Abstract: A switching valve has a control rod with a pilot chamber at each of its ends. For each pilot chamber, there is a first passageway connected to a pressure line and communicating with the pilot chamber. A second passageway is connectable to return. A relief valve has a valve member biased to close an orifice to close communication between the pilot chamber and the second passageway. The valve member has an open position in which the pilot chamber is connected to return via the second passageway to allow shifting of the control rod. In a first embodiment, the pilot chamber is continuously in communication with pressure via the first passageway, and the valve member is opened by this pressure in response to connection of the second passageway to return. In another embodiment, the second passageway is continuously in communication with return, and the valve member is mechanically moved into its open position by an operator in response to pressure acting on the operator.

Abstract: A drive unit for a reciprocating floor conveyor has a piston component (90) with an outer end longitudinally fixed to a transverse mounting member and a movable cylinder component (92) with a tubular extension (102). A slide bearing (104) supports and guides the tubular extension (102). The drive unit, including the tubular extension, acts as a structural beam. In a first embodiment, each floor member of the conveyor has its own drive unit to provide a powerful drive assembly for heavy loads. In a second embodiment, a plurality of drive units are part of a compact frame (302) having two longitudinal frame members (308) and two transverse mounting members (304, 306). The drive units are mounted in a window defined by the frame (302). A plurality of transverse drive beams (330), one for each drive unit, are connected to the drive units and reciprocate between the transverse mounting members (304, 306). This provides a compact and lightweight drive assembly that may be used for lighter loads.

Abstract: A reciprocating floor conveyor (10) including a support frame (12), and a conveyor floor (14), which is comprised of a plurality of laterally spaced-apart conveyor slats (16), a plurality of laterally spaced-apart holding slats (18), and a series of divider planks (20). Divider planks (20) are fixedly secured to the upper portion of support framework (12). Conveyor slats (16) are mounted on support frame (12) for longitudinal reciprocation between "start" and "advanced" positions. Holding slats (18) are mounted on support frame (12) for vertical movement between and "up" position in which the holding slats (18) are above the conveyor slats (16), and a "down" position, in which the holding slats (18) are below the conveyor slats (16). The load is conveyed by lowering the holding slats (18), advancing the conveyor slats (16), to convey the load, raising the holding slats and retracting the conveyor slats to their "start" position, and repeating the process.

Abstract: A check valve (10) for a hydraulic actuator (14), wherein the check valve (10) includes a valve seat (72) and a displaceable valve component (62) for controlling the flow of hydraulic oil through valve seat (72). Check valve (10) also includes a cylindrical body portion (50) and a cap (54). A slot (70) is formed in the sidewall of the cylinder (22) of the hydraulic actuator. A valve stem (66) of valve component (62) extends through slot (70) into the working chambers of cylinder (22) and into the path of movement of piston (16). Springs (80, 94) bias valve component (62) into its seated position. Engagement of piston (16) with the lower end (90) of valve stem (66) pivots valve component (62) and unseats the plug member of the valve to allow fluid communication between the working chambers of cylinder (22) and passageway (56).

Abstract: Adjacent base sections of a base structure of a reciprocating floor conveyor are connected along longitudinal side edges by a tongue and groove joint. Side portions of adjacent sections form a guide beam. The groove and tongue portions of the joint are formed at lower ends of angled inner walls extending downwardly from the top of the guide beam. The inner walls together define an upwardly opening space above the joint. The space is large enough, and the groove and tongue portions are spaced below the top of the guide beam a distance sufficient, to permit the joint to be sealed while maintaining the joint, including sealing portions thereof, isolated from the top of the guide beam and from a bearing positioned on the guide beam. The tongue and groove portions together define a sealing space for receiving a flexible sealant to seal the joint. Sealant oozing out of the sealing space into the space above the joint is isolated from the bearing.

Abstract: A floor slat member (10) having longitudinally extending first and second sidewalls (32, 34) of a reciprocating floor conveyor includes integrally formed first downwardly opening channel portion (36), having a top panel (40), laterally extending side flange (76) and the first sidewall (32), and an adjacent upwardly opening channel portion (38), having a channel wall (68) and second sidewall (34). The side flange (76) overhangs second sidewall (34) of an adjacent floor slat member (10'). An elongated seal member (72) carried by the second sidewall (34) in a channel (74) extends upwardly contacting a seal member receiving surface (78) on the first sidewall (32). An alternate embodiment has a seal receiving surface (78') on side flange (76).

Abstract: A reciprocating conveyor floor slat has an upper portion with an upper surface and at least one longitudinally extending ridge projecting upwardly from the upper surface. The ridge has a longitudinally extending pointed top portion positioned to engage a bottom surface of an article placed on the slat. The pointed top portion is spaced above the top surface a distance sufficient to maintain the bottom surface of the article out of contact with the slat's upper surface as the article is being conveyed. The preferred number of ridges per slat is two, with the ridges projecting upwardly from laterally opposite portions of the upper surface. Preferably, the bottom surface of the article being conveyed remains at least about 90% out of contact with the slat. When articles such as wooden pallets are conveyed, the pointed top portions of the ridges dig into the bottom surfaces of the pallets to form longitudinal grooves to guide longitudinal movement of the pallets.

Abstract: A drive frame assembly includes opposite transverse drive frame members (64), each of which includes a metal plate (66) with a central portion having a plurality of longitudinal corrugations (68). The plate (66) is stiffened by transverse beams (78, 80). A plurality of piston-cylinder drive units each have opposite ball ends (24, 26) which are secured to end portions of the corrugations by means of ball blocks (50, 52). Opposite side portions of the plate (66) are secured to laterally spaced portions of a main frame of a structure. The connections are made by a fastener/shim arrangement to accommodate variations in vertical spacing of the drive units relative to the portions of the main frame.

Abstract: A floor slat member (10) having longitudinally extending first and second sidewalls (32, 34) of a reciprocating floor conveyor includes integrally formed first downwardly opening channel portion (36), having a top panel (40), laterally extending side flange (76) and the first sidewall (32), and an adjacent upwardly opening channel portion ( 38 ), having a channel wall (68) and second sidewall (34). The side flange (76) overhangs second sidewall (34) of an adjacent floor slat member (10'). An elongated seal member (72) carried by the second sidewall (34 ) in a channel ( 74 ) extends upwardly contacting a seal member receiving surface (78) on the first sidewall (32). An alternate embodiment has a seal receiving surface (78') on side flange (76).

Abstract: A plastic floor slat for use in a reciprocating slat conveyor includes a lower bearing and a side bearing integrated into the slat body. The lower bearing is positioned to contact an upper surface of a guide beam on which the slat is mounted to directly and slidably support the slat on the beam. This enables the elimination of a bearing as a separate component. The side bearings contact seals carried by adjacent floor slats. At least the upper surface portion of the top of the slat is reinforced for providing a highly wear resistant upper load bearing surface. Preferably, all the portions of the slat except the seal are co-extruded to integrally form the slat body.

Abstract: A front shield extends across an end portion of a reciprocating floor conveyor above the conveyor slats. Each slat has a front end that rebiprocates longitudinally between first and second positions as the slat reciprocates. A multiplicity of bristles are carried by the shield and depend downwardly therefrom. The lower ends of the bristles contact a top surface of the slats rearwardly of the first and second positions. The bristles are bent by contact with the top surface to preload them into contact and maintain them in contact as the slats reciprocate. This prevents particles of material and debris from passing under the shield. The bristles are mounted on the shield via a carrier that is vertically adjustable relative to the shield to permit adjustment of the preload. The bristles are provided in a plurality of rows positioned one behind another in a longitudinal direction, with each row extending across the conveyor substantially continuously across each slat.

Abstract: A reciprocating floor conveyor comprising a support frame (12), a plurality of elongated conveyor slats (?), a plurality of drive motors (40), one for each conveyor slat, for reciprocating the conveyor slats, and a set: of lugs (86,100) and contact blocks (90) for maintaining contact between the drive motors (40) and conveyor slats (CS) should the conveyor slats move relative to the drive motors. The drive motors are mounted on the support frame beneath the conveyor slats. Each conveyor slat (CS) and drive unit (40) includes a set of longitudinally-spaced lugs (86,100). The conveyor slat lugs and drive unit lugs are alternately spaced apart in substantial longitudinal alignment. A set of contact blocks (90) is provided for each drive unit. Each contact block (90) is positioned between and in engagement with an adjacent pair of conveyor slat and drive unit lugs. Each contact block is movable toward and away from a conveyor slat.

Abstract: A plurality of drive motors are operated by fluid pressure for reciprocating the floor slats of a reciprocating floor conveyor. A switching valve alternately connects the forward and rear ends of the motors to pressure and return to reciprocate the slats. A forward and a rear control valve each has a closed position in which it blocks direct communication between the switching valve and all but one of the forward and rear ends, respectively. A four-way valve has ports communicating with pressure and return and with the pilot chambers of the control valves. The four-way valve connects one pilot chamber to pressure and the other to return to cause the conveyor to convey a load in a first direction. Reversal of the pressure and return to the pilot chambers causes a reversal of the conveying direction. At least one forward end and one rear end of the motors has an internal control valve positioned to open and close a connecting passageway between adjacent motor ends.

Abstract: A wear plate (42) for each conveyor slat (12) of a reciprocating floor conveyor (10), each wear plate biased laterally by an O-ring tube (50), so that one side edge (44) of each wear plate (42) is pressed into a slot (54) formed by a side ridge (22) and lip (26) of a conveyor slat (12). O-ring tube (50) biases wear plate (42) laterally so that side edge (44) is secured in slot (54) and wear plate (42) is held on conveyor slat (12).

Abstract: A reciprocating floor conveyor (10) having a plurality of elongated conveyor slats (12) mounted on a conveyor frame (14) for longitudinal reciprocating movement between "start" and "advanced" positions, the conveyor slats (12) each including an overlay plate (60) mounted on top. Each overlay plate (60) has a first side edge portion (64) and a second side edge portion (66). The first side edge portion terminates laterally at a first side edge (68), and the second side edge portion terminates at a second side edge (67). Each overlay plate (60) includes a central portion (62) defined between its first and-second side edge portions. The first side edge portion of each overlay plate is angled upwardly so that the first side edge (68) is above the central portion (62), and the second side edge portion (66) extends upwardly over the first side edge portion (64) of the overlay plate (60) mounted on an adjacent conveyor slat (12).

Abstract: A drive frame assembly includes opposite transverse drive frame members (64), each of which includes a metal plate (66) with a central portion having a plurality of longitudinal corrugations (68). The central portion is stiffened by transverse beams (78, 80). A plurality of piston-cylinder drive units each have opposite ball ends (24, 26) which are secured to end portions of the corrugations by means of ball blocks (50, 52). Opposite side portions of the metal plate (66) are free to bend relative to the central portion to accommodate variations in vertical spacing of the drive units relative to portions of the main frame of a structure in which the conveyor is mounted.

Abstract: A protective circuit (40) for pressure and return connections of a hydraulic system. The protective circuit includes a four-way, two-position on/off valve (65) having a first (66), second (68), and third (70) port. In its "off" position, valve (65) connects ports (68, 70) and blocks port (66). In its "on" position, ports (66, 70) are connected and port (68) blocked. A pilot valve (46) is provided including a valve plunger (56) and piston (58), which defines a valve chamber (52) and pilot chamber (54). Valve chamber (52) is connected to pressure and return, while pilot chamber (54) is connected to port (70) of valve (65). A first one-way check valve (96) and second one-way check valve (78) are also provided.

Abstract: A linear hydraulic motor including a first piston rod (12) and piston head (16), a second piston rod (18) and piston head (26), and a cylinder housing (30), having a divider wall (46), adapted to reciprocate longitudinally on the piston heads (16, 26). The cylinder housing (30) has end members (34, 36) through which piston rods (12, 18) extend. Four fluid chambers (52, 54, 56, 58) are formed within the linear hydraulic motor. Fluid chambers (52, 56) communicate with each other through conduits (62), and fluid chambers (54, 58) communicate with each other through conduit (64). Piston rods (12, 18) include conduits (68, 70) for fluid communication with chambers (54, 56). A snubber (74) is provided in the divider wall (46) of the cylinder housing (30). The snubber (74) reciprocates within the divider wall (46) and is adapted to abut the inner ends of the piston rods (12, 18) as the divider wall (46) approaches piston heads (16, 26) during the reciprocating process.

Abstract: A tail structure assembly (10) for a reciprocating floor conveyor (12) having a plurality of movable slats (22) mounted adjacent each other in a common plane. The tail structure assembly (10) includes a tail piece (26) fixedly mounted at the ends of each slat (22). Each tail piece includes a set of fingers (30) spaced from each other and extending toward the slats. The ends of the slats include a set of fingers (28) that extend toward the tail piece (26). The fingers (30) of the tail piece and the fingers (28) of the slats (22) mesh as the slats reciprocate.

Abstract: Piston rod portions (83, 85, 87) of three linear hydraulic motors (10, 12, 14) are connected at their opposite ends of two spaced apart transverse frame members (88, 90). A cylinder (120) is driven back and forth along each piston rod (83, 85, 87). Three transverse drive beams (16, 18, 20) are provided. Each drive beam (16, 18, 20) is directly connected to an associated one of the cylinders (120). Three set of floor slat members (1, 2, 3) are provided. Each set (1, 2, 3) is connected to an associated one of the transverse drive beams (16, 18, 20). The linear hydraulic motors (10, 12, 14) are operated for moving the floor slat members in one direction, for advancing a load, and for retracting them in the opposite direction.