US3897888A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metering apparatus for particulate material
Assignee: Toledo Stamping and Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1974-03-11
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1994-03-11
Abstract
Abstract Metering apparatus for metering feed from a source to another location is provided. The metering apparatus is primarily designed to meter a quantity of a supplement or supplemental components supplied to animal feed for accurate control of the quantity and uniform distribution of the feed. The apparatus includes a bin with a reciprocating gate of a constant stroke movable across a variable discharge opening. The reciprocating gate is driven by a 12-volt DC windshield wiper motor which can be operated off a tractor battery in the field, if desired. The unit preferably is used with 110-volt AC power, in which case a drive motor of an auger supplying feed to the bin of the metering apparatus can be controlled by a sensing paddle in the bin of the apparatus. The reciprocation of the gate through its motor can be controlled by a subtraction counter to determine the number of reciprocations and also by a second sensing paddle in the bin which shuts off the gate motor if the bin becomes empty.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore H Grau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:56
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K5/00; A01K5/02; A01K5/0275; A23; A23N; A23N17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
Metering apparatus for feeding a quantity of particulate material from a source of supply to another location, said apparatus comprising a bin, a first plate, a first rod pivotally supporting said plate in said bin, a first switch outside said bin and mounted on said apparatus in communication with said first rod for said plate, an electrical outlet box mounted on said apparatus and connected to said switch, means for connecting a power supply to said outlet box and said switch for supplying power to said outlet box when said switch is closed and said plate is in a first position with the power to said outlet being off when said switch is open and said plate is in a second position, a second plate, a second rod pivotally supporting said second plate in said bin and spaced from said first plate, a second switch outside said bin and mounted on said apparatus in communication with said second rod, said second switch being closed when said second plate is in a first position, and said second switch being open when said second plate is in a second position, said bin having an opening in a bottom portion thereof, a gate mounted for reciprocation across said opening, a gate motor for reciprocating said gate, means connecting a second power supply to said motor and to said second switch, said motor being on when said second switch is closed, and said motor being off when said second switch is open.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
Metering apparatus for feeding a quantity of particulate material from a source of supply to another location, said apparatus comprising a bin, a first plate, a first rod pivotally supporting said plate in said bin, a first switch outside said bin and mounted on said apparatus in communication with said first rod for said plate, an electrical outlet box mounted on said apparatus and connected to said switch, means for connecting a power supply to said outlet box and said switch for supplying power to said outlet box when said switch is closed and said plate is in a first position with the power to said outlet being off when said switch is open and said plate is in a second position, a second plate, a second rod pivotally supporting said second plate in said bin and spaced from said first plate, a second switch outside said bin and mounted on said apparatus in communication with said second rod, said second switch being closed when said second plate is in a first position, and said second switch being open when said second plate is in a second position, said bin having an opening in a bottom portion thereof, a gate mounted for reciprocation across said opening, a gate motor for reciprocating said gate, means connecting a second power supply to said motor and to said second switch, said motor being on when said second switch is closed, and said motor being off when said second switch is open.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Metering apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by a subtraction counter having a third switch electrically connected with said second switch and with said motor, said third switch being open when said counter is at a zero count.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Metering apparatus according to claim 2 characterized by means responsive to the reciprocation of said gate for actuating said counter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Metering apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by means for supplying particulate material to said bin, a supply motor for operating said supply means, and means electrically connecting said supply motor to said electrical outlet box.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Metering apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by a generally upright baffle extending across said bin between said first plate and said second plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
Metering apparatus for feeding a quantity of particulate material from a source of supply to another location, said metering apparatus comprising a bin, an outlet box mounted on said apparatus, said bin having an opening in a bottom wall thereof, a gate mounted for reciprocation across said opening, a 12-volt DC motor mounted on said apparatus and connected to said gate for reciprocating said gate across said opening, means for converting 110-volt AC power to 12-volt DC power, means connecting said converting means to said motor for supplying 12-volt DC power to said motor, means for supplying 110-volt AC power to said outlet box and to said converting means, a valve plate, and means for moving said valve plate to change the open area of said opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
Metering apparatus for feeding a quantity of particulate material from a source of supply to another location, said metering apparatus comprising a bin, an outlet box mounted on said apparatus, said bin having an opening in a bottom wall thereof, a gate mounted for reciprocation across said opening, a 12-volt DC motor mounted on said apparatus and connected to said gate for reciprocating said gate across said opening, means for converting 110-volt AC power to 12-volt DC power, means connecting said converting means to said motor for supplying 12-volt DC power to said motor, means for supplying 110-volt AC power to said outlet box and to said converting means, a valve plate, and means for moving said valve plate to change the open area of said opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Metering apparatus according to claim 6 characterized by said valve plate being slidably mounted on one side of said bottom wall and said gate being mounted on the opposite side of said bottom wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
Metering apparatus according to claim 6 characterized by said means for moving said valve plate comprises an elongate member extending to a handle located outside said bin, and a locking plate engageable with said elongate member for locking said member and said plate in predetermined positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
132 words
Metering apparatus for feeding a quantity of particulate material from a source of supply to another location, said metering apparatus comprising a bin, an outlet box mounted on said apparatus, said bin having an opening in a bottom wall thereof, a gate mounted for reciprocation across said opening, a 12-volt DC motor mounted on said apparatus and connected to said gate for reciprocating said gate across said opening, means for converting 110-volt AC power to 12-volt DC power, means connecting said converting means to said motor for supplying 12-volt DC power to said motor, means for supplying 110-volt AC power to said outlet box and to said converting means, a subtraction counter electrically connected to said motor, and operating means including means pivotally connected to said gate for operating said subtraction counter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
132 words
Metering apparatus for feeding a quantity of particulate material from a source of supply to another location, said metering apparatus comprising a bin, an outlet box mounted on said apparatus, said bin having an opening in a bottom wall thereof, a gate mounted for reciprocation across said opening, a 12-volt DC motor mounted on said apparatus and connected to said gate for reciprocating said gate across said opening, means for converting 110-volt AC power to 12-volt DC power, means connecting said converting means to said motor for supplying 12-volt DC power to said motor, means for supplying 110-volt AC power to said outlet box and to said converting means, a subtraction counter electrically connected to said motor, and operating means including means pivotally connected to said gate for operating said subtraction counter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Metering apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by said operating means comprises a limit switch mounted on said apparatus and engageable by said pivotally connected means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
142 words
Metering apparatus for metering a quantity of particulate material, said metering apparatus comprising a bin for receiving the particulate material, said bin having a bottom wall defining an opening therein, a gate slidably mounted on said bottom wall in a position for reciprocation across said opening, a windshield wiper drive mounted on said apparatus, said drive comprising a DC motor and a gear unit, said gear unit having a drive shaft extending therefrom, means connecting said drive shaft and said gate to cause said gate to reciprocate relative to said opening when said drive shaft is driven, with said gate returning to a closed position closing off said opening when power to said motor is shut off, a valve plate, means for slidably supporting said valve plate on said bottom wall, and means for moving said valve plate relative to said opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
142 words
Metering apparatus for metering a quantity of particulate material, said metering apparatus comprising a bin for receiving the particulate material, said bin having a bottom wall defining an opening therein, a gate slidably mounted on said bottom wall in a position for reciprocation across said opening, a windshield wiper drive mounted on said apparatus, said drive comprising a DC motor and a gear unit, said gear unit having a drive shaft extending therefrom, means connecting said drive shaft and said gate to cause said gate to reciprocate relative to said opening when said drive shaft is driven, with said gate returning to a closed position closing off said opening when power to said motor is shut off, a valve plate, means for slidably supporting said valve plate on said bottom wall, and means for moving said valve plate relative to said opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
154 words
Metering apparatus for metering a quantity of particulate material, said metering apparatus comprising a bin for receiving the particulate material, said bin having a bottom wall defining an opening therein, a gate slidably mounted on said bottom wall in a position for reciprocation across said opening, a windshield wiper drive mounted on said apparatus, said drive comprising a DC motor and a gear unit, said gear unit having a drive shaft extending therefrom, means connecting said drive shaft and said gate to cause said gate to reciprocate relative to said opening when said drive shaft is driven, with said gate returning to a closed position closing off said opening when power to said motor is shut off, said connecting means comprising a crank arm connected to said drive shaft, link means having one end pivotally connected to said crank arm, and means pivotally connecting the other end of said link means to said gate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
154 words
Metering apparatus for metering a quantity of particulate material, said metering apparatus comprising a bin for receiving the particulate material, said bin having a bottom wall defining an opening therein, a gate slidably mounted on said bottom wall in a position for reciprocation across said opening, a windshield wiper drive mounted on said apparatus, said drive comprising a DC motor and a gear unit, said gear unit having a drive shaft extending therefrom, means connecting said drive shaft and said gate to cause said gate to reciprocate relative to said opening when said drive shaft is driven, with said gate returning to a closed position closing off said opening when power to said motor is shut off, said connecting means comprising a crank arm connected to said drive shaft, link means having one end pivotally connected to said crank arm, and means pivotally connecting the other end of said link means to said gate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
Metering apparatus according to claim 12 characterized further by said last-named means comprises a tubular projection carried by said gate through which said link means extend, said link means having an enlargement on each side of said tubular projection, and resilient means located between said tubular projection and the enlargement closer to said motor.
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) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |