Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the flow of bulk material in a bulk materials handling system is disclosed. A critical stage in the system is identified in which variations in flowability of the material might result in the entire system flow being impeded. Upstream from that critical stage, flow conditions in the critical stage are simulated so that the flow can be interrupted if unsatisfactory flowability conditions exist. A pivotable chute may be positioned at an angle to simulate the flow of particular materials at critical downstream points in a material handling system. If material conditions such as excess moisture impede the rate of flow of the material to a degree which would cause blockages in critical downstream points, the chute will pivot to a secondary position which will temporarily interrupt the material flow.

Abstract: An extensible conveyor apparatus and method for a continuous haulage system include a continuous conveyor belt for carrying coal or ore discharged from a continuous miner, a top slider for supporting the coal-carrying or ore-carrying continuous conveyor belt, a bottom belt return, and a slider holding frame for holding the top slider, wherein the slider holding frame is provided by a plurality of floor-supported frame members held in position by belt tension, the slider holding frame being capable of rapid and nimble extendable, retractable construction in the mine. Rails connect and hold adjacent frame members in position by press-fit attachment of the rails to the frame members. The rails preferably are quickly rotatable to change the top wearing surface. A top slider for supporting the mined-material-carrying belt is composed of a material which is lightweight, flame-resistant, and quickly replaceable in an underground mine.

Abstract: The multiple-channel vibrating feeding table includes a table provided with a plurality of mutually adjacent troughs which define the channels for conveying loose parts, motor element for vibrating the table, and elements for connecting each of the troughs to the motor elements, the connecting elements being individually actuatable in order to vibrate only selected trough or troughs.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for conveying containers having an annular neck flange, in particular, a guided suspended conveyor chain having support elements each defining a "U" shaped recess having a pair of substantially parallel sides which are oriented transverse to the path of travel of the conveyor chain so that the "U" shaped recess is accessible from the side of the path of travel. The "U" shaped recess is sized to receive the container neck, is sized smaller than the annular neck projection of the container and is further sized so that the substantially parallel sides of the "U" shaped recess extend beyond the container neck of any container received therein so that the container may hang suspended in the "U" shaped recess. In addition, the conveyor chain is designed to be driven by a suitable drive stand to provide mechanical energy to associated container processing apparatus having sprockets adapted to engage the conveyor chain.

Abstract: A letter sorting system includes a row of juxtaposed stack compartments; a material intake device arranged along and spaced from the compartments; a carriage arranged for travel along the compartments; and a transfer bridge mounted on the carriage to be displaced thereby along the compartments. The transfer bridge includes an exterior frame pivotally attached to the carriage for pivotal motions into first and second positions; an interior frame pivotally attached to the exterior frame for pivotal motions into first and second positions; and a slide having a first part attached to the interior frame and a second part attached to the exterior frame. Dependent upon simultaneous positions of the exterior and interior frames, the transfer bridge may assume first, second and third operating positions.

Abstract: A plurality of parallel infeed conveyor belts increase in length from the shortest to the longest in length increments corresponding to the length of groups of equal numbers of containers in rows on the belts. The groups are in multiple file arrangement initially and are translated respectively to the end of each belt to effect disposing the groups in series and offset but parallel relationship. The groups are then advanced together to aligned belts of an intermediate conveyor to arrive at a conversion region wherein all groups that are offset relative to a group on one intermediate conveyor belt are shifted laterally to alignment with the one group so the formerly parallel groups become arranged in single file in condition for being conveyed further.

Abstract: Escalator steps are attached to their step axles by means of C-shaped clamps which are pivotally mounted on the steps and rotatable thereon to clamping positions where they embrace and clamp the step axles to the steps. One end of the clamp is then bolted to the step so that the clamp pivot pin and bolt will secure the clamps against the step axles. A cam profile is formed on a finger on the clamp, which cam profile guides the step axles into engagement with the step and clamp. A wrench-guiding tube is fixed to the step above the clamp bolt to hold the latter on the step and to ensure engagement between the bolt and an Allen wrench or other tool inserted through the step tread to bolt the clamp in place.

Abstract: An unloader for bulk materials is provided to transfer material such as cement from a barge or other bulk container. It includes a moveable and rotatable support member such as a crane or cantilevered arm that is adjacent the bulk container. A first conveyor or auger is connected to the support for pivotal movement and extends generally horizontally. A second conveyor or auger is connected to the distal end of the first conveyor for pivotal movement and is generally vertically oriented. A feeder unit is connected to the distal end of the second conveyor for universal and rotational movement. The feeder includes an uplift portion communicating with the second conveyor, the uplift portion advancing the bulk material at a rate slower than the second conveyor, and a collector portion communicating with the uplift portion. The collector portion includes converging auger assembly to advance the bulk material towards the uplift portion and to assist in transferring it into the uplift portion.

Abstract: The ball end (16) of the piston rod (14) of a linear motor (6) is mounted in a ball block (52). The block (52) has mating housing portions (54, 56) that abut along mating surfaces (64) that are substantially parallel to, but slope relative to, the motor axis (X). One housing portion includes an integral rear wall (70) through which the axis (X) extends and which defines a portion of a socket (58) that receives the ball end (16). The other housing portion has a flange (78) that projects into a space between the socket (58) and a sloping extension (74) of the wall (70). The outer surface (76) of the wall (70) is secured to a fixed support (84). The wall (70) transmits loads carried by operation of the motor (6) from the ball end (16) directly to the support (84) and minimizes loads on the fasteners (68) securing the housing portions (54, 56) together. The housing portion that includes the wall (70) is made from a material with a high load carrying capability.

Abstract: An apparatus for agitating cylindrical articles in a bulk flow and removing non-aligned articles from the flow includes a plurality of parallel, spaced rotating pins having helical threads on an outer surface. The flow of articles is directed through the pins and non-aligned articles are conveyed out of the flow direction by the threads while aligned articles pass across the pins. Eccentric rotation of the pins agitates the articles to assist maintaining free flow of the articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor roller, system and method. The roller has a cylindrical barrel portion and a plurality of radially-disposed, recessed splines that are integrally-formed into at least one end or intermediate the ends of the barrel portion. The recessed splines are configured to receive a drive belt which imparts rotational motion to the roller. The disclosed conveyor roller system employs a plurality of these rollers disposed in spaced-apart, parallel adjacency between a pair of parallel frame members. Each pair of adjacent rollers is coupled by a belt, preferably having a succession of parallel, lateral projections (e.g. ribbed) on an inner surface for engaging the recessed splines of the rollers which it couples. Alternatively, the rollers may be coupled by a single, continuous belt. Power to drive the rollers may be supplied by coupling a drive motor to one of the rollers with another ribbed drive belt for engaging the recessed splines of the roller to which it is coupled.

Abstract: A splice assembly is provided for connecting together a pair of belt ends by a plurality of short lengths of cable in a manner which allows for troughing of the belt across its width at the connected belt ends. The lengths of cable engage at one of their ends to a first belt end, and engage at their other end to a second belt end, whereby the cables bear a tensile load along their axis. Belt fasteners having slots for engageably receiving the ends of the cables are affixed to both of the first and second belt ends to be joined along the entire width of the belt ends. There is a small gap between adjacent belt fasteners which allows for flexion of the belt thereat to allow for the aforementioned troughing of the belt. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the cable ends engage with respective belt fasteners in a manner which prevents movement of the cable ends relative to the belt fasteners during operation of the belt.

Abstract: A counter-balanced pressure sensor for sensing a package carried by a belt-driven carrying roller conveyor includes a pivot support with a sensing roller attached. The sensing roller is deflected downward by the passage of the package on the conveyor, causing the pivot support to pivot downward, causing a feeler arm attached to the pivot support to contact a sensitive whisker valve mounted beneath the conveyor top surface. The conveyor includes a plurality of zones, all but one of which has one of the pressure sensors. When the pressure sensors in one or more succeeding zones detect the presence of a package in each of their associated zones, the belt drive in a preceding zone is disconnected from the rollers in that zone, putting the preceding zone into an accumulation mode. Each pressure sensor is sensitivity adjustable by adjusting a threaded connector for a counter balance positioned opposite the sensing roller on the pivot support.

Abstract: A belt-type part holder unit to be used in a track conveyor system of a sewing factory or the like having a large number of work stations in it in order to transfer a part from a work station to another. The unit includes a belt pulley provided in it with a ring-type spring such as a coil spring or a spiral spring so that the belt of the holder unit can be selectively held to an expanded condition or taken up by the pulley and a part of an article of dress held by the holder unit can be sewed without being taken out of the unit.

Abstract: A conveyor belt which traverses a belt transport course that can include course turns wherein the belt traverses an arcuate path comprises a succession of link members formed as individual modules having a center body part and unitary forwardly and rearwardly facing finger sets at each of two opposite sides of the center body part. In traversing a turn, the belt shortens at a first side and lengthens at an opposite side. During a turn, tractive drive transmission for pulling a link member with a next preceding link member by way of a connecting rod passing through the two link members, the connecting rod being in tractive relationship with the rearwardly facing fingers of the preceding link member at only two locations, viz., at the rearwardly facing finger thereof most proximal the belt opposite edge, and at the rearwardly facing finger first alongside the preceding link member center body part at the side of the conveyor belt first edge.

Abstract: A feeding device in accordance with the invention comprises a dosing wheel driven by a drive mechanism which rotates on a horizontal axis; a plurality of carrier shelves for receiving the components and attached to an inside periphery of the dosing wheel; an opening disposed in the dosing wheel for supplying the components to the carrier shelves disposed inside the dosing wheel; an inclined sorting groove projecting partly into the dosing wheel and having a V-shaped cross section and a bottom surface having a width corresponding to a width of the components; an open groove positioned between the sorting groove and a covered feeder channel with the open groove having a width which corresponds to the width of the components and with the feeder channel having a cross section corresponding to a cross section of the components; a first air nozzle positioned in front of the feeder channel for blowing away components which are incorrectly oriented to pass into the feeder channel; a forward directed second air nozzle

Abstract: An oblong block turning apparatus comprises a conveyor pin assembly, a block advance pin assembly, a pivot pin assembly, a flip pin assembly, and an elongated trough with a pair of side walls bridged by a bottom surface. The pin assemblies include respective chains carrying a plurality of respective pins which extend laterally through the trough while moving downstream through the trough. To turn an oblong block deposited into the trough, the block is first pushed downstream through the trough using a conveyor pin of the conveyor pin assembly. Next, the block is disengaged from the conveyor pin by advancing the block downstream away from the conveyor pin with a faster-moving block advance pin. While maintaining the lower leading corner of the block against a pivot pin of the pivot pin assembly, the block is turned ninety degrees forward about the pivot pin using a flip pin of the flip pin assembly. After turning the block, the conveyor pin re-engages the block to push the block downstream through the trough.

Abstract: A controllable discharge spout assembly is used on the discharge end of an auger or other conveyor. The discharge spout assembly has an auxiliary, downwardly tapered spout that is mounted for universal movement below the conventional discharge of the conveyor. This control mechanism extends from the spout to an operator's station near the inlet end of the auger so that an operator standing on the ground may control the direction of flow of material from the conveyor.

Abstract: An improved belt supporting and guiding apparatus enabling belt travel in other than a linear path wherein there is a base frame and a second frame mounted on the base frame; the second frame has center, left and right portions with surfaces which together define a belt support surface delimiting a concavity that is shaped other than as a constant arc of a circle so that rotation of the second frame on mounting rollers is about an instant center whose spatial location changes constantly.

Abstract: Catenary rigid top troughing assemblies guide and support the top, or load carrying portion of a flexible belt conveyor system. Each assembly consists of two formed cross members. Attached at each end of the cross members is a saddle, which rigidly mounts or affixes the cross members to the siderails. The saddles have slotted mounting holes to allow the assembly to be pivoted for proper belt training. Handles are attached to the saddles for lifting on or off of the siderails. One roller mounting bracket is also attached to each saddle. Two center supports span between the cross members with two roller mounting brackets affixed to each support. The rollers are mounted into the roller mounting brackets producing an inline, rigid, troughing assembly.