Patent ID: 6533105
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A material conveying auger assembly of the type comprising an elongate tubular casing having an intake end and a discharge end, a main drive shaft extending co-axially through the casing and journalled for rotation therein, and helical flighting on said drive shaft, characterized by:an auger intake sub-assembly having an intake end drive shaft portion connected to said main shaft so as to rotate therewith, intake helical flighting on said intake end drive shaft portion and being formed of resilient flexible material, a soft pliable tubular extension sleeve attachable to the intake end of said casing so as to project axially outwards therefrom, said extension sleeve being arranged to encircle at least a portion of said intake flighting, and said intake end drive shaft portion securable to said main drive shaft so as to form an axial extension thereof, wherein said intake helical flighting is secured to a tubular shaft portion which is freely rotatably mounted on said intake end drive shaft portion, and drive coupling means operatively interconnecting said tubular shaft portion and said intake end drive shaft portion, wherein said drive coupling means comprises a clutch assembly which includes mating driver and driven clutch elements mounted on the outer end of said intake end drive shaft portion and which are normally in a clutch engaging position and operate to transmit drive to said intake flighting, said clutch elements being arranged, when the intake flighting is subjected to an overload condition, e.g. when an obstruction is caught in the intake end, to automatically disengage from one another so as to disengage drive to the intake flighting.