Bin filling chute

In combination with a parts storage bin having a first compartment with a first horizontal bottom wall, two first vertical side partitions, a first open front, and a first barrier upstanding from the first bottom wall that partially closes the first open front, the first vertical side partitions and the first barrier cooperating to define a pair of first generally vertical spaces;

• and a second compartment below the first compartment and having a second horizontal bottom wall, a second open front, two second vertical side partitions, and a second barrier upstanding from the second bottom wall and partially closing the second open front, the second partitions and the second barrier cooperating to define a pair of second generally vertical spaces,
• a chute for filling the first compartment comprising:
• a. a longitudinally extending floor having a first end inside the first compartment above the first bottom wall, and a second end outside the first compartment;
• b. a pair of side plates upstanding from the floor;
• and
• c. a brace secured to the floor and having a leg that defines a plane that makes a predetermined angle of between approximately 55 degrees and 65 degrees with the floor, the brace being inserted into the first vertical spaces such that the floor makes the predetermined angle with the first vertical spaces and the chute is cantilever supported on the storage bin,
• so that first selected components dropped on the chute floor adjacent the second end thereof slide along the floor and onto the first bottom wall to fill the first compartment.

In combination with a parts storage bin having a first compartment with a first horizontal bottom wall, two first vertical side partitions, a first open front, and a first barrier upstanding from the first bottom wall that partially closes the first open front, the first vertical side partitions and the first barrier cooperating to define a pair of first generally vertical spaces;

• and a second compartment below the first compartment and having a second horizontal bottom wall, a second open front, two second vertical side partitions, and a second barrier upstanding from the second bottom wall that partially closes the second open front, the second partitions and the second barrier cooperating to define a pair of second generally vertical spaces,
• a chute for filling the second compartment comprising:
• a. a longitudinally extending floor having a first end inside the second compartment above the second bottom wall, and a second end outside the second compartment;
• b. a pair of side plates upstanding from the floor;
• c. a brace secured to the floor and having a leg that defines a plane that makes a predetermined angle of between approximately 55 degrees and 65 degrees with the floor;
• and
• d. hook means for engaging the first barrier and for cooperating with the brace leg and the second side partitions to orient the chute floor to make the predetermined angle with the second bottom wall,
• so that first small components dropped onto the chute floor adjacent the second end thereof slide along the floor and onto the second bottom wall to fill the second compartment.

A method of filling a first selected compartment of a parts storage bin having multiple compartments each having a horizontal bottom wall, two vertical side partitions, an open front, and a barrier upstanding from the bottom wall that partially closes the open front and that cooperates with the side partitions to form a pair of vertical spaces, comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a bin filling chute having a floor with first and second ends, side plates upstanding from the floor, and a brace with a leg that defines a plane that makes a predetermined angle of approximately 55 degrees and 65 degrees with the floor;
• b. placing the chute floor first end inside the first selected compartment and the chute floor second end outside the first selected compartment;
• c. inserting the chute leg into the vertical spaces associated with the first selected compartment and thereby cantilever supporting the chute on the parts storage bin with the chute floor making the predetermined angle with the bottom wall of the first selected compartment;
• d. dropping first selected components onto the chute floor adjacent the second end thereof;
• and
• e. sliding the first components by gravity along the chute floor to the first end thereof and onto the bottom wall of the first selected compartment.

A method of filling a first compartment of a parts storage bin having multiple rows of compartments each having a horizontal bottom wall, a pair of vertical side partitions, an open front, and a barrier upstanding from the bottom wall that partially closes the open front and that cooperates with the side partitions to form a pair of vertical spaces, comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a chute having a floor with first and second ends, side plates upstanding from the floor, a brace with a leg that defines a plane that makes a predetermined angle of between approximately 55 degrees and 65 degrees with the floor, and at least one hook that lies generally in the plane of the brace leg;
• b. placing the floor first end inside the first compartment, and placing the floor second end outside the first compartment;
• c. placing the chute brace leg against the vertical partitions of the first compartment and simultaneously engaging said at least one chute hook with the barrier of a second compartment directly above the first compartment;
• d. dropping first selected components onto the chute floor adjacent the second end thereof;
• and
• e. sliding the first components by gravity along the chute floor to the second end thereof and onto the bottom wall of the first selected compartment.