Patent ID: 6119847
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A conveyor apparatus comprising an elongate conveyor housing and material transport means within said housing, said conveyor comprising first, second and third conveyor sections pivotally joined together, foldable about first and second pivot means between an extended coaxial arrangement and a folded non-coaxial arrangement and forming when fully extended, a unitary conveyor;first retraction means connected to said second section to fold said first and second sections about a first axis;actuation means for driving said first retraction means;second retraction means associated with said third section to fold said third section relative to said second section about a second axis;linkage means associated with said first and second retraction means whereby actuation of said first retraction means by said actuation means synchronously drives said second retraction means to fold said third section relative to said second section; andsaid first and second pivot means comprising first and second hinge means angularly displaced from each other each of said hinge means comprising a pair of legs joined to a corresponding section, said legs being pivotally joined together at a position which is displaced from said conveyor housing for displacing said conveyor sections apart from each other when said hinge opens.