Back to results
US 7,984,592 B1Granted
Self-cleaning inverted J-shaped ventilated grain bin roof rib
OwnerRaymond J. Jirasinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-cleaning grain bin roof configured to allow ventilation through the roof ribs which has a trapezoidal shaped inner rib with ventilation orifices therein and a spaced apart and partially covering outer rib configured to inhibit precipitation from falling through the orifices while permitting air to be blown from inside the grain bin outside. The trapezoidal shape providing for a self-cleaning ability in that if matter is blown to the orifices by positive pressure in the grain bin, it will, in the event of a loss of pressure, either fall outside of the orifices and slide down one of the slanted trapezoidal sides, or return to the grain bin. If debris blown by wind gathers on the roof, it will be blown out from under the outer rib by the airflow through the orifices.
Claims11
A grain bin configured to store grain therein, comprising:
- a grain bin side wall structure comprising corrugated metal creating a substantially circular-shaped container;
- a grain bin roof comprising:
- a plurality of linked-together sheets which, when combined and coupled together, cover an interior of the grain bin side wall structure from exposure to weather;
- a first sheet of said plurality of sheets configured with a first inner rib end and an opposing first outer rib end with a first flat rib separating segment disposed therebetween;
- said first inner rib end further comprising:
- a first inner partially exposed sloped side coupled to said first flat rib separating segment and further coupled to said first inner top side which is coupled to a first inner covered sloped side;
- disposed in at least one of said first inner partially exposed sloped side and said first inner top side is a plurality of first inner covered orifices for facilitating ventilation;
- said first outer rib end further comprising:
- a first outer full sloped side which is coupled between said first flat rib separating segment and a first outer top full side which is coupled with a first outer partial sloped side;
- a second sheet of said plurality of sheets configured with a second inner rib end and an opposing second outer rib end with a second flat rib separating segment disposed therebetween;
- said second inner rib end further comprising:
- a second inner partially exposed sloped side coupled to said second flat rib separating segment and further coupled to said second inner top side which is coupled to a second inner covered sloped side;
- disposed in at least one of said second inner partially exposed sloped side and said second inner top side is a plurality of second inner covered orifices for facilitating ventilation;
- said second outer rib end further comprising:
- a second outer full sloped side which is coupled between said second flat rib separating segment and a second outer top full side which is coupled with a second outer partial sloped side;
- said second outer rib end of said second sheet is configured to nest over top of said first inner rib end of said first sheet so that said second outer partial sloped side and said first inner partially exposed sloped side form an airflow gap therebetween and in combination inhibit precipitation from entering an interior of said grain bin side wall structure through said first inner covered orifices while still permitting a substantial air flow to occur through said airflow gap between said second outer rib end and said first inner rib end and through said first inner covered orifices.
13 more elements
A method for storing grain comprising the steps of:
- providing a substantially vertical side wall of corrugated galvanized metal arranged in a circular configuration so as to create a cylinder configured to receive and retain grain therein;
- providing a plurality of identical roof panels wherein each of said plurality of identical roof panels is configured to mate with two other panels of said plurality of identical panels so as to create a continuous roof portion;
- providing on opposing ends of each of said plurality of identical roof panels an inner rib end and an outer rib end;
- nesting an outer rib end of one of said plurality of identical roof panels over an inner rib end of an adjacent one of said plurality of identical roof panels so as to define an airflow gap therebetween and to permit a substantial air flow through said airflow gap and to inhibit precipitation from penetrating said plurality of identical roof panels through a plurality of orifices disposed in said inner rib end;
- providing a sliding member disposed entirely below said plurality of orifices for regulation of airflow capacity by variable registration between said plurality of orifices and a plurality of air ports in said sliding member;
- providing a plurality of structural members in cooperation with an outer partial sloped side of said outer rib so as to help maintain an open airflow passage through said combination of said outer rib and said inner rib.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.