Improvements in Grain Storage Bins.
Year: 1898

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Grain Storage Bins.
I, OLAF HOFF, of 231, Lumber Exchange Building, Minneapolis, County of
Hennepin, State of Minnesota, United States of America, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to a construction of storage bin for grain or the like so as
to be strong, durable and entirely fire-proof as I shall describe referring to the
accompanying drawings in which like letters and numbers denote like parts
throughout the several views, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a part of my improved
bin, with some portions broken away, Fig. 2 shews in perspective, part of the
structure on a larger scale; Figs. 3 and 4 are vertical sections illustrating modifi-
cations, Fig. 5 shews in perspective one of the bricks seen in Figs. 3 and 4, Fig. 6
shews in horizontal section, two of the adjacent lining sections which face the
uprights, Fig. 7 is a horizontal section of a square or rectangular bin.
Fig. 8 is a side elevation, with some parts broken away, of the bin illustrated
in Fig. 7.
I employ a framework consisting of uprights 1, preferably bars of H section,
and of horizontal ties 2 of angle irons but they may be of other forms, such as
the T-bars 2 (Fig. 3) or flat bars 2b (Fig. 4).
I preferably construct the bin in cylindrical form; the standards 1 being
arranged, and the ties so formed as to constitute a skeleton cylindrical framework.
To this metallic framework, I apply a lining or filling of fire-proof material, so
as to complete the walls of the bin and to cover or embed the metallic parts or
frame-work in fire proof material. This fire-proof lining or filling is preferably
composed of fire clay, of the form 3, in (Figs. 1 and 3) or of the form of a brick 4
with mortised edges (Figs. 3 to 6). Thus the lining is constructed in detachable
sections, provided with suitable recesses for embedding or covering the metallic
parts of the frame-work. In the construction shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 each fire-
proof section 3 has at one end, a tenon a and at the other a mortise a¹, so that the
sections 3 interlock with each other and with the horizontal tie-frames 2, at their
ends. The tenons a are so formed and placed as to abut against the vertical and
horizontal ribs of the angle iron ties 2, and the mortises a¹ are of sufficient size to
enclose both the ties and the tenon of the lower lining section. The lining sections
are thus interlocked with each other and with the metallic frame-work, in a manner
to afford a strong and tight joint. The sections of the lining which face the up-
rights 1 are longitudinally rabeted, as shewn at a² (Fig. 6) so as to receive the
upright in the recess.
Trough-shaped pieces 5 of fire-proof material, are applied to cover the outer parts
of the standards 1, thus completing the casing of the metallic frame-work. All
the pieces 3 or 4 and covers 5 are set with mortar or cement so that the metallic
frame-work is entirely covered and protected from fire.
As shewn in Figs. 3 and 4 the linings are bricks 4 provided at their opposite
ends with mortises b, adapting them to engage with the ties 2ª or 2b.

page_text: As above described a strong and durable bin is constructed entirely fire-proof,
having its interior comparatively smooth and dry. The fire-proof covering of the
metallic parts or framework prevents their warping and the consequent destruction
of the bin in case of fire. In the modification illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 uprights
connected by tie-rods make up the skeleton frame-work, and this skeleton frame-
work is filled in by fire-proof pieces some of which cover and insulate the uprights.
The intermediate uprights 6, are preterably bars of H section and the corner up-
rights, shewn at the right of Figs. 7 and 8 consist of four bars of trough section 7
held together by angle irons 9. Each of corner uprights shewn on the left in
Figs. 7 and 8 consist of a pair of angle-irons 10, placed angle to angle together,
and secured to a tie-plate 11. Tie-bolts 12 are passed centrally through the inter-
mediate uprights 6 and being screw-threaded at their ends, are held by nuts 13 on
the opposite sides of the webs of the uprights. The projecting ends of the tie-
rods 12 are connected to the corner columns by rods 14 which are connected to
them by yokes 15 and are fixed by nuts 16 to the adjacent corner columns. Diagonal
ties 17 connect the adjacent uprights 6 being passed through the webs of the up-
rights 6, and secured by nuts 18.
The spaces of the skeleton frame-work thus formed, are filled with fire-proof
blocks of either of the forms 19 or 20. The blocks which abut against the uprights
are so formed that they embrace and cover their adjacent flanges as shewn at 21,
22, 23 and 24. The corner columns at the right of Figs. 7 and 8 have their outer
surfaces covered with fire-proof pieces 25, and the corner uprights at the left are
covered and protected by fire-proof pieces 26. Thus the iron frame-work is entirely
covered and protected, or insulated from heat, by the filling blocks and the covers 25
and 26.
•
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. A storage bin for grain and the like consisting of metallic uprights, and
horizontal ties secured together to form a self sustaining skeleton frame-work filled
in with refractory blocks which interlock with each other and the ties, substantially
as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive.
2. The combination of several storage bins of modified form substantially as
described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8.
Dated this 9th day of November 1897.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.