Patent ID: 6053305
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A lift conveyor, comprising:a boom extending in a longitudinal direction;first and second drive pulleys;means for rotatably mounting the first and second drive pulleys at a rearward end of the boom;first and second return pulleys;means for rotatably mounting the first and second return pulleys at a forward end of the boom;a plurality of vertically extending towers mounted to the boom at longitudinally spaced apart locations along the boom and extending in an upward direction away from the boom;a plurality of pairs of first guide rollers, one pair corresponding to each tower;first means for rotatably mounting each pair of first guide rollers adjacent the upper end of a corresponding tower for rotation about an axis extending generally horizontally and in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the central boom;two pairs of second guide rollers, one pair corresponding to each of two predetermined towers;second means for rotatably mounting each pair of second guide rollers at vertically spaced locations along the length of a corresponding tower and beneath the upper end of the corresponding tower for rotation about generally vertical axes;an endless belt having a plurality of load engaging cleats connected thereto at equal intervals, the belt being entrained around the drive and return pulleys to define a pair of upper forward run segments that ride on top of the first guide rollers, the upper forward run segments being generally parallel and substantially co-planar with each other, and a pair of lower rearward run segments that ride around the second guide rollers and cross-over each other; andmotor means for rotating the drive pulleys to cause the endless belt to run in a continuous fashion about the drive pulleys, return pulleys and guide rollers;whereby adjacent cleats on the upper forward run segments of the belt will maintain their transverse alignment and the cleats on the lower rearward run segments will clear each other where they cross-over.