초록 ▼

A hopper (10, 120) for use with flowable material (12) such as particulate, aggregate, sand, salt, gravel, top soil or the like includes at least one pivotal gate (14) attached to a frame (18) of the hopper (10, 120). Advantageously, the gate (14) swings toward an open position in response to the we

A hopper (10, 120) for use with flowable material (12) such as particulate, aggregate, sand, salt, gravel, top soil or the like includes at least one pivotal gate (14) attached to a frame (18) of the hopper (10, 120). Advantageously, the gate (14) swings toward an open position in response to the weight of the material (12) in the hopper (10, 120) to allow the material (12) to flow out of the hopper (10, 120). Additionally, the gate (14) automatically returns toward the closed position by gravity due to the position of the pivot axis of the hinge (16) connecting the gate (14) to the frame (18) relative to the center of gravity of the gate (14). Furthermore, a latch (58) and other features of the hopper (10, 120) control the movement of the gate (14) to regulate the flow of the material (12) from the hopper (10, 120).

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A hopper for holding and discharging flowable material, the hopper comprising:an upper frame supported by a base;a hopper wall;at least one gate having a center of gravity and being pivotally suspended from the upper frame at a location for movement to and between a close

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A hopper for holding and discharging flowable material, the hopper comprising:an upper frame supported by a base;a hopper wall;at least one gate having a center of gravity and being pivotally suspended from the upper frame at a location for movement to and between a closed position for holding the material and an open position for discharging the material by gravity, wherein the center of gravity of the gate is spaced from the location to create a moment arm about the location which biases the gate toward the closed position;a latch mounted on the hopper to selectively secure the gate in the closed position;a release lever mounted on the hopper and biased toward engagement with the latch to thereby release the latch, wherein the release of the latch permits the material to flow downwardly by gravity from the hopper and forces the gate toward the open position; anda catch to retain the gate at an intermediate open position and inhibit movement of the gate to allow the material to flow from the hopper.