US2279201A - Combination coupler and hanger structure for screw conveyers - Google Patents

Description

April 7, 1942-` J. l..v KozAK ErAL 2,279,201-

' `COMBINATION COUPLER AND HANGER STRUCTURE FOR SCREW CONVEYERS Filed Sepll.. 25, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS I Pl'l 7, 1942 J. L. KozAK Erm. 2,279,201

COMBINATION COUPLER AND HANGER STRUCTURE FOR SCREW CONVEYERS Filed sept. '25, 194e 4 sheets-sheet 2 April 7, 1942- J. L. KozAK ErALY- COMBINATION CUPLER AND HANGER STRUCTURE FR SGREW CONVEYERS 4 sheets-shet 5 Filed Sept. 25, 15340 l A'rroRNEY April 7, 1942.

COMBINATION COUPLER AND HANGER STRUCTURE FOR SGREW-GONVEYERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 llllll I.

INVENTORS L. Kaza/r lPatented pr. 7, 1942l COMBINATION 1`COUPLER AND Y HANGER u STRUCTURE FOR SCREW CONVEYERS y Joseph L. Kozak, Munster, Ind., and Clarence F.

Abraham, Chicago, lll., asslgnors to Screw Conveyor Corporation, Hammond, Ind., a corporation of Illinois Application September 25, 1940, Serial No; 358,228

17 Claims. (Cl'. 198-213) The present invention relates to conveyer apparatus of the screwy or spiral conveyer type, and

particularly to apparatus of this character which is made up in -lengths requiring a plurality of coupling means between the housing or casingl sections are located.

For carrying out this purpose of our invention we have devised a combination form of coupling struction;

and hanger unit to afford the necessary coupling means between adjoining sections of the housing or casing of the conveyer apparatus, and-also incorporate therewith a hanger structure for providing suitable bearing means for the coupling between corresponding sections of the conveyer mechanism-all with a view to enabling sections of the casing or housing to be repaired or replaced without disturbing the conveyer mecha` nism or its bearings, and furthermore to enable sections of the conveyer mechanism also to be similarly repaired or replaced without undue disof casings or housings forming the conveyer 4 troughsuch as cylindrical, U:- or V-shaped,

Square, rectangular, aring, or other forms, and including either integral or sectional casing or housing units, as will be fullyexplained in the following.

Having these general objects in view, the ina. lvention will accordingly be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating suitable forms of apparatus designed to embody the proposed improvements, after which those features and combinations which are deemed to g.-

be both novel and patentable will be particularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawings- 1 lFigure 1 is an elevation illustrating a conveyer apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and comprising horizontally split conveyer trough or casing units or sections;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view on a larger scale and illustrating a section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevation representing'a sectio taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a similar view representing a section taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of one of the combination hanger and coupling units of the con- Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view, representing a. section taken on the line 6--6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the hanger and coupling assembly and bearing parts;

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the lower portion of said assembly;

Figure 9 is a sectional detail of the joint between conveyer trough sections and represents a section taken on the line 9-9 of Figurell-but on a larger scale.

Figure 10 is an elevation showing a modified form of construction-being a section taken on the line lll-moi Figure 11; l

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view, representing a section taken on the line III--II of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is an elevation similar to Figure 10 but showing another modied form of construction;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary side view of the same, with the hanger structure shown in vertical section:

Figure 14 is an elevation similar to Figure 10 but illustrating another modification;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary side view of the same but partly in section along the line |5-I5 of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary elevation showing another modification; i

Figure 17 is a transverse sectional view of the same;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary elevation showing still another modification;

Figure 19 is a transverse sectional view of the same taken on the line lil-l 9 of Figure 18;

inforcement produced by the connecting means;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary elevation of a further modification:

Figure 21 is ln transverse sectional view of the same, being a section taken on the line 2i--2i of Figure Figure 22 is a sectional detail view, representing a sectiontaken on the line 22-22 ofFigure il, but on a larger scale;

Figure 23 is an elevation (similar to Figure 1) illustrating conveyer apparatus comprising unitary cylindrical casing or trough; sections and making use of a further modified vform oirhanger and coupling units between the different sections or trough units of the apparatus;

Figure 24 is a transverse sectional view, representing a section taken on the line 24--24 of Figure 23, but on a larger scale Figure 25 is an elevation representing a section taken on the line 25-25 of Figure 24;

Figure 26 is a view similar to Figure 25, but showing a modified position of the hanger structure proper;

Figure 2 '7 is an` elevation similar to Figure 24 Vil and where the trough is' ofthe closed type. such practice is also objectionable on account of ren- 1 dering it more difcult to make ready or efllcient inspection and' repair operations.

"Where, as in the present improved construc y the apparatus so as to locate the joints between the trough sections and the conveyer secions lat corresponding points along the apparatus, the

result of such adesignis to combine the coupling and hanger or bearing parts into unitary' as semblies or units adapted not only to promote the highest eiciency as regards the coupling, bearing and alining functions with respect to thefsuccessive sections of both the trough and y conveyer parts of the apparatus, but also to probut illustrating a still further modiiied form of hanger and coupling unit and representing a' section taken on the line 21-21 of Figure 28;

Figure 28 is a vertical sectional view, illustrat- Figure 29 is an elevation (similar toFigure 1) illustrating aconveyer apparatus comprising U- shaped trough sections and utilizing corresponding a section taken on the line 28--28ofFigure ingly modified forms of hanger'and coupling units between the trough units or sections of the con- -veyer;`

Figure 30 is a transverse sectional view, on a larger scale and representing a section taken on the line 30-30 of Figure'29;

Figure 31 is a sectional elevation, represent' Figure 32 is a perspetive view 'shn'zvingl the Figure 33 is a sectional elevation-similarfto Figure 31 but illustrating afmodifled f orm ofthe hanger and coupling construction;

hanger structurefrepresented in Figures l30 and Figure 34 is anv elevation,v of the'hanger and coupling unit shown in Figure 33; and- `Figure 35 is ane'nlarged detail sectional view of theV `joint structure between the trough and cover shown in Figure 30, v-

Conveyer apparatus of the'type herein'involved is commonly `of suchl a length as to requirethe same to be made up inf several longitudinal seci tions, having. couplings between 'the' conveyer conveyer sections require vbearing or hanger as 'semblies inside the trough or housing andthe vide maximum benetsfor advantages as re gards greater operating emciency of the entire apparatus as well as the l carrying out of tlie maintenance operations of'inspection and repair v'of 'the apparatus, as often as maybe necessary.

The improved constructionbeing particularly we'l adapted to closed types of conveyer apparatus, the invention is accordingly described and lustrated as appliedto such types-although it is to be understood that our invention is not limited, to such specic applications.

y Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail; and more particularly in the rst instance to Figures l to 8,- the improved hanger and coupling'construction is illustrated as part of a spiral conveyer apparatus utilizing a round or cylindrical trough or casing' for vthe ilow or movement of the material as it is impelled by the spiral or screw conveyer mechanism'. .Y Figure 1 shows said apparatus in a complete assembly madeup of three sections or matched units joinedtogether by the present improved hanger and coupling construction-the only difference between said :sections or units b'eing 4the pro-v visionof an intake or vfeed structure andan outlet member 5I atv the opposite ends ofthe ap-v paratus; The apparatus further includes end bearing units 52 and 53 fortheopposite ends of.

the conveyer, which is designed to be driven by acountershaft drive unit 54 connected withthe bearing unit 52.'v The present invention is concerned primarily with the novel type :of oo nstruction for connecting 'adjoining ends of -the aforesaid sections or matched units o'f the confveyer and trough -or casing, and comprising; as-

semblies which include a hanger structure for journaling the connections between the screw conveyer sections, as illustrated in more detail The Aconveyer casing or trough is shown as of round or cylindrical-,design "(though the invenpractice has usuallybeen to Stagger the joints between the 'trough sections with reference Yto the vcouplings between'conveyer section srbecause of no provision being 'made for accommodating to'n is'not conned to any particular cross-fseetional design), and preferablythe trough units `aresplithorizontally,forming topand bottom rhousing sections 55, Ahavingoutwardly projecting flanges 56 which are securedtogether by suitable .bolts 51,"and preferably also enclosed by channel strips 58, thus producing an Yeffective dust seal (see Figure 9);

or combining the trough couplings and the -coni veyerhanger's andbearings in a singl assembly or unit. One of the principalzobjections to such a practice is thefact that thehanger and bearing structure is not afforded a sufliciently rigid The oppositeends of the conveyer trough or .casing sections 55 are also formed with outwardsupport by merely anchoringit tothe sheet metal of the trough; that is, at some distance from the? r jointsbetween the trough sectionsl which-'are of course somewhat stronger on account -of :theref'l l'yprojecting anges 6I adapted to be secured by means of--bolts Blvnot'onlyto the endibearing units1 5 2 and 53, but also to theintermediate' hangerand vcouplingunits in the manner shown b'otliin Figure l and also in Figures 3 andy5.

In the-formof construction 'illustrated in Fig# ures .1'. t0,8,f each. of thesev intermediate hanger and coupling 'units is made up of anassembly comprising parts adapted to be separated and knocked down as illustrated in Figures 7 'and 8. The main parts of said assembly comprise upper and lower semicircular sections 63 and 64, respectively `formed with flanges 65 for boltingto the trough iianges 6| (see' Figures 1 and 5), and connecting portions 66 for bolting together by means of bolts 61 (Figs. 5'and 6) The lower section 64 is`formed with a base or foot portion 68 for anchoring purposes (similar to the lower or base portions of the units 52, 53 and 54), while the upper portion 63 of the coupling unit is formed witha radial web portion 1| provided with a half bearing section 12 designed to cooperate with a cap bearing section 13 to completel the hanger-bearing structure for a conveyer shaft coupling 14. These bearing elements 12 and 13 are maintained in mating or cooperative bearing relation by means of a U-bolt 15 fitting agroove 16 in the cap bearing 13 and channels 11 at opposite sides of the web portion 1.|-the ends' of said bolt 15 projecting through openings 18 in the top section 63 for receiving nuts 8|, all as clearly shown in Figure 6. A lubrictingconnection 82 (extending through eachv web portion 1|) isalso provided for each of the .hanger bearing structures (see Figures 3 and 6)'.

A conveyer section comprises itsribbon'or conveyer ight portion 83 and tubular shaft section 84, the ends of Awhich are adapted to be connected together by a coupling 14 and secured thereto by bolts 85 at the opposite sidesof the hanger bearing structure-as illustrated in Figure 3.

For carrying outv the purposes of the present invention, each of the units or sections of the apparatus comprises a spiral conveyer section 83 and a conveyer casing ortrough section 55 of the same length,v as a result of which each hanger and coupling unit matches up the ends between the adjoining sections of the successive units of the apparatus, The primary advantage of this is in connection with replacements or repairs, which are greatly facilitated, due to the method of assembly shown and the standard relationship of the parts comprising the improved structural design. For example, if a hanger bearing has proved defective and requires repair or replacement, the necessary steps require simply the removal of the bolts 62 and 61 which secure the hanger and coupling sections together and to the trough iianges 6 |,and also the nuts 8|, to release the U-bolt 15 supporting the lower cap-bearing section 13. The hanger and coupling assembly can then be manipulated for whatever changes or replacements are necessary, 'and' thereafter reassembled into original operative relation to the conveyer and trough sections. I

For the purpose of facilitating suchrepair or replacement operations, wie -Dropose providing the upper trough or casing section 55'.with a removable handhole cover section 55 having itsv ends formed with semicircular flanges 6|' 'for making connection notv only with the trough coupling and hanger unit but also with the corresponding casing section 55 by means of the additional securing bolts 62', as illustrated in Figures 1 and 22.

Again, an intermediate section cf spiral conveyer 83-84 may be removed forV repair or -rewhereupon the shaft couplings may be telescope'dinto the tubular conveyer shafts :84 far enough to clear the ends of the spiral conveyer' section and thus allow the latter to be removed. Thereafter the reassembly is of course carried out by simply reversing the procedure.

Moreover, the conveyer trough sections 55 being-J split horizontally, such a type of zconstruc tion is adapted to facilitate easy and convenient access to the interior of the apparatus whenever necessary for inspection or the carrying out of any repair` operations with reference to the screw conveyer mechanism itself-or the hanger bearings, conveyer couplings, etc... as may be re;

q uired. v

Various modied forms of -constructionof the apparatus, all designed for accomplishing the sameessential results aimed at by the invention, are illustrated in the remaining views of the drawings.

Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the construc-` tion is of a type designed for operation at relatively higher speeds. Accordingly the hanger coupling unit is not split horizontally (as in Figures l to 8) but in an oblique direction as clearly shown in Figure l0. The lower portion 9| of the hanger and coupling unit, having the base or supporting part 68-, is also formed with an inwardly projectingweb or hanger arm 92 carrying one of the bearingelements, 93; for cooperating wth a cap bearing element 94 to provide the hanger structure for the shaft coupling 14, said cap bearing having an extension 95 provided withv screws 96 for securing the same to the web or arm 94 as shown. The specic split construction and method of supporting the bearing structure is such as to'offset the hanger or supporting structure to one side of the vertical plane through the bearing axis and thereby provide ample clear- -or left hand design, so that the bearing supporting structure 92-96 will be located at the proper side of the conveyer trough to corresoond with the hand of the conveyer, and hence the direction of the iiow or movement o f the material.

.\The modification illustrated in Figures 12 and 13v omits the split vfeature of the coupler construction above described and .utilizes a continuous and approximately ring-shaped hanger and coupling plate v|00 having the base or supporting portion |0| and also the series of bolt openings |02 whereby the plate |00 is adapted to be secured by bolts 99-between the flanges 6| `of the trough sections as shown in Figure 13.

The hanger structure itself comprises a shelf projectifn |03 carried bythe upper portion Vof the plate |80, to which shelf is secured, by bolts |05, the upper flanged portion of a bearing block |04, the lower portion of which is formed with the upper half or section |06 of the bearing. /The lower cap bearing elementA |01 is removably secured in its bearing relation to the upper sectionl |06 by'means of a U-bolt |08, the upper ends of which project through suitable openingsy 1n the top-portion of said block |04 and the shelf |03 and are retained by means of nuts |09.

ing sections |43, which are heldin mating rela- 5 bracingl the Vupper lbearing' section and vsecured tions of the hanger and coupling unit together.

n split type of hanger and coupling unit, t he ,up per section- |51 of which is provided with il,` split `and inwardly projecting hanger structure com- `bowed as indicated at |54 forembrcinsand of the trough sections les by means or bolts lss.'

I 'y unit is formedwith a radial inwardly projecting section |01 for embracingthe shaft coupling 4;'`

vof the unit, or in any desired intermediate posibolts |14. Thus the "hangermember providesa carrier or saddle for the upper and lower bearing sections |5 and IIS, respectively, which are retained in the proper relation by means of a keeper-plate ||1 which is secured by bolts lI I0 to. l0

the opposite sides of the hanger member. H3, as illustrated.4

In Figures 16 and 17-the hanger and coupling unit illustrated as' made with a top remov-V abl'section |21 which is formed witha radial 15 or inwardly projecting hanger arm |22, and this arm is made integral with' the upper bearing section |23. The lower half of the bearing is in the form of a removable cap section |24 which is seVV |29. In the modication shown in Figures 13 and;19 v the hanger and couplingV unit `is also provided 'u' with an' upper removable. sectional, and. the` l hanger structure comprises an approximately 25 V-shaped frame |42 forI carrying -the split bear.-

tionA4 by meansof a curved keeper bar 44 emf at' its ends by bolts |45 tothe opposite arms of 3o the V-shaped frame |42. As clearly :shown inV Figure 18, vthe'opposite -ends'of the V-shaped frame-|42 are removably secured in place by the y samebolts |40 which are used'tosecure the sec- 35 Figures 20 and 21 show another horizontally prising duplicate sections |52`ysecure`d' together. r4K0. and to` th-section 15| by-means of bolts. |53, as e clearly illustrated in Figure 20.' The inner free ends of the hanger sections-|52 are`.s uitab ly .l

securely Lretainin'g the split bearing-,sectionsV I ll 4'5 l, in operative 'assembled relation-,fasqshowngg Ridges .|55' on the bearing sectionsalso ai`c l" inl maintainingthat relation.V Referring. nowA to4 Figures- '23 illustratesv 'a conveyei' v apparatus, made' of 50 integral or one-piececylindricalvfhousing" ori trough sections |90, andf-fusing'hanger i coupling units of a design which is'illustrated in These hanger and: coupling Aunits are of the 55 vertically split type comprising sections! 0| havl ing top and bottom web portions |59 gethenby-bolts |02, 'and'also formedl Vwith flanges |00 for coupling tol the 'endf i1a`n'ges |0 4 as illustrated. Each of the -sections III of each hanger arm |00 terminating infahalf of the conveyer mechanism, as clearly shown inivf Figures 24 and 25. The bottoms of the sections |61 alsol unite to' form a supporting base, or foot ff member |60. Y Vf The form` just referredto as illustrated' inY Figure 25 shows the hanger structurearranged -70 atone side of the hanger and coupling unitg.. but, the construction may as well be -designed to arrange said'hanger structure at the opposite side Y tion, as illustrated at ISG'inHFigure 26 .v I 75' 27and 28 is illustrated afabricated jhanger and coupling unit adapted for the type of construction just described, andvcomprising split cylindrical-trough sections (i. e., a sheetmetal construction) having longitudinal flanges |69 for securing the sections together at top and bottom by bolts |1| and also the end flanges |69' for attachment to adjoining'trou The hangerstructure comprises radial arms of suitably built-up elements |13 projecting inward from.' corresponding sections |10 and from di ametrically oppose flanged margins thereof, and

terminating in half bearing sections |14 for em-V bracingsplit bearing bushings designed for accommodating the conveyer vshaft coupling.

yThe 'anged sections |10 are of sufllcient extent for lending the necessary strength and rigidity to Y the hangerunit, as representedin Figure 27. Inv

cured by bolts to the upper bearing section '20- the construction illustrated, the base or foot portionsli' are shown as formed by extending the flanges |64 on the adjacent ends of the trough sections.

Referring now to own in greater detail in Figures Here the flanges `by providing pockets |05 for seating the opposite -endsofa crossb'ar |86 forming a part of the j hanger structurefthe ends of said crossbar havinghole's |01 for'bolting thesame in place by VVmeans of a pair of bolts |82. The hanger struc- :ture proper comprises a' vsubstantially triangular frame |00, the bottom of which cradles the split bearing elements |89-v for the conveyershaft cou- `Vpling 14 and is provided with a removable retaining yoke |90 secured'to the sides of the frame |00 by bolts 19|. The horizontal top portion of .said frame'.` |00 isalso provided with bolt openings-|92 and nuts |92 welded in place for wing bolts v;|'90"whichl secure the hanger structure to 94 of the U-shaped con- Vwhich' are connected with the outer edges of the cover plate |94 by bolts |90-a dust seal structure..being'formed bythe use ofl channel strips I 90 'en'ibracing-said flanges and outer edges of the cover' |94, and `a felt'strip |90 being'interposed- ('in some conditions) between said flanges andthecover, as illustrated in Figures 30 and'35. At eachv of the joints betweenA trough sectionsl -s'aid channelpieceslare connected by a cross cover stril i90 for overlying the hanger'structure, said cover-'strip |90' .being secured in place by means 0f thebolts |03 (see Figure'35) i.

y 33. and 34'isvillustrated a similar but y form of the same ,type of construction I clamped between the meeting ends of adjacent trough' sections. This is accomplished vby'. fori ning the triangular hanger frame |00,` notasapart of a crossbar |00 as in Figure 32,' but as a part 'of or rigid with a plate member V200 following the cross-sectional contour of the troughrand providingsaid member with bolt holes 20| yfor adapting it to be clamped in place Figures 29 to 35, Figure 29 illustrates ja conveyer apparatus comprising a I series, of, U-shaped trough sections and mak- `ing use of 'combination hanger and coupling Y structures -sh and 31. f y

` |8| at the ends of the trough sectionsare bolted directly together, as indicated between the end flanges ISI of the-trough sections I80, as clearly illustrated in Figure 33.' The remaining features of this type of the construc' tion are identical with that already described and illustrated in Figures 30 and 31. J y

In such forms of construction it is important to point out that the flanges on the ends `of the trough sections serve as master fianges for notA only supporting the conveyer trough but also insuring positive and accurate alinement of the bearings as well as a firm support therefor, to

eliminate vibration or any weaving tendency of tween the sections of the conveyer trough or housing, thereby resulting in a coupling and hanger construction which is of a very much stronger type than in prior types not adhering to such a principle of combining all these structural features in a single unit. In addition to greatly strengthening the structure, there also results the immense advantage as r gards vincreasing the simplicity and speed of epair operations, which is brought about by a principle or standard of construction in which, in most of the illustrated types herein, the combined length of the conveyer section and one of its hanger bearings is made to match a section of the conveyer trough and its coupling member. It is believed that such an important feature or stand'- ard of construction is novel in spiral or screw conveyer apparatus comprising multiple sections which necessitate coupling andhanger structures at several spaced points throughout the length of the apparatus, and that the improved results nowing from such a nov'el construction are of a correspondingly outstanding character. Not the least important of such improved results or advantages of the invention is the insuring of the accurate and correct alinement of ythe parts at the joints, as well as the provision for eifective resistance of torque in several of the designs or types of construction shown,` all of which is of course of vital importance for eliminating power losses, keeping down premature wear, and hence reducing the frequency of maintenance operations. 1 As is evident from the foregoing, these improvements have been adapted for the various types of trough construction, such as already mentioned, including cylindrical (either of the split or non-split type) and the U-shaped type of conveyer trough. While the invention is not to be confined to closed-trough construction, the drawings have been made with a view to the importance of the invention' with reference to the cylindrical form of trough, because of its directly lending itself to the use of water or steam jacketing means, for either heating or cooling the material in transit, for it is apparent that a suitable jacket structure may readily be constructed and applied as an envelope enclosing the trough. in suitably spaced relation thereto, together with connections for the inlet and other plant operations.

A special advantage ofthejround' or cylindri- I local trough typeo'f conveyer is the wear-com;

pensating feature of such trou/gh design, which enables the same to be turned for the purpose of replacing the worn bottom sections of .the trough withthe upper trough sections which of course are subject to relatively little wear-thus practically doubling the useful life of each trough section or unit of the conveyer.

While we have illustrated and described various forms and arrangements of coupling and hanger units adapted to'carry out the several important purposes of our invention, it is to be C understood that these do not represent all the diierent arrangements or modifications which may be adopted for incorporating the essential features constituting the improvements' which we regard as our invention, but `that various other modifications or adaptations may be followed which nevertheless appropriate the essential feature and principle of our improvements. We therefore desire to be understood'as expressly reserving the right to make such changes or modifications' as may be deemed to fairly fall within the spirit and scope of our invention as defined by the appended claims.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Screw conveyer apparatus comprising multiple trough sections, a screw propelling section for each trough section, and separate and independent assembly units providinga coupling structure for adjoining ends of the trough sections and also bearing means for adjoining ends of the screw propelling sections, said units being removable and replaceable by direct transverse movement into and out of the space between adjoining ends of the trough sections vand the length of each trough section and coupling structure matching the length of the corresponding screw propelling section and its .bearing means.

2. In screw conveyer apparatus, the combination of multiple conveyer trough sections, screw propelling sections, and coupling units removably connecting the adjoining ends of the trough sections and having bearing means for adjoining ends of said screw propellingsections, said coupling units being removable and replaceable by direct transverse movement into and out of the space between adjoining ends of said trough sections.

3. In screw conveyer apparatus, `the combination of multiple conveyer trough* sections, screw propelling section/s, havingtelescoping shaft couplings between adjoining sections thereof, and coupling means removably connecting the yadjoining ends of the trough sections and provided with bearings for said shaft couplings between the screw propelling sections.

4. Screw conveyer apparatus comprising a sectional conveyer trough, a screw propelling section for each section of the trough, and removable coupling means for adjoining ends of the several trough sections and having split bearing means for the corresponding joints between the screw propelling sections, said coupling means being removable and replaceable by direct trans- -verse movement into and out of tIiespace betweenadjoiningends of the trough sections.n

5. Screw conveyer.apparatuscomprisinga'sectional conveyer trough, a screw propellingsection 'foreach troughsection', and split couplingunits removably connectingv adj oining ends of theseveral trough sections and providing bearing means for the correspondingjoints between the s crew.

propelling sections.

6. In screw conveyer apparatus, thecombinl non v pelling section foreach ofthe trough sections, anda split coupler, ends of s aidjtrough of conveyer trough, sections; a] screw prounit 'connecting adjoining sectionsand having a split bearing'ior adjoining' ends of corresponding screw propelling sections.'v

' 7. Screw.conveyer apparatus -comprising conveyer trough' sections. a screw'propelling section Vfor each of said trough sections, and lsupporting means comprising abase portion nd coupling ofthe'trough sections, and a hanger 'structure supported by said coupling member and provided with bearing means for adjoining ends oithe Ainterior conveyer mechanism.'

13. A combination coupling and hanger con- V'struction for sectional conveyer apparatus comprisingv a' splitor 'sectional coupling member havingr means of attachment to' adjoining ends of conveyertrough sections, and a hanger structure comprising bearing elements carried by respective portions of the coupling member and cooperating to'journal the coupled ends ofthe interior conveyer mechanism.

14. A combination coupling and hanger construction for sectional conveyer apparatus, comprising a" coupling member `having iianges for connection to the adjoining ends of conveyer ,trough sections and removable and replaceablev by direct transverse movement into and out of means removably connecting the djoining'ends movable -and replaceable V,by direct transverse *movement into and'out of thelspace betweenad- Joining endsl of the trough sections.

'8. Screw conveyer apparatus comprising alined conveyer trough sections, a screwpropelling section for each of said trough sections, and aI otsaid trough sections, together with bearing means for the adjoiningends of said screw pro` pelling sections, said supporting Ameans being resplit c oupler unit connecting theadjoining ends of said trough sections, Aone section of said coupler 'unit having a supporting base portion and the`other section of said -unit having bearing means for adjoining ends of*l said'screw propelling sections.

9. Screw conveyer tional conveyer trough made up yof separableA split units, a screw propelling section for cachot said trough units, a split coupling unit removably connectingl adjoining ends of' said trough units, -andbearing means'carr'ied by one portion of Vthe coupling unit for theadjoining'gends of'said screw propellingsections.

10. Screw conveyer apparatus ycomprising a longitudinal series of conveyer trough units 'made up of split casings separably connected and having ascrew propelling section'enclosed by each of said units, correspondingly split coupling units removablyconnecting the adjoiningends of saidv trough units, and split bearing means carried by said coupling units forothe adjoining ends of the screw propelling sections.

the space between adjoining ends of the trough sections, and a hanger structure supported by said coupling member and provided with bearv-ing means f or journaling the coupled ends o Ythe interior conveyer mechanism.

15 A combination coupling andhanger construction for sectional conveyer apparatus, com. prising a coupling member having means of attachment to adjoining ends of conveyer trough sections andremovable and replaceable by direct,

transverse movement into and out of the space 'between'ad'joining ends oi the trough sections, and an interior hanger structure carried by said coupling member and provided with bearing means for'journaling the `coupled'ends of the apparatus comprising asecinterior conveyer'mec'hanismsaid hanger structure being offset'from the central vertical plane of the conveyer for streamlining the ilow of material therethrough.4

V16'.v Screw conveyer apparatuscomprising mul tiple and separable assemblies or units of' conveyer trough sections enclosing sectional screw propelling mechanism, and -separate and inde- ,pendentiv assembly units providing trough coupling and hanger bearing structures for the adjoining' ends of 'the .sections of said conveyer trough and screw propelling mechanism respectively', said independent units having transverse projecting portions, and the adjoining ends of formedwithpockets for receiving andseating o said projecting portions.

17. Screw conveyer apparatus comprising mul'-A tiple and fseparable assemblies or units of con- "11. Screw conveyer apparatus -comprising "a longitudinaliseries 'of split conveyer trough units,

ascrew propellingsection enclosedl by each of said trough units; correspondingly split coupling units removably connecting -the ends of said trough units, and-split bearing structures carried i 'by the respective portions of said coupling units 4for the `adjoining endsof said Ascrew propelling sections'. Y Y 12. A combination coupling and hanger 'construction for sectional screw conveyer apparatus comprising a coupling" member having means 4oi? attachment to adjoining 'ends of conveyer trough sections, said coupling member being removable'l and replaceable by direct transverse movement f into andout ofthe space between adjoining ends trough sections.

veyer trough sections formed with transverseA flanges andv enclosingv correspondingly matching sections of screw propelling mechanism, separate and .independent assembly units 'providing trough coupling and hanger bearing structures for corresponding adjoining ends'of the sections iofsaid conveyer trough and vscrew propelling mechanism respectively, said independent assembly units having connecting portions coex- `tensive with thenanges of said trough sections, i

said trough units having connecting portions

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