Abstract: An elevating conveyor for a portable luffing stacker adapted to be collapsed and folded from an erected operational position to a compactly folded transport position. An elevating conveyor frame, which supports an endless belt conveyor has five frame sections pivotally connected to each other an canted to permit compact folding of the frame sections. A mast structure, which supports the elevating conveyor frame when in its operational position, includes a tower mast section pivotally foldable relative to a base mast section to a horizontal transport position about a substantially horizontal first pivotal axis and a telescopic mast section supporting the elevating conveyor frame which is telescopically movable relative to the tower mast structure upwardly to an operational position or downwardly to a retracted transport position.

Abstract: A material handling system for continuous reclaiming or unloading of bulk cargo from the "dead flow" regions of a ship hold. An unloading conveyor is positioned in underlying relation to the hold substantially centrally of the transverse dimension of the hold and moves lengthwise of the hold. The bottom of the hold is provided with gated discharge hoppers in overlying and discharging relation to the unloading conveyor. A suspended reclaim scraper is provided on each of the opposite lateral sides of the longitudinal axis of the ship hold to transfer bulk material laterally from the respective "dead flow" regions to the centrally located discharge hoppers and thus to the underlying unloading conveyor. Each reclaim scraper is suspended by a cable hoist system from a suspension head carried by a trolley which is traversible lengthwise of the hold along a track positioned in the upper portion of the hold, whereby to traverse the reclaim scraper longitudinally of the hold.

Abstract: In a bulk material handling apparatus especially adapted for handling granular material a pair of flexible belts are arranged about drive and idler pulleys to provide a material receiving run of one belt, a substantially vertical run or section where the belts are in face-to-face contact for receiving and transporting the material therebetween, and an upper material delivery run where the material is discharged at a different level. In the change of elevation section, staggered rollers are provided to urge the edges of the belts into engagement with one another so as to substantially eliminate leakage or spillage of material from therebetween. The edges of the belts are stretched in following a sinuous path between the edge rollers thereby causing the confronting belt edges to firmly engage one another.

Abstract: A retainer arrangement for a stationary shaft, rod or the like for retaining the shaft against upward movement in an upwardly open recess or slot of a support bracket, and the combination of the retainer with the shaft and with the support bracket. The retainer arrangement comprises a retention spring clip which encircles a substantial portion, such as 270.degree., of the shaft periphery contiguous the supported end of the shaft. The upper portion of the retention spring clip is formed to include opposite laterally spaced axially extending lugs which are adapted to snap each into a corresponding retention groove carried by the respective opposite recess-bounding walls of the support bracket when the shaft is seated in the upwardly open recess or slot of the support bracket.

Abstract: An endless belt conveyor including straight path and curved path sections for the carrying and return runs of the belt. The carrying and return runs of the belt are supported on a support frame by troughing and support idlers. In one version of the invention, the carrying and return runs of the belt are caused to follow a predetermined curve through the curved path section of the conveyor by powered edge drive rolls on the outside edges of the belt runs having a speed which is greater than the belt speed thereby causing the edge of the belt on the outside of the curve to be stretched relative to its condition in the straight path section. In a second version of the invention edge drive rolls are also used on the edges of the belt runs at the inside of the curve. In the latter construction, the peripheral speed of the drive rolls at the inside of the curve is less than belt speed in the straight path section whereby the inner edge is compressed or stretched to a lesser extent than in the straight path section.

Abstract: A bulk flow belt feeder gate for discharging a bulk material such as mineral ore or the like from a ship hold or the like onto an unloading conveyor belt beneath the ship hold, and a cooperating striker plate positioned immediately contiguous the downstream end of the bulk flow belt feeder gate and interlocked with the gate, whereby the striker plate is automatically selectively movable into an operative or inoperative position in accordance with whether the bulk flow belt feeder gate is in open or closed position.

Abstract: A bulk material handling apparatus includes a traveling slot feeder which runs on tracks at opposite sides of the endless belt conveyor beneath a row of bins permitting selective emptying of the bins. The feeder includes inclined, shiftable side skirts which can be adjusted to vary the width and elevation of the unloading slot and an adjustable striker at the downstream end of the feeder which establishes the contour and height of the bulk material deposited on the endless belt conveyor. The material handling apparatus may employ power means so as to permit remote control of the bin emptying operation and adjustment of the skirts and striker. The invention is illustrated in a ship where remote control is a particularly desirable feature to reduce space for workmen in the bottom of the ship and to reduce exposure of workmen to dusty working conditions.