Stiffener and base assembly for a grain bin

A support for a grain bin having an elongated body with a back surface bent to form support surfaces that extend outwardly from the back surface to form a cavity therein. Connected to the elongated body is a base having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The horizontal portion having corners that extend upwardly to form flanges that engage the support surfaces of the elongated body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to grain bin supports. More specifically, this invention relates to a stiffener and base used to support a grain bin.

In the field of grain bin construction, stiffeners are used in order to support the cylindrical outer wall of a grain bin. Present stiffeners have a base plate that is welded to an elongated member. Due to the length and weight, these stiffeners are awkward and heavy to handle. In addition, welding the base plate to the elongated member creates additional problems. For example, welding two galvanized pieces of metal creates unpleasant and noxious fumes. To overcome this problem, black steel is welded together and then hot-dipped to add a galvanized coating. The hot-dipping process adds costs and time to the manufacture of the stiffeners. Alternatively, the black steel is painted, but over time the paint deteriorates and the steel rusts. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a stiffener and base that addresses these problems.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a stiffener and base that is more economical to manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stiffener and base that is easy to handle and install.

These and other objects, features, or advantages will become apparent from the specification and the claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A support for a grain bin having an elongated body with a back surface bent to form support surfaces that extend outwardly from the back surface to form a cavity therein. Connected to the elongated body is a base having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The horizontal portion having corners that extend upwardly to form flanges that engage the support surfaces of the elongated body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures shown is a stiffener10that is attached to a grain bin12. The stiffener10is preferably made of steel and has an elongated body14that is bent such that support surfaces16,18extend outwardly from a back surface20to form a cavity22therebetween as shown inFIG. 1. The back surface20has a plurality of apertures24that receive a fastener or bolt to secure the stiffener10to the grain bin12.

Connected to the elongated body is a base30. The base as shown inFIG. 4, preferably is made of two pieces. The first section32has a plate34that is bent generally at a right angle to form a vertical36and horizontal38portion. The vertical portion36has an aperture40that aligns with aperture24. The horizontal portion also has an aperture42.

First section32of the base30is placed on second section44of the base30. Second section44is preferably a single piece of galvanized steel with corners cut and bent to form upwardly extending flanges46. The second section44has an aperture48that aligns with aperture42. The flanges preferably have slots50extending therethrough that receive bolts for connecting the base to surfaces16and18of body14.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 1, the base30is made of a single piece that is bent generally at a right angle to form a vertical portion52and a horizontal portion54. The vertical portion52has an aperture56that aligns with an aperture24. The horizontal portion54has corners that are cut and bent to form upwardly extending flanges46with slots50extending therethrough. The horizontal portion54also has a centrally located aperture48. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the base30, as shown inFIG. 1, may be formed such that the horizontal portion54extends underneath the elongated body14of the stiffener10so that the vertical portion52is connected between the back surface20of elongated body14and the grain bin12as shown inFIG. 2. The base30, as shown inFIG. 3may also be formed such that vertical portion52fits within cavity22and is connected to back surface20.

In an alternative design, as shown inFIG. 5, walls57are bent in from vertical portion52such that walls57and vertical portion52fit within cavity22.

To assemble the stiffener10and base30as shown inFIG. 4, the second section44is positioned to fit underneath the elongated body14. The first section32is then placed over the second section44such that aperture40aligns with aperture24of body14, and aperture42aligns with aperture48. Bolts58are used to connect the first section32to the elongated body14and the second section44through the respective apertures.

Therefore, a stiffener and base that is easier to handle and less costly to manufacture has been shown.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without the parting from the spirit in scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby.