Patent ID: 6769857
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: B65G,Y10S

Abstract:
A material transfer device comprising:a main support frame and a material transfer device rotatably connected to the main support frame, the material transfer frame adapted to hold a container of material to be transferred; a material receiving hopper connected to the main support frame; a linearly extensible powered actuator; a linkage assembly comprising: a center driving linkage having a first end and a second end and a first aperture at said first end, and a second aperture at said second end; a center interconnecting linkage with a first end and a second end and a first aperture at said first end, and a second aperture at said second end; a right hand support linkage having a first end and a second end, wherein a portion of the first end is at least partially curvilinear, said right hand support linkage having a first aperture at the first end, and a second aperture at the second end, wherein the second aperture of the right hand support linkage is substantially concentric with the second aperture of the center interconnecting linkage; a left hand support linkage having a first end and a second end, wherein a portion of the first end is at least partially curvilinear, said left hand support linkage having a first aperture at the first end, a second aperture at the second end, wherein the second aperture of the left hand support linkage is substantially concentric with the second aperture of the center interconnecting linkage; a right hand main linkage having a first end and a second end and a first aperture at said first end and a second aperture at said second end, and a third aperture between the first and second apertures wherein the second aperture is substantially concentric with the second aperture of the center driving linkage, and wherein the third aperture is substantially concentric with the first aperture of the center interconnecting linkage; a left hand main linkage having a first end and a second end and a first aperture at said first end, and a second aperture at said second end, and a third aperture between the first and second apertures, wherein the first aperture is substantially concentric with the second aperture of the center driving linkage, and wherein the third aperture is substantially concentric with the first aperture of the center interconnecting linkage; wherein the first ends of the right and left hand support linkages are pivotably engaged with the main support frame at a first location, and the first ends of the right and left hand main linkages are pivotably engaged with the main support frame at a second location that is spaced apart from the first location, and the first end of the center driving linkage is rotatably engaged with the material transfer frame; wherein each linkage is interconnected by pins spaced within each of the substantially concentric apertures and wherein: the powered actuator has a first end connected to the main support frame, and a second end pivotably connected to the second ends of the right and left hand support linkages, such that the material transfer frame is rotated at least about one hundred and eighty degrees from a loading position to an inverted position upon actuation of the powered actuator to thereby permit transfer of material from a container connected to the transfer frame to the hopper.