Patent ID: 9745133
Date: 2017-08-29
CPC Classifications: B07C,B65G

Claim:
1. A conveyor for conveying articles up inclines, the conveyor comprising, an endless conveyor belt having an outer article-conveying surface and an underside surface opposite the outer article-conveying surface, said endless conveyor belt advancing in a direction of belt travel along a conveying path, wherein the conveying path includes an inclined portion; a plurality of support elements extending outwardly from the outer article-conveying surface of the conveyor belt and spaced apart at the predetermined distance, wherein the plurality of support elements comprises groups of two or more support elements and each support element is positioned with a space between each support element in the groups, wherein each support element comprises: a support frame with a support stand positioned proximate to the floor surface and support bars; a drive pulley interconnected to the support frame and positioned at the bottom end of the support frame, wherein the underside surface of the conveyor belt engages an outer surface of the drive pulley; a tail pulley interconnected to the support frame and positioned at a top end of the support frame, wherein the underside surface of the conveyor belt engages an outer surface of the tail pulley; a first pair of handles interconnected to the support frame and positioned proximate the top end of the support frame; and wherein the article-supporting face of the support element is curved at a second radius of curvature, wherein the upright section further comprises a back side opposite the article-supporting face, said back side is curved with a third radius of curvature, and wherein the second radius of curvature is smaller than the third radius of curvature.