US1775656A - Suspension bunker - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 16, 1930. F 1,775,656

SUSPENSION BUNKER Filed April 22, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 16, 1930. D, M, FF- 7 1,775,656

SUSPENSION BUNKER Filed April 22, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z1 iiiw ze y Sept. 16, 1930. D. M.'R|FF SUSPENSION BUNKER Filed April 22,1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 id? iiz w'vze g,

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SUSPENSION BUNKER Filed April 22,1929 {Sheets-Sheet; 4

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Patented Sept. 16, 1930 PATENT @FFICE DAVID M. REEF, OF TEBRE HAUTE, INDIANA SUSPENSION BUNKER Application filed April 22,

This invention relates to a suspension bunker and more particularly to a bin or bunker of the kind adapted for the storage and discharge of coal, grain, sand, building material, etc. An object of the invention is the provision of a bunker of this general type constructed of a frame-work and having the body composed of pre-cast blocks or slabs.

. A further object is the provision of blocks of distinctive formation to provide the interior surface of the bunker, whereby there is formed an overlap between the margin of each block and the margin of the adjacent block to prevent seepage of material through the joints. n

A further object is the provision of im proved means for maintaining blocks in surface alignment and securing the blocks to the frame-work of the bunker. V

By the improved construction, when a particular block becomes damaged or broken, it may be readily replaced with a substitute block of the same size and contour without necessitating costly delayand expensive repair, in which resides an additional'object of the invention. p

By the improved construction, an additional object is to provide a bunker which will eflectively resist corrosion or destructive aotion because of elements contained in the material stored.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

' The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the construction; v i

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed perspective taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

46 Fig. 4 is a perspective of a construction slightly modified to that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged'detailed perspective taken substantially on the line 55 of 4:;

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective showing the preferred method of connecting a cross re- 1929. Serial No. 356,912.

inforcingmember with the upper surface of the side girder in the construction shown in F 4:;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectionalview taken substantially on the line 77 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the body of the bunker of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 1; r l

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the end portion taken substantially on the line 99 of Fig. 1; v v I Fig; 10 is an enlarged detailed perspective iiaken substantially on the line 10-10 of Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective taken substantially onthe line 11-11 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 12 is a detailed view of a modified form at the intersection between the cross-. ing angle iron support for the blocks and the vertical frame-work support;

Figp13 is a sectional View ofa modified form of bunker which is generally rectangular in horizontal outline, and in which the side walls are inclinedfiat surfaces instead of curved as shown in Figs. 1 and 4;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view of the hopper discharge gate taken substantially on the line let-1410f Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a similar view to Fig. 1 1 buttaken at right angles thereto of the hopper discharge gate in the structure shown in Figs. land 4. I

The forms shown in Figs. 1 and 4 preferably substantially parabolic in cross-sectional outline in order to limit stresses on the supporting straps to tensile stresses which renders this shape more economical. The bunker frame-work is supported by a plurality of vertically extending columns'18, each of which may be formed of angle irons se 9 cured to a connecting plate as shown in Fig.

10. Columns 18 are shown broken off in Figs.

1 and 1 but may be of any desired length to maintain the bunker at a suitable elevation. The upper frame-work of the bunker comprises side girders 19 and 20 and cross-girders 21 and 22. These girders are preferably com-' posed. of a plurality of connected angle irons or channel members as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and, may also be reinforced by additional 100 plates 23 to add strength to the upper framework. The frame-work is preferably composed of structural steel parts and the various members of the frame-work may be suitably secured together, either by riveting, welding or by bolts, the latter method permitting the structure to be dismantled and erected any number of times. The form shown in Fig. l is equipped with vertical supports 24 extending between the horizontal members 25, and an intermediate cross-member 26 is prefer-- ably provided. It will be noted that the structure of the frame-work is slightly modified in Fig. 4 in that the vertical supports 24 are dispensed with, there being a plurality of horizontally extending connecting members 27, and the rigidity of the supporting frame is maintained by diagonal braces 28. as well as diagonal tie rods 29. Also, in this form, strength and rigidity is added by upper cross-members 30 each of which may be composed of a pair of channel irons arranged as shown in Fig. 6, and suitably connected to the side girders by means of an angle plate 31. It will be noted that in both the forms shown in Figs. 1 and 4 the side girders 19 and 20 are equipped with reinforcing ribs 32, and in the form shown in Fig. 1 the end girders 21 and 22 are similarly reinforced. Diagonal braces 28 may be attached to the vertical columns and the cross-members by means of gusset plates 83.

At suitably spaced intervals, longitudinal of the structure, a plurality of transversely extending metal straps 34 are-provided. In the forms shown in Figs. 1 and 4 each strap is curved to conform to the substantially parabolic shape as shown in Fig. 8, .and each strap is suitably secured to girders 19 and 20 so as to form a continuation of the inclined inner surface thereof, as shown in Fig. 8. Thus, the columns, girders, braces, supports and straps above described constitute a comparatively light yet strong frame-work for the suspension of the body of the bunker. This body is composed of a plurality of side wall and bottom blocks 35 and end blocks 86, each cast or molded to conform to the size an d shape in accordance with the position in the bunker. The blocks 35 and 36 are preferably of reinforced concrete, and in the casting, a reinforcing of metal mesh or expanded metal lathing may be employed to advantage, although it is to be understood that composition is not necessarily limited to reinforced concrete blocks, but may be made of any other plastic material which when allowed to harden would form a structural block capable of sustaining loads superimposed thereon. Except for the upper edge of the top tier O'l blocks, the marginal edge of each block is formed to provide an overlap with the marginal edge of the next adjacent block, both in the side and end construction. As shown in Fig. 7, the vertical joint between abutting blocks is preferably of dovetail or interlocking construction, the marginal projection 37 forming an extension of the inner surface 38 of the block formed to diverge from the body of the block for interlocking engagement with the marginal extension 39 of the outer surface of the next adjacent block. Each block is of a dimension to span the distance between the adjacent pair of straps 34, so that the line of joint will register with a strap, as shown in F ig. 7, and in the casting process a recess is preferably formed upon the side of the block that is to constitute the outer surface so that the suspending strap 34 may be embedded or countersunk in place. The horizontal joints between the blocks, as shown in Figs. 5 and 8, for example, are not necessarily of the interlocking construction, but preferably the lower edge upon the inner surface is formed to overlap the top edge of the next adjacent block beneath, as shown. During the casting process, each block has cast therein, preferably adjacent the lower corner at the edge having the inner surface overlap as shown in Fig. 7, a bolt or threaded rod 40, the threaded portion of which is adapted to project upon the outer surface to receive a plate or keeper 41 held in place by nut 42. Plate 41 then engages the adjacent strap By this construction, when nut 42 is screwed in place, the interlocking construction of the vertical joint will resist spreading or separ tion of abutting blocks. Vhen necessary or preferred, a plurality of bolts or threaded rods 40 may be cast in a single block and ad ditional plates 4-1 engaged by additional nuts 42 for each block.

End blocks 36 are similarly formed except that in the preferred embodiment illustrated they are flat rather than curved, and in casting the size and shape is determined by the curvature of the side and body of the bunker, and the position of either the vertical supporting members 24, as shown in Fig. 1, or the horizontal supporting members 27 as shown in Fig. 4, whereby the line of abutment between two adjacent blocks will register with a vertical supporting member 24-, or a horizontal supporting member 27 as the case may be. Members 24 and 27 are preferably of I-beam or angle iron construction, providing a flange contacting with the outer surface of the blocks and each end block may be maintained in place by a plate 43 corresponding to plate 41 of the side wall blocks. The top margin of the upper tier of blocks is preferably disposed within a depending flange 44 of a channel member forming part of the side or end girder. At the joint between the side and bottom blocks and the end blocks there is preferably provided a curved angle iron 45, one flange of which engages the outer edge of the adjacent margins on the end blocks, and the other flange en ages the adjacent side and bottom block margins. Discharge gates 46 are mounted as required, through which deposited materiai is adapted to be discharged by gravity and any preferred form of gate closing mechanism 47 may be adopted.

In the bunker body construction shown in Fig. 13, the same novel arrangement is followed and adapted for use in connection with flat inclined side walls rather than curved walls. In either the modified form shown in Fig. 13 or other modified constructions to I suit difii'erent purposes for which the bunker is intended, the necessary changes in the supporting frame-work are made. The substantially parabolic cross-sectional formation is preferred for general use in view out the equalizing distribution of stresses which results in the most economical steel framing, as well as adding to the capacity-andthe life of the structure. When it becomes necessary, for any reason, to replace a block, plate 41 is removed from the block, and nut i2 on each adjacent block loosened sufiiciently to enabie removal whereupon a block of the same formation is substituted. This results in a great saving of time and expense, and it will also be noted that the blocks constituting the bunker body, are not in the form of a blllliel lining but rather comprise the entire body, supported only by a skeleton frame work.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into efiect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the ap pended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is p 1. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a frame-work, a plurality of spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, a plurality of concrete blocks supported by said spaced supporting members and forming the body of the bunker, the contacting edges 01 said blocks adapted to overlap, and a. projection cast in each block for attachment to an adjacent block supporting member.

2. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a frame-work, a plurality of spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, a plurality of concrete blocks supported by said spaced supporting members and forming the body of the bunker, the contacting edges of said blocks adapted to overlap at the horizontal joints and adapted to overlap and interlock at the vertical joints, and a projection cast in each block for attachment to an adjacent block supporting member, substantially as described.

3. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a frame-work, a plurality of spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, a plurality of concrete blockssupported by said spaced supporting members and forming the body of the bunker, the meeting edges of said blocks adapted to register with said spaced supporting members, the contacting edges of said blocks adapted to overlap at the horizontal joints and adapted to overlap and interlock at the vertical joints, and a projec tion cast in each block for attachment to an adjacent block supporting member, substantially as described.

4. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a frame-work, a plurality of spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, and a plurality of concrete blocks supported by said spaced supporting members and forming thebody of the bunker, the contacting edges of said blocks adapted to overlap, a threaded projection cast in each block, and a keeper plate adapted to engage said threaded projection and a block supporting member, substantially as described.

5. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a frame-work, a plurality of spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, and a plurality of concrete blocks supported by said spaced supporting members and forming the body of the bunker, the con tacting edges of said blocks adapted to overlap at the horizontal joints and adapted to overlap and interlock at the vertical joints, a threaded projection cast in each block, and a keeper plate adapted to engage said threaded projection and a block supporting member, substantially as described.

6. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a framework, a plurality of spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, and a plurality of concrete blocks supported by said spaced supporting members and forming the body of the bunker, the meeting edges of said blocks adapted to register with said spaced supporting members, the contacting edges of said blocks adapted to overlap at the horizontal joints and adapted to overlap and interlock at the vertical joints, a threaded projection cast in each block, and a keeper plate adapted to engage said threaded projection and a block supporting member, substantially as described.

7. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a frame-work, a plurality of spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, and a plurality of concrete blocks supported by said spaced supporting members and forming the body of the bunker, the contacting edges ofsaid blocks adapted to overlap at the horizontal joints and adapted .to overlap and interlock at the vertical joints, a threaded projection cast in each block, and a keeper plate having an opening for engagement by said projection and adapted to engage an adjacent block' supporting member, substantially as described.

. 8. In a suspension bunker, the combination of a frame-Work, a plurality of spaced block supporting members carried by said framework, and a plurality of concrete blocks supported by said spaced supporting members and forming the body of the bunker, the meet ing edges of said blocks adapted to register with said spaced supporting members, the contacting edges of said blocks adapted to overlap at the horizontal joints and adapted to overlap and interlock at the Vertical joints, a threaded projection cast in each block, and a keeper plate having an opening for engagement by said projection and adapted to engage an adjacent block supporting member, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

DAVID M. RIFF.

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