USRE18445E - Sachusetts - Google Patents

Description

Apri! 26, B932. Y A. REDLER GONVEYER @riginal Filed Feb.' 9, 1925 9 sheets-sheet 1 Au f J 7//////////////////.//

Invert/M P ARNOLD REDLER man.

April 26, 1932 A. REDLER I Re. 18,445 v I CONVEYER Original Filed Feb. 9, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 bc c C CBI- .f f 9 [Ei A El a? Il l 4 lllll/lllIllllllIlIllllI/llllll/ Hlm j b b ARNOLL REDLER,

April 26, 1932. A. REDLER Re. 18,445

CONVEYER Original Filed Feb. 9, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet I5 f gg. 12.

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A. REDLER April 26, 1932.L

CONVEYER Original Filed Feb. 9, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 TMW HRNOLDKREDLER, FY

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April 26, 1932.

A. REDLER CONVEYER original Filed Feb, s, 1925 9 sheets-.sheet es 1 April 26, 1932. A. REDLER v l Re- 18,445

CONVEYER original Fild Feb. 9, 1925 9 sheets-sheet e Jrwudw ARNOLD REDLER,

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A. REDLER CONVEYER April 26, 193.2f

Original F'ivled Feb. E),y 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 II II I/IIIIIIIIIII 'IIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ARNOLD Ren gen.,

Reissued Apr. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFi-cE .ARNOLD REDLER, OF FLOUR MILLS, SHABPNESS DOCKS, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO REI)- LER CONVEYOR COMPANY, 0F QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS, A. CORPORATION OF MAS- SACHUSETTS CONVEYER 0rigina1 No. 1,697,963, dated January 8, 1929, Serial No. 7,914, med February 9, 1925, and in Great Britain June 5, 1924. Application for reissue led October 21, 1929. Serial No. 401,223.

' l This invention relates -to conveycrs of the type comprising a chain moving in a lclosed the material in the direction Jfrom the trailing terminal to the driving terminal, and the or open trough, as described in my patentwmaterial can be discharged anywhere bespecification No. 1,47 5,596. In'this specification I have described a conveyer in which the load is carried on a layer of the material held in the links of an open chain, said layer acting exactly as a band conveyer.

'According to this invention I provide a conveyer or conveyer chain or chains, characterized in that the chain or chains are constructed of open linkwork with crossbars of small dimensions in the direction of travel.`

The conveyer chain may be made or built up oiv one or more chains with or without 'connecting barsbetween the chains where' more than one chain is employed and with or without projections on the outer sides of the chain or chains.

In one arran ement the chain or chains can be placed side y side inv an open trough and they can be driven individually vor connected together with connecting bars so as to form a multiple chain. A chain so constructed is capable of carrying a load whose depth is approximately equal to the width of the chain. In certain cases where it is desirable to keep the width of the conveyer narrow, one or more chains can be placed above 'the first chainor chains at a distance approximately equal to the Width of the said first chain or chains; this method of layers can be repeated if additional conveying capacity is required. These one or ymore upper chains can, if desired, be driven individually and independently of the first chain; or chains, or if preferred the upper chain or chains can be connected with connecting bars to the first or under chain.,

To enable the .last/ described combined chain to negotiate sprockets or curves, the top `chain. can be loosely hinged in order to allow it to lengthenv or shorten as the case may be.

The trough or box for conveyers made in accordance with this invention can be open or closed, or partly open and partly closed, or

' either of the foregoing, a portion of the chain or chains runnin g in the open.

In one arrangement, the top run conveys` tween these two `points or e discharged over the driving terminal. An alternative method one chain connected withbars to a chain at a distance above it equal tothe width of the chain together forming a built-up chain, the

upper chain or member'or members of the chain being provided with loose joints as above described. In operation, the bottom portion of the built-up chain does the conveying on the upper run of the circuit, and

the other portionof the built-up chain does the conveying in the lower run of the circuit.

In completing the circuit around the vertical portion, both portions of the built-up' chain come into operation, the eifect being that the material can be conveyed around the whole circuit in Whichever direction des sired, provided the sprockets are situated so as not to interfere with the travel of the material. In practice one or more inletscan be introduced anywhere in the circuit, provided the angle of the incline of the conveyer in that particular position or positions is such that material would flow into the conveyer as the material is being led away. Une or more outlets can be arranged in the circuit of the conveyer.

AIn certain cases, to facilitate the. receiving in or discharge of the material, or for other reasons, the chain can be inthe open anywhere in the circuit.

In plain open 1inkwork,the crossbars in depth can be about yg to the pitch or distance of one .crossbar from the other, and I have found that the crossbars 4 inches apart and 3/8 inches deep give good results for all conveyers up to 8 inches wide.

In plan, the configuration of the crossbars and sides can be of Various forms, but the averaging of the configuration to simple straight crossbars should bear the crossbar depth ratio to the distance they are apart as stated above.

In plan, the chains can be of any configuration. The open spaces. in the chain or chains or open linkwork should preferably be large enough to allow the substances to'be conveyed to fall through in order to discharge when passing over apertures which can be provided in the bottom of the trough. In some cases when the discharge is over a sprocket or other terminal, material can be larger than the holes o1' spaces formed in the chain or chains.

l and bottom runs act independently.

In one form of chain, the sides of the links can be brought together to a point forwardly or rearwardly in order to lessen the number of the joints or hinges in the chain ,and also to enable the chain to hinge in a lateral direction as well as being hinged in the other direction, portions of the sides performing the function of crossbars. In like manner where chains are built-up by means of connecting bars at a parallel distance one above the other, instead of four hinged joints connecting one built-up link to the next, the four sides can be brought together to central points one forwardly and one rearwardly to form universal joints between the linksin the centre line of the built-up chain.

The upper and lower runs of the chains do not run in the same box or trough. The op ne can be in an open or closed trough and the other in the open at any distance therefrom, or each may be in entirely separate open or closed troughs, or the circuit of the chain can be completed in either of the above ways provided the two runs of the chain are not contained in the same trough anywhere.

If to economize space, or for other reasons, it is found necessaryl that the troughs of both runs be in close proximity to each other, it is essential in order to comply with this invention kthat one run be in a space entirelyseparated from the other run, so that both runs can act independently.

The boxes or troughs can be made of wood,v

iron, concreteor other suitable material, and can be loosely jointed, if desired, or constructed of flexible material so as to be easily moved into other positions or bent into various forms.

The depth of the trough can be equal to the overall width of the chain or chains, and the chains so constructed are capable of carrying a load Whose depth is approximately equal to the depth in the inside trough or box with the crossbar or crossbars of the chain or chains in all cases being less than 1A; of the inside trough. l

The cross section of trough, box, or casing can be square, rectangular, round, or any yform desired. Play should be allowed be-" tween the chain and the casing, the amount depending on the nature of the material.

In some cases the sides -of the trough may be inclined to the bottom, yand the sides of the link provided with projections at a similar inclination, the projections performthe same function as 'the crossbars and the restricting depth of the projections should be measured at right angles to the surface against which the projections bear.

inclined horizontal or Vvertical positions in comb-like or other formation.

Instead of lengtheningy or shortening the chain to lit the box, trough or casing, the trough or casing can be adjustable by means of a telescopic or other suitable arrangement.

One or more driving sprockets or other like means or guides or trailing sprockets can be provided for each conveyer. If de-y In like manner, links' 'may be constructed with projections in any sov sired, any of them can be made adjustable to tighten or slacken the chain or Chains.

One or more chains may be placed in the same trough side by side and one or more chains may be placed above them forming a. layer or layers, or the trough or box can be parted longitudinally a part or the whole of its length or circu'it, so that the same or different materials can be conveyed without one portion coming into contact with another portion. Likewise one or more built-up chains can be placed side by side or one or more above each other, and if desired they can be separated in the same trough or box as So-called-drag chains, hitherto'used for the purpose of conveying loose material, have crossbars on edge. In thes conveyer according to this invention, I lay them on flat, with sufficient flat for strength.

I nd that for 8 inch chains, the crossbars should be inch by 1% inch in width, to give the necessary strength in the metal. The distance between the crossbars should be about 4 inches. For larger sized chains, the

size of the metal should be increased proportionately to provide sufficient strength for the increased loads so that for a 16 inch chain.

the crossbar should be inch deep by 11/2 L inches wide in which case the apertures can be a little larger', (than for 8 inch chain) say l 6 inches. I, however, prefer the crossbar less deep if the strength of the metal will allow it and a smaller aperture. If desired, the crossbar can be open in the middle to impart greater strength to the construction and enabling the metal to be slightly less in depth.`

The joints of the chain should be of muchl greater depth than the depth of its crossbar. The crossbars can be in a plane in the centre line of the joints, or they may be in the plane of the top of the joints, orv in a plane with the bottom of the oints, or they may be partly in one plane and partly in another plane in the same conveyer.

One form of `link can be constructed in a cellular form so that one member of the crossbar at its highest point is above the centre line of the chain a distance equal to onehalf the width of the link. The other member of the crossbar at its lowest point may be a similar distance below the centre line of the chain, so that the crossbar can be in the form of a square or circle, or they can be made in any form desired. The, sides of the link can be brought together to a point to connect with the adjoininglink'with a universal joint in the centre line of the chain.

In an alternative arrangement, the crossbar can be cellular or bridged and' brought to height appoximately equal to the /width of the chain. Also, if desired, the sides of the links can` be brought together to points forwardly and rearwardly, each point to con-'t nect with the adjoining link with a single f universal joint.

If desired, each alternate link can/be connected so that'the sides are vertical one over the other, whilst the intermediate links have the sides horizontal, or the sides can be arranged in continuons alignment with one another or otherwise. i

With links Imade in accordance with this invention, the chains may take a tortuouscourse in one or more planes. Bythe term conveyer, I include all chain conveyers,

lwhether working horizontally, vertically or on any slope, such chain conveyers transportlng the material en masse, that 1s, as a whole.l

It will also be understood that the casing 'when used as an elevator is closed.

Referring to the diagrammatic drawings filed herewith:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary View partly in plan and partly insection of one form of conveyer made in-accordance with this invention;

Fig.'2 is a cross sectional view of the conveyer shown in Fig. 1;

u Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. ll'showing a link having 'sides brought to a point forwardly and rearwardly;

vFig. 4 `is a cross sectlonalvviewof the conveyer shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a conveyer having a link in which projections on its sides are inclined to\the base;

Fig. 5a shows a cross section of the contiple chain formed with links similar to that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional View of the conveyer shown in Fig. 6; A

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a mollified form of conveyer having a built-up lin v Fig.` 9 is a cross section of the conveyer shown inFig. 10; L i

Fig. 10 ,is a longitudinal sectional view of the conveyer, showing in side elevation the chain formed of links shown in Figs. 8Y and 9 Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view showing a modified form of built-up link with the hinges in the center line. y

Fig- 12 shows a cross section ofthe con-` veyer shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of l the conveyer, showing in side elevation the. chain formed of links shown in Figs.- 11 and Fig. 14 is a fragmentary plan view showing a conveyer having a link provided with an open crossbar; v Fig. 15 shows'a cross sectional view of the conveyer shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan view shOowing a conveyer having a link in which the rossbar is open above and below the center Fig. 17 shows-a cross sectional view of the conveyer shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a horizontal, longitudinal sectional view of a conveyer having a chain formed of links shown in Figs. 16 4and 17 Figs. 19 isv a vertical, longitudinal sectional view showing in side elevation chain shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 2O is a .fragmentary plan view showing a conveyer employing a modified construction of link of' Fig. 16 in circular form;

Fig. 21 `shows a cross section of the conveyer shown in Fig. 20. 1

. Fig. 22 is a horizontal, longitudinalv sectional view of a conveyer having' a. chainl formed of links 'shown in Figs. 20 and 21;

Fig.`23 is a-vertic'al, longitudinal sectional view showing in side. elevation the chain shown in plan in Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 illustrates diagrammatically a circuit employing a conveyer of the present' invention, an upper portion of the conveyer Ychain being indicated as run in the open;

Fig. 25 is a plan view showing the conveyer illustrated in Fig. 24 when viewed from above;

Fig. 26" shows diagrammatically a modithe chain is entirely enclosed;

Fig. 27 shows diagrammatically another form of circuit employing a conveyerl of the present invention in which an under-portion of the chain is run in the open;

Fig. 28 is atop planview of the conveyer shown in Fig. 27 and illustrates the use of a chain disposed in multiple formation;

Fig. 29 shows diagrammatically still another modiiication of a circuit for a convever 'of the present invention, in which two chains Fig. 32 indicates diagrammatically a closed circuit employing chain conveyers of ther character illustrated in Figs. 16 to 19 above;

Fig. 33 is a plan view'of the circuit shown in Fig. 32;

Figs. 34 and 35 illustrate diagrammatically stilly other forms of circuits which may employ conveyer chains of the characters illustrated in Figs. 20 to 23; v

Figs.` 36, 37 and 38 show respectively a fragmentary plan view, vertical cross'section, and longitudinal section of a conveyer employing a still further modified form of frame-like member in which the crossbars have a bridge or arch-like form;

Figs. 39, 40 and 41 are similar views of a further modification in which the sides of the frame-like member converge for articulation.

In the diagrammatic drawings similar reference letters are used for similar parts.

In Figs. 1 and 2, f is the trough in which the conveyer works; the crossbar a and sides b are at right angles to one another and are hinged at c, c.

In Figs. 3 and 4, the sides are brought together to points c', c', the links being pro- 45 vided with means by which they can be hinged together at' these points.

In Figs. 5 and 5a, the crossbar a is provided with projections EZ which are inclined.

In Figs. 6 and 7 the links formed of crossbars a and sides b, b are used to make a chain shown at A.

In Figs. 8, 9'and 10, connecting bars e connect the sides b, b of a. lower chain to corresponding sides in an upper chain, the sides are slotted asn at b to permit the links travel- Vling around sprocket wheels or guides.

-In Figs. 11, 12, 13, the sides b are brought together at hinge pomts c.

In Figs. 14 and 15, the crossbar a is open' fore and aft.

In Figs. 16 and 17,-the crossbar a is open upwards and downwards. The sides b are brought to a point c', o. y

In Figs. 18 and 19, all the links forming the s a plan view of the conveyer,

chain are identical, but alternate links are turned through 90.

In Figs. 2() and 21, the crossbars a are open into circular formation and the sides b bent into circular formation to points c.

In Figs. 22 and 23, all the links forming the chain are identical, but alternate links are turned through 90.

In Figs. 24 and 25, the trough f is rectangular in form, the sprockets g and h being used either as Idriving or trailing sprockets. Guide wheels j, y' are disposed where required, k is an inlet and m an outlet, the links being as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or 6 and 7.

In Fig. 26, the conveyer is shown in a circuit,.the driving gear g being disposed beneath the conveyer in any suitable position, the chain A being adapted to travel in either direction, the links being as sho-wn in Figs. 3 and 4.

In Figs. 27 and 28, the chain is shown as-a multiple chain, the driving sprocket g being disposed at the end of the trough or casing f, the links being as sho-wn in Figs. 1 and 2 or 6 and 7.

In Figs. 29 and 30, the driving sprockets are shown as g, g and the trailing sprockets h, 7L. Two chains A and A are disposed at a distance apartv about equal to the width of the chain, the links being as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or 6 and 7.

In Fig. 31, the chain A is formed of links shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the conveyer can work in lany plane and permits a certain amount of deviation from the plane in which it is disposed.

In Figs. 32 and 33, the chain A is formed of links as shown in Figs. 16, 17, 18 and 19, and can work in any plane and permits a certain amount of deviation from the plane in which itis disposed. The trough f is square or rectangular in cross section.

In Figs. 34 and 35, the chain A is formed of links shown in Figs. 20, 21, 22 and 23 and works in a tubular casing which can be flexible and moved in any direction.

In Figs. 36, 37 and 38 the crossbars a are arched or of bridge formation.

In Figs. 39, 40, 41 the crossbars a are arched and the sides b are brought t0 a point o.

With a conveyer made in accordance with Lthis invention, the material is transported en masse, that is, as a whole and great efficiency is attained and should a choke occur, thechain elements assembled and proportioned so thatit (in conjunction with the casing wherein it works) conveys the material en masse in f tomof the easing.

any direction in .any circuit in any plane, whether horizontal, vertical, inclined, or any combination of these planes. In short, it may be said that the chain forms a kind of temporary vreinforcement to the mass of material in the casing functioning to coalesce and transport/ it in bulk mass, that is to say the lmaterial 'coalesces in the opening of the links, whereby the links and a part of the Inaterial composing the load 'jointly form or act as a continuous band supported by the botload is carried by thisimprovised band which can be of considerable depth.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A vconveyer for transporting comminuted material in bulk, comprising a conveyer conduit disposed in a desired circuit having relatively continuous walls along v section rigidly attached to said sidebarsat intermediate points thereof disposed adjacent saidwalls andcooperating with the latter in eiiecting the transportation of said material.

2. A conveyer for transporting comminuted material in bulk, comprising a conveyer conduit disposed in a desired circuit having relatively continuous walls along which the material kbeing trans orted moves provided with entry VYand discharge openings, and a conveyer chain operating in said conduit; said chain consisting of articulated framelike members having sidebars of substantially rectangular cross4 section and a crossbar vrigidly secured to said sidebars at an intermediate point thereof and disposed so as to.

be adjacent to at least two walls of said conduit` for cooperatively effecting the transportation of said material.

3. A conveyer for transporting comminuted material in bulk, comprising a conveyer conduit `disposed in a desired circuit having relatively continuous walls along which the material being trans orted moves provided with entry and disc argeopenings, and a conveyer chain operating in -said'conduit; said chain consisting-of articulated framelike members, each having sidebars and crossbars of substantially rectangular cross section rigidly attached to said sidebars at intermediate points thereof-dis osed adjacently to said conduit walls, and orming cooper'- 'atively with the latter a series of bar-enclosed conveyer cells.

4. A conve er for transporting4 comminuted materia in bulk, comprising a-conveyer conduit disposed in a desired circuit having The remainder of the `with entry and disc relatively continuous walls along which the material being transported moves provided with entry and discharge openings, and a conveyer chain operating in said conduit; said chain consisting of articulated framelike members, each having sidebars and crossbars of substantially rectangular cross section rigidly attached to said sidebars at intermediate points thereof. disposed adjacently to said conduit Walls, each of said crossbars having the ratio of its depth to the pitch 4so proportioned that the angle of repose in cooperation with the conduit walls effects the carrying of a relatively great depth of material.

5. A conveyer for transporting comminuted material in bulk, comprising a conveyer conduitdisposed in a desired circuit having relatively continuous walls along which the material being transported moves provided with entry and discharge openingsand a conveyer chain operating yin said conduit; said chain consisting of articulated framelike members, each having sidebars and crossbars rigidly attached to said sidebars at intermediate points thereof disposed adjacently to said conduit walls, the crossbar structure in each of said frames being disposed adjacent to at least ft percent of the interior perimeter of sai conduit walls and occupying a relativel small percent of the cross sectional area o said conduit.

6. A conveyer for transporting comminuted material in bulk, comprising a conveyer conduit disposed in a desired circuit having relatively continuous walls along which the material being transported moves provided with entry and discharge openings, anda single run of conveyer chain operating in said conduit; saidchain consisting of articulated frame-like members built u to provide a series of cells having beam-l' e elements forming sidebars and crossbars` rigidly attached to the former at intermediate points thereof said bars arranged as bounding elements for said cells and adaptedlto move adjacent to said conduit walls. 7 AA conveyer for transporting comminuted material in bulk, comprising a conveyer conduit disposed in a desired circuit having relatively continuous walls along which the 'material being transported moves providedv arge'openings, anda conveyer chain operating in said' conduit; said chain consisting of articulated framelike members built rp of su rimposedseries of cells, each having side ars andcrossbars rigidly attached tothe former at inter- 8. A- conveyer for transporting .commi- .130

`tion of said material.

nuted material in bulk, comprising a conveyer conduit disposed in a desired circuit having relatively continuous walls along which the material being transported moves provided with entry and discharge openings, and a conveyer chain 'operating in said conduit; said chain consisting of articulated 'framelike members built up of longitudinally disposed bars and transversely disposedbars disposedadjacent a plurality of the conduit walls having a depth such as to occupy arelatively small portion of cross sectionalarea, said bars arranged to provide cells disposed in various planes adapted cooperatively with said conduit walls to eifect the transporta- 9. A conveyer for transporting comminuted material in bulk, comprising a conveyer conduit disposed in a desired circuit having relatively continuous walls along which the material being transported moves provided with entry and dischargeopenings, and a conveyer chain operating in 'said conduit; said chain consisting of articulated framelike members built up of longitudinally disposed bars and transversely disposed bars rigidly attached to the former and disposed adjacent to a plurality of said conduit walls, said ltransversely disposed bars being comparable in dimensions to said longitudinally disposed bars and proportioned to have a Adepth approximating vfrom 1/Sth to -lfth the pitch, whereby a series of cells disposed in various lplanes cooperatively traverse said,

conduit walls to effect the transportation/of said material.

1l). A conveyer for transporting comminuted materal in'bulk, comprising a conveyer conduit disposed in a desired direction having relatively continuous walls along which thematerial being transported moves provided with entry and discharge openings, and a conveyer chain operating in said conduit, said chain consisting of members articulated to form a flexible body in said conduit having crossbars extending about at least fifty percent of the internal periphery of said conduit and occupying a relatively small percentage of the total cross sectional area of said conduit.

11. A conveyer for transporting commivmuted material in bulk, comprising a conveyer conduit of prismatic cross section disposed in a desired direction having relatively contlnuous walls along which the material bein transported moves provided with entry and ischarge openings, and a conveyer chain operatin in said conduit, said chain consisting o members articulated to form a iiexible body in said conduit having rigidly -attached crossbars extending across and adjacent to at least three walls of said conduit and of a depth such as to occupy a relatively small portion of the cross sectlonal area of said conduit.

ed material in bulk, comprising a conveyer conduit disposed in a desired` direction having relatively continuous walls along which the material being transported moves provided with entry and discharge openings, and a conveyer chain operating in said conduit, said chain consisting of members articulated to form a flexible body in said conduit having crossbars formed of a plurality of rigidly attached sections each disposed adjacent a wall of said conduit and .proportioned to have a depth approximating from 1/Sth to fth the pitch of said chain.

13. A conveyer for transporting flowable solid material in bulk, comprising a conduit arranged at an angle to the horizontal greater than the angle of repose of the material, provided with entry and discharge openings, and a series of spaced, flexibly connected, transporting members, transversely disposed with respect to the line of travel thereof and cooperating with the conduit to move the material in a continuous mass, the transporting members being of open formation whereby, when the outlet in the conduit is closed, the transporting members may be pulled through the material in the conduit without amming the conveyer.

14. A conveyer for transporting iowable solid ,material in bulk, comprising a conduit having a substantially horizontal portion and an upright portion arranged a-t an angle to the horizontal greater than the angle of repose of the material, provided with entry dand discharge openings, and a series of spaced, flexibly connected, transporting members transversely disposed with respect to the line of travel thereof and cooperating with the conduit to move the material in a continuous mass, the transporting members being of open formation whereby, when the outlet in the conduit is closed, the transporting members may be pulled through the material in the conduit without jamming the conveyer.

l5. A conveyer for transporting ilowable solid material in bulk, comprising a conduit provided with entry' and discharge openings, a series of spaced, flexibly'connected, transporting members provided withy portions transversel disposed with respect to the line of traveltliereof, said transversely disposed portions cooperating with opposed portions of the conduit to cause the material to move bers being of open formation whereby to proyide continuity to the mass being advanced.

16. A conveyer for transporting material in a mass in any desired circuit, comprising a casing, an inlet to said casing for the mate. rial, an outlet to said casing for the material, an endless conveyer structure in said casing, means for traversing said structure relative to said casing, said conveyer structure in a continuous mass, the transporting membeingprovided with lateral and transverse elements sweeping at least two sides of the casing and only filling part of the cross section of the casing whereby to provide con- 6 tinuity to the mass being advanced by said lateral and transverse elements.

17. A conveyer-for transporting material in a. mass in any desired circuit, comprising a casing, an inlet to said casing for the mate- 10 rial, an outlet to said casing for the material, an endless chain-like structure in said casing, means for traversing said structure relative to said casing, lateral and transverse elements constituting said structure, said chain-like structure sweeping at least two sides of the casing and only illngpart of the cross section of thecasing, whereby to provide continuity to the mass being advanced by said lateral-and transverse elements.

18. A conveyer for transporting material in a mass in any desired circuit, comprising a casing, an inlet to said casing for the material, an outlet to said 'casing for the material, an endless chain-like structure in said casing, means for traversing said structure relative to said casing, lateral and transverse elements constituting sai-d structure, said chain-like structure sweeping at least two 3o sides of the'casing and only filling part of the cross section of'the casing, said lateral and transverse elements forming aiskeleton framework supporting thematerial to be con` veyed in a continuous mass. In testimony whereof I have signed my Y name.

ARNOLD REDLER.

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