Abstract: An agricultural harvesting head having an elongate frame, a rear wall, side conveyors and a center conveyor. The side conveyor having an endless belt conveyor with an endless recirculating belt supported on an idler roller and a drive roller. The side conveyor is driven by an endless drive belt nested within the endless recirculating belt.

Abstract: A continuous material extraction system for a mine. The mine includes a roadway entry and a draw-bell entry intersecting the roadway entry and affording access to a draw-bell. The system generally includes a conveyor extending along the roadway entry, roadway rails extending along the roadway entry, and a material collector moveable along the roadway rails. The material collector is operable to crush material and deposit crushed material onto the conveyor. The system also includes a loading machine that is moveable along the rails and from the roadway entry into the draw-bell entry for removing material from the draw-bell and transferring material removed from the draw bell to the material collector. A bridge conveyor extends between the loading machine and the material collector.

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: A driving assembly for driving panels and plate elements in general to be processed comprises a central framework for supporting a driving chain continuously entrained on a driving pulley and an idle pulley, a plurality of panel driving shoes being coupled to the chain. The main feature of the invention is that the driving assembly further comprises, on a portion of an active arm of the driving chain, actuator elements for removing the drive shoes from a panel sliding plane, to allow a processing tool to perform a lot of desired machining operations on the panels.

Abstract: An unloading system for a grain bin. The unloading system includes a sweep conveyor for sweeping grain from the interior of the grain bin to a well in the floor of the grain bin. The sweep conveyor includes an elongated frame, a first sprocket at one end of the frame, a second sprocket at the other end of the frame, an endless chain extending between the first and second sprockets, a plurality of spaced apart paddles attached to the chain, and a motor for causing the chain to rotate whereby the paddles will drag or sweep grain to the well in the floor of the grain bin.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a print board assembly, which is implemented in a system having a computer for storing parts insertion instruction diagrams and displaying parts insertion instructions, and a soldering unit for soldering a printed circuit board, includes: assembling different types of the printed circuit boards from pieces of parts and inspecting them in a multitude of cells; installing different types of the printed circuit boards in carriers to assemble them separately according to the parts insertion instructions displayed by the computer of each cell, and moving them to the soldering unit through a transfer conveyor line; and returning the carriers having the printed circuit boards completely soldered to each cell identified for the carriers through a return conveyor line.

Abstract: A continuous unloader includes upper sprockets, lower sprockets located below the upper sprockets, and front sprockets located in front of the lower sprockets. An endless bucket conveyer is operatively taken on the upper, lower and front sprockets. A support frame supports the upper sprockets. An elevation/lowering mechanism is provided at a lower end of the support frame. A base part is operatively connected to the lower end of the support frame by way of the elevation/lowering mechanism such that the base part is raised and lowered by the elevation/lowering mechanism relative to the support frame. A link mechanism is connected to the front and lower sprockets such that the front and lower sprockets are lowered when the distance between the front and lower sprockets is narrowed and the front and lower sprockets are raised when the distance between the front and lower sprockets is widened.

Abstract: An aeration machine is provided with a split tine assembly having a movable spoon portion that disengages from the tine to discharge a wet core therefrom. The movement of the spoon portion is controlled by a cam mechanism that controls the point of discharge of the core from the tine. A core destroying machine is connectable to the aeration machine to receive wet cores directly therefrom or is operable independently of the aeration machine. The core destroying machine is provided with a stepped screen member that is cooperable with a linearly reciprocating scrubbing mechanism to scrub the aeration cores against the stepped screen in a manner to remove the earthen portion thereof and convey the organic thatch thereof to the discharge end of the screen member for reception in a collection vessel for subsequent remote disposal. A sweep mechanism can be provided to gather aeration cores lying on the ground and convey the aeration cores into the scrubbing mechanism.

Abstract: In this scraper conveyor for loose bulk material the paddle-shaped conveyor elements are supported and guided in each case by means of supporting rollers of roller guiding arrangements with upper and lower bearing surfaces in the region of at least two longitudinal central planes of reference running parallel to one another. In order to prevent supporting rollers from becoming wedged in the roller guiding arrangments, the supporting rollers are provided on both sides of the appertaining longitudinal central plane of reference and each roller guiding arrangement contains an upper guide rail on one side of the longitudinal central plane of reference and a lower guide rail on the other side for the supporting rollers.

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: A plough guide which is composed of guide sections mounted on the working face side of the runs of channelling of a scraper chain conveyor. Toggle connections are provided on the abutting ends of the plough guide sections. Compartments accommodating the toggle connectors are situated on the rear parts of the guide sections resting against the side walls of the runs of channelling, and are preferably provided in reinforcement plates welded to angle plates. To secure the toggle connectors in the compartments the toggle connectors are provided with securing elements extending from the connector compartments into the plough guide and secured in this latter, preferably between adjacent sliding spacers. The securing elements take the form of handle-like plates which with advantage can be pivotably mounted on the toggle connectors.

Abstract: A plough box containing a chain wheel driving a chain to propel a chain used to move a plough is mounted for displacement alongside a machine frame at one end of a scraper-chain conveyor. To adjust the tension in the chain a motor is operated to drive a self-locking worm gearing which employs a worm wheel meshing with a rack fixed to the machine frame and extending in the direction of the chain.

Abstract: A retraction mechanism for drawing a plough drive chain into a chain channel of a coal plough guide built onto the side of a scraper chain conveyor comprises a retraction slide which can be drawn through the chain channel and guided. The plough chain is connected to the slide which, via a chain section and a chain claw can be connected to an external traction drive, preferably to the scraper chain assembly of the scraper chain conveyor, so that the mechanism can draw the plough drive chain through the chain channel. The traction chain incorporates an overload clutch which limits the traction force. The clutch has two complementary parts one of which has a detent ball pressed by a prestressed spring into a detent recess of the other clutch part, so that the clutch is closed. A releasable lock or fixing device secures the detent ball in its released position.

Abstract: An improvement in a rock picking machine having a frame with ground wheels supporting the frame, a table with a grate over which rocks are moved and discharged into a bucket rearwardly pivotally mounted on the frame, and a conveyer forwardly pivotally mounted on the table for moving rocks up the grate. The improvement consists of at least one forwardly and upwardly extending member positioned at a rearward end of the conveyer frame. The member forms a wedge shaped cavity. As large rocks are moved up the grate by the conveyer through the wedge shaped cavity, the rocks engage the member thereby lifting the rearward end of the conveyer frame to provide clearance.

Abstract: Automatic collection and set up equipment for chairs, characterized by the fact that it performs automatically all the jobs required in collecting and setting up chairs; markedly reduces the man-hours required to prepare a conference room; and it has an arrangement of many hooks which are able to move up or down at short intervals, in line, on a truck picking up or letting down crossmembers of the chairs and stacking chairs one by one.

Abstract: A chain conveyor for a miner in which the chain adjacent the drive sprocket is guided and supported by channels in a casting such that tension in the chain is reacted by the casting and separated from the driving force applied to the chain by the drive sprocket. The casting may be spring loaded away from the idler sprocket at the other end of the conveyor. The pitch of the sprocket teeth is preferably less than the pitch of the chain, allowing for drive sprocket build up from entrained fines.

Abstract: The pans of a scraper-chain conveyor have a plough guide at one side. The pans are connected together at said one side with the aid of coupling pieces engaged in pockets in the side walls of the pans. Each coupling piece is pivotably fitted to a plate-like securing element which serves as a handle to enable the coupling piece to be inserted into or removed from the pockets. The securing element can be swung down into further pockets formed in the plough guide to lock the coupling piece in place.

Abstract: In a chain conveyor (6) for loading devices and/or conveying devices, in which engaging pieces (10) are swivelably linked to a chain (9), noting that the engaging pieces (10) are linked to the chains approximately at their longitudinal center and the chain (9) moves along a path closed in itself, the engaging pieces (10) are at their arms (14) facing the inner side of the orbital path of the chain (9) articulatedly linked to a respective guide rod (15), said guide rod (15) being articulatedly linked with the chain (9) for lagging in direction of movement of the chains. In this case, the chain (9) is preferably guided within a recess or groove (18) of the sliding surface of the engaging pieces (10), said recess or groove corresponding to the orbital path.

Abstract: A chain conveyor for a miner in which the chain adjacent the drive sprocket is guided and supported by channels in a casting such that tension in the chain is reacted by the casting and separated from the driving force applied to the chain by the drive sprocket. The casting may be spring loaded away from the idler sprocket at the other end of the conveyor. The pitch of the sprocket teeth is preferably less than the pitch of the chain, allowing for drive sprocket build up from entrained fines.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flexible rubber belt having molded lugs on the bottom surface and at least one row of molded cleats on the top surface. A plurality of these belts are transversely spaced apart to form a conveying assembly. The conveying assembly is useful as a drag or raddle chain conveyor in combines or in round balers.

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: An emptying device for bulk material in cargo or storage rooms (2) comprises a first horizontal conveyor (3) which may be raised and lowered along one side of the room and move bulk material in the direction of a lifting conveyor (4). A further horizontal conveyor (5) moves the bulk material towards said first conveyor (3) and is movable along the latter. Said first conveyor (3) is provided with means (26) enabling it to dig room for itself in the bulk material as it is lowered. The other conveyor (5) comprises a belt conveyor (6) and a excavating wheel (7) rotating about the conveyor and being movable along the conveyor. Said first conveyor (3) has catchers (24) for transporting bulk material.

Abstract: An arrangement for excavating bulk material from a track bed and for conveying the excavated bulk material, which comprises an endless driven excavating and conveying chain vertically adjustably mounted on a frame of a track working machine, and a guide wherein the chain is guided in an endless path. The chain is comprised of a succession of chain links and joints connecting adjacent chain links, the joints having two pivoting axles for the adjacent chain links, the axles extending perpendicularly to each other to permit pivoting of the chain links.

Abstract: A load conveyor for a cutting machine comprises two outer, endless chains, and an endless further chain positioned between the two outer chains. Each of the chains carries scrapers. All of the chains are driven, via a common drive drum, by a drive station. The scrapers of adjacent chains interdigitate in the manner of the teeth of a zip fastener, at least in the zone of the drive station.

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: The invention relates to a device for completely evacuating a silo containing finely divided material in bulk. A mobile box element passes over the floor of the silo, its face corresponding to the direction of advance being open and the horizontal base forming a shovel for collecting the material remaining on the floor of the silo. The bottom of the box element has a conveyor with transverse bars for pushing the pulverulent or granulous material located on the bottom of the box element towards an outlet trap located at one end of the box element and maintained level with a pit for evacuation by gravity; the box element is moved to sweep the surface of the silo. The invention is particularly applicable to the final evacuation of the silo containing granulous material such as cereals.

Abstract: Rock loading apparatus including a frame portion, a rock collecting portion, a rock storing portion and a rock dispensing portion; the frame portion including a wheeled carriage section and an operator's station; the rock collecting portion including a first conveying section, the first conveying section being disposed in an inclined plane, the first conveying section including a first rock supporting surface, the first rock supporting surface including a plurality of spaced openings therein, first continuous drive mechanism disposed along both longitudinal sides of the first conveying section, a plurality of spaced bar members extending between and being attached to the continuous drive mechanism, each of the bar members including a surface disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first rock supporting surface of the first conveying section; the rock storing portion including a hopper section, the hopper section including an upper opening and a lower opening, the upper opening being disposed cl

Abstract: Apparatus for retrieving round hay bales includes a frame, an elongated, rigid and generally U-shaped pan supported on said frame and a generally U-shaped bail. A pair of carriages are slidably supported on the pan and the legs of the bail are pivoted to the carriages. An endless driven chain shifts the carriages and the bail longitudinally of the pan. A drive operatively engages the bail to pivot the bail through an angle of approximately 180.degree.. The frame is tiltable so that a forward open end of the pan may be positioned at ground level immediately adjacent a round hay bale. The U-shaped bail may be disposed around the hay bale and the carriages shifted so that the hay bale is pulled onto the elongated pan.

Abstract: The invention consists of a stockpile reclaiming apparatus for discharging bulk material from a bed. The apparatus comprises a bridge which extends over the width of the stockpile, a support frame work, which is mounted from the bridge and a discharging means mounted on the frame work. The discharge means consists of an endless traction means and a series of discharge elements attached to the endless traction means. This endless path is disposed in a plane inclined to the bed of the stockpile whereby an acute angle is formed between this inclination and the plane of the bed.

Abstract: A crop pickup mechanism for a crop harvesting farm machine having an endless driven conveyor between laterally spaced rigid side members of a frame. The side members have connected thereto a forward shaft and a rear shaft mounted transversely of the frame on self-aligning bearings. A sectional crossbar is connected to the side member and is made as two rigid sections connected at a pivotal connection for relative rotation of the sections about the longitudinal axis of the crossbar. The shafts maintain the endless conveyor with substantial parallelism with ground of a field sloped in a direction transversely of the side members. The side members are thus relatively movable upwardly and downwardly as the wheels on which the frame is mounted travel over the sloped ground of the field. Crop-engaging pickup fingers on the conveyor pickup the crop being harvested for transport thereof on the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor gathering systems suitable for use with a continuous narrow seam mining machine is disclosed. The system is a single continuous conveyor extending from the auger or cutting head to the rear or discharge end of the machine and is particularly useful with a dozer gathering head. Conveying of the mined material is achieved by an endless conveyor comprised of "flight bars" attached at each end to two drive chains. The single continuous conveyor is driven from the rear of the mining machine, may pivot up and down, and makes a very small diameter, 180 degree turn around, at the front of the mining machine adjacent the auger or cutting head. Because the conveying system uses a single continuous system of flight bars, the tensions on the conveyor can be significantly reduced such that the conveyor drive motor can be selected having a work capacity less than one half of other systems.

Abstract: An endless scraper chain carried by a bridge is provided with spaced scraper flights. The scraper chain is driven so as to move its lower course toward one end to thereby move bulk material to a roller bed extending under that one end. The roller bed is connected to the bridge to move therewith. An endless conveyor belt is supported on the roller bed and extends transversely of the bridge and has an upper course which extends under the one end of the scraper chain to receive the bulk material from the scraper chain. A conveyor type weigher is adapted to indicate the weight of bulk material lying on the upper course of the conveyor belt in a predetermined area thereof. Mutually opposite confining walls are disposed on opposite sides of said lower course of said scraper chain, and are mounted to the bridge to permit vertical movement of said confining walls.

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: An apparatus for use in reclaiming bulk material such as bean meal or the like from a pile of such material. A self-propelled wheeled vehicle is equipped with an elongated boom. An endless belt-like member is movably positioned along the length of the boom. A plurality of platelike blades are attached to the endless belt-like member for movement along the length of the boom so that when the boom is positioned against or adjacent a pile of bulk material, the platelike blades will scrape, rake or otherwise convey portions of the bulk material from the pile to an under-floor conveyor or the like.

Abstract: A shearing excavator including a unique blade assembly for removing earth in successive layers from a substantially upright face. The successive earth layers are removed by pulling a blade assembly along the full length of the face. The blade assembly is connected to a longitudinal framework that provides support for an earth receiving and transporting conveyor. This conveyor receives material deflected from the blade assembly and directs it to a discharge end adjacent one end of the excavator framework. A lateral conveyor receives the discharged material and moves it to a remote location for further processing. The blade assembly includes an upright first blade with a substantially upright cutting edge. The bottom end of the upright cutting edge is located at a point above the lower edge of the face, leaving a portion thereof to be removed by a second blade.

Abstract: Bulk handling apparatus which includes an elevator carried by a vertical support arm movable about its axis and horizontally, the arm itself mounted on a lifting mechanism, a discharge device for elevated material, and a guide device on the arm on the same side as the rising run of the elevator which device during horizontal travel of the arm will preset material to be elevated to the elevator.

Abstract: A mobile bale wagon has a pickup and throwing mechanism mounted on the forward end of the wagon and adapted to pick up bales lying on the ground and throw the bales into the wagon as the wagon moves in a forward direction. The pickup and throwing mechanism is mounted on the wagon end for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis which extends generally parallel to the direction of wagon movement. A hydraulic cylinder is provided to effect pivotal movement of the mechanism about the horizontal axis.