Patent ID: 6726430
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A grain leveling and spreader device for spreading and leveling grain that is being delivered into an upper portion of a grain repository compartment, comprising,a grain receptacle housing for mounting in an upper portion of a grain repository compartment, and having a top portion for receiving grain, a bottom portion, and a side wall which is circular in cross section, power means associated with the device for rotating a vertical drive shaft extending downwardly with the compartment, a valve assembly connected to the drive shaft, the valve assembly comprising a first cam element fixed to the shaft and having an inclined flat first cam surface, a second cam element slidably mounted on the drive shaft above the first cam element and having an inclined flat second cam surface which mates with and rests coextensively on the first cam surface when in a lowermost position, a horizontal plate rigidly mounted on a top of the second cam element and being rotatable with respect to the drive shaft, at least one upstanding baffle on the plate, the first and second cam surfaces being disposed together in such a manner that grain pressure exerted against the baffle to inhibit rotation of the plate and the second cam element will cause the second cam element to slide upwardly on the drive shaft and will cause partial rotation of the second cam element as the second cam element slides upwardly on the drive shaft through interaction between perimeter edges of the cam surfaces, a stop element on the shaft above the valve assembly to limit the upper movement of the second cam element and to maintain the engagement of the perimeter of the first and second cam surfaces, the valve assembly being in spaced relationship with the side wall of the housing to create a grain passage around the valve assembly defined by the space between the sidewall and an outer perimeter of the plate, the shape of the side wall being such that the horizontal width of the space between the side wall and the outer perimeter of the plate increases when the second cam element moves upwardly on the drive shaft, means associated with the bottom of the compartment for gathering grain passing the valve assembly and spreading the same within a grain repository compartment.