US2799378A - Spout distributors - Google Patents

Description

July 16, 1957 w. ENGLISH 2,799,378

sPoUT DISTRIBUTORS Filed March 2 8, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l `WEBER ENGLISH Fl G mlm/TOR.v

ATTORNEY.

July 16, 1957 Uw. ENGLISH 2,799,378

sPouT DISTRIBUTORS Filed March 28, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 2 E 5o f) 'L 40 1 I ,l FIG. 3 l ,f l' 67 5`9\ 67-fl a l l 54\ 57V FIG 5 5J L' '1 6 aa sa 56 WEBER ENGLISH INVENTOR.

BY' ATTORNEY.

iinited States Pate SPOUT DISTRIBUTORS Weber English, mgm, oreg. Application March 28, 1955, SerialNo. 497,219

10 claims. (c1. 19a- 23) My invention relates to improvements in spout distributors, such as those used in grain elevating and storage plants, in which a movable spout is adapted to receive grain from an elevator mechanism and deliver it to any one of several storage bins by means of suitable pipes radiating outward and downward from a plurality of outlets on said distributor. Moreover, my invention is an improvement in the type of distributors in which an articulated spout swings about a pivotal point within a vertical plane so that its lower end may connect with any one of several outlets, as determined by the operator.

It is among the disadvantages of distributors in current use that one or more elbows are employed adjacent to the point at which the movable spout connects with the outlet spouts, which results in a slower ow of grain Q and occasional clogging of the passage. Moreover, the height lost by the downward direction of such elbows must be compensated by an increased over all height of the elevator mechanism. A further disadvantage of present devices is that, from the operators remote station, it is difficult to accurately position the distributor spout so that theflow of grain will not be split between two adjacent outlets.

Among the objects of my improvement is the provision of a continuous straight passage at the junction of the swinging spout with each of the outlet spouts; a positive means of positioning the swinging spout relative to a selected outlet spout, so that grain iiowing through the distributor cannot be delivered to two outlets simultaneously; and means for preventing operation of the attached elevator whenever the movable spout is not properly positioned with respect to the selected outlet spout.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the specication and drawings.

Referring to the drawnigs:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the entire mechanism from the selector slots and cam side thereof.

Fig. 2 is a detailed elevational view of the lower end of the swinging spout, showing .the cam and the slideable sleeve motivated by said cam.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the entire mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the swinging spout taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows with the chain not being shown.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of a modified form of articulation for the swinging spout. v

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a modified form of articulation for the swinging spout.

Referring further to the drawings:

The frame of the distributor device includes a base member 10 shaped substantially as shown in Fig. 1 and frame members 11 and 12 directed upwardly and inwardly from the opposite extremes of base member 10 to a junction in the proximity of axis shaft 13 which is mounted in and supported by the junction of said frame members. From the junction of said frame members 11 and 12 an attached bracket 14 and its counterpart 14' are Fatented July 16, 1957 directed upwardly, forwardly and offset inwardly to contact the sides of inlet spout 15 which they support. As seen in Fig. l, base member 10 presents a straight base line, inwardly sloping ends and an arcuate upper boundary 10a having its center of curvature within the axis of shaft 13. Formed along the arcuate margin 10a of base member 10 are a plurality of slots 16, 17, 1S, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 which are directed radially outward from the axis shaft 13 as a center. The said slots are o f uniform width and depth and are spaced at a constant angular magnitude from each other. In shape and function the sections between said slots and the base member 10a approximate gear teeth. Parallel to the frame of members 11 and 12, bracket 14 and base member 10 and disposed on the opposite side of the distributor device are counterparts 11', 12 and 14' and a base member 24 (Figs. l and 2), which is symmetrical with base member 10 except for the arcuate upper boundary thereof which is of slightly greater radius, taking the center of axis shaft 13 as the center of curvature, then the Upper boundary of said base member 10. Further, the base member 24 is not provided with slots. The frame side composed of frame members 11 and 12 and the side composed of counterparts 11 and 12 are rigidly attached to each other by means of struts 25 and 25 and braces 26 and 26 positioned between the frame members 12 and 12.

At the extreme top of theV mechanism is an inlet spout 15 of rectangular cross section held in a vertical position by brackets 14 and 14'. The sides of spout 15 are flat, excepting the lower end of the forward side 27 which is of segmental cylindrical shape having its axis of curvature common to the axis of ,shaft 13. A swinging spout 28 of substantially the same cross section as spout 15 is pivotally mounted on shaft 13 and has its upper forward side formed into a segmental cylindrical section 29 adapted to encompass and swing about the cylindrical surface 27 with shaft 13 as a center. Swinging spout 28 is of such length that its lower end 3i) just clears a plurality of outlet spouts 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37 secured between base members 10 and 24. Spouts 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37 have their longitudinalvaxes directed radially with respect to shaft 13 while their upper ends lie in an arc of uniform radius about shaft 13 as a center. The angular magnitude ofthe center lines of spouts 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37 and that of slots 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 is of the same value with respect to the axis of shaft 13 as a center.

Bearing blocks 38 and 38 rigidly attached to spout 28 rotatably support two shafts 39 and 40 in a horizontal position. On the proximal end of shaft 39 (Figs. 1 and 2) is securely mounted a cam 41 having two diametrically opposite rollers 42 and 43 mounted on its face. The circumference of cam 41 is circular, excepting two 4flattened segments 44 and 45 diametrically opposite each other and intermediately located with respect to rollers 42 and 43. With the various movable parts in the relative positions shown in Fig. 1, it may be seen that roller 43 has its lower half within the upper limits of slot 16, while roller 42 occupies a similar position with respect to slot 17. A sprocket 46 (Figs. 3 vand 4) mounted on shaft 39 opposite cam 41 serves as a driver for said shaft and cam. Rigidly mounted on the opposite ends of shaft 40 are a rocker arm 47 and a bell crank 48, each of which have holes provided to receive studs 49 and 49 for imparting motion to an attached sleeve 50, which is slideable on the lower end of spout 28. Rocker arm 47 is designed to receive motion from cam 41 by means of a follower S1 rotatably mounted on a stud 52 projecting from the side of said arm 47. Means of maintaining contact between cam 41 and follower 51 include pivotal attachment to arm 47, at a point 53, of a push rod 54 mounting a spring 55 bearing a collar 56 attached to said push rod 54. A slide bearing 57 mounted on spout 28 (Fig. l) acts as a guide for push rod 54 and also serves to compress spring 55 against collar 56. The upper end of push rod 54 is suitably positioned to contact and actuate plunger 58 of an electrical switch 59 attached to spout 28 to allow or, upon proper occasion, prevent operation of the elevator. The sleeve 50 which is slideable upon spout 28 has its lower end 61 within the proximal end of one of the outlet spouts whenever said sleeve is in its lowermost position; but when in its uppermost position said sleeve is clear of outlet spouts 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37.

Shaft 13 has its left end extended beyond the frame to rotatably support two sprocket wheels 62 and 63 which are rigidly attached to each other. A sprocket chain 64 passes around sprockets 62 and 46 to produce simultaneous rotation of the two. A second sprocket chain 65 passes over sprocket 63 and thence to a suitable controlling and driving means which may include a crank driven sprocket placed at the operators station. Several prior arts disclose mechanism suited to this purpose, so it is not deemed necessary to include a detailed description herein.

Figs. 5 and 6 show an alternate form of spout articulation. A sloping transition 65' has its upper end formed square to connect with inlet spout 66, while its lower end is circular within a vertical plane at the point where it enters a round hole in the side of a swinging spout 67, thereby allowing spout 67 to turn about the end of section 65. Due to the circular shape of the connection between the parts involved, spout 67 may be swung in either direction from the vertical thereby doubling the number of outlet spouts which may be served. I am aware that there are many ways of constructing articulated spouts shown in the prior arts, hence I do not wish to limit the general scope of my invention to the embodiment of the two illustrative forms shown herein.

Assuming that the various parts of the mechanism are in the attitude indicated in Fig. l, the operation may be described as follows: Grain entering the inlet spout 15, from an associated elevator, flows by gravitation through a straight uninterrupted passage, including spout 2.8 and an inch or so of sleeve 50, thence into outlet spout 31 to which a suitable pipe may be attached to convey the grain to the proper bin. As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the lower end 61 of sleeve 50 enters spout 31 just far enough to close the small circumferential opening between spouts 28 and 31. Incidentally, with the mechanism in the attitude shown, push rod 54 is in its lowermost position,

Vhence out of contact with switch plunger 58, allowing switch 59 to assume the on position so that by suitable connection of wires 60 and 60 to a second manually controlled switch the elevator may be started or stopped at will. With switch 59 in the off position the elevator cannot be started.

If the operator desires to connect spout 28 with outlet spout 32, it is only necessary to rotate cam 41 one half revolution by means including shaft 39, sprocket 46, chain 64, sprockets 62 and 63, chain 65, and a suitable driving means for chain 65, such means is not considered a part of this invention. With the mechanism in the position shown in Fig. 1, it may be seen that a slight clockwise rotation of cam 41 will cause follower 51 and its supporting arm 47 to be raised, thereby lifting sleeve 50 upwards out of engagement with spout 31, meanwhile bell crank 48 cooperates with arm 47 to produce concentric lifting action on sleeve 50. Coincidentally, push rod 54 is raised against spring 55 and plunger S8 to open switch 59, thus preventing starting of the elevator, so long as sleeve 50 is not positively engaged in a selected outlet spout. With the rotation of cam 41, roller 43 is carried upwards out of slot 16, while roller 42 remains within slot 17 throughout the half revolution of cam 41, moving downwards during the first quarter turn, thence upwards to the top of slot 17, as cam 41 completes its half turn. Due to the action of roller 42 in slot 17, cam 41 and the entire assembly which mounts it is carried to the right so that swinging spout 28 now aligns with outlet spout 32, while roller 43 is within the top of slot 18. The flattened portion 44 of cam 41, now being under follower 51, allows spring 55 to depress rod 54, rocker 47 and sleeve 50, thereby completing the connection of the spout assembly with outlet 32, and also restoring switch 59 to the on position. To move spout 2S into alignment with the next outlet to the right it is only necessary to rotate cam 41 one half revolution clockwise, while a half revolution in the opposite direction swings spout 28 to the adjacent outlet on the left.

While the use of the switch 59 is desirable as a safeguard against operating the elevator with the disributor improperly adjusted, it is to be understood that said switch may be eliminated without departing from the true spirit of my invention. The rocker arm and bell crank, as shown and described, are provided to secure smoothness of operation of the various parts of the device. However, these items are not indispensable because the slideable sleeve 50 may be lifted by a cam having its follower attached directly to said sleeve 50, without materially departing from the broader aspects of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. In a distributor for grain or other granular materials: a frame; an inlet spout rigidly secured to said frame; a swinging spout movable in a vertical plane articulated with said inlet spout; an axis shaft at the top of said frame coupled to a source of power motivating said swinging spout; at the bottom of said frame, a base ymember consisting of an arcuate upper margin with its center of curvature in said axis shaft and a plurality of slots spaced at constant angular magnitude to each other in said arcuate margin and directed radially outward from the said axis shaft; a plurality of outlet spouts secured to the base member with their longitudinal center lines of the same angular magnitude as those of the cooperating slots in said base member; a slideable sleeve positioned on the lower end of said swinging spout sldeably engaging in the selected outlet spout; a cam positioned on the lower end of the swinging spout engaging and disengaging the slideable sleeve and the selected outlet spout, said cam having two flattened diametrically opposite sides; two diametrically opposite rollers spaced on said cam intermediate of the flattened sides thereof to engage in successive slots along the arcuate margin of the base mernber aligning the swinging spout and slideable sleeve with the selected outlet spout; a switch operated by said cam controlling the source of supply of grain or granular material; and a chain motivating the cam from and synchronizing it with the axis shaft and the swinging spout.

2. In a spout distributor for delivering grain, seeds or granules from elevating equipment at a level above the receptacles or compartments for receiving the same: a supporting frame; an inlet spout of rectangular cross section, held in vertical position by brackets at the top of the supporting frame and having its lower end of the forward side of segmental cylindrical shape; an axis shaft for a swinging spout; a swinging spout of substantially the same cross section as the vertical inlet spout, having its upward forward side formed into a segmental cylin- F drical section adapted to encompass and swing about the cylindrical surface of the lower segment of the vertical inlet spout, pivotally lmounted on its axis shaft so that the curvature of the upper segmental section of said swinging spout is common with the curvature on the forward side at the lower end of the vertical inlet spout; a plurality of outlets, leading to separate, selectively, compartments or receptacles, arranged iu an arc, said arc of the plurality of outlets having a common radius from the axis shaft of the swinging spout; means for, selectively, locking the swinging spout to a predetermined outlet or moving the same from one outlet to another; an adjustable attached sleeve segment at the bottom of the swinging spout, provided with mechanically synchronized means, selectively, for raising the same suticiently to clear the delivery outlets during the moving of the swinging spout or lowering the same to seal against leakage of the grain, seed or granules from between the lower end of the swinging spout and the outlet during the time that the swinging spout is locked in position for delivery of grain, seed or granules through the selected outlet.

3. In spout distributing equipment for controlling the delivery of grain, seed or granules by gravity flow from an upper level to receptacles at a lower level: a supporting frame; gular cross section, having a lower end of the forward side of segmental cylindrical shape of a given curvature to a com-mon axis; a shaft for the pivotal axis mounting of a'swinging spout; a swinging spout, the upper end of which is of substantially the same cross section as the vertical inlet spout formed into a segmental cylindrical portion adapted to encompass and swinging about the cylindrical surface of the lower portion of the vertical inlet spout on the shaft forming its axis; a plurality of outlets so arranged with reference to each other as to form an arc with the swinging spout serving as a common radius; an arc shaped plate provided with a plurality of locking notches spaced and arranged with reference to each other with like relation as that of the delivery outlets; a telescoping segment sleeve at the bottom of the swinging spout so adjustable, selectively, to clear the delivery outlets during the movement of the swinging spout or to lower into position, to seal against leakage between the swinging spout and the delivery outlet of grain, seed or other granules at a time when the swinging spout is locked in position for delivery of seed, grain or granules by gravity through a predetermined outlet; mechanical means for rotating the swinging spout on its axis from one delivery outlet to another; locking means connected to the lower portion of the swinging spout consisting of a cam, two rollers upon the cam adapted to enter the locking slots; a lever pivotally connected with the telescoping sleeve at the bottom of the swinging spout; a roller on said lever contacting the cam adapted to raise and lower the telescoping sleeve section at the bottom of the swinging spout; mechanical power means for rotating the cam; and switch controlling the supply of the grain, seed or granules being distributed.

4. In equipment for delivery of grain, seed or granules from a higher level by gravity to two or more receptacles at a lower level: a supporting frame; a substantially vertical inlet pipe secured at the top of the supporting frame, said inlet pipe angling at its lower end and shaped into a circle Within a vertical plane forming an axle for a swinging spout; a swinging spout having a round hole at its upper end by which it is mounted on the circular end of the inlet pipe within a vertical plane; an adjustable attached sleeve segment at the bottom of the swinging spout; and mechanical means synchronizing the adjustable attached sleeve segment and the swinging of the swinging spout to seat the outlet end of said spout to a selected receptacle for delivery of grain, seed or granules from the swinging spout.

5. In equipment for Idelivery of grain, seed or granules from a higher level by gravity to two or more receptacles at a lower level; a supporting frame; a substantially vertical inlet spout secured at the top of the supporting frame, said inlet spout angling at its lower end and shaped into a circle within a vertical plane so as to form an axle for a swinging spout; a swinging spout mounted on the lower end of an inlet spout acting as its axle; a plurality of outlets near the bottom of the frame arranged with reference to each other in an arc of a curvature corresponding to that provided by the swinging spout acting as a radius; a plurality of locking notches having a curvature, the common radius of which would be measured a substantially vertical inlet spout of rectan-A from'the axis of the swinging pipe; mechanically syn'- chronized means for raising the adjustable sleeve to clear the outlets during the swinging of the swinging pipe or, selectively, lowering the same and thereby sealing the space between the lower end of the swinging pipe and its outlet during the flow by gravity of the grain, seed or granules through the inlet, swinging spout and the outlet; and cam and lever adjusting means attached to the swinging spout adapted to raise and lower the adjustable sleeve to selectively permit the swing of the swinging spout, or locking of the same to a selected outlet.

6. In a distributor for grain or other granular materials: a frame; an inlet spout rigidly secured to said frame; a swinging spout movable in a vertical plane articulated with said inlet spout; an axis shaft at the top of said frame coupled to a source of power motivating said swinging spout; at the bottom of said frame, a base member consisting of an arcuate upper margin with its center of curvature in said axis shaft and a plurality of slots spaced at constant angular magnitude to each other in said arcuate margin and directed radially -outward from the said axis shaft; a plurality of outlet spouts secured to the base member with their longitudinal center lines of the same angular magnitude as those of the cooperating slots intsaid base member; a slideable sleeve positioned on the lower end of said swinging spout slideably engaging in the selected outlet spout; a cam positioned on the lower end of the swinging spout engaging and disengaging the slideable sleeve and the selected outlet spout, said cam having two attened diametrically opposite sides; two diametrically opposite rollers spaced on said cam intermediate of the flattened sides thereof to engage in successive slots along the arcuate margin of the base member aligning the swinging spout and slideable sleeve with the selected outlet spout; and a means of motivating said cam.

7. In a distributor for grain or other granular materials: a frame; an inlet spout rigidly secured to said frame; a swinging spout movable in a vertical plane articulated with said inlet spout; an axis shaft at the top of said frame coupled to a source of power motivating said swinging spout; at the bottom of said frame, a base member consisting of an arcuate margin and directed radially outward from the said axis shaft; a plurality of outlet spouts secured to the base member with their longitudinal center lines of the same angular magnitude as those of the cooperating slots in said base member; a slideable sleeve positioned on the lower end of said swinging spout slideably engaging in the selected outlet spout; a cam positioned on the lower end of the swinging spout engaging and disengaging the slideable sleeve and the selected outlet spout. said cam having two flattened diametrically opposite sides; two diametrically opposite rollers spaced on said cam intermediate of the flattened sides thereof to engage in successive slots along the arcuate margin of the base member aligning the swinging spout and slideable sleeve with the selected outlet spout; and mechanical means motivating the cam from and synchronizing it with the swinging spout.

8. In a distributor for grain or other granular materials: a frame; an inlet spout rigidly secured to said frame; a swinging spout movable in a vertical plane articulated with said inlet spout; an axis shaft at the top of said frame coupled to a source of power motivating said swinging spout; at the bottom of said frame, a base member consisting of an arcuate upper margin with its center of curvature in said axis shaft and a plurality of slots spaced at constant angular magnitude to each other in said arcuate margin and directed radially outward from the said axis shaft; a plurality of outlet spouts secured to the base member with their longitudinal center lines of the same angular magnitude as those of the cooperating slots in said base member; a slideable sleeve positioned on the lower end of said swinging spout slideably engaging in the selected outlet spout; a cam positioned on the lower end of the swinging spout engaging and disengaging the slideable sleeve and the selected outlet spout; and

mechanical means synchronizing the cam, the swinging spout and the slideable sleeve on said swinging spout,

selectively, to engage or disengage the selected outlet spout.

9. In a distributor for grain or other granular materials: a rigidly secured inlet spout; a swinging spout movable in a vertical plane articulated with said inlet spout; a source of power motivating said swinging spout; a base, positioned below the swinging spout, with an arcuate upper margin congured to the swing of the swinging spout, said arcuate upper margin having :1 plurality of slots therein spaced at constant angular magnitude to each other; a plurality of outlet spouts secured to the base with their longitudinal center lines of the same angular magnitude as those of the cooperating slots in said base; a slideable sleeve positioned on the outlet end of said swinging spout adapted to slideably engage the selected outlet spout; a double lift cam with two diametrically opposite rollers spaced thereon in line with the lifts adapted to engage in successive slots in the arcuate upper margin of the base, said cam engaging and disengaging the slideable sleeve and the selected Outlet spout; and mechanical means motivating and synchronizing the swinging spout, slideable sleeve and cam, selectively, engaging or disengaging the selected outlet spout.

10. In a distributor for grain or other granular materials: a frame; an inlet spout rigidly secured to said frame; a swinging spout movable in a vertical plane articulated with said inlet spout; an axis shaft at the top of said frame coupled to a source of power motivating said swinging spout; at the bottom of said frame, a base member consisting of an arcuate upper margin with its center of curvature in said axis shaft and a plurality of slots spaced at constant angular magnitude to each other in said arcuate margin and directed radially outward from the said axis shaft; a plurality of outlet spouts secured to the base member with their longitudinal center lines of the same angular magnitude as those of the cooperating slots in said base member; a slideable sleeve positioned on the lower end of said swinging spout slideably engaging in the selected outlet spout; a cam positioned on the lower end of the swinging spout engaging and disenga'ging the slideable sleeve and the selected outlet spout, said cam having two flattened diametrically opposite sides; two diametrically opposite rollers spaced on said cam intermediate of the flattened sides thereof to engage in successive slots along the arcuate margin of the base member aligning the swinging spout and slideable sleeve with the selected outlet spout; mechanical means synchronizing said swinging spout, slideable sleeve and cam to automatically engage or disengage, selectively, the swinging spout and slideable sleeve with the selected outlet spout; and a means of motivating said cam.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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