Abstract: A system for conveying biomass is disclosed. The system is configured to convey biomass for collection, transport, or processing. The system comprises a housing comprising an opening configured for the entry of biomass, at least one shoe skid configured to offset the housing in a vertical orientation, an apparatus at least partially within the housing comprising at least one rotating blade assembly, and a conduit configured to discharge biomass from the housing so that biomass entering into the housing can be projected by the apparatus through the conduit for collection or transport. The system may comprise conduit that is extendable and has articulation segments for vertical movement. The system may comprise a housing that comprises a member to dislodge the biomass from a pile to flow into the opening. The system may comprise at least one shoe skid that comprises a large surface area and projects forward of the housing.

Abstract: A sweep conveyor extends along a bin floor between a sump pivot about which the conveyor rotates, and an outer end adjacent the bin wall. During the conveyor's orbit about the floor, flights at the conveyor bottom sweep across the floor toward the sump pivot, whereby bin material in front of the conveyor is swept into a sump. The conveyor is preferably made in modular sections connected end-to-end, whereby different sections are combined to construct conveyors having different lengths and capabilities. Some sections are preferably hinged together, allowing different sections to adopt different inclinations as they travel about a non-level floor. The flights are preferably provided on a belted chain riding on sprockets at opposite ends of the conveyor, and the chain is not supported by idler sprockets along its length, allowing the chain (and its flights) to sag under gravity so the flights ride along the bin floor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for stacking rolling material, such as wood chips, bark or grain into a pile (10) and reclaiming from the pile (10) to a conveyor (20) located below the storing point, said apparatus comprising a center column (30) that supports a stacker boom (40) and a reclaimer boom (50) that are hinged to be turnable independently of each other in relation to the vertical axis of the center boom (30). A characteristic feature of the apparatus is that at least at one point that is hinged in relation to the center column (30) the supporting is arranged resting on a support wheel (60, 60?, 60?) arranged around the frame of the center column (30).

Abstract: An apparatus for moving grain from a grain includes a vertical main auger at a rear end of a frame, a knife extending rearward to cut the grain bag, a turret auger pivotally attached to the top of the main auger, and a feed auger extending laterally from the bottom intake of the main auger. A bias element forces a pair of pinching rollers against each other. A drive rotates the pinching rollers such that an empty portion of the bag can be fed between the rollers and the rollers rotated to pull the empty bag upward from the ground and forward between the rollers such that the empty bag falls on the ground in front of the rollers as the frame moves rearward, and such that the frame is pulled rearward by the rollers and the feed auger moves rearward into a filled portion of the grain bag.

Abstract: A portal-type scraper reclaimer having a support structure 10 and a boom 16. The support structure 10 includes end support members 12. The boom 16 has a main portion 17 and an end portion 15. The end portion 15 is bent relative to the main portion 17. The boom 16 is connected to the end support member 12 at a pivot 26 so that the boom moves relative to the end support member 12. A pair of support sprockets 20 and a pair of drive sprockets 18 are connected to the end support member 12. A boom sprocket 22 is fixed to the boom 16. A scraper chain conveyor 24 extends along the boom 16. The described pairs of sprockets 18, 20, 22 guide the scraper chain conveyor 24.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an apparatus for storage of wood chips in a curved-top stockpile the apparatus consisting of a central tower, which supports a conveyor for loading the chips and a beam-like turning pile composer, and a unloading beam supported on ground level on the lower part of the tower as well as on supporting wheels and furnished with unloading devices for transporting the wood chips towards the center of the apparatus. The central tower is furnished at one side with a tubular ex-central opening, and the tower occupies a central tube for delivering the wood chips either upwards or downwards from the opening. The unload drive for the unloading device is positioned inside the tower and the stockpile yard is furnished with a wall at the reach of the unloading device.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an apparatus for storage of wood chips in a curved-top stockpile the apparatus consisting of a central tower which supports a conveyor for loading the chips and a beam-like turning pile composer, and a unloading beam supported on ground level on the lower part of the tower as well as on supporting wheels and furnished with unloading devices for transporting the wood chips towards the center of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved stacker reclaimer apparatus for building up and discharging bulk material. The improved stacker reclaimer apparatus includes only one stacker bearing to separate the stacker machine from the reclaimer machine. A torque reaction member is rotatable connected to the stacker upper column. The torque reaction member is made of an arm portion and a torque arm bearing frame.

Abstract: An uncovered storage facility for stockpiling bulk materials for establishing stockpiles (38) of predetermined geometry. The facility comprises a base (40) having facing retaining walls (42, 44) which are provided by structural berms (46, 48). The berms (46, 48) are for supporting a stacker machine (10) on one side of a stockpile (38) and a reclaimer machine (22) on the other side of the stockpile (38). A high berm (46) supports a stacker machine (10) and a low berm supports a reclaimer (22). The berms (46, 48) provide for more efficient access to a stockpile (38) by a stacker (10) and a reclaimer (22) and a predetermined stockpile geometry which allows increased reclaim efficiency compared to a stockpile of traditional geometry.

Abstract: A reclaimer for moving grains and other bulk material in a desired direction includes a substantially cylindrical column upstanding within a storage silo. A track, mounted on the storage silo above the floor, concentrically encircles the column. A motorized carriage is mounted on the track so as to selectively move thereon. Extending between the top end of the column and the carriage is a boom. The proximal end of the boom is rotatably mounted to the column such that movement of the carriage on the tack results in the boom rotating around the column. Suspended from the boom by a pair of winch activated cables is a scraper. The scraper includes an elongated frame having a proximal end that is rotatably and slidably mounted on the column below the boom. Secured along the length of the frame is one or more rotatable augers.

Abstract: A crescent shaped support cover for an elongate material reclamation mechanism in a granular or powdered material storage enclosure, the support cover comprising: a first elongate tube having a longitudinal opening formed in its side along the full length of the tube; a second elongate tube having a longitudinal opening formed in its side along the full length of the tube, the longitudinal opening having a width that is approximately equal to the width of the longitudinal opening in the first tube, the second tube being larger in cross-section than the first tube, and the first tube being longitudinally disposed within the second tube such that the longitudinal openings of the first tube and the second tube are aligned, the first tube being continuously attached to the second tube along the edges of the longitudinal openings, forming an elongate structure defining a partially open elongate tubular space within the first tube suitable for partially enclosing an elongate auger, and defining an enclosed cross-se

Abstract: An automatic apparatus for picking up poultry in general from breeding pens and the like, including a pick-up assembly that is operatively associable with a transfer conveyor. The pick-up assembly comprises at least one conveyor with an inclined plane that is supported by a framework movable along the ground, a linking conveyor being also provided that operatively connects the inclined-plane conveyor to the transfer conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously unloading bulk material from a bulk container has a carriage displaceable longitudinally adjacent the bulk container and an outrigger having an inner end pivotable about longitudinal and vertical axes on the carriage and an outer end. A conveyor extends between the ends of the outrigger. An arm has an upper end pivoted about a horizontal axis on the outer outrigger end and a lower end engageable in the container and contains a bucket conveyor. A pair of augers of opposite hand are mounted on the lower arm end and rotate to draw in the bulk material and pass it to the bucket conveyor.

Abstract: In a belt unloader provided with a vertical carrier (53) for carrying bulk cargo vertically, a screw feeder system is supported by a supporting frame (14) connected to a body frame (18) such that the supporting frame is allowed to be tilted. The screw feeder system is provided with a screw propeller (2) rotated about the center of a shaft extending in the vertical direction for taking bulk cargo in, a loading orifice (23) opposite to the upper part of the screw propeller, and a releasing plate (13) disposed at the upper end of the screw propeller for releasing bulk cargo from the screw propeller toward the loading orifice. The bulk cargo taken in through the loading orifice is carried vertically with the bulk held between a descending belt (20) and an ascending belt (21).

Abstract: A continuous-operation cargo-transfer equipment. It comprises bulk-cargo uptake mechanisms (4a), an upright conveyor-constituted shaft (4), a boom (5) with a conveyor mounted on it that seesaws up and down on a turntable (6), a gantry (10) that travels back and forth on a pontoon (2), intermediate belts (6b & 6c), and a tender-loading conveyor belt (16) that operates in conjunction with a bulk-goods expulsion spout (17) on a pivoting and displacing beam (12). Such equipment is employed outside ports for transferring bulk cargo from deep-draft ocean-going vessels to shallow-draft tenders. The object is to maintain the cargo-uptake point inside the deep-draft vessel (1) as steady as possible. The equipment is provided with two Counterweights (7 & 15). One counterweight (7) compensates for any listing that occurs when the boom wanders out of position. The other counterweight (15) compensates for any listing that accompanies the sweep of the tender-loading conveyor belt (16).

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading bulk material from a ship floating in a body of water has a carriage displaceable horizontally adjacent the ship, a turntable on the carriage, and a generally upright column having a lower end pivoted on the turntable and an upper end. A column-moving hydraulic cylinder has one end pivoted on the column and another arm pivoted on the turntable and an arm pivoted on the upper end of the column has an outer end above the ship and is provided with a conveyor. An arm-moving hydraulic cylinder has one end pivoted on the arm and another end pivoted on the turntable. An outer vertical conveyor pivoted on the outer arm end has a lower end engaged in the material in the ship for extracting the material from the ship and delivering it to the arm conveyor. A conveyor-moving hydraulic cylinder has one end pivoted on the vertical conveyor and an opposite end pivoted on the arm. A controller is connected to all of the cylinders for actuating same to sweep the lower end along the ship.

Abstract: An arrangement for unloading bulk material (1a) from holds (2a-2e) in a transport vessel (1), comprising a belt conveyor (3a, 3b, 3t) extending in the longitudinal direction of the ship close to the bottom (9) thereof, the belt conveyor supporting inclined, downwardly extending guiding plates (8) on each side of the conveyor (3a, 3b), a scraper unit (10) in each hold (2a, 2e) bringing bulk material (1a) to the area of the belt conveyor (3a, 3b, 3t), and lifting devices (5a, 5b) co-operating with the belt conveyor (3a, 3b, 3t) for lifting the material to a common outfeed device for bringing the material ashore. The belt conveyor (3a, 3b) is arranged between vertical supports (6) which support inclined, downwardly extending guiding plates (8) on each side of the conveyor (3a, 3 b). The scraper unit (10) comprises a bent lower portion (10a, 10b) corresponding substantially to the shape of the guiding plates (8) and the adjoining ship bottom portion (9).

Abstract: An extraction device comprises an inclinable scraper shaft driven in rotation along a first vertical axis of rotation, thereby extracting bulk products stored over a storage area having at least one evacuation opening. The extraction device comprises a support piece whose foundation is mounted to rotate above the evacuation opening along the first axis of rotation, defining a supporting base for the scraper shaft. The base is inclined by an angle .beta. with respect to the horizontal. The first driving member is provided to rotate the support piece and the scraper shaft about the first axis. The foundation of the scraper shaft is inclined with respect to the axis of the scraper shaft by an angle .alpha. complementary of the angle .beta. and is mounted to rotate on the base along a second axis of rotation perpendicular to said base.

Abstract: This apparatus for clearing and removing the bulk material from a pile of bulk material comprises a movable bridge, at least one scraper arrangement which is movable along this bridge and a bulk material conveyor arrangement which is also supported by the bridge and arranged in the proximity of the base of the heap, at least one movable bulk material activating tooth being held by the bridge in the region before this conveyor arrangement. In this way large stones or stone chippings are also reliably removed with rest of the bulk material.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a large composting system as well as to a new composting method for the automatic production of compost. A mobile layer rearranging unit includes a conveyor system which is changeable with respect to length can be remote-controlled so that the influx of rotting matter is optimized according to throughput and rotting time and the rot loss is compensated for by repeatedly restoring the complete rot height. The required space requirement is less than before. Any mechanical intervention has a loosening effect, particularly in that the working device comprises upwardly working digging and conveyor wheels. All important parameters for the compost ripening can be monitored via free programming as well as by control by the system maintenance personnel.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing bulk materials from a laterally enclosed storage area wherein the apparatus may be substantially buried within the bulk material (11). The apparatus includes a support column (16) mounted at a base into a support floor (25). An auger (17) is attached by an axial mount at the base of the support column for enabling rotational inclination of the auger from (i) a vertical orientation vertical orientation wherein the auger is nearly parallel with the vertical axis of the support column, (ii) through intermediate angles of inclination (54), to (iii) a substantially horizontal orientation (55) wherein the auger is adjacent to the support floor. The suspension cable (61) is coupled between the support column and auger to enable selective adjustment of auger inclination. A rotational displacement drive (35) is coupled to the support column to rotate the column about its vertical axis, along with the attached auger. A rotational drive motor (51) is mounted at a distal end of the auger.

Abstract: A portable sweep auger apparatus and method for controllably transferring predetermined continuous amounts of granular and powdered gypsum from a pile of gypsum to an irrigation ditch. The apparatus includes a base member, a driver member and an auger assembly member mechanically coupled to the driver member. The driver member and the auger assembly member are pivotally coupled to the base member to effect forward travel that depletes the gypsum pile. A first level of control is effected by a fixed auger design that coact with the driver member for regulating and delivering predetermined amounts of the gypsum material. A second level of control is effected by a slip clutch wheel coacting with the rotating auger shaft for controlling forward movement of the entire auger assembly towards and against the pile of gypsum material until the material has been depleted. A track that compensates for unleveled terrain is provided for guiding the slip clutch wheel.

Abstract: An arrangement for storing and removing bulk material in a round pile, in which a truss is rotatable about a vertical axis on a substructure. The truss carries a material depositing belt and a bulk material receiver which is pivotable in a vertical direction. A counterweight on the truss balances weight. The substructure is hopper-shaped. The truss is mounted on the substructure by a bearing, and rollers carry the truss which runs on the substructure. The bulk material receiver is in the form of a drag that conveys to a hopper of the substructure. This hopper has a bottom with a conveying medium under which a conveyor belt runs. The bearing has a large diameter annular track that is elevated on posts on the substructure. A rotatable plough located at the bottom of the hopper is the single conveying element on the hopper bottom.

Abstract: A bucket elevator-type continuous unloader in which guide rails are provided on a frame of a horizontal scraping section and rollers engaging with each guide rail are provided for a train of elevator buckets, wherein the guide rails are adapted to be engaged with or disengaged from the rollers of the train of elevator buckets, whereby both a lateral scraping system, in an engaged state and a catenary scraping system in a disengaged state can be selectively adopted.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming and emptying bulk material in a cargo room (2) comprises two rake devices (18, 19) which at one end are connected to the lower end of a cargo lifter in the form of a vertical conveyor (16). The cargo lifter is suspended in a housing (9) which is movable transversely of the longitudinal direction of the ship on a chassis (8), which in turn is drivable on rails (4) along the top of the hatch coamings (22) of the ship. The cargo lifter feeds a transverse conveyor (12) on the chassis (8), which conveyor in turn feeds a conveyor (5) running in the longitudinal direction of the ship. The rakes (18, 19) are pivotable in the vertical plane and may be pivoted about a vertical axis, preferably together with the cargo lifter (16). When moving the apparatus from one cargo room to another or to parking position, the cargo lifter and the rakes are raised up into a telescoping extension (14) of the housing (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to a side scraper which serves for the discharge of loose material from a heap of loose material and in which the free space between the surface of the heap to be cleared and the upper face of the scraper scoops is covered by a support element. In this way the mound of material which forms in the lower region of the heap on the cutting side of the scraper conveyor in the known constructions is avoided.

Abstract: Bucket conveyor (13) with a rotatable boom, which comprises a frame (18) and a plurality of pulleys (21-22-23) on which an endless catenary (17) of buckets (20) is driven, the catenary (17) consisting of at least one chain (19) bearing a plurality of buckets (20), in which bucket conveyor (13) substantially a whole lower bar (28) contained between the front lower pulley (22) and the rear lower pulley (23) is able to oscillate and is rotated about the neighborhood of the axis (30) of rotation of the front lower pulley (22). The variant of the bucket conveyor (13) with a rotatable boom comprises in cooperation with the front lower pulley (22) a support (41) able to move substantially in the plane on which such catenary (17) of buckets (20) lies.

Abstract: Bucket conveyor to load heaped materials from a plane on which the heap lies onto another higher plane, comprising lengths of chain, junction links and buckets to carry aggregate, and a framework consisting of a substantially triangular metallic structure bearing two pairs of pulleys, and of a metallic boom or extension which bears at its free end a pair of pulleys farthest from the zone of discharge of the buckets, and whereby the triangular structure and extension forming the framework of the bucket conveyor are connected together at one end with a hinge having its axis perpendicular to the plane which contains the framework.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle is tethered so that as it skids on a pile of bulk material, the cleated tracks transfer the material toward the tethered end. The tethering rope hitch point on the vehicle is translatable laterally to effect controlled sideward skiding for sweeping bulk material from a wide area and is located at one end above the vehicle center of gravity so that the vehicle can be lowered by the tethering rope through narrow openings in storage chambers yet come to rest upright. The tracks comprise cleated endless belts coupled to endless wire ropes at the end pulleys by resilient rail members made of two rows of discrete blocks bolted to the belts which are wedged against the wire ropes by grooves in the pulleys so that tension induced in the wire ropes resists the lateral forces tending to cause the belts to creep along the pulleys.

Abstract: An apparatus for a raking device which illustratively includes a harrow, which moves along a bridge in a reciprocating direction and which includes a mechanism for ensuring that any motion of an apex of the harrow is substantially linear as the harrow moves throughout its entire range of travel, is described. Specifically, this mechanism is comprised of a flexible tension element which forms part of a hoist and is reeved between a stationary support and the harrow such that the effective length, of the part of the flexible tension element which determines the inclination of the harrow, is adjusted in direct response to the distance through which the harrow has moved along the bridge with respect to an end point of its travel.

Abstract: A silo or the like for storing pulverulent, granular or lumpy material has a wall which encloses the silo storage space, a roof whose pitch substantially corresponds to the angle of repose of the material, an inlet opening in the silo roof, an outlet opening in the silo floor, and a screw conveyor suspended from a beam rotatable about the axis of the silo. The beam is inclined downwardly from the inlet opening of the silo and extends substantially parallel to the roof pitch, and the conveyor is suspended from the beam by means of wires which are adjustable independently of each other with respect to their length. The conveyor can thus be anchored close and parallel to the supporting beam when material is fed into the silo, and be disposed at a suitable angle, preferably inclined downwardly toward the center of the silo, when material is discharged from the silo.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bridge scraper for raking material from a storage heap onto a belt conveyor by means of a scraper chain mounted on a bridge which also carries a carriage which feeds material from the heap to the scraper chain. The speed of the conveyor and that of the bridge, the scraper chain and the carriage is controlled by means of a bolt weigher at the outlet end of the belt conveyor which controls the speed of the belt and consequently that of the other elements of the bridge scraper so as to discharge a constant amount of material per unit time.

Abstract: A scraper arm apparatus for use especially with concrete mixers, including an endless chain provided at spaced apart intervals with scraper members and movable in a vertical plane about a support member, which is fixed to the opening of a hopper which receives aggregate from a pile on the ground level. The upper end of the support member is movable vertically with respect to the fixed hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding long tree parts piled with approximate parallelism to a processing machine having an infeed spaced from the pile for receiving the parts endwise, has an arm which is positioned at a level above the pile and so as to span the space from the pile to the machine when positioned in alignment with the parts, this arm carrying a traveling series of grapples running longitudinally along the arm, actuating devices causing the grapples to clamp the parts sequentially and pull them endwise to the infeed of the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for removing particulate material not normally larger than about 0.5 dm.sup.3 in volume such as wood chips, bark, coal, ore, slag, municipal waste or industrial waste, from a pile whose sides are at an angle of at least 40.degree. to the horizontal. The apparatus includes an elongated scraper means arranged for oscillating movement along its longitudinal axis in contact with the sides of the pile from the bottom to the top of the pile for scraping material down from the pile towards approximately ground level where the material is carried by conveying means away from the pile site. The scraper means is carried on a frame arranged for movement along the base of the pile of material and at right angles thereto to selected parts of said pile for scraping material from the pile.

Abstract: A raker boom supports a plurality of independently driven and mounted rotatable raker wheels which are applied to the face of a pile of material to dislodge and move the material downwardly toward a bucket wheel and conveyor for gathering and conveying the material to a remote location for processing. The boom is capable of rotating in a vertical plane so that the raker wheels can contact and remove all of the material through the depth of a pile. By operating the raker wheels individually and mounting them independently, the raker apparatus can travel and apply the individual raker wheels over the surface of a pile of material regardless of its contour. The wheels can break up lumps of material, especially on the surface of the pile, and mix the material with other material within the pile. In one configuration of the preferred embodiment, a pair of opposed raker wheel booms are mounted on a raker carriage which itself is mounted for reciprocal travel on a raker truss.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for removing particulate material, such as wood chips, bark, municipal waste or industrial waste, from a pile thereof, comprising a support extending along the base of the pile and a carriage movable on the support along its longitudinal axis. Mounted on the carriage are an elongated scraper for scraping material from the pile, and a conveyor for collecting and carrying away particulate material scraped down from the pile.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a take-up head for a conveyor installation that removes bulk material from the hold of a ship. The take-up head includes a vertical conveying tube carried by a frame, the lower end of the tube defining a take-up aperture. A rotary feeder having a plurality of radially extending spiral veins is rotatably driven to drive material inwardly to the take-up aperture. A holding device, which takes various forms in the several embodiments, projects downward in coaxial relation relative to the feeder to engage the bulk material and resist lateral movement of the take-up head. Anchoring apparatus, which takes the form of a plurality of laterally extending pivotal arms or a laterally extending auxiliary conveyor, is constructed for lowering into engagement with the material to resist rotation of the frame as the feeder rotates. The take-up head is suspended from an on-shore jib that moves the head to various positions within the ship's hold to remove all bulk material.

Abstract: A bridge is movable transversely to its longitudinal direction. A carrier extends in the longitudinal direction and is mounted on the bridge to be movable in said longitudinal direction. An inclined pole is connected to the carrier and extends upwardly to a top end of the pole from a point of the carrier which is nearer to the mid-point than to each end point of the carrier. A plurality of lower rope holders are provided on the carrier on opposite sides of the mid-point and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of ropes are associated with and connected to respective ones of the lower rope holders. A plurality of vertically spaced apart upper rope holders are secured to the pole. One of the upper rope holders is disposed near the top end. Each of the upper rope holders is connected to two of the ropes which are connected to lower rope holders provided on opposite sides of the mid-point in such a manner that none of the ropes crosses another between the upper and lower rope holders.

Abstract: A gantry scraper for the clearing of dumps which can function in closed buildings and can clear substantially the entire area under the scraper. A vertically swingable scraping jib is provided in combination with a tensioned clearing rope or the like which extends upwardly and at an angle to the adjacent beam of the scraper jib, which clearing rope contacts bulk material beyond the end of the jib and knocks the material down to where it is accessible by the jib.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing or reclaiming material from a stockpile or other mass of material, comprising an elongate bladed member drivable to rotate about an axis longitudinal thereof, a frame carrying said bladed member and drivable to move the bladed member bodily sideways into the material to be removed or reclaimed and thereby transfer such material across the bladed member to a position rearwardly thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous unloading of ships, having a traveling crane and a boom disposed for raising and lowering thereon and bearing a feeder for bulk material that is to be unloaded comprise a bucket elevator including a main frame and a lower section and an endless bucket train having at least one releasable coupling. The lower section has a pulley mechanism joined to the feeder assembly feeding it and is releasably fastened to the main frame so that the lower section of the bucket elevator together with the feeder assembly is removable.

Abstract: There is disclosed a backstacker-reclaimer apparatus which includes a frame having a combined stacking and reclaiming boom. A plurality of spaced stacking and reclaiming flights are longitudinally driven about the boom by an endless chain drive. A conveyor is provided which feeds material to be stacked to the lower reach of the boom so that flights traveling along the lower reach may push the material up onto the stack. The material is confined in the lower reach by side skirts which may be raised for a reclaiming operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for emptying bulk material from a storage chamber comprising a first rake in the storage chamber for transporting material in the longitudinal direction, the first rake being movable vertically and transversely. A vertical transport device is mounted in the storage chamber for transporting material from the storage chamber vertically upwards for removal from the storage chamber. A second rake is mounted in the storage chamber transversely and the second rake is positioned adjacent one end of the first rake at a level therebelow for receiving material longitudinally transported by the first rake to in turn transport the material transversely to the vertical transport device. The vertical transport device comprises a plurality of vertically displaceable buckets with a cover plate arrangement positioned in front of the buckets at a level below the second rake and associated with a mechanism for adjusting the cover plates for downward movement as the storage chamber is emptied of material.

Abstract: Apparatus for emptying bulk material from a storage chamber comprising a rake in the storage chamber for transporting material in one direction therein for external discharge from the chamber and a guide beam in the chamber extending transversely and supporting the rake means for slidable movement thereon. The guide beam is supported for vertical movement and comprises a plurality of telescopic sections for adapting the length of the guide beam to varying width of the storage chamber.

Abstract: Loose bulk material, such as gravel or the like, is moved by a conveyor or the like from an initial station to a storage area or to a final station where it is utilized in some manner, such as being mixed with other material. When the level of the loose bulk material at the final station is at a maximum level, any loose bulk material coming from the initial station will be conveyed to the storage area where it will be stacked into a storage pile having a predefined shape. When the level of loose bulk material at the final station drops to or below a minimum level, any loose bulk material coming from the initial station will be conveyed directly to the final station. In addition, loose bulk material will be reclaimed from the storage pile in a predefined pattern so as to leave any remainder of the storage pile in a portion of the predefined shape.

Abstract: A backstacking apparatus for stacking and reclaiming bulk particulate material comprising a particulate handling and movable positioning structure. The particulate handling structure includes a boom comprising a first and second boom member having a rake and rake drive operatively mounted thereon. The movable positioning structure includes a base supported on a pair of substantially parallel rails by rollers disposed on opposite sides thereof to control the horizontal movement of the particulate handling structure relative to the supporting surface and boom hoist coupled between the base and the boom to control the vertical movement of the particulate handling structure relative to the supporting surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for progressively removing bulk material from a dump or stockpile having a generally trapezoidal cross-section includes a gantry having a bridging girder extending between a pair of upright end supports. At least one of the supports is movable along a track extending alongside or around the base of the dump or pile. The gantry supports scraper means for scraping material from the top of the pile, and the scraper means together with the girder can be jointly raised or lowered between the upright end supports. Each upright end support includes guide means which laterally retain the girder perpendicular to its longitudinal axis while permitting free vertical movement of the girder.

Abstract: A bridge scraper is mounted on a main frame for vertical pivotal movement between a raised inoperative position and an operative position, where the bridge extends generally horizontally and is in wheeled engagement with an outer track of a dump, a scraper chain carried by the bridge extends along the bridge and in an operative position scrapes bulk material from the dump toward the main frame. A slope-breaking assembly is carried by the bridge and is engageable with the dump when the bridge is operative, a rocker mounted on the frame for vertical pivotal movement, has a counterweight arm extending away from the bridge, a linkage connecting the rocker to the bridge is arranged to hold the counterweight arm in a substantially horizontal position when the bridge is operative and imparts a downward pivotal movement to the counterweight arm as said bridge is raised. A bridge-actuating arrangement moves the bridge between inoperative and operative positions.

Abstract: This invention is conerned with conveyors using reciprocating flights to convey material along the length of the conveyor. The conveyor consists essentially of a bed of articulated plates, a track constraining a chain adjacent a first longitudinal edge of the bed, spaced flights attached to the chain and located to extend across the bed and means for reciprocating the chain along the track. The chain is preferably made of rigid members of substantially uniform cross-section and the flights are shaped bars having one end adapted to be pivotally attached to the chain and are reduced in their height towards their free ends with the trailing edges of each flight tapered downwardly towards their bottom surfaces and inclined towards the leading edges at their free ends which ends are chamfered.