Abstract:
A system and method for a transfer of material in a tube or chute from a first location at a first height to a second location at a second height. The system can increase the lifespan and usefulness of that chute by allowing an easy rotation that tube or chute with respect to its supply and distribution locations such that the requirement for heavy machinery is reduced or eliminated during the repositioning process. This system allows for the correct positioning of a unworn or underutilized location of that chute as the main support path for the material transport in that chute.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/464,158 entitled “The Twister 360, (Rotating Down Spout Fixture), filed Mar. 1, 2011. 
     
    
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present disclosure relates generally to an attachment for the transfer of material along a chute from a first location to a second location. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a connection for supply chute, or tube, to a collection area that allows rotation of the supply chute relative to other aspects of the connection. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an attachment system by which a supply chute can be rotated to even the use and/or wear on the chute from materials transferred along the chute. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    As appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, there are various methods and apparatuses used to transport materials from one location to the other. These methods and apparatus include various devices that carry and/or guide the materials during this travel. One specific transfer device is the use of a mechanical path, such as tube or chute. This movement is generally facilitated through a force, such as gravity or fluid propulsion, including water, air, and the like. This movement of the materials through the chute has a tendency to wear and weaken the chute itself due to the repeated stress of the flow of materials along that chute. This wear intensifies and increases when the materials so moved have an abrasion, which can include edges and/or sharp lines or points. 
         [0007]    One industry in which this type of material movement is commonplace is in the agricultural industry. This includes the use of chutes, or downspouts, to move materials from varying heights. For example, grain elevators commonly use a chute to transport material, such as grain, from a higher location to a lower location. 
         [0008]    As these chutes are used, over a period of time, which can range from week, months or years, gravity driven down spout chutes have a tendency to wear thin on the side on which the material contacts that chute. This wear is typically present on the internal bottom portion and is a direct result of the sliding of the agricultural product, for example grain, along that internal bottom portion. These chutes typically have a full cylinder shape that helps protect the materials transported within from external factors, such as weather (wind, rain, snow, etc) and animals. As such, the situation can occur when a portion of the chute wears while the remaining section remains in relatively new condition due to lack of contact with the transported material. In several instances, the worn portion can constitute as little as a third or a fourth of the overall diameter of the chute. 
         [0009]    Conventionally, it is known in the art to rotate the chute to allow the extended use of that particular chute to prevent breaking of the chute caused by the continued contact between the material transported in the tube at the same location. Conventionally, this rotation requires a crane, or some type of large overhead supporting device, to suspend the tube in the air. Then a cutting device, such as a torch, will cut the welded ends of the chute free from the supply and collection locations. This disengages and physically separates the chute from the supply and collection locations, for example a grain bin or storage facility. Next, the tube then is rotated, again typically by another large overhead supporting machine, and then refastened to the supply and distribution locations. This refastening typically requires a rewelding of the ends of the chute to the distribution and collection bins. This process of suspension, cutting, rotating and rewelding is costly, time consuming and typically lacks accuracy in the rotation of the chute. This is because an owner can under or over rotate the chute and fail to properly use all of the chute&#39;s diameter and/or reuse worn areas causing an untimely break in the chute or a failure to properly use all of the chute. Either way, this conventional process defeats the actual purpose of rotating the tube in order to properly and successfully use the full internal diameter of the tube to transport the materials. 
         [0010]    What is needed then is a system and method of transferring materials along a tube or chute from a first location at a first site to a second location at a second site. The system should maximize the lifespan and usefulness of that chute. Preferably, this system allows for an easy movement of that tube or chute with respect to its supply and distribution locations such that the requirement for heavy machinery is reduced or eliminated during the repositioning process. Preferably, this system allows for the correct positioning of a unworn or underutilized location of that chute as the main support path for the material transport in that chute. This needed system or method is presently lacking in the art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Included herein is a system and method for a transfer of material in a tube or chute from a first location at a first height to a second location at a second height. The attachment system can comprise a first connection including a top housing and a bottom housing. The top housing can have a top collar, a plurality of top fasteners, a top tubular section, and a top annular plate. The top collar can include a plurality of top collar attachment holes while each top fastener can be shaped to engage one of the top collar attachment holes and removably attach the top collar to the chute. A top tubular section can extend from the top collar and have a first diameter and an axis. The top annular plate can be affixed to the top tubular section and be spaced from a top collar. The top annular plate can include a plurality of top housing attachment apertures and a plurality of protrusions spaced around the top annular plate and extending removably outward from the axis. 
         [0012]    The bottom housing can have a bottom collar, a plurality of bottom fasteners, a bottom tubular section, a bottom annular plate, and a plurality of connecting fasteners. The bottom collar can include bottom collar attachment holes and each bottom fastener can be shaped to engage one of the bottom collar attachment holes and removably attach the bottom collar to the second location. The bottom tubular section can extend from the bottom collar and have a mouth positioned opposite the bottom collar. The mouth can have a second diameter larger than the first diameter of the top tubular section. At least a portion of the top tubular section can be positionable within the mouth of the bottom tubular section. The bottom annular plate can be fixed to the bottom tubular section and spaced from the bottom collar and the bottom annular plate can include a plurality of bottom housing attachment apertures. Each connecting fastener can be shape to engage one of the top housing attachment apertures and one of the bottom housing attachment apertures to removably attach the top annular plate to the bottom annular plate. 
         [0013]    A rotary tool having a plurality of securing locations is included and can be shaped to removably engage the plurality of protrusions on the top annular plate. The rotary tool is shaped to rotate the top housing independent of the bottom housing absent the plurality of connecting fasteners between the top annular plate and the bottom annular plate. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the attachment system can include a second connection having a top housing, a bottom housing, and a plurality of connecting fasteners. The top housing can include a top collar shaped to engage the first location and a top tubular section extending from the top collar and having a first diameter and an axis. A top annular plate can be affixed to the top tubular section and spaced from a top collar. The bottom housing of the second connection can have a bottom collar shaped to engage the chute, a bottom tubular section extending from the bottom collar and a mouth position opposite the bottom collar. The mouth can have a second diameter larger than the first diameter so at least a portion of the top tubular section can be positionable within the mouth of the bottom tubular section. In addition, the bottom annular plate can be affixed to the bottom tubular section at allocation that is spaced from the bottom collar. The plurality of connecting fasteners can be shaped to removably attach the top annular plate to the bottom annular plate in the second connection. 
         [0015]    It is therefore a general object of the present disclosure to provide an attachment system and method for the transfer of material along a chute. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an attachment system for the transfer of material along a chute from a first location at a first height to a second location at a second height. 
         [0017]    Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a transfer chute that can be readily detached from distribution and collection locations and rotated about its axis while still in place. 
         [0018]    Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a chute that connects the distribution and collection locations that can be rotated about its axis with little to no need from additional suspension equipment. 
         [0019]    Yet still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method and apparatus that can maximize the use of the internal diameter of a transfer chute to increase the longevity of that transport chute. 
         [0020]    Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the full disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of an attachment system made in accordance with the current disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is an expanded view of a first connection made in accordance with the current disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a side view showing an example of a first connection attached to a chute and a storage location. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a first connection. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a rotary tool attached to a connection. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is an expanded view of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a side view similar to  FIG. 6 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a partial cutaway of view of the connection shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is an assembly view of a first connection and portions of a chute and a collection location. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a first connection to a chute and a collection location. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a top view showing a top annular plate and a rotary tool. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a top view similar to  FIG. 11  showing an attachment at the top annular plate and the rotary tool. 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a side view of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0034]      FIGS. 14A-D  show the general steps of rotation of the top annular plate with  FIG. 14A  and D depicting the attachment and separation of the rotary tool and the top annular plate with Figs. B and C as showing rotation of the rotary tool and the top annular plate. 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a second connection made in accordance with the current disclosure. 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a partial cutaway assembly view of a second connection made in accordance with the current disclosure. 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is a partial cutaway assembly view of a second connection made in accordance with the current disclosure. 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  is a partial cutaway view of a second connection made in accordance with the current disclosure. 
           [0039]      FIG. 19  is a partial cutaway view of a second connection shown attached to the chute and a distribution bin. 
           [0040]      FIG. 20A  is a top view of a thrust bearing used in connections in accordance with the current disclosure. 
           [0041]      FIG. 20B  is a side view of  FIG. 20A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    Referring now generally to  FIGS. 1-20B , an attachment system is shown and generally designated by the numeral  10 . The attachment system is for the transfer of material  12  along a chute  14  from a first location  16  to a second location  18 . The material  12  can be, for example, agricultural products and supplies such as grain, corn and other like matter. The chute  14  can include tube or other tube-like or chute-like structures. 
         [0043]    The first location  16  is preferably at a first height while the second location  18  is preferably at a second height where the second height is typically lower than the first height, the heights measured from ground level. The first location  16  can be a distribution location  16 , such as distribution bins and carriers, used in the agriculture industry to store and transfer agriculture products such as grain, corn, and the like. The second location is preferably a storage location, such as a storage bin, such as those used in the agriculture industry to store grain, corn, and like materials. The distribution location  16  can include a distribution device  17  used to attach to a portion of the attachment system  10 . The distribution device  17  can be items known in the art, such as a rotating head or other attachment device, through which the material  12 , such as grain, flows in order to enter the chute  14 . Likewise, the second location  18 , or storage bin  18 , can include a receiving end  19  designed to allow passage of the material  12  exiting the chute  14  to enter into the storage bin  18 . 
         [0044]    In a preferred embodiment, the attachment system  10  includes a first connection  20 , which can also be described as a storage bin connection  20  that includes a top housing  22  and a bottom housing  40 . The top housing  22  can include a top collar  24  that includes a plurality of top collar attachment holes  26 . Each one of a plurality of top fasteners  28  can be shaped to engage one of the top collared attachment holes  26 . The top fasteners  28  and top collar attachment holes  26  can removably secure and attach the top collar  24  to the chute  14 . A top tubular section  30  extends from the top collar  24  and can be formed as one single piece or the top tubular section  30  and top collar  24  can be affixed together by conventional means, such as welding. The top tubular section  30  includes a first diameter  32  and an axis  34 . A top annular plate  36  is affixed to the top tubular section  30  at a position that is spaced from the top collar  24 . The top annular plate  36  includes a plurality of top housing attachment apertures  38  and a plurality of protrusions  37  spaced about the top annular plate  36 . The protrusions  37  extend radially outward from the axis  34  and include tool holes  39 . 
         [0045]    The bottom housing  40  of the first connection  20  can include a bottom collar  42  with bottom collar attachment holes  44 . Each one of a plurality of bottom fasteners  46  are shaped to engage one of the bottom collar attachment holes  44  to removably attach and secure the bottom collar  42  to the second location  18 , or storage bin  18 . A bottom tubular section  48  extends from the bottom collar  42  and includes a mouth  50  positioned opposite the bottom collar  42 . The bottom tubular section  48  is preferably frustoconical in shape from the mouth  50  to the bottom collar  42 . The bottom tubular section  48  and bottom collar  42  can be a single piece but can also be attached using conventional methods, such as welding. The mouth  50  has a second diameter  52  that is larger than the first diameter  32  wherein at least a portion of the top tubular section  30  is positionable within the mouth  50  of the bottom tubular section  48  when the top housing  22  is received within the bottom housing  40 . A bottom annular plate  54  is affixed to the bottom tubular section  48  and spaced from the bottom collar  42 . The bottom annular plate  54  includes a plurality of bottom housing attachment apertures  56  and is preferably positioned proximate the mouth  50 . 
         [0046]    A plurality of connecting fasteners  58  is included such that each connecting fastener  58  is shaped to engage one of the top housing attachment apertures  30  and one of the bottom housing attachment apertures  56  to removably attach the top annular plate  36  to the bottom annular plate  54 . This removable attachment also removably secures the top housing  22  to the bottom housing  40 . This removable attachment allows rotation of the top housing  22  along with the top collar  24 , top tubular section  30 , and top annular plate  36  relative to the bottom housing  40  and the included bottom collar  42 , bottom tubular section  48  and bottom annular plate  54 . 
         [0047]    A rotary tool  60  is included. The rotary tool  60 , which can also be described as a turning tool or turning handle, includes a plurality of securing locations  62  shaped to removably engage the plurality of protrusions  37  of the top annular plate  36  and more specifically one of the tool holes  39 . The rotary tool is shaped to rotate the top housing  22  independent of the bottom housing  40  absent the connecting fasteners  58  securing the top annular plate  36  to the bottom annular plate  54 . The rotary tool  60  can include a handle  59  and a flange  61  with each of the securing locations  62  positioned on the flange  61  to independently engage at least one of the tool holes  39  on one of the protrusions  37  of the top annular plate  36 . This connection can be facilitated by fasteners as known in the art, such as bolts and nuts, clamps, and the like. 
         [0048]    The first connection  20  can further include a thrust bearing  64 , which can be described as a washer  64 , positioned between the top annular plate  36  and the bottom annular plate  54  when the connecting fasteners  58  attach the top annular plate  36  to the bottom annular plate  54 . This thrust bearing  64  is positioned to facilitate the rotation of the top housing  22  relative to the bottom housing  40  by reducing the friction between the top annular plate  36  and the bottom annular plate  54 . In a preferred embodiment there are two thrust bearings  64  positioned between the top annular plate  36  and bottom annular plate  54 . The thrust bearings  64  can be made of materials known in the art to facilitate this reduced friction rotational movement. For example, the thrust bearings can be made of a plastic material, such as high density polyurethane plastic and the like. Additionally, the thrust bearings have an internal diameter sized to allow the top tubular section  30  to pass within this internal diameter to facilitate the positioning of the top tubular section  30  within the mouth of the bottom tubular section  48 . 
         [0049]    The thrust bearing  64  can include one or more notches  65  that are positioned to engage stanchions  63  on the bottom annular plate  54 . These notches  65  and stanchions  63  maintain the rotational position of the thrust bearings  64  when the chute  14  is rotated by the rotary tool  60 . This further facilitates an ease in rotation of the chute for proper positioning in accordance with the attachment system  10 . The thrust bearing  64  can include a reduced diameter portion  67  that can sit in the mouth  50  to further facilitate rotation of the chute  14 . 
         [0050]    Preferably the bottom annular plate  54  is affixed to the mouth  50  of the bottom tubular section  48  while the bottom collar  42  is affixed opposite the bottom annular plate  54 . The spacing allows a portion of the top tubular section  30  to enter the mouth  50  and extend a distance within the bottom tubular section  48 . Correspondingly, the top annular plate  36  is attached to the top tubular section  30  that allows a portion of the top tubular section  30  to enter the mouth  50  of the bottom tubular section and extend within the length of the bottom tubular section  48 . This facilitates a transfer of the material  12  from the chute  14  into the top housing  22  and through the bottom housing  40  and into the storage bin  18 . The top collar  24  is spaced from the top annular plate  36  to provide room for the attachment and removal of both the top fasteners  28  and connecting fasteners  58  during the assembly and use of the first connection  20 . 
         [0051]    Also included is a protective ring  66 , which can be described as a dust cover ring, that extends from the top annular plate  36 . The protective ring  66  preferably extends to the bottom annular plate  54  when the plurality of connecting fasteners  58  attach to the top annular plate  36  to the bottom annular plate  54 . This protective ring  66  is sized to substantially cover the thrust bearing  64  and the overlapped portion of the mouth  50  around the top tubular section  30 . The protective ring  66  can include an outside circumference  68  having graduated markings  69  positioned to indicate a rotational position of the top housing  22  in relation to the bottom housing  40 . These graduated markings  69  facilitate the rotational positioning of the top housing  20  and, by its affixed connection to the chute  14 , the location of the chute  14 . This positioning of the chute dictates which potion of the internal diameter of the chute  14  engages the material  12  as the material  12  travels the chute  14 . 
         [0052]    These graduated markings  69  allow a user of the attachment system to accurately rotate the chute  14  around its axis to even the wear on the internal diameter of the chute  14  as caused by the material  12  during use of the chute  14  to transport that material  12  from the distribution location  16  to the storage bin  18 . A indicating marker  70  can be attached to the bottom housing  40 , and more specifically to the bottom tubular section  48 , to facilitate the positioning of the top housing  22  in relation to the bottom housing  40  as the top housing  22  is rotated by the rotary tool  60 . This indicating marker  70  can hold a fixed position such that the movement of the graduated markings  69  of the protective ring  66  is visually confirmed during the rotation of the top housing  22  by the rotary handle  60 . This visual confirmation also indicates the rotation of the attached chute  14  because of the fixed relationship of the top housing  22  and the chute  14  to their shared axis. 
         [0053]    The protective ring  66  can form a seal between the top annular plate  36  and bottom annular plate  54  to further protect the interaction between the top housing  22  and bottom housing  40  as well as protect the material  12  from external influences such as weather and animals. 
         [0054]    In another embodiment, the attachment system  10  can include a second connection  72  wherein the second connection  72  is designed similar to the first connection  20 . The second connection  72  can include a top housing  74 , bottom housing  76  and connecting fasteners  78  similar to the top housing  22 , bottom housing  40  and connecting fasteners  58  as previously described. The second connection  72  can be designed such that the bottom housing  76  connects to the chute  14  while the top housing  74  connects to the distribution location  16 . This connection  72  can be designed such that absent the connecting fasteners  78 , the top housing  74  and bottom housing  76  can rotate independently from the force exerted by the rotary tool  60 . The top housing  74  can include a top annular plate  36  as previously described or alternately can include an annular plate  80  that lacks the protrusions  37  as previously described. Additionally, the second connection  72  can include a protective ring  66  as previously described. Alternately, the second connection  72  can include a protective ring  82  that can form a seal between the top housing  74  and bottom housing  76  but is absent the graduated markings  69 . 
         [0055]    Additionally, the second connection  72  can include a safety device  84  that can attach to the top housing  74  to maintain a relative relation between the top housing  74  and the bottom housing  76  when the connecting fasteners  78  are removed. For example, this safety device  84  can extend from the protective ring  82  or the annular plate  80  such that the safety device  84  restricts the movement of the bottom housing  76  away from the top housing  74  when the connecting fasteners  78  are removed. The safety device  84  can have an extension  86 , or a lip  86 , that engages the bottom annular plate  54  of the bottom housing  76  when the connecting fasteners  78  are removed. 
         [0056]    In this embodiment, the bottom annular plate  54  of the bottom housing  76  has limited linear movement along the axis of the second connection  72  wherein the connecting fasteners  78  are removed. This allows a limited separation between the annular plate  80  of the top housing  74  and the bottom annular plate  54  of the bottom housing  76  to facilitate rotation of the top housing  74  relative to the bottom housing  76  while protecting from a complete disassociation and dropping of the bottom housing  76  from the proximity of the top housing  74  when the connecting fasteners  78  are removed. This essentially keeps the bottom housing  76  and its attached chute  14  from falling to the ground when the connecting fasteners  78  are removed. The safety device  84  can also be described as a secondary securing device  84 . 
         [0057]    Alternately, the second connection  72  can have the top annular plate as previously described while the first connection  20  can have an annular plate  80  as described. More specifically, the top annular plate  36  as described could be affixed to the bottom housing  76  of the second connection  72 . In this manner the rotary tool  60  could attach directly to that top annular plate  36  on the bottom housing  76  of the second connection  72  such that the rotor tool  60  could rotate the bottom housing  76 , chute  14 , and top housing  22  of the first connection  20  when the connecting fasteners  78  and  58  are removed. 
         [0058]    In operation, the attachment system  10  facilitates connection from a distribution location  16  to a storage bin  18 . When the bottom of the chute  14 , or the internal portion of the chute  14  that consistently engages the material  12  wears by use over time, the attachment system  10  can be used to rotate that contact location between the material  12  and the chute  14 . This effectively prolongs the life of the chute  14 . This rotation can occur by the removal of the connecting fasteners  58  and  78  at the first connection  20  and second connection  72 , respectively. This effectively disengages the top housing  22  from the bottom housing  40  of the first connection  20  and the top housing  74  from the bottom housing  76  of the second connection  72 . 
         [0059]    In practice, the bottom housing  76  of the second connection  72  is attached to the chute  14  with the chute  14  attached to the top housing  22  of the second connection  20 . The rotary tool  60  can then be used to rotate the top housing  22  chute  14  and bottom housing  76  to reposition the contact area within the chute  14  for the material  12 . The connecting fasteners  58  and  78  can then engage and affix the top and bottom housings of the first and second connections such that the chute and first and second connections are again attached and secure. The material  12  can then continue its path from the distribution location  16  to the storage bin  18 . Again, this controlled rotation of the chute  14  is facilitated by a protective ring  16  and more specifically by the graduate markings  69  and indicating marker  70 . 
         [0060]    The top annular plate  36  is shown with eight of the protrusions  37  and four of the top housing attachment apertures  38 . While this number may be preferred, other numbers are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the top housing attachment apertures  38  can number anywhere from two or more with the purpose of securely attaching the top housing  22  to the bottom housing  40  and allowing multiple rotational positioning of the top housing  22  with respect to the bottom housing  40 . 
         [0061]    Absent the second connection  72 , the first connection  20  can be used in conjunction with conventional connection methods known in the art to attach a chute  14  and a distribution location  16 . For example, a slip ring can be used to attach the chute  14  and a distribution location  16  to facilitate movement of the material  12  from a distribution location  16  into the top of the chute  14 . Additionally, the chute  14  can be support by other conventional support device  88  as known in the art. 
         [0062]    Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Connection For A Grain Bin Allowing Rotation Of The Supply/Removal Chute it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.