Patent ID: 6439821
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: A01K,H01H

Abstract:
A regulating device for switching on and off the supply of material to be transferred to a hopper, the regulating device comprising:a first member comprising: a first hanger from which the hopper is suspended, the first hanger having an axial extent; an elongated cam associated with the first hanger and curved so as to have a radial location proportional to the axial extent of the first hanger; a second member comprising: a second hanger from which the regulating device is suspended; an electrical switch having an operating element that turns the electrical switch to a first state when the operating element is at a first position and turns the electrical switch to a second state when the operating element is at a second position, the electrical switch being positioned adjacent to the cam; a lever operatively associated with the operating element and positioned for movement on the cam; and, biasing means operative to urge the first and second members towards each other at a predetermined bias strength; wherein, when the predetermined bias strength exceeds the weight of the material in the hopper, the first member is pulled towards the second member causing the lever to move along the curve of the cam to a first radial location whereat the operating element turns the electrical switch to the first state to initiate the supply of material to be conveyed to the hopper, and wherein, when the weight of the material in the hopper exceeds the predetermined bias strength, the first member pulls away from the second member causing the lever element to move along the cam to a second radial location whereat the operating element turns the electrical switch to the second state terminating the supply of material to the hopper.