GRAIN BYPASS FOR STORAGE BIN AND EXTERNAL AUGERS

Abstract

A grain bypass can be retrofit to an out auger of a grain bin. This allows for the transfer of grain, such as corn, from the grain bin to a portable auger and/or truck or other type of transfer vehicle. The grain bypass can be configured to instead divert grain down a second bypass path so as to substantially cleanout the grain bypass housing. The grain bypass includes a slide that can be inserted into the grain bypass in two separate positions so that the slide can always be contained within the system, and thus remain with the system at all times.

Claims

1. A grain bypass comprising: opposing side plates having (i) a trapezoidal shape; and (ii) at least one guide rod welded thereto; a top plate connecting the opposing side plates; an angled base plate connecting the opposing side plates, said angled base plate opposing the top plate; a removable slide that can be inserted into a first position wherein the removable slide rests on the at least one guide rod and into a second position wherein the removable slide substantially overlaps with the angled base plate; and a grain inlet for receiving grain at a first height and an opening for discharging grain at a second height, said second height being lower than the first height; wherein when the removable slide is in the first position the grain is not allowed to pass through the grain inlet and when the removable slide is in the second position the grain is allowed to pass through the grain inlet so that the grain can be discharged by gravity through the opening.

2. The grain bypass of claim 1 further comprising a biased safety door that closes the opening when grain is not passing therethrough but opens when grain pushes against said door when the removable slide is in the second position.

3. The grain bypass of claim 2 wherein the bypass safety door comprises: a body spanning a width from a left-side edge to a right-side edge, a pipe locate at a top edge of the body, and a blunt edge opposite the pipe between said left- and right-side edges.

4. The grain bypass of claim 1 wherein the removable slide forms an acute angle with a horizontal axis parallel with the ground when the removable slide is in the second position.

5. The grain bypass of claim 3 wherein acute angle is approximately thirty degrees.

6. The grain bypass of claim 1 wherein the grain bypass the at least one guide rod comprises two guide rods welded to each of the opposing side plates.

7. The grain bypass of claim 1 wherein a length of the removable slide is at least four times a length of the top plate.

8. The grain bypass of claim 1 wherein the rods each comprise cylindrical bodies, first and second ends, cotters, and a circumferential surface.

9. The grain bypass of claim 1 wherein the removable slide and the angled base plate comprise corresponding locking apertures.

10. The grain bypass of claim 9 further comprising a locking mechanism that extends the corresponding locking apertures.

11. A grain bypass system comprising: a bypass housing comprising: a receiving portion for receiving grain from an out auger of a grain bin a bypass portion comprising: the grain bypass of claim 1; a transport portion oppositely located from the bypass portion; and a portable auger and/or transport vehicle fluidly connected to the transport portion for receiving the transport portion of the bypass portion.

12. The grain bypass system of claim 11 further comprising the out auger and the grain bin.

13. The grain bypass system of claim 11 wherein the transfer portion comprises a viewing window for viewing grain within the transfer portion and a cap for closing the viewing window during operation of the grain bypass system.

14. The grain bypass system of claim 11 further comprising an external fan or a dryer.

15. The grain bypass system of claim 11 further comprising ground support structures for stabilizing said grain bypass housing.

16. A method for transporting grain from a storage bin to a portable auger and/or transport vehicle comprising: moving grain with an auger from within said storage bin toward a grain bypass housing; inserting a removable slide into a grain bypass housing, wherein the removable slide can be secured in at least two distinct positions that are responsible for opening and closing at least two distinct paths for grain; operating a portable auger and/or transport vehicle fluidly connected to the transport portion for receiving the transport portion of the bypass portion.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising cleaning out the grain bypass housing.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the portable auger is angled such that, when the portable auger is operated, grain is moved upward and away from the grain bypass housing.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising operating the portable auger with an electronic drive unit.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising drying the grain.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Several embodiments in which the present invention can be practiced are illustrated and described in detail, wherein like reference characters represent like components throughout the several views. The drawings are presented for exemplary purposes and may not be to scale unless otherwise indicated.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows an elevational internal side view of a left-side plate for a grain bypass, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows an elevational internal side view of a right-side plate for a grain bypass, the right-side plate being shown as a substantially mirrored image of the left-side plate of FIG. 1, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a front elevational view of a top plate for a grain bypass, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a collection of rods usable with the grain bypass of the present invention(s), according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows a front elevational view of an angled base plate for a grain bypass, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows a front elevational view of a slide for a grain bypass, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 7 shows a front elevational view of a rod with cotters, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 8 shows a rear elevational view of a safety door, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 9 shows a photographic view of an exemplary grain bypass in a ‘closed’ position and thus allows grain to flow into a transfer portion of the grain bypass housing and to a portable auger and/or truck for transport, rather than so as to allow grain to flow freely out of the housing through an opening on the opposite side of the transfer portion.

[0032] FIG. 10 shows a photographic view of the grain bypass of FIG. 9 with the slide removed and the safety door exposed, emphasizing the central peg and/or handle of the safety door.

[0033] FIG. 11 shows a photographic view of an operator pulling on the central peg and/or handle of the safety door of FIG. 10 so as to allow the slide to be put into grain bypass housing.

[0034] FIG. 12 shows a photographic view of the grain bypass of FIG. 9 in an ‘open’ position such that grain is no longer allowed to flow freely out of the housing through an opening on the opposite side of the transfer portion.

[0035] FIG. 13 shows a photographic view of a transfer portion of the grain bypass located on a side opposite the bypass portion of the grain bypass, through which the grain can flow to a portable auger and/or truck for transport.

[0036] FIG. 14 shows a photographic view of an alternative embodiment of a grain bypass retrofit to a grain bin/out auger of another style and with different dimensions

[0037] FIG. 15 shows yet another a photographic view of an alternative embodiment of a grain bypass retrofit to a grain bin/out auger of another style and with different dimensions.

[0038] An artisan of ordinary skill in the art need not view, within isolated figure(s), the near infinite number of distinct permutations of features described in the following detailed description to facilitate an understanding of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] The present disclosure is not to be limited to that described herein. Mechanical, electrical, chemical, procedural, and/or other changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. No features shown or described are essential to permit basic operation of the present invention unless otherwise indicated.

[0040] Referring now to the figures, various components of the grain bypass are shown in detailed views through FIGS. 1-8.

[0041] FIGS. 1-2 show internal elevational views of side plates 100, 200 of the grain bypass. The side plates 100, 200 are preferably designed to mirror one another, though such a configuration is not required and some asymmetry can exist if the application permits. The side plates 100, 200 can thus be identically constructed and later deviate into left-side plate 100 and right-side plate 200 prior to attaching guide rods thereto.

[0042] In greater particularity, FIG. 1 shows the left-side plate 100 including an internal surface 102. An external surface 104 exists opposite the internal surface 102, though is not seen in FIG. 1 (see FIG. 14, discussed infra). The internal and external surfaces 102, 104 of the left-side plate 100 are shown having a symmetric, trapezoidal shape, though other two-dimensional shapes can be used if the application permits/requires. The internal and external surfaces 102, 104 are conterminously joined at rear (proximate) edge 106 and a front (distal) edge 108. The rear edge 106 acts as the short base of the trapezoid, and the front edge 108 acts as the long base of the trapezoid. The rear and front edges 106, 108 are connected by way of the legs of the trapezoid, upper and lower edges 110, 112, which form acute angles 114, 116 with the horizontal rather than normal angles (as in a rectangle). The grain bypass works best by at a lower acute angle 116 of approximately thirty degrees (30°). The severity of the angles 114, 116 can vary, through can be specifically chosen to give a maximum distance out for the available height within the grain bypass. The left-side plate 100 includes an aperture 118 for mounting the left-side plate 100 to the rest of the grain bypass (e.g., other components of the grain bypass housing and/or augers within the grain bypass system). The aperture 118, in a non-limiting example, can comprise a five-eights inch (⅝″) diameter hole to allow rods and/or male threaded fasteners of a slightly smaller diameter to be slid therethrough.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the right-side plate 200 includes substantially identical and/or similar components as left-side plate 100, but with the internal and external surfaces 202, 204 switched. The side plates 100, 200 are, in a preferred embodiment, field-cut to fit and welded into place on either side of the angled base plate adjoining the top plate 300 (see FIG. 3, discussed infra).

[0044] The side plates 100, 200 can integrally, be adapted to, and/or later be assembled to include one or more guides or tracks. One such example of said guides or tracks is shown in FIGS. 1-2 as a first rod 120, 220 welded via welds 124, 224. Second, optional rods (not shown) can be welded within the general proximity of the first rods 120, 220.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, a top plate 300 can include a rectangular shape with contact surfaces 302 enclose by conterminous edges 304, 306. The upper and lower edges 304 of the top plate 300 in some embodiments are longer than the left- and right-side edges 306 of the top plate 300. More preferably, the upper and lower edges 304 of the top plate 300 are three-halves times the length of the length of the left- and right-side edges 306. The top plate 300 can be welded in place to the side plates 100, 200, other components of the grain bypass housing, and/or augers within the grain bypass system. In a preferred embodiment,

[0046] The welds between the top plate 300 preferably can form hermetic seals so that no material and/or moisture passing through the grain bypass seeps through the grain bypass housing. In some other embodiments, the top plate 300 can be removably secured (such as via mechanical fasteners, such as screws, bolts 126/226, nuts, washers 128/228 clamps, and the like) to the side plates 100, 200, other components of the grain bypass housing, and/or augers within the grain bypass system. For example, the top plate 300 is welded in place to the side plates 100, 200 at a sixty degree)(60° angle slightly above the top of the opening cut.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, a collection 400 of rods 402, 404, 406 is shown. Said rods 402, 404, 406 can be welded to left- and right-side plates 100, 200 and used as guides for other plates and components of the grain bypass system. The rods 402, 404, 406 can, as an example, comprise cylindrical rods. The cylindrical rods 402, 404, 406, can be fixed or otherwise attached to one or more surfaces such that in an operating position, the rods 402, 404, 406 can be used to support a removable slide 600 (see FIG. 6, discussed infra) and/or other plate that is slid on top of same. The cylindrical rods 402, 404, 406 can, by way of non-limiting example, comprise a half-inch (½″) diameter and be cut to a length of approximately nine inches (9″) long.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, the angled base plate 500 can be of a rectangular shape and can comprise angled base plate contact surface(s) 502, the upper/lower edges 504, the left- and right-side edges 506, and a locking aperture 508. The upper/lower edges 504 of the angled base plate 500, in some embodiments, can be shorter than the left- and right-side edges 506. In some further embodiments, the upper/lower edges 504 can be approximately nine sixteenths ( 9/16) the length of the length of the left- and right-side edges 506. The locking aperture 508, in some embodiments, can be located approximately an inch from the lowermost edge 504 of the angled base plate 500 and adapted to as to receive a locking mechanism 510 (see FIGS. 9 and 15, discussed infra).

[0049] One or more rods 402, 404, and/or 406 can be welded in place flush from the top edge of the angled base plate 500 to inside of the out auger 902 which seals grain from going into an auger that moves grain to the dryer (see FIG. 9, discussed infra).

[0050] Like the top plate 300, the angled base plate 500 can be welded in place to the side plates 100, 200, other components of the grain bypass housing, and/or augers within the grain bypass system. The welds between the angled base plate 500 preferably form hermetic seals so that no material and/or moisture passing through the grain bypass seeps through the grain bypass housing. In some other embodiments, the angled base plate 500 can be removably secured (such as via mechanical fasteners, such as screws, bolts 226, nuts, washers 228 clamps, and the like) to the side plates 100, 200, other components of the grain bypass housing, and/or augers within the grain bypass system.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the removable slide 600 can be of a rectangular shape and can comprise slide contact surface(s) 602, the upper/lower edges 604 of slide, the left- and right-side edges 606 of the slide, and a locking aperture 608. The upper/lower edges 604 of the removable slide 600, in some embodiments, can be shorter than the left- and right-side edges 606. In some further embodiments, the upper/lower edges 604 can be approximately one third (⅓ ) the length of the length of the left- and right-side edges 606. The materials of the removable slide 600 can be primed and painted for improving durability and/or aesthetics of the removable slide 600.

[0052] The locking aperture 608, in some embodiments, can be a five-sixteenths inch ( 5/16″) diameter hole and located approximately between an inch (1″) and three-halves inch ( 3/2″) from the lowermost edge 604 of the removable slide 600 and adapted to as to receive the locking mechanism 510. The locking aperture 608 of the removable slide 600 is thus located so as to line up with the locking aperture 508 of the angled base plate 500 so that the locking mechanism 510 can extend through both and fasten both to each other while the slide 600 is an overlapping position with the angled base plate 500. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism 510 is a 5/16 inch bolt inserted into the apertures 508, 608 to keep the removable slide 600 in place during operation of the grain bypass.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 7, alternative rods 700 can be used in addition to and/or in lieu of welded rods 400. They can include cylindrical bodies 702, first and second ends 704, 706, cotters 708, and a circumferential surface 710. The cotters 708 are pins or wedges that can pass through holes to fix parts tightly together, and the angle of the wedge determines the position of the parts being held.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 8, a safety door 800 comprises door body 802, a pipe 804, a blunt edge 806, and left- and right-side edges 808. The safety door 800 in some embodiments can comprise a square shape. In other embodiments, the left- and right-side edges 808 are just slightly longer than the length of the blunt edge 808 so that an orientation of the safety door 800 can be ascertained prior to installation. The safety door 800 in operation works to reduce grain splatter and deter rodents from entering the grain bypass. The safety door 800 can be put into place, and as an example, the cotter-type rods 700 welded into place on the slide plates 100, 200 so as to guide the slide 600. In one embodiment, the rods 700 are approximately three inches long so as to allow the safety door 800 to swing open and shut and to still allow grain to flow out. The safety door 800 is oriented such that gravity will act as a biasing mechanism to cause the safety door 800 to shut.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 9, the grain bypass in an operable position can divert the grain out the side of the out auger 902 opposite the dryer and drops it into a portable auger to transfer corn into a wagon or truck. The grain bypass housing 906 includes a receiving portion 904 that is cut directly into the out auger 902 and/or unloading auger that unloads grain from the grain bin 1400 (see FIG. 13, discussed infra). The slide 600 can be seen resting in a first position on the left-side plate first guide rod 120 and the right-side plate first guide rod 220 such that grain is not allowed to exit the opening that is covered by the safety door 800. Moreover, the slide 600 when in this first position supported by rods 120, 220 is located in front of and pushes the safety door 800 shut.

[0056] The bypass housing 906 and slide 600, in combination act as a bypass valve. Bypass valves are typically employed only in traditional fluid mechanics applications, and are thus unique in moving grain from an out auger 902 of a grain bin to a portable auger and/or truck for transportation.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the slide 600 can be removed from the position 900 shown in FIG. 9. To achieve the position 1000 shown in FIG. 10, the slide 600 can be inserted into the bypass opening (that exists between the front, distal edges 108, 208 of the side plates 100, 200) from a lower position. The slide 600 can be slid upward to the position 1100 shown in FIG. 11 until the lower most edge 604 of the slide 600 meets the lower most edge 504 of the angled base plate 500. The slide 600 is long enough so as to completely cutoff access to the transfer portion 1302 when locked into a bypass position 1200 (e.g. when in a position such that locking mechanism 510 can be put through both apertures 508, 608 of the angled base plate 500 and the slide 600, as shown in FIG. 12). In some embodiments, the left- and right-side edges 606 of the slide 600 can be approximately four times the length of the left- and right-side edges 306 of the top plate 306.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 13, a transfer portion 1302 of the grain bypass housing 906 comprises a viewing window 1304 with a cap 1306. When the slide 600 is in the position shown in FIG. 9 (an operating position), grain is allowed to transfer from the out auger 902 and to the portable auger 1308 through gravity and mechanical diversion of the grain. Thereafter, the grain can be transferred up (at an angle) through the portable auger 1308 by operating same with an electric motor 910. This will cause additional grain to fall into the transfer portion 1302 until the grain is completely depleted. The electric motor 910 can include a shield 908 for the motor's pulleys and belts.

[0059] In preferred embodiments, the portion of the housing 906 seen through FIGS. 1-8 is positioned beneath the transfer portion 1306. This feature can be advantageous because it can allow any excess grain trapped in the transfer portion 1306 after operation to be drained from the housing 906 after operation.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 13-15, various environments 1300, 1500 can be seen that emphasize the grain bin 1400 and the grain as it dries/moves through the grain bypass system.

[0061] Though drying is not required in locations external to the auger, a blower and/or heating device (e.g. a dryer) can be aid in pushing, pulling, and/or drying grain as in moves from the out auger 902 through the housing 906 and to other end use applications.

[0062] Based on the customer's out auger and the arrangement of the grain handling system, (where the dryer is located etc.) measurements of the grain bypass system can vary, but the principles of the aforementioned components shall still apply. Dimensions can be changed as necessary to fit individual needs. For example, dimensions of the corn slide can be altered to fit the size and height of each individual auger coming out of a wet bin 1400. The grain bypass can be adapted and/or sized so as to be usable with grains other than corn that need to be dried. Additionally, cuts can easily be made in one side of the head of the out auger to mount the grain bypass by welding.

[0063] The grain bypass system components described herein may comprise any one or a combination of any known rigid materials. The rigid materials, for example, can comprise such as metals and metallic alloys, steel, plastics, composites, wood, stone, glass, and synthetic materials imitating the properties of any of the preceding materials. In some embodiments, flat iron (approximately ten gauge) is used in the construction(s).

[0064] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of the stated objectives.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0065] The following table of reference characters and descriptors are not exhaustive, nor limiting, and include reasonable equivalents. If possible, elements identified by a reference character below and/or those elements which are near ubiquitous within the art can replace or supplement any element identified by another reference character.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 List of Reference Characters 100 left-side plate 102 left-side plate internal surface 104 left-side plate external surface 106 left-side plate rear (proximate) edge 108 left-side plate front (distal) edge 110 left-side plate upper edge 112 left-side plate lower edge 114 left-side plate upper acute angle 116 left-side plate lower acute angle 118 left-side plate mounting aperture 120 left-side plate first guide rod 124 left-side plate weld 126 bolt 128 washer 200 right-side plate 202 right-side plate internal surface 204 right-side plate external surface 206 right-side plate rear (proximate) edge 208 right-side plate front (distal) edge 210 right-side plate upper edge 212 right-side plate lower edge 214 right-side plate upper acute angle 216 right-side plate lower acute angle 218 right-side plate mounting aperture 220 right-side plate first guide rod 224 right-side plate weld 226 bolt 228 washer 300 top plate 302 top plate contact surface(s) 304 upper/lower edges of top plate 306 left- and right-side edges of top plate 400 collection of rods 402 first rod 404 second rod 406 third rod 500 angled base plate 502 angled base plate contact surface(s) 504 upper/lower edges of angled base plate 506 left- and right-side edges of angled base plate 508 locking aperture 510 locking mechanism 600 angled base plate 602 angled base plate contact surface(s) 604 upper/lower edges of angled base plate 606 left- and right-side edges of angled base plate 608 locking aperture 700 rod with cotter pin 702 cylindrical body 704 first rod end 706 second rod end 708 cotter 710 circumferential surface 800 safety door 802 door body 804 pipe 806 blunt edge of safety door 808 left- and right-side edge of safety door 810 handle/knob 900 first, operable position 902 out auger 904 receiving portion adapted to receive out auger 906 grain bypass housing 908 shield for motor pulleys and belts 910 electric motor 914 ground support structures for grain bypass system 1000 second, cleanout position with slide removed 1100 second, cleanout position with slide integrated and safety door open 1102 operator 1200 second, cleanout position with slide integrated and safety door shut but not locked into a bypass position 1300 grain bypass environment 1302 transfer portion 1304 viewing window 1306 cap 1308 portable (incline) auger 1400 storage bin 1500 alternative grain bypass environment(s)

GLOSSARY

[0066] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used above have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the present invention pertain.

[0067] The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include both singular and plural referents.

[0068] The term “or” is synonymous with “and/or” and means any one member or combination of members of a particular list.

[0069] The terms “invention” or “present invention” are not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompass all possible embodiments as described in the specification and the claims.

[0070] The term “about” as used herein refer to slight variations in numerical quantities with respect to any quantifiable variable. Inadvertent error can occur, for example, through use of typical measuring techniques or equipment or from differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of components.

[0071] The term “substantially” refers to a great or significant extent. “Substantially” can thus refer to a plurality, majority, and/or a supermajority of said quantifiable variable, given proper context.

[0072] The term “generally” encompasses both “about” and “substantially.”

[0073] The term “configured” describes structure capable of performing a task or adopting a particular configuration. The term “configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases, such as constructed, arranged, adapted, manufactured, and the like.

[0074] Terms characterizing sequential order, a position, and/or an orientation are not limiting and are only referenced according to the views presented.

[0075] The “scope” of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The scope of the invention is further qualified as including any possible modification to any of the aspects and/or embodiments disclosed herein which would result in other embodiments, combinations, subcombinations, or the like that would be obvious to those skilled in the art.