US 2003/0078085 A1 · Grain storage tank cover, and tanks covered

Abstract

Novel covers for grain storage tanks on harvesting machines such as combines. Rigid cover panels of the cover are preferably fabricated of double-wall plastic to limit weight of the cover while providing desired strength and rigidity. The rigid cover panels can be pivoted about top edges of an underlying grain tank whereby the cover panels function as a height extension of the underlying tank, thus to increase the grain-carrying capacity of the tank. Flexible transition panels are preferably mounted to the rigid cover panels to bridge spaces between edge regions of the rigid cover panels when the rigid cover panels are raised to their upright, tank-extending orientations. A preferably single underlying actuator in the tank, in combination with mechanical linkages, can simultaneously raise all the rigid cover panels, all the flexible transition panels, and the discharge end of a clean grain elevator which discharges grain into the tank.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A grain storage tank cover, for use in combination with an underlying grain storage tank on an agricultural harvesting machine, such grain storage tank having a plurality of walls defining an underlying tank structure, and a top opening to be overlain and closed by said grain storage tank cover, said grain storage tank cover comprising a plurality of rigid polymeric cover panels each having a proximal edge, an opposing distal edge, and side edges, said polymeric cover panels being adapted for pivoting attachment to such underlying grain storage tank at the proximal edge such that each said cover panel, when attached to such grain storage tank, is adapted to pivot at such proximal edge and thereby to pivot between a closed position covering at least a portion of the top opening, and an open position facilitating access to such grain storage tank from above, the plurality of rigid polymeric cover panels being adapted collectively to close a such top opening when pivoted downwardly, and to expose such top opening when pivoted upwardly.

(a) at least a first pair of opposing generally rigid polymeric cover panels, adapted for pivoting attachment to such underlying grain storage tank and, when attached to such grain storage tank, each such pair of rigid polymeric cover panels being movable between a closed position covering at least a portion of the top opening, and an open position facilitating access to such grain storage tank from above;
and
(b) actuator apparatus comprising a single lifting and lowering actuator underlying, and connected to, said rigid polymeric cover panels, and underlying mechanical linkages connecting said single actuator to each of said polymeric cover panels, said single actuator, when mounted to such underlying grain storage tank and in combination with said mechanical linkages being effective, upon actuation of said actuator, to cooperatively lift all of said rigid polymeric cover panels, thereby to open said grain storage tank cover.

(a) at least first and second opposing generally rigid cover panels, each having a proximal edge, an opposing distal edge, and side edges, said cover panels being adapted for pivoting attachment to such underlying grain storage tank at the proximal edges and, when so attached to such grain storage tank for pivoting thereabout, each such rigid cover panel being movable between a closed position covering at least a portion of the top opening, and an open position facilitating access to such grain storage tank from above;
and
(b) flexible fabric transition panels, each mounted to respective adjacent ones of said generally rigid cover panels proximate the side edges of said cover panels, so as to bridge, and thereby close, any open spaces between respective adjacent ones of the side edges of the respective adjacent cover panels when said tank cover is open, and wherein central portions of said transition panels fall by gravity into such grain storage tank when said tank cover is closed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Grain storage tank cover, and tanks covered

Life of this patent

Grain storage tank cover, and tanks covered

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28