Abstract: A conveyor system, comprising: a track containing an endless chain (2); and a plurality of buckets (4) each bucket (4) comprising a bucket body defining a void in which contents can be contained, an arm (51) pivotally mounted on the bucket body through a mounting for rotation relative to the bucket body about a bucket pivot axis (50) through the mounting, the arm (51) extending perpendicular to the bucket pivot axis (50) and having an arm head (16) at point distant from the axis; each arm head being fixed to the chain through an arm mounting, the arm mountings being spaced apart along the endless chain by a chain pitch, whereas the endless chain follows a first path, and the mountings of the buckets follow a second path; and in which variation of the radius of curvature of the first path relative to the second path causes a separation of the buckets to vary.

Abstract: A link (2) for a chain (1), and a chain (1) of links (2), the link (2) comprising a body defining first and second parallel through bores (4) separated by a length, in which the body has a first width (d1) perpendicular to the length over at least a portion of the body adjacent to each bore (4) and a second width (d2) through each bore (4) parallel to the first width (d1) and perpendicular to the length, in which the first (d1) and second (d2) widths are different. The links (2) may be joined by joints (3), each joint (3) joining a pair of successive links (2), each joint (3) comprising a body (5a, 5b) and two shafts (6), the body (5a, 5b) supporting the two shafts (6), with each shaft (6) engaging the first bore (4) of one of the pair of links (2) and the second bore (4) of the other of the pair of links (2), the joint (3) being arranged such that it can rotate relative to each of the of the pair of links (2) about the shaft (6) which engages each link (2).

Abstract: A belt for a conveyor comprises at least one elongate strip (1) and at least one slat (2) which forms a part of a conveyor surface upon which a load to be transported can be located. The slat is secured to the strip by a connector (7), optionally through a sliding dovetail joint, the connector comprising the tail part (5) of the joint and the underside of the slat being provided with a groove defining a socket part (3) of the sliding dovetail joint. The connector may pass through a hole (6) in the strip, or may embrace a relatively narrow section (523) of the strip. In an alternative, a belt for a conveyor comprises a plurality of interconnected slats which may support material to be transported and forming a conveyor surface, in which pairs of adjacent slats of the belt are connected together by means of co-operating slots and tabs.

Abstract: A conveyor, such as a bucket conveyor comprising an endless belt (23), the endless belt having a length along which it is endless and comprising a plurality of generally planar sliding members (1), and a plurality of sliding couplings (6) which couple the sliding members (1) together such that each sliding member (1) can slide in a direction along the length of the endless belt over an adjacent sliding member (1) so as to vary the length of the endless belt.

Abstract: A belt (2), forming a conveyor or a transmission belt, comprising at least one, but possibly a plurality of substantially inextensible but elastically flexible planar strips, typically of spring steel, rigidly fixed together lengthwise to form an endless belt. The belt is typically provided with drive slots for accurately driving the belt. The belt may support carriers such as buckets (to form a bucket conveyor) or scrapers (to form a scraper conveyor).

Abstract: A belt for a conveyor comprises at least one elongate strip (1) and at least one slat (2) which forms a part of a conveyor surface upon which a load to be transported can be located. The slat is secured to the strip by a connector (7), optionally through a sliding dovetail joint, the connector comprising the tail part (5) of the joint and the underside of the slat being provided with a groove defining a socket part (3) of the sliding dovetail joint. The connector may pass through a hole (6) in the strip, or may embrace a relatively narrow section (523) of the strip. In an alternative, a belt for a conveyor comprises a plurality of interconnected slats which may support material to be transported and forming a conveyor surface, in which pairs of adjacent slats of the belt are connected together by means of co-operating slots and tabs.

Abstract: A conveyor, such as a bucket conveyor comprising an endless belt (23), the endless belt having a length along which it is endless and comprising a plurality of generally planar sliding members (1), and a plurality of sliding couplings (6) which couple the sliding members (1) together such that each sliding member (1) can slide in a direction along the length of the endless belt over an adjacent sliding member (1) so as to vary the length of the endless belt.

Abstract: A belt (2), forming a conveyor or a transmission belt, comprising at least one, but possibly a plurality of substantially inextensible but elastically flexible planar strips, typically of spring steel, rigidly fixed together lengthwise to form an endless belt. The belt is typically provided with drive slots for accurately driving the belt. The belt may support carriers such as buckets (to form a bucket conveyor) or scrapers (to form a scraper conveyor).

Abstract: A foundry casting machine comprising an endless conveyor supported on a frame within an overall casing for movement in a vertical plane through a sinuous path, the casing having a first opening therein so that trays supported by the conveyor, as they move past said first opening can have moulds assembled thereon, a second opening in the casing at a pouring station to enable molten metal to be poured into the moulds and a third opening in the casing through which the contents of the trays may be removed, air extraction means for withdrawing undesirable gases and air-borne particles from the interior of the casing and means to hold together the parts of the mould prior to the pouring of the molten metal, said means comprising either one or more weights which are automatically placed upon the moulds prior to a pouring operation and are removed from the moulds subsequent to the pouring operation or clamping devices supported on the trays, the clamping devices being suitable either for clamping together mould part

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a vibratory machine, comprising an input shaft rotatably mountable on the non-vibrating frame of the machine and adapted to be driven, e.g. by a belt drive and pulleys from a standard electric motor, an output shaft mounted in line with the input shaft on the vibratable part of the machine by heavy duty bearings and a flexible resiliently deformable member in the form of an inflatable bellows located between the input and output shafts and preferably sandwiched between plates mounted on the ends of the two shafts and out-of-balance weights on the output shaft whereby, upon rotation of the input shaft, the output shaft will be rotated at the same speed and due to the presence of the weights will cause vibration of the vibratable part of the machine, the flexible resiliently deformable member ensuring that little or no motion other than rotation is transmitted from the output shaft to the input shaft and hence to the electric motor.