# US 4,391,364 A · Automatic latch for unloading auger

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- Number: US 4,391,364 A
- Document ID: US4391364A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/235,396
- Filed: 1981-02-18
- Granted: 1983-07-05
- Earliest claimed: 1981-02-18
- Assignees: Sperry Corporation
- Inventors: Terry A. Young; Aquila D. Mast
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4391364A

## CPC

- B65G 21/12: to allow adjustment of position of load-carrier or traction element as a whole
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)

## Abstract

A movable unloading auger is automatically latched and unlatched with respect to a support member by connecting a lifting winch and cable to a movable latch arm attached to the auger, thus advantageously permitting hands-off latching and unlatching operations. A guide member includes a slot and the latch arm extends through the slot and terminates adjacent a latch arm receiver.

## Claims

### Claim 1

In combination with a container having a movable unloading auger, the improvement comprising:
means for supporting said auger, said means being a support member connected to said container and extending therefrom;
a latch arm movably mounted on said auger;
a latch arm receiver connected to said container;
means connected for raising and lowering said auger relative to said support, said means including a cable operably connected to move said latch arm between a first position, in engagement with said receiver, and a second position, out of engagement with said receiver;
resilient means for urging said latch arm from said second position to said first position;
means for guiding said latch arm and for limiting movement of said latch arm in said second position, said means being a guide plate having a latch arm receiving slot formed therein, said latch arm extending through said slot and terminating adjacent said receiver;
said latch arm being moved from said first position to said second position when the tension in said cable overcomes the force of said resilient means; and
said latch arm being moved from said second position to said first position when the force of said resilient means overcomes the tension in said cable.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide plate is connected to said auger.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resilient means is connected between said guide plate and said latch arm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide plate is connected to said auger and said resilient means has a first end connected to said guide plate and a second end connected to said latch arm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supporting means includes a cradle portion and said auger includes a collar member aligned on said auger with said cradle, said latch arm being pivotally attached to said collar.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said latch arm receiver includes a slot formed therein, said latch arm and said slot being aligned in response to said upper being seated in said cradle.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said latch arm member includes a bent extension member and a pulley is connected to said bent extension member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said cable engages said pulley connected to said bent extension member.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said collar includes an arcuate portion connected to a flat portion, said latch arm member being pivotally connected to said flat portion.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said guide plate is attached to said collar and said slot guide plate is positioned adjacent said flat portion for receiving said latch arm member.

### Claim 11

An agricultural grinder-mixer comprising:
an unloading auger movably connected to the mixer; support member connected to and extending from said mixer;
a latch arm movably connected to said auger;
means connected for raising and lowering said auger relative to said support, said means including a winch and cable operably connected to move said latch arm;
a latch arm receiver connected to said mixer;
means for guiding and limiting movement of said latch arm into and out of engagement with said receiver, said latch arm extended through a movement limiting slot in said guide means and further extended into a slot in said receiver;
resilient means connected for urging said latch arm into a first position engaged with said receiver;
means connected for moving said latch arm to a second position disengaged from said receiver in response to movement of said winch and cable, said means including an extension member and a pulley connected to said latch arm and to said cable;
said latch arm being moved from said first position to said second position when the tension in said cable overcomes the force of said resilient means; and
said latch arm being moved from said second position to said first position when the force of said resilient means overcomes the tension in said cable.