GB2502118A - Solid fuel bin having bulk storage and removable hopper - Google Patents

Abstract

A solid fuel bin having a first part 1 and a lower smaller removable hopper part 2. At least one transport means is provided which may be in the form of wheel 6. The bin has at least one entrance and separate exit 4. There is provided a direct passage between the store 1 and hopper 2. A mechanism 8 may be provided for the controlled passage of fuel from the first chamber 1 to the hopper 2. The exit 4 may be lockable which may be achieved by padlock 10. A store base 9 is optionally provided having a slit through which the fuel may pass. The slit houses mechanism 8 which can be operated by lever 7. Mechanism 8 may take the form of a butterfly valve. A grill divider base may prevent fuel from falling through to the hopper 2 but allows air circulation. The bin is intended for use with solid fuels such as coal, logs or wood.

Description

A SOLID FUEL BIN

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a solid fuel bin, for use typically but not exclusively in domestic scenarios, and of particular use for incremental usage of large delivery loads.

Background

Partly as a result of trends and partly as a result of perceived sustainability and desire to be energy self-sufficient, solid fuel heating has become increasingly fashionable and increasingly common.

However, equally for many users solid fuel heating can be a necessity when such users live in older properties have not been updated, and modern space heating systems have not been installed.

In any event many users are still using solid fuel such as coal, logs or wood, and tr"2O whilst some may be younger a proportion are less physically able.

Such fuels can be bulky and dirty, and accordingly many users store them outside or maintain a store of the fuel remote from where the fuel heating or burnt is instigated.

In this way the fuel needs both storage and means to transport the fuel cleanly from a "25 delivery, to a store, and from the store to where it will be burnt and furthermore such means is preferably simple to move, self-contained and ideally fulfils all these steps.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Granted Greek patent GR 1 007 227 (MITROULIAS) discloses a roll pallet (case) for the storage and transport of firewood which are of similar of different size, placed in-height into the case and occupying the least possible surface. The frame made of metal materials or /and wood and dimensioned to fit the quantity and length of the firewood to be stored. Sections are formed in dependence on the height of the frame at the underside of which there are placed four resistant wheels (two wheels pivoting around their vertical axle and two steady wheels); the seating base of the pallet (space extended between wheels) is connected to the height of the pallet and the frame thereof. Handles are adapted to the upper part of the frame for the hanging of the case via hoisting means. The dyeing of said case is dependent on the space wherein this last will be placed.

Chinese utility model CN 2 853 545 (LIANG) discloses a coal wheelbarrow, consisting of a coal box and a barrow body equipped with two wheels. The coal box and barrow body are separate structures. Coal box which is rectangular and is positioned under the barrow body between the two wheels. Suspension loops are provided on the upside of front and rear outer wall of a coal box, hooks are provided on the barrow body corresponding to the loops. The coal box is movable connected with barrow body with the hooks catching the loops. The coal wheelbarrow just takes up the coal box when sunning. Barrow body can be in use only for transportation, the one-to-one correspondence between the coal wheelbarrow and the barrow body is changed to one-to-many correspondence, thereby, lots of barrow is saved during the * whole process of sunning and transportation, the costs, including the maintenance *r'"20 cost are reduced, furthermore, coal boxes can be overlapped to sun coal, which saves much coal sunning area.

United States patent application US 4 530 510 (DRIGGERS) discloses an apparatus for transporting firewood from the exterior of a dwelling to the interior thereof, : "25 comprising: a platform having a proximal end and a distal end; a pair of wheels at the * * : proximal end of said platform; a pair of wheels at the distal end of said platform, said pair at the distal end being of greater diameter than said pair at the proximal end; a proximal retaining member extending generally vertically upward from said platform from the proximal end thereof; a distal retaining member extending generally vertically upward from said platform from the distal end thereof; handle means at the upper extremity of each retaining member, whereby said apparatus may be tilted and rolled on either of said pair of wheels utilizing the handle means at the same end thereof for so doing.

united States patent application US 4 264 081 (MARKHAM) discloses a fireplace implement for receiving, hauling and storing adjacent a fireplace a vertically elongated column comprising a horizontally directed array of aligned pieces of firewood! the fireplace implement comprising: a base frame comprising an open rectangular frame disposed in a horizontal plane, the frame comprising perimeter bar means integrally secured together in end-to-end relationship defining a bottom opening there between through which debris will fall; first and second front and rear open substantially vertically erect elongated rectangular frames disposed in spaced parallel vertical planes, the lower end of each side being integrally connected to and coextensive with the base, each front and rear frame comprising perimeter bar means comprising spaced vertically parallel elongated side bar means firmly connected at the lower ends thereof by said base and defining a substantial open area within the perimeter bar means, the transverse distance between the planes respectively containing the front and rear frames being less than one-half the vertical dimension of each front and rear frame and the transverse distance of each front and rear frame being less than one-half the vertical dimension of each front and rear frame; the transverse region between the top and bottom of the two vertical front and rear frames; bar connector means integrally bridging between and across the tops of the front and rear frames over the unobstructed transverse region, the base at the bottom and the bar connector means at the top being the sole interconnection between the two front and rear frames; a set of fore and a set of aft axle mounted r"42° fixed alignment parallel ground engageable idler wheels carried directly adjacent the base frame for erect four wheel or inclined two wheel displacement of the implement at the option of the operator for loading of firewood at a storage site through the unobstructed area between the front the rear frames into the transverse region so as :. to solely rest upon the open base frame while being cradled solely between the front * "25 and rear frames, hauling of the firewood to a fireplace site using erect four wheel r " displacement or inclined two wheel displacement and erect storage of the firewood in the implement juxtaposed the fireplace for ready firewood access through the transverse regions.

In contrast the present invention provides a single, multi-step means of transporting fuel from a delivery to use, cleanly and minimising effort from a user.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a solid fuel bin, including a first store part above a second smaller detachable hopper part, at least one transport means, at least one entrance at least one separate exit, and a separate direct passage between the store and the hopper In all preferred embodiments the bin is for use with solid fuei wherein for example the store may be used to store wood or other large or smaller solid fuel and the hopper may be used for transporting smaller solid fuel to remote locations.

In all embodiments the hopper may be detached from the bin in its entirety so that the hopper can be moved to remote locations, and fuel may be moved cleanly, and ideally therefore the hopper is robust and deep with side and/or uppermost handles that are not liable to be dirtied by contact with fuel.

In preferred embodiments the hopper may be detached or displaced from the bin through simple sliding movement, although some embodiments may include a catch orstayto prevent undesired or unauthorised displacement.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the store has three entrances or exits, allowing first loading, and subsequent partial unloading as required through a store exit or a hopper's exit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention a first store entrance comprises a door and a second store entrance comprises a lid. Typically the lid and door are single hinged flaps. In other embodiments the door may be slidable or otherwise incrementally displaceable so that a user is enabled to access upper parts of the * ":25 store without disturbing lower parts. ****. * .

The lid is ideally hinged at a rearmost edge wherein the lid is a solid plate with a rim that interfaces with an aperture having a lip which combines to provide a tight interlocking fit and additionally or in the alternative prevent ingress of rainwater, air or other fluid.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a mechanism for controlled ejection or passage of fuel from the store to the hopper.

This mechanism allows user defined passage of fuel which may in preferred embodiments be incremental.

In this way the user may fill the store initially and pass smaller quantities of fuel to the hopper so that the hopper may be used to transport fuel into a home or other remote locations, wherein the bin may be maintained outside or in a more appropriate location, and for example filled by a delivery and left in place, with the user periodically returning to unload to the hopper which is kept local to a burning area, stove or fire.

The mechanism may be activated by the user from exterior to the bin or store. For example there may be a button, switch or lever. In preferred embodiments the mechanism is mechanical, however some embodiments may include electronic elements, wherein such embodiments may be destined for interior locations.

The passage may be facilitated andtor controlled by a trapdoor or displaceable scoop, for example wherein said scoop may displace and allow passage first to the scoop from the store, then from the scoop to the hopper, by rotatory or incremental action, preferably said action leading to repetitive incremental passage, that also prevents further passage in incremental fashion. * * * * S.

r20 Although in some embodiments the means of transport may be provided by a handle on the bin or hopper, ideally the means consists of a roller or plurality of wheels on the bin, typically wherein these wheels or roller enable the bin to be easily moved, and ideally locked in position. *.

: ":25 Preferably therefore said wheels or roller are located along one side or edge of the bin, in order that movement is made available by tipping back from the edge and movement prevented by the bin at rest.

In this way even a heavily laden bin is capable of movement by pivot action and wheeling. The bin may therefore be laden remote from its storage location.

Ideally therefore the wheels or roller is/are balanced at a distal edge or side by feet which allow the bin to be vertical and stable at rest.

In other embodiments the wheels may displace or retract under either or in automatic or user-defined circumstances. For example wherein the wheels may be mounted on sprung biased so as to retract when the bin is not tilted from vertical, In other embodiments there may be provided user control, such as a pedal or other release to enable the transport means to function or prevent its function.

In further embodiments there may be provided a lock or stop which is used to apply prevention of movement.

In preferred embodiments there may be provided perforations, wherein said holes typically supply ventilation means to allow air to circulate primarily about the store, so as to ensure wood in the store dries naturally.

Said perforations, apertures or lacunas are ideally dimensioned, oriented, hooded or cowled to prevent ingress of rain or fluid.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing *.... 20 from the scope of invention. * .-

:.: . With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the pads of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are : "25 deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the ad, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in th& drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the bin; Figure 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment; Figures 3 show two side views of the embodiment; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the embodiment; Figures 5 show a top and front view of the embodiment; and Figure 6 shows an ièornetric cross-sectional view of the embodiment.

Detailed Descri�tion of Figures The pictured and preferred embodiment of the bin provides a durable weatherproof unit formed primarily of medium density polyethylene (MDPE) which is UV-stabilised *,...20 and corrosion resistant, and keeps contents dry and ventilated whilst also reducing packaging and promoting ease of delivery. * te * * . n. *

Being easy to transport and of vertical construction with minimal footprint, the pictured embodiment of the bin can be stared away during summer months and is easier for elderly users.

Various sizes of the bin may avaiJable depending on the user's fuel requirements and in all embodiments the hopper provides a manageable coal bucket designed to carry a load of coal or wood to the fireplace; solid and durable with a ribbed construction.

Solid fuel such as a load of coal may be delivered at a front of a house and the load can be pulled through or round the house in a clean and easy fashion.

Pulling a lever handle dispenses an amount of coal into the bucket below.

Alternatively, wood is stacked inside in the store, and accessed through a main store door.

The lower door offers better access to the coal contents, wherein the full door offers access to a store of wood and opening the lower door offers access to the coal bucket.

The pictured and preferred embodiment of the bin includes the following: Store (1) Robust twin-walled construction with strengthening ribs in side panels hopper (2) Main loading lid (3) Store access door (4) Hopper door (5) Transport wheels (6) *1 * * ** a Store to hopper passage lever (7) : :* Store to hopper passage dispenser mechanism (8) Store base (9) S. *1 * S** *:"3 Store padlock (10) In some embodiments the base 9 will slope to the hopper passage, in order to direct fuel towards a bottleneck that may help regulate passage and funnel the fuel (not shown) towards a narrow slot in the base 9.

In some embodiments a butterfly valve dispenses fuel into the hopper wherein a twist handle moves a split tube around to expose a passage for the fuel. Alternatively an extended handle and trough holds a load of fuel that is deposited in the hopper 2 when twisted.

Dual door, coal access and wood access. Turn latch to secure close.

In some embodiments a grill divider base prevents the fuel from falling through to the hopper 2 but allows circulation of air. * . S * *5 * * S * S. * . S *.. S * -* S..

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Claims (6)

1. Claims 1. A solid fuel bin, including a first store part above a second smaller detachable hopper part, at least one transport means, at least one entrance at least one separate exit, and a separate direct passage between the store and the hopper.
2. 2. A bin according to claim 1 wherein the store has two entrances or exits, allowing first loading, and second partial unloading.
3. 3. A bin according to claim 1 or 2 including a mechanism for controlled passage of fuel from the store to the hopper.
4. 4. A bin according to claim 1 to 3 wherein the means is a plurality of wheels.
5. 5. A bin according to any preceding claim including cowled ventilation perforations.
6. 6. A bin according to any preceding claim including at least one lockable exit.1. A method of forming a bi-partite solid fuel storage facility according to a *: preceding claim or with reference to the figures. * * * ** * * S S.. * * * * * *SS *****.* *