Patent ID: 8567135

Claim:
A grain storage pit comprising: an open-top chamber configured to be substantially flush-mounted in a surface, the open-top chamber comprising: a number of generally vertically-extending sidewalls; a number of inwardly-sloping bottom walls depending from the vertically-extending sidewalls to define a lower collection area; an upper circumferential lip extending outwardly from a top margin of the vertically-extending sidewalls; a grain-receiving grate that covers at least a portion of the open-top chamber so that grain may be poured into the open-top chamber through the grate, the grate comprising: a plurality of spaced-apart supports each being uniformly triangular in cross sections perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, the sections being narrowest at an upper end and widest at a lower end, and extending outwardly from the chamber for supporting the chamber when installed; a plurality of cross treads supported by the supports, the supports being notched for receiving the cross treads, and the cross treads extending above the supports, extending at least a width of the chamber and being supported by the supports from underneath and sufficiently rigid and close to each other to cooperatively support a wheel of a loaded vehicle; and at least one unloading port in communication with an interior portion of the open-top chamber for facilitating removal of grain from the pit.