AU4884399A

AU4884399A - Conveyors for spreaders

Info

Publication number: AU4884399A
Application number: AU48843/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Stanley Hoyle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-09-21
Filing date: 1999-09-21
Publication date: 2000-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-21
Also published as: AU762502B2

Description

CONVEYORS FOR SPREADERS Field of the Invention This invention concerns agricultural spreaders which distribute fertilisers over orchards and paddocks.

Background to the Invention Rubber belt conveyors with diamond type pattern cleats perform well in that the pockets defined by the cleats ensure uniform delivery 10 and are less affected by travel on slopes which tends to tip the material to the LH or RH side of the conveyor. However, rubber belts are damaged or severed by lumps of material becoming wedged in the path of the belt. Chain conveyors with transverse bars are more rugged and cheaper to build but exert little control on the left and right movement of material when following contours.

This work calls for a conveyor system which is capable of ocarrying fertiliser rearwardly to the spinners from the bin. When the bin is part full of dry uniform pellets such as urea, chain conveyors perform 20 well. However, when the bin is full of fowl manure it is harder to ensure that the conveyor delivers at a uniform rate. When material is sticky, for example, hygroscopic granules, the granules resist the separating motion of the transverse bars as the bars pass through the mass of material in the bin. The chains and bars of the conveyor must also release the material when the conveyor emerges from the bin, discharging the material onto the sloping apron which feeds the spinners. The apron may include a divider, the purpose of which is to give equal feed to each spinner.

If for any reason the delivered material does not fall off the conveyor it will remain on the conveyor and ultimately drop onto the ground in a band. This tends to result in striping, it being a second application in addition to the intended spread.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an agricultural spreader which reduces or overcomes some of the abovementioned difficulties, or which at least provide the public with an useful alternative.

Other objects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only Disclosure of the Invention ~In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an agricultural spreader including a bin, a conveyor assembly having material retention means, the retention means of the conveyor adapted in use, to transfer 15 material from the bin by passage of the retention means of the conveyor into and out of the bin, to a drop point feeding one or more spinners adapted to spread the material over land; and wherein the conveyor S- assembly further includes material dislodging means adapted to facilitate the release of material from the retention means at the drop point.

Preferably, the material retention means includes a plurality of transverse bars.

Prererably, the material dislodging means is a multiplicity of resilient fingers that yield as the bars of the conveyor pass through them; more preferably the multiplicity of resilient fingers. comprises a strip of bristles arranged as a narrow brush, positioned in the path of the bars.

Preferably, the brush is mounted transversely to the directidn of the conveyor, generally parallel to the bars of the conveyor, the bristles forming a curtain through which the bars pass.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided an agricultural spreader including a bin, a conveyor assembly having material retention means, the retention means of the conveyor adapted in use, to transfer material from the bin by passage of the retention means of the conveyor into and out of the bin, to a drop point feeding one or more spinners adapted to spread the material over land; and wherein the spreader further includes dividing means intermediate left and right edges of the conveyor assembly, the dividing means giving rise to divided streams of material, to facilitate an even supply of material to the spinners.

In one embodiment of the second aspect of the invention the dividing means may be one or more circular barriers that protrude through a tail of the conveyor assembly surface.

S" 15 Preferably, each circular barrier is a disc mounted on a sprocket shaft driving the conveyor assembly.

Preferably, the or each disc protrudes through a slot formed in the conveyor surface.

Preferably, the or each disc has notches formed therein to facilitate passage of the bars of the conveyor by receiving and releasing the bars when in use.

Preferably, the dividing means further includes at least one longitudinal divider extending substantially the length of the conveyor.

In a second embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the dividing means is adapted to divide material at the conveyor assembly substantially along its length.

Preferably, the conveyor assembly includes drive chains, one of more of said drive chains intermediate the left and right edges of the conveyor and dividing material on the conveyor into divided streams.

Preferably, the conveyor assembly includes three drive chains, one at each of the left and right edges of the conveyor and acting to retain the material on the conveyor, and an intermediate chain dividing material on the conveyor into divided streams.

10 Preferably, there is further provided dividing means including one or •I °•more circular barriers that protrude through a tail of the conveyor assembly surface.

Further, the embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may 15 further be provided with a separator extending rearwardly of the dividing means.

Preferably, there is further provided an inverted V-cap in the drop off area associated with the or each dividing means adapted to direct i 20 descending streams of material to the spinners.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided an agricultural spreader including a bin, a conveyor assembly having material retention means, the retention means of the conveyor adapted in use, to transfer material from the bin by passage of the retention means of the conveyor into and out of the bin, to a drop point feeding one or more spinners adapted to spread the material over land; and wherein the conveyor assembly further includes material dislodging means adapted to facilitate the release of material from the retention means at the drop point; the spreader further including dividing means intermediate left and right edges of the conveyor assembly, the dividing means giving rise to divided streams of material, to facilitate an even supply of material to the spinners.

Preferably, the material retention means includes a plurality of transverse bars, the material dislodging means is a brush is mounted transversely to the direction of the conveyor, generally parallel to the bars of the conveyor, the bristles forming a curtain through which the bars pass, the dividing means comprising one or more circular barriers that protrude through a tail of the conveyor assembly surface.

Preferably, the conveyor assembly further including drive chains, one of more of said drive chains intermediate the left and right edges of the conveyor and dividing material on the conveyor into divided streams substantially along the length of the conveyor assembly.

Preferably, there is further provided a separator extending rearwardly of the dividing means and an inverted V-cap in the drop off area associated S with the or each dividing means adapted to direct descending streams of material to the spinners.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1: Is a side view of the rear portion of the conveyor assembly, according to one aspect of the invention.

Figure 2: Is a diagrammatic rear view of the component in Figure 1.

Figure 3: Is a diagram of the material dropping from the conveyor to the drop point, feeding the spinners, according to one aspect of the invention.

Figure 4: Is a rear perspective view of the end of the 15 conveyor (bars omitted) showing the separation of the streams.

Figure 5: Is a rear perspective view of the end of the conveyor (bars omitted) according to an alternative 20 embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6: Is a rear perspective view of the end of the conveyor (bars omitted) according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention Referring first to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the rear of the chain conveyor has a pair of drive sprockets 2 which are mounted between side walls 4. Bars 6 extend between the chains 8 and drive pellets before them until the pellets reach the tail 12 of the runway 14 leading out of the gate 16 into the area above the spinners 18. A bristled strip 20 is bolted to tlme tail and projects generally downward through the path of the bars 6. The bars 6 release most of the pellets as the bars descend in a circular motion imposed by the sprocket 2.

The pellets which are not released are brushed from the bar on its passage through the bristles. The bristles are ideally 60-200mm long.

The pellets fall toward the apron 22. The outer material nearest the chain also drops on to the apron. The inner material is diverted by the divider 24 to the apertures (not shown) which feed the spinners 1 8.

10 In use brushes are preferable over the other options of mechanical vibrators or pneumatic purgers but neither would be as cheap or as easily replaceable as a brush. Brushes are not as good with organic materials such as manures as they are with pellets or powders but the site of the component makes it accessible for cleaning or replacement.

oo*oo Referring now to a second embodiment of invention shown in Figure 4 (from which the bars have been omitted) the shaft 30 which supports the conveyor sprockets 2 also supports a steel disc 32 which has a diameter just less that the tooth diameter of the sprockets. The tail 12 of the runway has a slot 34 through which the disc protrudes.

.o The protruding crescent 36 of the disc acts as a barrier to the left hand and right hand movement of material falling over the end of the conveyor.

The material falls into adjacent streams and lands at the two drop-off points 38 which are directly above the spinners (not shown).

As the last part of the trajectory namely from the tail of the conveyor 12 to the inverted V-cap 44 could be biased by the tilt of the spreader on hilly areas, a vertical central separator plate 42 is welded to the apex of the inverted V-cap. The brush position is indicated in broken lines.

The disc 32 passes easily through the bristles of the brush, the disc being ideally of 1 to 3mm in thickness.

Arrangements such as that represented in Figure 4 limit the sideways sliding of the material when the spreader travels along hill contours, preventing material falling in a stream from the conveyor.

It is envisaged that with conveyors of greater width, more than one dividing means could be utilised across the width of the conveyor.

It is further envisaged that longitudinal dividing means such as an 10 upstanding plate may be included in the conveyor assembly, attached to the disc 32 and extending substantially the length of the conveyor. This would further enhance separation of flows of material upon the ~conveyor surface.

•15 Referring finally to a further embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 there are provided many of the same features as illustrated in Figure 4. However the conveyor assembly includes drive chains. Any number of chains is contemplated. Figure 5 shows an embodiment having four chains; Figure 6 shows an embodiment having i 20 three. The central chain 60 in Figure 6 acts as a dividing means itself running the length of the conveyor. The outside chains 61 and 62 will aid in keeping the material upon the conveyor surface. An arrangement involving more than one chain is particularly useful in conveyors requiring greater width. Typically the maximum chain width is of the order of 720mm. The arrangement of Figure 5 allows the addition of an upstanding plate 50 between the second and third chains, 51" and 52 respectively, along the length of the conveyor, to act as a longitudinal dividing means as previously contemplated. This could include the use of two separate conveyors. Further the use of two separate conveyors allows them to be used independently. For example, when material is being spread around waterways and the like, the conveyor closest to the water can be shut down, leaving only the outer conveyor to convey 9 material to the spinners. Figures 5 and 6 further illustrate the bristled strip 20, of Figures 1 to 3.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by was of example 10 and with reference to possible embodiments thereof it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

S

Claims

1. An agricultural spreader including a bin, a conveyor assembly having material retention means, the retention means of the conveyor adapted in use to transfer material from the bin, by passage of the retention means of the conveyor into and out of the bin, to a drop point feeding one or more spinners adapted to spread the material over land, and wherein the conveyor assembly includes material dislodging means adapted to facilitate the release of 10 material from the retention means at the drop point.

An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 1 wherein the material retention means includes a plurality. of transverse bars. o:oo

3. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 2 wherein the material dislodging means includes a multiplicity of resilient fingers that yield as the bars of the conveyor pass through them.

4. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 3 wherein the multiplicity of resilient fingers comprises a strip of bristles arranged as a narrow brush, positioned in the path of the bars.

An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 4 wherein the brush is mounted transversely to the direction of the conveyor, generally parallel to the bars of the conveyor, the bristles forming a curtain through which the bars pass.

6. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 5 wherein the bristles impinge upon the full width of a bar of the conveyor.

7. An agricultural spreader as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the bristles are 60 to 200mmin length. 11

8. An agricultural spreader including a bin, a conveyor assembly having material retention means, the retention means of the conveyor adapted in use to transfer material from the bin, by passage of the retention means of the conveyor into and out of the bin, to a drop point feeding one or more spinners adapted to spread the material over land, and wherein the spreader includes dividing means intermediate left and right edges of the conveyor assembly, the dividing means giving rise to divided streams of material, to facilitate an even supply of material to the spinners. o.

9. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 8 wherein the dividing S* means includes one or more circular barriers that protrude through a tail of the conveyor assembly surface.

10. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 9 wherein the or each circular barrier is a disc mounted on a sprocket shaft driving the conveyor assembly. o•

1 1. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 10 wherein the or each disc protrudes through a slot formed in the conveyor surface.

12. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 11 wherein the or each disc has notches formed therein to facilitate passage of the bars of the conveyor by receiving and releasing the bars when in use.

13. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 12 wherein the dividing means further includes at least one longitudinal divider extending substantially the length of the conveyor.

14. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 8 wherein the dividing means is adapted to divide material on the conveyor assembly substantially along its length.

15. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 14 wherein the conveyor assembly includes drive chains, one of more of said drive chains intermediate the left and right edges of the conveyor and dividing material on the conveyor into divided streams.

16. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 15 where the conveyor assembly includes three drive chains, one at each of the left and right edges of the conveyor and acting to retain the material on the conveyor, and an intermediate chain dividing material on the conveyor into divided streams.

17. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 16 wherein the dividing means further includes one or more circular barriers that protrude o through a tail of the conveyor assembly surface. 20

18. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 17 wherein the or each circular barrier is a disc mounted on a sprocket shaft driving the conveyor assembly.

19, An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 18 wherein the or each disc protrudes through a slot formed in the conveyor surface.

An agricultural spreader as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 19 wherein there is further provided a separator extending rearwardly of the dividing means.

21. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 20 wherein there is further provided an inverted V-cap in the drop off area associated with the or each dividing means adapted to direct descending streams of material to the spinners.

22. An agricultural spreader including a bin, a conveyor assembly having material retention means, the retention reans of the conveyor adapted in use to transfer material from the bin, by passage of the retention means of the conveyor into and out of the bin, to a drop point feeding one or more spinners adapted to spread the material over land, and wherein the conveyor assembly further 10 includes material dislodging means adapted to facilitate the release 999* •of material from the retention means at the drop point, and the S. spreader further including dividing means intermediate left and right :i edges of the conveyor assembly, the dividing means giving rise to divided streams of material, to facilitate an even supply of material to the spinners.

23. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 22 wherein the material S• retention means includes a plurality of transverse bars, the material dislodging means is a brush mounted transversely to the direction 20 of the conveyor, generally parallel to the bars of the conveyor, the bristles forming a curtain through which the bars pass, and the dividing means includes one or more circular barriers that protrude through a tail of the conveyor assembly surface.

24. An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 23 wherein the conveyor assembly further including drive chains, one of more of said drive chains intermediate the left and right edges of the conveyor and dividing material on the conveyor into divided streams substantially along the length of the conveyor assembly.

An agricultural spreader as claimed in claim 24 wherein there is further provided a separator extending rearwardly of the dividing 14 means and an inverted V-cap in the drop off area associated with the or each dividing means adapted to direct descending streams of material to the spinners.

26. An agricultural spreader substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 21st Day of September, 1999 DAVID STANLEY HOYLE Attorney: CAROLINE M BOMMER Fellow Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia of BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS *ee 9 9* 9 9