GB2468966A

GB2468966A - Foldable and extendible conveyor

Info

Publication number: GB2468966A
Application number: GB1004925A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oliver Donnelly
Original assignee: Powerscreen International Distribution Ltd
Current assignee: Powerscreen International Distribution Ltd
Priority date: 2009-03-24
Filing date: 2010-03-24
Publication date: 2010-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2030-03-24
Also published as: GB0905003D0; GB201004925D0; GB2468966B

Abstract

A conveyor is movable between an extended state and a non-extended state and is foldable. Actuators are provided to fold the conveyor and to actuating the conveyor between the extended state and the non-extended state. First retaining means are provided for retaining the conveyor in a deployed state. Second retaining means are provided for retaining the conveyor in the non-extended state. When the first retaining means is in a non-retaining state and said second retaining means is in a retaining state, the actuators are operable to operate the conveyor between folded and deployed states, and when the first retaining means is in a retaining state and the second retaining means is in a non-retaining state, the actuators are operable to operate the conveyor between the extended state and the non-extended state. The retaining means may be a pin and socket.

Description

Foldable and Extendible Conveyor

Field of the Tnvention

The present invention relates to conveyors, and in particular to conveyors for scrccning apparatus

Background to the Invention

Screening apparatus commonly have multiple conveyors for delivering screened material to a desired location. It is known for such conveyors to be foldable to facilitate transport of the screening apparatus. It can also be desirable for the conveyor to be movable to improve access to other components of the screening apparatus.

It would be desirable to provide a conveyor that can be folded and moved in an efficient manner.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides a conveyor mountable on a support frame, the conveyor comprising first and second sections that are foldable with respect to one another, wherein the conveyor is movable with respect to the support frame between an extended state and a non-extended state, and further includes means for actuating said second section with respect to said first section between a folded state and a deployed state, and for actuating said conveyor between the extended state and the non-extended state, and wherein said conveyor further includes first retaining means for retaining said conveyor in the deployed state, and second retaining means for retaining said conveyor in the non-extended state, the arrangement being such that, when the first retaining means is in a non-retaining state and said second retaining means is in a retaining state, said actuating means is operable to operate the conveyor between the folded and deployed states, and when the first retaining means is in a retaining state and said second retaining means is in a non-retaining state, said actuating means is operable to operate said conveyor between said extended state and said non-extended state.

Preferably, said actuating means is coupled between said support frame and said conveyor and, more preferably between said support frame and said second section of the conveyor.

In preferred embodiments, said actuating means comprises at least one linear actuator, preferably at least one ram. Advantageously, a respective linear actuator is provided at each side of the conveyor.

Optionally, said at least one actuator is connected to said second section of the conveyor. Preferably, however, a linkage mechanism is pivotably connected between the conveyor sections, said at least one actuator being connected between said support frame and said linkage mechanism.

Advantageously, said at least one actuator is pivotably coupled to both the support frame and the second section of the conveyor.

In preferred embodiments, said first retaining means comprises at least one pin and cooperable socket. Typically, the, or each, socket passes through a respective part of each of said first and second conveyor sections such that, when the pin is inserted in the socket, said second conveyor section cannot be folded out of the deployed state.

In preferred embodiments, said second retaining means comprises at least one pin and cooperable socket. Optionally, the, or each, socket passes through a respective part of each of said conveyor and said support frame such that, when the pin is inserted in the socket, said conveyor cannot be moved out of the non-extended state. Preferably, however, the conveyor and the support frame are coupled together by means of a guide and guide follower assembly, said at least one pin being insertable into said guide in the path of said guide follower such that said conveyor cannot be moved out of the non-extended state. The guide may take the form of a track and is conveniently provided on said support frame. The guide follower conveniently takes the form of a projection that is shaped and dimensioned to ride in the guide, and is typically provided on the conveyor.

Preferably, a respective guide and guide follower assembly is provided at each side of the conveyor.

Preferably a third retaining means is provided for retaining said conveyor in said extended state. Said third retaining means may comprise at least one pin and cooperable socket. Optionally, the, or each, socket passes through a respective part of each of said conveyor and said support frame such that, when the pin is inserted in the socket, said conveyor cannot be moved out of the extended state.

Alternatively, said at least one pin is insertable into said guide in the path of said guide follower such that said conveyor cannot be moved out of the extended state A second aspect of the invention provides a screening apparatus including a conveyor according to the first aspect of the invention.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention will be apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of a specific embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mobile screening apparatus including a conveyor embodying the invention, the apparatus being shown in a working state in which the conveyor is deployed; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the screening apparatus of Figure 1 shown in a transport state in which the conveyor is folded; Figure 3 is a side view of the conveyor shown in a folded and a non-extended state; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the conveyor shown in the folded and non-extended states; Figure 5 is a side view of the conveyor shown in the non-extended state and between the folded state and a deployed state; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the conveyor shown in the non-extended state and between the folded state and the deployed state; Figure 7 is a side view of the conveyor shown in the non-extended state and the deployed state; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the conveyor shown in the non-extended state and the deployed state; Figure 9 is a side view of the conveyor shown in an extended state and the deployed state; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of the conveyor shown in the extended state and the deployed state.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown, generally indicated as 10, an apparatus for screening material, typically aggregate material such as sand, gravel, crushed rocks, stones and the like. The screening apparatus is a mobile screening apparatus and is shown with tracks 10, although it may alternatively have wheels. The invention is not however limited to mobile screening apparatus and may equally be used with static screening apparatus, or indeed with other non-screening related apparatus.

The screening apparatus 10 includes a hopper 14, a screening device commonly referred to as a screen box 16, and two side conveyors 18. The screen box 16 has at least one, but typically a plurality of, screening layers, each layer comprising a screen typically in the form of a mesh. In cases where there are multiple screening layers, each screen has a different granularity so that material having different sizes can be separated. It will be understood that the constituent components that make up a screening apparatus, and their arrangement, can vary from apparatus to apparatus and need not necessarily be as depicted in Figures 1 and 2, which are provided by way of illustration only.

A conveyor 20 embodying the invention is mounted on the apparatus 10. In the present example, the conveyor 20 is mounted at an end of the apparatus 10 and so may be referred to as a tail conveyor. One end 22 (the loading end) is located adjacent the screen box 16 and the other end 24 (the discharging end) is free. In use, screened material (not shown) may be deposited onto the loading end 22 of the conveyor 20 whereupon it is conveyed to the discharge end 24 from which it may be discharged onto, for example, a stockpile, lorry or other destination.

In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyor 20 is a belt type conveyor and so includes a conveyor belt 26. The belt 26 is typically supported by a frame 28 and, also typically, by at least two rollers, one located at either end 22, 24 of the conveyor 20. Other rollers and/or belt guides may be provided along the length of the frame 28. II will be understood that the invention is not limited to belt type conveyors and may alternatively by used with any other type of conveyor, e.g. roller conveyors, and/or any other configuration of conveyor.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 10 in particular, the conveyor 20 is described in more detail. The conveyor 20 has first and second sections 20A, 20B that are foldable with respect to one another. In this example, the first section 20A is located proximal the apparatus 10 and so may be referred to as the inner section.

The second section 20B is distal the apparatus 10 and so may be referred to as the outer section. The inner and outer sections 20A, 20B are pivotably coupled to one another, typically at their respective ends, by any suitable means to enable them to be folded with respect to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner and outer sections 20A, 20B are pivotably connected to one another at pivot point P by any suitable means, e.g. any suitable conventional pivot joint, typically one on either side of the conveyor 20.

Preferably, the conveyor sections 20A, 20B are coupled together by a linkage mechanism 30. The linkage mechanism 30, which is conveniently located substantially at the adjacent ends of the respective conveyor sections 20A, 20B, is pivotably connected to each of the conveyor sections 20A, 20B by any suitable means. Typically, the linkage mechanism 30 has a respective part 30A, 30B for connection to a respective side of the conveyor 20, the parts 30A, 30B advantageously being joined together by a cross-piece 32. In the illustrated embodiment, each part 30A, 30B, has a first link 31 pivotably connected to the inner conveyor section 20A and a second link 33 pivotably connected to the outer conveyor 20B, the two links 31, 33 being pivotably connected to each other. It will be understood that alternative configurations of linkage mechanism may be used, and that, alternatively still, the linkage mechanism may be omitted.

The conveyor 20 is capable of moving between a non-extended state (Figures 7 and 8) and an extended state (Figures 9 and 10). When the conveyor 20 is in the extended state, it improves access to the screen box 16 to allow, for example, the screening mesh to be changed. In the preferred embodiment, the movement of the conveyor 20 between the non-extended and extended states is substantially, or at least generally, linear and, typically in a direction that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the conveyor 20 when in the deployed state (as indicated by arrow A in Figure 9). To this end, the conveyor 20 is mounted on a support frame 40 that, in this embodiment, is provided on the apparatus 10. The conveyor 20 is coupled to the support frame 40 such that it is capable of moving relative to the support frame 40 between the non-extended and extended states, preferably in a substantially or generally linear manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 40 includes a pair of arms 42 from which the conveyor 20 is suspended by means of a respective link 44. The arms 42 are spaced-apart and the conveyor is located between them, the links 44 connecting a respective side of the conveyor to a respective arm 42. The links 44 are pivotably connected to both the conveyor 20 and the arm 42. Accordingly, the movement of the conveyor 40 with respect to the frame 40 is generally linear (in the direction indicated by arrow A) although, in the present embodiment, includes also some relative pivoting movement between the conveyor 20 and the frame 40 (which can best be appreciated by comparison of Figures 7 and 9).

The frame 40 may include a guide 45 for receiving a cooperating projection 47 provided on the conveyor 20. The projection 47 rides in the guide 45 as the conveyor 20 moves between the extended and non-extended states and so influences the movement of the conveyor 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide 45 includes a first section 45', which is non-parallel with the direction A (substantially horizontal as viewed in the drawings), and which causes relative pivoting movement between the conveyor 20 and the frame 40, and a second section 45", which is substantially parallel with the direction A and which causes the conveyor to move substantially in direction A. Although not shown in the drawings, a similar projection and guide arrangement is preferably also provided on the other side of the conveyor 20. It will be understood that the, or each, guide may alternatively be provided on the conveyor 20 and the projection(s) 47 may be provided on the frame 40.

At least one actuator 50 is coupled between the support frame 40 and the conveyor 20. Preferably, two actuators 50A, SOB are provided, one on either side of the conveyor 20. In the illustrated embodiment, one end of each actuator is connected to the support frame 40, the other end being connected to the linkage mechanism 30 (and so being indirectly connected, or coupled, to the conveyor 20). Alternatively, the other end of each actuator 50A, 50B may be connected directly to the outer section 20B of the conveyor 20 (in which case the linkage 30 may be omitted). To allow adequate freedom of movement, each end of the actuators 50A, 50B is pivotably connected to its respective anchor point. Most conveniently, the actuators 50A, SOB each take the form of a ram, e.g. a hydraulic or pneumatic ram, although any other suitable conventional actuator, especially linear actuators, may be used.

Means for releasably retaining the conveyor 30 in the deployed state are also provided. Conveniently, the retaining means comprises at least one pin 60 and at least one pin-receiving socket 62, the socket extending through both sections of the conveyor 20. The arrangement is such that, when the (or each) pin 60 is in the (or each) socket 62, the inner and outer sections 20A, 20B are held together such that the conveyor 20 is retained in the deployed state, but that, when the (or each) pin 60 is removed from the (or each) socket 62, the conveyor 20 is capable of being folded. In the illustrated embodiment, only one pin 60 and socket 62 are shown (although a similar pin and socket may be provided on the non-visible side of the conveyor 20), and the socket 62 is comprised of apertures 62', 62", one formed in the inner conveyor section 20A the other being formed in the outer conveyor section 20B. When the conveyor 20 is in the deployed state, the apertures 62', 62" are in register with one another to form the socket 62. It will be understood that the socket 62 may take any other suitable form, e.g. one or more slots or recesses. The retaining means may itself take any other suitable form, for example one or more locking or latching device, or any other conventional retaining mechanism.

Means for releasably retaining the conveyor 20 in the non-extended state are provided. Conveniently, the retaining means comprises at least one pin 70 and at least one pin-receiving socket 72, the arrangement being such that, when the (or each) pin 70 is in the (or each) socket 72, the pin(s) 70 prevent relative movement between the conveyor 20 and the frame 40 such that the conveyor 20 is retained in the non-extended state, but that, when the (or each) pin 70 is removed from the (or each) socket 72, the conveyor 20 is free to move to the extended state. In the illustrated embodiment, the socket 72 takes the form of at least one aperture formed in the guide 45 (preferably two opposing apertures on opposite sides of the guide 45) to allow the pin 70, when inserted into the socket 72, to act as a barrier to the passage of the projection 47 along the guide (see detail view of Figure 7). A similar pin and socket arrangement may be provided on the opposite side of the conveyor 20. Alternatively, the socket 72 may pass through both the frame 40 and the conveyor 20 to allow the pin 70 to prevent movement of the conveyor 20. It will be understood that the socket 72 may take any other suitable form, e.g. one or more slots or recesses. The retaining means may itself take any other suitable form, for example one or more locking or latching device, or any other conventional retaining mechanism.

Means for releasably retaining the conveyor 20 in the extended state are preferably also provided. Conveniently, the retaining means comprises at least one pin 80 and at least one pin-receiving socket 82, the arrangement being such that, when the (or each) pin 80 is in the (or each) socket 82, the pin(s) 80 prevent relative movement between the conveyor 20 and the frame 40 such that the conveyor 20 is retained in the extended state, but that, when the (or each) pin 80 is removed from the (or each) socket 82, the conveyor 20 is free to move to the extended state. n the illustrated embodiment, the socket 82 takes the form of at least one aperture formed in the guide 45 (preferably two opposing apertures on opposite sides of the guide 45) to allow the pin 80, when inserted into the socket 82, to act as a barrier to the passage of the projection 47 along the guide (see detail view of Figure 7). A similar pin and socket arrangement may be provided on the opposite side of the conveyor 20. Alternatively, the socket 82 may pass through both the frame 40 and the conveyor 20 to allow the pin 80 to prevent movement of the conveyor 20. It will be understood that the socket 82 may take any other suitable form, e.g. one or more slots or recesses. The retaining means may itself take any other suitable form, for example one or more locking or latching device, or any other conventional retaining mechanism.

In use, starting from the folded and non-extended states (Figures 3 and 4), if it is desired to deploy the conveyor 20, pin 70 is inserted, while pins 60 and 80 are not.

Starting from an extended state, when the rams 50A, SOB are operated, they retract and cause the outer conveyor section 20B to pivot about pivot point P (Figures 5 and 6) until the conveyor 20 adopts the deployed state (Figures 7 and 9). Pin 60 may then be inserted to retain the conveyor 20 in the deployed state. If it is desired to fold the conveyor 20 from this position, the pin 60 is removed and the rams 50A, 50B are extended.

If it is desired to extend the conveyor 20 from the deployed and non-extended state of Figures 7 and 8, then pin 62 is inserted but pins 70 and 80 are not. This time, when the rams SOA, SOB extend, the conveyor 20 does not fold (because of pin 60) but instead is allowed to extend since pin 70 is removed. Once the conveyor 20 is extended, pin 80 may be inserted to retain the conveyor 20 in the extended state.

It will be seen from the foregoing that conveyor 20 can readily be operated between the folded, deployed, extended and non-extended states by means of a relatively simple mechanism which, in the illustrated embodiment, takes the form of just two rams and two removable pins (only two pins are required since pins 72 and 82 are not needed simultaneously).

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein, which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLATMS: 1. A conveyor mountable on a support frame, the conveyor being movable with respect to the support frame between an extended state and a non-extended state, the conveyor comprising first and second sections that are foldable with respect to one another; means for actuating said second section with respect to said first section between a folded state and a deployed state, and for actuating said conveyor between the extended state and the non-extended state; first retaining means for retaining said conveyor in the deployed state; and second retaining means for retaining said conveyor in the non-extended state, the arrangement being such that, when the first retaining means is in a non-retaining state and said second retaining means is in a retaining state, said actuating means is operable to operate the conveyor between the folded and deployed states, and when the first retaining means is in a retaining state and said second retaining means is in a non-retaining state, said actuating means is operable to operate said conveyor between said extended state and said non-extended state.
2. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first retaining means comprises at least one pin and cooperable socket.
3. A conveyor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the, or each, socket passes through a respective part of each of said first and second conveyor sections such that, when the pin is inserted in the socket, said second conveyor section cannot be folded out of the deployed state.
4. A conveyor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said second retaining means comprises at least one pin and cooperable socket.
5. A conveyor as claimed in claim 4, wherein the conveyor and the support frame are coupled together by means of a guide and guide follower assembly, said at least one pin being insertable into said guide in the path of said guide follower such that said conveyor cannot be moved out of the non-extended state.
6. A conveyor as claimed in claim 5, wherein the guide comprises a track, preferably provided on said support frame.
7. A conveyor as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein said guide follower comprises a projection that is shaped and dimensioned to ride in the guide, and is preferably provided on the conveyor.
8. A conveyor as claimed in claim 4, wherein the, or each, socket passes through a respective part of each of said conveyor and said support frame such that, when the pin is inserted in the socket, said conveyor cannot be moved out of the non-extended state.
9. A conveyor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a third retaining means is provided for retaining said conveyor in said extended state, said third retaining means preferably comprising at least one pin and cooperable socket.
10. A conveyor as claimed in claim 9, wherein said at least one pin is insertable into said guide in the path of said guide follower such that said conveyor cannot be moved out of the extended state
11. A conveyor as claimed in claim 9, wherein the, or each, socket passes through a respective part of each of said conveyor and said support frame such that, when the pin is inserted in the socket, said conveyor cannot be moved out of the extended state.
12. A conveyor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said actuating means is coupled between said support frame and said conveyor.
13. A conveyor as claimed in claim 12, wherein said actuating means is coupled between said support frame and said second section of the conveyor.
14. A conveyor as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein said actuating means comprises at least one linear actuator, preferably at least one ram.
15. A conveyor as claimed in claim 14, wherein said at least one actuator is pivotably coupled to both the support frame and the second section of the conveyor.
16. A conveyor as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein a linkage mechanism is pivotably connected between the conveyor sections, said at least one actuator being connected between said support frame and said linkage mechanism.
17. A conveyor as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein said at least one actuator is connected to said second section of the conveyor.
18. A screening apparatus comprising a screening device and at least one conveyor arranged to convey screened material away from said screening device, wherein said at least one conveyor includes a conveyor as claimed in claim 1.
19. A conveyor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. A screening apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.