GB2196946A - Hopper lid - Google Patents

Abstract

A hopper (1) is provided with a lid (5) comprising first and second sections (9, 10), the first section (9) being pivotally connected to the hopper about a first axis (19) and both sections being pivotally connected together about a second axis (15) that extends substantially parallel to said first axis (19) so that when the lid is closed said second section (10) can be pivoted about said second axis (15) from the closed position to an upright open position and both actions can be pivoted together about said first axis (19) to a fully open position in rich said first action (9) is generally upright. Preferably, the first section (9) is generally horizontal when the lid is fully open. Preferably the two sections (9, 10) form a frame that surrounds the periphery of the hopper when the lid is closed. A cross member (11) is connected between side arms of the first section (9) end extends above the frame to form a support for the second section (10) in the half open position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hopper lid This invention relates to a hopper having a lid connected to it by hinges that allow the lid to be moved between open and closed positions.

According to the invention, a hopper is provided with a lid comprising first and second sections, the first section being pivotally connected to the hopper about a first axis and both sections being pivotally connected together about a second axis that extends substantially parallel to said first axis so that when the lid is closed said second section can be pivoted about said second axis from the closed position to sn upright open position and both sections can be pivoted together about said first axis to a fully open position in which said first section in generally upright.

By this arrangement, it is possible to raise just the second section so that the lid is half open. In some circumstances, this may give sufficient access to allow the hopper to be filled, for example, when using sacks of material that are emptied over the side wall of the hopper. Further, it is then possible to raise the second section of the hopper so that the lid is fully open, whereupon the hopper can be filled from overhead, for example, when using a large sack suspended on a hoist. In the fully open position, the two section of the lid assume a folded position and thus the overall height of the lid and the amount it projects from the hopper is limited. Preferably, the first section is generally horizontal when the lid is fully open so that when the hopper is mounted on a tractor, the lid does not fully obstruct the tractor driver's view over the top of the hopper.

Furthermore, the two stage folding movement of the lid with an intermediate half open position, makes it easier to open and close.

Preferably, the two section of the lid comprise a frame that extends around the periphery of the hopper when the lid is closed. A crossmember is connected between the two side arms of the first section and extends above the frame so as to form a support for the second section in the haif open posiiton. A sheet cover may be fastened to the frame and cross-member.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of a hopper for a pneumatic seed drill or fertiliser spreader.

The illustrated hopper 1 is mounted on a frame 2 having connection means 3 by which it can be carried on the rear hydraulic lift links of a tractor. A fan 4 is mounted on the frame and front wall of the hopper and is driven by the tractor PTO (not shown) so as to produce a flow of air to transport seed or fertiliser from the hopper to ground delivery means (not shown). In the case of a drill, the ground delivery means comprises coulters, and in the case of a fertilser spreader, the ground delivery means comprises spreader nozzles. The form of these delivery means and the manner in which they are mounted on the frame is well known in the art and does not form part of the present invention.

The hopper 1 has a rectangular top section and is covered by a lid 5 comprising a frame 6 formed from tubing and a sheet cover 7 that is secured to the frame by clips 8. The frame 6 comprises two U-shaped sections 9, 10 with their free ends connected together so that they extend fully around the top section of the hopper when the lid is closed, as shown in full lines in the drawing. An intermediate cross-member 11 is connected between the free ends of the front section 9 and comprises a U-shaped length of tubing with its ends connected to the section 9 so that it extends above and across the top of the hopper when the lid is closed. At each side of the lid, a pair of plates 12 serve to connect the ends of the section 9 and cross-member 11 by being welded one either side of the ends of these members.

These plates 12 project rearwards and form a pivotal connection each side for the rear section 10 of the lid. The free ends of the section 10 are each received between a respective pair of plates 12 and carry a Ushaped bracket 13. A bolt 14 engages aligned pairs of holes in the plates and brackets 13 and define a transverse pivot axis 15 about which the rear section 10 can pivot upwards to the half open position 10' shown in broken outline in the drawing. In this position, the rear section 10 rests against the cross-member 11.

The front section 9 of the lid is pivotally connected to the front wall of the hopper by a pair of U-shaped bolts 16 that embrace the cross portion of the section 9 and are fastened to brackets 1 7 that project upwards from the hopper. A loop 18 connected to the cross portion of the section 9 receives one leg of the bolt 16 and serves to locate the lid laterally relative to the brackets 17 whilst still allowing the section 9 to pivot upwards about the transverse pivot axis 19 to the fully open position 10" shown in broken outline in the drawings. In this fully open position, a claim 20 connected between the cross member 11 and the hopper 1 serves to restrain the lid against opening any further.

When the lid is closed, the front section 9 rests each side on a pair of brackets 21 connected to the said walls of the hopper 1, and the rear section 10 rests each side on another pair of brackets 22 connected to the said wall of the hopper. pair of stretch type rubber fastener 23 are connected one each side to the rear section 10 and can be engaged in a respective notched plate 24 on the side wall of th hopper to hold the lid closed.

It will be appreciated that the lid 5 of the hopper can be readily lifted to the half open position by pivoting the rear section 10 forwards about the intermediate axis 15. The hopper can then be filled by sacks lifted over the rear wall of the hopper. Alternatively, the lid can be fully opened by pivoting the folded lid forwards about the forward axis 19 so that the hopper can be filled from above. Once the hopper is filled, the lid can then be closed in a simple two stage action.

Further, it will be appreciated in that in both the half open and fuly open positions, the lid remains reasonably compact and does not completely obstruct the rearwards view of the tractor driver or foul the fan 4 of the tractor.

Claims (6)

1. A hopper provided with a lid comprising first and second sections, the first section being pivotally connected to the hopper about a first axis and both sections being pivotally connected together about a second axis that extends substantially parallel to said first axis so that when the lid is closed said second section can be pivoted about said second axis from the closed position to an upright open position and both sections can be pivoted together about said first axis to a fully open position in which said first section is generally upright.

2. A hopper, as claimed in claim 1, in which the flat section is generally horizontal when the lid is fully open.

3. A hopper, as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the two sections of the lid comprise a frame that extends around the periphery of the hopper when the lid is closed.

4. A hopper, as claimed in claim 3, in which a cross member is connected between two side portions of the first section and extends above the frame so as to form a support for the second section in the half open position.

5. A hopper, as claimed in claim 3, in which said second axis is offset from said cross member on the other side thereof from said first axis.

6. A hopper provided with a lid substantially as herein described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.