US3100456A - Hopper discharge outlet sealing sliding closure assembly - Google Patents

Description

G. B. DOREY Aug. 13, 1963 HOPPER DISCHARGE UTLET SEALING SLIDING CLOSURE ASSEMBLY Original Filed Nov. l0, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR I Aug. l13, 1963 cs-v B. DOREY HOPPER DISCHARGE OUTLETSEALING SLIDING CLOSURE ASSEMBLY Original Filed Nov. 10, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. B. DOREY Aug. 13, y1963 HOPPER DISCHARGE OUTLET SEALING SLIDING CLOSURE ASSEMBLY Original Filed Nov. 10, 195B 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ordinated to functiontoward the `end ofi"obtaining"rel` United States Patent A 203,769Y t 8 Claims. s (CL-105-253) The 'invention' relates to an improved discharge sont# let for a load (containing hopper of the type having a discharge opening `and a sliding gate `for the opening; This application is a `division of my application Serial No.`1772,837, tiled November 10,419582 for controlling discharge of lading into a chutelike en-v Inga structure of this type wherein the openingis sur- '3,100,456 Patented Aug. 1.3, 1363 ice 2 to FIG. 7 except that the gate is shown in opened position. s t s FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIGS.` 7 and 8 except "that the gate is sho-wn in a midway open position. Y e s w ,le l 10 is a sectional view taken through thelug of the" gate and linkage on a line 1li-T10 oct FIG. 7. l FIG.v ll isa sectional View taken through the ar-m and linkage on a line 11--11ot` FIG. 7. e

FIG. l2v `is averti'cal sectional view taken on a line s l 12-12 of FIG. 7, said vie-w being on `an enlarged scale.

t l5` he improvement more particularly relates to that type s p of 'hopper having a discharge area with a sliding gate IReferring now to the drawings, it will be observed 4by reference to FIG. 1 that the present invention `is aptherefrom by one side sillV 11 along the lower part of a side wall 11.` Between the center sill 10 andthe side e sill 11 there is a hoppe'r which is indicated, generally, at

p closure below the opening .defined `by the discharge tarea;

ronnded by a framing enclosure it `is `essential that the gate be movedby mechanism disposed entirely exteriorly of'tthe chutelike enclosure and avoid-interference with freeiilow of lading byc'oritaet betweenthe ladingand mechanism' parts. To this endthe improved arrangement contemplatesla structurel wherein the operating mecha-` nism is completelyVseparatedsffrom the lading.

The objects ofthe invention among others are to prop vide an improved structure wherein La gate operating vantage is multiplied at the initiation of the gate opening p movement and obtain high `breakaway forcejto separate the gate Kfrom 'vtheladin-g; toprovide improvedtoggle acting mechanism for moving the gate Vand maintaining t; 1

said gate in either closedor open position; toV provide a sliding gate Withf'upstanding side hanges and "housings overlying said flanges to prevent seepage oflading ats-the sides of the gate; tto provide a sliding ygate with onverging side ilanges arranged to register `with similarly conveng` 1'2. It will be understoodV that two or more pairs of loa'd containing hoppers, such as the hopper 12, are located on opposite sides of the center sill 10. Since the construction for each hopper 12 is identical, only one is shown. The hopper 12 is formed by oppositely sloping floors 13 and 14 and outer and inner side walls 15 and 16. The lloors 13 and 14 and the side walls 15 and 16 are joined "to `form four-sided `discharge area 17 through which'lading in the hopper 12 can iow downwardly.

Surrounding the discharge area 17 at the lower margins Iofthe oppositely sloping floors 13 and 14 and side walls 15v and 16 is a four-sided chute-like enclosure in the form of a framewhich isindicated, generally, at 1S. The frame 18 in the present embodiment preferably consists of a structure fabricated of plates and bar members. It is secured by Welding or riveting'to the lower margins of the oppositely sloping floors 13 and 14 "and side walls 15 and 16. It will beobserved thatthe-frame `1S includes upper Walls 19and` 20 which overlie the oppositely sloping floors and 14.1 Also thel frame 18 includes upper sidewalls 21 and VZZWhich overliefthe outerand inner side Walls 15 4and 16 respectively.- The upper walls 19 and 21 int clude depending Vportions 23 Tand 25 respectively and wall ing upper-walls of housings-enclosing said danges when `-the gate is in closed position; and to provide #a gate sok mounted and mechanism so relatedasltobiasthe gateto Y a completely closed position.

The invention further `resides Vin certain jdetails "of coning a three-sided enclosure for ,a sliding gate 27.

struction associated the movement-of the gate'and t t in the manner various elements are associated and'co-K liable operation and a tightly closed? openingt Foniurther comprehension of thetinveiitio'ii reference .t

may be had .to `the accrnpanying :drawingswlieiein *ith improvement isfshown as applied Ito the hd eroi t In `said drawings? `FIGfllisia sectional View taken through the lower part ofta'hoppercar.showing substantially one half ofthe car with the improved outlet applied theretotf-` l i" FIG. 2 is a side elevational View of the'stru-cture` shown FIG. 4 isa vertical ofFIG. 3. .-3

-FIG. `5 is a vertical fractionaldsectional rviewtakenf on la line 5-5 of FIG. 3. `v

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view` taken` onta line i FIG. 7 is a ventical longitudinal sectional'view'taken through the outlet on a line 7-7 of FIG. 3. Y

FIG. 8 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View similar 22 isextended downwardly as` at 2 6to cooperate in formln Vorder to slidably support `the gate 27 and hold it in the closed position where discharge of lading through the discharge `area isV prevented, ledges `31, 32 and `lfareprovided s It vwill be understood that thegatel27 is slidably supported on ledges 32V and 33 at its sides and on ledge 31A t atthejleading'end when the gate "27 is in fully closed position as`-show'n in FIGS. Zand 7 of thedrawings. p

, The ledges'Z and 33 preferably consist of at bar mem 55 bers ofappreeiable width, and extend beyond the discharge area to provide cantileve'rextensionsf34 and 35 to support the' gateiinopenfposition. The said; ledges 32` andv33are disposed at anlincline tobias the gate towardclos'ed position. `Extending transversely between the bars forming ledges `32tandl"33 there is a wall member 36 which with depending portions 25 and 26 inVcornbination with Wall 23 and the rail members 32 and 33 vforms a four-sided enclosure tot-receiveand direct the ow of lading `from the hoppen l i i Itwill be understood that a removable discharge chute (not shown) is arranged to be connected-to rthe lower portiontpf the chute-like extension when the gate 27 iS opened `for.discharge of lading. In order to hold such a removable chute in position lugs 37 are provided on and extend outwardly from the lower margin of chute Walls 23 and 25. Grooves 38 and 39 extend from the chuteV Walls 26 and 36`for receiving :an outwardly extending s hich extend from'thedepending wallsl 23,25 and t 26 q'jespectivel inclined to the main body ofthe 9 i' 5D -w iiange on the upper end of the removable chute above refer-red'to and the lugs 37 are arranged tohave such flange clamped thereto.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 7 of the drawings the upper'wall 20 Yhas an undersurface 40 beveled to lie adjacent the upper surface of the gate 27 and said surface jconstitute's theu'pperfsurfaceof a slot 41 the lower yside of which'is formed by an upper surface 42 of the wall 36,.` It'will b e understood that the gate 27 is movable through arobase v shaft 58 for effecting rotation of the latter by means of Va suitable operating bar as indicated at 73 and a series of openings 74 is formed inY the head for receiving such abar. L 7 l The shaft 58 is arranged to be locked ininal position when the gate is in closed position by means of a'locking dog 75 pivotally mounted on therail 34 at 76and swingableinto engagementwith an abutment 77 on the operating shaft-53.l The dog 7'5"and theabutment 77 are'pro- 43. The sideedges of the gate 27 are each formed with upwardly extending iianges 45-45 which in combination with lflange 44-V provides a three-sided pan-shaped gate.

Hoods 46 and 47 extend inwardly from the side walls 25 and 26 andfo'verliethe side lianges of the gate when the latter is in closed position.y The said hoods each include an upper sloping roof portion 48vand a depending vertical wall section 49 and are secured in position'by'weld# ing to the respective side walls `and 26 as indicated at 50. The side flanges -45 taper lfro'rn'the trailing to the l leading Vedge of the -gate to present a beveled edge 51 as one vface of a wedge and cooperating with each said beveled Vedge when the gate is in closed position, is the undersurface 52 of 'the'v hoods 46and 47 which are also engage theedge 51 of the gate. Y Y

The gate'27 vis movable to open position along the extension rails v34 and V35 as indicated'inFIGS. 8 and9,

with the latter 'shown' in midway open-position. vThe trailing end of the lgate is restrained against vertical-displacement during its movement along the rails by means of guide strips SEV-53 disposed onthe innerside of the rails34 and 35 which are'embraced by lugs 54 on the The lugs 54 are preferably formed bythe projecting ends of a bar :55 which extends transversely across 'theu'nderf side of the gate'and lis spaceditherefrom: by blocks 56 to provide vspacing clearance to accommodate the guide strips 53 betweenthe undersurface `of the gate and Vthesaid lugs 54.V

The outer ends Vof the rails -32 and 33 on the cantilever gate to register with and videdwith registeringapertures 78 and 79 for'receiving a sealing ribbon.

The dog 75 is formed trunnions Sil-450 -which extend 'within apertures 81 and 82 formed in walls Y83 and 84 `of a bracket 85. The bracket 85 is fabricated of anangle-shaped piece which includes wall 83 and an angularly related wall which forms the bottom ofthe assembly. The'wall 84 is preferably a ilat plate which is united to the Wall 86 by welding at 8 7. The bracket assembly is'secured'to the rail 32 on the cantilever extension l34 ,by welding at `8 8 and 89 and when assembled with the dog` and positioned on the Y rail the bottom wall 86functions as a stop to limit swinging movement of the dog. It will be vobserved by reference to with'the axis 9950i the pivot 6l Vconnecting the linkage and arms, liessubst'antially V on this line thereby obtaining the multiplied mechanical advantage of the closing actionk of a toggle'mechanism. The "mechanical advantage obtained by the 'closingaction of atoggle mechanism acting e as it does toward the end ofthe gate closing operation and directly on the end of the Vgate is of-irnportance in forcing the gate to the final closed position and thereby facilitating the displacement of any residue of lading which might be retained on the ledges, Y

v a midway position is reached as seen in FIG. 9 after which 1 on continuedmovement of the gate the mechanical ad-v vantage agairrincreasesaY In the present arrangementsuch adverse eifect as might arise at the midway positionfrom:

extensions. 34 and 35 are each provided with a bearing 57 v in which a shaft 58 is rotatably mounted. The shaft 58 is preferably ofY non-circular form and is provided withl circularly shaped sleeves 59 which t inthe bearings 5T Vand form=journalsfor the shaft.- Non-rotatablymoun'ted on `the shaftSS are apair of anrns'60-6ll-whic'h are pivot# ally united at 61 with linkage 62 .and said linkage in Vturn trunnionsfadjacent each'endg; said trunnions `66 constitutinglthe pivots 6 1'and63-of the linkage. l` The arms ytogether by a'plate-like member 69 which is welded to the links at and said member is extendedwell beyond the pivot 61 towards the axis ofl the shaft 5S and form an abutment 71 to engage with the pivoted armand limit knuckling movement between the arm and linkage.`

kAn' operating head 72 is fitted on Vthe outer end of the e0y ,6 0 are aperturedat'67xfor receiving the trunnions 66 and Conversely theopening action of thetoggle mechanism Y provides essentialbreakaway force for Vinitiating movement fof the gatein an opening direction; It will be apprec iated that asthe Vgaternovesin anppening direction the' mechanical advantage above referred todecreases until the lengthof the arms is; largely mitigated by placingV the.

- axis of the shaft well below the level ofthe runwayon.

which the gate slides with the pivotal connection between the linkage and the gate disposedA adjacent the runway at Y e theextreme end of thegate thus limiting the angle of pull` Y bet-weenthe runway :and the linkage as seen at 91. The

" -""f'6,b h gn.. is pivotallyconnected with the trailing endmof thegatejl plvot axl's a ""1 etween t e arms 6 60 and lmkages" at 63 whichis there fitted with 4lugs 64 forv receiving the;

pivot ofthe linkage. 'l v 'l t The linkage 62 preferably consists of a-pairofelong'ated Y links 64including abodyportionS and integrally formed 62f-'f62-p`asse'sf through the path of vmovement ofthe gate -.2 7 v,when it is mfov'ed'from itheclosed position,. shown in kFIG. ,7,A through its intermediate position, `shown'in Y V9, to its full openpositiom shownV in FIG. 8,. Even'though the angle of pull is`conservatively maintained byzthe relative position fof the shaftandfgate there Visa. lifting tendency forfthe trailingv end o f the gate and suchltendency e ,is counteracted by engagementbetween the-lugs' 5.4y and rthe guide strips153. i Y .f A 1 The arms Atlareipreferatily locatedimnediately adjacent the inner "side ofthe railmembers34 andy 35.V and are* held on the shaft against y'axial movement by.. rivets 92;` Y

Hub extensions.93*are-providedfat each side of the arms 'and said extensions 93 engage with the linkage y62 to limit y rotating movement Vof the (shaft upon movement of the gate to full 'open position. f

^ What is claimed asv new is':

" 1. In combination,V l

(a) a four-sided hopper including wall means defining Y a discharge opening,

' (b)V a gate movable on said hopper between two of said Iwall means for closing said discharge opening,

integral laterally extending Y FIGS. Z and 7 that the operating mechanism, when thegate is in closed posi- V tion assumes substantially a straight linejpressure from the shaftto the gateacting directly on theend thereofV (c) said gate having the trailing end extending beyond' another of the Walls and including upstanding flange walls at each side thereof extending in the general direction of movement of the gate, and

(d) hood means extending inwardly from said hopper :wall means forming Vchambers overlying the side Iilanges ofthe gate, y i

(e) said side flanges of the gate tapering in depth from the trailing end of the gate and said chambers having corresponding inclined roof portions presenting undersurfaces adapted to register therealong with the upper edges of the side flanges in wedging relation when the gate is in closed position.

2. In combination, g

(a) a four-sided hopper including wall means dening a discharge opening, i

(b) 4a gate movable on said hopper between two of said wall means for closing said discharge opening,

(c) said gate having the trailing end extending beyond .another of the Walls and including upstanding flange walls at each side thereof extending in the general direction of movement of the gate, t

(d) hood means extending .inwardly from said hopper Wall means forming chambers overlying the side anges of the gate,

(e) said side flanges of the gate tapering height from the trailing end of the `gate and said chambers having corresponding inclined roof portions presenting undersurfaces adapted to register therealong with the upper edges of the side rilanges in wedging relationv when the gate is in closed position, t (f) said Ihood means forming complementary grooves for said side flanges in which their upper surfaces engage the undersurlfaces of said hood means to provide sealing engagement therebetween when said gate is in fully closed position, and

(g) means lfor moving said gate between open and closed positions.

3. A discharge outlet assembly comprising, in cornbination, 1

(a) a yfour-sided chute-like enclosure defining a discharge opening,

(b) a `gate for said opening movable beyond one of the `sides of said enclosure to open position,

(c) support means on opposite sides of said enclosure extending toward each other on which said gate is movable,

(d) said gate including an upstanding flange wall at each side extending in the general directionof movement or" the gate and tapering in height from `a lo- .r

cation adjacent said one side of said enclosure when said gate is in closed position,

(e) ledge means along each of said opposite sides of said enclosure in overlying relation to the respective side flange of said `gate and forming complementary grooves therefor in which their upper surfaces. engage inclined undersurfaces of said ledge `means therealong to provide sealing engagement therebetween when said gate is fully closed, and

(f) means for moving said gate -between open and closed positions.'

4. A discharge outlet assembly comprising, in combination,

(a) a four-sided chute-like enclosureV defining a discharge opening,

(b) a gate for said opening movable beyond `one of the sides of said enclosure to openposition,

(c) support means on opposite sides of said enclosure extending toward each other on which said gate is movable, l

(d) said gate including an upstanding flange wall at each side extending in the general direction of movement of the gate and tapering in height from a location adjacent said one side of said enclosure when said gate is in closed position,

(e) ledge means along each of said opposite sides of said enclosure in overlying relation to the `respective side flange of said gate and having inclined undersurfaces ycomplementary to the upper surfaces of said side flanges therealong to provide sealing engagement therebetween when said lgate is fully closed, and

(f) means for moving said `gate between open and closed positions. A

5. The invention, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the support means on which the gate ismovable are run- Ways having surfaces on which said 4gate is slidable and which surfaces are inclined downwardly from the one side-of the enclosure beyond which said gate is slidable to open position toward the opposite side and said run- -ways extend beyond said one side and `support said gate in open position. t H

6. A discharge outlet assembly comprising, in combination,

(a) a four-sided chute-like enclosure defining a discharge opening,

(b) a gate for said opening movable beyond one of the sides of said enclosure to open position,

(c) support means on opposite sides of said enclosure extending toward each other on which said gate is movable,

(d) said gate including an upstanding flange -wall at each side extending in the general direction of movement of the gate and tapering in height from a location adjacent said one side of said enclosure when said gate is in closed position,

(e) ledge means along each of said opposite sides `of said enclosure in overlying relation to the respective side -iiange of said gate and having inclined undersurfaces complementary to the upper surfaces of said side flanges therealong when said gate is fully closed, and

(f) means for 'moving said gate between open and closed positions. v

7. A discharge outlet assembly comprising, in cornbination,

(a) a chute-like enclosure defining a discharge openlngs (b) a gate for said opening movable beyond' one sid of said enclosure to open position,

(c) support means on opposite sides of said enclosure extending toward each other on which `said gate is movable beyond said one side,

(d) said gate including an upstanding lflange `vvall' at each side extending in the general direction of movement of the gate and tapering in height from a location adjacent said one side of said enclos-ure when said gate is in closed position,

(le) ledge means along each of said opposite sides of said `enclosure in overlying relation to the respective side flange of said gate and yforming complementary grooves therefor in which their upper sur-` faces engage inclined undersurfaces of said ledge means therealong to provide` sealing engagement therebetween when said gate is fully closed, and

(f) means for moving said gate between open and `closed positions.

8. A discharge outlet assembly comprising, in combination,

(a) a chute-like enclosure dening a discharge openllg,

(b) a gate for said'opening movable beyond one side of said enclosure to open position,

(c) support means on opposite sides of said enclosure extending toward each other on which said gate is movablebeyond said one side,

(d) said gate including an upstanding flan-ge Wall at each side extending in the general direction of movement of the gate and tapering in height Afrom a Y References Cited in the 111e of this patentV UNITED STATES PATENTS Bellows Mar. 6, 1900 Brenzinger May 26, 1903 Quinn June 28, 1910 y Harrigan Mar. 28, 1911 Coleman July 18,1911

Wright Mar. 12, 11912 Hosceit July 14, 1931 Boyd Apr. 24, 1934 Hankins Jan. 24, 1939 Hankins ian. 24, 1939 Stock Apr. 15, 19411 Weniger Apr. 20, 1943 Hertrich Dec. 28, 1943 Dorey May 12, '19153 Almas Dec. 15, 1953 Dorey Sept.y 28, 1953 Zimmer Mar. 20, 1956 Withall June 26, 1956 -Dorey Nov. 11, 1958 yBatlno r Ian. 20, 1959 Fritz June 2, 1959 Dath Aug. 111, 1959 Lindstrom June 20, 1961

Claims (1)

1. IN COMBINATION, (A) A FOUR-SIDED HOPPER INCLUDING WALL MEANS DEFINING A DISCHARGE OPENING, (B) A GATE MOVABLE ON SAID HOPPER BETWEEN TWO OF SAID WALL MEANS FOR CLOSING SAID DISCHARGE OPENING, (C) SAID GATE HAVING THE TRAILING END EXTENDING BEYOND ANOTHER OF THE WALLS AND INCLUDING UPSTANDING FLANGE WALLS AT EACH SIDE THEREOF EXTENDING IN THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF THE GATE, AND (D) HOOD MEANS EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM SAID HOPPER WALL MEANS FORMING CHAMBERS OVERLYING THE SIDE FLANGES OF THE GATE,

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