Abstract: An endless belt conveyor for heavy materials handling is provided in which shock forces generated by the loading of heavy objects onto the conveyor are absorbed in the vertical, longitudinal and lateral directions with respect to the conveyor by resilient suspension means such as a plurality of rubber shear spring blocks which are associated with the support structure for the track upon which the conveyor belt moves. The belt is comprised of slat links having a central transverse reinforcing beam and slat link covers surrounding the transverse reinforcing beam which converge to either side of the beam at a point intermediate the vertical distance between the top and bottom portions of the beam.

Abstract: A device is shown wherein the bale of metal cutting chips formed at one end of a chip conveyor is ripped apart into smaller portions which can be more easily handled in subsequent treatment operations such as separating or crushing. The device comprises a holding tooth and a ripping tooth which are pushed into the bale of chips. After extension into the bale, the ripping tooth is then moved away from the holding tooth in the conveying direction by drive means thus ripping off a portion of the bale. The teeth are then retracted and returned to their original positions. These steps are repeated until the bale has been separated into smaller portions as desired.

Abstract: A steel slatted conveyor belt wherein the slats are supported by a pair of conventional roller chains moving on a supporting track and the impact and longitudinal loadings on the slats are transmitted longitudinally by an additional set of slat side links, the ends of which overlap and are pivoted relative to each other by the roller chain shafts. The conveyor slats are Z shaped in transverse cross-section and are rigidly fixed to the slat side links.