WO2014193428A1

WO2014193428A1 - Vibratory conveyor

Info

Publication number: WO2014193428A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/054654
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael T. Jones
Original assignee: Key Technology, Inc.
Priority date: 2013-05-31
Filing date: 2013-08-13
Publication date: 2014-12-04

Abstract

A vibratory conveyor is described and which includes a base frame; a conveyor bed which is reciprocally mounted on the base frame; a motor mount which is mounted in force transmitting relation relative to the conveyor bed; a pair of selectively energizable motors which are mounted on the motor mount; a rotatable force transmitting member mounted on a rotatable drive shaft of each of the motors, and which further individually, forcibly engage each other; and wherein the respective drive shafts rotate eccentric weights which generate a force which imparts reciprocal motion to the conveyor bed.

Description

DESCRIPTION

VIBRATORY CONVEYOR TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vibratory conveyor, and more specifically to a drive assembly which is employed with a vibratory conveyor, and which further provides a means for conveniently synchronizing the operation of a pair of electric motors which are utilized in a drive assembly.

BACKGROUND ART

Excited frame vibratory conveying devices are well known in the art Examples of such devices include US Patent Numbers 4,313,535; 6,276,518 and 7,775,343 to name but a few. Such prior art devices as seen in the aforementioned patents typically include a vibratory drive mounted on or disposed in force transmitting relation relative to an elongated frame, and which rests on an underlying floor or other supporting structure, or which can further be deployed from a bulk head, or ceiling. Extending outwardly from a base frame, and inclined in the direction of the intake or infeed of the conveyor are a plurality of resilient leaf springs. An elongated conveyor or product transporting bed is mounted on the distal ends of each of these leaf springs and is supported by them in a generally parallel orientation relative to the base frame, and in a substantially, overall, horizontal orientation. Those skilled in the art will recognize mat due to the resiliency of the respective leaf springs, the product conveying bed is capable of reciprocally moving relative to the supporting base frame in response to a force imparted to the conveyor bed by a vibratory drive. During the operation of an excited frame vibratory conveyor, the vibratory drive produces an oscillating vibratory force which is generated by counter- rotating eccentric weights which are subcomponents of the vibratory drive. In view of the fact mat the vibratory drive is typically mounted on the base frame, it imparts vibratory motion to the base frame which is then transmitted to the adjacent conveyor or product transporting bed. As a result, the conveyor bed vibrates at substantially the same frequency as the vibratory drive end the base frame.

As compared with other typos of vibratory eonveyora mat are generally available, excited frame vibratory conveying devices impart less vibrational force to the underlying floor or other supporting structure as the device is energized, and rendered operational. This is due, in part, to the weight of such devices, and the small vibrational amplitude of the frame as compared to the vibrational amplitude of the product conveying bed. This low level of vibrational force transferred to the surrounding structure is a significant advantage of the excited frame vibratory conveyors employed heretofore.

While vibratory conveyors of the type described, above, have gained increasing acceptance, and are widely used in many industry segments, developers and operators of such devices have sought means to make such excited frame conveyors as versatile as possible, and further reduce the manufacturing expenses related to same. For example, and referring now to US Patent Number 6,276,518, a vibratory drive is described therein, which includes a multiplicity of eccentrically driven vibratory weights which are best seen in Fig. 10 of that reference. The described eccentric weights are driven and rotated in a predetermined pattern in order to impart the vibratory motion necessary to drive the product conveying bed as illustrated in this patent However, and as should be recognized by studying this US Patent, disadvantages are associated with such designs including me more obvious ones mat such drives require periodic rnaintenance, and can further fail, due in part, to lack of lubrication or other malfunction. Moreover, designers of such vibratory conveyors have sought to fabricate such vibratory conveyors with lighter gauge materials in an attempt to lower the purchasing cost for such manufactured devices; and further to enhance the reliability of such vibratory drives as employed with vibratory conveyors which are deployed in assorted manufacturing environments.

Therefore, a vibratory conveyor which addresses these and other shortcomings attendant with the prior art devices, and practice utilized, heretofore, is the subject matter of the present application.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a vibratory conveyor which includes a base frame mounted on a supporting surface; a conveyor bed which is reciprocally moveably supported on the base frame; a motor mount which is coupled in force transmitting relation relative to the conveyor bed; a pair of selectively energizable motors which are mounted on the motor mount, and wherein each motor has a rotatable drive shaft; a rotatable force transmitting member mounted on each of the rotatable drive shafts, which is co-rotatable therewith, and which further, individually cooperate with each other, and an eccentric weight mounted on each of the rotatable drive shafts, and wherein the eccentric weights, when rotated by the respective energized motors, generate a force which imparts reciprocal motion of the conveyor bed. Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a vibratory conveyor which includes a base frame mounted on a supporting surface, and further having an outwardly feeing surface; a multiplicity of leaf springe mounted on the base frame, and extending, generally, laterally outwardly relative to the outwardly facing surface of the base frame, and wherein the respective leaf springs each have a distal end; an elongated conveyor bed having a longitudinal axis, a center of mass, and opposite first and second ends, and which is further operable to transport a product along a course of travel from the first to the second end of the elongated conveyor bed, and wherein the elongated conveyor bed is mounted on the distal ends of the respective leaf springs, and is further located in spaced relation relative to the outwardly facing surface of the base frame; a motor mount which is located in force transmitting relation relative to the elongated conveyor bed; a pair of selectively energizable motors which are mounted on the motor mount, and positioned alongside each other, and which further each have a rotatable drive shaft having a distal end, and wherein each drive shaft is located in spaced, substantially parallel relation, one relative to the other, a rotatable force transmitting member mounted on each rotatable drive shaft, and which is further co-rotatable therewith, and wherein the respective rotatable force transmitting members forcibly engage each other, and wherein upon energizing the respective pair of energizable motors, the respective drive shafts rotate in opposite directions; and an eccentric weight mounted on each of the respective drive shafts, and which when rotated by the respective drive shafts, the respective eccentric weights, in combination, generate a force which causes the elongated conveyor bed to reciprocate in a predetermined manner relative to the base frame, and to further cause the elongated conveyor bed to transport the product from the first end, to the second end of the elongated conveyor bed.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective, side elevation view of a vibratory drive which finds usefulness in the of the present invention. Fig. 1A is a side elevation view of an alternative form of the invention and showing a second form of a pair of rotatable force transmitting members which are useful in the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective, top plan view of a vibratory drive which provides a feature of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a first form of a vibratory conveyor of the present invention.

Fig. 3A is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken from a position along line 3-3 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a second form of the vibratory conveyor of the present invention.

Fig. 4A is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken from a position along line 4-4 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of yet another form of the vibratory conveyor of the present invention.

Fig. 5A is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken from a position along line 5-5 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of yet still another form of the vibratory conveyor of the present invention.

Fig. 6A is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken from a position along line 6-6 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of still another form of the vibratory conveyor of the present invention.

Fig. 7A is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken from a position along line 7-7 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of still yet another form of the vibratory conveyor of the present invention.

Fig. 8A is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken from a position along line 8-8 of Fig. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various forms of a vibratory conveyor which constitute the subject matter of the present invention can be seen in both top plan and transverse, vertical sectional views as seen in Figs. 3-8, respectively. These various forms of the vibratory conveyors which are depicted are generally indicated by the numeral 10, and have a number of similar features which will bear similar numbers in the assorted figures which are provided. The general features of the respective vibratory conveyors 10 will be discussed in greater detail, below. Each of the vibratory conveyors 10 employ a novel, vibratory drive which is generally indicated by the numeral 11, and is seen in Figs. 1, 1 A, and 2, and which will be discussed in greater detail, hereinafter.

The assorted forms of the vibratory conveyor of the present invention 10 are each mounted for operational movement relative to a supporting surface which is herein indicated by the numeral 12. The supporting surface for the various forms of the vibratory conveyor 10 may include an overhead supporting surface 13, such as an overhead mezzanine or ceiling, or further the various forms of the invention 10 may be mounted on an underlying supporting surface 14, like a factory floor. Regardless of the form of the invention 10, the assorted forms of the invention 10 include vibration isolators of various designs, and which are well known in the art, and which are further mounted on the supporting surfaces 12, and which operate to substantially reduce or minimize the amount of generated vibratory energy that might be transmitted between the various forms of the vibratory conveyor 10, and the supporting surfaces 12.

Each of the various forms of the vibratory conveyor 10 of the present invention include a base frame which is generally indicated by the numeral 20. The base frame 20 is moveably mounted on and supported by the vibratory isolators IS, and is further operable to receive, and then transmit the vibratory energy which is generated by the vibratory drive 11 as will be discussed in greater detail, hereinafter. The base frame 20, has a main body 21 which is defined, in part, by a top, or outwardly facing peripheral edge 22, and an opposite, bottom or inwardly facing peripheral edge 23. Still further, the base frame has opposite, first and second ends 24 and 25, respectively. Additionally, and as seen in the top plan views of Figs. 3-8, the base frame has opposite first and second sides 26 and 27, respectively.

The base frame 20 mounts a multiplicity of elongated vibratory leaf springs, hereinafter referred to as the vibratory springs 30. The vibratory springs 30 each have a first end 31 which is mounted on the base frame, and an opposite, second or distal end 32. The respective leaf springs are located in predetermined, spaced relation along a conveyor bed which is generally indicated by the numeral 40. The conveyor bed 40 is of traditional design having a first, infeed end 41, and a second exhaust end 42. Still further, substantially parallel, and spaced sidewalls 43 extend generally upwardly from the conveyor bed 40, and upon which the second end 32 of each of the respective vibratory springs 30 are suitably affixed. As seen in the drawings, the conveyor bed 40 moves in a reciprocal path of travel which is generally indicated by the numeral 44, in order to move a product, not shown, along the conveyor bed between the first and second ends 41 and 42, respectively. Still further, the conveyor bed has a center of mass which is generally indicated by the numeral 45.

The new and novel vibratory conveyor 10 includes a drive plate which is generally indicated by the numeral 60. The drive plate 60 has opposite first and second ends 61 and 62, and top and bottom surfaces 63 and 64, respectively. The drive plate 60 extends between, and is affixed to, the first and second sides 26 and 27 of the base frame 20. As illustrated, the drive plate 60, and more specifically, the top and bottom surfaces thereof 63 and 64 are angularly inclined along a line of reference or force line which generally extends through the center of mass 45 of the conveyor bed 40 in order to allow the vibratory conveyor 10 to operate in a suitable manner, as described earlier.

Affixed to the drive plate 60 is a motor mount which is generally indicated by the numeral 70. The motor mount is formed of a first, narrowly rectangular, and elongated mounting base plate 71 as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively. The mounting base plate has apertures formed therein which will allow a fastener to pass therethrough, and then be secured directly to the drive plate 60 which is positioned therebeneath. Additionally, the narrowly rectangular shaped mounting base plate is affixed to a substantially perpendicularly oriented support member 72 and which extends substantially normally, upwardly therefrom. The support member 72 has a bottom peripheral edge 73 which is made integral with the base plate 71, and further has a top peripheral edge 74 which is remote, thereto. Still further, apertures 75 of a given size are formed in the support member 72 and passed therethrough. The apertures 75 have respective cross-sectional dimensions which will facilitate the receipt of two drive motors as will be discussed in the paragraphs, below.

As best seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the vibratory conveyor, in its various forms 10, includes a pair of selectively energizable motors which are mounted on the motor mount 70. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the pair of selectively energizable motors 80 includes a first and second motor 81 and 82, respectively. The respective motors 81 and 82 each have a rotatable drive shaft which is indicated by the numeral 83. The respective drive shafts each have a proximal end 84, and an opposite distal end 85. As seen in Figs. 1, 1A, and 2, a rotatable force transmitting member 90 having given dimensions is mounted on each of the rotatable drive shafts 83, and is further co- rotatable therewith. The rotatable force transmitting member as depicted in Fig. 1 and 2 is a gear 90. The respective gears 90 have a peripheral edge 91 which has formed therein a multiplicity of gear teeth 92 which meshingly engage each other. Upon energizing the respective pair of cnergizable motors 80, the respective drive shafts 83 and the gears associated therewith 90 rotate in opposite directions as indicated by the arrows labeled 93. The gears 90 provide a convenient means whereby the pair of selectively energizable motors 80 may be synchronized immediately upon start-up so as to effect the operation of the various forms of the vibratory conveyors 10. Additionally, and as seen in Fig. 1A, and in another, alternative, and possible form of the invention, a rotatable force transmitting member 94 is provided, and which is substituted in place of the gear 90 as previously described. The rotational force transmitting member 94 has a peripheral edge 95 which frictionally engages the peripheral edge 95 of the adjacent force transmitting member. In a fashion similar to that described above, energizing of the respective first and second electric motors 81 and 82 is effective to cause the respective drive shafts 83 to rotate in opposite directions, and which achieves the benefits of the present invention. It should be understood that the second form of the rotatable force transmitting member 90 allows for some degree of slipping to occur between the adjacent drive shafts 83 during start-up or shut down of the vibratory conveyor 10.

As seen in the drawings,, an eccentric weight 100 is mounted on each of the respective drive shafts 83. When rotated by the respective drive shafts 83, die eccentric weights, generate a force which causes the elongated conveyor bed 40 to reciprocate in a predetermined manner relative to the base frame 20. This reciprocal motion of die elongated conveyor bed 40 transports a given product (not shown), from the first end to the second end 41 and 42, respectively. The individual eccentric weights have a main body 101 which has an aperture formed therein and which receives the respective drive shafts 83. Further, each of the individual eccentric weights has an eccentric mass 102. In one form of the invention (Fig. 2), the individual eccentric weights 100 have the same mass or weight. In another possible form of the invention (Fig. 1), the eccentric weights 100 may have a different mass or weight When energized, the individual electric motors 80, by rotating the respective eccentric weights 100, generate a line of force 103 which passes through die center of mass 45 of the conveyor bed thereby causing a desirable reciprocal motion of the conveyor bed 40. The present invention 10 further includes a removable cover 104 (shown in phantom lines) for enclosing the individual eccentric weights 100, and to prevent exposure of the motors 80 to die ambient environment

OPERATION

The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at mis point

In its broadest aspects, the present invention relates to a vibratory conveyor 10 which includes a base frame 20 mounted on a supporting surface 12. A conveyor bed 40 is provided, and which is reciprocally moveably supported on the base frame 20. A motor mount 70 is coupled in force transmitting relation relative to the conveyor bed 40. A pair of selectively energizable motors 80 are provided, and which are mounted on the motor mount 70. Each motor 80 has a rotatable drive shaft 83. A rotatable force transmitting member 90/94 is provided and which is mounted on each of the rotatable drive shafts 83, and which is co-rotatable therewith. The rotatable force transmitting members 90/94 further individually, frictionally engage each other. Additionally, the vibratory conveyor 10 includes an eccentric weight 100 which is mounted on each of the rotatable drive shafts 83. The respective eccentric weights 80, when rotated by the respective energized motors, generates a force which imparts reciprocal motion of the conveyor bed 40. In the arrangement as shown in the drawings, the rotatable force transmitting member 94 may comprise, in one form, a gear 90, and wherein upon energizing each of the motors, the meshing cooperation of the respective gears 90 causes each rotatable drive shaft 83 to rotate at the same predetermined speed. In the arrangement as shown in die drawings, the force generated by the rotation of the respective eccentric weights 100 is directed along a line of force 103 which is substantially coaxially aligned relative to a given location on the conveyor bed 40. In the present invention, the conveyor bed 40 has a center mass 45. As disclosed the force generated by the rotation of the respective eccentric weights 100 is directed along a line of force 103 which passes substantially through the center of mass 45 of the conveyor bed. In the arrangement as shown in the drawings, die motor mount 70 is mounted on the conveyor bed 40. This is best seen by reference to Fig. 7. Still further, and as will be seen in the drawings, the motor mount 70 is mounted on the base frame. The respective rotatable force transmitting members provide a means by which the respective electric motors 80 may simultaneously begin synchronous rotation. This prohibits an operational situation from developing when, on start-up or shut-down, and without the use of the disclosed rotatable force transmitting members, the respective motors may not be in synchronous operation, and therefore adverse vibratory force is imparted to the elongated conveyor bed. This often results in less man desirable motion of the overhead conveyor bed.

In the drawings as provided, the base frame 20, in one form, may be mounted on an underlying supporting surface 14, or in another possible form of the invention, the base frame 20 may be mounted on an overhead supporting surface 13. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, each of the selectively energizable motors 80 are mounted side-by-side. Further, each of the rotatable drive shafts 83 have substantially the same length dimension, and a distal end 85. As further illustrated in the drawings, one of the eccentric weights 100 is mounted on the distal end 85 of one of the rotatable drive shafts 83, and the other eccentric weight 100 is mounted on the other rotatable drive shaft 83 at a location which is in spaced relation relative to the distal end 85 of the rotatable drive shaft 83. In the arrangement as shown in the drawings, each of the selectively energizable motors 80 are mounted, side-by-side, and have opposite sides, and wherein the respective rotatable drive shafts 83 are located on the same side of the pair of selectively energizable motors 80. As additionally seen in the drawings, the respective rotatable drive shafts 83 may be, in one form of the invention, oriented at a predetermined, non-horizontal orientation relative to conveyor bed 40. However, in another form of the invention, the respective drive shafts 83 may be oriented in a spaced, parallel, substantially horizontal relationship relative to the elongated conveyor bed 40.

Therefore, it will be seen that the present vibratory conveyor provides many operational advantages not possible in the prior art devices and associated drive assemblies which have been utilized, heretofore. The present vibratory conveyor, and drive assembly employed with same, is substantially lubrication free, and further allows for a lighter-weight and less expensive vibratory conveyor product to be manufactured. Additionally, the present invention further provides a means by which a single drive assembly can be fabricated and which may be utilized in a variety of different vibratory conveyor arrangements as seen in the drawings.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A vibratory conveyor, comprising:

a base frame mounted on a supporting surface;

a conveyor bed which is reciprocally moveably supported on the base frame; a motor mount which is coupled in force transmitting relation relative to the conveyor bed;

a pair of selectively energizable motors which are mounted on the motor mount, and wherein each motor has a rotatable drive shaft;

a rotatable force transmitting member mounted on each of the rotatable drive shafts, and which is co -rotatable therewith, and which further individually cooperate with each other, and

an eccentric weight mounted on each of the rotatable drive shafts, and wherein the eccentric weights, when rotated by the respective energized motors, generate a force which imparts reciprocal motion of the conveyor bed.

2. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 1, and wherein rotatable force transmitting members comprise a gear, and wherein upon energizing each motor, a meshing, force engaging cooperation of the respective gears causes each rotatable drive shaft to rotate at the same predetermined speed.

3. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 2, and wherein rotatable force transmitting members comprise a gear, and wherein the force generated by the rotation of the respective eccentric weights is directed along a line of force which is substantially coaxially aligned relative to the conveyor bed.

4. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the conveyor bed has a center of mass, and wherein the force generated by the rotation of the respective eccentric weights is directed along a line of force which passes substantially through the center of mass of the conveyor bed.

5. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the motor mount is mounted in direct force transmitting relation relative to the conveyor bed.

6. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the motor mount is mounted on the base frame.

7. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the base frame is mounted on an underlying supporting surface.

8. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the base frame is mounted on an overhead supporting surface.

9. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 2, and wherein each of the selectively energizable motors are mounted, side-by-side, and wherein each of the rotatable drive shafts have substantially the same length dimension, and a distal end, and wherein one of the eccentric weights is mounted on the distal end of one of the rotatable drive shafts, and the other eccentric weight is mounted on the other rotatable drive shaft at a location in spaced relation relative to the distal end of the rotatable drive shaft

10. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 2, and wherein each of the selectively energizable motors are mounted, side-by-side, and have opposite sides, and wherein the respective rotatable shafts are located on the same side of the pair of selectively energizable motors.

11. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the respective drive shafts are oriented at a predetermined, non-horizontal orientation relative to the elongated conveyor bed.

12. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the respective drive shafts are oriented in a spaced, parallel, and horizontal relationship relative to the elongated conveyor bed.

13. A vibratory conveyor, comprising:

a base frame mounted on a supporting surface, and further having an outwardly feeing surface; a multiplicity of leaf springs mounted on the base frame, and extending generally, laterally outwardly relative to the outwardly facing surface of the base frame, and wherein the respective leaf springs each have a distal end;

an elongated conveyor bed having a longitudinal axis, a center of mass, and opposite first and second ends, and which is further operable to transport a product along a course of travel from the first to the second end of the elongated conveyor bed, and wherein the elongated conveyor bed is mounted on the distal ends of the respective leaf springs, and is further located in spaced relation relative to the outwardly facing surface of the base frame;

a motor mount which is located in force transmitting relation relative to the elongated conveyor bed;

a pair of selectively energizable motors which are mounted on the motor mount, and positioned alongside each other, and which further each have a rotatable drive shaft having a distal end, and wherein each drive shaft is located in spaced, substantially parallel relation, one relative to the other,

a rotatable force transmitting member mounted on each rotatable drive shaft, and which is further co-rotatable therewith, and wherein the respective rotatable force transmitting members forcibly engage each other, and wherein upon energizing the respective pair of energizable motors the respective drive shafts rotate in opposite directions; and

an eccentric weight mounted on each of the respective drive shafts, and which when rotated by the respective drive shafts, the respective eccentric weights, in combination, generate a force which causes the elongated conveyor bed to reciprocate in a predetermined manner relative the base frame, and to cause the elongated conveyor bed to transport the product from the first end, to the second end of the elongated conveyor bed.

14. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the rotatable force transmitting members comprise individual gears which each have a peripheral edge defining an equal number of gear teeth which meaningly cooperate together, and wherein each rotatable drive shaft rotates at approximately the same number of revolutions per minute, in opposite- directions, when the respective motors are energized.

15. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 13, and wherein each of the respective drive shafts are located in predetermined, spaced, substantially parallel relation relative to the other drive shaft, and wherein the respective drive shafts each have an equal length dimension, and wherein the eccentric weight mounted on one of the drive shafts is mounted on the distal end thereof, and wherein the eccentric weight mounted on the other of the two drive shafts is mounted in spaced relation, and inwardly relative to the distal end of the other drive shaft 16. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim IS, and wherein the motor mount is narrowly elongated in shape, and has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the respective, selectively energizable motors are transversely oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the motor mount. 17. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 16, and wherein the force generated by the rotation of the respective eccentric weights is directed along a line of force which is substantially coaxially aligned relative to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor bed. 18. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 16, and wherein the force generated by the rotation of the respective eccentric weights is directed along a line of force which passes through the center of mass of the elongated conveyor bed. 19. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 16, and wherein the motor mount is mounted on the elongated conveyor bed, and adjacent to the first end thereof. 20. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 16, and wherein the motor mount is mounted on the base frame. 21. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 16, and wherein the motor mount further comprises:

a narrowly rectangular base plate; and

a support member made integral with the narrowly rectangular base plate, and which extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the motor mount, and which further extends normally upwardly relative to the base plate, and wherein the support member defines an aperture through which the respective, selectively energizable motors extend. 22. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claimed 16, and further comprising a removable cover which encloses each of the eccentric weights mounted on the respective drive shafts, and which releasably attaches to the motor mount 23. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 16, and wherein each of the eccentric weights have approximately the same weight. 24. A vibratory conveyor as claimed in claim 16, and wherein each of the eccentric weights have different weights.