Abstract:
A self-contained seed tender ( 20 ) includes a plurality of bins ( 48 ) as well as a conveyor system ( 30 ) with a lower conveyor ( 32 ) and a shiftable lift conveyor ( 34 ). The lift conveyor ( 34 ) is shiftable between a stowed, travel position astride the bins ( 48 ) and a central, rearwardly extending delivery position. A deployment assembly ( 38 ) serves to sequentially pivot the lift conveyor ( 34 ) about an upright axis, followed by lateral translation thereof to the central use position. The conveyor ( 34 ) can then be rotated and elevated as desired for off-loading of seeds. The tender ( 20 ) may also be used for delivery of other types of agricultural particulates.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 62/212,333 filed Aug. 31, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is broadly concerned with tenders for seeds or other agricultural particulates, permitting the products to be loaded at a central location, such as a dealer, and subsequent transfer thereof to a field location where the products can be off-loaded to planters, fertilizer spreaders, or other field equipment. More particularly, the invention is concerned with self-contained tenders which are designed to be bodily mounted on a conventional trailer and include a lift conveyor, which can be selectively moved between a stowed position permitting safe travel, and a deployed position where the products may be off-loaded. A particular feature of the tenders is the ability to locate the lift conveyor at an infinite number of lateral and elevated positions, thereby facilitating rapid off-loading. 
     Description of the Prior Art 
     In many farming operations, planting is done using tractor-towed planters which include one or more seed or grain bins and apparatus for depositing seed into furrows traversed by the planters. In such operations, it is necessary to deliver the seed to the fields where the planters are located. To meet this need, so-called seed tenders have been developed which are typically self-contained mobile units which can be filled with seed at a dealer or other central location, and then moved to the fields. In order to be useful, such tenders must provide a means for readily moving seed from the tender to planters with a minimum of time and effort. Accordingly, tenders are commonly provided with elongated, swingable delivery conveyors, which can be raised or lowered as desired. 
     However, these delivery conveyors must be safely stowed in travel positions which do not interfere with travels of the tenders. Thus, the conveyors must be moved to positions which do not interfere with overhead lines or traffic. In some prior tenders, this design constraint has resulted in the inability to easily maneuver the conveyors to a variety of delivery positions in the field. In other words, the necessity of providing a safe travel position for the conveyors has limited the positions which the conveyors can assume in the field. 
     There is accordingly a need in the art for improved tenders which provide both a safe and secure stowed position for the delivery conveyors, while at the same time effectively allowing the conveyor to be moved an infinity of delivery positions in the field. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides improved tenders for seeds or other agricultural particulate materials, which overcome problems associated with prior art tenders. Generally speaking, the tenders of the invention comprise a particulate bin presenting an outlet, together with a conveyor system including an elongated lift conveyor, where the system is oriented to receive particulate materials from the bin outlet and to deliver the materials from the lift conveyor for use thereof. The tenders further have a deployment assembly operably coupled with the delivery conveyor for selective movement of the delivery conveyor from a stowed position adjacent the bin to a delivery position where the delivery conveyor extends outwardly. The deployment assembly includes structure permitting selective pivoting of the delivery conveyor about an upright axis, and translatory movement of the delivery conveyor to the delivery position wherein the delivery conveyor may be laterally swung and elevated or lowered. 
     In preferred forms, the tenders include a plurality of particulate bins, with the conveyor system including a conveyor belt passing beneath each of the bins and having a terminal section oriented to deliver particulate materials from the conveyor belt to the delivery conveyor. Importantly, the delivery conveyor is laterally swingable through an arc of at least about 180°, in order to afford an infinite number of delivery positions. To this end, the deployment assembly includes an overall frame assembly supporting the lift conveyor and first, second, third, and fourth structures (each preferably comprising a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly) for: (1) rotating the lift conveyor about an upright axis from the stowed position thereof to an intermediate position rotated outwardly from the stowed position; (2) translating the lift conveyor from the intermediate position to a centered position; (3) selectively swinging the lift conveyor throughout an arc of about 180°; and (4) selectively elevating the lift conveyor at any of the rotated positions thereof. 
     The invention also provides methods for delivery of particulate materials from a particulate bin, broadly comprising the step of shifting a lift conveyor from a stowage position adjacent said bin to a delivery position where the material extends outwardly relative to the bin, wherein the shifting step comprises the steps of: (1) pivoting the delivery conveyor about a first upright axis to an intermediate position; (2) translating the lift conveyor from the intermediate position to a centered position; (3) selectively swinging the lift conveyor about a second upright axis spaced from the first upright axis; and (4) selectively elevating the lift conveyor to a delivery position. Thereupon, particulate materials from the bin are transferred to the lift conveyor in order to deliver the particulate materials. 
     The swinging step advantageously permits selective swinging the lift conveyor about the second upright axis through an arc of at least about 180°, for maximum utility and ease of particulate delivery. 
     In certain embodiments, separate drive structures are used for the pivoting, translating, swinging, and elevating steps. Conveniently, the separate drive structures each include an individual piston and cylinder assembly. 
     In order to most easily transfer the particulates from the bin to the lift conveyor, an underlying transfer conveyor is provided so that particulates may be deposited onto the transfer conveyor for delivery to the lift conveyor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a seed tender in accordance with the invention mounted on a flatbed trailer, with the lift conveyor of the tender in its stowed, travel position; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the trailer-mounted tender depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an end view of the trailer-mounted tender, depicting the delivery end of the tender; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary side view of the trailer-mounted tender, shown with the lift conveyor in its extended position; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view similar to that of  FIG. 4 , but illustrating the lift conveyor in an elevated delivery position; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary top view of the tender illustrated in  FIG. 5 , but showing in phantom the limits of side-to-side movement of the lift conveyor; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the rear end of the tender with the lift conveyor in its stowed, travel position, and further illustrating the details of the lift conveyor deployment assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 7 , but illustrating the lift conveyor initially pivoted outwardly from the stowed position thereof; 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 8 , but illustrating the lift conveyor upon lateral translational movement thereof from the  FIG. 8  position; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 9 , but illustrating the lift conveyor in its centered, rearwardly extending position illustrated in full lines in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view depicting important components of the lift conveyor deployment assembly; 
         FIG. 12A  is an enlarged, fragmentary view in partial vertical section, illustrating further details of the conveyor assembly; and 
         FIG. 12B  is an enlarged, fragmentary view in partial vertical section, illustrating the transition between the lower conveyor and the lift conveyor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1-2 , a tender  20  is illustrated, mounted on a trailer  22  presenting a flat bed  24 . The tender  20  is designed to hold seed or other particulate materials, and is operable after loading to be transported via trailer  22  to a use location where the seed or particulates may be delivered. 
     Broadly speaking, the tender  20  includes a lowermost frame assembly  26  situated atop bed  24 , a bin assembly  28  supported by frame assembly  26 , a conveyor system  30  including a lower conveyor  32  extending generally horizontally beneath bin assembly  28 , and a lift or delivery conveyor  34 . The overall tender further includes a lift conveyor deployment assembly  36  and a power/control assembly  38 . As explained more fully below, the lift conveyor  34  is selectively shiftable between a stowed, travel condition illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , and a deployed position shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . 
     The frame assembly  26  includes a plurality of elongated, laterally spaced apart lower beams  40  and spaced apart upright bin supports  42 . Fore and aft laterally extending support tubes  44  are affixed to the undersides of the beams  40 , and sit atop flatbed  24 . A pair of adjustable bed clamps  46  are also provided, in order to secure the tender  20  against lateral movement on bed  24 . 
     The bin assembly  28  includes a total of six upright bins  48 , which are arranged in pairs between the supports  42  and along the length of the beams  40 . Each bin  48  is quadrate in plan configuration and has upper walls  50  defining an open top  52 , as well as lower converging wall structure  54  terminating in a lower delivery opening  56  ( FIG. 6 ). A hydraulically operated slide gate assembly  58  is positioned beneath each delivery opening  56  and is selectively shiftable to open or close the opening  56  for delivery of seed or other particulates to lower conveyor  32 , as required. Bin covers  59  ( FIG. 3 ) may also be provided for protecting the contents of the bins  48  during road travel. 
     The lower conveyor  32  extends substantially the full length of the tender, and is conventionally supported by drive and idler rollers. The upper run  60  of conveyor  32  passes directly beneath each slide gate assembly  58  and is configured to receive material from the bins  48 . The conveyor  32  has a rearmost section  62 , which extends upwardly and terminates at drive roller  64 , thereby providing a conveyor outlet  65 . An arcuate cowling guide  66  is provided adjacent the terminal end of the conveyor  32 . 
     The lift conveyor  34  includes an elongated support frame  68 , which supports a tubular conveyor housing  70 , the latter equipped with an internal conveyor belt  72  and an inlet  74  positioned directly beneath terminal roller  64  and cowling  66 . A delivery spout  76  is provided adjacent the outermost end of the housing  70  to receive material delivered by belt  72 . 
     The lift conveyor displacement assembly is designed so as to permit the selective movement of lift conveyor  34  from its stowed, travel position depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  to its extended use or delivery position shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . To this end, the assembly  36  permits rotary and translational movement of the lift conveyor  34  from the stowed position to a centered position at the rearmost end of trailer  22 . The assembly  36  also permits swinging movement of the conveyor  34  through a full 180° arc of lateral movement in its centered position ( FIG. 6 ), and elevational movement thereof at any lateral position. 
     In detail, the lift conveyor deployment assembly  36  broadly includes ( FIG. 11 ), an upper swing frame assembly  78 , and a lower sub-frame assembly  80 , the latter supporting the frame  68  and lift conveyor  34 . In more detail, the swing frame assembly  78  includes a vertical standard  82  equipped with upper and lower pivot pins  84  and  86  and an obliquely extending element  88  terminating in a vertical segment  90 . A gusset plate  92  is secured to pin  84 , as illustrated. A pair of guide plates  94 ,  96  are secured to segment  90  and standard  82 , with the plates  94 ,  96  having horizontally extending slots  94   a ,  96   a . The plate  96  also supports a pair of limit switches  98 ,  100 . A piston and cylinder assembly  102  is also supported by the swing frame  78 , as shown. 
     A transition box  104  is located between the plates  94 ,  96  and includes opposed guide rollers  105  respectively located within the slots  94   a ,  96   a  of plates  94 ,  96 . Box  104  also has a vertical shaft  128  of sub-frame  80  keyed to drive sprocket  106 ; the sub-frame  80  is rotationally suspended from box  104  of swing frame assembly  78  by means of shaft  128 . A chain  108  is trained about the sprockets  106 ,  107 . The upper plate of box  104  carries a switch lug  110 , which engages the limit switches  98 ,  100 , as well as a connector  111  which is secured to the rod of piston and cylinder assembly  102 . Another piston and cylinder assembly  112  is located within box  104  and has the rod thereof operably connected to chain  108 . The lower end of sub-frame  80  is equipped with a concave saddle  113 . 
     The sub-frame assembly  80  includes a pair of posts  114 ,  116  and oblique bracing arms  118 ,  120 . The latter are connected to frame assembly  68 , as illustrated. The assembly  80  also has rearwardly extending legs  122 ,  124 , and a rearmost crosspiece  126 . The upstanding shaft  128  is secured to crosspiece  126  and drivingly interfits with sprocket  106 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7-10 , it will be seen that the swing frame assembly  78  is supported by an upright stationary frame  130 , the latter including upright beams  132 ,  134  and an upper crosspiece  136 . This frame assembly also includes a lower, upright, central locating pin  137 , which is configured to mate with saddle  113 . A piston and cylinder assembly  138  is pivotally secured to beam  134 , with the rod thereof pivotally coupled with the end of gusset  92 . Accordingly, retraction of assembly  138  serves to pivot swing frame assembly  78  from the  FIG. 7  position to the  FIG. 8  position thereof. This in turn pivots the sub-frame assembly  80 , frame assembly  68  and lift conveyor  34  to the intermediate  FIG. 8  position. In this position, it will be observed that the lift conveyor extends laterally at substantially a 90° angle relative to the longitudinal axis of tender  20 . Moreover, it will be seen that the lift conveyor inlet  74  is laterally offset from the lower conveyor outlet  65 . 
     In the next sequence, the sub-frame assembly  80 , frame assembly  68  and lift conveyor  34  are translated laterally to a central position where the lower conveyor outlet  65  comes into mating relationship with the lift conveyor inlet  74 . To this end, the piston and cylinder assembly  102  is actuated to shift the transition box  104  rightwardly, as viewed in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , between the limit switches  98 ,  100 . This serves to center the lift conveyor  34  with saddle  113  coming into mating engagement with pin  137 , in order to stabilize the lower end of sub-frame  80 . 
     At this point, the conveyor  34  may be swung laterally through an arc of substantially 180°. This is accomplished by appropriate operation of piston and cylinder assembly  112 , thereby causing corresponding shifting of chain  108  and rotation of sub-frame  80  and the lift conveyor. In order to elevate the lift conveyor, the piston and cylinder assembly  140  (see  FIGS. 5 and 11 ) is actuated to raise or lower the lift conveyor. 
     The power/control assembly  38  is positioned forwardly of lift conveyor  34  and includes a conventional motor/hydraulic pump assembly  142  and control and circuit boxes  144 . The assembly  38  is digitally controlled and provides appropriate hydraulic power to the components of the tender  20 . 
     In the use of the tender  20  after the trailer  22  has been towed to a use position and lift conveyor  34  deployed as previously described, the slide gate assemblies  58  associated with the bins  48  are actuated as necessary to deliver appropriate quantities of seed or other particulate materials to the upper run  60  of conveyor  32 , which in turn delivers the seed through outlet  65  and into inlet  74  of the lift conveyor  34 . The belt  72  then conveys the seed upwardly along the length of conveyor  34  for ultimate delivery through the spout  76 .