Patent Application
20100068021
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to farm implements, and more particularly to grain and seed carriers. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a bulk seed carrier capable having a common hopper capable of receiving a plurality of seed containers or hoppers of disparate designs.
2. Description of the Related Art
Seed and grain is sold and transported in bulk. Seed and grain can be pre-packaged or loaded in bulk onto a wagon or trailer. Seed or grain can be sold in a number of different prepackaged containers. Each type of container typically requires specialized frames for transporting. For example, bulk tanks are used to carry large quantities of a seed, grain or any other material in a single tank. Bulk tanks are generally loaded with bags of material, such as seed, grain or corn. Bulk tanks typically use a bulk tank frame. Another known prepackaging is called a pro box. Pro boxes are loaded with the material by the manufacturer or vendor and are purchased fully loaded by the consumer. In general, pro box frames are designed to support more than one pro box. At present, different frames are required for transporting different grain or seed containers. This gives rise to a number of problems.
First, the manufacturer and/or seller must carry a unique seed carrier frame for each type of bulk seed container or packaging. The manufacturing costs become higher because each seed carrier frame produced must be different. The inventory costs are higher because a different frame must be carried for each style of container.
Second, customers are only able to purchase one specific type of container for each carrier frame that they own. The customer is required to purchase a different frame for each container design. The various container designs have unique benefits that a customer may wish to take advantage of when handling different seeds or grains. For example, if a customer owns seed carrier or wagon having a bulk hopper, he or she is unable able to purchase seed in pro boxes and transport the seed without first discharging the seed from the pro-boxes into the bulk hopper.
Therefore, a need exists for new and improved seed carriers that are configured to receive for transport a plurality of different seed container designs to be carried by or coupled to a common frame. Preferably, the new and improved seed carriers include a single frame with a common hopper that can be coupled to various seed containers such as to reduce production and inventory costs as well as provide customers with the ability to use different types of seed containers a single frame.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a combination seed carrier for carrying a plurality of disparate seed containers includes a common frame capable of supporting a common hopper over a base. The common hopper includes a plurality of inwardly facing inclined walls for channeling material to a discharge area or sump, and further includes fixtures positioned on the walls for removeably fixing a plurality of different seed containers such that seed can be discharged from the containers into the common hopper. The seed carrier further includes a conveyor having an intake and a discharge end. The conveyor is pivotably coupled to the common frame such that the intake can be positioned below the discharge area of the common hopper for receiving seed from the common hopper, which can in turn, be moved through the conveyor.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the containers can be any one of a pro-box, a bulk tank or a bulk hopper. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the common hopper is configured to receive four pro-boxes.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the common hopper is configured also to receive a bulk tank that includes a circumferential frame capable of being coupled to the common hopper.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the common hopper further includes a divider spanning between two of the inwardly facing inclined walls. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the common hopper further includes at least one support member for coupling the common hopper and the base. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the common frame further includes a weigh system capable of determining the weight of the main hopper.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the common hopper further includes a tubular frame fixed to the top of the common hopper, wherein the tubular frame is capable of receiving a plurality of seed containers.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the seed carrier includes a power system for supplying power to the conveyor. The power system may include a generator. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the conveyor includes a continuous flexible belt coupled to a first and second roller and a tubular portion disposed between said intake and discharge. The conveyor belt can further include a plurality of spaced apart teeth. The conveyor may also include a brush seal for preventing material from entering space under said first roller.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transport device includes a trailer. The transport device may further include any number of axles appropriate for supporting the weight of the payload. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the transport device may include a vehicle, such as a truck.
According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a combination seed carrier for carrying a plurality of disparate seed containers includes a common frame having a base, at least one support member and at least one coupling means for fixedly receiving a plurality of disparate seed containers such that seed can be discharged from the seed containers into a conveyor. The conveyor has an intake and a discharge. The conveyor is pivotably coupled to the common frame such that the intake can be positioned below the seed container output for receiving seed from containers.
Further applications and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed below with reference to the drawing figures.
While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, a number of illustrative embodiments are described herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as providing examples of the principles of the invention and such examples are not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein.
In embodiments of the present invention, the novel seed carrier frame is configured to receive a number of known, different types of containers, tanks and hoppers into a common or central hopper that feeds a conveyor, thereby eliminating the need for specialized frames for each type of container, hopper, tank, etc. The following includes non-limiting examples of illustrative seeding equipment according to embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the following examples are provided for illustration and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein.
Each seed carrier 100 may include a frame 102 supporting a common or central hopper 108, a conveyor 104, and transport means or device 106. The common frame 102 can be coupled to the conveyor 104. The transport device 106 can be fixedly coupled to the common frame 102. The common frame 102 can be configured to receive and support a plurality of different bulk seed container designs. As shown in
The common hopper 108 includes a number of inwardly facing inclined walls that feed material to a discharge end. The walls can be formed from metal panels or the like, which can be welded or otherwise secured. As shown, the common hopper 108 is formed from walls 208(a)-(f), an output 210, windows 212 and 214 and a divider 216. The walls 208(a)-(f) are inclined and inwardly facing so that seed received from the seed container 110 is channeled to the output 210. The output 210 discharges the seed to the conveyor 106 and may include a valve or doors. As shown, the common hopper 108 includes six walls 208(a)-(f). In another embodiment of the present invention, the common hopper 108 may include more or less walls or panels. The windows 212 and 214 are configured to allow the interior of the common hopper 108 to be visible from outside the common hopper 108. The divider 216 spans the interior of the common hopper 108 between two walls 408(a) and (d). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the divider 216 can act as a further support for seed carriers 110.
As shown, the tubular frame 206 includes frame members 206(a)-(f). Each frame member 206(a)-(f) is coupled to the top of the common hopper 108. In an embodiment of the present invention, there are as many frame members 206(a)-(f) as common hopper walls 208(a)-(f), and each member 206(a)-(f) is coupled to the top of a common hopper wall 208(a)-(f). In an embodiment of the present invention, each frame member 206(a)-(f) extends outwardly from the top of a common hopper wall 208(a)-(f) and spans at least the distance of the respective wall 208(a)-(f).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the tubular frame 206 includes two longitudinal members 206(a) and 206(d), two transverse members 206(c) and 206(e) and two angled members 206(b) and 206(f). The two longitudinal members 206(a) and 206(d) are parallel to one another. The two transverse members 206(c) and 206(e) are parallel to one another. Each angled member 206(b) and 206(f) extends between a longitudinal member 206(a) or 206(d) and a transverse member 206(c) or 206(e).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first angled member 206(b) forms approximately a 115° angle with the first longitudinal member 206(a). The first angled member 206(b) forms approximately a 155° angle with the first transverse member 206(c). The second transverse member 206(c) forms approximately a 90° angle with the second longitudinal member 206(d). The second longitudinal member 206(d) forms approximately a 90° angle with the second transverse member 206(e). The second angled member 206(f) forms approximately a 155° angle with the second transverse member 206(e). The second angled member 206(f) forms approximately a 115° degree angle with the first longitudinal member 206(a).
The frame members 206(a)-(f) can be each substantially thick (e.g., approximately 2 inch) bars. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first longitudinal member 206(a) is approximately 106 inches (269.24 cm) long. The second longitudinal member 206(d) is approximately 65 inches (165.1 cm) long. The first and second transverse members 206(c) and 206(e) are approximately 44 inches (111.76 cm) long. The first and second angled members 206(b) and 206(f) are approximately 49 inches (124.46 cm) long. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tubular frame 206(a)-(f) members may be longer or shorter to accommodate main hoppers of varying size.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the seed carrier 100 includes a generator 218. The generator 218 may be used to supply power to the conveyor 104.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the seed carrier include a weigh system (not shown) to provide the accurate weight of the amount of seed remaining. The weight system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,205,490, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, is an exemplary system that could be employed with the present invention.
Referring to
As shown, common frame 102 includes a base 200 having support members 202 and 204. The base 200 is configured to couple to said transport device 106. The base is further coupled to the support members 202 and 204. The support members 202 and 204 are configured to support the seed container 110.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the bulk tank 110(a) is coupled to the common frame 102 by bolts or clamps. In another embodiment of the present invention, the bulk tank 110(a) has a built in frame (not shown) configured to be coupled to the common frame 102. The bulk tank frame is configured to abut the tubular frame 206 when the bulk tank 110(a) is supported. The bulk tank frame may then be coupled to the tubular frame 206 via bolts or clamps. The bulk tank 110(a) may come in various sizes to accommodate the needs of the customer (e.g., the bulk tank may have a capacity of 375 cubic feet to accept 300 bushels or a capacity of 275 cubic feet to accept 200 bushels).
As shown, the transport device 106 is a three axle, six-wheeled trailer that may be pulled by a vehicle, such as a truck or a tractor. In another embodiment of the present invention, the transport device 106 may be a trailer including more or less axles as need to support the weight. In another embodiment of the present invention, the transport device 106 may be other transportation means, such as a vehicle. For instance, the frame 102 could be fixed to the flat bed of an industrial truck. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the transport device 106 may include motors or any other drive means to perpetuate the seed carrier 100. The transport device 106 is capable of transporting the seed carrier 100 while supporting full main hoppers 108.
The conveyor 104 can include a conveyor hopper 610 at its base, which is shown in the unloading position below the discharge of the common hopper 108. At the other end of the conveyor 104 is the conveyor discharge 612. Seed can be gravity fed from the seed container 110 into the common hopper 108, which in turn feeds the conveyor hopper or intake 610. The seed can then be moved to the discharge 612 of the conveyor 104 by an internal elevator or auger (not shown). In one embodiment, a motor-driven belt type elevator is coupled onto rollers at both ends of the conveyor.
Accordingly, in the loading position, grain, seed or like can be feed into the conveyor hopper 610 to be moved to the discharge 612 for filling the seed containers 110 coupled to the common frame 102.
Discs 1304 are provided at the rollers at the edge of the belt to provide additional channeling/sealing means. The discs 1304 are preferably integral with the rollers or coupled therewith so that they may rotate.
The conveyor hopper 610 is preferably manufactured from light weight materials such as plastic, canvas, rubber or vinyl. As shown, the hopper 610 may include a mechanism for opening and closing the hopper. In this embodiment, flexible coupling or hinge is provided at one end 1406 of the hopper 610 and a mechanism 1408 is provided at the end of the hopper 610 and is coupled with the conveyor 104, such that the hopper 610 may be made to have an appropriate fit with the output 210. A flap 1410 can be provided at the bottom of the output 210.
One will understand that hydraulic power can be provided by a towing vehicle, such as a tractor or the like or alternatively, hydraulic power can be provided on the tender and driving electrically from the towing vehicle, such as a truck.
Thus, a number of preferred embodiments have been fully described above with reference to the drawing figures. Although the invention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions could be made to the described embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,867 filed on Feb. 15, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, which claimed the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/901,321 filed on Feb. 15, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60901321 | Feb 2007 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12031867 | Feb 2008 | US |
| Child | 12554740 | US |
