US 11,937,550 B2
Drum assemblies for turning material
Bryan Palmer Bietz, Tripp, SD (US); and Duwayne Paul Bonhorst, Viborg, SD (US)
Assigned to Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Pella, IA (US)
Filed by Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Pella, IA (US)
Filed on May 28, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/886,336.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/863,925, filed on Jun. 20, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0396901 A1, Dec. 24, 2020
Int. Cl. A01D 78/00 (2006.01)
CPC A01D 78/006 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drum assembly for turning material, the drum assembly comprising:
a drum including a first end, a second end, a rotational axis extending through the first end and the second end about which the drum rotates, and a central plane perpendicular to the rotational axis, the drum comprising:
a first outer portion;
a second outer portion;
a central portion, the center plane extending through the central portion;
a first intermediary portion disposed between the first outer portion and the central portion; and
a second intermediary portion disposed between the second outer portion and the central portion;
a plurality of centering paddles connected to the drum and configured to move material toward the central plane;
a plurality of dispersal paddles connected to the drum and configured to move material away from the drum in a direction generally perpendicular to the rotational axis; and
a plurality of spreading paddles connected to the drum and configured to move material away from the central plane, wherein:
a majority of paddles in the first outer portion are centering paddles;
a majority of paddles in the second outer portion are centering paddles;
a majority of paddles in the center portion are spreading paddles;
a majority of paddles in the first intermediary portion are dispersal paddles; and
a majority of paddles in the second intermediary portion are dispersal paddles.