Electric grain agriculture bin lid

Abstract

A motorized lid assembly is provided on the roof opening of a grain bin. The assembly includes a ring attached to an upstanding collar of the roof opening, with a lid pivotally secured to the ring for movement between a closed position over the roof opening and an open position away from the roof opening. A motor is mounted to the ring and connected to the lid to pivot the lid between the open and closed positions. The motor is actuated remotely by a person on the ground. In the open position, the lid allows 360° access to the roof opening for discharging seed or grain into the bin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lid assembly for a grain bin having a roof with an opening therein, comprising:
 a lid pivotally mounted to the grain bin for covering the opening; and   an electric motor connected to the lid to move the lid between open and closed positions relative to the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The lid assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a mounting bracket to connect the motor to the lid. 
     
     
         3 . The lid assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a remote controller for actuating the motor. 
     
     
         4 . The lid assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lid pivots at least 180° between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         5 . The lid assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lid has an axle and the rotatable motor has a output shaft coupled to the axle. 
     
     
         6 . The lid assembly of  claim 5  wherein the axle and output shaft are co-axial. 
     
     
         7 . The lid assembly of  claim 5  wherein the motor is parallel to the axle. 
     
     
         8 . The lid assembly of  claim 5  wherein the motor is perpendicular to the axle. 
     
     
         9 . The lid assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lid includes a mounting ring adapted to be fixed to the bin roof for mounting the lid on the roof 
     
     
         10 . The lid assembly of  claim 9  wherein the ring has tabs and the lid has a perimeter flange with tabs aligned with the ring tabs to pivotally connect the lid to the ring. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a lid for a roof opening of a grain bin, comprising:
 actuating a motor connected to the lid to move the lid between open and closed positions relative to the roof opening.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the motor is actuated from the ground. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the motor pivots the lid at least 180° between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the motor is actuated by a switch. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the motor is actuated remotely. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the lid reside no higher than horizontal when in the open position. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the lid passes beyond horizontal when moving from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the lid has an upper surface which, in the open position, is substantially parallel to the roof 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising sending a signal from a controller remote from the motor to actuate the motor to move the lid between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising opening the lid beyond a vertical orientation in the open position.