CA2417333A1 - Grain sample/bin probe - Google Patents

Abstract

The Bin Probe was conceived when the farm company my wife worked for was in need of a grain sampling tool, the ones that were on the market were cost prohibitive and had a habit of plugging up due to close tolerance and corrosion due to like materials bonding together.

My idea was to make one from an Aluminum tube with a PVC inner tube with a loose tolerance and a simple clean out ability and also for the simplicity of manufacture.
Having round holes rather than slots and with this I was able to make the bin probe half the cost of the ones that are on the market today and are in different lengths and hole configurations depending on the use.

Description

ABSTRACT AND DISCLOSURE
Category - Grain Sampler The Bin Probe was conceived when the farm company my wife worked for was in need of a grain sampling tool, the ones that wexe on the market were cost prohibitive and had a habit of plugging up due to close tolerance and corrosion due to like materials bonding together.
My idea was to make one from an Aluminum tube with a PVC inner tube with a loose tolerance and a simple clean out ability and also for the simplicity of manufacture.
Having round holes rather than slots and with this I was able to make the bin probe half the cost of the ones that are on the market today and are in different lengths and hole configurations depending on the use.
The bin probe was disclosed to the public on April 2002 a Farm Home and Leisure Show in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada. From there I have sold about 25 units and have not received any quality problems from the consumer, in fact, I have gotten good reviews from Agrologists and Crop Insurance Agents in the area.
Enclosed are the diagrams of the standard bin probe and the T-model which is in research and development with grain terminal operators and seed suppliers in Saskatchewan.
Hoping this meets your criteria for patents under Industrial Design.
Ken Rubm January 6, 2003 Fig. 1 Drawing A:
Illustrates a standard bin probe which is a hand operated tool to extract grain samples from grain bins to determine grade and or check for insect contamination or spoilage due to heat or moisture. It is also a way of taking a sample from a combine hopper to determine whether or not to proceed at that moisture content.
Fig. 2 Drawing A:
A cross section through the handle showing the slot which controls the degree of opening and the screw which holds the tubes together.
Fig. 1 Drawing B:
Illustrates a standard bin probe, by using five (5) additional parts can be transformed into a bin probe that under some conditions makes it difficult to insert the probe far enough into the volume of grain to gain a proper sample and also by adding the handles gives one more leverage to operate the opposing tubes.
Fig 2 Drawing B:
A cross section showing the T handle and the main handle and the lock mechanism that will lock in a closed position so as to crank the probe into the grain (assisted by the flighting on the point) to a depth of preferred sample then by unlocking and opening the tube holes by moving and handles counter clockwise and allowing grain to enter t:he tube then return handles to lock position closed so as not to loose said sample. Then crank entire probe from grain bin or truck box.

CA 02417333 2003-O1-28 (; c' ~ j Item 1 Item 2 Item 3 Made from 6" of Scad 80-6061 heat treated aluminum pipe, cut down and knurled for good grip and also to accept sample bag A specified length of 1.5 inch x .064 inch wall heat treated aluminum tubing which is found to be of adequate strength for which it is being used. It is drilled and slotted to accept screws and lock mechanism and point.
linch ID rigid PVC electrical condut manufactured by Ipex, cut to fit inside the aluminum tube and drilled to match holes as specified. The tolerance between the PVC and the aluminum is about .008 inches allowing smooth operation. The looser tolerances allows for smooth operation in most conditions/some fine grain seeds will jam but tapping and cycling back and forth or in severe conditions by removing the screw or part T handle can easily be pulled apart and cleaned thoroughly. Also being unlike materials the inner and outer tubes will not corrode together.
Item 4 A
A bullet shaped point machined from 1.5 inch solid 6061 aluminum. The shape is optimum for penetration into various textured grain depending on density recommended for insertion from the top of the pile of grain down where compaction is less concentrated.
Item 4 B
A bulled shaped point with a helical flighting welded to it allowing the operator to penetrate high density grain possibly from the bottom of the column of grain which the compaction is greatest.

Item 5 A
A 8.32 stainless steel screw threaded and counter sunk in handle Item 1 through slot in Item 2 into PVC Item 3 hence holding both tubes together and still allowing them to rotate approximately 100 degrees opening and closing grain holes.
Item 5 B l A'i4 inch aluminum knurled handle 4 inch long threaded into Item 1 with a'/4 inch diameter extension to go through Item 2 slot into Item 3 PVC hence holding both tubes together and still allowing them to rotate approximately 100 degrees opening and closing grain holes Item 5 B2 A 3/4 inch aluminum knurled handled 4 inches long threaded into Item 13 B
collar with a .064 inch extension beyond collar into Item 2 hence fixing the handle into a stationery position with Item 2 only.
Item 6 Item 7 Item 8 Item 9 A 3- 8.32 stainless screws threaded and counter sunk into Item 1 though into PVC
Item 3 thus fixing the inner tube to the rotating handle.
3 - 6.32 stainless screws threaded and counter sunk through Item 2 into Item 4 A
or Item 4 B thus fixing point to tube and the two parts are interchangeable.
1" holes drilled through item 2 and Item 3 to provide access for most grains to inter when the handle is rotated to open position and capturing the grain when handle is rotated to closed position. Holes are drilled to the users specifications.
The total lengths of the bin probe are standard 4 foot - 5 foot - 6 foot or 7 foot and special orders as per users specifications up to 10 feet maximlun.

r Item 10 The opening in the handle that is machined with a shoulder to accept a sample bag or zipper lock plastic bag or what ever the user has. After sample is captured in the n_rohe the probe can be raised ay so a.s t~ let gravity release the sample into the bag. If the sample is enough then simply re-insert probe into grain and let bag old over and repeat until an adequate sample is in the bag.
Iiem I1 B
A spring loaded lock pin threaded into Item and in a closed position will lock into slot through Item 2 thus locking handles 5 B I and 5 B2 in an opposing position enabling the user to rotate the entire probe in the counter clockwise direction thus extracting it from the grain pile or column without losing sample.
Item 12 B
A knob on the spring loaded Item 11 B. By pulling out on 12. B would release pin thus unlocking Item 1 and 2 so they can be rotated to open position so that desired JQI1~171~ W Ill CIItGt' 1I117Ci 11,1~C.
Item 13 Ii A collar drilled and threaded to accept Item 5 B2 handle which has a'/4 inch round extension that locks into Item 2 only which makes S.B2 a stationary handle with outer tube.
Ail parts designated B are replacement parts for part A which makes the standard probe the ultimate probe.

Claims (3)

1. A manually operable tool for extracting samples of cereal grains and or oil seeds from bin/hoppers and or piles of grain or oil seeds.

2. A tool as defined in Claim 1 which a light weight tube of aluminum which has a PVC tube inserted inside and by rotating it 100 degrees will open ports to which the sample of grain or oil seeds will be trapped inside and with the elevation of the entire unit will release the sample into a bag.

3. A tool as defined in Claim 1 or in Claim 2 which with the addition of a T-handle and a helical point will inhance the ability to penetrate tougher and more dense grains or oil seeds. Since the inner and outer materials are different in make up it eliminates the concern of corrosion.