US3721971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Material level indicator for bins or other receptacles
Assignee: MONITOR Manufacturing Inc
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Filing: 1971-03-22
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1991-03-22
Abstract
Abstract The indicator comprises a motor-driven probe which is oscillated or otherwise moved relative to the material in a bin or other receptacle. The motor rotates a first gear, while the probe is operated by a mechanism driven by a second gear. An intermediate gear meshes with the first and second gears and is mounted on a swingable carriage pivoted about the axis of one of the other gears. When the probe engages the rising material, the movement of the probe is impeded. The resulting torque reaction causes swinging movement of the carriage against the biasing force of a spring. The carriage thereby operates a switch which can be employed to actuate an alarm, stop the motor, stop the flow of material into the bin, or perform other control functions. The probe is swingably supported by a flexible diaphragm which also acts as a seal.
Inventors
- 👤 G Gruber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/226; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18544
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A device for responding to the level of material in a bin or other receptacle, comprising a probe for engaging the material as it rises in the receptacle, means mounting said probe for predetermined movement relative to the material, a rotary motor having a stationary frame and a rotary shaft with a stationary axis of rotation, a first rotatable power transmitting drive means connected to said shaft of said motor for rotation by said motor, a second rotatable power transmitting drive means having a driving connection to said probe for imparting the predetermined movement to said probe, means supporting said second rotatable power transmitting drive means for rotation about a second stationary axis of rotation, an intermediate rotatable power transmitting drive means forming a rotary driving connection between said first and second rotatable power transmitting drive means to cause rotation thereof, a carriage supporting said intermediate rotatable power transmitting drive means, pivot means swingably mounting said carriage for swinging movement relative to said stationary motor frame, said intermediate power transmitting drive means thereby being swingable bodily with said carriage relative to said first and second rotatable power transmitting drive means, and a control device operable by swinging movement of said carriage caused by torque reaction on said intermediate rotatable power transmitting drive means when the movement of the probe is impeded by engagement of said probe with the material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
229 words
A device for responding to the level of material in a bin or other receptacle, comprising a probe for engaging the material as it rises in the receptacle, means mounting said probe for predetermined movement relative to the material, a rotary motor having a stationary frame and a rotary shaft with a stationary axis of rotation, a first rotatable power transmitting drive means connected to said shaft of said motor for rotation by said motor, a second rotatable power transmitting drive means having a driving connection to said probe for imparting the predetermined movement to said probe, means supporting said second rotatable power transmitting drive means for rotation about a second stationary axis of rotation, an intermediate rotatable power transmitting drive means forming a rotary driving connection between said first and second rotatable power transmitting drive means to cause rotation thereof, a carriage supporting said intermediate rotatable power transmitting drive means, pivot means swingably mounting said carriage for swinging movement relative to said stationary motor frame, said intermediate power transmitting drive means thereby being swingable bodily with said carriage relative to said first and second rotatable power transmitting drive means, and a control device operable by swinging movement of said carriage caused by torque reaction on said intermediate rotatable power transmitting drive means when the movement of the probe is impeded by engagement of said probe with the material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 1, in which said pivot means for said swingable carriage is axially alined with one of said first and second rotatable power transmitting drive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 1, in which said pivot means for said swingable carriage supports said carriage for swinging movement about an axis corresponding to the axis of said second rotatable power transmitting drive means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1, including biasing means for resisting the swinging movement of said carriage relative to said stationary motor frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 1, includinG adjustable resilient means for biasing said carriage to resist the swinging movement thereof relative to said stationary motor frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 1, in which said control device comprises a control switch operable by said carriage upon said swinging movement thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device according to claim 1, in which said first mentioned means includes a flexible diaphragm supporting said probe for oscillatory swinging movement, said first mentioned driving connection including means for imparting oscillatory swinging movement to said probe in response to rotary movement of said second rotatable drive means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
192 words
A device for responding to the level of material in a bin or other receptacle, comprising a probe for engaging the material as it rises in the receptacle, means mounting said probe for predetermined movement relative to the material, a rotary motor having a stationary frame and a rotary shaft, a first rotatable gear connected to said shaft of said motor for rotation by said motor, a second rotatable gear having a driving connection to said probe for imparting the predetermined movement of said probe, means supporting said second gear for rotation about a second stationary axis of rotation, an intermediate rotatable gear meshing with said first and second gears and forming a driving connection therebetween, a carriage supporting said intermediate rotatable gear, pivot means supporting said carriage for swinging movement relative to said stationary motor frame, said intermediate rotatable gear thereby being swingable bodily with said carriage relative to said first and second rotatable gears, and a control device operable by swinging movement of said carriage caused by torque reaction on said intermediate rotatable gear when the movement of the probe is impeded by engagement of said probe with the material.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
192 words
A device for responding to the level of material in a bin or other receptacle, comprising a probe for engaging the material as it rises in the receptacle, means mounting said probe for predetermined movement relative to the material, a rotary motor having a stationary frame and a rotary shaft, a first rotatable gear connected to said shaft of said motor for rotation by said motor, a second rotatable gear having a driving connection to said probe for imparting the predetermined movement of said probe, means supporting said second gear for rotation about a second stationary axis of rotation, an intermediate rotatable gear meshing with said first and second gears and forming a driving connection therebetween, a carriage supporting said intermediate rotatable gear, pivot means supporting said carriage for swinging movement relative to said stationary motor frame, said intermediate rotatable gear thereby being swingable bodily with said carriage relative to said first and second rotatable gears, and a control device operable by swinging movement of said carriage caused by torque reaction on said intermediate rotatable gear when the movement of the probe is impeded by engagement of said probe with the material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 8, in which said pivot means supports said carriage for swinging movement about an axis corresponding to the rotary axis of one of said first and second gears.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 8, in which said pivot means supports said carriage for swinging movement about an axis corresponding to the rotary axis of said second gear.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |