Abstract:
The present invention features a grain distribution apparatus having a top loading intake hopper adapted for direct attachment to the discharge end of a grain auger or similar conveyor. A pair of hingedly connected, movable discharge spouts each receive a portion of the incoming grain stream. Some of the incoming grain is directly discharged from the bottom of the intake hopper. Intermediate discharge ports located along each of the discharge spouts also allow controlled amounts of grain to be discharged. All remaining grain is discharged from the terminal (i.e., distal) ends of the discharge spouts. By controlling the angle of the discharge spouts with respect to a horizontal plane, the pattern of grain discharge by the apparatus may be controlled.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to grain spreaders and, more particularly, to an apparatus for use with a grain auger or similar grain conveyor to distribute grain or the like discharged from the conveyor uniformly in a grain wagon or similar container.  
           [0003]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    The result of many agricultural processes is a stream of fine particulate matter, typically grain or the like, which must be transported to storage or to a subsequent processing step. The term grain will be used herein to refer to any particulate matter, either organic or inorganic. The stream of grain is typically removed from the processing apparatus by a grain conveyor, often a grain auger or similar screw conveyor. At the discharge ends of these conveyors, the grain is typically collected, often in a grain wagon or similar conveyance. If such a wagon is positioned centrally under the discharge end of the grain conveyor, soon a central, conical pile of grain accumulates in the wagon. Often the top of the pile will exceed the height of the wagon sides, perhaps even reaching the conveyor discharge before the pile spreads to the corners of the grain wagon. Heretofore, either a person was required to enter the wagon and manually redistribute the grain or, alternatively, the grain wagon periodically needed to be moved incrementally to facilitate more uniform filling. The first of these techniques is labor-intensive, exposes the worker to possible danger from a collapsing grain pile as well as grain dust, and also exposes the grain to unnecessary contamination. The second of these techniques involves keeping a tractor or similar motive device attached to the grain wagon at all times, thereby tying up the tractor which could possibly be used more effectively elsewhere.  
           [0005]    Various solution to the problem have been proposed and shown in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,637,416 for FEEDING OR CONDUCTING TUBE FOR AGRICULTURAL DRILLS OR CULTIVATORS, issued Aug. 2, 1927 to Clarence Hunt teaches one such apparatus. A top loading hopper is connected to two or more discharge spouts. A central septum in the hopper evenly divides a stream of grain entering the hopper, directing the stream to the discharge spouts. The discharge spouts are capable of some movements which may be imparted remotely via a mechanical linkage. HUNT teaches no regulation of flow nor any way to proportion the relative grain outputs from the two discharge spouts.  
           [0006]    In contradistinction, the inventive apparatus is specifically designed to uniformly fill a grain wagon or similar container. A top filled hopper allows an entering grain stream to be directed to at least five different outlets. First, some grain is allowed to flow through the hopper and be deposited directly beneath the hopper. A pair of discharge spouts are hingedly connected to the hopper to each receive another portion of the grain stream. These spouts extend laterally from the hopper at an angle sufficient to direct grain emerging from the distal, discharge ends a suitable distance away from the hopper. Intermediate openings suitably equipped with a valve flap or similar metering device and positioned in the bottom of these discharge spouts, provide additional discharge points intermediate the central discharge from the hopper and the discharge from the distal ends of the discharge spouts. By controlling the angle of the discharge spouts relative to the horizontal, the inventive apparatus may control the overall filling pattern in a grain wagon or the like positioned beneath the inventive distribution apparatus.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,048,282 for ARRANGEMENT FOR LOADING BULK MATERIAL INTO COMPARTMENTS ARRANGED ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER, issued Aug. 7, 1962 to Wilhelm Reiff, et al., teaches another stream splitting arrangement. A top loading hopper is connected to dual discharge drop pipes. These drop pipes may be moved in only a vertical direction and extended into the filling hatch of a ship or other similar arrangement having multiple storage holds or compartments arranged adjacent one another. REIFF, et al., teach no means for changing either the horizontal position or the angle of the drop pipes and no intermediate discharge points are located along the length of the drop pipes.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,922 for GRAIN DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY FOR AN ELEVATOR, issued Sep. 7, 1982 to Robert D. Curry, et al., teaches a grain distributor for a grain elevator. A manifold plate with a plurality of openings is provided to feed a number of downspouts. A distributor plate having a single orifice is rotated to expose only a single opening in the manifold plate. A primary object of the construction is that the manifold plate serves as a firestop so that a fire or explosion in one of the downspouts is not transmitted through the grain distributor to other downspouts. CURRY et al., disclose no multiple output, repositionable grain distribution device such as that of the present invention.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,769 for GRAIN CHUTE SYSTEM, issued Aug. 5, 1986 to Bert Bach, et al., teaches an apparatus for controlling the vertical distribution of a grain stream within a silo or other permanent installation. A series of flap doors on the BACH, et al., apparatus remain closed by gravity until forced open by material within the central core of the grain chute. As the silo fills, doors in increasingly higher regions of the chute are opened as lower doors are pressed shut by the grain in the silo outside the chute. The dust mixed with the grain is separated from falling grain in the chute and may be effectively exhausted from above the chute. Unlike the inventive structure, the BACH, et al., chute is permanently installed within a permanent structure and would be unsuitable for filling a grain wagon or other similar structure. Also, there is no provision to control the horizontal distribution of grain.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,686 for GATE FOR SPLITTING A FLOW OF GRANULAR MATERIAL, issued Oct. 6, 1987 to Henrik West teaches an adjustable, angled splitting gate whereby an incoming material stream may be adjustably directed into two or more outlets. However, no teaching is provided for uniformly distributing discharged material in a uniform manner into a grain wagon or the like. No adjustable, lateral discharge spouts having intermediate discharge ports are provided.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,185 for GRAIN SPREADER, issued Feb. 20, 1990 to Carl R. Dixon teaches a motor-driven, rotating top-fed distributor for continuously distributing an incoming grain stream into plural, angled chutes. The apparatus of the present invention, on the other hand, uses no motor-driven component to facilitate grain distribution, but rather relies upon a pair of hinged, movable discharge chutes having intermediate discharge ports to uniformly distribute a grain stream into a substantially rectangular container such as a grain wagon.  
           [0012]    None of these patents, either individually or in any combination are seen to teach or suggest the grain distribution apparatus of the present invention.  
           [0013]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provided a grain distribution apparatus for directing an incoming stream of grain so as to uniformly fill a grain wagon or similar elongated collection container.  
           [0014]    It is another object of the invention to provide a grain distribution apparatus having a plurality of discharge opening disposed substantially linearly along a primary axis.  
           [0015]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a grain distribution apparatus where terminal discharge ports may be positioned from a remote location.  
           [0016]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a grain distribution apparatus having two discharge spouts hingedly connected to a central receiving hopper.  
           [0017]    It is an additional object of the invention to provide a grain distribution apparatus wherein intermediate discharge ports are provided along the discharge spouts.  
           [0018]    It is a still further object of the invention to provide a grain distribution apparatus wherein the flow from the intermediate discharge ports may be regulated.  
           [0019]    It is another object of the invention to provide a grain distribution apparatus having a central discharge port substantially directly beneath the intake hopper of the grain distribution apparatus.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0020]    The present invention features a grain distribution apparatus having a top loading intake hopper adapted for direct attachment to the discharge end of a grain auger or similar conveyor. A pair of hingedly connected, movable discharge spouts each receive a portion of the incoming grain stream. Some of the incoming grain is directly discharged from the bottom of the intake hopper. Intermediate discharge ports located along each of the discharge spouts also allow controlled amounts of grain to be discharged. All remaining grain is discharged from the terminal (i.e., distal) ends of the discharge spouts. By controlling the angle of the discharge spouts with respect to a horizontal plane, the pattern of grain discharge by the apparatus may be controlled. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when taken in conjunction with the detail description thereof and in which:  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a side schematic view of the grain distribution apparatus disposed in a normal, operational position;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of the grain distribution apparatus of FIG. 1 but disposed in a raised position;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective, schematic view of the grain distribution apparatus of the invention in a raised position; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the grain distribution apparatus of the invention function in its intended operating environment. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0026]    Generally speaking this invention relates to a grain distributor for use in conjunction with a grain auger or similar conveyor system to uniformly distribute a stream of grain received from the grain auger into a grain wagon or similar receptacle.  
         [0027]    Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a side, schematic view of the grain distribution of the invention, generally at reference number  100 . A hopper  106 , typically cylindrical and having both an open top and bottom, supports a pair of discharge chutes or spouts  110  through support members  114 . Support members  114  are pivotally attached to hopper  106  at pivot point  116 . In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, hopper  106  is fabricated from a piece of PVC pipe. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that hopper  106  need not necessarily be cylindrical but could be conical, rectangular, or virtually and other shape. In addition, hopper  106  could be fabricated from many different materials such as sheet metal or fiberglass, as well as a variety of different polymers. In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, hopper  106  has a completely open bottom. In alternate embodiments, a disk or other suitable structure having an orifice, of either fixed or variable size, could be used to partially seal the bottom region  108  of hopper  106 .  
         [0028]    Discharge spouts  110  are typically cylindrical, each having a proximal end terminating in a semi-circular scoop  112  located adjacent to lower region  108  of hopper  106 . Discharge spouts  110  with attached scoops  112  are pivotally mounted to hopper  106  and supported by support members  114  extending along both their front and rear sides. Support members  114  are attached to hopper  106  at pivot  116  and supported from hopper  106 , typically by a bolt (not shown) or other suitable fastener (not shown) extending across the diameter of hopper  106 . It would be evident to one skilled in the art that a shorter bolt (not shown) on either side of hopper  106  could be used in lieu of a single bold passing from side to side of hopper  106 . Intermediate discharge ports  124  are disposed in the bottoms of discharge chutes  110 . Adjustable flaps  126  allow regulation of the amount of material to be discharged from intermediates discharge ports  124 . Flaps  126  may be either fixed flaps or, in alternate embodiments, could be pivotally mounted to discharge chutes  110  to vary the amount of material being discharged from discharge ports  124 . In still other embodiments, a slidable sleeve (not shown) could be used to control the amount of discharge port  124  that is exposed, thereby also controlling the amount of particulate mater discharged therefrom.  
         [0029]    Scoops  112  are open on their tops and are adapted to receive a portion of a grain stream (not shown) being discharged from bottom region  108  of hopper  106 .  
         [0030]    Ropes  118  are fastened to eye bolts  120  disposed in an upper surface of discharge spouts  110 . The term rope has been used to refer to a rope, cable, halyard or other similar structure. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that rope  118  could be formed from cotton, hemp, nylon, polypropylene or any other suitable material normally used for ropes. In addition, a woven or braided steel cable could form rope  118 . Ropes  118  pass around pulleys  122  and are routed away from grain distribution apparatus  100 , typically along, or at least parallel to, grain auger  102  (FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 1, the grain distributing apparatus  100  is in a lowered, operational position. Tension provided on the distal ends of ropes  118  selectively and independently position one or both discharge chutes  110 . In addition to ropes  118 , tethers  128 , are adjustably attached to hopper  106  and to discharge chutes  110 . Tethers  128  limit the excursion of discharge chutes  110  away from a horizontal plane and allows the discharge chutes  110  to return to a predetermined position after being raised by ropes  118  so as to provide vertical clearance for a tractor (not shown), the grain wagon, or the like to pass under grain distribution apparatus  100 . In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, tethers  128  are chains whose length may be adjusted selectively by using an S-hook or similar device to selectively engage a particular link of the chain thereby adjusting its length. It will be recognized that tethers  128  could be embodied in other different ways, well known to those of skill in the art.  
         [0031]    Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a side schematic view of the grain distribution apparatus  100  with discharge chutes  110  shown in a raised, horizontal position. Discharge chutes  110  are raised from the operational positions as shown in FIG. 1 by pulling ropes  118 . With discharge chutes  110  in their raised, horizontal position, a tractor may readily be driven under grain distribution apparatus  100  to facilitate placement of a grain wagon  130  (FIG. 4) directly under the discharge regions of the grain distribution apparatus  100 . Once the grain wagon is in place, discharge chutes  110  may again be lowered. Tethers  128  are adjusted so that as ropes  118  are released, discharge chutes  110  return to a predetermined operating angle as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4.  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a bottom perspective, schematic view of a central portion of the grain distribution apparatus  100  attached to a grain auger  102  (FIG. 4). The upper portion of grain auger  102  is shown in phantom. Grain augers and similar conveyors are well known to those skilled in the art and forms no part on the instant invention. The discharge end of a typical grain auger  102  is typically equipped with a discharge chute (not shown) to help guide, direct and focus the grain stream (not shown) downward. The grain distribution apparatus  100  of the invention is designed for attachment to grain auger  102  to replace the discharge chute (not shown), using the same mounting holes, when possible. The inventive grain distribution apparatus  100  may, however, be attached to a grain auger  102  using any means known to those of skill in the design of such equipment. Grain receiving hopper  106  is positioned directly beneath the discharge region  104  of grain auger  102  so as to receive the stream of grain (not shown) being discharged from grain auger  102 . The lower region  108  of hopper  106  may be completely open or, in alternate embodiments may be partially closed. A pair of cylindrical discharge spouts  110 , each having a proximal end terminating in a semi-circular scoop  112  located adjacent to lower region  108  of hopper  106 . Discharge spouts  110  with attached scoops  112  are pivotally mounted to hopper  106  and supported by support members  114  extending along both their front and rear sides. Support members are attached to hopper  106  at pivot  116  and supported from hopper  106 , typically by a bolt (not shown) or other suitable fastener (not shown) extending through the diameter of hopper  106 . As previously stated, it would be evident to one skilled in the art that a shorter bolt (not shown) on each of the two sides of hopper  106  could be used in lieu of a single bold passing through hopper  106  from side to side. Ropes  118  are shown routed along or parallel to grain auger  102  to an accessible point. Tethers  128  (FIG. 1) have been omitted from FIG. 3 for purposes of clarity.  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a front, elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the grain distribution apparatus  100  of the invention in use distributing grain into a grain wagon  130 . Support  114  (FIGS. 1, 2,  3 ) have been replace by polymer supports  114   a  which perform the same function as supports  114 . A central grain stream  132  is seen falling through hopper  106  into a middle region of grain wagon  130 . Two additional grain streams  134  are seen being discharging from intermediate discharge ports  124  and falling to the right and left of grain stream  132 . Finally, grain streams  136  are seen emerging from the distal ends of discharge chutes or spouts  110 . As may be seen, the top level of the grain  140  in wagon  130  is relatively uniform. Consequently, there is no need either for manual redistribution of the grain or for periodically repositioning the grain wagon to facilitate even filling.  
         [0034]    It will be recognized that the lengths of discharge spouts  110  could be altered to change the distribution pattern of the grain or to accommodate a longer grain wagon  130 . Additional intermediate discharge ports could also be added. It will also be recognized that because discharge chutes  110  are independently manipulatable via ropes  118 , the discharge chutes could be deployed at different heights and/or lengths which would also vary the distribution pattern of grain entering wagon  130 . As previously stated, the use of the inventive structure is not limited to grain but could be used in handling/distributing almost any particulate or granular matter.  
         [0035]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit a particular operating requirements and environment will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute a departure from the true spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0036]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appended claims.