With Means Allowing A Section To Fold Upon Itself Patents (Class 198/581)
  • Patent number: 9327906
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus has a pivot frame pivotally mounted to a lower portion thereof and an actuator that pivot the pivot frame from a rear frame transport position to a forward frame operating position. A feed conveyor has a rear discharge end movably attached to an upper frame portion of the pivot frame such that the rear discharge end of the feed conveyor is above the main conveyor. The feed discharge is above the main intake and the feed conveyor extends away from the main intake and the front intake end of the feed conveyor is movable laterally when the pivot frame and feed conveyor are in the operating position, and the feed conveyor is above the main conveyor when the pivot frame and feed conveyor are in the transport position. A hopper on the feed conveyor intake has flexible panels that fold down when in the transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Seedmaster Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Norbert Beaujot, Matthew Petruick, Greg Vennard, Daniel Michaluk
  • 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: 8763780
    Abstract: An adjustable hopper including a base structure is designed for being mounted to an intake of a conveying mechanism for conveying particulates. A bottom portion of a flexible hopper structure is mounted to the base structure. A top structure is mounted to a top portion of the flexible hopper structure. An adjusting mechanism is connected to the base structure and the top structure. The adjusting mechanism enables moving the top structure from a transport position, with the top structure being disposed in proximity to the base structure, to a loading position, with at least a substantial portion of the top structure being disposed at a predetermined distance to the base structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Gatco Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Gary A. Schreiner
  • Patent number: 8701868
    Abstract: An agricultural system for conveying product to a holding container is provided. One agricultural system includes a hopper configured to receive product and a conveyor configured to move the product from the hopper to a holding container. The hopper is configured to fold under the conveyor into a storage position that directs an opening in the hopper toward a soil surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin Norman Hall
  • Publication number: 20130092509
    Abstract: An agricultural system for conveying product to a holding container is provided. One agricultural system includes a hopper configured to receive product and a conveyor configured to move the product from the hopper to a holding container. The hopper is configured to fold under the conveyor into a storage position that directs an opening in the hopper toward a soil surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: CNH Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin Norman Hall
  • Patent number: 8262334
    Abstract: The present invention is a system (1) for unloading or loading cargo which for example is packed in boxes (16). The system includes first transport (5) with a handling apparatus (6) and a second longitudinally variable transport (8). The first transport (5) transports cargo (16) to and from the second transport (8). The handling apparatus (6) includes a conveyor (19) for transporting cargo (6) to or from the first transport (5). The handling apparatus (6) furthermore includes a movable handler (13) that interacts with the conveyor (19) and which engages the cargo (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Univeyor A/S
    Inventors: Torben Christensen, Rasmus Halfdan Breck, Jakob Thierry-Carstensen, Lars Højgaard Thøgersen
  • Patent number: 7891482
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to improve the productivity and make the assembling operation easier in a carrier apparatus for carrying a work while performing an assembling operation by making effective use of an inside region, even in the case where a conveyor line is provided in the form of a circling route. In a free flow type conveyor line (1) in which a work is loaded on a pallet (2) having a floor surface which travels substantially at the same level as a floor surface (5) for operation, a horizontal curved section (3) is provided in a section of the line (1), and the pallet (2) is divided into a first, a second and a third divided pallet elements (2A, 2B, 2C) in the carrying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaname Takahashi, Yoshiharu Hatsusaka, Mikiya Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7654378
    Abstract: A conveying device comprising a conveyor bed having a first end and an opposite rear end and a platform rotatably connected to the conveyor bed at the first end. The platform may be rigidly connected to a rotor of the device and the rotor may include a curved roller surface. The platform is preferably substantially offset from a pivot of the rotor. Conveying elements travel over the roller surface to accomplish a smooth extraction or retraction of the conveying elements from within the device. The device is tiltable and may accommodate loading and unloading of luggage into a cargo hold of an aircraft, for instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: NMC-Wollard, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Canapa
  • Patent number: 7641035
    Abstract: An out-feed roller support stand having a sturdy, stable base that folds for compact storage. A support mast that telescopes into and is adjustable within the base supports a work support head that includes an adjustable cross bar on which a row of pivoting caster wheels are mounted. An alternative embodiment includes a ramp for guiding sagging ends of work-pieces up onto the caster wheels. Both the height and angle between the adjustable cross bar and floor are adjustable after the position of the support mast has been adjusted in order to position the support head in roughly the correct location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Lee Valley Tools, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robin C. Lee, Steven K. Jones, Scott T. Roger
  • Publication number: 20090267402
    Abstract: In a folding transport conveyor (2) for a construction machine (1), with a first transport conveyor section (4) articulated at the construction machine (1), a second transport conveyor section (6) articulated at the first transport conveyor section (4) in a pivoting fashion, with a conveyor belt (10) continuously revolving around both transport conveyor sections (6), and with at least one pivoting mechanism acting between the transport conveyor sections (4, 6), it is provided that the pivoting mechanism includes a cam mechanism (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: WIRTGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Heinz Koetting, Bjoern Schneider, Herbert Ley, Joerg Berges, Martin Lenz
  • Patent number: 7584834
    Abstract: A portable conveyor device, and method of operating and storing the portable conveyor device, the device including a base releasably affixed to a support surface and moveable with respect to the support surface, a first conveyor rotatably attached at a first end to the base by an articulating member, and a second conveyor moveably attached to the base by a vertical conveyor elevation device, wherein the first conveyor being configured to move by the articulating member between a first horizontal position supported on the support surface and a second inclined position and being configured to transport items onto the second conveyor, wherein the second conveyor in a first operating position being configured to receive items from the first conveyor and convey items in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Inventor: Gladys L. Wood
  • Publication number: 20080283364
    Abstract: An extendable belt conveyor system designed to be installed under a self-propelled windrower between the front and the rear wheels suitable for multiple windrowing operations. The self-propelled windrower with the extendable belt conveyor system deliver a swath at a variable distance from the windrower, either on left or on the right, as the machine moves through the field. The conveyor can be directed on the left or on the right at variable distances with no need to manually change a part. The extendable belt conveyor system has at least two conveyors disposed one above the others and are connected with a trolley between each conveyor. The extendable belt conveyor system is driven by a single driving means and by a single reversible motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Pierre Laganiere
  • Patent number: 7347311
    Abstract: A mechanism is for a foldable vehicle conveyor having an axis, inner and outer sections and a joint connecting the sections, the outer section being pivotable between a deployed position and a folded position at which the outer section is disposed above the inner section. A linkage displaces the outer section between the two positions and includes a drive link pivotable on the inner section and a connector link pivotably connected with the drive link and with the outer section. The linkage moves between a deployed limit position where the drive link centerline extends parallel to the conveyor axis and the connector link centerline extends perpendicularly to the conveyor axis, and a folded limit position where the drive link centerline is generally perpendicular to the conveyor axis and the connector link centerline is generally parallel to and above the conveyor axis. An actuator displaces the linkage between the two positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Brian W. Rudge
  • Patent number: 7347418
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sheet feeding apparatus and method. In particular this invention comprises a sheet feeding apparatus having a first conveyance member, a second conveyance member, and a sheet bending member. The first conveyance member conveys a sheet from a source of sheets at the first speed. The second conveyance member is positioned near the first conveyance member, and conveys the sheets away from the first conveyance member at a second speed that is less than the first speed of the first conveyance member. The sheet bending member is positioned to engage the sheet as the sheet moves from the first conveyance member to the second conveyance member. The sheet bending member engages the sheet to produce a gap between the tail end of the sheet and the second conveyance member. The lead edge of the next adjacent sheet from the first conveyance member is then fed into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Magnum Manufacturing Limited
    Inventor: Michael Speller
  • Patent number: 7322460
    Abstract: A pivoting unloading door for ramp assembly and common conveyor drive for door or ramp segments thereof. The door or ramp segments are pivotable about a pivotal axis between a folded or closed position in generally overlaying relation one to the other, and an unfolded or open unloading position in parallel, end-to-end relation, the door segments including conveyors thereon for conveying objects or matter thereover when in the unloading position. The door assembly includes a common drive for the conveyors which is disposed beneath the conveyors in the unloading position in coaxial relation with the pivotal axis, and which is operable for simultaneously moving the conveyors. The output of the drive can extend through a pivot joint connecting the door segments, and can connect the elements of the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Timothy A. Meeks, Gary R. Gallens
  • Patent number: 7261200
    Abstract: The invention is an assembly for moving and rotating a conveyor from a operational orientation to a transport orientation. The assembly includes: an actuator operatively connecting to a first frame; an arm operatively connecting to the actuator and pivotally connecting to a first frame; a support sub-assembly operatively connected to the first frame and selectively rotatable around an axis and moveable forward and rearward along the axis, the support assembly operatively connecting to a conveyor frame; a first turnbuckle pivotally connected to the arm and to the support sub-assembly; and a second turnbuckle pivotally connected to the first frame and to the support sub-assembly. The assembly may further include a second actuator operatively connected to the first frame and operatively connected through a plurality of pivotally attached connection arms to a hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Spudnik Equipment Company, LLC
    Inventor: Rainer Kemper
  • Patent number: 6708814
    Abstract: A two part endless conveyor which is adjustable between an in-line operative position and a folded position. The conveyor has two folding conveyor parts which are mounted to the frame of a material handling apparatus. A folding mechanism interconnects the two conveyor parts. It includes a coupling block or linkage which interconnects the two folding conveyor via a respective one of a pair of pivots and a pair of linear actuators associated with the conveyor parts. Each actuator rotates the coupling block through approximately 90° about the respective pivot, whereby the folding mechanism, under the action of the two linear actuators, can adjust the conveyor parts between the in-line operative position and the folded transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Extec Industries, PLC
    Inventor: Christopher William Wagstaffe
  • Patent number: 6626285
    Abstract: A collapsible chip conveyer includes a conveying member having a forwarding portion and a return portion. The conveying member receives chips discharged from a machining tool at a receiving position set on the forwarding portion, conveys the chips to a discharge position, which is located on the forward portion and spaced from the receiving position by a predetermined distance, and discharges the chips from the discharge position. The conveying member has a guide rail, a frame, and a hinge mechanism. Also, the conveying member includes a plurality of separation portions, each of which includes a part of the guide rail and a part of the frame. The hinge mechanism has a rotation axis, which is located between the forwarding portion and the return portion, and couples the separation portions such that the separation portions pivots about the rotation axis between a collapsed position and an opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Enomoto Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Enomoto
  • Patent number: 6488145
    Abstract: A material handling lift gate for allowing ingress and egress from a conveyor system. The material handling lift gate provides a mechanism for clearing packages from the lift gate prior to the opening thereof, as well as preventing packages from entering the lift gate when the lift gate is in an open position. The material handling lift gate includes a plurality of adjustable, telescoping vertical legs and opposing horizontal side rails hingedly mounted to an upper end of a pair of the plurality of adjustable, telescoping vertical legs or proximate thereto. The opposing horizontal side rails are positionable between a first closed position and a second open position. In further embodiments, the material handling lift gate includes a lift gate clear controller for controlling package movement into and out of the material handling lift gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn T. Diego, David A. Deer, John J. Ford, Eugene C. Stradley, Thomas Mozgawa
  • Patent number: 5662210
    Abstract: A conveyor for particulate material of the type including a tube with a belt running through the tube and defining a return run of the belt outside the tube provides a folding action by which the length of the tube can be reduced by folding an upper portion back against a lower portion. The folding action is actuated by a hand crank which drives a chain wheel connected to a pivot pin carrying the upper portion. The pivot pin is mounted to one side of the tube which is opposite to the return run of the belt. In order to provide an extension portion of the return run which can be released to provide the length necessary for the folding action, the return run passes over a pair of rollers to form a serpentine section of the return run at the fold line of the tube. Each of the rollers is carried on a respective one of the upper and lower portions on opposite sides of the fold line to release the serpentine portion as the folding action is effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Commercial Welding Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert J. Toews
  • Patent number: 5568857
    Abstract: An improved roller conveyer for conveying objects is disclosed. It comprises: (a) a fixed conveyer section having first parallel frames supported on upright stands and a plurality of first parallel rollers mounted between the first parallel frames of the fixed conveyer section; (b) a power drive for rotating the first parallel rollers of the fixed conveyer section when conveying objects; (c) a liftable conveyer section having second parallel frames and a plurality of second parallel rollers mounted between the second parallel frames of the liftable conveyer section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kuan-Chou Chen, Duen-Jyh Shyr
  • Patent number: 4183158
    Abstract: An excavating loading system is disclosed which includes a vehicle with an excavating wheel assembly at the front and a plurality of conveyors toward the rear. The conveyors of the excavating and loading system include cross conveyors and a main conveyor for receiving material from the excavating wheels. The main conveyor transports the material rearwardly from the excavating wheel assembly and delivers the material to the opposite end of the vehicle. An auxiliary conveyor assembly is pivotally supported at the rear end of the vehicle to receive material from the main conveyor and to transport the material either laterally or rearwardly. The auxiliary conveyor assembly has inner and outer conveyors mounted with the discharge end of one conveyor adjacent the receiving end of the other conveyor. The conveyors are connected so that the outer conveyor can be folded under the inner conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Assignee: Unit Rig & Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Charles R. Satterwhite
  • Patent number: 4063375
    Abstract: An excavating and loading system is disclosed which includes a vehicle with an excavating wheel assembly at the front and a plurality of conveyors toward the rear. The conveyors of the excavating and loading system include cross conveyors and a main conveyor for receiving material from the excavating wheels. The main conveyor transports the material rearwardly from the excavating wheel assembly and delivers the material to the opposite end of the vehicle. An auxiliary conveyor assembly is detachably supported at the opposite end of the vehicle to receive material from the main conveyor and to transport the material either laterally or rearwardly. The rear portion of the main conveyor is adapted to fold under the auxiliary conveyor assembly to reduce the overall height of the excavating and loading system during travel. The auxiliary conveyor assembly has a pair of conveyors mounted with the discharge end of one conveyor adjacent the receiving end of the other conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1977
    Assignee: Unit Rig & Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Charles R. Satterwhite