Patent ID: 6663336
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: B65G,B66F

Abstract:
A trough lifting mechanism comprising:a trough cradle movable between a lowered position and an elevated position; a first guide track having a first rectilinear portion defining a central longitudinal axis therealong and a first curvilinear portion extending from said first rectilinear portion; a first roller mechanism extending from a wall of said trough cradle and operably coupled to said first guide track, said first roller mechanism movable along said first guide track; a second guide track having a second rectilinear portion and a second curvilinear portion extending from said second rectilinear portion and curving at least to a point where said second curvilinear portion intersects with said central longitudinal axis; a second roller mechanism extending from said wall of said trough cradle and operably coupled to said second guide track, said second roller mechanism moveable along said second guide track; a lift operably coupled to said trough cradle to move said trough cradle along a path of movement defined by said first and second guide tracks from said lowered position to said elevated position; wherein said path of movement translates said trough cradle generally in a vertical direction substantially along said first and second rectilinear portions and translates said trough cradle generally in a vertical and horizontal direction substantially along said first and second curvilinear portions; and wherein said path of movement rotates said trough cradle from an upright orientation to a tilted orientation along said first and second curvilinear portion.