Abstract: In one form, a belt lifter apparatus provides increased lifting force and belt lift height by a scissors mechanism having crossed lifting arms each having a translatable end and having a translatable pivot axis between the lifting arms. Preferably, other ends of the lifting arms are fixed to an upper belt lifting member and to a lower support base member at locations such that the pivot axis translates to a position located substantially at the center of the lifted belt when the belt is lifted to the highest lift height. Lightweight, aluminum tubular members are used for the lifting member and the base support and each includes a track for supporting the translatable ends of the lifting arms. The span width of the base member is adjusted by sliding telescoping, tubular legs within the base tubular element. Pivoted wing arms are supported by braces extending to the belt lifting member.

Abstract: A reinforced conveyor belt cleaning blade is provided. In one form, the reinforced cleaning blade includes a blade body and a metal insert that is of a substantially constant cross-sectional configuration extending between the ends thereof. The ends are surrounded by molded material of the blade body so that the blade body and insert have a secure connection therebetween. The preferred insert is a formed sheet metal member that has smooth surfaces extending along its length without projections or sharp corners. In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a conveyor belt cleaning blade is provided including placing a metallic insert for the cleaning blade in a mold and molding the body of the cleaning blade with polymeric material extending completely around ends of the insert. Preferably, the insert is magnetically held in position in the mold such as on a rail on which magnets are mounted.

Abstract: A two piece scraper blade is provided that includes a scraper member that is releasably connected to a base member. The scraper member can be of a different material than the base member to provide various advantages including with respect to its wear resistance. Further, in one form, a toolless interconnection is provided for ease in attaching the scraper member to the base member. In another form, the scraper member and base member are provided with engaging surfaces with one of the surfaces including teeth for gripping into the other surface when the scraper member is connected to the base member. In this form, the forces for inserting and removing the scraper member from the base member are greater than the form in which a toolless interconnection is provided, and thus a more robust connection between the scraper and base members is provided thereby.

Abstract: In one form, a belt lifter apparatus provides increased lifting force and belt lift height by a scissors mechanism having crossed lifting arms each having a translatable end and having a translatable pivot axis between the lifting arms. Preferably, other ends of the lifting arms are fixed to an upper belt lifting member and to a lower support base member at locations such that the pivot axis translates to a position located substantially at the center of the lifted belt when the belt is lifted to the highest lift height. Lightweight, aluminum tubular members are used for the lifting member and the base support and each includes a track for supporting the translatable ends of the lifting arms. The span width of the base member is adjusted by sliding telescoping, tubular legs within the base tubular element. Pivoted wing arms are supported by braces extending to the belt lifting member.

Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner is provided that is particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. The cleaner includes a blade mount that has a layback arm mounting the cleaning blade and which can simultaneously deflect horizontally and vertically via changes in the radius of curvature of a lower arcuate portion connected thereto so as to minimize stress on the blade mount. The layback arm extends toward the conveyor belt at an acute layback angle relative to the immediately upstream belt surface. In another aspect, a belt cleaning system is provided including a plurality of resilient blade mounts that absorb the energy of impacts with the cleaning blade so as to allow for controlled release of the impact energy upon bringing the blade quickly back into scraping engagement with the belt. Preferably, two of these resilient mounts are associated with each blade in the belt scraping area and the others at ends of an elongate support laterally spaced from the scraping area.

Abstract: A two piece scraper blade is provided that includes a scraper member that is releasably connected to a base member. The scraper member can be of a different material than the base member to provide various advantages including with respect to its wear resistance. Further, a toolless interconnection is provided for ease in attaching the scraper member to the base member. When worn, the scraper member can be replaced with a new scraper member in an easy and quick fashion.

Abstract: In one form, a conveyor belt cleaner is provided that is particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. The cleaner includes a blade mount that has a layback arm mounting the cleaning blade and which can simultaneously deflect horizontally and vertically via changes in the radius of curvature of a lower arcuate portion connected thereto so as to minimize stress on the blade mount. The layback arm extends toward the conveyor belt at an acute layback angle relative to the immediately upstream belt surface. In another aspect, a belt cleaning system is provided including a plurality of resilient blade mounts that absorb the energy of impacts with the cleaning blade so as to allow for controlled release of the impact energy upon bringing the blade quickly back into scraping engagement with the belt. Preferably, two of these resilient mounts are associated with each blade in the belt scraping area and the others at ends of an elongate support laterally spaced from the scraping area.

Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner is provided that is particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. The cleaner includes a blade mount that has a layback arm mounting the cleaning blade and which can simultaneously deflect horizontally and vertically via changes in the radius of curvature of a lower arcuate portion connected thereto so as to minimize stress on the blade mount. The layback arm extends toward the conveyor belt at an acute layback angle relative to the immediately upstream belt surface. Preferably, the blade mount is of a shape retentive metal material so that it retains its bias force applied to cleaner blade even in high temperature and high loading conveyor belt applications. To keep the complexity of the blade mount to a minimum, it is preferably of a one-piece, angled spring plate construction including a base integral with the layback arm interconnected thereto by the arcuate portion.

Abstract: A two piece scraper blade is provided that includes a scraper member that is releasably connected to a base member. The scraper member can be of a different material than the base member to provide various advantages including with respect to its wear resistance. Further, a toolless interconnection is provided for ease in attaching the scraper member to the base member. When worn, the scraper member can be replaced with a new scraper member in an easy and quick fashion.

Abstract: In one form, a conveyor belt cleaner is provided that is particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. The cleaner includes a blade mount that has a layback arm mounting the cleaning blade and which can simultaneously deflect horizontally and vertically via changes in the radius of curvature of a lower arcuate portion connected thereto so as to minimize stress on the blade mount. The layback arm extends toward the conveyor belt at an acute layback angle relative to the immediately upstream belt surface. In another aspect, a belt cleaning system is provided including a plurality of resilient blade mounts that absorb the energy of impacts with the cleaning blade so as to allow for controlled release of the impact energy upon bringing the blade quickly back into scraping engagement with the belt. Preferably, two of these resilient mounts are associated with each blade in the belt scraping area and the others at ends of an elongate support laterally spaced from the scraping area.

Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner is provided that is particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. The cleaner includes a blade mount that has a layback arm mounting the cleaning blade and which can simultaneously deflect horizontally and vertically via changes in the radius of curvature of a lower arcuate portion connected thereto so as to minimize stress on the blade mount. The layback arm extends toward the conveyor belt at an acute layback angle relative to the immediately upstream belt surface. In another aspect, a belt cleaning system is provided including a plurality of resilient blade mounts that absorb the energy of impacts with the cleaning blade so as to allow for controlled release of the impact energy upon bringing the blade quickly back into scraping engagement with the belt. Preferably, two of these resilient mounts are associated with each blade in the belt scraping area and the others at ends of an elongate support laterally spaced from the scraping area.

Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner is provided that is particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. The cleaner includes a blade mount that has a layback arm mounting the cleaning blade and which can simultaneously deflect horizontally and vertically via changes in the radius of curvature of a lower arcuate portion connected thereto so as to minimize stress on the blade mount. The layback arm extends toward the conveyor belt at an acute layback angle relative to the immediately upstream belt surface. Preferably, the blade mount is of a shape retentive metal material so that it retains its bias force applied to cleaner blade even in high temperature and high loading conveyor belt applications. To keep the complexity of the blade mount to a minimum, it is preferably of a one-piece, angled spring plate construction including a base integral with the layback arm interconnected thereto by the arcuate portion.