Plow for a conveyor belt

A plow for a conveyor belt for efficiently removing debris from the return portion of the conveyor belt. The plow for a conveyor belt generally includes a frame having a pair of front plow blades, wherein the pair of front plow blades define a V-shape oriented toward an upstream direction of travel with respect to the conveyor belt. The frame also includes a pair of pivotal wings each including a rear plow blades. A support bracket extends from the frame to secure the frame to a conveyor structure of the conveyor belt. At least one roller is rotatably connected to the frame and extends beyond a lower end of the frame to contact the conveyor belt and to maintain a separation between the frame and the conveyor belt as the at least one roller travels along the conveyor belt.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a belt plow and more specifically it relates to a plow for a conveyor belt for efficiently removing debris from the return portion of the conveyor belt.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conveyor belts have been used for years to carry aggregate and other materials. A common problem associated with conveyor belts and loose aggregate materials is the aggregate materials falling off of the delivering belt portion of the conveyor belt onto the return belt portion or being accidentally spilled onto the return belt portion during loading. When engaging the drive or idler pulley, the aggregate material can cause considerable damage to both the pulley and the conveyor belt.

In the past plows have been situated upon the conveyor belt to direct the loose aggregate material off of the return belt portion prior to reaching the pulley; however the plows have been positioned directly on the plow which accomplishes the directing of the loose aggregate material off of the plow but during the process tears up or damages the belt due to the constant rubbing of the conveyor belt upon the plow during rotation of the conveyor belt. This results in belt replacements which can be expensive and time consuming. Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved plow for a conveyor belt for efficiently removing debris from the return portion of the conveyor belt.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for efficiently removing debris from the return portion of the conveyor belt. The invention generally relates to a belt plow which includes a frame having a pair of front plow blades, wherein the pair of front plow blades define a V-shape oriented toward an upstream direction of travel with respect to the conveyor belt. The frame also includes a pair of pivotal wings each including a rear plow blades. A support bracket extends from the frame to secure the frame to a conveyor structure of the conveyor belt. At least one roller is rotatably connected to the frame and extends beyond a lower end of the frame to contact the conveyor belt and to maintain a separation between the frame and the conveyor belt as the at least one roller travels along the conveyor belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,FIGS. 1 through 8illustrate a plow for a conveyor belt10, which comprises a frame20having a pair of front plow blades21,22, wherein the pair of front plow blades21,22define a V-shape oriented toward an upstream direction of travel with respect to the conveyor belt12. The frame20also includes a pair of pivotal wings50,60each including a rear plow blades51,61defining an outer edge. A support bracket76extends from the frame20to secure the frame20to a conveyor structure11of the conveyor belt12. At least one roller70,72,73is rotatably connected to the frame20and extends beyond a lower end of the frame20to contact the conveyor belt12and to maintain a separation between the frame20and the conveyor belt12as the at least one roller70,72,73travels along the conveyor belt12. The plow10is further preferably positioned adjacent the pulley15on the return portion14of the belt12to remove as much aggregate material19as possible from the return portion14before engaging the pulley15.

The plow generally comprises a frame20that rides on the return portion14of the conveyor belt12via a plurality of rollers70,72,73that extend below the frame20to support the frame20upon the conveyor belt12and allow the frame20to ride smoothly upon the conveyor belt12. The frame20is generally separated from the conveyor belt12via the rollers70,72,73so that the frame20does not damage the conveyor belt12via scraping or rubbing against thereof. The frame20is also generally fixed in a stationary position so that the conveyor belt12continually moves past the frame20and the frame20stays in a fixed location to remove any aggregate material19including debris, rocks, gravel, dirt, etc. from the conveyor belt12so as not to engage the pulley15or the conveyor belt12.

i. Front Plow Blades

The frame20generally includes a first front plow blade21and a second front plow blade22to define a forward end of the frame20that initially engages the aggregate material19. Each of the first front plow blade21and second front plow blade22are generally comprised of a rectangular plate structure. The first front plow blade21and the second front plow blade22are comprised of similar structures and define a V-shape oriented toward an upstream direction of travel of the conveyor belt12so that the aggregate material19traveling downstream with the conveyor belt12engages the peak24of the first front plow blade21and second front plow blade22and is guided laterally towards the side edge of the conveyor belt12to be pushed off the conveyor belt12prior to reaching the wheel or pulley15forming a corner of the conveyor belt12. It is appreciated that unless otherwise mentioned, all components of the frame20are generally comprised of a hard, durable material, such as metal or plastic.

As previously mentioned the first front plow blade21and the second front plow blade22are suspended just above the conveyor belt12at all times to prevent damage of the conveyor belt12. Yet, the first front plow blade21and the second front plow blade22remain close enough to the conveyor belt12and parallel with the conveyor belt12to catch small aggregate materials19to direct them off of the conveyor belt12.

ii. Internal Support Structure

The frame includes an internal support structure to provide support for the plow blades21,22,51,61and the rollers70,72,73. The internal support structure will be described more particularly as follows. A front support plate30extends between the first front plow blade21and the second front plow blade22. The front support plate30is used to provide support to the frame20, support for the front roller70and connect the frame20to the support bracket76. The front support plate30is generally triangular in shape to match the shape of the V-shaped frame20at the front end.

The front support plate30includes at least one front roller opening31to support one or more front rollers70. The front roller opening31is preferably centrally positioned upon and extends through the front support plate30. The front support plate30also includes a plurality of apertures32extending through the front support plate30for receiving fasteners to secure the support bracket76thereto. The support bracket76is generally secured forwardly of the front roller opening31and thus the fasteners are positioned forwardly of the front roller opening31.

The front support plate30also includes a first curved slot34and a second curved slot35extending through opposite sides of the front support plate30preferably near the rear of the front support plate30for pivotal attachment of the first wing50and the second wing60. The first slot34and the second slot35are curved to allow for the first wing50and the second wing60to pivot outwards thus increasing the width of the frame20to allow for various width conveyor belts12.

The frame20includes a rear opening40extending between the first wing50and the second wing60and thus first rear plow blade51and second rear plow blade61. The rear opening40is generally rectangular in shape to match the shape of the shape between the first wing50and the second wing60of the frame20and lightens the overall frame20.

At least one first rear roller opening41extends through a first brace assembly41extending from the front support plate30upon a first side for receiving at least one first rear roller72and at least one second rear roller opening46extends through a second brace assembly46upon a second side for receiving at least one second rear roller73. The first rear roller72, second rear roller73, and front roller70generally form a triangular shaped configuration which allows for stable travel of the frame20along the conveyor belt12. The first brace assembly41and the second brace assembly46extend from the front support plate30rearwardly over the rear opening40.

The first brace assembly42may surround the first rear roller opening41and likewise the second brace assembly47may surround the second rear roller opening46. Each brace assembly42,47is preferably comprised of a similar structure and includes a lower part43,48and an upper part44,49. The lower part43,48is generally a plate like structure to surround the rear roller opening46,56. The upper part44,49extends vertically around at least the forward part of the perimeter of the lower part43,48forming a triangular or arrow shape.

The brace assembly42,47may serve various functions, such as to provide the roller openings46,56and to direct aggregate materials19away from the rear roller openings46,56so not to fall within the rear roller openings46,56. Directing the aggregate material19may be beneficial for instances, such as when aggregate material19falls upon the front support plate30. It is appreciated that the front support plate30may also be useful to catch falling aggregate material19and contain the aggregate material19upon the front support plate30. The upper part44,49also prevents the lower part43,48from bending during use.

iii. Wings and Rear Plow Blades

The frame20includes a first wing50along the first side and a second wing60along the second side. The first wing50and the second wing60pivot laterally outwards from the frame20to accommodate for various conveyor belt12widths. Each of the wings50,60also include a rear plow blade51,61defining the outer edge of the respective wing50,60and thus respective side of the frame20. The rear plow blades51,61receive runoff aggregate material19from the front plow blades21,22and further direct the aggregate material19laterally outwards off of the conveyor belt12.

In a pivotal inward position the rear plow blades51,61are parallel with the conveyor belt12and extend straight rearwardly along the frame20and in a pivotal outward position the rear plow blades51,61are parallel with a respective front plow blade to widen the frame20and plowing range of the frame20. The rear plow blades51,61and thus wings50,60may be oriented in various intermediate positions through use of the adjustment assembly67.

Each wing includes a connecting member52,62extending laterally inward from the associated rear plow blade51,61to connect to the front and rear of the frame20and more specifically preferably the front support plate30and the adjustment assembly67. The front portion53,63of the connecting member52,62includes a pivot member55,65extending therethrough, wherein the pivot member55,65is secured within a respective slot34,35. The pivot member55,65is able to slidably adjust within the slot34,35to allow the wing50,60to pivot laterally with respect to the frame20and thus increase or decrease a width of the frame20. The pivot member55,65may be comprised of various configurations, such as a bolt.

The rear portion54,64of the connecting member52,62extends or bulges laterally inward and connects to a respective end of the adjustment assembly67through the use of a fastener, etc. The adjustment assembly67is preferably comprised of an elongated structure, which may be comprised of angle iron, connects both the first wing50and the second wing60to secure the first wing50and the second wing60in a pivotally adjusted position. The adjustment assembly67preferably includes a first elongated member68and a second elongated member68′ which are slidably connected to allow for the adjustment assembly67to increase or decrease in length and thus increase or decrease the width of the frame20via the wings pivotal movement.

Each elongated member68,68′ of the adjustment assembly67includes a plurality of openings69,69′ that align with a respective opening69,69′ of the other elongated member68,68′ to receive a fastener for securing the elongated members68,68′ together. The openings69,69′ may be evenly spaced, staggered, or arranged in various manners to allow for a plurality of lengths of the adjustment assembly67to be achieved.

The rollers70,72,73may all be comprised of similar configurations and sizes so that the frame20is supported at an even height throughout above the conveyor belt12. Each of the rollers70,72,73includes a shaft connected to the frame20to allow for rotation of the rollers70,72,73and each of the rollers70,72,73extends below the frame20so that the frame20is supported above the conveyor belt12. During operation, the rollers70,72,73spin along the conveyor belt12while the frame20remains in place. The front roller70, the first rear roller72, and the second rear roller73may each be comprised of a single roller, a plurality of rollers, a narrow roller, a wide roller, or various combinations thereof.

D. Support Bracket

A support bracket76also connects the frame20to the structure11of the conveyor belt12and preferably one or more supports16between the deliver portion13and the return portion14of the conveyor belt12. The support bracket76may be secured to the frame20and support in various manners, such as fixedly, moveably, or fastened through bolts via the apertures32, weldably connected, or various other fastening manners. It is appreciated that the support bracket76may be comprised of a variety of configurations to connect the frame20to the conveyor structure11or a nearby support structure.

E. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

In use, the frame20is secured to the conveyor structure11via the support bracket76in a manner so that the frame20is oriented upstream of the return belt portion14of the conveyor belt12. It is appreciated that the frame20may be secured in various other locations along the conveyor belt12where aggregate material19, or other debris or objects are desired to be directed off of the conveyor belt12or towards an alternate route.

It is appreciated that in the preferred embodiment, the deliver belt portion13is meant to be the portion of the belt that delivers the aggregate material19to the desired location which would generally be moving upwardly towards the top of an aggregate pile or within a loading truck. The return portion14is generally meant to be the portion of the conveyor belt12returning down towards the ground surface. The return belt portion14and the deliver belt portion13are connected and travel in an elliptical rotation. It is appreciated that various other conveyor belts12, deliver belt portions13, or return belt portions14may be used with the present invention rather than those described.

After the frame20is secured to the conveyor structure11with the support bracket76, the rollers are ensured to all be touching the conveyor belt12so that the bottom of the frame20is parallel with the conveyor belt12. As the conveyor belt12rotates the rollers70,72,73also rotate along the conveyor belt12while the frame20remains stationary. As aggregate material19, that has fallen onto the return portion14or otherwise become positioned upon the return portion14moves engages the front plow blades21,22, the aggregate material19is directed laterally outwards to a point where the aggregate material19eventually is directed off of the conveyor belt12as the aggregate material19is continued to be carried in a downstream direction.

The pivotal wings50,60may also be adjusted to increase or decrease the width of the frame20to accommodate for wider or narrower conveyor belts12. The frame20and plow blades21,22,51,61preferably extend all the way to the outer edge of the conveyor belt12to ensure that the aggregate material19is directed off of the conveyor belt12.