IP Library Granted Patent US 9,052,034
Granted Patent B1
US 9,052,034 · App. 13/867,488 · Granted Jun 9, 2015

Bucket with wireless remote controlled gate assembly

Inventors: James C. Wegner (New Hampton, IA); Nicholas J. Wegner (New Hampton, IA); Dean A. Olson (Orchard, IA)
Assignee: GFW Enterprises, Inc.
F16K31/122
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,052,034
App. No.
13/867,488
Granted
Jun 9, 2015
Kind
B1
Abstract

Disclosed is a bucket that may be used to transport a material. In example embodiments, the bucket may include a barrel configured to hold a material, a gate assembly arranged at a bottom of the barrel, a first control system comprising an electrically controlled valve configured to control the gate assembly, and a second control system configured to control the electrically controlled valve. In example embodiments, the second control system may include a receiver configured to receive a signal from a remote signal generator to control the electrically controlled valve.

Claims (32)

1. A mobile bucket comprising:

a barrel;

a gate assembly including a pneumatic actuator and a gate configured to control a flow of the material out of the barrel;

at least one refillable air tank configured to provide air to the pneumatic actuator:

a first control system including a first valve providing fluid communication between the at least one refillable air tank and the pneumatic actuator, the first control system configured to control the pneumatic actuator;

a second control system configured to control the first control system, the second control system including a receiver configured to receive a signal from a signal generator to control the first valve of the first control system; and

a frame supporting the barrel, the gate assembly, the at least one refillable air tank, the first control system, and a receiver of the second control system so that when the frame is moved the barrel, the gate assembly, the at least one refillable air tank, the first control system, and the receiver of the second control system move together as a single unit.

2. The mobile bucket according to claim 1 , wherein the first valve is a solenoid valve.

3. The mobile bucket according to claim 1 , wherein the first control system is configured for manual operation and remote operation.

4. The mobile bucket according to claim 1 , wherein the first control system includes a second valve configured to receive a first fluid and send the first fluid to one of the first valve and a third valve.

5. The mobile bucket according to claim 1 , wherein the second control system includes an electrical system including a junction box for controlling the first control system.

6. The mobile bucket according to claim 5 , wherein the the first valve is controlled by the electrical system.

7. The mobile bucket according to claim 5 , wherein the first valve is configured to receive air from the at least one refillable air tank.

8. The mobile bucket according to claim 1 , wherein the gate assembly is arranged at a bottom of the barrel.

9. The mobile bucket according to claim 8 , wherein the gate assembly includes a base with an aperture.

10. The mobile bucket according to claim 9 , wherein gate assembly includes captures bars capturing the gate and the capture bars are configured to allow the gate to slide along a length of the base to one of expose and cover the aperture.

11. The mobile bucket according to claim 10 , further comprising:

a battery to power the second control system.

12. A bucket comprising:

a barrel configured to hold a material;

a gate assembly arranged at a bottom of the barrel, the gate assembly including a base having a plurality of capture bars capturing a gate configured to slide along a length of the base, the gate assembly further including a pneumatic actuator configured to move the gate to one of expose and cover an aperture in the base;

at least one refillable air tank configured to provide air to the pneumatic actuator;

a first control system comprising an electrically controlled valve configured to I control the pneumatic actuator; and

a second control system configured to control the electrically controlled valve, the second control system including a receiver configured to receive a signal from a signal generator to control the electrically controlled valve; and

a frame supporting the barrel, the gate assembly, the at least one refillable air tank, the first control system, and a receiver of the second control system so that when the frame is moved the barrel, the gate assembly, the at least one refillable air tank, the first control system, and the receiver of the second control system move together as a single unit.

13. The bucket according to claim 12 , further comprising:

a battery, wherein

the first control system is configured to transfer air from the at least one refillable air tank to the electrically controlled valve; and

the second control system is configured to allow electricity to flow from the battery to the electrically controlled valve.

14. The bucket according to claim 13 , wherein the gate assembly is configured to allow the material to flow vertically out of the barrel.

15. The bucket according to claim 13 , wherein the gate assembly includes a battery box enclosing the battery.

16. The bucket according to claim 13 , wherein the first control system further includes a second valve configured to one of flow air to the electrically controlled valve and a third valve.

Assignments (4)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Nov 15, 2022
From: NHMF, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061940/0419 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Oct 27, 2017
From: NHMF, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 044634/0488 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 5, 2017
From: GFW ENTERPRISES, INC.
To: NHMF, LLC
Reel/Frame 043491/0088 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 22, 2013
From: WEGNER, JAMES C.; WEGNER, NICHOLAS J.; OLSON, DEAN A.
To: GFW ENTERPRISES, INC.
Reel/Frame 030261/0187 →