Abstract: The present invention relates to extensible endless conveyor belt support structures and systems. A support structure has vertical support members (8) connected by V-shaped arrangements of pivotally connected (17, 19) link members (7, 9). By mounting at least the upper belt run rollers (4) on the vertical supports (8) the load can be more effectively supported whilst providing a relatively high ratio of extended to contracted length. By using telescopically extendable (14, 15) vertical supports (8), any increase in overall height of the support structure upon contraction thereof is minimized or avoided. By also having detachable lower belt run rollers (23) the support structure can be inserted into an endless conveyor belt installation without dismantling or even stopping running thereof. The invention also provides systems including setting devices for holding the support structures in their contracted form and deploying and collecting them into and from their extended conditions.

Abstract: In an angle station for lateral angular displacement of an endless conveyor belt in a conveyor system, the angle station comprises a belt guide in the form of a plurality of large diameter guide rollers mounted in support brackets on a support structure with the rollers substantially clear of the support structure. The guide rollers are generally elongate and arranged substantially normal to a substantially helical pathway for the belt around the belt guide. The guide rollers are disposed in axially and laterally, closely spaced relation, so as to define a generally continuous support for a conveyor belt in use of the angle station, which support is substantially non-angular in cross-section along the helical pathway. A roller support bracket is provided for use in the angle station as well as a guide roller unit including a guide roller mounted in such bracket.