Bag handling assembly for a grain bag unloading apparatus

Abstract

A grain bag handling assembly for a grain bag unloading apparatus having an auger assembly with an input end which is inserted into a mouth of an elongated grain bag and a remote output end. The grain bag handling assembly includes a rotatably mounted spool onto which the grain bag is rolled. The spool has a changeable diameter. A drive motor is provided for rotating the spool.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A spool, the improvement comprising:
 the spool being expandable and retractable,   a material being wrapped around the spool when the spool is in an expanded state, and   material being removed from the spool when the spool is in a retracted state.   
     
     
         37 . The spool according to  claim 36 , the spool having a first end flange and a second end flange, and the second end flange is removable to facilitate removal of material from an end of the spool. 
     
     
         38 . The spool according to  claim 37 , wherein the spool comprises a plurality of central support members,
 a selected one of the plurality of central support members is secured to and removable with the second end flange,   removal of the selected one of the plurality of central support members serves to retract the spool, leaving clearance for removal of material from the end of the spool.   
     
     
         39 . The spool according to  claim 36 , wherein the spool comprises:
 a first central support member having a first end and a second end;   a second central support member having a first end and a second end;   a first end flange secured to the first end of the first central support member and having a first receiver to receive a first end of the second central support member;   a second end flange secured to the second end of the second central support member and having a second receiver to receive a second end of the first central support member;   locking means associated with the second receiver to prevent relative separation of the first end flange and the second end flange, the locking means engaging the second end of the first central support member, upon the locking means being released, removal of the second end flange and draws the second central support member serving to retract the spool by leaving central clearance to make easier the removal of material from the end of the spool.   
     
     
         40 . The spool according to  claim 36 , wherein the spool comprises:
 at least two support members;   at least one jack positioned between the at least two support members, such that the at least one jack controls a separation distance between the at least two support members,   movement of the at least one jack in a first direction serving to expand the spool, and   movement of the at least one jack in a second direction serving to retract the spool leaving clearance for removal of material from the end of the spool.   
     
     
         41 . A spool comprising a first end flange and a second end flange,
 the spool being both expandable and retractable,   material being wrappable around the spool when the spool is in an expanded state, and   the material being removable from the spool when the spool is in a retracted state.