US Patent:
20050158155, Jul 21, 2005
Inventors:
Eric Johnson - Aplington IA, US
Kenneth Johnson - Aplington IA, US
Clarence Sherfield - Ackley IA, US
Assignee:
Grain Way Manufacturing - Aplington IA
International Classification:
B65G001/00
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for unloading grain bins. The apparatus () comprises an endless conveyor belt () supported on a set of rollers. A first section of the supported conveyor belt () is adapted for insertion at or near the bottom of a grain bin. A second section is adapted for extension out of the grain bin to an outlet. The conveyor belt () is supported in a manner that allows transport of the grain with a minimization of friction, trauma or interaction between the grain to maintain quality of the grain. The speed of the conveyor belt () is selected to make for efficient throughput of unloading. Other aspects of the invention include a structure to incline the output end of a conveyor belt (), support the conveyor belt (), adapt the conveyor to different sizes, and assist in movement of the conveyor, and ancillary parts to allow selective use of the conveyor relative to the bin.