GB851640A - Improvements in conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

851,640. Endless-belt conveyers. UNITED STATES RUBBER CO. Sept. 30, 1958 [Nov. 4, 1957], No. 31136/58. Class 78 (1). An endless-belt conveyer 22, Fig. 4, is supported and driven by peripheral contact with a moving endless track formed of interconnected fluid-distensible rollers 15. The return run of the belt and roller system may be supported at intervals by light metal frames 27 which can ride on the chains 17, Fig. 1, connecting the rollers or on wheels 28 fixed to the axles of the rollers. These frames are interconnected by a light wire cable 34 which is anchored to the end support 18. The material is discharged by a plough 37 mounted on a frame 38, Fig. 5, which rides on the wheels 28. The plough is secured to a cross-bar 39 which is adjustable vertically by means 40 including shock-absorbing springs 41. The plough also is anchored to the support 18 by wire cables 42. The end support 19 is mounted in a movable frame 49 which slides on shafts 50, Fig. 2a. These shafts are supported on trunnions 51 in a stationary frame 52. The frame 49 is connected by a cable 56 to a weight 53 which maintains the system at the correct tension. Each roller 15, Fig. 7, is made of rubberized cord fabric, plastic or other flexible and gas impervious materials. The sides 57 may be made of several plies 58 of rubberized cord fabric, but the ground contacting portion 59 may be of lighter construction. Each roller is inflated through an air valve 60. The sides 57 are connected to the shaft 61 by fittings 64 and bolts 65. Leakage of air is prevented by a sealing ring 66. The chains 17 are passed round sprockets 20 mounted on the end supports 18, 19. These sprockets are coaxial with idler drums 24 around which pass the conveyer 22. The sprockets 20 on the support 19 are driven by the motor 44 through two chains 70, Fig. 8, which engage wheels 71 mounted coaxially with the sprockets. Clutches 72 operated by hand levers 73 are provided to vary the speeds of the sprockets. When the speeds are different, the system moves to one side or the other and the material is deposited over any desired area. The rollers may be mounted in frames 74, Fig. 9, which are connected by universal joints 76. Each roller axle 29 carries a horizontal wheel 77, Fig. 11, which engages a curved guide 78 at any point where the conveyer moves in a curved path. The track 78 is anchored by cables 79 to stakes 80. The belt used in this system is made of rectangular sections 82 connected by a pin 83. In a modification (not shown) each run of the belt is used for conveying.