US3248142A - Bottom discharge bin latching assembly - Google Patents

Description

R. w. SCHACKERMAN 3,

BOTTOM DISCHARGE BIN LATCHING ASSEMBLY April 26, 1966 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1963 INVENTOR.

REUBEN W. SCHACKERMAN Posifion B AGENT April 1966 R. w. SCHACKERMAN 3,248,142

BOTTOM DISCHARGE BIN LATCHING ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 9, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 k 5 g j [7/ Fig.5

INVENTOR.

REUBEN W. SCHACKERMAN BY g? AGENT United States Patent 3,248 142 BOTTOM DISCHARGE Blfil LATCHING ASSEMBLY Reuben W. Schackerman, Haddonfield, NJ., assignor to Pennsalt Chemicals Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Dec. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 328,973 4 Claims. (Cl. 292238) This invention relates generally to bottom discharge bins used for the storage and transport of bulk materials and deals particularly with an improved latch mechanism for the cover of the discharge opening of such bins.

In the storage and transport of bulk materials such as powders, pellets, granules, etc., it is frequently desirable to use a bin which is provided with a bottom discharge opening. In one type of such bin a slidable gate arrangement is used to permit discharge of the contents. However, opening a loaded bin having a sliding gate requires considerable force to overcome the friction involved. Furthermore, such gates are subject to freezing of the slide channel and therefore such arrangements are not entirely satisfactory. Alternatively, the discharge opening 11. A cover 12 for the discharge opening is pivotally attached at 13 and is fitted with a resilient gasket 14. An upwardly-curved cover extension 15 which may optionally have a wear plate 16 is shown held in a closed position by the latching mechanism 17. The latching mechanism 17 comprises supporting means such as a pair of Support brackets 18 (see FIGURE 4) spaced apart and extending vertically from a bottom portion of the bin. Each of said support brackets has an angled slot 19 with an offset notch or recess 20, preferably arcuate as shown. The angular position of the slot is such that the bottom of the slot is closer to said cover pivoting means 13 than is the top of said slot. The offset notch or recess 20 is between the top and bottom at the slot and is on the side of the slot away from the cover-pivoting means 13 and will preferably be at about the center of said angled slot. Positioned between the support brackets 18 (as shown in FIGURE 4) is a cam 21 having as shown in the side view drawings, an essentially elliptical vertical cross section, said cam having an edge projection 22.

The edge projection 22 will preferably extend along the opening may be closed by a cover arrangement 'pivotally attached to the bottom of said bin so that the cover swings downwardly from a closed position to an open position to allow the contents of the bin to be discharged. With such cover arrangements used in the past, however, the cover, when released from its closed position by a latch mechanism, immediately opened completely and offered no control as to the rate of discharge of the bin contents.

It is an object of this invention to provide a bin having a bottom discharge opening whereby the cover may be unlatched to a first partial open position and subsequently further unlatched to a full open position, thereby permitting the operator of the bin an opportunity to control the initial rate of flow of the discharged material and to inspect the operation of the bin while in use to determined if the bin is properly seated over a receiver for its contents, and to observe the contents and operation of the bin at the point of use.

It is a further object'of this invention to provide a latch mechanism for the bottom closure of a bottom discharge bin which may be operated readily and easily by rotary motion and at a distance from the opening of the bin by means of an actuating tool. Further objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be apparent by consideration of the following drawing, description, and claims which follow.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary sectional View of a bottom discharge bin showing the discharge portion ofthe bin with a hinged cover and the latching assembly of this invention holding the cover in a closed position.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view as in FIG- URE 1, but showing the cover in a partially-opened position.

FIGURE 3 is a close-up side view of the closure assembly showing a partially opened position (Position A) and showing further the motion to completely release the cover (Position B). I

FIGURE 4 is an end view of the latching assembly and also illustrates a section of a rotating tool and its engage ment with shaftmeans of the latch.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 1 showing an embodiment of the invention in which a cover for the bottom bin is adjustably attached to a coverretaining member which retaining member is engaged by the latch mechanism of the invention.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate variations in the shape of the cam latch comprising a part of the latch mechanism.

Reference numeral 10 in FIGURES l and 2 indicates the bottom wall of a bottom discharge bin having an interior hopper 10a which communicates with a discharge Shaft means 23 pivotally support cam 21for movement about a,substantially horizontal axis and said shaft means are carried by the angled slots of said brackets. At least one of said shaft means is provided with means to engage a tool to rotate the cam. Optionally, there may be provided near or adjacent the angled slot and mounted on the support brackets, stopping means 26 in order to prevent fullrotation of said cam. In order to ensure that the cover extension 15 may clear the latching mechanism when swinging to the open position, it is preferable that it not extend beyond centerline a-a shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 illustrates in more detail the tool for engagement with thecam shaft 23 for rotating the cam about its axis. In FIGURE 4 the engaging means is a T bar on the shaft which engages a slot of the tool 25. However, it will be understood that other forms of tool engagement may be used as for example a square or hexagonal nut on the shaft 23 with a corresponding mating piece on the tool 25.

Operation of the latch device is quite simple and easily carried out at a distance from the latch itself by means of the actuating tool. To open the cover from a closed position, the cam is rotated as shown by the arrow in FIGURE 1 allowing the cover 12 to drop and rest on the end of the cam which has been turned about In this manner there is obtained a partially-opened position as shown in FIGURE 2. This partially-opened position is further illustrated by the broken lines shown in Position A of FIGURE 3. .It may be seen that further rotation of the cam in the same direction, as shown by the arrows, engages the projection 22 with the cover extension 15. The' rotation of the cam forces the projection 22 against the end of cover extension 15, which with continued rotational force applied causes the shafts 23 to move into the off-set position by occupying recess 20. When this occurs, the cover falls, clearing the latch mechanism as shown in Position B and thereby achieving a fully-opened position. Upon removal of the rotating tool from engagement with the cam shaft, the cam may be allowed to fall by gravity from the off-set notch to the bottom of the angular slot. Thus, the offset notch is preferably arcuated to aid this falling movement of the cam.

To close the cover of the bottom discharge bin, the procedure is simply reversed. The cover is raised and as it approaches the latch mechanism it contacts the cam. With further raising, the cover extension pushes the cam shafts into the off-set and thereby is able to proceed upward clear of the cam whichthen drops by.

gravity into the lower portion of the angled slot. The cover extension above the cam may now rest on the cam to assume a partially-open position as shown in FIGURE 2. Engagement of the tool with the actuating means on the shaft then permits rotation of the cam in a manner opposite to the arrow shown in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 3 so that the cam engages the cover extension and raises it to the closed position. i

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made to various features of thedevice. In FIGURE 5 for example, there is illustrated a bottom portion of a bin in which the cover 27 for the discharge opening is adjustably mounted by means of a. threaded bolt 28 to a cover-retaining bar 29 which is pivotally attached at 13 to the bottom of the bin and which is engaged by the latching mechanism as previously illustrated. An advantage of this embodiment is that it permits adjustment of the cover upon the resilient gasket 14 and thereby enables a tight closure to be maintained even though dimensional changes due to wear might occur.

In FIGURES 6 and 7 there are illustrated cams for the latching mechanism which differ in shape from the cam shown in the previous drawings. In FIGURE 6 the cam has a flat top which is useful to provide a greater contact surface between the cam and the wear plate 16. In FIGURE 7 there is illustrated a lobed cam which enables a more positive seating arrangement to be obtained. In this embodiment of the invention the extension of the cover or cover-retaining bar has a nub 30 at its end and adjacent said nub seating means such as a depression into which the lobe 32 of the cam 21 seats. It is preferable that the nub 39 not extend beyond the center line aa in order for the cover extension to easily clear the cam in the full release position (i.e. with the cam shafts in the oiTset notch). It will be understood further that the cam, the cover extension or retaining bar, and the various other parts of the latching mechanism may be modified in numerous ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a bin having a bottom discharge opening the im provement which comprises, in combination, a cover for said bottom discharge opening and a cam latching mechanism therefor;

said cover having means pivotally attaching it to a bottom portion of said bin to swing downwardly from a closed position to an open position, and having an upwardly curved extension on a side opposite said pivoting means;

said latching mechanism comprising:

A. supporting means extending vertically from a bottom portion of said bin, said supporting means having an angled slot with an offset notch between the bottom and top of said slot, the angular position of said slot being such that the bottom of said slot is closer to said cover pivoting means than is the top of said slot, said offset being on the side of said slot away from Said cover pivoting means,

B. a cam having an edge projection extending at one end,

C. shaft means pivotally supporting said cam for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis, said shaft means being carried by said slot in said supporting means, said shaft means being capable of engagement with a tool to rotate said cam about its axis,

whereby, 7

said upwardly-curved extension of said cover in its closed position rests on an end of said cam and when unlatching said cover by rotating said cam, said cover drops and said curved extension improvement which comprises, in combination, a cover for said bottom discharge opening and 'a cam latching.

mechanism therefor;

said cover having means pivotally attaching it portion of said bin to swing downwardly from a closed position to an open position, and having an upwardly curved extension on a side op-.

posite said pivoting means; said latching mechanism comprising:

A. a pair of support brackets spaced apart and extending vertically from a bottom portion of said bin, each of said brackets having. an angled slot with an arcuated center offset notch, the

angular position of said slot being such that the.

bottom of said slot is closer to said cover pivoting means than is the top of said slot, said oif set being on the side of said slot away from said cover pivoting means,

B. a cam having an essentially elliptical vertical cross-section positioned between said support brackets, said cam having an edge projection extending at one end,

C. shaft means pivotally supporting said cam for pivotal movement about-a substantially horizontal axis, said shaft means being carried by said slots in said brackets, means on said shaft means to engage a tool to rotate said cam about its axis, and cam stopping means attached to said support bracket at a point above .said ofiset notch to prevent full rotation of said cam;

whereby,

said upwardly curved extension of said cover in its closed position rests on an end of said cam 'and when unlatching said cover by rotating said cam about away from said cam stopping means, said cover drops and said extension rests on the opposite endzof said cam to achieve a partially open position, and whereby further rotation of said cam in the same direction, engages said projection with said cover extension and moves said Supporting cam shaft means into said arcuated offset notches allowing said cover to fall clear of said latching mechanism to a fully open position; and. whereby in closing said discharge opening said cover extension contacts said cam and moves said cam shafts into said arcuated offset notches to permit clearance of said cover extension as is moves to a position above said cam, said cam shaftj means thereafter returning by gravity to the bottom of said slots, thereby permitting said cover extension to rest on oneend of said cam and thereby holding said cover in a partially closed position until said cam is rotated further to raise said cover to a fully closed position.

3. In a bin having a bottom discharge opening, the

to a bottom:

for said bottom discharge opening and a cam latching portion of said bin to swing downwardly from mechanism therefor; a closed position to an open position, said coversaid cover retaining member having an upwardly curved having means pivotally attaching it to a bottom extension on a side opposite said pivoting means;

Portion of Said bill F Swing downwardly from said curved extension having seating means ada closed position to an open position, and havja t it nd;

ing an upwardly curved extension on a side opsaid latching mechanism comprising: posite said pivoting means, said curved exten- A. a pair of support brackets spaced apart and sion having sealing means adjacent its extending vertically from a bottom portion of Said latching mechanism comprising! said bin, each of said brackets having an angled cover in a partially closed position until said cam is rotated further to raise said cover to a fully closed position.

a P of pp ra kets spaced apart and 10 slot with an arcuated center offset notch, the extending vertically from a bottom portion of angular position of said slot being such that the said bin, each of said brackets having an angled bottom of said slot is closer to said cover pivotslot with an arcuated center offset notch, the ing means than is the top of said slot, said offangular position of said slot being such that the t being on th ide of aid slot away from bottom of said slot is closer to said cover pivotaid o ivotin means. ing means than is the P of said B said B. a lobed cam having an essentially elliptical set notch being on the Side of Said Slot aw y vertical cross-section positioned between said from said cover pivoting means, support brackets, said cam having an edge pro- B. a lobed cam having an essentially elliptical j ctio extending atone end,

vertical cross-section positioned between said C. shaft means pivotally supporting said cam for support brackets, said cam having an edge propivotal movement about a substantially horizonjection extending at one end, tal axis, said shaft means being carried by said C. shaft means pivotally supporting said cam for slots in said brackets, at least one of said shaft pivotal movement about a substantially hori- 2 means capable of engaging a tool to rotate said zontal axis, said shaft means being carried by cam about its axis, cam stopping means ati slots n said brackets, at least one f i tached to said support bracket at a point above shaft means capable of engaging a tool to rosaid oifset to prevent full rotation of said cam; tate said cam about its axis, cam-stopping whereby, means attached to said support bracket at a said seating means of said upwardly point above said offset notch to prevent full rocurved extension of said cover in its tation of said cam; closed position rests on said cam lobe whereby, and when unlatching said cover by ro- Said Seating means of Said P 3 tating said cam about 180 away from curved extension rests on said cam said stopping means, said cover drops 10116 in a cldsed 601/61 Position and and said extension then rests on the when unlatching saidcover by rotating opposite end of said cam to achieve a said cam about 180 away from said partially open position, and whereby stop, said cover drops and said eX e further rotation of said cam in the sion then rests on the opposite end of 40 same direction engages said cam pmsaid calm 'to achieve a partially op n jection with the end of said extension position, and whereby further rotaand moves said supporting cam shaft tion of said cam in the same directi n, means into said arcuated offset notches engages said cam projection with the allowing said cover to fall clear of said end of said extension and moves said latching mechanism to a fully open Supporting cam shaft means into said position; and whereby in closing said arcuated Ofisfit notches allowing said discharge opening said cover exten- Cover to fall clear of Said latching sion contacts said cam and moves said mechanism to a fully open p i cam shaft means into said arcuated and whereby in closing said discharge offset notches to permit clearance of op g said cover ns n on a t said cover extension as it moves to a said cam and moves said cam shaft position above said cam, said cam means into said arcuated otfset shaft means thereafter returning by notches to permit clearance of said gravity to the bottom of said slots, cover extension as it moves to a posithereby permitting said cover exten: tion above said said cam shaft sion to rest on one end of said cam means thereafter returning by-gravity and thereby holding said cover in a t0 the bottom of Said Slots thereby partially closed position until said permitting said cover extension to rest cam is rotated f th toward i on Said cam and thereby holding salde no stopping means to raise said cover to a fully-closed position.

References-Cited by the Examiner 4. In a bin having a bottom discharge opening, the UNITED STATES ENTS improvement which comprises in combination, a cover 714,376 11/1902 Howell 292-240 X for said bottom discharge opening and a cam latching 1,606,907 11/1926 Stevie 292-238 mechanism therefor; 2,482,516 9/1949 Sheesley -308 said cover 2,605,125 7/1952 Emerson 292-241 being attached to a cover-retaining member which 7 has means pivotally attaching it to a bottom 0 PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A BIN HAVING A BOTTOM DISCHARGE OPENING THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES, IN COMBINATION, A COVER FOR SAID BOTTOM DISCHARGE OPENING AND A CAM LATCHING MECHANISM THEREFOR; SAID COVER HAVING MEANS PIVOTALLY ATTACHING IT TO A BOTTOM PORTION OF SAID BIN TO SWING DOWNWARDLY FROM A CLOSED POSITION TO AN OPEN POSITION, AND HAVING AN UPWARDLY CURVED EXTENSION ON A SIDE OPPOSITE SAID PIVOTING MEANS; SAID LATCHING MECHANISM COMPRISING: A. SUPPORTING MEANS EXTENDING VERTICALLY FROM A BOTTOM PORTION OF SAID BIN, SAID SUPPORTING MEANS HAVING AN ANGLED SLOT WITH AN OFFSET NOTCH BETWEEN THE BOTTOM AND TOP OF SAID SLOT, THE ANGULAR POSITION OF SAID ALOT BEING SUCH THAT THE BOTTOM OF SAID SLOT IS CLOSER TO SAID COVER PIVOTING MEANS THAT IS THE TOP OF SAID SLOT, SAID OFFSET BEING ON THE SIDE OF SAID SLOT AWAY FROM SAID COVER PIVOTING MEANS, B. A CAM HAVING AN EDGE PROJECTION EXTENDING AT ONE END, C. SHAFT MEANS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING SAID CAM FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS, SAID SHAFT MEANS BEING CARRIED BY SAID SLOT IN SAID SUPPORTING MEANS, SAID SHAFT MEANS BEING CAPABLE OF ENGAGEMENT WITH A TOOL TO ROTATE SAID CAM ABOUT ITS AXIS, WHEREBY, SAID UPWARDLY-CURVED EXTENSION OF SAID COVER IN ITS CLOSED POSITION RESTS ON AN END OF SAID CAM AND WHEN UNLATCHING SAID COVER BY ROTATING SAID CAM, SAID COVER DROPS AND SAID CURVED EXTENSION RESTS ON THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID CAM TO ACHIEVE A PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION, AND WHEREBY FURTHER ROTATION OF SAID CAM IN THE SAME DIRECTION, FORCES SAID PROJECTION AGAINST SAID COVER EXTENSION AND MOVES SAID SUPPORTING CAM SHAFT MEANS INTO SAID OFFSET NOTCH ALLOWING SAID COVER TO FALL CLEAR OF SAID LATCH MECHANISM TO A FULLY OPEN POSITION.

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