Formed Of Or Including A Continuous Member Of Sheet-like Material (e.g., Canvas, Etc.) Patents (Class 198/821)
  • Patent number: 11147212
    Abstract: Belting with longitudinal cogs that includes belting and at least two longitudinal cogs. The belting has an upper surface, a lower surface and a first edge. The at least two longitudinal cogs are attached to the upper surface of the belting proximate the first edge. Each of the longitudinal cogs is substantially parallel to the first edge. A channel is defined between the at least two longitudinal cogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: WCCO Belting, Inc.
    Inventors: Neri Prestes Batu, Chad R. Haugen
  • Patent number: 10926152
    Abstract: An assembly for conveying sports equipment includes a first pulley, a second pulley, and a belt extending between and movable around the pulleys. A plurality of engagement members are coupled to the belt such that they travel along a path extending from the first pulley to the second pulley and back. The second pulley is spaced apart from the first pulley along a first axis, and along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis such that the belt is inclined toward the second pulley, and such that sports equipment engaged with an engagement member beneath the first pulley will advance toward the second pulley. A stop member is offset from the path of the engagement members such that empty engagement members can proceed beyond the stop member, and the stop member is configured to stop motion of the belt upon contacting sports equipment conveyed by engagement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Mak Pickleball, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Tucker
  • Patent number: 10358292
    Abstract: Provided is an elastic conveyor belt for a transport system for conveying goods in a conveying direction along a conveyor belt plane of the conveyor belt, the conveyor belt including, on a carrying side of the conveyor belt, a carrying surface which is oriented along the conveyor belt plane and is intended for carrying the goods, and, on a guide side of the conveyor belt, a guide surface which is oriented along the conveyor belt plane and is intended for guiding the conveyor belt, and, in the guide surface, at least one groove for the engagement of a guide element for guiding the conveyor belt along the conveying direction, a longitudinal axis of the groove being oriented along the conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: WALLROTH F & E UG (HAFTUNGSBESCHRÄNKT)
    Inventor: Hans Werner Knopp
  • Patent number: 9771220
    Abstract: An endless conveyor belt comprises a flat belt with sidewalls. Each sidewall has slots spaced at regular intervals, and disposed at an acute angle relative to the facing surface of the sidewall, so that the belt can make a reverse bend with minimal obstruction. The sidewall may have overlapping sections in an alternate embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Intralox, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James Honeycutt, Edward T. Mol, Daniel Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 9555973
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor part, having a conveyor track, wherein the conveyor track comprises at least one rotary moulded conveyor track structure. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a conveyor part comprising the following steps, to be performed in any suitable order: providing a rotary mould having a cavity shaped as the outside of a conveyor portions, adding a thermoplastic or resinous material inside the mould, rotating the mould under gradually heating the mould, allowing the thermoplastic material to melt and to cover the inner walls of the mould or allowing the resinous material to cure on the inner walls of the mould, allowing the mould to cool, opening the mould to remove the conveyor part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Jonge Poerink Conveyors B.V.
    Inventor: Anthonius Gerhardus Oude Roelink
  • Patent number: 7726468
    Abstract: A floating conveyor belt (20) for a belt conveyor forms a loop and includes a surface (32) for receiving transportable products arranged on one face thereof and a surface (30) supported by a support structure and arranged on the other surface thereof. The belt (20) is embodied in the form of an unflattened tube over the main part thereof and contains the product receiving surface (32) arranged thereinside, thereby delimiting a closed tubular space for confining transported products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Rene Brunone
  • Patent number: 7614494
    Abstract: An improved trough roller assembly for use in a continuous belt conveyor system comprises a pair of shafts disposed in a generally x-shaped configuration to support the moving belt in the upper flight section of the conveyor system and define the desired trough shape for carrying bulk materials thereon. The ends of the shafts, which are preferably made out of cold-rolled steel, rotatably connect to bearing assemblies that are cooperatively positioned on or in a pair of spaced apart support members that are mounted in a generally upright position on a frame member of the conveyor system. The bearing assemblies have a sealed bearing to reduce the likelihood of clogging or other damage from dust, bulk material or other debris that may be present. In an alternative embodiment, the support members are telescoping to allow the user to selectively change the trough shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventor: Michael D. Hinson
  • Patent number: 7242897
    Abstract: A tubular roller to support a belt having an inner surface provided with a protruding circumferential edge having a width includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion has a first outer radius and contacts the inner surface of the belt. The second portion has a second outer radius smaller than the first outer radius of the first portion. The third portion is connected to the first portion with a first vertically extending wall and to the second portion with a second vertically extending wall and has a third outer radius smaller than the second outer radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Satoh, Akira Shinshi, Naoki Iwaya
  • Patent number: 7059467
    Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly includes a conveyor belt to move an item, a drive pulley driven by a motor and a non-drive pulley. The conveyor belt includes a v-belt on the inner surface of the conveyor belt proximate to both of the edges. Each v-belt is received in a groove in the drive pulley and the non-drive pulley. The engagement of the v-belts in the grooves prevent lateral movement of the conveyor belt during use. The conveyor belt also includes an edge seal positioned around both the opposing edges of the conveyor belt. Alternately, the conveyor belt assembly includes two conveyor belts assemblies pressed together and separated by a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignees: McDonald's Corporation, Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sands, Ronald J. Glavan, Henry Thomas Ewald, Ronald J. Dorsten, Curtis J. Scadden, Richard J. Lunden
  • Patent number: 7060341
    Abstract: A stretchable conveyor belt having a plurality of first cuts which extend in a widthwise direction of the belt, which extend from one of opposite surfaces of the belt toward the other surface thereof and do not reach said other surface, and which are provided at a regular interval of distance in a lengthwise direction of the belt, and/or a plurality of second cuts which extend in the widthwise direction of the belt, which extend from said other surface of the belt toward said one surface thereof and do not reach said one surface, and which are provided at a regular interval of distance in the lengthwise direction of the belt, the first cuts and/or the second cuts providing a stretchability of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignees: Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd., Ishikawajima Transport Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Mima, Osamu Jibu, Katsuya Teramoto, Shinichi Saruyama
  • Patent number: 7000758
    Abstract: A conveyor system comprising an endless conveyor belt (5) having a plurality of mechanical conveyor means (12) projecting from a top surface thereof and a delivery tube (1) having an intake end and a discharge end for receiving a delivery portion of the endless belt and a return tube (10) extending along the delivery tube for receiving a return portion of the endless belt. A drive assembly (6, 7) is mechanically connected to the endless belt for rotating it for moving it in the tubes. Means (9) are arranged to guide the endless belt into the return tube with a bottom surface (14) of the belt following at least the upper portion of the return tube when moving through the return tube. The return tube is designed and dimensioned with respect to the width of said belt so as to support transversal end portions of the belt by return tube portions from below when the belt moves through the return tube while following the upper portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Bruks AB
    Inventor: Karl-Gustav Björklund
  • Patent number: 6946078
    Abstract: The method for separating ferrate salts from a solution comprising providing contact between the solution of essentially of aqueous hydroxide and the ferrate salts and a surface having a magnetic attraction, magnetically securing the ferrate salts to the surface; and eliminating contact between the solution and the surface. Contact is provided by immersing the surface in the solution, passing the liquid ferrate mixture over the surface, or combinations thereof. The magnetic attraction may be induced by permanent magnets, electromagnets, and combinations thereof. The apparatus for ferrate production comprises an electrochemical cell having an iron-containing anode, cathode, and an aqueous hydroxide solution in fluid communication with both the anode and the cathode, and a magnetic separator in fluid communication with the aqueous hydroxide solution for separating ferrate salts from the aqueous hydroxide solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Lynntech, Inc.
    Inventors: Zoran Minevski, Jason Maxey, Carl Nelson, Dylan Taylor
  • Patent number: 6571935
    Abstract: A monolithic conveyor belt structure comprising an elongate, substantially planar base belt having a pair of integrally formed, flexible, fabric reinforced, longitudinal sidewalls protruding from its top face. The integral construction prevents delamination of the sidewalls from the base belt, and the fabric reinforcement in the sidewalls strengthens the sidewalls against deterioration due to repeated flexure of the belt, and due to contact with pulleys, turn disks, sliding surfaces, etc. The belt may include cleats between the sidewalls, such as transverse paddles or upstanding nubs, to assist in conveying material on very steep inclines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Cambelt International Corporation
    Inventors: Colin D. Campbell, Mark Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20020139643
    Abstract: A conveyor system for increasing the angle capabilities and allowing shorter lengths of a belt conveyor. The device includes a support frame, a tube attached to the support frame, a receiver support structure attached to the intake end of the tube, an endless belt positioned within the tube and about the receiver support structure, a plurality of paddle members attached to the outer surface of the endless belt, and a wind skirt attached to the lower portion of the tube. The plurality of paddle members include a plurality of V-shaped cutouts with a rounded narrow portion for allowing the endless belt to have a curved state or flat state. A foam member is positioned within the discharge end of the tube having guide slots for receiving the endless belt. The endless belt has a generally flat structure when positioned upon the receiver support structure and transitions to a curved structure when entering the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Jeff Peltier, Gregory L. Deal
  • Patent number: 6422381
    Abstract: A belt conveyor for conveying granular material comprises a tube and a hopper. Guide members guide the belt from a flat orientation as the belt leaves the lower roller into a cupped orientation as the belt enters the hopper. The cupped orientation is maintained by sliding contact at an interface between the lower surface of the belt and the hopper walls as the belt passes through the hopper. Left and right baffle members are attached along the hopper side walls and thereby prevent the granular material from sliding down the hopper walls into contact with the interface between the lower surface of the belt and the hopper walls. The belt has a width that is substantially fully exposed to granular material entering the hopper. A method of increasing the capacity of a belt conveyor comprises reducing the width of the flashing covering belt side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Brandt Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Eberlc, Mat Green
  • Patent number: 6405855
    Abstract: A conveyor system for increasing the angle capabilities and allowing shorter lengths of a belt conveyor. The device includes a support frame, a tube attached to the support frame, a receiver support structure attached to the intake end of the tube, an endless belt positioned within the tube and about the receiver support structure, a plurality of paddle members attached to the outer surface of the endless belt, and a wind skirt attached to the lower portion of the tube. The plurality of paddle members include a plurality of V-shaped cutouts with a rounded narrow portion for allowing the endless belt to have a curved state or flat state. A foam member is positioned within the discharge end of the tube having guide slots for receiving the endless belt. The endless belt has a generally flat structure when positioned upon the receiver support structure and transitions to a curved structure when entering the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventors: Jeff Peltier, Gregory L. Deal
  • Publication number: 20020050444
    Abstract: A troughing idler for use in supporting a conveyor belt of a troughed belt conveyor system in which the troughing idler includes a pair of spaced center rolls and a pair of angled side troughing rolls. The pair of center rolls are mounted to a pivot bracket and their axes of rotation are spaced from each other by a span length. The center rolls are selected such that each center roll has the same outer diameter. The size of the center rolls is selected such that the outer diameter of the center rolls is greater than the outer diameter of each side troughing roll. The increase in the outer diameter of the center rolls relative to the outer diameter of the side troughing rolls reduces the amount of indentation resistance for the troughing idler. The troughing idler further includes a pivot limiting mechanism that limits the amount of clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the pivot brackets used to support the pair of center rolls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventor: Allan G. Tapp
  • Patent number: 6360879
    Abstract: A low profile belt conveyor having at least one idler assembly that includes a trough shaped support plate and wear plates made of low friction material such as high molecular weight polyethylene on the wear plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: George N. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6253924
    Abstract: A magnetic separator apparatus for use in separating magnetic material from a mixture of at least magnetic material and a liquid includes an endless belt defining a channel. A portion of the endless belt is movable up an incline relative to horizontal through a separation zone. The endless belt includes an endless base section having a predetermined length and first and second sidewalls extending from the endless base section along the entire predetermined length thereof. The endless base section and the first and second sidewalls define the channel wherein the mixture is received. Further, the apparatus includes a ferromagnetic collection matrix positioned in the channel and one or more magnets positioned for generating a magnetic field in the separation zone. A method for use in separating magnetic material from a mixture using such an apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Rodney L. Bleifuss, David M. Hopstock
  • Patent number: 6170646
    Abstract: A conveyor belt that uses cleats to more effectively transfer materials through a curvilinear structure into a deposit receptacle. The cleats are either in the form of a notched cleat or slit cleat. In both forms, the cleat is adaptable to conforming from a flat conveyor belt to a curved conveyor belt within the curvilinear structure. The resulting cleat on the conveyor belt provides increased support for the prevention of backflow of materials during transportation of the materials through the curvilinear structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventors: Todd Kaeb, Les Kaeb
  • Patent number: 6092645
    Abstract: A conveyor belt intended for use as an endless conveyor path in a materials transporting system includes an upper ply, a load-absorbing intermediate ply, and a lower ply that provides wear protection against one or more belt supporting devices. The intermediate ply includes a load-absorbing fabric. The upper ply provides protection against wear by transported goods. The upper ply has at least one of sufficient softness and formfactor to take up shear forces acting in the belt, the shear forces being caused by a load exerted on the belt by the goods transported thereby upon retardation and acceleration of the belt and also by coaction of the belt with the belt supporting devices. The conveyor belt is an endless conveyor path for one or more paper rolls. The conveyor belt is positioned flush with a surrounding floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Bertil Wahren
  • Patent number: 6039171
    Abstract: The conveyor system for transporting goods has an endless conveyor belt which is guided about deflection drums in the two end stations. The conveyor belt assembly is provided with support beams oriented transversely to the conveying direction and the support beams are supported on two endless conveyor cables disposed laterally outside the conveyor belt. The cables carry the loads created by the conveying of goods. The endless conveyor cables are also guided about the deflection drums and the transverse support beams are secured to the conveyor cables with spring-loaded clamp assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Konrad Doppelmayr & Sohn Maschinenfabrik mbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Herbert Trieb
  • Patent number: 6036000
    Abstract: A conveyor belt (1) for conveying goods in solid or liquid state comprises a goods-carrying endless element (2), which is made of an elastic material, and a single belt-supporting wire (4), which is fixedly connected to one lateral edge (3) of the endless element. The endless element (2) has in cross section and in its unloaded state essentially the form of a hook for forming a goods-receiving space. It is sufficiently rigid in the transverse direction of the conveyor belt so as to essentially retain the hook shape when conveying goods in the goods-receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Torsten Loodberg
  • Patent number: 5975283
    Abstract: An endless belt conveyor including an independently supported first support pulley vertically and laterally displaced from a second support pulley. An endless belt including bulk material carrying compartments entrained around the first and second support pulleys and which is engaged by the full width of said support pulleys. The endless belt includes a radius of curvature near the top of the vertical run of a predetermined size such that the bulk material carried in the endless belt is not expel due to centrifugal force. A portion of the endless belt entrained over the first support pulley has a radius of curvature of a predetermined size such that the material carried in the endless belt is expelled due to centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Long-Airdox Company
    Inventor: Shirley D. Riffe
  • Patent number: 5875883
    Abstract: A conveyor comprising a first conveyor section and a second conveyor section which can be pivoted from a first position where it is in alignment with the first conveyor section to a second position where it is at an inclined angle with respect to the first conveyor section. A shaft pivotally connects the adjacent ends of the two conveyor sections together, and a spindle or pulley is journaled on the shaft and supports an endless belt in travel in a conveying run and a return run on the conveyor sections. A slide is mounted for sliding movement on each side rail of the first conveyor section and each slide carries a hold down roller which rides against the side edge of the upper working surface of the belt and hold the belt tangent to both the first and second conveyor sections. Each slide is also provided with a rack which is engaged with a gear that is fixed to the second conveyor section and is positioned concentrically of the pivot shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Dorner Mfg. Corp
    Inventors: Daniel E. Ertel, Michael A. Hosch
  • Patent number: 5836440
    Abstract: A high speed, normally closed tubular belt conveyor system operable over long distances and through relatively short radius horizontal and vertical turns, is described. The belt conveyor is prestressed at fabrication to provide a normally closed tubular configuration. Profiled end pulleys are provided which open the belt for loading and unloading with minimum strain and distortion. A distributive drive system provides reduced longitudinal tensile stresses in the belt and facilitates high speed operation. A feeder-accelerator system loads granular-type material into the tubular belt at a rate and velocity which are conformed to the capacity and velocity of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Alex Mindich
  • Patent number: 5791454
    Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting goods has an endless conveyor belt and o support tracks, disposed one above the other, for supporting the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is formed with a plurality of transverse beams which are spaced apart from one another in a conveying direction of the conveyor belt. Carrying rollers are supported on the transverse beams. The support are formed with carrying cables on which the rollers are supported. The weight of the conveyor belt is transmitted onto the carrying cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Konrad Doppelmayr & Sohn Maschinenfabrik Gesellschaft mbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Herbert Trieb
  • Patent number: 5141101
    Abstract: A conveyor belt that is comprised of a body of elastomeric material with a reinforcing means disposed within the body to provide the belt with suitable transverse stiffness while maintaining longitudinal flexibility. The body comprises a core and top and bottom cover layers on opposed sides of the core. The reinforcement comprises a plurality of stiff elongated reinforcing elements incorporated in the body which extend transversely across the belt and which terminate inwardly of the longitudinal ends thereof. The reinforcing elements are spaced apart along the belt and include an arrangement for resisting transverse shrinkage of the elastomeric body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: JLV Industries Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Douglas J. B. Vance, William Johnson
  • Patent number: 5107983
    Abstract: This invention relates to an endless fold-over type of conveyor belt for use in conveying relatively-loose bulk material in an enclosed manner to prevent spillage, dusting and contamination of the material and allows belt to operate at steep angles. The belt comprises essentially a rectangular uniform cross-sectional shape having a substantially greater width than thickness. Two similar series of plural closely-spaced longitudinal grooves are located on the load-carrying side of the belt spaced on both sides of the belt medial portion to provide a pair of hinged areas for folding and unfolding the belt. The longitudinal grooves preferably are V-shaped or U-shaped and two to four in number, spaced in an individual array at about one-quarter the belt width from its edges to provide a pair of overlapping edge flaps to cover the medial area when in folded relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Harrison Handling, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Tschantz
  • Patent number: 5027940
    Abstract: Stub idler units for a flexible sidewall belt conveyors support the return belt run. Each unit includes a stub roll fixed to and forming an integral part of a solid shaft. A pair of re-lubricable, sealed bearings are mounted within opposite ends of a tubular bearing housing secured within a tubular mounting bracket. The shaft is journaled in the bearings clamped to the housing by a locking nut on the shaft end. A lubrication passageway is formed in the mounting bracket and housing and provided with a lubrication fitting. The passageway connects to the chamber between the bearings lubricating the bearings. A flexible hydraulic grease line is attached to the far side mounting bracket in place of the grease fitting. The grease line extends across the conveyor belt to the near side of the conveyor and terminates in a grease fitting for re-lubrication of the far side stub idler. The line is supported at the two mounting brackets by suitable shaped support elements mounted to the mounting brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventor: William S. Woodward
  • Patent number: 5004098
    Abstract: An elongatable conveyor belt having an internal stretch limiter is disclosed. The conveyor belt includes a lower layer of transverse reinforcing cords and an upper layer of transverse reinforcing cords disposed at opposing angles relative to the transverse axis of the conveyor belt. Preferably, depressions are formed in the upper transverse reinforcing cords to facilitate troughing of the conveyor belt. An internal stretch limiter such as an angularly woven fabric, sinusoidally disposed cords or stretchable cords are provided only in the central region of the belt. Because stretch limiting devices are only provided in the center of the conveyor belt, the belt remains in tension to retain material thereon during horizontal curves while enabling the outer edge to elongate to negotiate the curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Joy Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Gary C. Marshall
  • Patent number: 4844241
    Abstract: Stub idler roll units for flexible sidewall belt conveyors are mounted to support the return run of a sidewall belt. The stub idler roll unit includes a stub roll fixed to and forming an integral part of a support shaft. The shaft extends from the roll and is journaled in a pair of re-lubricable, sealed bearings, secured with a tubular bracket having a mounting plate for mounting of a roll unit to the conveyor. A tubular bearing housing is secured within the bracket and has end recesses to receive a bearing and end washer. The outer end of the shaft is threaded and the shaft and roll is clamped to the housing by jam nuts on the outer end of the shaft, the washer abuts the housing to take the clamping load and insure adequate operating clearances. The shaft has an axial passageway extending from the outer end of the shaft and provided with a lubricating fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Inventor: William S. Woodward
  • Patent number: 4823941
    Abstract: A high speed, normally closed tubular belt conveyor system operable over long distances and through relatively short radius horizontal and vertical turns. The belt conveyor is prestressed at fabrication to provide a normally closed tubular configuration. Profiled end pulleys are provided which open the belt for loading and unloading with minimum strain and distortion. A distributive drive system provides reduced longitudinal tensile stresses in the belt and facilitates high speed operation. A feeder-accelerator system loads granular-type material into the tubular belt at a rate and velocity which are conformed to the capacity and velocity of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Inventor: Alex Mindich
  • Patent number: 4702065
    Abstract: The collector apparatus of the instant invention is intended for use on a harvester vehicle for collecting a crop harvested from plants arranged in rows. The apparatus includes a pair of elongate continuous conveyor belts formed of pliable are resilient material, each conveyor belt having elongate inner and outer runs, the inner runs being disposed adjacent and opposite each other. The conveyor belts have faces delineated between the lateral margins of the belt that face upwardly. An elongate conveyor frame is associated with each belt for supporting the conveyor belt and includes training means for training the conveyor belts thereabout. Means ar provided for driving the conveyor belts in counter rotating paths. Attachment means are provided for attaching the conveyor frames to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Inventor: Eugene G. Littau
  • Patent number: 4676367
    Abstract: A belt conveyor plant for conveying bulk material outdoors and in particular on hilly terrain comprises supporting and locating systems 15,16 for the load section 5 and the return section 6 of its conveyor belt 4, which under omission of a supporting frame extending uninterruptedly between the two terminal stations 2, 3 of the belt conveyor plant are in each case carried by a bearer 14 anchored separately in the soil 7. The conveyor belt 4 sags freely between the bearers 14 arranged with greater mutual spacing of at least 5 meters as in the case of a cableway. Since it is impossible in such case to guide the conveyor belt 4 formed into trough shape, use is made of a so-called corrugated edge belt, i.e. a conveyor belt 4 having a transversely stable belt element 20, whereof the carrying side has installed on it two longitudinally continuous undulant edge strips 21 (FIG. 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Conrad Scholtz AG
    Inventor: Gunther Nolte
  • Patent number: 4674627
    Abstract: An easily-cleaned, rubberized conveyor assembly especially adapted for conveying granular or semi-fluid material. The present invention is particularly concerned with conveying food materials where cleaning and sanitary conditions are important. The invention is also particularly described with regard to a conveyor for the bottom of a holding or surge bin, but has other applications. In the invention, upright side guards along opposite sides of a continuous rubberized belt separate the belt into a central load-carrying portion and outer edge aligned portions. Connections connect the edge aligned portions to supporting girts beneath the belt, the girts in turn being attached to endless conveyor chains on opposite sides of the belt. Preferably, the side guards are rubberized elements vulcanized to the belt surface, thereby providing an assembly having a load-carrying area free of cracks or crevices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Proctor & Schwartz, Inc.
    Inventor: Dussan V. Benlcio I.
  • Patent number: 4667812
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method of protecting the lateral edges of a conveyor belt. A resilient tubular member having a longitudinal slit therein is in resiliently maintained contact with the belt adjacent lateral edges. The resilient member may have portions of its inner surface spaced from the belt edge portions so as to define a number of cushioning air spaces therebetween. The resilient members are preferably of generally circular cross sectional configuration in unexpanded condition and are generally coextensive with the belt. The belt may have recesses for receipt of the slit ends of the tubular resilient member. The method may involve providing an elongated tubular resilient member which is slit longitudinally and circumferentially expanded so as to permit it to receive a lateral edge of the belt. The interengagement may be maintained through resiliently maintained contact alone or by additional means for securing such contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Joy Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Barry D. Wixey
  • Patent number: 4515265
    Abstract: A belt conveyer and a conveying system using a belt conveyer. The system is designed to convey articles around curves and between vertically and horizontally spaced locations. The belt used in the system has a central substantially inextensible flexible spine and an upper load carrying portion supported by the spine. The load carrying portion has a plurality of ribs and a plurality of pleats interposed between the ribs. The ribs provide rigidity for the belt and limit movement of articles with respect to the belt, while the pleats provide longitudinal extension and contraction of side edges when the belt is following a curved path. The distance between top edges of the pleats and top edges of the ribs increases from outer edges of the belt towards the center so that top edges of the pleats are generally V shaped and conveyed articles and juices and liquids exuded from the conveyed articles tend to be conveyed in a central region of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Inventor: Daryl G. Hill
  • Patent number: 4489825
    Abstract: A fluid levitated generally convex support member particularly useful in supporting a pallet, plate or belt such that the pallet, plate or belt load may be moved in an air powered track system, the system including at least one concave track with means for supporting and guiding the convex member and the pallet, plate or belt thereabove on a thin film of pressurized air jetting from nozzles in the track. The support member includes a generally tubular, flexible and partly deformable outer member and means for internally stressing the outer member so that under load there will be controlled deformation thereof. The deformed member will be closely complementary to the track surface to maximize load carrying capacity while minimizing fluid support power requirements and the detrimental effect of track deformities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: E. B. Eddy Forest Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Herbert E. Gladish
  • Patent number: 4475669
    Abstract: A continuous flow, non-flooding gravimetric belt feeder is disclosed which may be used to convey fluid-like particulate material. The feeder includes an endless belt having spaced, transversely mounted cleats. A lateral wall is provided adjacent each of the opposed sides of the cleats and extending between adjacent cleats, thereby preventing the fluid-like particulate material from flowing along the belt, and thereby enabling the feeder to discharge the material at a steady, pre-set rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Vibra-Screw, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Wahl
  • Patent number: 4410082
    Abstract: A conveyor belt of stretchable elastomeric material reinforced by layers of cords which permit an initial stretching of the belt at installation of at least 3 percent. Reinforcing cords are positioned in the belt elastomeric material to generate transverse forces during stretching of the belt which results in the interaction of the material of the belt with the cords. This interaction causes the edge portions of the belt to curl upwardly and form load-retaining walls at the edges. The belt may have a bottom stretchable portion which is reinforced to resist outside transverse forces resulting from the passage of the belt around a curve. A top stretchable portion of the belt has edge portions which bend upwardly to form the load-retaining walls. The edge portions of the belt may curl sufficiently to bring the edges together and they may be connected for enclosing the load on the belt surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: The First National Bank of Akron
    Inventor: Hebert E. McGinnis
  • Patent number: 4387801
    Abstract: An improved endless flexible conveying element is set forth. The flexible conveying element is of the type adapted to be mounted on a carrier and to conform with a generally curvilinear endless path for orbital traverse of such endless path. The conveying element has an elongated resiliently deformable portion which includes a longitudinally extending portion located laterally intermediate the longitudinal extending side portions thereof. The resiliently deformable portion of said conveying element laterally flexes to permit the belt to follow laterally curvilinear portions of the endless path in an upright position. The resiliently deformable portion has a tendency to spontaneously assume a natural form thereof, which is configured such that the resiliently deformable portion, when mounted on the carrier, is deformed from its natural form in a manner to provide in the side portions a condition of relative longitudinal tension with respect to the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1983
    Assignee: Joy Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Merle L. Hoover, deceased
  • Patent number: 4321996
    Abstract: The cleated belt forage conveyor of the invention is directed to a forage belt conveyor in which the belt in service is protected against side discharge of conveyed forage by upstanding and intermittent central cleats and outwardly spaced side cleats. Sealing strips extend above the belt in the spaces between the respective central and side cleats to limit outward movement of the bulk of the forage and an edging extends on each side of the belt to prevent spillover. In the event of some side discharge from the belt to the inside of the lower reach of the belt, a plow overlying the inside of the lower reach of the belt directs the forage for discharge to vibrating deflector plates which deflect the forage to the bottom of the housing of the conveyor to be carried by the cleats to the input side of the conveyor and around the idler pulley for reconveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Harvestore Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest H. Sancken, Charlie R. Silverthorn
  • Patent number: 4205745
    Abstract: A flexible belt trough type conveyor is directed over a hump having an upwardly angling inclined side defined by belt supporting rails, then over a sprocket or similar rolling support device, and down the declined side of the hump on further rails. At the apex of the hump the belt is tensioned sufficiently to stretch the trough structures and partially or entirely flatten them, creating a loading station for granular materials such as explosives. When the belt has traveled over the apex, the tension decreases and the trough structure returns and automatically separates the granular material into discrete load units separated by the raised edges of the troughs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Robert L. Alldredge
    Inventor: Eduard W. VanLingen
  • Patent number: 4109784
    Abstract: An endless flexible conveyor belt has a load-supporting portion and two upstanding side walls thereon. The sidewalls are corrugated, each being formed with a plurality of transverse major folds at least some of which have one or more minor or auxiliary folds incorporated in them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1978
    Inventor: Karl Hartmann
  • Patent number: 4061223
    Abstract: A stretchable U-shaped conveyor belt with reinforcing members extending transversely of the belt and spaced apart longitudinally of the belt. Elastic stretchable material between the reinforcing members permits prestretching the belt so that the edges remain in tension when the belt passes around curves and thereby maintains the molded shape of the belt in horizontal and vertical curves. The conveyor belt is driven by a power belt and guided by guide rollers. The power belt and conveyor belt are carried by support rollers mounted on frames at spaced-apart positions along the belt path. The frames are fastened to a resilient, flexible spine member which provides for positioning of the frames around vertical and horizontal curves. The U-shaped cross section of the belt is also maintained by U-shaped reinforcing members of high modulus material which are positioned in two spaced layers within the molded body of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1977
    Assignee: The First National Bank of Akron, Trustee
    Inventor: Hebert E. McGinnis
  • Patent number: 3992994
    Abstract: A printing machine has a printing station, certain components of which require intermittent cleaning due to fouling by the printing ink. An endless printing blanket is trained about a reversing roller that is spaced lengthwise of the machine from the printing station; the printing blanket has an upper run extending beneath the printing station and carrying the workpiece to be printed. The upper run is inclined downwardly with respect to the horizontal in direction from the printing station towards the reversing roller. A cleaning arrangement is provided for at times admitting a cleaning liquid into the printing station so as the clean the ink off the components, whereupon the liquid will run off the components onto the upper run of the printing blanket. Liquid-intercepting side members are provided which extend along the respective lateral edge portions of the upper run to the reversing roller and which prevent the liquid from running off the lateral edge portions into the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Assignee: Mitter & Co.
    Inventor: Mathias Mitter