Abstract: A protective bumper structure for the exterior surface of tugboats or towboats. The protective bumper includes a backing member for supporting the bumper to the boat, a resilient cushion layer supported on the backing member and a protective face supported on the resilient cushion. The protective face is formed of a durable low friction material and is provided in the form of plural segments, such as spaced elongated strips extending along the length of the resilient cushion. The protective face provides an engagement surface for engaging a cooperating surface on a barge.

Abstract: A scraper blade assembly which is configured to provide a rigid material scraping edge supported on a resiliently compliant material such that the scraping edge is adapted to move in response to irregularities in an associated conveyor belt. Further, supporting structure for the resiliently compliant material is configured so as to promote an upward deformation of the resiliently compliant material when a compressive force is applied to the rigid material scraping edge to thereby form the resiliently compliant material as a supporting surface above the scraping edge when such a force is applied.

Abstract: A scraper blade assembly which is configured to provide a rigid material scraping edge supported on a resiliently compliant material such that the scraping edge is adapted to move in response to irregularities in an associated conveyor belt. Further, supporting structure for the resiliently compliant material is configured so as to promote an upward deformation of the resiliently compliant material when a compressive force is applied to the rigid material scraping edge to thereby form the resiliently compliant material as a supporting surface above the scraping edge when such a force is applied.

Abstract: A modular roller conveyor system in combination with a conveyor belt and load impact zone for loading material on the conveyor belt. The modular roller conveyor system includes an elongated support member extending transversely of a direction of conveyance for the conveyor belt, and a plurality of modular roller units located in end-to-end abutting engagement with each other on the support member. Each modular roller unit includes a roller support frame having an elongated base portion and upwardly extending end plates at opposing ends of the base portion supporting a shaft and a rotatable shell in supporting engagement with an underside of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A reversible belt scraper blade is supported on the support arms of a belt scraper by attachment fittings that permit the blade to be rotated, in place, while the weight of the blade is carried on the belt scraper arms.

Abstract: A reversible belt scraper is provided with opposite belt scraping surfaces and is adapted to be reversed by inverting. The belt scraper is formed with a pair of metal side frames, and a transversely elongated body is formed as a block of rubber defining the belt scraping surfaces on opposite sides. A pair of fiberboard backing plates are positioned to support the rubber block against forces tending to bend or deflect the rubber. The fiberboard backing plates wear at a rate faster than the wear rate of the rubber block and assure full contact between the belt and the rubber scraping body. In a further embodiment, ceramic bricks are embedded within the rubber block with wear surfaces at the rubber scraping surface. The rubber, brick and backing plates are formed in modular segments which are stacked end-to-end between the frames and retained by metal slugs which extend through the segments.