Bulk material storage apparatus

A bulk material storage apparatus comprising:

• one or more containers, wherein each of the one or more containers defines a volume for holding a bulk material, wherein each of the one or more containers comprises:
• a lower portion comprising a discharge opening for discharging the bulk material from the container, and
• an upper portion comprising a load opening for loading the bulk material into the container;
• and
• a frame to support the one or more containers, wherein the frame comprises:
• first, second, third, and fourth leg members spaced apart about a perimeter of the apparatus, wherein the first and second leg members define a first frame plane along a first side of the apparatus, wherein the third and fourth leg members define a second frame plane along a second side of the apparatus opposite the first side of the apparatus, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth leg members comprises:
• an upper leg portion extending from a bottom end region to a top end region along a vertical axis, wherein the top end region is located adjacent the one or more containers, and
• a lower leg portion comprising a foot member operable to engage a surface, wherein the lower leg portion is adjustably coupled to the bottom end region of the upper leg portion for adjustment along the vertical axis between at least a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the foot member is operable to engage the surface to support the apparatus on the surface when the lower leg portion is in the extended position, wherein the foot member is located closer to the bottom end region of the upper leg portion when the lower leg portion is in the retracted position than when the lower leg portion is in the extended position,
• a plurality of cross members, wherein each of the plurality of cross members extends from a first end region to a second end region and between two of the first, second, third, and fourth leg members to support the first, second, third, and fourth leg members as spaced apart about the perimeter of the apparatus, and
• at least first, second, third, and fourth lift apparatuses, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth lift apparatuses comprises:
• a fixed portion fixedly attached to at least one of the plurality of cross members and the upper leg portions of the first, second, third, and fourth leg members proximate a corresponding leg member of the first, second, third, and fourth leg members, respectively, and
• a lift member comprising an engaging member, wherein the lift member is adjustably coupled to the fixed portion for adjustment along a vertical axis between at least a non-advanced position and an advanced position, wherein the lift member is offset from one of and located between the first frame plane and the second frame plane.

A method of unloading a bulk material storage apparatus from a trailer bed to a ground surface, wherein the method comprises:

• providing a bulk material storage apparatus on the trailer bed, wherein the apparatus comprises:
• one or more containers, wherein each of the one or more containers defines a volume for holding a bulk material, wherein each of the one or more containers comprises:
• a lower portion comprising a discharge opening for discharging the bulk material from the container, and
• an upper portion comprising a load opening for loading the bulk material into the container, and
• a frame to support the one or more containers, wherein the frame comprises:
• first, second, third, and fourth leg members spaced apart about a perimeter of the apparatus, wherein the first and second leg members define a first frame plane along a first side of the apparatus, wherein the third and fourth leg members define a second frame plane along a second side of the apparatus opposite the first side of the apparatus, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth leg members comprises:
• an upper leg portion extending from a bottom end region to a top end region along a vertical axis, wherein the top end region is located adjacent the one or more containers, and
• a lower leg portion comprising a foot member operable to engage the ground surface, wherein the lower leg portion is adjustably coupled to the bottom end region of the upper leg portion for adjustment along the vertical axis between at least a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the foot member is operable to engage the ground surface to support the apparatus on the ground surface when the lower leg portion is in the extended position, wherein the foot member is located closer to the bottom end region of the upper leg portion when the lower leg portion is in the retracted position than when the lower leg portion is in the extended position,
• a plurality of cross members, wherein each of the plurality of cross members extends from a first end region to a second end region and between two of the first, second, third, and fourth leg members to support the first, second, third, and fourth leg members as spaced apart about the perimeter of the apparatus, and
• at least first, second, third, and fourth lift apparatuses, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth lift apparatuses comprises:
• a fixed portion fixedly attached to at least one of the plurality of cross members and the upper leg portions of the first, second, third, and fourth leg members proximate a corresponding leg member of the first, second, third, and fourth leg members, respectively, and
• a lift member comprising an engaging member operable to engage the trailer bed, wherein the lift member is adjustably coupled to the fixed portion for adjustment along a vertical axis between at least a non-advanced position and an advanced position, wherein the engaging member is operable to engage the trailer bed to support the apparatus on the trailer bed when the lift member is in the advanced position, wherein the lift member is offset from one of and located between the first frame plane and the second frame plane;
• adjusting the lift member of each of the first, second, third, and fourth lift apparatuses into the advanced position to engage the trailer bed with the engaging member to lift the apparatus from the trailer bed;
• adjusting the lower leg portion of each of the first, second, third, and fourth leg members into the extended position;
• and
• adjusting the lift member of each of the first, second, third, and fourth lift apparatuses into the non-advanced position to lower the foot portion of the lower leg portion of each of the first, second, third, and fourth leg members to engage the ground surface to support the apparatus on the ground surface.