Reciprocating channel floor conveyor

A plurality of floor members (40, 58, 106) are supported on guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102). The guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102) are spaced apart such that the floor members (40, 58, 106) have spaces between their side portions. The guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102) have oppositely directed flanges (26, 78, 80, 112, 114) secured to their tops. Bearing members (30, 116) slip over these flanges and rest on top of the guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102). Bottom members (20, 64, 98) extend laterally between the guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102), to form channels in the regions between the floor members (40, 58, 106). In one embodiment, refrigerated air is directed through these channels. In a second embodiment, the channel is used to collect small particles of ice and ice water. In a third embodiment, garbage is allowed to enter into the channel space. The sidewalls (108, 110) of the floor members (106) engage this garbage and move it when the floor members (106) are moving and hold it when the floor members (106) are stationary. The floor in which refrigerated air is circulated through the channels, and the floor in which small ice particles and ice water are collected in the channels, is set on an insulated base. The garbage conveying floor may be set on an incline, for lifting garbage up from a lower level to an elevated level above the open top of a container (92) provided for collecting the garbage (96).

DESCRIPTION 
TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates to reciprocating floor conveyors of a type having 
laterally spaced apart floor members and channel regions between the floor 
members. The invention also relates to a method of using such a floor for 
conveying a load within a refrigerated compartment, to a method of using 
such a floor for conveying particle ice, and to a method of using such 
floor for conveying garbage. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Reciprocating floor conveyors are presently being used in a number of 
environments. They are being installed as floors in the bottoms of large 
trucks and trailers, for use in both loading and unloading cargo. They are 
also being used as floors in stationary installations. 
Heretofore, in most conveyors of this type seals have been provided to seal 
the spaces between adjacent floor members. A typical type of seal 
arrangement is disclosed by FIG. 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,963. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,963 also discloses a conveyor which is adapted to 
function as a particle separater. This conveyor does not include seals 
between adjacent floor members. The floor members are constructed to taper 
from regions in which they are close together to regions whereat spaces 
are provided between them. The spacing between adjacent floor members 
increases progressively towards the outward end of the conveyor. 
Accordingly, by the reciprocative motion of the floor members, particulate 
material of diverse sizes deposited on the infeed end of the conveyor 
progresses towards the outfeed and falls by gravity through the variable 
spacing between adjacent floor members. In this manner, smaller sizes of 
particulate material will be separated adjacent the infeed end of the 
conveyor, whereat the spacing between adjacent slats is at a minimum. The 
large sizes of particulate material will be separated adjacent the outfeed 
end of the conveyor whereat the spacing between adjacent slats is at a 
maximum. 
An object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor construction in 
which the floor members are parallel to each other and between which 
spaces and channel regions are provided for a plurality of diverse 
purposes. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,905,290, granted Sept. 16, 1975, to Robert A. Caughey, 
discloses various arrangements of a reciprocating slat conveyor for 
conveying particulate material into and through a press. Some forms of the 
conveyor utilize right angle oriented surfaces on separate slat members 
for moving the material. An object of the present invention is to utilize 
right angle related surfaces on a single floor member for moving material. 
Specifically, the upper and side surfaces of laterally spaced apart floor 
members are used to move material (e.g. garbage) which is located both on 
top of and between the floor members. This arrangement solves the problem 
of providing a floor which can move very abrasive material, such as 
garbage, without the need of providing a seal between adjacent floor 
members. The seals are omitted, and the spaces between adjacent floor 
members are enlarged, and are used in the scheme of operation of the 
conveyor. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
Basically, the present invention is characterized by a plurality of 
laterally spaced apart support beams, each of which supports a separate 
floor member for longitudinal reciprocation. The floor members are 
laterally spaced apart and channel spaces are defined between adjacent 
floor members. 
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, upper portions of the guide 
beams are provided with laterally projecting flanges. Bearings are 
provided which fit onto these flanges. The bearings include upper portions 
which set down on top of the guide beams, lower flanges which are situated 
below the guide beam flanges, and interconnecting webs which are situated 
outwardly of the adjacent edges of the guide beam flanges. 
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the floor members have top 
walls which set down on top of the bearings. The floor members include 
sidewalls which depend downwardly from the opposite ends of the top walls, 
outwardly adjacent the web portions of the bearings. The floor members 
include inwardly projecting flanges which underlie the lower portions of 
the bearings. 
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the guide beams and 
bottom members between the guide beams are integral parts of extruded 
metal shapes. The metal shapes have interfitting lock edges by which they 
are joined to form a continuous pattern of guide beams and channels 
between guide beams, across the full width of the floor. 
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the flanges on the 
floor members are segments spaced apart to provide spaces between the 
segments. The flanges on the guide beams are also segments spaced apart to 
provide spaces between such segments. The floor member is installed onto 
and removed off from its guide beam by aligning its flanges with the 
spaces between the flanges on the guide beams. At the same time, this 
aligns the flanges on the guide beam with the spaces between the flanges 
on the floor member. The floor member is then simply moved vertically, 
either downwardly onto the bearings, or upwardly up from the bearings. 
After installation, the floor member is moved longitudinally to place its 
flange segments below the bearing carrying flange segments of the guide 
beam. This interference positioning of the two sets of flanges prevents 
the floor member from being inadvertently removed fom the guide beam. 
In accordance with a method aspect of the invention, the reciprocating 
floor conveyor is constructed on an insulative base and serves as a floor 
for a compartment or room that will be refrigerated. A load is placed on 
top of the floor members and refrigerated air is circulated through the 
channels defined through the floor members. The refrigerated air flows 
through the channels and upwardly through the spaces between the floor 
members into contact with the load. 
In accordance with another method aspect of the invention, a reciprocating 
floor conveyor is mounted onto an insulative base and is used for 
conveying particle ice. The floor members are spaced relatively close 
together so that a space is defined which is smaller than at least most of 
the ice particles. The channels between the floor members are used for 
collecting ice water and very small ice particles and conveying them away 
from the body of particle ice on the conveyor. 
In accordance with yet another method aspect of the invention, relatively 
wide spacing between adjacent floor members is used. The floor is mounted 
onto a concrete pad or other substantial base and is used for receiving 
and conveying garbage. Floor members, guide beams and bearings are used 
which are capable of carrying heavy loads, so that garbage trucks can be 
driven out onto the floor. The spaces between adjacent floor members are 
narrower than the tires of the garbage trucks. However, they are wide 
enough that garbage material can fit down into the spaces. The sidewalls 
of the floor members are relatively deep and provide surfaces of 
substantial area in contact with the garbage in the spaces between 
adjacent floor members. These side surfaces of the floor members serve to 
frictionally grip and move the garbage, as the floor members are being 
moved, or hold the garbage, as the floor members are being held 
stationary. Garbage is particularly tough on seal material and would very 
quickly abrade away any seal provided between adjacent floor members. This 
construction of providing a relatively large space between adjacent floor 
members, and allowing the garbage to enter the space, results in a 
relatively clean floor without the need for seals. The garbage between the 
side surfaces of adjacent floor members is quite efficiently moved by the 
floor members. Accordingly, the channel spaces between floor members are 
not left full of garbage. Whatever little garbage remains, can easily be 
washed out by use of water from a hose. 
Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention are set forth 
in the description of the preferred embodiments. Such description of the 
preferred embodiments, and the claims which follow the description of the 
illustrated embodiments, both constitute additional portions of the 
description of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIG. 1, this figure shows a first embodiment of the invention 
which is adapted for conveying a load that is located inside of a 
refrigerated compartment. The floor of the compartment may include spaced 
apart floor beams 10, shown in the form of metal I-beams. Wood timbers 12 
may be supported on top of the beams 10, and planks 14 of a good 
insulative material may be provided between the beams 12. The beams 12 are 
both good insulators and structural support members. The planks 14 may be 
good insulators but not particularly good structural members. This 
arrangement concentrates the loads of the timbers 12 and the beams 10 
below the timbers 12 and not on the insulation 14. 
In accordance with the invention, the floor comprises a plurality of 
support beams 16, 18. The support beams 16, 18 are parallel to each other 
and they are laterally spaced apart. In this embodiment of the invention, 
the floor beam assembly is constructed from a plurality of extruded sheet 
metal shapes which are interlocked together to form a continuous guide 
beam assembly across the full width of the conveyor. In this embodiment of 
the invention, each shape comprises two full guide beams 18, and two half 
portions of guide beams 16. Bottom members 20 are provided between 
adjacent guide beams 16, 18 or 18, 18. The bottom members 20 are formed 
integral with the guide beams 16, 18. Bottom members 20 and the sidewall 
portions of the guide beams 16, 18 define upwardly opening channels 
between the guide beams 16, 18. As best shown by FIGS. 7-9, the guide 
beams 18 each comprises a top 22, and sidewalls 24. The top 22 includes a 
pair of oppositely directed flanges 26. Each flange 26 projects laterally 
outwardly of the sidewall 24 on each side of guide beam 18. 
In the preferred form, each flange 26 includes a downwardly projecting lock 
lip 28. 
The guide beams 16, 18 are provided with bearing means which provide on 
each side of the guide beams 16, 18 a top portion 30, a lower flange 
portion 32, a side located web portion 34, and an upwardly directed lock 
lip 36. In preferred form, the bearing means exists in the form of pairs 
of bearing members, one member for each side of the guide beams 16, 18. 
Also in preferred form the bearing members are constructed in segments and 
the pairs of bearing members are spaced apart longitudinally of the guide 
beams 16, 18. 
As best shown by FIG. 9, the top portion 30, the bottom flange 32, the side 
web 34 and the upwardly directed lock lip 36, of each bearing member, 
defines an inner space 38. Each inner space 38 is sized to snugly recieve 
the outer edge portion of a top flange 26, and its downwardly directed 
lock lip 28. 
As shown by FIG. 9, the bearing members can easily be installed by pushing 
on them to move them laterally inwardly onto a top flange portion 26 of a 
guide beam 16, 18. The sloping lower surface of the flange 26 cams the 
lock lip 36 of the bearing member downwardly. Once the lock lip 36 clears 
lock lip 28, then lock lip 36 snaps up into a space below flange 26 
located inwardly of lock lip 28. The bearing member lock lip 36 engages 
the inside of the guide beam flange lock lip 28, and holds the bearing 
member in place on the guide beam 16, 18. 
The bearing members may be constructed from a plastic material of a type 
which is in common use for various types of bearings. The material has an 
almost oily surface and a quite low coefficient of friction. However, the 
material is quite tough and can withstand a considerable amount of load. 
As shown by FIGS. 1 and 7, the bearing members mount a floor member 40 for 
back and forth reciprocation on each guide beam 16, 18. Each floor member 
40 comprises a top wall 42, a pair of sidewalls 44, and a pair of inwardly 
directed flanges 46, each flange 46 is connected at its outer edge to the 
lower edge of a sidewall 44, and projects inwardly below a bearing flange 
32. 
In this embodiment the floor members 40 are spaced apart a distance between 
adjacent sidewalls 44 that is less than the width of a floor member 40, 
but is still substantially large. In the first embodiment, this space 48 
permits passage of refrigerated air up from between the floor members 40. 
The refrigerated air 50 is blown through the channels formed by and 
between the sidewalls of the guide beams 16, 18, and the bottom members 
20. The refrigerated air flows lengthwise of these channels and then 
upwardly through the spaces 48. The zone above the floor members 40 is a 
closed space and the load setting down on the floor members 40 is 
refrigerated by the refrigerated air. The floor insulation 12, 14 
minimizes a downward loss of the refrigeration energy through the floor of 
the compartment. 
The side portions of the shapes which make up the guide beams 16, 18 and 
the bottom members 20, each is in the form of a half guide member 16. As 
shown by FIGS. 1 and 7, one half of a guide beam 16 on one side of the 
shape includes an interlock opponent 52 which itself includes a 
longitudinal channel. The half of the guide beam 16 which is on the other 
side of the shape includes an interlock component in the form of a lip 54. 
The lip 54 snugly fits within the channel formed in component 52, to 
secure adjacent shapes together and to complete a guide beam 16. 
In the embodiment shown by FIGS. 1 and 7, the shape comprises two guide 
beams 18, three bottom members 20, and one of each type of half of a guide 
beam 16. Of course, in other installations, the number of guide beams 18 
can change. The shape may include only one guide beam 18, or it may 
include more than two. Also, the construction of the interlock can vary. 
FIGS. 2-6 illustrate the operation of all of the disclosed embodiments. 
FIG. 2 shows all the floor members in a retracted position in which common 
ends are lined at a start station a. The load L is shown centrally 
positioned on the floor. FIG. 3 shows the floor members after they have 
all been advanced together, to move the load L forwardly, and show the 
opposite ends of the floor members aligned at a fully advanced position b. 
FIG. 4 shows the group "1" floor members being retracted and the groups 
"2" and "3" floor members held stationary. The load L does not move 
because frictional forces exerted on it by the stationary floor members 
"2" and "3" are larger than the frictional forces exerted on it by the 
retracting floor members "1". FIG. 5 shows the next step in the sequence. 
The retracted floor members "1" and the still advanced floor members "3" 
are held stationary and the floor members "2" are retracted. Again, the 
load L does not move. FIG. 6 shows the retracted floor member "1" and "2" 
stationary and floor members "3" being retracted. Again, the load L does 
not move. In this example, the load L has moved a distance equal to the 
endwise movement of the floor, viz. a-c or d-b. 
The mechanism for moving the floor members is not a part of the present 
invention. By way of typical and therefore nonlimitive example, such 
mechanism may be like the mechanism disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,760. 
Or, it can be like the mechanism that is disclosed in my companion 
application Ser. No. 680,356 entitled "Reciprocating Floor Conveyor 
System". 
The construction and arrangement of the bearing members, the guide beams 
16, 18 and the floor members 40 makes seals unnecessary. A space is 
intentionally provided between adjacent sidewalls 44 of adjacent floor 
members 40. Any material which drops down through the space 44 is 
collected in the closed bottom channels formed by the bottom members 20, 
and the side members 24. In the embodiment shown by FIGS. 1-9, the 
channels are used for conveying refrigerated air. The load is a type of 
load which is intended to stay on top of the floor members 40, i.e. it is 
in containers or is material which is too large to fall down through the 
spaces 48. 
FIG. 10 discloses a second embodiment of the invention. It is a floor 
designed to convey particle ice, some of which is shown at 54. In this 
embodiment, a space 56 is provided between adjacent floor members 58 which 
is narrower than the ice particles 54. In this embodiment, the channels 
formed by and between adjacent guide beams 60 are used to collect water, 
resulting from melted ice, and small ice particles, and carry it out from 
the region below the mass of particle ice 54 on the floor members 58. 
This embodiment also includes an insulated base 62 below the conveyor. In 
this embodiment, a relatively thick plank form of insulated material 62 is 
used. As shown, at least some of the guide beam forming shapes 60 may be 
bolted down. 
In this embodiment, each shape 60 may comprise a bottom member 64, a pair 
of side members 68, and top portions 70, 72. Except for the extreme sides 
of the conveyor, each top portion 70 may comprise an interlock component 
74 of a type which includes a goove. Each top portion 72 may include an 
interlock component which includes a lip 76 sized to fit within the 
groove. Each top portion 70, 72 also includes an outwardly projecting 
flange 78, 80. 
This embodiment may include bearing members like the bearing members 
described above in connection with the first embodiment. The bearing 
members and the flanges 78, 80 may be like the bearing members and the 
flanges described above. Or, the complimentary lock lips 28, 30 may be 
omitted. These elements are not shown in FIG. 10. 
FIG. 10 shows that at the opposite sides of the floor one of the shapes may 
be altered somewhat, and a floor member may be cut and secured to it, to 
provide a fixed floor member 82, 84 on each side of the conveyor. Each 
fixed floor member 82, 84 may be secured in place to a top portion 70, 72 
of a modified shape. A bearing member may be used, but strictly to provide 
proper spacing. 
FIGS. 11-18 relate to a third embodiment. This embodiment is especially 
constructed for use in conveying garbage. A floor of this type may be made 
quite large in size. 
FIG. 13 is a diagram of a use of the floor. This diagram shows the floor 86 
positioned on an upwardly sloping base structure 88. The base structure 88 
might start at normal ground level and end at a discharge level 90 which 
is spaced above the ground level at an amount sufficient to accommodate a 
garbage receiving container 92 positioned with its open top at or below 
the discharge level 90. FIG. 13 shows a garbage truck 94 in the process of 
depositing garbage 96 onto the floor 86. It shows the floor 86 carrying 
the garbage upwardly to the discharge level whereat it falls down into the 
container 92. 
In other installations, a plurality of floors of this type can be used for 
bringing garbage from different directions to the base of the inclined 
floor. The floors may be designed so that the garbage trucks can be 
brought up to one side of the floor and the garbage dumped out of the back 
of the trucks onto the floor. Or, a garbage truck may be backed out onto 
the floor and its contents dumped directly on the floor. 
Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, this embodiment of floor may be constructed 
by first securing sheets of plate steel 98 onto a concrete base 100, so 
that the entire upper surface of the concrete base 100 is covered by sheet 
steel. Then, guide beams 102 may be provided which are in the form of 
metal shapes, i.e. rectangular tubing, which is welded or otherwise 
secured to the plate material 98. The tops of the members 102 are provided 
with a pair of outwardly projecting flanges 104, one on each side of each 
member 102. Flanges 102 may be strips of plate material which have been 
welded to the upper corner portions of the members 102. 
In this embodiment, the floor members may be constructed from lengths of 
steel channel material 106, each of which comprises a pair of flanges 108, 
110 and a web 112. The open side of the channel is directed downwardly. 
The web 112 becomes the top of the floor member 106. The flanges 108, 110 
become the sidewalls of the floor member 106. In this embodiment, flanges 
112, 114 may be welded to the lower inner portions of the sidewalls 108, 
110. Bearing members 116 may be used which are generally of the type which 
have been described above in connection with the first two embodiments. In 
this embodiment, the bearing members which have been illustrated do not 
include lock lips. 
In this embodiment, the floor members are quite long. To facilitate 
installation and removal of the floor member, flange segments 104, 112, 
114 are used, instead of full length flanges. Flange segments 112, 114 are 
secured in pairs to the sidewalls 108, 110. Open spaces are provided 
between the segments 112, 114. These open segments are of a length to 
accommodate the flange segments 104 which are welded to the members 102. 
The bearing members 116 are of substantially the same length as the flange 
members 104. 
As shown by FIG. 18, a floor member 106 is installed by positioning it over 
a guide beam member 102, in a position with the surfaces 118 aligned with 
the bearings 116, and the spaces 120 aligned with the flange segments 112, 
114. Then, the floor member 106 is lowered until its top 112 sits down 
onto the tops of the bearing members 116. Then, the floor member 106 is 
moved lengthwise to place the flange segments 112 below the bearing 
members 116. The floor member 106 is then secured to a hydraulic cylinder 
which drives it lengthwise. 
The drive mechanism for the floor shown by FIGS. 11-14 is not a part of 
this invention. It might be a mechanism of a type disclosed and described 
in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,760. Or, a separate cylinder may 
be provided for each floor member 106. Valving may be provided for 
continuously advancing a group of three floor members, while retracting a 
fourth floor member at a faster rate of travel. A workable embodiment of 
this concept is disclosed by my aforementioned companion application Ser. 
No. 680,356 entitled "Reciprocating Floor Conveyor System". 
Referring to FIG. 14, a space 122 is defined by and between each adjacent 
floor member sidewall 108, 110. This space 122 is narrower than the width 
of a floor member 106, but it is substantially large. It is large enough 
that the garbage load 96 can fall down into the spaces 122. In this 
embodiment, the sidewalls 108, 110 are relatively deep. The outer surfaces 
of the sidewalls 108, 110 contact the garbage within the spaces 122. Then, 
in response to movement of a pair of floor members 106, the garbage in the 
space 122 between such floor members 106 is moved along together with the 
garbage on top of the floor members 106. This is because the outer 
surfaces 108, 110 of the floor members 106 provide sufficient friction to 
grab ahold of and move the garbage material 96. 
Garbage material 96 is generally of such a composition that each part of it 
interlocks with an adjacent part. Thus, the moving garbage 96 on top of 
the floor members 106 will want to move with it the garbage that is within 
the spaces 122. The surface area provided by the outer surfaces of 
sidewalls 108, 110 enhances the force on the garbage intending to move it, 
or hold it, depending on what the floor members 106 are doing. 
After use, a hose can be used for washing out whatever garbage remains in 
the channel regions between the floor members 106. In actual practice, it 
was found that the garbage in the spaces 122 is moved along quite 
positively and very little remains in the spaces. 
Preferably, the tube members 102 are relatively strong lengths of steel 
tubing. They are welded directly to steel plate material 98 which is 
secured to the concrete base 100. The channel members 106 are steel 
members. These materials, and the materials used for the bearings 116 are 
all capable of carrying large weights. The spaces 122 between the floor 
members 106 are narrower than the tires of the garbage trucks. Thus, the 
garbage trucks can be driven out onto the floor. In some embodiments, it 
is highly desirable to make a quite large floor and either back or drive 
the garbage truck out onto the floor before dumping the garbage on it. 
The embodiments which have been described above are represented for 
illustration and not limitation. I am only to be limited to the wording in 
the claims which follow, interpreted in accordance with the rules of claim 
interpretation, including the doctrine of equivalents.