Abstract:
A bulk material conveyor belt system comprises a belt, a track mounted device, and a support device. The track mounted device comprises a first track. The support device comprises a second track and a locking device. The second track is engage with the first track in a manner such that the support device limits relative movement between the track mounted device and the belt while the support device also allows the track mounted device to slide relative to the support device along a path defined by the first and second tracks. The locking device comprises a movable portion that is movably attached to the second track and that can selectively bias the first track in a direction other than along the path in a manner creating sufficient friction between the first and second tracks that renders the first and second tracks immovable relative to each.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention relates generally to bulk material belt conveyor systems. More specifically, this invention pertains to a tracking system that allows devices to be quickly assembled and secured to a conveyor belt system via a locking tracks. 
         [0006]    2. General Background Technology 
         [0007]    All bulk material belt conveyor system comprise a belt that extends in a continuous loop around rollers. The upper portion of the continuous loop can be referred to as a transfer run and the lower portion of the continuous loop can be referred to as the return run. Bulk material belt conveyor systems also typically comprise various devices mounted either within the continuous loop, above the transfer run, or beneath the return run. For example, on the return run, the belt of a conveyor system is often supported from beneath by return rollers, which are typically idler rollers that simply roll against the belt. Additionally, devices such as scraper blades and pinch guards may be mounted beneath the return run. Within the continuous loop, devices such as tail plows, impact bars and rollers, and sealing bars are often mounted. Above the transfer run, devices such as sprayers, vacuums, and kick boards may be mounted. All such devices require maintenance which often requires their removal from the conveyor belt system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides for a tracked mounting system that incorporates a locking device that allows devices to be quickly and easily assembled and locked to conveyor belt systems. In some cases, the invention allows for components to be removed and assembled to conveyor systems without requiring the stoppage of the conveyor belt systems. 
         [0009]    In one aspect of the invention, a bulk material conveyor belt system comprises a belt, a track mounted device, and a support device. The track mounted device comprises a first track. The support device comprises a second track and a locking device. The second track is engage with the first track in a manner such that the support device limits relative movement between the track mounted device and the belt while the support device also allows the track mounted device to slide relative to the support device along a path defined by the first and second tracks. The locking device comprises a movable portion that is movably attached to the second track such that it is movable between locking and unlocking positions. The locking device biases the first track in a direction other than along the path in a manner creating sufficient clamping force or friction between the first and second tracks that renders the first and second tracks immovable relative to each other when the movable portion of the locking device is in the locking position. In contrast, the locking device allows relative movement between the first and second tracks along the path when the movable portion of the locking device is in the unlocking position. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the invention pertains to a method of attaching a track mounted device to a bulk material conveyor belt system. The bulk material conveyor belt system comprises a belt that forms a continuous loop. The method comprises accessing a track mounted device. The track mounted device comprises a first track. The method also comprises accessing a support device. The support device comprises a second track and a locking device. Still further, the method comprises steps of engaging the first track with the second track in a manner such that the support device limits relative movement between the track mounted device and the belt, and sliding the track mounted device relative to the support device along a path defined by the first and second tracks. In addition, the method further requires actuating the locking device of the support device in a manner creating sufficient friction or clamping force between the first and second tracks that renders the first and second tracks immovable relative to each other. 
         [0011]    Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a bulk material conveyor belt system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a tracked support structure and a mating tracked device platform in accordance with the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of the portion of the tracked support structure and the mating tracked device platform shown in  FIG. 2 , as would be seen looking in a direction parallel to the transfer and return runs of the conveyor belt. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the tracked support structure and the mating tracked device platform shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the tracked support structure and the mating tracked device platform shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , as would be seen from beneath and showing the locking device in its locked position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 5 , but is shown with the locking device in the unlocked position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view depicting a track mounted impact cradle attached to a tracked support device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the track mounted impact cradle shown in  FIG. 7  and is shown without the impact bars. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view depicting a track mounted edge sealing device with sealing bars and a center roll assembly, which are shown mounted the support frame of a bulk material conveyor belt system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view depicting a track mounted return roller, shown being mounted to a tracked support device that is attached to the support frame of a bulk material conveyor belt system. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    Reference numerals in the written specification and in the drawing figures indicate corresponding items. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    A bulk material conveyor belt system is shown schematically in  FIG. 1 . The bulk material conveyor belt system  20  comprises a belt  22  that is driven about rollers  24  and forms a continuous loop. The upper portion of the continuous loop is referred to herein as the transfer run  26  and the lower portion of the continuous loop is referred to herein as the return run  28 . Typically the belt  22  has a trough-like shape (not shown) as it passes along the transfer run  26 . It may also have a flat or inverted trough-like shape along the return run  28 . 
         [0024]      FIGS. 2-8  depict a track mounted impact cradle  30  in accordance with the invention. Such an impact cradle  30  is often placed within the continuous loop formed by the belt to support the belt at the loading zone of the conveyor belt system. The impact cradle  30  comprises several tracked sections  32  (see  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) upon which impact bars  34  are mounted. The center section  36  is generally flat and comprises primarily only a track  38  and impact bars  34 . The side sections  40 , referred to as wings, comprise a slanted support  42  that connects the impact bars to a two-piece track  44 . The tracks  38 ,  44  are preferably c-shaped or a-shaped in cross-section. 
         [0025]    The support device  46  (shown with the track  38  of the center section  36  in  FIGS. 2-6 ) comprises brackets  48 , a plurality of steel c-channel members  50 , and a locking device  52 . Two of the c-channels members  50  are positioned back-to-back adjacent each other and are bolted to a pair of the brackets  48  positioned therebetween. Likewise, the other two c-channel members  50  are bolted to the other pair of brackets  48  in a similar manner. The locking device  52  is positioned partially within the channel of one of the c-channel members  50 , along the c-channel member&#39;s upper flange  54 . The brackets  48  allow the support device  46  to be mounted to the frame  56  (such as shown in  FIG. 9 ) of a conveyor belt system. 
         [0026]    The locking device  52  is preferably attached to the c-channel member  50  that is furthest downstream relative to the transfer run of the conveyor belt system, and comprises a movable portion  58 , an actuator  60 , and a pair of button head protrusions  62 . The movable portion  58  is preferably a metal strip that has a plurality of elongate diagonal slots  64 . The slots  64  preferably extend at about forty-five degrees relative to the sides of the strip. The button head protrusions  62  extend through the slots  64  and are preferably welded to the c-channel member  50  in a manner such that the longitudinal edges of the movable portion  58  are parallel to the longitudinal edges of the c-channel member  50 . Thus, the button head protrusions  62  secure the movable portion  58  of the locking device  52  to the c-channel member  50 . However, it should be appreciated that the movable portion  58  remains loosely attached to the c-channel member  50  in a manner such that it is able to move back and forth in the direction of its slots  64 . The actuator  60  of the locking device  52  preferably comprises a threaded bolt  68 , jam nuts  70 , an internally threaded boss  72 , and a slotted boss  74 . The threaded boss  72  is preferably welded to the movable portion  58  of the locking device  52 . The slotted boss  74  is preferably welded to the c-channel member  50 . The threaded bolt  68  extends through the slotted boss  74  and is threadably engaged with the threaded boss  72 . The jam nuts  70  are threaded on the threaded bolt  68  and are positioned on opposite sides of the slotted boss  74 . By either turning the threaded bolt  68  relative to the threaded boss  72  or using the jam nuts  70  to move the threaded bolt relative to the non-threaded boss  74 , the actuator  60  is able to force the movable portion  58  of the locking device  52  toward and away from the slotted boss  74 . However, since the movable portion  58  is confined by the button head protrusions  62  to moving only diagonally along its slots  64 , this also causes the movable portion  58  to translate more or less into and out of the channel of the respective c-channel member  50 . Once the desired position of the movable portion  58  is established, the actuator can be secured or locked by means of tightening the jam nuts  70  against slotted boss  74 . 
         [0027]    The outer most upper flanges  54  of c-channel members  50  on either end of the support device  46  form a track  76  having two oppositely protruding cantilevered flange portions. The c-shaped tracks  38 ,  44  of the tracked sections  32  of the impact cradle  30  are configured to extend partially around the track  76  of the support device  46  such that the track of the support device is captured by the tracks of the tracked sections of the impact cradle. When the locking device  52  is configured such that the movable portion  58  thereof is positioned at its most upstream limit (the unlocking position), the tracked sections  32  of the impact cradle  30  are able to slide loosely along the track  76  of the support device  46 . The geometry of the tracked sections  32  and the track  76  is preferably configured such that track sections remain captured on the track  76  (except in the sliding direction) via interlocking geometry. However, the geometry can be such that tracked sections  32  can also be lifted off of track  76 . As such, when the movable portion  58  of the locking device  52  is in the unlocking position (as shown in  FIG. 6 ), the tracked sections  32  of the impact cradle  30  can be repositioned relative to the support device  46  or easily removed therefrom. When desired, the actuator  60  can be operated to force the movable portion  58  of the locking device  52  toward the slotted boss  74 , which also forces the movable portion to move downstream. As the movable portion  58  does this, it engages the tracks  38 ,  44  of the tracked sections  32  of the impact cradle  30  and forces the tracked sections  32  in downstream direction. Eventually the upstream portions of the tracks  38 ,  44  of the tracked sections  32  engage firmly against the upstream portion of the track  76  of the support device  46  and the movable portion  58  of the locking device  52  engages firmly against the downstream portions of the tracks of the tracked sections. In this configuration, the movable portion  58  is referred to herein as being in its locking position (shown most clearly in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). With the movable portion  58  in this locking position, the biasing force exerted by the movable portion against the tracked sections  32  of the impact cradle  30  creates friction or clamping force between the tracked sections and the support device  46  that prevents any relative movement therebetween. 
         [0028]    It should be appreciated the operation of the locking device  52  locks and unlocks all three tracked sections  32  of the impact cradle  30  simultaneously. It should also be appreciated that locking device  52  is operable from just one side of a conveyor belt system and does not require anyone to reach beneath the belt of the conveyor belt system. Still further, it should be appreciated that the general concept behind the locking device  52  described above can be implemented in connection with various conveyor system devices. For example,  FIG. 9  depicts a track mounted sealing bar assembly  78  which can incorporate the same locking device described above. Additionally, the locking device can be incorporated on track mounted return roller assemblies like the one shown in  FIG. 10 . The track mounted return roller assembly  80  shown in  FIG. 10  comprises a support device  82  that comprises a track  84  in the form of angle iron. The track mounted return roller  86  comprises a mating track  88  having a similar shape, but with its edges rolled over. Despite these differences, the locking device  52  described above can be utilized to lock and unlock the track mounted return roller  80  relative to the support device  82  in substantially the same manner. 
         [0029]    In additional to serving as a locking mechanism, the locking device  52  can also serve other functions as well. For example, the track mounted return roller assembly  80  shown in  FIG. 10  comprises a pinch guard  90 , which can be made adjustable in height using a mechanism  92  identical to the locking device  52 . The mechanism  92  allows the upper edge of the pinch guard  90  (which is formed by the mechanism  92  itself) to be raised or lowered such that it is a desired distance beneath the conveyor belt. Over time, the mechanism  92  can be adjusted as described to maintain it at the desired distance from the belt. 
         [0030]    In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the invention achieves the several advantages over prior art methods and devices. 
         [0031]    As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 
         [0032]    It should also be understood that when introducing elements of the present invention in the claims or in the above description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be open-ended and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, the term “portion” should be construed as meaning some or all of the item or element that it qualifies. Moreover, use of identifiers such as first, second, and third should not be construed in a manner imposing any relative position or time sequence between limitations. Still further, the order in which the steps of any method claim that follows are presented should not be construed in a manner limiting the order in which such steps must be performed.