Patent ID: 6588572
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A transfer conveyor for transporting material from a feed point to an input section of a main conveyor having an undercarriage, said transfer conveyor comprising:(a) a feed end; (b) a discharge end provided with a nozzle portion; (c) a means for conveying material from the feed end to the discharge end; and (c) a connector comprising a male member and a female member adapted to releasably receive the male member for detachably and rotatably connecting the transfer conveyor to the main conveyor such that the feed end of the transfer conveyor may be moved about input section of the main conveyor while maintaining the flow of the material from the discharge end of the transfer conveyor into an input section of the main conveyor; (d) at least one ground engaging caster wheel mounted at the feed end of the transfer conveyor; (e) an undercarriage moveable between a compact storage position and a support position wherein the discharge end of the transfer conveyor is positioned at an elevated position relative to the feed end such that the transfer conveyor is operable as a stand-alone conveyor, the undercarriage including wheels which engage the ground when the undercarriage is in the support position; (f) transfer connectors for mounting the transfer conveyor under the main conveyor in a transport position comprising: i) mounting means for securing the feed end of the transfer conveyor on the undercarriage of the main conveyor; and ii) a connecting member mounted to the transfer conveyor and having an end adapted to be connected to the main conveyor such that, when connected, the discharge end of the transfer conveyor is maintained at a position above the ground.