Contractible Or Foldable Conveyor Section Patents (Class 198/313)
  • Patent number: 11885080
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a cutting rotor, a foldable conveyor, a sensor, and a controller. The cutting rotor is configured to mill material beneath the milling machine. The foldable conveyor is configured to receive and dispose the milled material and includes a first section and a second section foldable with respect to the first section at a fold structure. The sensor is positioned on the milling machine and configured to sense a value indicative of a force acting on the second section. The controller is configured to determine an amount of the milled material within the second section of the foldable conveyor using the value indicative of the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Colton J. Hirman
  • Patent number: 11738679
    Abstract: A trailer having a main deck portion having a main deck surface, an upper deck portion having an upper deck surface, a connecting frame assembly, a plurality of rollers elements, and a tailgate. The connecting frame assembly can couple together the main deck portion and the upper deck portion. The roller elements can be arranged in one or more rows and can be mounted in the main deck surface or the upper deck surface so as to cover a substantial portion of the main deck surface or the upper deck surface. The tailgate can be coupled to the main deck portion and can be movable between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Trail King Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Nielsen, Scot J. Vander Pol, Trevor L. Gunderson, Kevin L. Pullin
  • Patent number: 11618636
    Abstract: A bulk material conveyor include a housing having a first end with an inlet and a second end with a discharge and a conveyor at least partially positioned in the housing and extending from the inlet to the discharge. A support assembly has a base frame and an extension mechanism operably connected to the base frame for positioning the housing into an inclined position. A motor assembly is configured to drive the conveyor for advancing bulk material through the housing. A hopper is disposed at the intake end of the housing and includes a tapered wall section extending downwardly from a first end to a second end adjacent the inlet in the housing. A gate assembly is interposed between the hopper and the housing and includes a door positionable between a closed position and a fully opened position for metering the bulk material directed into the housing at the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: SANDBOX LOGISTICS, LLC
    Inventors: C. John Allegretti, Kevin S. Corrigan, Angelo L. Flamingo
  • Patent number: 11459193
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stacker for stockpiling bulk material, the stacker comprising: a chassis provided with either wheels or tracks; a conveyor; and a powered, telescoping cylinder leg for moving the conveyor with respect to the chassis, wherein the conveyor is at least 70 ft (21.3 m) long and wherein the telescoping cylinder leg is mounted at one end to the conveyor and at the other end is removably mountable to the chassis from a first, container transport position to a second, road transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Edge Innovate (NI) Limited
    Inventor: Matthew Gerald Rice
  • Patent number: 11440739
    Abstract: Conveyors are disclosed having transport and operational configurations. Some embodiments include conveyor sections supportable on an upper support rail. Some embodiments are sized to be transported in a conveyor. Some embodiments include conveyor sections slidingly engaged with one another. Some embodiments include a reel for supporting a conveyor belt. Some embodiments include individually foldable conveyor sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Superior Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Koehl, Philip Rosen, Travis Thooft
  • Patent number: 11339004
    Abstract: A movable material processing apparatus for handling material such as ore, gravel, rock or the like, that includes: a foldable conveyor for discharging material from the apparatus. The foldable conveyor is movable between a transport position and an operating position. The foldable conveyor includes a loading block arranged at the loading end, and a discharge block extending from the loading block towards a discharge end. The discharge block is pivotally coupled to the loading block along a first axis being perpendicular to a transport path of the foldable conveyor and parallel with a carrying surface of the foldable conveyor. The loading block is pivotally coupled to a support structure of the movable material processing apparatus along a second axis being parallel to the transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Metso Minerals, Inc.
    Inventor: Tuomas Juutinen
  • Patent number: 11319161
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a portable radial stacker for stockpiling bulk material. The stacker may include a linear conveyor having a rear portion including a hopper, and a front portion, the conveyor being designed to carry bulk material along an elevating path from a low position adjacent the rear portion to a higher position adjacent the front portion. The hopper may be pivotally mounted to the conveyor at a pivot point, with at least one hopper arm extending between the hopper and the conveyor rearward of the pivot point. The at least one hopper arm may include at least one hopper hydraulic cylinder to extend and retract the effective length of the hopper arm to raise and lower a rear end of the hopper to modify a degree of elevation of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: McCloskey International Limited
    Inventors: James Paschal McCloskey, Al Nottingham
  • Patent number: 11203490
    Abstract: A weldment structure for reinforcing a boom of a material conveyor apparatus includes a pair of elongate rigid members having an overall length with cut ends, a set of cross members sharing an overall length with cut ends, the cross members fixed orthogonally to the elongate rigid members functioning to hold the rigid members apart and parallel and at the same edge alignment, and a set of cross support brackets fixed to the cross members and to the elongate rigid members, the cross support brackets each supporting at least a return roller bracket assembly and a pair of opposing belt guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventors: Darren L. DeGraw, Chad T. Porter
  • Patent number: 11066245
    Abstract: Conveyor elevation apparatus, systems and methods are provided. Some embodiments include a stmt having three frame sections. In some embodiments at least two of the frame sections comprise longitudinal supports joined by bracing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Superior Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Thooft, Zachary Ourada
  • Patent number: 11021327
    Abstract: A telescopic material conveyer apparatus has a main boom assembly reinforced by a steel saddle frame connected to a turn table and a lift mechanism, an extension boom assembly adapted by two or more roller assemblies and connecting hardware to travel mechanically within the main boom assembly and to extend therefrom, one or more connected drive motors, a conveyer belt supported by frame architecture and a pulley and drive chain system, at least one hydraulic motor having operative connection to the turntable, lift mechanism and to a belt drive drum, at least one hydraulic valve connected inline in the hydraulic line controlling the belt drive motor, the valve electronically operable via input received from a load sensor integrated within or to the lift mechanism, a programmable load threshold determining open and close operation states of the valve and directing run and stop state operations of the conveyer belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Cleasby LLC
    Inventors: Robin D Porter, Chad T Porter, Darren L Degraw
  • Patent number: 10919704
    Abstract: Road-portable conveyors are described. In some embodiments, the conveyor is supported on a trailer in a road transport configuration. In some embodiments, a support structure is attached to the conveyor and supported on a rolling support during road transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Superior Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Schmidgall, Travis Thooft, Lafe Grimm, Zachary Ourada
  • Patent number: 10899545
    Abstract: A collapsible hand rail system integrated with a conveyor for conveying materials from ground level to a roof top or to a level higher than ground level including a first and a second hand rail apparatus, one apparatus mountable to a left side of the conveyor and the other apparatus mountable to the right side of the conveyor, a plurality of post mounting brackets mounted in equal numbers to each side of the conveyor, a plurality of vertical support posts rotably connected to the hand rails and rotably anchored at the brackets, a pair of rear post mounting brackets, one at each side of the conveyor, and a pair of rear vertical support posts, one at each side of the conveyor wherein the first and second hand rail apparatus are collapsible from an erected position and erectable from a collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Chad T Porter
  • Patent number: 10858196
    Abstract: A conveyor with a belt for transporting an object between a first end and a second end of the conveyor is provided. The conveyor may have a first belt drive transmission at the first end and a second belt drive transmission at the second end. The drive transmission may be configured as freewheel-types in respective directions. The conveyor may have an intermediate transmission system arranged between the first end and the second end and having a first communication with the first belt drive transmission and having a second communication with the second belt drive transmission. The conveyor may have a drive system in communication with a drive shaft in the intermediate transmission system, and may be configured to turn the drive shaft bidirectional in a first drive direction and a second drive direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SCHUR TECHNOLOGY A/S
    Inventors: Jonas Andersson, Niklas Grandin, Stefan Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 10827689
    Abstract: A belt conveyor system for the transporting of plant containers over a cultivation floor including an endless belt on which the plant containers are adapted to be placed, a mobile unit, provided with a buffer which is adapted to buffer the endless belt, and a drive unit to place the endless belt in operation, a reversal device provided with a reversal member, which reversal device is adapted to be placed on the field of the cultivation floor at a distance from the mobile unit; and a temporarily arranged belt guide which is adapted to be placed between the mobile unit and the reversal device on the field of the cultivation floor; wherein the reversal device turns the belt, and wherein the belt runs between the mobile unit and the reversal device across the belt guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: ERFGOED NEDERLAND B.V.
    Inventor: Hugo Willem Lambertus Paans
  • Patent number: 10800609
    Abstract: A folding wing for a conveyor is disclosed that can extend to facilitate sorting of items and providing additional space for docking locations. A first and second section each have a conveyor surface; and are coupled with a reverse-knee joint such that, in a folded configuration the conveyor surface of the first section and the conveyor surface of the second section are adjacent, and in an unfolded configuration, the first section conveyor surface and the second section conveyor surface form a contiguous conveyor surface. In some examples, the frame may be made of aluminum, and the rollers made of PVC, in order to reduce weight. In some examples, the folding section may measure approximately two feet by two feet. The folding assembly may drop down for even more space savings, when not in use, and be supported in an extended configuration with a second reverse knee joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Bellar, William Mark Propes
  • Patent number: 10787327
    Abstract: The invention discloses a multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor, comprising a gantry system, a multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom, a boom support, a two-drum winch, a roller unit and an automatic control system. The gantry system, the two-drum winch and the boom support are mounted on a deck of a hull. The conveyor boom is formed of multi-bar linkage mechanisms, the movement of which can be changed. Rollers are mounted on the conveyor boom. The rear segment of the conveyor boom is articulated with the boom support. The two-drum winch is connected to the multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom via a steel wire rope and by a set of gantry pulleys. A hydraulic device and a control device are arranged between adjacent multi-bar linkage mechanisms. A tension sensor is arranged at an end of the steel wire rope. The whole conveyor is controlled by the automatic control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Changsha University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Lairong Yin, Anwei Jiang, Lin Hu, Juan Huang, Shuo Cai, Jinqing Zhan, Dang Zhou
  • Patent number: 10773907
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for operating a multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor. Stretching the mechanism based conveyor comprises: an automatic control system is started to control a first two-drum winch, a second two-drum winch, and hydraulic cylinders in a multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom to operate together until the mechanism enters an operating state, and the first two-drum winch, the second two-drum winch, and the hydraulic cylinders in the multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom stop operating. Then, the angle of the multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom can be adjusted by controlling the operation of the second two-drum winch. Retracting the mechanism based conveyor comprises: the automatic control system is started to control the first two-drum winch, the second two-drum winch, and the hydraulic cylinders in the multi-bar linkage mechanism based conveyor boom to operate together until the mechanism enters a non-operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Changsha University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Lairong Yin, Juan Huang, Shuo Cai, Peng Xu, Lin Hu, Xuejun Peng, Anwei Jiang
  • Patent number: 10745218
    Abstract: A feeding system comprises a hopper adapted to accommodate a plurality of different types of products, a conveyor belt positioned above the hopper and configured to convey the products, and a lifting mechanism adapted to lift the products in the hopper onto the conveyor belt. The lifting mechanism includes a transferring belt circulating around an annular path and a plurality of step plates evenly spaced along the annular path. The step plates are adapted to carry one or more of the products and the transferring belt is configured to drive the step plates to circulate around the annular path so as to lift the products from the hopper onto the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Kunshan League Automechanism Co., Ltd., Tyco Electronics Polska Sp. z.o.o., TE Connectivity Corporation
    Inventors: Yingcong Deng, Jaroslaw Kowalski, Andrzej Przybylski, Jaroslaw Grzebski, Dandan Zhang, Lvhai Hu, Fengchun Xie, Yun Liu, Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu, Haidong Wu, Hui Xiao
  • Patent number: 10717601
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a two-conveyor mechanical conveyor belt system for granulated raw materials including a first conveyor that may be larger than a second conveyor. Both conveyors are configured to be mounted onto a mobile base such that the conveyor system has dimensions similar to a trailer for conventional cargo transport truck. The conveyor system may be used for loading and unloading granulated raw materials, preferably silica sand, into transporting trailers that are suitable for feedstock. The longer-length conveyor belt of the first conveyor defines a transporting belt. The second conveyor may be configured to be positioned between the first conveyor and a trailer, and includes a shorter-length belt that defines a connecting belt disposed between the first conveyor and the trailer. The configuration of the first and second conveyors provides an airtight or otherwise sealed connection between a raw materials-transporting trailer and a specialized container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventors: Eddy Kornelsen, Jose Eliseo Meraz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10696118
    Abstract: A radial conveyor has a multi-mode wheel assembly located at each side of its chassis. Each wheel assembly is movable with respect to the chassis between a non-deployed state and a deployed state. In the non-deployed state the wheel assemblies support transport of the radial conveyor. In the deployed state the wheel assemblies support radial movement of the conveyor. The wheel assemblies can also be raised and lowered with respect to the chassis. This allows the ground clearance of the chassis, and the overall height of the radial conveyor to be adjusted, as well as facilitating transition between operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Terex GB Limited
    Inventors: Terence Bratton, Mark Mawhinney
  • Patent number: 10683177
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a stacker for stockpiling bulk material. The stacker may include a linear conveyor having a rear portion including a hopper, and front portion, the conveyor being designed to carry bulk material along an elevating path from a low position adjacent the rear portion to a higher position adjacent the front portion. At least one leg may be mounted to the frame below the hopper, the at least one leg may include a hydraulic jack for increasing and decreasing the effective length of the leg, thereby raising and lowering the rear portion of the conveyor to increase and decrease a degree of elevation of the path. The hopper may be pivotally mounted to the conveyor, with hydraulic cylinders mounted thereto in order to raise and lower an end of the hopper to alter a degree of inclination of the hopper. Means may also be provided for maintaining the hopper in a horizontal disposition regardless of the degree of elevation of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: McCloskey International Limited
    Inventors: James Paschal McCloskey, Al Nottingham
  • Patent number: 10654652
    Abstract: An extendible belt conveyor includes a penultimate section, a boom mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the penultimate section, and a transfer plate spanning between the belt of the boom and the belt of the penultimate section. The transfer plate includes a plurality of first components and a plurality of second components that each include a base member mounted on and rotatable with respect to a rod, and a flange member extending from the base member and positioned adjacent to one of the belts of the boom or penultimate section, with a distal edge of the flange member extending over the belt. As the boom pivots, an upper surface of the plurality of first components remains substantially parallel to the belt of the boom, and an upper surface of the plurality of second components remains substantially parallel to the belt of the penultimate section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Santa Rosa Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Marion Folickman, Carl David Graston, Paul Receveur
  • Patent number: 10611345
    Abstract: Mobile operating machine, provided with at least a work device (11) supported by a movement turret (14), at least a pair of stabilizing front legs (12a, 12b) and at least a pair of stabilizing back legs (13a, 13b); the mobile operating machine also comprises a support structure (18) provided with at least a pair of box-like elements (19a, 19b) configured to house the stabilizing front legs (12a, 12b) or back legs, and at least a positioning seating (20) of the movement turret (14) made in a crossing zone (Z) of the box-like elements (19a, 19b); each box-like element (19a, 19b) is provided with a first end (23a, 23b) that is open and through which a respective stabilizing front leg (12a, 12b), or back leg, is slidingly mobile and a second end (25a, 25b), opposite the first end (23a, 23b) and in correspondence with which a respective stabilizing back leg (13a, 13b), or front leg, is pivoted, so as to rotate around a corresponding axis of rotation (R1, R2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: CIFA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Dario Maini, Paolo Sala
  • Patent number: 10513396
    Abstract: An extendable conveyor system with stationary and movable conveyor sections and a telescoping conveyor drive apparatus, and including a movement assembly configured to move the movable conveyor section with respect to the stationary conveyor section. The movement assembly may include teeth on one conveyor section and a teeth engaging apparatus on another conveyor section to move the movable conveyor section with respect to the stationary conveyor section. The teeth engaging apparatus may include a pin gear mounted on the second conveyor section and which has a plurality of pins positioned at radially spaced locations. A drive system may rotate the pin gear to thereby move the plurality of teeth and the first conveyor section in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Masaba, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Sudbeck, Robert Steffen
  • Patent number: 10448575
    Abstract: A farm implement having an auger assembly that includes a first auger section with a first auger shaft and a first helical flight array, a second auger section with a second auger shaft and a second helical flight array, and a joint that releasably connects the first auger shaft to the second auger shaft when the auger assembly is in an operating position. When the auger assembly is set in the operating position, a leading edge of the first helical flight array opposes a trailing edge of the second flight array, and the leading edge is spatially separated from the trailing edge by a gap. The auger assembly further includes a first flight extension detachably mounted to the leading edge of the first helical flight array and/or a second flight extension detachably mounted to the trailing edge of the second helical flight array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn W. Gerdeman, Michael D. Van Mill
  • Patent number: 10450153
    Abstract: A tracked, portable radial stacker for stockpiling bulk material is provided. It includes a linear conveyor having a rear portion and a front portion and being designed to carry bulk material from a low position adjacent the rear portion to a higher position adjacent the front portion. A continuous track system is provided which includes a frame to which the conveyor is mounted, the track system including a pair of driven, parallel tracks designed to contact the ground to convey the stacker from one position to another, and to be lifted off the ground when desired. A pair of wheels are mounted to the frame, the wheels being moveable between a raised position in which they do not contact the ground and a lowered position in which they lift the tracks off the ground as they engage the ground, enabling the conveyor to be moved about the ground on the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: McCloskey International Limited
    Inventors: James Paschal McCloskey, Al Nottingham
  • Patent number: 10435246
    Abstract: Extendible fences for extendible conveyors are disclosed. An example conveyor includes a fence assembly having a plurality of channel segments including at least a base channel segment, an intermediate channel segment, and a distal channel segment. The fence assembly is adjustable in a lengthwise direction such that the fence assembly is longer in the lengthwise direction when a main conveyor assembly is in a fully extended configuration than when the main conveyor assembly is in a fully retracted configuration. The intermediate channel segment is interposed between the base channel segment and the distal channel segment with respect to the lengthwise direction. Each channel segment of the plurality of channel segments includes sidewalls extending upward from a bottom panel. The intermediate channel segment to move in translation in the lengthwise direction relative to an intermediate conveyor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Anders Stougaard Baek
  • Patent number: 10414598
    Abstract: A tracked, portable radial stacker for stockpiling bulk material including a linear conveyor having a rear portion and a front portion and being designed to carry bulk material from a low position adjacent the rear portion to a higher position adjacent the front portion. A foot may be disposed adjacent the rear portion of the conveyor and designed to selectively contact the ground to facilitate pivoting of the conveyor. A continuous track system may include a frame to which the conveyor is mounted, the track system including a pair of driven, parallel tracks designed to contact the ground to convey the stacker from one position to another, and to be lifted off the ground when desired. A pair of mid-wheels may be mounted to the frame to be moveable between a raised position in which they do not contact the ground and a lowered position in which they contact the ground and lift the tracks off the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: McCloskey International Limited
    Inventors: James Paschal McCloskey, Al Nottingham
  • Patent number: 10414599
    Abstract: A tracked, portable radial stacker for stockpiling bulk material that includes a linear conveyor having a rear portion and a front portion and being designed to carry bulk material from a low position adjacent the rear portion to a higher position adjacent the front portion. A contact may be disposed adjacent the rear portion of the conveyor and designed to selectively contact the ground to facilitate pivoting of the conveyor. A continuous track system may also be included having a frame to which the conveyor is mounted, the track system including a pair of driven, parallel tracks designed to contact the ground to convey the stacker from one position to another, and to be lifted off the ground when desired. A pair of mid-wheels may be mounted to the frame that are displaceable between a raised position in which they do not contact the ground and a first lowered position in which they engage the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: McCloskey International Limited
    Inventors: James Paschal McCloskey, Al Nottingham
  • Patent number: 10414319
    Abstract: A portable conveyor apparatus comprises a trailer arranged for towing behind a highway tractor with ramps which are positionable so that a dump truck may drive over the trailer and discharge particulate material into an inlet supported on a frame of the trailer. The conveyor apparatus features a first conveyor carried by the trailer frame so as to extend longitudinally thereof for carrying the particulate material along the trailer. The apparatus also features a second conveyor which is carried by the trailer frame adjacent the first conveyor for transferring the particulate material received and carried by the first conveyor to another location beyond the trailer. The second conveyor is positionable in a working position such as when it operates to convey the particulate material and in a transport position where the second conveyor lies within the periphery of the trailer frame during transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Hi-Crish Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Friesen
  • Patent number: 10358294
    Abstract: A collapsible conveyor rack for supporting a conveyor is disclosed to include a bottom rack unit including a frame body and a pivot connector, a folding unit including a pivot connector pivotally connected to the pivot connector of the bottom rack unit for allowing biasing of the folding unit relative to the bottom rack unit and a retractable portion connected to the pivot connector of the folding unit, a retracting unit including a retractable portion coupled to and retractable relative to the retractable portion of the folding unit, and a driving mechanism for moving the retracting unit relative to the folding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: KEYARROW (TAIWAN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fu-Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 10358297
    Abstract: A belt conveyor system for creating an overland material transport assembly on a ground surface comprises a frame configured for transportation over the ground surface, a plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections, a head pulley assembly mounted to the first end of the frame, a tail pulley assembly mounted to one of the conveyor belt support sections, and a conveyor belt. The frame includes first and second elongate rails, each of which have a first support surface and a second support surface spaced from the first support surface. The plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections are supportable on the frame in a transport configuration wherein the plurality of support sections are accordion-folded relative to one another and are generally perpendicular to the first and second elongate rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Superior Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Corbin J Fehr, Bruce J Berlinger, Jarrod J Felton
  • Patent number: 10329096
    Abstract: Sorting items are loaded into, or unloaded from, a transport volume. A transport volume-side end of a telescopic conveyor is telescoped into the transport volume to reach a suitable loading position. Then the sorting items are transported into the transport volume or unloaded and transported out of the transport volume. The position of the volume-side end of the conveyor is adjusted as a function of the ongoing loading or unloading state. The adjusted position is acquired by way of a control unit. The expected residual loading or unloading time remaining for the transport volume is determined on the basis of the acquired adjusted position and, optionally, the time profile of the process. The adjusted position may be determined from a rotational speed and/or an activation duration of the drive motor that adjusts the telescopic conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Joern Becher
  • Patent number: 10087009
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device (20) for a material machining device (10), comprising a base portion (110) and a transport portion (24). The base portion (110) is designed for coupling to the material machining device (10) and is connected to the transport portion (24) via joint portion (30) such that the transport portion (24) is rotatable or pivotal and can be folded inwards about a longitudinal axis between an operation position and a transport position on at least one part of the adjustment path of the transport portion (24) by means of a first and a second rotary joint (36, 35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Kleemann GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Weller, Felix Franzen
  • Patent number: 9957108
    Abstract: An assembly for directing bulk material from an upper conveyor to a lower conveyor is provided. The conveyors are relatively rotatable in yaw and the lower conveyor is pivotable in pitch. The assembly includes an upper hood portion, a vertical flow cone, and a bottom containment assembly. The upper hood portion redirects material from the upper conveyor downward through an exit aperture. The vertical flow cone underneath the upper hood portion is rotatable in yaw relative to the upper hood portion and is movable vertically relative to the upper hood portion. The vertical flow cone directs the bulk material from the exit aperture toward the lower conveyor. The bottom containment assembly is mounted to the lower conveyor, is movable lengthwise relative to the lower conveyor, is pivotable and movable vertically relative to the upper hood portion, and includes an aperture for receiving the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Intermodal Group-Trucking LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Keith Ho, Kevin Brent Thiessen
  • Patent number: 9598240
    Abstract: A conveyor device (10) for the transport of goods, comprising individual modules (12) which form in their entirety a conveyor line (14) and each have a belt (20) circulating between a start section (16) of the module (12) and an end section (18) of the module (12), is configured and modified in regard to a reliable conveyance, including that of small objects in particular, such that the modules (12) are coupled together and able to swivel against each other so that the conveyor line (14) is adjustable in length by swiveling of the modules (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: J.SCHMALZ GmbH
    Inventor: Jonas Mast
  • Patent number: 9498797
    Abstract: A sorting device that can be transported by road or rail has rotary driven sorting rollers, supported on a frame, that together form a roller screen for sorting a material mixture into a fine grain size which falls through the roller screen and an oversize grain that is conveyed by the sorting rollers over a side edge of the roller screen. An oversize grain conveyor and collector is arranged below the sorting rollers. A channelling means extends along the side edge and is inclined in an operating position towards the oversize grain conveyor and collector, at least in sections, between an upper region, which faces the side edge at a distance, and a lower region which is near the oversize grain conveyor and collector, in order to channel oversize grain, which is conveyed over the side edge of the roller screen, downwards to the oversize grain conveyor and collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: GUENTHER HOLDING GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Guenther, Matthias Sternstein, Markus Wess
  • Patent number: 9403648
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric device for lifting a moving sidewalk for a vehicle which comprises a rubber belt that is installed on a roof of a drivable vehicle body; a moving sidewalk that has one end coupled to an edge of one side of the rubber belt, wherein the moving sidewalk extends to form a chain rail from the rubber belt toward the ground, and is folded at the time of non-use; a moving sidewalk lift that is configured to load a luggage thereon; a driving unit that is configured to provide a driving force for movement of the moving sidewalk lift; and a moving sidewalk robot that is configured to allow a saw-toothed wheel provided on the moving sidewalk lift to be horizontally balanced in an automatic manner while the saw-toothed wheel is moving along the chain rail 400 upon the rotation of the rubber belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventor: Young Chan Park
  • Patent number: 9388647
    Abstract: A pipe handler trailer assists with the handling of very large and heavy pipes that are regularly raised to and lowered from an elevated surfaces. A height adjustment assembly sets the maximum height that a skidway will reach when a lift cylinder is fully extended and lift arms are thereby rotated. Located within lift arms are toothed racks. An adjustment block couples the skidway to lift arms through the racks and also supports locking blocks that have teeth complementary to the teeth on the racks. A lock will vary from firm contact with the inner wall of lift arms to having a gap there between. When the lock engages the inner wall of the lift arm this drives the complementary teeth into secure engagement with the rack teeth, which can then rigidly support heavy load without motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Liberty Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Forrest L. Dahmes, Paul K. Danielson
  • Patent number: 9359141
    Abstract: Components of a conveyor system designed to facilitate tight transfer of products onto and off a positively-driven, low tension conveyor belt. The conveyor system includes a tension amplifier in a returnway of a conveyor belt circuit for selectively increasing tension in the conveyor belt prior to infeed without increasing the low tension in the returnway prior to the tension amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael Hendrik DeGroot, Daniel Robert Hendrickson, James R. Honeycutt, Jr., Brian A. Trapani, Wayne A. Pertuit, Jr., Paul E. St. Pierre, Philipp J. Hortig
  • Patent number: 9290120
    Abstract: A product including a containerized cargo system for the loading and unloading of cargo with the use of an inclined lift system which includes at least one motorized belt having a hooking feature which mates with a cavity located on the cargo container in order to lift the cargo container off and onto the ground for the unloading and loading of a truck and a method of doing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Wade W. Bryant
  • Patent number: 9156617
    Abstract: A belt conveyor system for creating an overland material transport assembly on a ground surface comprises a frame configured for transportation over the ground surface, a plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections, a head pulley assembly mounted to the first end of the frame, a tail pulley assembly mounted to one of the conveyor belt support sections, and a conveyor belt. The frame includes first and second elongate rails, each of which have a first support surface and a second support surface spaced from the first support surface. The plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections are supportable on the frame in a transport configuration wherein the plurality of support sections are accordion-folded relative to one another and are generally perpendicular to the first and second elongate rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Superior Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Corbin J Fehr, Bruce J Berlinger, Jarrod J Felton
  • Publication number: 20150144536
    Abstract: A modular handling system and method for transporting cases is disclosed. The system includes at least one mobile base including a base frame with a base diverter thereon and at least one collapsible wing. The base frame is supported by wheeled legs. The collapsible wing includes a wing frame. The wing frame is operatively connectable to the mobile base, and is supported by collapsible legs. The wing frame and the collapsible legs are movable between an operational position and a collapsed position whereby a configurable path is movably positionable about a work space. A sorting system including at least one sorter mounted to the mobile base(s) may also be provided. Each sorter is operatively connectable to the mobile bases to identify and route the cases. The sorters are interactively coupled for communication therebetween whereby the cases are selectively movable about the configurable path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Jay Mark Dugat
  • Patent number: 8991585
    Abstract: A rail car unloading device is provided comprising a base, a hopper, and a support member. The base comprises a support plate. The support member is rotatably mounted to the base support plate. The hopper is mounted to the support member and the support member is rotatable with respect to the base between a first position where the hopper is placed beneath a rail car in an unloading position and a second position where the hopper is positioned in substantially parallel alignment with rail tracks such that a rail car may pass by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Mast Productions, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Joseph Mast, Brent Craig Mast
  • Patent number: 8985301
    Abstract: A reload conveyor with an articulating conveyor frame is provided. The reload conveyor includes a main conveyor frame and a placement conveyor frame positioned at a discharge end of the main conveyor frame. The placement conveyor frames articulates to assume a transport configuration and a material transfer configuration. The overall length of the placement conveyor frame in the transport configuration is substantially shorter than in the material transfer configuration. A pair of material receiving mechanisms are provided and arranged to assume a material transfer configuration and a transport configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Earth Corp. Industries LLC
    Inventor: Jay Werlinger
  • Publication number: 20150001039
    Abstract: A belt conveyor system for creating an overland material transport assembly on a ground surface comprises a frame configured for transportation over the ground surface, a plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections, a head pulley assembly mounted to the first end of the frame, a tail pulley assembly mounted to one of the conveyor belt support sections, and a conveyor belt. The frame includes first and second elongate rails, each of which have a first support surface and a second support surface spaced from the first support surface. The plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections are supportable on the frame in a transport configuration wherein the plurality of support sections are accordion-folded relative to one another and are generally perpendicular to the first and second elongate rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Corbin J. Fehr, Bruce J. Berlinger, Jarrod J. Felton
  • Patent number: 8881887
    Abstract: A foldable conveyor having a first conveyor section and a second conveyor section pivotally connected to the first conveyor section. The pivotal connection allows the second conveyor section to articulate about the first conveyor section. The foldable conveyor also includes a pivoting mechanism operatively connected to the first conveyor section and the second conveyor section. The pivoting mechanism includes a first link having one end pivotally connected to the first section. The pivoting mechanism also includes a second link having one end pivotally connected to the second section. A second end of the second link is pivotally connected with a second end of the first link. The pivoting mechanism further includes an actuator configured to pivot the second conveyor section about the first conveyor section by allowing a relative movement between the first link and the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Jorgensen, Michael E. Stevens
  • Patent number: 8839941
    Abstract: An incline conveyor that includes driven rollers at both the input (tail) end and the output (head) end of the conveyor that are powered by a single power source. Power is transmitted along the length of the conveyor with a driveline that distributes power to both the input and output drive rollers. The position of the drive rollers is adjustable to tension and track the conveyor belt. The position of the gearbox is also adjustable to maintain tension on the drive belt. The resulting conveyor drive mechanism allows cleated belt conveyors to be longer and transfer at higher capacities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: KSi Conveyor, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Fehr, Paul Arthur Kaeb
  • Patent number: 8833539
    Abstract: A belt conveyor system for creating an overland material transport assembly on a ground surface comprises a frame configured for transportation over the ground surface, a plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections, a head pulley assembly mounted to the first end of the frame, a tail pulley assembly mounted to one of the conveyor belt support sections, and a conveyor belt. The plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections are supportable on the frame in a transport configuration wherein the plurality of support sections are accordion-folded relative to one another. The plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections are movable to a material transport configuration wherein the plurality of support sections are unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Superior Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Corbin J. Fehr, Bruce J. Berlinger, Jarrod J. Felton
  • Publication number: 20140246100
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a wheeled material distributing machinery includes a main travel system, a boom system, at least three outrigger mechanisms, and a material distributing frame, where an inner end of a root end boom of the boom system is connected to the material distributing frame, and an inner end of the outrigger mechanism is connected to the material distributing frame, the main travel system is mounted on a cantilever of at least one of the outrigger mechanisms, and the outrigger mechanism is a driving outrigger mechanism. In a travel state, the driving outrigger mechanism is supported on a road surface through the main travel system, and at least a part of the weight of the folded boom system acts on at least one driving outrigger mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicants: HUNAN SANY INTELLIGENT CONTROL EQUIPMENT CO., LTD, SANY HEAVY INDUSTRY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Xin Xu, Haiyun Jia