US3712249A

US3712249A - Flexible railway hopper closure operating mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3712249A
Application number: US00039682A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Nagy; W Shaver
Original assignee: Pullman Inc
Current assignee: Pullman Standard Inc; Pullman Inc
Priority date: 1970-05-20
Filing date: 1970-05-20
Publication date: 1973-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-23

Abstract

A hopper discharge outlet arrangement including a frame and a sectional closure member slidingly movable horizontally relative to a hopper discharge opening, the closure member being moved by the rotation of an operating rod having reels connected thereto on which flexible members are wound and unwound and are so anchored and positioned on the frame that in response to rotation of the reels the closure member is moved between open and closed positions. Certain of the reels are provided with a spiral groove on which the flexible members are wound, the initial winding taking place on the smallest diameter portion of the groove and subsequent winding occurring on increased diameter groove portions of the total groove which in effect provides a high torque and low speed initial operation during the opening of the gate and which upon continued opening provides for a decrease in torque and a higher speed of opening. A modification of the invention includes reels in the form of pulleys and flexible elements comprise chains which are wound around the pulleys and upon themselves so as to achieve the desired torque and speed operation.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Nagy et al.

1451 Jan. 23, 1973 1541 FLEXIBLE RAILWAY HOPPER CLOSURE OPERATING MECHANISM [75] lnventors: Ernest J. Nagy; William R. Shaver,

both of Munster, Ind.

[52] US. Cl. ..105/282 R, 105/300, 242/117 [51] Int. Cl. ..B6ld 7/20, B61d 7/26, B65h 75/18 [58] Field of Search...l05/247, 282 R, 282 A, 282 P,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,536,013 lO/1968 Nagy ..105/282 P 3,433,178 3/1969 Floehr ..l05/282 R 1,122,918 12/1914 Hart etal. ..l05/282PX 887,225 5/1908 Post ..298/27 1,465,375 8/1923 Stovall ..l05/247 748,221 12/1903 Sheffield et al.. 105/282 R 837,417 12/1906 Miller ...l05/282 R 1,340,297 5/1920 Schiff 1 ..242/117 1,874,077 8/1932 Anderson ...242/1 17 X 2,363,393 11/1944 Burnett ..242/117 X 2,816,797 12/1957 l-lanson ..214/83.2 X 2,859,707 11/1938 Dore .......................Y105/28R 3,135,478 6/1964 Harlander ..242/1 17 3,348,501 10/1967 Stevens et al. ..105/282 R X 3,472,178 10/1969 Floehr ..105/282 A 3,472,179 10/1969 Floehr 105/282 R 3,485,183 12/1969 Floehr ..l05/282 R Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant ExaminerHoward Beltran Attorney-Hilmond O. Vogel and Wayne Morris Russell [57] ABSTRACT A hopper discharge outlet arrangement including a frame and a sectional closure member slidingly movable horizontally relative to a hopper discharge opening, the closure member being moved by the rotation of an operating rod having reels connected thereto on which flexible members are wound and unwound and are so anchored and positioned on the frame that in response to rotation of the reels the closure member is moved between open and closed positions.

Certain of the reels are provided with a spiral groove on which the flexible members are wound, the initial winding taking place on the smallest diameter portion of the groove and subsequent winding occurring on increased diameter groove portions of the total groove which in effect provides a high torque and low speed initial operation during the opening of the gate and which upon continued opening provides for a decrease in tor ue and 3 hi her speed of openin A mo il1flcat1on o? the invention inclufies reels 1n the form of pulleys and flexible elements comprise chains which are wound around the pulleys and upon themselves so as to achieve the desired torque and speed operation.

15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 23 I973 SHEET 1 [1F 4 43 INVENTORS WILLIAM R. SHAVER 3B ERNEST NAGY BY W & TT Y PATENTED JAN 23 I973 SHEET 2 [IF 4 INVENTORS WILLIAM R. SHAVER E NESTJ NAGY BYWWM ATT'Y PATENTEDJAN23 197s 3.712.249

SHEET 3 UF 4 INVENTORS WILLIAM R. SHAVER RN STJ. NAG Y PATENIEDJAN23 ms 3.712.249

SHEET u 0F 4 I N VENTORS WILLIAM R. SHAVER ERNEST J. NAG Y FLEXIBLE RAILWAY HOPPER CLOSURE OPERATING MECHANISM This application is a continuation-in-part application of applicants copending application, Ser. No. 801,634 filed Feb. 24, 1969, now abandoned. This application is also related to one of co-applicants application, Ser. No. 765,533 filed Oct. 7, I968, now US. Pat. No. 3,536,013 issued Oct. 27, I970, which discloses a sectional closure member for a discharge hopper arrangement which is sequentially operated.

SUMMARY The present invention relates to the actuating mechanism for opening and closing a closure member or gate relative to the discharge opening of a hopper discharge arrangement. The present invention has for its primary object a provision for an improved reel type actuating mechanism for sliding a closure gate into open and closed positions. The reel mechanism includes two pairs of reel members, one pair for opening the gate and the second pair for closing the gate, each of said rccl members of the first pair includes a spiral groove designed to provide initial low speed, high torque opening of the gate and as movement toward open position continues the groove arrangement provides a higher speed of movement and less torque until the gate assumes its desired position. The second pair of reels has its flexible members so connected that on initial closing of the gate a high speed, low torque action takes place with decrease in speed of closing and higher torque as the gate approaches its closed position. A modified embodiment includes reels or pulleys around which link chains are wound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of an improved hopper discharge arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing one symmetrical portion ofa hopper discharge arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken through a sectional gate;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of a rear portion of a hopper discharge arrangement;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of a hopper discharge arrangement;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. I0 is a side elevational view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, with certain parts shown in section; and

FIG. I] is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-11 ofFIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A hopper discharge arrangement is designated generally by the reference character I0 and includes a frame 11 of generally rectangular configuration. The frame 11 comprises a vertical front frame member 12 having connected thereto side frame members I3. The

front frame member 12 includes an inclined flange l4 and the side frame members 13 each includes an inclined flange 15. A transversely extending rear angle member 16 is suitably connected to the side frame member 13 and with the

inclined flanges

14 and 15 is secured to the sloping walls 17 of a hopper generally designated at 18. The hopper 18 shown in FIG. 3 is of conventional construction and is usually provided at the lower end of a tank or railway tank car for discharging material through an opening provided at the lower end of the walls 17.

Spaced rearwardly of the angle members 16, and to the left as shown in FIG. 2, the frame 11 includes a transversely extending frame member 19 having its opposite ends rigidly secured to the ends of the side frame members I3.

The side frame members 13, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, are provided with inwardly directed ledges 20 on which a closure gate 21 is supported. The closure gate 21 is of a sectional type including a front gate section 22 which has connected thereto a pair of transversely spaced, horizontally extending frame elements 23, best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. The frame elements 23 extend rearwardly in a direction toward the cross member 19 and the end of each frame element 23, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, is provided with a vertically extending stop 24. The closure gate 21 further includes a rear gate section 25 which is disposed in superposed relation relative to the gate section 22. The rear gate section 25, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, is provided with an upwardly transversely extending stop element 25' which also acts to seal a rear opening 24, as shown in FIG. 3, of the outlet arrangement 10 when the gate 21 is in the closed position. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,

corner retaining tabs

26 and 27 supported on the side frame members 13 restrain the gate 21 against upward displacement. Retaining tabs 28 on the front frame member 12 also serve a similar purpose for the front gate section 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, the front end of rear section 25 is provided with a transversely extending lower seal member 29. The rear end of the front gate section 22 is similarly provided with a transversely extending seal member 30 with

such seal members

29 and 30 being substantially in the same plane. A flexible seal element 31 is suitably connected to the seal member 29 whereupon in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 4, the

sections

22 and 25 form a sealed closure underneath the discharge opening of the outlet arrangement 10. The section 25 is provided at its rear end with downwardly projecting stop members 32 which are adapted to be engaged by the lower section 22 upon rearward movement thereof as will be presently described.

Each of the spaced frame elements 23 includes a downwardly projecting support 33 having a transverse opening 34.1 A shaft or actuating member 35 is rotatably positioned in the openings 34 and is provided at its opposite ends with suitable conventional operating heads 36 whereby the shaft 35 may be manually rotated.

The shaft 35 has supported thereon for rotation therewith a pair of first reel elements 37 positioned inwardly from the side frame members 13. Also positioned on the actuating shaft 35 is a pair of second reel elements 38 disposed outwardly of the side frame members 13. Each of the

reel elements

37 and 38 is provided with a conical outer face 39, having disposed therein a spiral groove 40. The

reel elements

37 and 38 are suitably keyed as indicated at 41 to the shaft 35.

Flexible elements

42 and 43, such as steel cable, or of other suitable material having high tensile strength, have end portions connected to said reels.

As shown in FIG. 6, at the end of the groove 40 on the largest diameter portion of each reel, there is provided a suitable clamp 44 which secures the ends of each flexible member 43 to the respective reel 38. The reels 37, at the smallest diameter portions thereof, have the ends of the flexible members 42 connected thereto by clamps 44. The flexible elements 42 extend rearwardly and are connected to the vertical cross member by adjustable clamp elements 45 which are constructed to permit adjusting of the tension of said flexible elements. Similarly the flexible elements 43 have end portions connected to the side frame members by means of similar clamp elements 45' as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A pair of pivoted latch elements 46, as best shown in FIG. 3 are rotatable on the shaft and as shown in FIG. 6 are anchored in position by means of retainer elements 47. A stop hook 48 is provided on each of the underneath surfaces of each of the spaced ledges 20 and as best shown in FIG. 3 is engageable by the latch elements 46 so as to lock the gate 21 in the closed position. Thus in the position shown in FIG. 3 the gate is locked. A rotatable rod 49 is pivoted on ends of the latch elements 46 and is adapted to be actuated by means of a manual handle 50. Rotatable stops 51 rotate with the rod 49 to the position shown in FIG. 3 and engage the underneath sides of the ledges 20 to prevent pivotal movement of the latch elements 46 from the locked position. To pivot said latch elements 46 into the unlocked position the rod 49 is simply rotated in a counterclockwise direction whereupon the rotatable stops 51 permit the pivotal disengagement of said latch elements 46. The reference character 52, as shown in FIG. 2, refers to a car seal arrangement more fully described in the aforementioned patent application.

THE OPERATION Closure gate 21 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is shown in the closed and locked position. By the actuation of the rotatable rod 49 which in turn moves the stop 51 in a counterclockwise direction the latch element 46 is pivoted out of engagement with the stop latch 48 which then permits the gate 21 to be moved to an open position. Rotation of the operating head 36 in a clockwise direction provides for the winding of the flexible elements 42 initially about the lower diameter portion of the groove in turn causing movement of the section 22 in a direction toward the vertical cross member 19. The torque applied by virtue of the rotation of the reels 47 is at a maximum during the initial opening movement of the section 22 and as the flexible elements 42 are wound upon the spiral grooves 40, by virtue of the increasing diameter afforded by the conical faces 39, the torque decreases during such movement of the gate 22 while the speed of movement increases. The increased torque at the beginning of the opening of the gate is desired during the initial opening since the weight of the material to be discharged requires more force initially to open the discharge gate in this type of outlet arrangement. However once the gate section 21 is partially open the need for maximum torque decreases and higher speed is desired so that quick opening of the gate can occur. This is achieved by the shape of the grooves on the reels. As the gate section 22 opens further it moves underneath the gate section 25 until the gate section 22 engages the stop members 32 of the gate 25. Upon such engagement the gate 25 is now also moved with the gate 22 until both

sections

22 and 25 are disposed to one side of the discharge opening in an entirely open position. To close the

gate sections

22 and 25 the operator rotates the operating heads 36 in a counterclockwise direction and the flexible elements 43 initially are wound upon the largest diameter portion of the groove 40 of the reels 38. Thus initially the gate section 22 is moved in a rapid speed in the direction of closing and as it approaches the closed position, the flexible elements 43 are wound upon the smaller diameter portion of the groove 40 and a higher torque for closing is provided at a lower speed of movement. The higher torque is desired at the final closing of the section to assure positive and effective closing operation. As the gate 22 is moving, the vertical stops 24 engage the rear end of the gate section 25 and also move the same to its closed position as shown in FIGS.

3 and 4 whereupon the

seal members

29 and 30 and seal element 31 are in sealing engagement in the closed position of the gate 21. As shown in FIG 3, the transversely extending stop element 25' and the discharge opening is properly sealed and closed by the closure gate 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MODIFIED EMBODIMENT In FIGS. 7 11, a modified embodiment of an improved hopper discharge arrangement is disclosed and designated by the reference character 60. The arrangement 60 includes a hopper 61 having a plurality of sloping walls 62 which are provided at their lower ends with a frame generally designated at 63. The frame 63 includes a pair of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending vertical walls 64 connected by a laterally extending vertical wall 65 and an angle member forming a laterally extending wall 66. The

vertical walls

64 and 65 are provided with a tapered flange 67 which is suitably connected to three of the sloping walls 62 of the hopper 61.- The vertical walls 64 are providedwith longitudinally extending extensions 68 which are provided at their ends with a cross bracket or angle 69. The

vertical walls

64, 65 and angle 66, in effect, provide a discharge opening 70 provided at the lower end of the hopper 61.

As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the vertical walls 64 and extensions 68 are provided with a lower ledge 71 and an upper ledge 72. A sectionalized closure member or gate is designated by the reference character 73 and comprises a pair of longitudinally

movable sections

74 and 77, the latter being positioned on the ledges 72 for sliding movement and the section 74 being positioned on the ledge 71 for sliding movement. The section 74 is also provided with a pair of extensions 75 which extend rearwardly in the direction toward the bracket 69, as best shown in FIGS. The gate section 74 in its closed position is retained therein against vertical movement by suitable retainer tabs 76 as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The section 77 is likewise suitably retained on the ledges 72 against vertical movement by suitable retainer tabs 78 as best shown in FIG. 7. The section 77 is also provided with a rear stop 79 adapted to engage a portion of a stop member 80 suitably connected to the angle 66 when the section 77 is in a closed position. The stop 79 also serves to seal the rear end of a space formed between the vertical wall 65 and portions of the frame 63.

The

sections

74 and 77 are positioned one above the other and have adjacent end portions in overlapping relation as best shown in FIG. 9. A downwardly extending ledge 81 is provided on the front end of the section 77 and a ledge 82 projecting upwardly is provided on the rear end of the section 74. In the closed position, as indicated in FIG. 9, the ledges 81 and 82 are adapted to seal, by suitable sealing means not described in detail, the space provided by the

superposed sections

74 and 77, thus effectively sealing the discharge opening when the gate is in its closed position. The rearmost end of the gate 77 is also provided with stops 83 and the extensions 75 are provided with stop members 84 to engage the rear ends of the sections 77, as best shown in FIG. 9. Essentially, the hopper discharge arrangement 60 functions in a manner similar to the aforementioned embodiment of the invention in that a sectionalized gate arrangement is provided with a novel means for opening and closing the said gate with the application of a maximum torque at a certain speed rather than a lesser torque at a greater speed in the manner desired and explained hereinabove.

The arrangement 60 is also provided with a transversely extending shaft 85 which is rotatably mounted on depending brackets 86 in turn carried on the extensions 75. The shaft 85 is provided with a conventional actuating head 87 at opposite ends normally engaged by a suitable tool by the operator for rotating the shaft 85 during operation. A first reel means or a pair of pulleys 88 are connected to the shaft 85 for rotation therewith.

A pair of chains 89 are connected to the shaft 88 to be wound upon the pulleys 88 and ends of the chain 89 are suitably connected as indicated at 90 to the transversely extending angle or bracket member 69. The shaft 85 is also provided with reel means or an additional pair of pulleys 91 to be rotated with the shaft 85. A pair of chains 92 are also suitably connected to the shafts 85 to be wound upon the pulleys 88 and the chains in turn are suitably connected as indicated at 90 to opposite sides of the frame and particularly on the vertical wall 64 by means of brackets 93 which are connected to the ends of the chain as indicated at 94. The

connections

90 and 94 may be of an adjustable type so that chains may be tightened as desired.

The hopperdischarge arrangement 60 indicated in the modified embodiment is similar to that shown in the aforementioned embodiment in that it includes a suitable locking arrangement generally designated at 95 which functions in a manner similar to the arrangement indicated by the

reference characters

46, 49, 51, etc. of FlGS. 2 and 3.

OPERATION OF THE MODlFlED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 7, the hopper discharge arrangement 60 is shown in the closed position of the closure member or gate 73. To effectuate opening of the

gate sections

74 and 77 the operator by means of a suitable tool rotates the operating head 87 and shaft 85 in a clockwise direction whereupon the chains 89 are wound about the pulleys 88. Upon such winding the section 74 is moved rearwardly. Upon rearward movement of the section 74 of the ledge 82 is moved out of engagement with the seal and ledge 81 and the said extensions move rearwardly until the rear end of the section 74 engages the stops 83 which in turn then also causes full retraction of the gate section 77 to the open position, with both of the

sections

74 and 77 being in relatively vertical stacked relation and to one side of the discharge opening of the hopper. Thus the hopper iscompletely open. The chains 89 in their being wound initially about the shaft effectuate a high torque and low speed movement of the sections during the initial opening to thereby also achieve the benefits of the invention described in the aforementioned embodiment. In other words, where high torque is required initially, such torque is achieved by the chains 89 initially winding upon the shaft to effectuate the high torque at a relatively low speed. However as the chains 89 are wound upon themselves over the pulleys 88, the torque decreases and the speed of opening increases, thus achieving a fast opening gate arrangement. Of course as this opening occurs the chains 92 are unwound from the pulleys 91 with said pulleys 91 and chains 92 being operative in a reverse direction to effectuate closing of the gates in sequence. Such closing is effected also by rotating the shaft 85 whereupon the chains 92 wrap themselves or are wound upon the pulleys 91 which thereby moves the section 74 initially until the stops 84 engage the sections 74 which are then also moved into the position shown in FIG. 9 wherein the gate 73 is in a closed and sealed position relative to the discharge opening.

in the modification of the arrangement 60, as the gate 73 is being opened by the rotation of the pulleys 88 in a clockwise direction, the chains 92 are being unwound from the pulleys 91 until the gate is completely open. At the extreme open position, the connection of the chains 92 to the pulleys 91 is at the narrowest diameter of the pulley hub,'as best shown in FIG. 10. The shaft 85 is now rotated in a counterclockwise direction wherein the chain starts to wrap itself about the narrow portion of the pulley hub 91 and onto itself thus causing the gate sections to move to the right to the closed position, whereupon the chains 89 are unwound from the pulleys 88 during this operation. It should be noted that in this case the high torque is in the initial closing of the gate and as the pulleys 91 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the speed increases toward closing and the sections as they are moved to the closed position are moving faster with less torque being applied. This operation is contrary to the operation disclosed in the aforementioned embodiment wherein high torque and low speed is desired and achieved when initially opening. and upon final closing. 1t is recognized that under certain conditions of operation of the gate high torque may be desired on initially closing which is achieved in the modified embodiment. Primarily, however, the important advantage of high torque on opening is present in both embodiments.

Thus it is now apparent that an improved hopper discharge outlet arrangement has been disclosed which We claim: 1. An outlet arrangement for the discharge end of a hopper having a frame including vertical walls connected to said discharge end to form a discharge opening, a closure member slidably positioned on said frame for. movement between a position closing said opening and an open position wherein said closure member is disposed to one side of said opening, for the improvement comprising:

actuating means including reel means rotatably mounted on said closure member for moving the same,

flexible means connected to said frame, and said reel means,

means for rotating said reel means to wind and unwind said flexible member on and off said reel means thereby moving said closure member to between open and closed positions, and

means associated with said reel means for initially applying a maximum torque for opening said closure member at a certain speed, said torque decreasing and said speed increasing and said speed increasing during continued rotation of said reel means and opening movement of said closure member.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said means for applying a maximum torque comprising a spiral groove on said reel means said flexible means being connected to the small end of said spiral groove.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2,

said actuating means further comprising a second reel means responsive to said rotating means and including a second spiral groove.

second flexible means connected to the large end of the second reel spiral groove to be wound upon said second reel thereby moving said closure member to a closed position,

said second reel means providing initially a certain torque and a certain speed of movement of said closure member to a closing position, said torque increasing and said speed decreasing during continued rotation of said second reel means and closing movement of said closure member.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said reel means including a rotatable shaft, and said associated means including a pulley, said flexible means being windable onto said pulley and around itself.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4,

said flexible means comprising a link type chain.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 4,

including a second pulley connected to said shaft,

and second flexible means connected to said frame and to said second pulley, said second flexible means extending longitudinally in an opposite direction with respect to said first flexible means, and being adapted to be wound onto said second pulley and onto itself for closing said closure member. The invention in accordance with claim 6, said flexible means each comprising a link chain.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said closure member comprising a plurality of sections movable in sequence during actuation of said actuating means.

9. An outlet arrangement for the discharge end of a hopper having a frame including verticai walls connected to said discharge end to form a discharge opening, a closure member slidably positioned on said frame for movement between open and closed positions rela- 10 tive to said opening, the improvement comprising:

an actuating member rotatably mounted on said closure member, first and second reel means connected to said actuating member for rotation therewith, each of said reel means including first and second spiral grooved reel elements,

first pair of flexible elements connected to the larger end of said first spiral grooved elements and extending horizontally in one direction and having end portions connected to said frame,

a second pair of flexible elements connected to the smaller end said second spiral grooved elements and extending horizontally in an opposite direction and having end portions connected to said frame, and

means for rotating said actuating member in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, one

pair of said spiral grooved elements being arranged during each said rotation to gather one pair of said flexible elements thereon while the other pair of flexible elements is unwound from said other pair of spiral grooved elements thereby moving said closure member between said open and closed positions.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 9,

each said reel element having an outer conical wall in which each said spiral grooved element is disposed,

said spiral grooved element being connected to said flexible members whereby upon rotation of said reel elements in a first direction a maximum torque is initially applied to open said closure member at a certain speed movement with said applied torque decreasing and said speed of movement increasing as said closure member continues to be moved to its open position, and

rotation of said reel elements in the opposite direction initially applies a low torque at a higher speed of movement with said torque increasing and said speed of movement decreasing as said closure member is moved to its closed position.

1 l. The invention in accordance with claim 10,

further comprising a stop element supported on said frame, and

releasable latch means on said closure member en-,

gageable with said stop element for releasably connecting said closure member in the closed position.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 9,

said closure member comprising a plurality of sections,

said sections being movable in sequence during rotation of said actuating member.

13. The invention in accordance with claim 12,

said sections being positioned in superposed relation and in said closed position one section sealingly overlapping the other.

of said rotatable member, said rotatable members and said flexible members being arranged to move said closure member 14. An outlet arrangement for the discharge end of a hopper having a frame including vertical walls connected to said discharge end to form a discharge opening,

between open and closed positions during said a closure member slidably positioned on said frame winding whereupon initially a maximum Opening for movement between, Posmon, 9 torque is applied to open said closure member at a 2112;): i s d g s 0 56 Fs o gg sig g?gaizi lgig certain speed of sliding movement and as said flexthe improvemezt comprising P ible member is wound upon itself a progressively first and second rotatable members supported on 10 lower torque is applied at a higher Speed of Sliding said frame movement and the reverse is the case for the elefirst and second flexible members each having one sure i F end fixed to Said frame and its other and C0 15. The invention in accordance with claim 14, "acted to a respective one of Said rotatable wherein each said rotatable member comprises a pulbers and adapted to be wound around Said rotate: l ley and shaft arrangement rotatably eonnected to ble member and onto itself during rotation of said Sam closure member to move thcrewnh' rotatable member to effectively vary the diameter

Claims

1. An outlet arrangement for the discharge end of a hopper having a frame including vertical walls connected to said discharge end to form a discharge opening, a closure member slidably positioned on said frame for movement between a position closing said opening and an open position wherein said closure member is disposed to one side of said opening, for the improvement comprising: actuating means including reel means rotatably mounted on said closure member for moving the same, flexible means connected to said frame, and said reel means, means for rotating said reel means to wind and unwind said flexible member on and off said reel means thereby moving said closure member to between open and closed positions, and means associated with said reel means for initially applying a maximum torque for opening said closure member at a certain speed, said torque decreasing and said speed increasing and said speed increasing during continued rotation of said reel means and opening movement of said closure member.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said means for applying a maximum torque comprising a spiral groove on said reel means said flexible means being connected to the small end of said spiral groove.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2, said actuating means further comprising a second reel means responsive to said rotating means and including a second spiral groove, second flexible means connected to the large end of the second reel spiral groove to be wound upon said second reel thereby movIng said closure member to a closed position, said second reel means providing initially a certain torque and a certain speed of movement of said closure member to a closing position, said torque increasing and said speed decreasing during continued rotation of said second reel means and closing movement of said closure member.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said reel means including a rotatable shaft, and said associated means including a pulley, said flexible means being windable onto said pulley and around itself.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4, said flexible means comprising a link type chain.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 4, including a second pulley connected to said shaft, and second flexible means connected to said frame and to said second pulley, said second flexible means extending longitudinally in an opposite direction with respect to said first flexible means, and being adapted to be wound onto said second pulley and onto itself for closing said closure member.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 6, said flexible means each comprising a link chain.

9. An outlet arrangement for the discharge end of a hopper having a frame including vertical walls connected to said discharge end to form a discharge opening, a closure member slidably positioned on said frame for movement between open and closed positions relative to said opening, the improvement comprising: an actuating member rotatably mounted on said closure member, first and second reel means connected to said actuating member for rotation therewith, each of said reel means including first and second spiral grooved reel elements, a first pair of flexible elements connected to the larger end of said first spiral grooved elements and extending horizontally in one direction and having end portions connected to said frame, a second pair of flexible elements connected to the smaller end said second spiral grooved elements and extending horizontally in an opposite direction and having end portions connected to said frame, and means for rotating said actuating member in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, one pair of said spiral grooved elements being arranged during each said rotation to gather one pair of said flexible elements thereon while the other pair of flexible elements is unwound from said other pair of spiral grooved elements thereby moving said closure member between said open and closed positions.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 9, each said reel element having an outer conical wall in which each said spiral grooved element is disposed, said spiral grooved element being connected to said flexible members whereby upon rotation of said reel elements in a first direction a maximum torque is initially applied to open said closure member at a certain speed movement with said applied torque decreasing and said speed of movement increasing as said closure member continues to be moved to its open position, and rotation of said reel elements in the opposite direction initially applies a low torque at a higher speed of movement with said torque increasing and said speed of movement decreasing as said closure member is moved to its closed position.

11. The invention in accordance with claim 10, further comprising a stop element supported on said frame, and releasable latch means on said closure member engageable with said stop element for releasably connecting said closure member in the closed position.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 9, said closure member comprising a plurality of sections, said sections being movable in sequence during rotation of said actuating member.

13. The invention in accordance with claim 12, said sections being positIoned in superposed relation and in said closed position one section sealingly overlapping the other.

14. An outlet arrangement for the discharge end of a hopper having a frame including vertical walls connected to said discharge end to form a discharge opening, a closure member slidably positioned on said frame for movement between a position closing said opening and an open position wherein said closure member is disposed to one side of said opening, the improvement comprising: first and second rotatable members supported on said frame, first and second flexible members each having one end fixed to said frame and its other end connected to a respective one of said rotatable members and adapted to be wound around said rotatable member and onto itself during rotation of said rotatable member to effectively vary the diameter of said rotatable member, said rotatable members and said flexible members being arranged to move said closure member between open and closed positions during said winding whereupon initially a maximum opening torque is applied to open said closure member at a certain speed of sliding movement and as said flexible member is wound upon itself a progressively lower torque is applied at a higher speed of sliding movement and the reverse is the case for the closure movement.

15. The invention in accordance with claim 14, wherein each said rotatable member comprises a pulley and shaft arrangement rotatably connected to said closure member to move therewith.