Patent ID: 6651804
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: B65G,E21F

Abstract:
A material conveying system capable of traversing a floor along a curvilinear path, said system comprising:a plurality of framework members arranged in tandem on said surface along a portion of said path to form an elongated longitudinally extending conveyor train; connector means on each framework member cooperate with connector means on each adjacent framework member for coupling said plurality of framework members, said connector means permitting movement between adjacent framework members; a plurality of said framework members including a crawler chain assembly comprising a plurality of crawler chain pads interconnected by chain links to form an endless loop, said crawler chain assembly extending continuously throughout said plurality of framework members along the longitudinal extent of said train, over a lower portion of each of said plurality of framework members wherein said crawler chain pads are maintained in engagement with said floor, and over an upper portion having an upper surface that supports the chain pads, and wherein adjacent framework members include cooperating means for limiting the articulation between adjacent framework members in the horizontal, vertical and longitudinal directions, such cooperating means comprising outboard side tubes having a trapping on one end, the trapping being received in a hollow other end of the side tube of the next adjacent frame member, and said framework members including means for supporting an orbitally moveable endless conveyor belt above said crawler chain assembly, the conveying run of said orbitally moveable conveyor belt operable to convey material substantially throughout the longitudinal extent of said train.