U.S. patent application number 10/192685 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-25 for storage bin floor.
Invention is credited to Epp, Dwayne S., Epp, Richard J..
Application Number | 20030234256 10/192685 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32231678 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030234256 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Epp, Richard J. ; et
al. |
December 25, 2003 |
Storage bin floor
Abstract
A floor for a storage bin comprising a circular metal sheet
defined by sheet pieces arranged for connection together with
overlapping edges. The sheet pieces include a central circular
piece. The sheet pieces include a plurality of generally pie-shaped
pieces arranged for side by side connection along radial edges
thereof so as to define a ring surrounding the central piece having
a circular outer edge and with an inner circular edge defined by
the pie-shaped pieces being connected to an outer edge of the
central circular piece.
Inventors: |
Epp, Richard J.; (Fiske,
CA) ; Epp, Dwayne S.; (Fiske, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ADE & COMPANY
1700-360 MAIN STREET
WINNIPEG
MB
R3C3Z3
CA
|
Family ID: |
32231678 |
Appl. No.: |
10/192685 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/622 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 7/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/622 |
International
Class: |
B65D 006/28; B65D
008/04; B65D 008/06 |
Claims
1. A floor for a storage bin comprising: a circular metal sheet
defined by sheet pieces arranged for connection together with
overlapping edges; the sheet pieces including a central circular
piece; the sheet pieces including a plurality of generally
pie-shaped pieces arranged for side by side connection along radial
edges thereof so as to define a ring surrounding the central piece
having a circular outer edge and with an inner circular edge
defined by the pie-shaped pieces being connected to an outer edge
of the central circular piece.
2. The floor according to claim 1 wherein each connecting edge
between one piece and the next is overlapped with an upper edge
having a plurality of screw holes for receiving self-tapping screws
for fastening to the underlying edge.
3. The floor according to claim 2 wherein the underlying edge is
recessed by the thickness of the sheet so that the upper surface is
flat.
4. The floor according to claim 1 wherein each of the pie shaped
pieces has along one edge a plurality of projecting tabs arranged
for co-operation with corresponding shaped slots in an adjacent
edge of the next adjacent pie shaped piece such that the tabs can
be inserted into the slots with the pie shaped pieces while the pie
shaped pieces are mis-aligned and the pie shaped pieces slid
longitudinally each relative to the next to bring them into
alignment wherein the tabs lock in the slots.
5. The floor according to claim 4 wherein the tabs are formed in a
first edge flange which is recessed below the main body of the pie
shaped piece and the slots are formed in a shoulder defined between
the main body of the pie shaped piece and a second edge flange
which is recessed below the main body of the pie shaped piece, the
first and second edge flanges being arranged such that the main
bodies of the pie pieces when connected define a horizontal flat
floor at a constant height.
6. A storage bin comprising: a circular metal floor defined by
sheet pieces arranged for connection together with overlapping
edges; the sheet pieces including a central circular piece; the
sheet pieces including a plurality of generally pie-shaped pieces
arranged for side by side connection along radial edges thereof so
as to define a ring surrounding the central piece having a circular
outer edge and with an inner circular edge defined by the
pie-shaped pieces being connected to an outer edge of the central
circular piece; and a cylindrical bin wall having a circular
horizontal bottom mounting flange lying on the floor at a position
adjacent to the outer edge and fastened thereto.
7. The storage bin according to claim 6 wherein each connecting
edge between one piece and the next is overlapped with an upper
edge having a plurality of screw holes for receiving self-tapping
screws for fastening to the underlying edge.
8. The storage bin according to claim 7 wherein the underlying edge
is recessed by the thickness of the sheet so that the upper surface
is flat.
9. The storage bin according to claim 6 wherein the flange is
spaced inwardly from the outer edge.
10. The storage bin according to claim 6 wherein each of the pie
shaped pieces has along one edge a plurality of projecting tabs
arranged for co-operation with corresponding shaped slots in an
adjacent edge of the next adjacent pie shaped piece such that the
tabs can be inserted into the slots with the pie shaped pieces
while the pie shaped pieces are mis-aligned and the pie shaped
pieces slid longitudinally each relative to the next to bring them
into alignment wherein the tabs lock in the slots.
11. The storage bin according to claim 10 wherein the tabs are
formed in a first edge flange which is recessed below the main body
of the pie shaped piece and the slots are formed in a shoulder
defined between the main body of the pie shaped piece and a second
edge flange which is recessed below the main body of the pie shaped
piece, the first and second edge flanges being arranged such that
the main bodies of the pie pieces when connected define a
horizontal flat floor at a constant height.
12. The storage bin according to claim 6 wherein the bin wall is
formed of a plurality of rectangular wall pieces arranged in rows
and columns such that each piece has a height from a top edge to a
bottom edge forming a part of the height of the wall and each piece
has a width from a first side edge to a second side edge forming
part of the peripheral extent of the wall, each piece having a
right angle flange at each of the top, bottom and side edges which
is arranged for fastening to the corresponding flange of a next
adjacent piece or, in respect to the bottom edge of a first row of
the pieces, to the floor, and each piece having a curvature across
its width between the side edges matching the curvature of the
wall.
13. The storage bin according to claim 12 wherein each of the
flanges is pre-formed with holes for bolting to the corresponding
flange.
14. A storage bin comprising: a circular metal floor; and a
cylindrical bin wall having a circular horizontal bottom mounting
flange lying on the floor at a position adjacent to the outer edge
and fastened thereto; wherein the bin wall is formed of a plurality
of rectangular wall pieces arranged in rows and columns such that
each piece has a height from a top edge to a bottom edge forming a
part of the height of the wall and each piece has a width from a
first side edge to a second side edge forming part of the
peripheral extent of the wall, each piece having a right angle
flange at each of the top, bottom and side edges which is arranged
for fastening to the corresponding flange of a next adjacent piece
or, in respect to the bottom edge of a first row of the pieces, to
the floor, and each piece having a curvature across its width
between the side edges matching the curvature of the wall.
15. The storage bin according to claim 14 wherein each of the
flanges is pre-formed with holes for bolting to the corresponding
flange.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to floor for a storage bin,
more particularly a circular metal floor constructed by pie-shaped
pieces.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The construction and shipment of storage bins generally
consists of providing large panels of different sizes for
constructing the floor for the supporting bin walls. The
construction and shipment of these components can be costly, time
consuming and complicated. Many types of bin floors required
skilled workers to construct the floor and accurate measurements
and supplies sometimes have to be carefully considered.
SUMMARY
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cost
effective storage bin floor for storage bins.
[0004] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
universal and simple construction for a bin floor.
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a floor for a storage bin comprising:
[0006] a circular metal sheet defined by sheet pieces arranged for
connection together with overlapping edges;
[0007] the sheet pieces including a central circular piece;
[0008] the sheet pieces including a plurality of generally
pie-shaped pieces arranged for side by side connection along radial
edges thereof so as to define a ring surrounding the central piece
having a circular outer edge and with an inner circular edge
defined by the pie-shaped pieces being connected to an outer edge
of the central circular piece.
[0009] Preferably each connecting edge between one piece and the
next is overlapped with an upper edge having a plurality of screw
holes for receiving self-tapping screws for fastening to the
underlying edge.
[0010] Conveniently the underlying edge is recessed by the
thickness of the sheet so that the upper surface is flat.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention there
is provided a storage bin comprising:
[0012] a circular metal sheet defined by sheet pieces arranged for
connection together with overlapping edges;
[0013] the sheet pieces including a central circular piece;
[0014] the sheet pieces including a plurality of generally
pie-shaped pieces arranged for side by side connection along radial
edges thereof so as to define a ring surrounding the central piece
having a circular outer edge and with an inner circular edge
defined by the pie-shaped pieces being connected to an outer edge
of the central circular piece;
[0015] and, a bin wall having a circular horizontal bottom mounting
flange lying on the floor at a position adjacent to the outer edge
and fastened thereto.
[0016] Preferably each connecting edge between one piece and the
next is overlapped with an upper edge having a plurality of screw
holes for receiving self-tapping screws for fastening to the
underlying edge.
[0017] Conveniently the underlying edge is recessed by the
thickness of the sheet so that the upper surface is flat.
[0018] Conveniently the flange is spaced inwardly from the outer
edge.
[0019] In one preferred arrangement, the bin wall is formed of a
plurality of rectangular wall pieces arranged in rows and columns
such that each piece has a height from a top edge to a bottom edge
forming a part of the height of the wall and each piece has a width
from a first side edge to a second side edge forming part of the
peripheral extent of the wall, each piece having a right angle
flange at each of the top, bottom and side edges which is arranged
for fastening to the corresponding flange of a next adjacent piece
or, in respect to the bottom edge of a first row of the pieces, to
the floor, and each piece having a curvature across its width
between the side edges matching the curvature of the wall.
[0020] In this arrangement, each of the flanges is preferably
pre-formed with holes for bolting to the corresponding flange.
[0021] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is
provided a storage bin comprising:
[0022] a circular metal floor;
[0023] and a cylindrical bin wall having a circular horizontal
bottom mounting flange lying on the floor at a position adjacent to
the outer edge and fastened thereto;
[0024] wherein the bin wall is formed of a plurality of rectangular
wall pieces arranged in rows and columns such that each piece has a
height from a top edge to a bottom edge forming a part of the
height of the wall and each piece has a width from a first side
edge to a second side edge forming part of the peripheral extent of
the wall, each piece having a right angle flange at each of the
top, bottom and side edges which is arranged for fastening to the
corresponding flange of a next adjacent piece or, in respect to the
bottom edge of a first row of the pieces, to the floor, and each
piece having a curvature across its width between the side edges
matching the curvature of the wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the bin floor.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section along the lines 2-2 of
FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross section along the lines 3-3 of
FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section along similar to that of
FIG. 3 showing an alternative embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a part of the bin of the
embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a part of the bin of
the embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2
showing an alternative arrangement for connection of the edge of
one pie piece to the edge of the next.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] A storage bin 1 is arranged for storing items such as grain
or the like, comprises a floor structure 3 to which is attached a
conventional cylindrical wall 5 and a roof structure (not shown).
The floor structure is formed from pie-shaped sheet metal panels 7.
The sheets are arranged to fasten together to form a circular floor
for the storage bin. Each sheet has an outer edge 9, an inner edge
11, an underlying side edge 13 and a overlapping side edge 15. Each
sheet is arranged for side by side connection along radial edges
such that the underlying edge corresponds with the overlapping edge
of the adjacent sheet. The inner edge of the sheets are connected
to and overlapped by a central circular piece 17. The connected
sheets define a ring 18 surrounding the central piece having a
circular outer edge 19 and with the inner edge defined by the
pie-shaped pieces being connected to an outer overlapping edge 21
of the central circular piece. The overlapping edge of each sheet
has a plurality of screw holes 22 for receiving self-tapping screws
23 for fastening to the underlying edge. The underlying edge is
recessed 24 by the thickness of the sheet so that an upper surface
25 is flat, as best illustrated in FIG. 2. Each section having the
same standard length from outer edge to inner edge width of each
section from overlapping edge to underlying edge at the outer edge
and inner edge respectively are sufficiently the same on each
section. The sections are pre-fabricated by a manufacture and are
distributed so as to be constructed on side, eliminating shipment
of large panels for bin floors. The length of the sections are
arranged such that one length can be used for different sized bins,
providing ease of manufacture thus providing a less expensive floor
structure for consumers. The bin floors do not necessitate the need
for welding which will also keep the cost of construction to a
minimum since the construction can mostly be done by a
knowledgeable consumer.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows a bin wall mounting arrangement 27. The bin
wall has a circular horizontal bottom mounting flange 29 lying on
the floor at a position adjacent the outer edge and fastened
thereto such that a bottom edge 32 of the wall is flush against the
floor. The flange as illustrated is a length of formed angle iron
36 which is fastened to an inner side 37 of the bin wall. The bin
floor is constructed in a universal size such that the floor can be
used for a variety of sized bins. The flange is spaced inwardly
from the outer edge of the floor. The flange is fastened to the
floor with self-tapping fasteners 31. The floor, according to the
size of the bin, has an overlap 33 which varies wherein the outer
edge of the floor extends outwardly from an outer side 35 of the
wall. The bin wall is centred on the floor producing the overlap
such that one diameter of floor is manufactured for different sized
bins.
[0036] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the pie pieces
are connected edge to edge by self-tapping screws which pass
through a hole in the top sheet and bite into the underlying edge
of the underlying sheet to hold the sheet edges together. In FIGS.
7 and 8 is shown an alternative arrangement which avoids the use of
screws or other fasteners at the overlying edges. In this
arrangement the two pie pieces are shown and indicated at 40 and 41
respectively. The pie piece 40 has an edge flange 42 which
underlies the edge of the pie piece 41. The pie piece 40 is bent to
define a vertical leg portion 43 interconnecting the main body of
the pie piece 40 with the flange 42. The vertical leg 43 has a
length sufficient to receive the thickness of the edge of the pie
piece 41 therein. The edge of the pie piece 41 has a flange portion
44 defining a plurality of tabs 45 which project outwardly from the
pie piece along the edge of the pie piece. The tabs 45 are bent so
that they lie in a plane underneath the pie piece 40 so as to
project through slots in the leg 43. The flange 42 is at a height
so that it underlies the edge flange 45. This arrangement thus
provides upper surfaces 46 and 47 which are co-planar.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 8 the tabs have a wider end section 45A and
a neck 45B connecting to the main body of the pie piece 41. The leg
43 has a series of slots 48 each arranged to receive a respective
one of the tabs. The width of the slot along the length of the leg
is equal to or dimensioned to receive the head 45A so that it is
wider than the neck 45B.
[0038] The position shown in FIG. 8 is the assembled position after
the pie pieces have been pushed together and the pie piece 41 moved
in the direction of the arrow A. Thus in an initial connection
step, the pie pieces are brought together in a slightly misaligned
position so that the outer edge of the piece 41 projects beyond the
outer edge of the piece 40 and the tabs are inserted into the slots
in this misaligned position. The piece 41 is then moved along the
arrow A sufficient to move the head longitudinally of the junction
between the pieces so that it is no longer aligned with the slot 48
and is thus prevented from moving back through the slot thus
holding the edges together. The inside edge of the pie pieces is
then fastened by screws to the circular edge of the central piece
thus holding the structure integral.
[0039] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the construction of
the bin wall is of a conventional nature in which the bin wall is
attached to the bottom flange and stands upwardly therefrom. The
bin wall is generally corrugated in a horizontal direction to
provide the necessary vertical strength and stiffness of the
wall.
[0040] In the embodiment of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 is shown an
alternative arrangement for the bin wall construction. In this
arrangement the bin wall is formed from a series of bin wall
pieces, each of which is rectangular as shown in FIG. 6 to define a
top edge 50, a bottom edge 51, a first side edge 52 and a second
side edge 53. All of the pieces are identical and of the same
dimensions. Typical dimensions might be of the order of 36 to 48
inches in width and 50 to 96 inches in height.
[0041] Each piece includes a main body 55 which is curved at a
curvature matching the total curvature of the bin wall as shown in
FIG. 5. Each of the top, bottom and side edges includes an out
turned flange 57 which is arranged basically at right angles to the
main body so as to project outwardly of the main body. The flanges
around the peripheral edge of the piece thus provide a stiffening
or strengthening effect of the piece so that it no longer requires
corrugations and the main body is formed from a flat sheet simply
curved into the shallowed curvature necessary to provide a radius
of curvature equal to the radius of curvature of the bin, which
might be of the order of 10 to 20 feet in radius.
[0042] Each of the pieces has the flanges thereof punched to
provide aligned holes allowing each piece to be connected to the
next adjacent piece at the corresponding flange. As shown in FIG.
4, the bottom flange 57 at the bottom edge 51 is connected to the
floor 60 by bolts 61. As shown in FIG. 5 the flange at the first
side edge 53 is connected to the flange at the second side edge 52
of the next adjacent piece by bolts 61.
[0043] While one embodiment of the present invention has been
described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other
embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. The
invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *