Rake Device on Friction-Driven Sweep Conveyor

Abstract

We disclose an apparatus for maintaining a flow of grain moving toward a rotating sweep conveyor. A rake extends longitudinally along the sweep. The rake is disposed along the leading sidewall of the sweep such that the rake is in the path of movement of the sweep as the sweep rotates within the bin. The rake has a plurality of projections that protrude from a shaft. A reciprocating drive assembly is connected to the driven roller and to the shaft. The reciprocating drive assembly causes the shaft to move forward and backward along the longitudinal axis of the sweep. The reciprocating shaft movement causes the projections to engage grain piles in the path of the sweep, causing the pile to collapse into a flowable particulate to be received by the sweep.

Claims

1-21. (canceled)

22. A method for providing a sweep conveyor with flowable grain from a grain pile without manual user intervention, the method comprising the steps of: a. Mounting a rake to a sweep conveyor such that the rake extends into a path of movement of the sweep conveyor as the sweep conveyor rotates; b. Rotating the sweep conveyor along the path of movement; and c. Engaging the rake with the grain pile to collapse the grain pile and provide the sweep conveyor with flowable grain without manual user intervention.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of: a. Reciprocating the rake.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the rake comprises a plurality of projection units that are longitudinally spaced-apart and protrude from a shaft, wherein the shaft extends along a longitudinal axis of the sweep conveyor.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of: a. Coupling a reciprocating drive assembly to the shaft to move the shaft forward and backward along a longitudinal axis of the sweep conveyor; and b. Reciprocating the plurality of projection units.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein at least one of the plurality of projection units further comprises a rectangular frame and a raised front portion.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of: a. Coupling a reciprocating drive assembly to a driven roller of the sweep conveyor; and b. Coupling the reciprocating drive assembly to the rake to move the rake.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the sweep conveyor is an auger.

29. A sweep conveyor configured to rotate within a bin along a path, the sweep conveyor comprising: a. A rake having a projection unit that extends into a path of movement of the sweep conveyor as the sweep conveyor rotates; and b. A reciprocating drive assembly operably coupled to the rake.

30. The sweep conveyor of claim 29, wherein the rake further comprises: a. A shaft; and b. A plurality of project units longitudinally spaced apart along the shaft.

31. The sweep conveyor of claim 30, wherein the shaft extends along a longitudinal axis of the sweep conveyor.

32. The sweep conveyor of claim 29, further comprising: a. A driven roller disposed within the sweep conveyor; and b. wherein the reciprocating drive assembly is also operably coupled to the driven roller.

33. The sweep conveyor of claim 29, wherein projection unit comprises a raised front portion.

34. The sweep conveyor of claim 33, wherein the projection unit further comprises a lower rear portion configured to engage grain aggregates that would otherwise be too large to enter the sweep conveyor.

35. The sweep conveyor of claim 33, wherein the projection unit further comprises a hollow center.

36. The sweep conveyor of claim 29, wherein conveyor is an auger.

37. The sweep conveyor of claim 29, wherein the rake further comprises a plurality of projection units.

38. A rake kit for use with a sweep conveyor having a conveyor frame, a driven roller, the sweep conveyor having a longitudinal axis, the rake kit comprising: a. A shaft; b. A plurality of projection units extending from the shaft; and c. A plurality of guide elements configured to be mounted to the conveyor frame along the longitudinal axis of the sweep conveyor for supporting the shaft.

39. The rake kit of claim 38, further comprising: a. A reciprocating drive assembly operably coupled to the shaft.

40. The rake kit of claim 39, wherein the reciprocating drive assembly is configured to be operably coupled to the driven roller.

41. The rake kit of claim 38, wherein the plurality of projection units comprise a hollow center.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Aspects are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a top side perspective view of an embodiment of the sweep and rake;

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of an embodiment of the sweep with the leading sidewall removed;

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a side perspective view of the proximal end portion of an embodiment of the sweep conveyor, with the hood removed;

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of the proximal end portion of an embodiment of the sweep conveyor;

[0024] FIG. 5 shows another view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, wherein the internal elements of the sweep are shown as dotted lines;

[0025] FIG. 6 shows another view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, wherein the walls of the conveyor frame are hidden from view and a portion of the upper belt portion is removed to reveal an embodiment of the roller guard assembly;

[0026] FIG. 7 shows a front side perspective view of an embodiment of the sweep conveyor showing the leading sidewall and rake;

[0027] FIG. 8 shows a top side perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, showing a closer view of the reciprocating drive assembly.