Sweep system for grain bins

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12473158-B2
Application number	US-202318323827-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 25, 2023
Priority date	Jun 1, 2022
Publication date	Nov 18, 2025
Grant date	Nov 18, 2025

Abstract

A sweep system having for removal of grain from a grain bin is presented. The sweep system has an elongated body extending a length between an inward end and an outward end and having a leading side and a trailing side. The elongated body is connected to a pivot point at the center of the grain bin and is configured to rotate around the pivot point. An agitator is connected to the outward end of the elongated body and is configured to agitate grain as the elongated body rotates around the pivot point. In one or more arrangements, the agitator is configured to support the sweep system on a floor of the grain bin. In one or more arrangements, the agitator is configured to move the sweep system forward during operation to facilitate rotation of the sweep system.

First claim

What is claimed:

1 . A system for a grain bin, comprising:
a sweep apparatus; the sweep apparatus having an elongated body; the elongated body extending a length from an outward end to an inward end; an agitator; the agitator operatively connected to the elongated body; the agitator positioned adjacent the outward end of the of the elongated body; wherein the agitator is configured to rotate, thereby agitating grain so as to facilitate removal of the grain by the sweep apparatus;
wherein the agitator is configured to rotate around an axis of rotation that is positioned at an angle relative to the length of the sweep apparatus;
wherein the agitator is configured to contact a floor of the grain bin in a manner so as to support the elongated body adjacent the outward end of the elongated body.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the agitator has a helical configuration.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the agitator is configured to drive the sweep apparatus forward around the grain bin.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the agitator is configured to break up grain clumps positioned adjacent the outward end of the sweep apparatus.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the agitator is configured to pull grain toward the sweep apparatus as it rotates.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the axis of rotation is approximately perpendicular to the length of the sweep apparatus.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the agitator includes a shaft having flighting extending around the shaft in a helical manner.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the agitator is configured to engage the floor of the grain bin so as to drive the sweep apparatus forward as the agitator is rotated.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the agitator is configured to maintain contact with the floor of the grain bin as the agitator is rotated.

10 . A system for a grain bin, comprising:
a sweep apparatus; the sweep apparatus having an elongated body; the elongated body extending a length from an outward end to an inward end; the inward end of the elongated body operatively connected to a pivot point; wherein the elongated body is configured to pivot around the pivot point as the elongated body rotates around the grain bin; wherein the elongated body is configured to rotate around the pivot point in a first rotational direction; an agitator; the agitator operatively connected to the elongated body; wherein the agitator has an axis of rotation that extends in a direction forward from the elongated body of the sweep apparatus; the agitator having a central hub; the agitator having one or more arc-shaped rim members operably connected to the central hub; wherein operation of the sweep apparatus causes the agitator to be rotated thereby agitating grain so as to facilitate removal of the grain by the sweep apparatus.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the agitator is helical in shape.

12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the agitator effectively forms a helical shape.

13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the agitator helps to pull the sweep apparatus forward while simultaneously breaking up grain.

14 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the agitator helps to pull the sweep apparatus forward and wherein the agitator has an axis of rotation that is approximately perpendicular to the length of the sweep apparatus.

15 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the agitator includes a shaft having flighting extending around the shaft in a helical manner.

16 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the agitator is positioned adjacent a leading side of the elongated body.

17 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more arc-shaped rim members are oriented in a helical path.

18 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the agitator is configured to contact a floor of the grain bin and support the elongate elongated body of the sweep apparatus.

19 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the agitator is configured to help move the outward end of the elongated body forward when the agitator is rotated.

20 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more arc-shaped rim members are operably connected to the central hub by a set of connection members.

21 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising a drive system connected adjacent the outward end of the elongated body;
wherein the drive system is configured to contact with a floor of the grain bin such and move the outward end of the elongated body forward, and thereby rotate the elongated body around the pivot point.

22 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the outward end of the elongated body travels in a circular path around the pivot point;
a scraper attached adjacent the outward end of the elongated body; the scraper configured to direct grain that is positioned outside of a circumference of the circular path to a position behind the elongated body that is within the circumference of the circular path as the elongated body rotates around the grain bin.

23 . A system for a grain bin, comprising:
a sweep apparatus; the sweep apparatus having an elongated body; the elongated body extending a length from an outward end to an inward end; the inward end of the elongated body operatively connected to a pivot point; wherein the elongated body is configured to pivot around the pivot point as the elongated body rotates around the grain bin; wherein the elongated body is configured to rotate around the pivot point in a first rotational direction; an agitator; the agitator operatively connected to the elongated body; the agitator having a central hub; the agitator having one or more arc-shaped rim members operably connected to the central hub; wherein operation of the sweep apparatus causes the agitator to be rotated thereby agitating grain so as to facilitate removal of the grain by the sweep apparatus, and wherein the one or more arc-shaped rim members have a circular ring shape.

24 . A system for a grain bin, comprising:
a sweep apparatus, the sweep apparatus having an elongated body; the elongated body extending a length from an outward end to an inward end; the inward end of the elongated body operatively connected to a pivot point; wherein the elongated body is configured to pivot around the pivot point as the elongated body rotates around the grain bin; wherein the elongated body is configured to rotate around the pivot point in a first rotational direction; an agitator; the agitator operatively connected to the elongated body; the agitator having a central hub; the agitator having one or more arc-shaped rim members operably connected to the central hub; wherein operation of the sweep apparatus causes the agitator to be rotated thereby agitating grain so as to facilitate removal of the grain by the sweep apparatus; wherein the one or more arc-shaped rim members are operably connected to the central hub by a set of connection members;
wherein the connection members are formed primarily of a first material;
and wherein the one or more arc-shaped rim members are formed of a second material;
wherein the second material has a lower coefficient of friction than the first material.

25 . A system for a grain bin, comprising:
a sweep apparatus; the sweep apparatus having an elongated body; the elongated body extending a length from an outward end to an inward end; the inward end of the el

Assignees

• Sukup Mfg

Inventors

• Olson Ryan Thomas

Classifications

• B65G65/466

  arranged to be movable · CPC title

• B65G65/4854

  mounted on a carriage, e.g. for movement along slit-like outlets · CPC title

• B65G69/08

  Devices for emptying storage spaces as completely as possible (devices preventing the formation of bridges in large containers B65D88/64) · CPC title

• B65G65/4845

  flexible, e.g. chains, cables, spring arms · CPC title

• B65G65/4836 Primary

  and moving material over a stationary surface, e.g. sweep arms or wheels · CPC title