# US 11,111,074 B2 · Safety grain bin door latch system

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- Number: US 11,111,074 B2
- Document ID: US11111074B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/935,938
- Filed: 2020-07-22
- Published: 2021-02-04
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2019-07-29
- Assignees: Sukup Manufacturing Company
- Applicants: Sukup Manufacturing Co.
- Inventors: Connor Lee West; Andrew Joseph Sauerbrei; Bradley Allan Poppen; David Jay Brownmiller; John Arthur Hanig
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11111074B2

## CPC

- B65D 90/22: Safety features
- B65D 88/08: with a vertical axis
- B65D 90/008: {Doors for containers, e.g. ISO-containers (locking E05B83/12)}
- B65D 90/024: {with features of cylindrical curvature}
- E05C 7/005: {for "Dutch doors", i.e. upper and lower wings}
- E05C 7/02: for wings which lie one behind the other when closed {(E05C7/002 takes precedence)}
- A01F 25/16: Arrangements in forage silos
- A01F 25/163: {in tower silos}
- E05Y 2999/00: Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- E05C: BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS (latching means for sideboard or tailgate structures for vehicles B62D, {B62D33/02}; fastening devices for constructional or engineering elements E04, F16B; locks, fastening devices structurally or operatively combined or having significant cooperation with locks E05B; means for operating or controlling wing fasteners in conjunction with mechanisms for moving the wing E05F)
- A01F: PROCESSING OF HARVESTED PRODUCE; HAY OR STRAW PRESSES; DEVICES FOR STORING AGRICULTURAL OR HORTICULTURAL PRODUCE (devices for topping or skinning onions or flower bulbs A23N15/08)
- E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF

## Abstract

A safety door latch system is presented for a grain bin having a door frame. An inner door is connected to the door frame that is configured to move between an open position and a closed position. An outer door is connected to the door frame and is configured to move between an open position and a closed position. A safety mechanism is connected to the door frame and is configured to move between an open position and a closed position. When the inner door frame is moved to a closed position, a portion of the inner door engages the safety mechanism thereby causing the safety mechanism to move to the closed position. When the safety mechanism is in the closed position, the outer door may be latched to the safety mechanism. When the safety mechanism is in the open position, the outer door cannot latch to the safety mechanism.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A safety grain bin door system for a grain bin having a sidewall the system, comprising:
a door frame connected to the sidewall;
the door frame having an upper frame member, a lower frame member and opposing side frame members;
an inner door;
the inner door connected to the door frame;
wherein the inner door moves between an open position and a closed position;
the inner door configured to transmit hoop stress across opposing side frame members;
an outer door;
the outer door connected to the door frame;
wherein the outer door moves between an open position and a closed position;
a safety mechanism;
wherein the safety mechanism prevents the outer door from closing when the inner door is in the open position.

### Claim 2

A safety grain bin door system for a grain bin having a sidewall the system, comprising:
a door frame connected to the sidewall;
the door frame having an upper frame member, a lower frame member and opposing side frame members;
an inner door;
the inner door connected to the door frame;
wherein the inner door moves between an open position and a closed position;
the inner door configured to transmit hoop stress across opposing side frame members;
an outer door;
the outer door connected to the door frame;
wherein the outer door moves between an open position and a closed position;
a safety mechanism;
wherein the safety mechanism prevents latching of the outer door in a closed position when the inner door is in an open position; and
wherein the safety mechanism includes a slot that receives a portion of the outer door when the outer door is in a closed position and the inner door is in a closed position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the safety mechanism is operably connected to the door frame.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the safety mechanism is operably connected to the outer door.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the safety mechanism is operably connected to the inner door.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the safety mechanism facilitates latching of the outer door in a closed position when the inner door is in a closed position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the safety mechanism moves between an open position, when the inner door is open, and a closed position, when the inner door is closed.

### Claim 8

A safety grain bin door system for a grain bin having a sidewall the system, comprising:
a door frame connected to the sidewall;
the door frame having an upper frame member, a lower frame member and opposing side frame members;
an inner door;
the inner door connected to the door frame;
wherein the inner door moves between an open position and a closed position;
the inner door configured to transmit hoop stress across opposing side frame members;
an outer door;
the outer door connected to the door frame;
wherein the outer door moves between an open position and a closed position;
a safety mechanism;
wherein the safety mechanism prevents latching of the outer door in a closed position when the inner door is in a open position; and
wherein the safety mechanism includes a lever that engages a portion of the inner door when the inner door is in a closed position.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the lever engages the portion of the inner door when the inner door is in a closed position such that when the inner door is in a closed position the lever of the safety mechanism engages the inner door and the safety mechanism is moved to a position wherein the outer door may latch in a closed position.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the lever that engages the portion of the portion of the inner door when the inner door is in a closed position such that when the inner door is in an open position the lever of the safety mechanism is not engaged with the inner door and the safety mechanism remains in a position wherein the outer door may not latch in a closed position.

### Claim 11

A safety grain bin door system for a grain bin having a sidewall the system, comprising:
a door frame connected to the sidewall;
the door frame having an upper frame member, a lower frame member and opposing side frame members;
an inner door;
the inner door connected to the door frame;
wherein the inner door moves between an open position and a closed position;
the inner door configured to transmit hoop stress across opposing side frame members;
an outer door;
the outer door connected to the door frame;
wherein the of door moves between an open position and a closed position;
a safety mechanism;
wherein the safety mechanism prevents latching of the outer door in a closed position when the inner door is in an open position; and
wherein the safety mechanism includes a bias member that maintains the safety mechanism in an open position when the inner door is in an open position.

### Claim 12

A safety grain bin door system for a grain bin having a sidewall the system, comprising:
a door frame connected to the sidewall;
the door frame having an upper frame member, a lower frame member and opposing side frame members;
an inner door;
the inner door connected to the door frame;
wherein the inner door moves between an open position and a closed position;
the inner door configured to transmit hoop stress across opposing side frame members;
an outer door;
the outer door connected to the door frame;
wherein the outer door moves between an open position and a closed position;
a safety mechanism;
wherein the safety mechanism facilitates latching of the outer door in a closed position when the inner door is in a closed position and
wherein the safety mechanism includes a lever that engages a portion of the inner door when the inner door is in a closed position.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the safety mechanism prevents latching of the outer door in a closed position when the inner door is in an open position.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the safety mechanism is operably connected to the door frame.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the safety mechanism is operably connected to the outer door.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the safety mechanism prevents latching of the outer door in a closed position when the inner door is in an open position.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the safety mechanism is operably connected to the inner door.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the lever engages the portion of the inner door when the inner door is in a closed position such that when the inner door is in a closed position the lever of the safety mechanism engages the inner door and is moved to a position wherein the outer door may latch in a closed position.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the lever engages the portion of the inner door when the inner door is in a closed position such that when the inner door is in an open position the lever of the safety mechanism is not engaged with the inner door and the safety mechanism remains in a position wherein the outer door may not latch in the closed position.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the safety mechanism includes a slot that receives a portion of the outer door when the outer door is in a closed position and the inner door is in a closed position.

### Claim 21 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the safety mechanism includes a bias member that maintains the safety mechanism in an open position when the inner door is in an open position.

### Claim 22 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the safety mechanism moves between an open position, when the inner door is open, and a closed position, when the inner door is closed.

### Claim 23

A safety grain bin door system for a grain bin having a sidewall the system, comprising:
a door frame connected to the sidewall;
the door frame having an upper frame member, a lower frame member and opposing side frame members;
an inner door;
the inner door connected to the door frame;
wherein the inner door moves between an open position and a closed position;
the inner door configured to transmit hoop stress across opposing side frame members;
an outer door;
the outer door connected to the door frame;
wherein the outer door moves between an open position and a closed position;
a safety mechanism;
wherein the safety mechanism provides a visual indication that the inner door is in an open position when the inner door is in an open position and the outer door is in a closed position; and
wherein the visual indication the safety mechanism provides that the inner door is in an open position is a first color.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The system of claim 23, wherein the safety mechanism is operably connected to the door frame.

### Claim 25 (depends on 23)

The system of claim 23, wherein the safety mechanism is operably connected to the outer door.

### Claim 26 (depends on 23)

The system of claim 23, wherein the safety mechanism prevents latching of the outer door in a closed position when the inner door is in an open position.

### Claim 27 (depends on 23)

The system of claim 23, wherein the safety mechanism is operably connected to the inner door.

### Claim 28 (depends on 23)

The system of claim 23, wherein the safety mechanism moves between an open position, when the inner door is open, and a closed position, when the inner door is closed.

### Claim 29 (depends on 23)

The system of claim 23, wherein the visual indication the safety mechanism provides that the inner door is in a closed position is a second color.

### Claim 30

A safety grain bin door system for a grain bin having a sidewall the system, comprising:
a. door frame connected to the sidewall;
the door frame having an upper frame member, a lower frame member and opposing side frame members;
an inner door;
the inner door connected to the door frame;
wherein the inner door moves between an open position and a closed position;
the inner door configured to transmit hoop stress across opposing side frame members;
an outer door;
the outer door connected to the door frame;
wherein the outer door moves between an open position and a closed position;
a safety mechanism;
wherein the safety mechanism provides a visual indication that the inner door is in an open position when the inner door is in an open position and the outer door is in a closed position; and
wherein the safety mechanism includes a lever that engages a portion of the inner door when the inner door is in a closed position.

### Claim 31

A safety grain bin door system for a grain bin having a sidewall the system, comprising:
a door frame connected to the sidewall;
the door frame having an upper frame member, a lower frame member and opposing side frame members;
an inner door;
the inner door connected to the door frame;
wherein the inner door moves between an open position and a closed position;
the inner door configured to transmit hoop stress across opposing side frame members;
an outer door;
the outer door connected to the door frame;
wherein the outer door moves between an open position and a closed position;
a safety mechanism;
wherein the safety mechanism provides a visual indication that the inner door is in an open position when the inner door is in an open position and the outer door is in a closed position; and
wherein the safety mechanism includes a bias member that maintains the safety mechanism in an open position when the inner door is in an open position.