Remote discharge gate opener and closer for bulk seed boxes
AssigneeBmze LLC
InventorBrian Zindel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable device for remotely opening and closing the discharge gate of a bulk seed box. The device is lightweight and easily engages the bulk seed box. The device is cantilevered in place by sliding the mounting base into the receiving portion of the bulk seed box. The mounting base is configured to engage a series of holes in the bulk seed box. A remotely electric actuator operates a pivotally swinging opener arm. The opener arm engages the discharge gate handle, opening the discharge gate when the electric actuator arm is extended.
Claims18
A removable device for opening and closing a discharge gate of a bulk seed box, where the discharge gate is slidably movable between an open and closed position and the discharge gate has one or more tabs, comprising:
- a generally T-shaped frame having a mounting plate and a frame arm, such that the frame arm is disposed perpendicular to the mounting plate;
- an electrically powered actuator disposed thereon such that an adjustable actuator arm extends and retracts perpendicular to said mounting plate;
- an opener arm having a secured end and a free end;
- a pivot connector that pivotally connects said adjustable actuator arm and said secured end of said opener arm;
- a latch plate that disposed on said free end of said opener arm;
- a latch disposed on said latch plate that is capable of receiving the discharge gate tab of a bulk seed box within said latch;
- where said actuator arm extends causing said latch to slidably pull said discharge gate tab such that said discharge gate to slide to an the open position;
- and
- where said actuator arm retracts causing said latch plate to slidably push said discharge gate such that said discharge gate to slide to a closed position.
A removable device for opening and closing a discharge gate of a bulk seed box, where the discharge gate is slidably movable between an open and closed position and the discharge gate has one or more tabs, comprising:
- a generally T-shaped frame having a mounting plate and a frame arm, such that the frame arm is disposed perpendicular to the mounting plate;
- one or more protruding engagement members disposed on said mounting plate, where said protruding engagement members are spaced apart by a fixed distance and configured to slidably insert into one or more spaced apart openings in the bulk seed box;
- an electrically powered actuator disposed thereon such that an adjustable actuator arm extends and retracts perpendicular to said mounting plate;
- an opener arm having a secured end and a free end;
- a pivot connector that pivotally connects said adjustable actuator arm and said secured end of said opener arm;
- a latch plate that disposed on said free end of said opener arm;
- a latch disposed on said latch plate that is capable of receiving the discharge gate tab of a bulk seed box within said latch;
- where said actuator arm extends causing said latch to slidably pull said discharge gate tab such that said discharge gate to slide to an the open position;
- and
- where said actuator arm retracts causing said latch plate to slidably push said discharge gate such that said discharge gate to slide to a closed position.
A removable device for opening and closing a discharge gate of a bulk seed box, where the discharge gate is slidably movable between an open and closed position and the discharge gate has one or more tabs, comprising:
- a generally T-shaped frame having a mounting plate and a frame arm, such that the frame arm is disposed perpendicular to the mounting plate;
- one or more protruding engagement members disposed on said mounting plate, where said protruding engagement members are spaced apart by a fixed distance and configured to slidably insert into one or more spaced apart openings in the bulk seed box;
- one or more support tabs disposed on said mounting plate, where said support tabs are configured to engage the floor of the bulk seed box mounting area and vertically stabilize the device;
- an electrically powered actuator disposed thereon such that an adjustable actuator arm extends and retracts perpendicular to said mounting plate;
- an opener arm having a secured end and a free end;
- a pivot connector that pivotally connects said adjustable actuator arm and said secured end of said opener arm;
- a latch plate that disposed on said free end of said opener arm;
- a latch disposed on said latch plate that is capable of receiving the discharge gate tab of a bulk seed box within said latch;
- where said actuator arm extends causing said latch to slidably pull said discharge gate tab such that said discharge gate to slide to an the open position;
- and
- where said actuator arm retracts causing said latch plate to slidably push said discharge gate such that said discharge gate to slide to a closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.