Patent ID: 7293640
Filing Date: 2007-11-13
Classification: B60P,B65G

Abstract:
1. A discharge conveyor system for an elongated truck or trailer body mounted on a wheeled frame means having a rearward end and a forward end, an upper end and a lower end, comprising: first and second, vertically disposed and horizontally spaced-apart front sprockets rotatably mounted on the body adjacent the lower forward end thereof about a horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body; first and second, vertically disposed and horizontally spaced-apart rear sprockets rotatably mounted on the body adjacent the lower rearward end thereof about a horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body; a first chain member extending around and between said first front sprocket and said first rear sprocket; a second chain member extending around and between said second front sprocket and said second rear sprocket; a plurality of horizontally disposed, elongated support members secured to said first and second chain members in a spaced-apart relationship; a plurality of flexible, conveyor belt sections having opposite sides, a leading end and a trailing end; the leading end of each of said conveyor belt sections being secured to one of said support members; each of said conveyor belt sections being secured to a plurality of said support members intermediate its leading and trailing ends whereby said trailing end and a portion of the conveyor belt section is not secured to a support member to provide a freely movable trailing flap portion at the trailing end of the conveyor belt section; said first and second chain members, said support members and said conveyor belt sections defining a conveyor having an upper rearwardly moving discharge section and a lower forwardly moving return section; said trailing flap portions of said conveyor belt sections, while moving through said discharge section, overlapping a portion of the leading end of a trailing conveyor belt section; said trailing flap portions of said conveyor belt sections, while moving through at least a portion of said return section, being free to hang downwardly from said first and second chain members.