Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
A feeder for distributing material from a common supply point into a selected one of a plurality of elongated bins, said bins arranged in parallel rows in side by side relation and in end to end relation in said rows, said feeder comprising: an elongated conveyor having a frame and a reversibly movable belt supported from said frame, drive means positioned adjacent said common supply point engaging said frame for reciprocally moving said conveyor longitudinally on opposite sides of said common supply point between longitudinal opposite ends of said bins, clamping means for sequentially holding and releasing a run of said conveyor belt with respect to the direction of movement of said conveyor, means for discharging material from said belt into a selected bin in a selected row threof, and cam means for controlling said clamping means and selectively movable between a first position operative to clamp said belt when said frame is driven in one direction along said bins and to release said belt when said frame is driven in an opposite direction, and a second position operative to clamp said belt when said frame is driven in said opposite direction along said bins and to release said belt when said frame is driven in said one direction, said cam means comprising a pair of cam members having confronting cam surfaces and a selector for moving a cam surface of one of said cam members relative to the other between said first and second positions and actuator means on said conveyor for moving a cam surface of the other of said cam members relative to said one cam member in response to the position of said conveyor relative to said bins.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
A feeder for distributing material from a common supply point into a selected one of a plurality of elongated bins, said bins arranged in parallel rows in side by side relation and in end to end relation in said rows, said feeder comprising: an elongated conveyor having a frame and a reversibly movable belt supported from said frame, drive means positioned adjacent said common supply point engaging said frame for reciprocally moving said conveyor longitudinally on opposite sides of said common supply point between longitudinal opposite ends of said bins, clamping means for sequentially holding and releasing a run of said conveyor belt with respect to the direction of movement of said conveyor, means for discharging material from said belt into a selected bin in a selected row threof, and cam means for controlling said clamping means and selectively movable between a first position operative to clamp said belt when said frame is driven in one direction along said bins and to release said belt when said frame is driven in an opposite direction, and a second position operative to clamp said belt when said frame is driven in said opposite direction along said bins and to release said belt when said frame is driven in said one direction, said cam means comprising a pair of cam members having confronting cam surfaces and a selector for moving a cam surface of one of said cam members relative to the other between said first and second positions and actuator means on said conveyor for moving a cam surface of the other of said cam members relative to said one cam member in response to the position of said conveyor relative to said bins.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The feeder of claim 1 wherein said means for discharging material comprises a discharge chute at opposite ends of said belt supported from said frame and deflector means in each chute movable between selected opposite positions for diverting a flow of material in a selected one of opposite lateral directions relative to said belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The feeder of claim 1 wherein said conveyor frame is provided with elongated rack means and said drive means includes pinion means engaging said rack means to reciprocally move said conveyor along said bins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The feeder of claim 1 including an elongated track above said bins and extending longitudinally along said rows and roller support means for supporting said conveyor on said track for longitudinal reciprocal movement thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The feeder of claim 1 wherein said clamping means included a fixed clamping member engagable with one side of said belt on a lower run thereof and a movable clamping member movable toward and away from an opposite side of said belt on said lower run between a clamping position biasing said belt against said fixed clamping member and a released position wherein said belt is movable between said clamping members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The feeder of claim 5 including means for biasing said movable clamping member toward said released position and wherein said cam means is operative to bias said movable claping member toward said clamping position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The feeder of claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprises an actuator arm connected to move said other cam member and a pair of actuator members on opposite ends of said conveyor engaging said arm when opposite ends of said conveyor reaches positions adjacent opposite ends of said bins in a row.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The feeder of claim 7 wherein said selector means includes a control handle movable between alternate positions for reversing the sequence of clamping and releasing said belt in relation to the direction of travel of said conveyor frame.