Patent ID: 6708814
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A two part endless conveyor which is adjustable between an in-line operative position, and a folded transport position, and which comprises:a first conveyor part which is adapted to be mounted at a first end on the frame of a material handling apparatus; a second conveyor part which is adjustably mounted at a first end on an opposite second end of the first conveyor part for movement between an operative position in which the second conveyor part forms a prolongation of the first conveyor part and so that the opposite second end of the second conveyor part forms a discharge end of the conveyor, and a transport position in which one of the conveyor parts underlies the other conveyor part and extends generally parallel thereto, and a folding mechanism which interconnects the second end of the first conveyor part and the first end of the second conveyor part said mechanism comprising: a coupling block or linkage which interconnects the second end of the first conveyor part and the first end of the second conveyor part via a respective one of a pair of pivots; and a pair of linear actuators each associated with a respective conveyor part and extending between a mounting point on the conveyor part and a connection to the coupling block, each actuator being operative to rotate the coupling block through approximately 90Â° 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.