveyor.
[0010] One
inventive aspect of the present disclosure is a drive-over conveyor
system comprising a drive-over hopper for receiving grain and having a belted
conveyor for conveying the grain such that the grain is conveyed along a
direction of
conveyance, a transition section at a downstream end of the drive-over hopper,
and
a swing auger at a downstream end of the transition section. The belted
conveyor
extends in the transition section over a lower portion of a fighting of the
swing auger
to transfer the grain from the belted conveyor to the swing auger. A main
conveyor
adjacent to the swing auger receives the grain from the swing auger. The drive-
over
hopper and the swing auger are configured to swing about a swing axis relative
to
the main conveyor.
[0011]
Another inventive aspect of the present disclosure is a drive-over
conveyor system comprising a drive-over hopper having ramps enabling a vehicle
to
drive over the hopper in a drive-over direction and to dump a bulk material
into the
hopper, wherein the hopper includes a belted conveyor for conveying the bulk
-2-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
material along a direction of conveyance orthogonal to the drive-over
direction, a
swing auger downstream of the drive-over hopper, a transition section
connecting
the drive-over hopper to the swing auger and a main conveyor for receiving the
bulk
material from the swing auger. The drive-over hopper and swing auger are
configured to swing relative to the main conveyor about a swing axis.
[0012] Another inventive aspect of the present disclosure is a drive-over
conveyor system comprising a drive-over hopper for receiving grain and having
a
belted conveyor for conveying the grain such that the grain is conveyed along
a
direction of conveyance, a transition section at an downstream end of the
drive-over
hopper and a swing auger at a downstream end of the transition section,
wherein
the belted conveyor transfers the grain to the swing auger, and a main
conveyor
adjacent to the swing auger for receiving the grain from the swing auger,
wherein
the drive-over hopper and the swing auger are configured to swing about a
swing
axis relative to the main conveyor.
[0013] Another inventive aspect of the present disclosure is a drive-over
conveyor system comprising a drive-over hopper over which a vehicle can drive
in a
drive-over direction to dump a bulk material into the hopper, wherein the
hopper
includes a belted conveyor for conveying the bulk material along a direction
of
conveyance orthogonal to the drive-over direction, a swing auger downstream of
the
drive-over hopper, a transition section connecting the drive-over hopper to
the swing
auger and a main conveyor for receiving the bulk material from the swing
auger.
The drive-over hopper and swing auger are configured to swing relative to the
main
conveyor about a swing axis.
[0014] Another inventive aspect of the present disclosure is a drive-over
conveyor system comprising a drive-over hopper for receiving grain and having
a
first belted conveyor for conveying the grain such that the grain is conveyed
along a
direction of conveyance, a transition section at an downstream end of the
drive-over
hopper and a second belted conveyor at a downstream end of the transition
section.
The first belted conveyor transfers the grain onto the second belted conveyor.
The
system includes a third belted conveyor adjacent to the second belted conveyor
for
receiving the grain from the second belted conveyor, wherein the drive-over
hopper
-3-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
and the second belted conveyor are configured to swing about a swing axis
relative
to the third belted conveyor.
[0015] Another inventive aspect of the present disclosure is a drive-over
conveyor system comprising a drive-over hopper over which a vehicle can drive
in a
drive-over direction to dump a bulk material into the hopper, wherein the
hopper
includes a first belted conveyor for conveying the bulk material along a
direction of
conveyance orthogonal to the drive-over direction, a swing conveyor downstream
of
the drive-over hopper, a transition section connecting the drive-over hopper
to the
swing conveyor, and a main conveyor for receiving the bulk material from the
swing
conveyor. The drive-over hopper and swing conveyor are configured to swing
relative to the main conveyor about a swing axis.
[0016] Another inventive aspect of the present disclosure is a drive-over
conveyor system comprising a drive-over hopper for receiving grain and having
a
belted conveyor for conveying the grain such that the grain is conveyed along
a
direction of conveyance and a transition section at an downstream end of the
drive-
over hopper, wherein the drive-over hopper is configured to transfer the grain
onto a
swing auger and from the swing auger onto a main conveyor adjacent to the
swing
auger, wherein the drive-over hopper is configured to swing about a swing axis
relative to the main conveyor.
[0017] Another inventive aspect of the present disclosure is a drive-over
conveyor system comprising a drive-over hopper over which a vehicle can drive
in a
drive-over direction to dump a bulk material into the hopper, wherein the
hopper
includes a belted conveyor for conveying the bulk material along a direction
of
conveyance orthogonal to the drive-over direction and a transition section for
connecting the drive-over hopper to a swing auger downstream of the drive-over
hopper such that the bulk material is then transferable to a main conveyor,
wherein
the drive-over hopper and the swing auger are configured to swing relative to
the
main conveyor about a swing axis.
-4-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Further features and advantages of the present technology will
become
apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with
the
appended drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts a grain truck driving over a transportable drive-
over
conveyor system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an isometric view depicting a caster wheel and associated
mechanism used to raise a drive-over hopper of the conveyor system;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of the conveyor system in accordance
with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is an isometric cutaway view of a belted conveyor and
connected
transition section and further depicting the belt travel path;
[0023] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the transition section;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side view of the transition section;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a front view of the transition section;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the drive-over hopper in a
grain-
unloading position;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the drive-over hopper in a
drive
position;
[0028] FIG. 10 depicts a first radius R1 for the hopper when the hopper is
locked
to the transition section and a second radius R2 for when the hopper is
unlocked
from the transition section;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor system in the
drive
position;
[0030] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a drive-over hopper showing the
foldable
ramp and detachable drive wheel;
-5-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
[0031] FIG. 12A is an isometric view of a variant of the foldable ramp
having a
universal-type joint to reduce the moments transferred to the conveyor body
when
placed on irregular or soft ground;
[0032] FIG. 12B is another isometric view of the foldable ramp in folded
onto the
belted hopper; and
[0033] FIG. 12C is another isometric view of the foldable ramp showing the
universal-type joint.
[0034] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like
features are
identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] FIG. 1 depicts a grain truck designated generally by reference
numeral 2
driving over a transportable drive-over conveyor system 10 in accordance with
an
embodiment of the present invention. The grain truck has a grain container 4
with a
"belly-dump": discharge mechanism for discharging grain downwardly onto the
transportable drive-over conveyor system 10 (or simply "conveyor system").
[0036] In general, the conveyor system 10 includes a drive-over hopper 20
for
receiving grain. The drive-over hopper has a belted conveyor 22 for conveying
the
grain. The conveyor system 10 also includes a transition section 30 pivotally
connected at an upstream end 32 to the drive-over hopper 20. The conveyor
system 10 also includes an auger 40 mounted at a downstream end 34 of the
transition section 30. The transition section 30 functions to transfer the
grain from
the belted conveyor 20 to the auger 40. This provides a belt-to-auger (or belt-
over-
auger) conveyor system.
[0037] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a portion of the conveyor system 10
showing the drive-over hopper 20 and a portion of the transition section 30.
The
drive-over hopper 20 has ramps 24 to facilitate the act of driving a truck or
other
vehicle over the hopper 20. Each ramp 24 has an inclined ramp surface which
may
be formed of a solid surface, a grating or a combination of both such as shown
in
the figure. The ramps 24 may be pivotally mounted via hinges or other such
-6-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
rotational mechanism to the hopper top enable the ramps to be folded for
transport
as will be explained in greater detail below. In the embodiment illustrated by
way of
example in FIG. 2, the conveyor system 10 comprises a pair of height-
adjustable
caster wheels 36 mounted to an outer portion of the transition section 30. The
caster wheels may be individually raised and lowered by a height-adjusting
mechanism 38 that may include a hand-operated lever 39 and mechanical linkages
to raise or lower each caster wheel. The height-adjusting mechanism is mounted
to
the outer portion of the transition section in the illustrated embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 3
is a side cutaway view of the conveyor system 10 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment,
the
belted conveyor 22 is either fixed-angle or adjustable in angle and operates
at an
angle of up to 25 degrees from a horizontal plane and whereas the auger 40 is
also
either fixed-angle or adjustable in angle and operates at an angle of up to 45
degrees from the horizontal plane. However, it will be appreciated that in
other
embodiments, the belted conveyor may operate above 25 degrees and/or the auger
may operate above 45 degrees. In this illustrated embodiment, a drive motor 25
is
provided for driving the belted conveyor 22. The drive motor 25 may optionally
be a
hydraulic motor. The drive motor 25 may be mounted with a grain-discharging
section 26 of the belted hopper 20. In other words, the hopper 20 includes a
flat
conveyor belt section 22 followed by a raised or inclined grain-discharging
section
26. In the embodiment illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3, the grain-
discharging
section 26 (also referred to as a belt hopper) includes a housing 27 that
accommodates an inclined/ramped belt portion 28 that elevates the grain as the
grain travels up the inclined/ramped belt portion 28. Grain is dumped (i.e.
poured,
cascaded or otherwise transferred) from the downstream end of the
inclined/ramped
belt portion 28 onto extension flighting 42 of the auger 40. Note how the
extension
flighting 42 of the auger 40 extends into the transition section 30 from the
main
flighting 41. In the illustrated embodiment, the extension flighting 42
extending into
the transition section is an extension of the main flighting 41. The extension
flighting
42 is mechanically coupled or joined to the main flighting 41. Note that the
extension flighting and main flighting have different pitches (turns per
inch).
-7-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
[0039] FIG. 4 is an isometric cutaway view of a belted hopper 20 (or hopper-
type
conveyor) and its downstream grain-discharging section 26. FIG. 4 further
depicts
by way of example the belt travel path 50. The belt travel path 50 in this
example
configuration defines an S-shaped path 51 followed by an inclined path 52
(corresponding to inclined/ramped belt portion 28) to elevate the grain
relative to a
lower portion of the flighting of the auger and to dump the grain onto the
lower
portion of the flighting of the auger (i.e. onto the extension flighting 42).
The inclined
belt path 52 is inclined relative to the main conveying path 53 (i.e. the path
of the
belt along the main horizontal (flat) conveying section. The S-
shaped path is
located at or near the junction of the flat portion of the belt conveyor and
the inclined
portion 28.
[0040] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the transition section 30 with its upstream end
32 and
downstream end 34. The transition section (or "transition") 30 is a key
component of
the conveyor system 10 because this is where the belted hopper 20 unloads the
grain onto the auger 40. The transition section 30 was designed to ensure it
could
feed the auger at its maximum capacity. During testing, once the transition
section
30 was capable of feeding the auger 40 at its maximum capacity then the belt
speed
was adjusted to match the maximum amount that the transition section 30 and
auger 40 could handle. The transition section 30 also provides an attachment
point
for the belted hopper 20. When the auger angle changes, the angle of the swing
tube (i.e. auger 20) relative to the hopper 20 also changes. Therefore, the
transition
section 30 to the hopper 20 has to be attached to allow for this rotation
while still
having the belt feed the transition section 30 without spilling.
[0041] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the transition section 30. As shown
by way
of example in this figure, the transition section 30 comprises an enclosure
defining a
grain inlet 35 at the upstream end 32, a converging duct 36 and a grain outlet
37 at
the downstream end 34.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a side view of the transition section 30. As shown by way
of
example in this figure, the inlet 35 (defining an inlet section 35a) comprises
a front
lip 36 and angled side walls 38, a first converging section 39, that is higher
than the
lip and side walls, having a first angle of convergence and a second
converging
section 39a having a second angle of convergence greater than the first angle
of
-8-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
convergence, and wherein the second converging section terminates in a flanged
outlet 37 adapted to connect to a swing tube of the auger.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a front view of the transition section. The front lip 36
may be a
rectangular panel as shown in this figure. In this particular embodiment, the
height
of the lip 36 represents less than half of the height of the first converging
section 39
although this may be different in other embodiments.
[0044] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the drive-over hopper 20 in a
grain-
unloading position. The grain-unloading position is the position (and
configuration)
of the hopper when the grain is being unloaded from a belly-dump truck onto
the belt
hopper. In the grain-unloading position, the conveyor system is not designed
to be
moved (either repositioned relative to the truck or grain bin or to be
transported to
another site). As shown by way of example in FIG. 8, in this configuration,
the ramp
24 is deployed (unfolded) to permit a truck to drive over the drive-over
hopper 20.
The caster wheel 36 is also raised in this configuration.
[0046] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the drive-over hopper 20 in a
drive
position. The drive position is the position and configuration for driving,
moving or
repositioning the hopper. In the drive position, the conveyor system is not
designed
to unload grain. As shown by way of example in FIG. 9, in this configuration,
the
ramp 24 is folded onto the drive-over hopper 20. The caster wheel 36 is also
lowered (fully deployed) in this configuration. A drive wheel 60 (or, more
generally,
a drive wheel subsystem) may be attached to the drive-over hopper 20 as will
be
explained in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 12. This drive wheel 60
enables the conveyor system 10 to travel in an arc to be deployed (unfolded)
or
folded. Depending on whether the hopper 20 is locked or pinned (i.e.
connected) to
the transition section 30, the hopper 20 will travel one of two different
arcs.
[0046] FIG. 10 depicts a first radius R1 for the hopper 20 when the hopper
20 is
locked (e.g. pinned) to the transition section 30 and a second radius R2 for
when the
hopper 20 is unlocked (e.g. unpinned) from the transition section 30. When
unlocked, the hopper 20 pivots relative to the transition section about pivot
point 33.
This is a lockable pivot which, in one embodiment, may be locked or unlocked
by
inserting or removing a locking pin. The hopper may be folded by driving the
drive
-9-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
wheel 60 to fold the hopper relative to the transition and auger. The drive
wheel
also is used to unfold the hopper (by reversing direction). When pinned
together the
drive wheel also drives the entire conveyor system 10 including the hopper 20,
transition 30 and auger 40.
[0047] In one embodiment, in which the side of the transition section is
flush with
the side of the hopper 20, the drive-over hopper 20 pivots (about a
substantially
vertical axis) relative to the transition section 30 to fold 180 degrees
relative to the
transition section 30 and the connected auger 40. In other variations, the
folding
angle may be greater or less than 180 degrees.
[0048] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor system 10 in the
drive
position (or drive configuration), i.e. with the caster wheel 36 deployed and
the drive
wheel 60 attached. Note that the ramp 24 is folded onto the belted hopper 20
in this
configuration.
[0049] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the drive-over hopper 20 showing
the
foldable ramp 24 and the detachable drive wheel 60. The drive wheel 60 may be
a
hydraulic drive wheel in this one exemplary embodiment although other drive
wheel
subsystems may be employed. In this embodiment, the axis of the drive wheel 60
is
substantially parallel to a general direction of grain travel on the top belt
of the belted
hopper.
[0050] For repositioning, the drive wheel 60 is attached and the ramp 24
raised
and folded onto the belted hopper 20. This figure depicts a foldable ramp 24
that
pivotally unfolds to provide an inclined ramp surface and pivotally folds onto
the onto
the hopper for transport. In this embodiment, the ramp 24 folds about an axis
that is
perpendicular to a direction of conveyance. The single detachable hydraulic
drive
wheel 60 is only attachable to the system (belted hopper) when the ramp 24 is
folded onto the hopper for transport. The folding ramp 24 in this illustrated
embodiment is a flip-over ramp. The flip-over ramp 24 may be flipped (i.e.
rotated or
pivoted) about an axis of rotation that is orthogonal (perpendicular) to the
general
direction of grain travel on the top belt of the belted hopper. When flipped
up onto
the hopper, there is room to attach the wheel 60; otherwise, when the ramp is
down,
the ramp physically blocks attachment of the wheel. Likewise, when the wheel
is
-10-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
attached, the ramp cannot physically be lowered. The interaction between the
wheel and ramp thus provides a failsafe mechanism to ensure that the conveyor
can
only be moved when the ramp is up and the wheel attached and, conversely, that
grain can only be unloaded when the ramp is down and the drive wheel detached.
The configuration of the ramp (up versus down) visually signals to the
unloading
crew and/or truck driver whether or not the conveyor system is currently
configured
for unloading grain.
[0051] FIG. 12A is an isometric view of a variant of the foldable ramp 24A
having
a universal-type joint to reduce the moments transferred to the conveyor body
when
placed on irregular or soft ground. In other words, this universally-jointed
ramp 24A
eliminates or at least substantially reduces the twist or torsion on the frame
of the
conveyor system when the truck drives over the ramp 24A on uneven or irregular
ground. FIG. 12B shows the foldable ramp 24A being folded about an axis
perpendicular to a direction of conveyance. FIG. 12C is another isometric view
of
the foldable ramp 24A showing the universal-type joint 24B. With reference to
FIG.
12B, The axis about which the ramp folds onto the belted 20 is denoted by 24C.
The axis 24C is perpendicular to the direction of material conveyance which is
denoted by 24D. The ramp can thus pivot about the axis 24C but also about an
axis
parallel to the axis of conveyance 24D. With reference to FIG. 12A and FIG.
12B,
the ramp 24A also includes hinged flaps 24E. These flaps 24E are raised for
transport and lowered for unloading.
[0052] The conveyor system disclosed in this specification is thus a
single (fully
integrated) system that combines both technologies (belt conveyor and screw
auger) into one single integral apparatus or machine. The belted drive-over
hopper
dumps the grain onto the flighting to be carried upwardly by the auger. The
belt
hopper is powered by a hydraulic motor that may receive its power supply from
the
hydraulic output of a tractor or other equivalent source. The rotational power
is
supplied from the power takeoff (PTO) output of the tractor. Therefore, all
the
flighting is powered from the PTO and the belt is powered hydraulically. The
two
separate power systems both originate from the same source (which is usually a
tractor).
-11-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
[0053] One
novel aspect of the invention is that the belted drive-over hopper
is attached to the auger (i.e. swing tube of a regular rotary screw auger).
Therefore,
the apparatus is one single unit that can be transported in one piece. Prior-
art drive-
over hoppers are separate units that unload into the main auger.
[0054] A
tremendous benefit of having a belted system that attaches directly
to the main auger is that the system can be transported as one single piece of
equipment. It can be deployed with ease when setting up at a bin site for
unloading.
The drive-over portion can remain flat on the ground and the auger transition
will
pivot about the belted hopper when raising or lowering the auger.
[0055] This
conveyor system has a low profile drive-over hopper that is attached
to the main auger in order to constitute a single (integral) piece of
equipment.
Westfield Industries, a division of Ag Growth International, currently has a
drive-over
hopper designed with flighting. The flighting requires a minimum height and
therefore the ramps have to be longer to enable the truck to drive over the
top of the
structure enclosing the flighting. The present design is much less bulky,
lighter and
easier to move around. This low-profile drive-over belted hopper is small and
light
enough to transport with the auger. Because of the belted conveyor, the hopper
in
this illustrated embodiment is only 41/2" (11.4 cm) in height. This compact
design
(low height) means that the ramps leading to the hopper are substantially
smaller
and lighter than in the prior art. The deck height of the Brandt conveyor
mentioned
above is 5 3/4" (14.6 cm) which is 1 1/4" (3.2 cm) higher than the present
design. This
means that the ramps would have to be extended out further making the whole
unit
wider and heavier and would not be able to be attached to the auger as one
unit.
The Batco conveyor is also much bigger and heavier than the present design and
would also not be attachable to an auger as a single unit. The PitStop has a 7
1/2"
(19 cm) clearance height and is 8' (2.5 m) wide which is much larger than the
present design.
[0056] The
inventors have moreover recognized that a further technical
hurdle arises in designing a means for attaching a belted hopper to a screw
auger to
have a single integrated apparatus or machine. In the embodiments disclosed
herein, the belt utilizes rollers in an S-configuration in order to transition
the belt from
a substantially horizontal position to an incline in order unload the product
(e.g.
-12-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
grain) into the new transition from above. The new auger transition provides a
pivot
point (denoted by reference numeral 31 in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6) to which the
belted
hopper is connected so that, when the auger is raised, the flighting and belt
remain
in close contact to minimize wasted product (i.e. product that does not
transfer from
the belt portion to the auger swing tube).
[0057] The
drive-over concept is designed to decrease the amount of time it
takes to unload product from the truck/trailer, which is crucial in the grain
industry.
With the increasing popularity of trailers with underside discharge chutes
(e.g.
Wilson Trailer Company Pacesetter Super-B), the main slowdown is lining up
each
trailer with the hopper. The drive-over concept allows the hopper to be
positioned
permanently for each bin and the truckers do not have to worry about moving
the
hopper under the truck each time they come to unload.
[0058] The
belted drive-over hopper provides a compact, lightweight and low
profile design that is conducive for trucks driving over the hopper (without
being too
bulky or heavy for transport).
[0059] This
new concept of transferring grain from the belt conveyor to the auger
as a single mechanical system employs two newly designed components that
attach
to the auger's swing tube. As depicted in FIG. 11, these are the belted hopper
20
and the transition section 30 (or transition box or simply "transition").
[0060] As
mentioned above with respect to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the belted
hopper 20 has two different configurations. FIG. 8 shows by way of example the
hopper in the auger position or unloading position with the ramp 24 deployed
and
caster wheels 36 raised. In the unloading configuration, the ramp 24 has to be
lowered for a truck to drive over the hopper 20. To move or drive/reposition
the
conveyor to a new location, the end ramp must be folded up and the caster
wheels
locked down. The drive wheel 60 may then be re-attached for the drive
configuration shown by way of example in FIG. 9. It is also then ready for
transport
by utilizing the hydraulic drive wheel to power the system to its transport
position.
[0061] The
conveyor system 10 can be folded into the transport position. In the
transport position, the hopper 20 folds underneath the auger 40. As shown in
this
-13-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
figure, the conveyor system 10 is light enough and compact enough to be towed
by
a pickup truck.
[0062] OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0063] The inventive concepts disclosed herein may be applied to other
material-
handling systems. Materials may include other agricultural products, like
seeds,
fertilizer, or other such bulk materials, or may include other products or
substances
in other industrial applications. The belted conveyor disclosed in the
illustrated
embodiment may be replaced with a low-profile drive-over auger or the auger
may
be replaced with replaced with a belted conveyor. Thus, the conveyor system
may
be belt-belt, belt-auger (as illustrated), auger-belt or auger-auger.
Therefore, in
broad terms, a material-handling system includes a first conveyor for
receiving and
conveying material, the first conveyor having a geometry adapted for driving
over, a
transition section pivotally connected at an upstream end to the first
conveyor, and a
second conveyor secured at a downstream end of the transition section, wherein
a
downstream end of the first conveyor is disposed above an upstream end of the
second conveyor to enable material to fall from the first conveyor onto the
second
conveyor. The first conveyor may optionally be pivoted about a substantially
vertical
axis relative to the transition section to fold 180 degrees relative to the
transition
section and the second conveyor. Optionally, the system includes a height-
adjustable caster wheel mounted to the transition section. Optionally, the
system
includes a single detachable hydraulic drive wheel that is only attachable to
the
system when the ramp is folded onto the hopper for transport. Optionally, the
system includes a foldable ramp that pivotally unfolds to provide an inclined
ramp
surface and pivotally folds onto the first conveyor for transport.
[0064] The main implementation of the material-handling system is the
illustrated
embodiment disclosed above which the first conveyor is a belted conveyor
whereas
the second conveyor is an auger. In one specific embodiment, the belted
conveyor
is operable at an angle of up to 25 degrees from a horizontal plane whereas
the
auger is operable at an angle of up to 45 degrees from the horizontal plane.
In that
illustrated embodiment, and as described above, the first conveyor has a belt
travel
path that defines an S-shaped path followed by an inclined path to elevate the
material relative to a lower portion of a flighting of the auger and to dump
the
-14-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
08925614CA1
material onto the lower portion of the flighting of the auger. The system may
also
fold into a transportable position by folding the first conveyor underneath
the second
conveyor. In other words, the system folds as a single integrated unit for
transport.
[0065] METHOD
[0066] The novel conveyor system also enables a novel method of unloading
and conveying grain or other material. For unloading grain, this method
entails
driving a grain truck over a drive-over hopper, receiving grain from the truck
into the
drive-over hopper and conveying the grain using a belted conveyor to a
transition
section pivotally connected at an upstream end to the drive-over hopper and
mounted at a downstream end to an auger. The transition section elevates and
dumps the grain onto the auger for conveying by the auger. In one embodiment,
the
method further comprises pivotally unfolding a ramp to provide an inclined
ramp
surface for the truck to drive over the drive-over hopper and, after unloading
is
complete, pivotally folding the ramp onto the hopper for transport. In one
embodiment, the method further comprises attaching a single detachable
hydraulic
drive wheel that is only attachable when the ramp has been folded onto the
hopper
for transport. In one embodiment, the method further comprises unfolding the
drive-
over hopper 180 degrees relative to the transition section for unloading and
then,
after unloading is complete, folding the drive-over hopper 180 degrees
relative to the
transition section for transport. As noted above, in other variations, the
folding angle
may be greater or less than 180 degrees. An analogous method may be performed
for unloading other material, substances or products with similar or analogous
physical characteristics.
[0067] The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be
exemplary only. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art,
to whom
this specification is addressed, many obvious variations, modifications, and
refinements can be made to the embodiments presented herein without departing
from the inventive concept(s) disclosed herein. The scope of the exclusive
right
sought by the applicant(s) is therefore intended to be limited solely by the
appended :
claims.
-15-
CA 2993217 2018-01-26
