Patent Publication Number: US-8528723-B1

Title: Plow for a conveyor belt

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/491,785 filed Jun. 25, 2009. This application is a continuation of the Ser. No. 12/491,785 application file Jun. 25, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,882,943. The Ser. No. 12/491,785 application is currently pending. The Ser. No. 12/491,785 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     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 
     Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
     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 material 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 pulley 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 purpose of 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 generally includes a pair of pivotal wings each including a rear plow blades. A support bracket extends forwardly 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 plow blades to contact the conveyor belt and to maintain a separation between the plow blades and the conveyor belt as the roller(s) travels along the conveyor belt. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 3  is a magnified side view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the present invention with the wings pivoted laterally outwards. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention including a plurality of rollers at each location. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Overview 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 8  illustrate a plow for a conveyor belt  10 , which comprises a frame  20  having a pair of front plow blades  21 ,  22 , wherein the pair of front plow blades  21 ,  22  define a V-shape oriented toward an upstream direction of travel with respect to the conveyor belt  12 . The frame  20  also includes a pair of pivotal wings  50 ,  60  each including a rear plow blades  51 ,  61  defining an outer edge. A support bracket  76  extends from the frame  20  to secure the frame  20  to a conveyor structure  11  of the conveyor belt  12 . At least one roller  70 ,  72 ,  73  is rotatably connected to the frame  20  and extends beyond a lower end of the frame  20  to contact the conveyor belt  12  and to maintain a separation between the frame  20  and the conveyor belt  12  as the at least one roller  70 ,  72 ,  73  travels along the conveyor belt  12 . The plow  10  is further preferably positioned adjacent the pulley  15  on the return portion  14  of the belt  12  to remove as much aggregate material  19  as possible from the return portion  14  before engaging the pulley  15 . 
     B. Frame 
     The plow generally comprises a frame  20  that rides on the return portion  14  of the conveyor belt  12  via a plurality of rollers  70 ,  72 ,  73  that extend below the frame  20  to support the frame  20  upon the conveyor belt  12  and allow the frame  20  to ride smoothly upon the conveyor belt  12 . The frame  20  is generally separated from the conveyor belt  12  via the rollers  70 ,  72 ,  73  so that the frame  20  does not damage the conveyor belt  12  via scraping or rubbing against thereof. The frame  20  is also generally fixed in a stationary position so that the conveyor belt  12  continually moves past the frame  20  and the frame  20  stays in a fixed location to remove any aggregate material  19  including debris, rocks, gravel, dirt, etc. from the conveyor belt  12  so as not to engage the pulley  15  or the conveyor belt  12 . 
     i. Front Plow Blades 
     The frame  20  generally includes a first front plow blade  21  and a second front plow blade  22  to define a forward end of the frame  20  that initially engages the aggregate material  19 . Each of the first front plow blade  21  and second front plow blade  22  are generally comprised of a rectangular plate structure. The first front plow blade  21  and the second front plow blade  22  are comprised of similar structures and define a V-shape oriented toward an upstream direction of travel of the conveyor belt  12  so that the aggregate material  19  traveling downstream with the conveyor belt  12  engages the peak  24  of the first front plow blade  21  and second front plow blade  22  and is guided laterally towards the side edge of the conveyor belt  12  to be pushed off the conveyor belt  12  prior to reaching the wheel or pulley  15  forming a corner of the conveyor belt  12 . It is appreciated that unless otherwise mentioned, all components of the frame  20  are generally comprised of a hard, durable material, such as metal or plastic. 
     As previously mentioned the first front plow blade  21  and the second front plow blade  22  are suspended just above the conveyor belt  12  at all times to prevent damage of the conveyor belt  12 . Yet, the first front plow blade  21  and the second front plow blade  22  remain close enough to the conveyor belt  12  and parallel with the conveyor belt  12  to catch small aggregate materials  19  to direct them off of the conveyor belt  12 . 
     ii. Internal Support Structure 
     The frame includes an internal support structure to provide support for the plow blades  21 ,  22 ,  51 ,  61  and the rollers  70 ,  72 ,  73 . The internal support structure will be described more particularly as follows. A front support plate  30  extends between the first front plow blade  21  and the second front plow blade  22 . The front support plate  30  is used to provide support to the frame  20 , support for the front roller  70  and connect the frame  20  to the support bracket  76 . The front support plate  30  is generally triangular in shape to match the shape of the V-shaped frame  20  at the front end. 
     The front support plate  30  includes at least one front roller opening  31  to support one or more front rollers  70 . The front roller opening  31  is preferably centrally positioned upon and extends through the front support plate  30 . The front support plate  30  also includes a plurality of apertures  32  extending through the front support plate  30  for receiving fasteners to secure the support bracket  76  thereto. The support bracket  76  is generally secured forwardly of the front roller opening  31  and thus the fasteners are positioned forwardly of the front roller opening  31 . 
     The front support plate  30  also includes a first curved slot  34  and a second curved slot  35  extending through opposite sides of the front support plate  30  preferably near the rear of the front support plate  30  for pivotal attachment of the first wing  50  and the second wing  60 . The first slot  34  and the second slot  35  are curved to allow for the first wing  50  and the second wing  60  to pivot outwards thus increasing the width of the frame  20  to allow for various width conveyor belts  12 . 
     The frame  20  includes a rear opening  40  extending between the first wing  50  and the second wing  60  and thus first rear plow blade  51  and second rear plow blade  61 . The rear opening  40  is generally rectangular in shape to match the shape of the shape between the first wing  50  and the second wing  60  of the frame  20  and lightens the overall frame  20 . 
     At least one first rear roller opening  41  extends through a first brace assembly  41  extending from the front support plate  30  upon a first side for receiving at least one first rear roller  72  and at least one second rear roller opening  46  extends through a second brace assembly  46  upon a second side for receiving at least one second rear roller  73 . The first rear roller  72 , second rear roller  73 , and front roller  70  generally form a triangular shaped configuration which allows for stable travel of the frame  20  along the conveyor belt  12 . The first brace assembly  41  and the second brace assembly  46  extend from the front support plate  30  rearwardly over the rear opening  40 . 
     The first brace assembly  42  may surround the first rear roller opening  41  and likewise the second brace assembly  47  may surround the second rear roller opening  46 . Each brace assembly  42 ,  47  is preferably comprised of a similar structure and includes a lower part  43 ,  48  and an upper part  44 ,  49 . The lower part  43 ,  48  is generally a plate like structure to surround the rear roller opening  46 ,  56 . The upper part  44 ,  49  extends vertically around at least the forward part of the perimeter of the lower part  43 ,  48  forming a triangular or arrow shape. 
     The brace assembly  42 ,  47  may serve various functions, such as to provide the roller openings  46 ,  56  and to direct aggregate materials  19  away from the rear roller openings  46 ,  56  so not to fall within the rear roller openings  46 ,  56 . Directing the aggregate material  19  may be beneficial for instances, such as when aggregate material  19  falls upon the front support plate  30 . It is appreciated that the front support plate  30  may also be useful to catch falling aggregate material  19  and contain the aggregate material  19  upon the front support plate  30 . The upper part  44 ,  49  also prevents the lower part  43 ,  48  from bending during use. 
     iii. Wings and Rear Plow Blades 
     The frame  20  includes a first wing  50  along the first side and a second wing  60  along the second side. The first wing  50  and the second wing  60  pivot laterally outwards from the frame  20  to accommodate for various conveyor belt  12  widths. Each of the wings  50 ,  60  also include a rear plow blade  51 ,  61  defining the outer edge of the respective wing  50 ,  60  and thus respective side of the frame  20 . The rear plow blades  51 ,  61  receive runoff aggregate material  19  from the front plow blades  21 ,  22  and further direct the aggregate material  19  laterally outwards off of the conveyor belt  12 . 
     In a pivotal inward position the rear plow blades  51 ,  61  are parallel with the conveyor belt  12  and extend straight rearwardly along the frame  20  and in a pivotal outward position the rear plow blades  51 ,  61  are parallel with a respective front plow blade to widen the frame  20  and plowing range of the frame  20 . The rear plow blades  51 ,  61  and thus wings  50 ,  60  may be oriented in various intermediate positions through use of the adjustment assembly  67 . 
     Each wing includes a connecting member  52 ,  62  extending laterally inward from the associated rear plow blade  51 ,  61  to connect to the front and rear of the frame  20  and more specifically preferably the front support plate  30  and the adjustment assembly  67 . The front portion  53 ,  63  of the connecting member  52 ,  62  includes a pivot member  55 ,  65  extending therethrough, wherein the pivot member  55 ,  65  is secured within a respective slot  34 ,  35 . The pivot member  55 ,  65  is able to slidably adjust within the slot  34 ,  35  to allow the wing  50 ,  60  to pivot laterally with respect to the frame  20  and thus increase or decrease a width of the frame  20 . The pivot member  55 ,  65  may be comprised of various configurations, such as a bolt. 
     The rear portion  54 ,  64  of the connecting member  52 ,  62  extends or bulges laterally inward and connects to a respective end of the adjustment assembly  67  through the use of a fastener, etc. The adjustment assembly  67  is preferably comprised of an elongated structure, which may be comprised of angle iron, connects both the first wing  50  and the second wing  60  to secure the first wing  50  and the second wing  60  in a pivotally adjusted position. The adjustment assembly  67  preferably includes a first elongated member  68  and a second elongated member  68 ′ which are slidably connected to allow for the adjustment assembly  67  to increase or decrease in length and thus increase or decrease the width of the frame  20  via the wings pivotal movement. 
     Each elongated member  68 ,  68 ′ of the adjustment assembly  67  includes a plurality of openings  69 ,  69 ′ that align with a respective opening  69 ,  69 ′ of the other elongated member  68 ,  68 ′ to receive a fastener for securing the elongated members  68 ,  68 ′ together. The openings  69 ,  69 ′ may be evenly spaced, staggered, or arranged in various manners to allow for a plurality of lengths of the adjustment assembly  67  to be achieved. 
     C. Rollers 
     The rollers  70 ,  72 ,  73  may all be comprised of similar configurations and sizes so that the frame  20  is supported at an even height throughout above the conveyor belt  12 . Each of the rollers  70 ,  72 ,  73  includes a shaft connected to the frame  20  to allow for rotation of the rollers  70 ,  72 ,  73  and each of the rollers  70 ,  72 ,  73  extends below the frame  20  so that the frame  20  is supported above the conveyor belt  12 . During operation, the rollers  70 ,  72 ,  73  spin along the conveyor belt  12  while the frame  20  remains in place. The front roller  70 , the first rear roller  72 , and the second rear roller  73  may 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 bracket  76  also connects the frame  20  to the structure  11  of the conveyor belt  12  and preferably one or more supports  16  between the deliver portion  13  and the return portion  14  of the conveyor belt  12 . The support bracket  76  may be secured to the frame  20  and support in various manners, such as fixedly, moveably, or fastened through bolts via the apertures  32 , weldably connected, or various other fastening manners. It is appreciated that the support bracket  76  may be comprised of a variety of configurations to connect the frame  20  to the conveyor structure  11  or a nearby support structure. 
     E. Operation of Preferred Embodiment 
     In use, the frame  20  is secured to the conveyor structure  11  via the support bracket  76  in a manner so that the frame  20  is oriented upstream of the return belt portion  14  of the conveyor belt  12 . It is appreciated that the frame  20  may be secured in various other locations along the conveyor belt  12  where aggregate material  19 , or other debris or objects are desired to be directed off of the conveyor belt  12  or towards an alternate route. 
     It is appreciated that in the preferred embodiment, the deliver belt portion  13  is meant to be the portion of the belt that delivers the aggregate material  19  to the desired location which would generally be moving upwardly towards the top of an aggregate pile or within a loading truck. The return portion  14  is generally meant to be the portion of the conveyor belt  12  returning down towards the ground surface. The return belt portion  14  and the deliver belt portion  13  are connected and travel in an elliptical rotation. It is appreciated that various other conveyor belts  12 , deliver belt portions  13 , or return belt portions  14  may be used with the present invention rather than those described. 
     After the frame  20  is secured to the conveyor structure  11  with the support bracket  76 , the rollers are ensured to all be touching the conveyor belt  12  so that the bottom of the frame  20  is parallel with the conveyor belt  12 . As the conveyor belt  12  rotates the rollers  70 ,  72 ,  73  also rotate along the conveyor belt  12  while the frame  20  remains stationary. As aggregate material  19 , that has fallen onto the return portion  14  or otherwise become positioned upon the return portion  14  moves engages the front plow blades  21 ,  22 , the aggregate material  19  is directed laterally outwards to a point where the aggregate material  19  eventually is directed off of the conveyor belt  12  as the aggregate material  19  is continued to be carried in a downstream direction. 
     The pivotal wings  50 ,  60  may also be adjusted to increase or decrease the width of the frame  20  to accommodate for wider or narrower conveyor belts  12 . The frame  20  and plow blades  21 ,  22 ,  51 ,  61  preferably extend all the way to the outer edge of the conveyor belt  12  to ensure that the aggregate material  19  is directed off of the conveyor belt  12 . 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.