US 12,394,264 B2
Grain bin entry control device
Frank H. Byers, Decatur, IL (US); and Kelly A. Gillespie, Crooks, SD (US)
Filed by Sioux Steel Company, Sioux Falls, SD (US)
Filed on Aug. 31, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/900,280.
Prior Publication US 2024/0071154 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. G07C 9/00 (2020.01); E06B 5/00 (2006.01); E05B 65/00 (2006.01)
CPC G07C 9/00309 (2013.01) [E06B 5/00 (2013.01); G07C 9/00571 (2013.01); E05B 65/00 (2013.01); E05Y 2999/00 (2024.05); G07C 2009/00769 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A grain bin entry control device comprising:
a frame configured to be mountable to a grain bin, such that the frame is positioned over an opening in the grain bin;
an outer door hingedly attached to the frame and being configured for selectively closing the opening;
an inner door hingedly attached to the frame and being configured for selectively preventing entry into the grain bin through the opening; and
an entry controller attached to the frame, the entry controller being positioned within the frame laterally adjacent to the opening in the grain bin, the entry controller being exposed in the frame wherein the entry controller is configured to be accessible when the outer door and the inner door are in closed positions, the entry controller including:
a power module,
a microprocessor operationally engaged to the power module,
a transceiver operationally engaged to the microprocessor, and
an actuatable lock positioned within the entry controller and operationally engaged to the microprocessor, the actuatable lock being extendable from the entry controller towards the inner door wherein the actuatable lock is selectively engageable to the inner door, wherein the transceiver is configured for receiving an access approval signal from an electronic device of a manager, enabling the microprocessor for selectively actuating the actuatable lock for unlocking the inner door for allowing entry of a user into the grain bin.