Patent Abstract:
The embodiments of the Pivoting Conveyor System comprise a feed assembly, plurality of conveying assemblies, and a plurality of pivoting assemblies. These embodiments allow the entire embodiment to articulate in a wide variety of conformations and be placed in various orientations such that the feed assembly can be moved to adjust to the location of the mineral source, such as a rock formation, and transport the material from the quarrying location to the final storage location. In addition, the articulating motion of the embodiments allow for the end of the embodiments to be moved and adjusted as required to transport the material to the desired end location.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application with Ser. No. 61/559,795 titled “Pivoting Conveyor System” filed on Nov. 15, 2011. The entire contents of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/559,795 is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0003]    The field of the embodiments is conveying machinery and devices, particularly, but not limited to, conveying heavy raw materials such as rocks, stones and other minerals in quarrying operations. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0004]    Conveying systems are commonly used in quarrying operations, as well as other operations that extract minerals and other resources, to move the raw materials from one location to another. It is common in quarrying applications to provide a means of transporting the extracted material from the quarry using a conveying means. As the quarrying progresses, the point at which the raw material is fed to the conveying system moves. For example, as rock is quarried, the rock face from which the rock is removed necessarily moves as the rock is removed. When the rock face is being readied with explosives, any material moving systems must be moved out of the way of any harmful effects of the blast including falling debris. Once the rock face is blasted and readied, the material moving system is returned into position for the purpose of conveying minerals from the vicinity of the rock face to the central processing facility. Therefore, the beginning point in the conveying system must be moved to track the location of the beginning rock face. 
         [0005]    Commonly, the discharge point of the conveying system is at a fixed location. Typically, this fixed location is where further mineral processing takes place. Alternatively, the end point of the conveying system must move to accommodate changing storage and transportation conditions at the end of the conveying system. In some cases, it is necessary to have a conveying system that allows for the beginning segment, middle segment, or both beginning and end segments of the conveying system to move as needed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0006]    In summary, the embodiments of the Pivoting Conveyor System comprise a feed assembly, plurality of conveying assemblies, and a plurality of pivoting assemblies. These embodiments allow the entire embodiment to articulate in a wide variety of conformations and be placed in various orientations such that the feed assembly can be moved to adjust to the location of the mineral source, such as a rock formation, and transport the material from the quarrying location to the final processing location. In addition, the articulating motion of the embodiments allow for the end of the embodiments to be moved and adjusted as required to transport the material to the desired end location. 
         [0007]    In this respect, it is to be understood that the embodiments in this application are not limited to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are capable 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 description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments described in this application. Additional benefits and advantages of the present embodiments will become apparent in those skilled in the art to which the embodiments relate from the description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein. 
         [0008]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the embodiments of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the embodiments in any way. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of an embodiment of the Pivoting Conveyor System showing how the system can be oriented in different ways to accommodate production of minerals. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the articulating conveyor showing a track-mounted crusher/feeder unit and the first conveyor unit is supported by the crusher/feeder unit and the second section supported by a wheel base unit. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective close-up view of the pivoting assembly of an embodiment of the Pivoting Conveying System wherein this pivoting assembly is supported by a wheeled unit. The deflector plates and pulley have been left off this drawing for clarity. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of a section of an embodiment of the Pivoting Conveying System. The deflector plates and pulley have been left off this drawing for clarity. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the chute in the pivoting assembly of an embodiment of the Pivoting Conveying System. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a front view showing the pivoting assembly including the chute of an embodiment of the Pivoting Conveying System. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows a sectional view of the pivoting assembly and the connection between the incoming conveyor and the outgoing conveyor in an embodiment of the Pivoting Conveying System. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing how material leaves one conveyor segment, empties into the chute, and discharges into a downstream conveying segment of an embodiment of the Pivoting Conveying System. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the pivoting assembly and the connection between the incoming conveyor and the outgoing conveyor in an embodiment of the Pivoting Conveying System. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10A  is a side view of an embodiment of the articulating conveyor showing the feed unit on track-mounted pivot units and the first conveying section self-supported and the second conveying section supported by a wheel base unit;  FIG. 10B  is a prospective view of an embodiment of the articulating conveyor showing the feed unit on track-mounted pivot units and the first conveying section self-supported and the second conveying section supported by a wheel base unit. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11A  is a side view of an embodiment showing how a plurality of conveying units with a track-mounted feed hopper connected with a unit supported by a wheel-mounted pivot units with an end conveyor assembly location means aligning the feed unit with the first conveying unit;  FIG. 11B  is a prospective view of an embodiment showing how a plurality of conveying units can be connected together with the unit supported by wheel-mounted pivot units with an end conveyor assembly location means aligning the feed unit with the first conveying unit. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12A  is a side view of an embodiment showing how a plurality of conveying units can be connected together with the unit supported by wheel-mounted pivot units;  FIG. 12B  is a prospective view of an embodiment showing how a plurality of conveying units can be connected together with the unit supported by wheel-mounted pivot units. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13A  is a side view of an embodiment showing how a plurality of conveying units can be linked together with one unit supported by a track-mounted pivot unit and another unit being supported by a wheel-mounted pivot units;  FIG. 13B  is a prospective view of an embodiment showing how a plurality of conveying units can be linked together with one unit supported by a track-mounted pivot unit and another unit being supported by a wheel-mounted pivot units. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    An embodiment of the Pivoting Conveyor System is shown in  FIG. 1 . The purpose of the Pivoting Conveyor system is to efficiently move material quarried from a rock face or other mineral source to a central processing facility. The embodiments are comprised of a feed/crusher assembly  201 , a plurality of first conveying assemblies  202 , and a plurality of pivot assemblies  203 . In one embodiment of the Pivoting Conveyor System there is first conveying assembly  202 , one pivoting assembly  203 , and one outgoing feed conveyor  204  such that the out-feed of the first conveying assembly  202  is connected to the pivot assembly  203  and the out-feed from the pivoting assembly flows onto the in-feed end of the outgoing feed conveyor  204 . In this preferred embodiment of the Pivoting Conveyor System  200  with two conveying assemblies, there is a feed/crusher assembly  201 , an incoming or feed conveying assembly  202 , a pivot assembly  203 , and a second outgoing feed conveyor  204 . Other embodiments include one or more outgoing feed conveyors  204 . 
         [0023]    In embodiments of the Pivoting Conveyor System  200 , moving material from the mineral source to a central processing facility is done by positioning the elements of the embodiments appropriately. When minerals are being produced, the Pivoting Conveyor System is positioned to receive minerals and to convey those minerals away to the central processing facility. From time-to-time, the mineral production site must be prepared, typically by explosive means. In this situation, the Pivoting Conveyor System must be moved out of harm&#39;s way, so the elements of the Pivoting Conveyor System are used to position the feed/crusher assembly  201  away from the mineral production site. 
         [0024]    The embodiments of the Pivoting Conveyor System can be generally classified as being comprised of four types of conveying systems. The first is the system shown in  FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B  wherein the conveying system is connected to the crusher/feed unit. In this embodiment, the conveying system is directly connected and moves with the crusher/feed unit. A second general type of embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . In this embodiment, the conveying system is not physically connected to the crusher/feed unit, but is positioned via a location means on the crusher/feed unit and the end of the conveying system. In this embodiment, the conveying system serves as an intelligent slave unit to the crusher/feed unit by constantly maintaining the proper position to receive material from the crusher/feed unit. The third general type of system is shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B  wherein the conveyors are mounted on wheeled pivot assemblies. These embodiments serve as slave units as the entire conveying system is moved about.  FIGS. 13A and 13B  are yet another alternative to this embodiment.  FIGS. 13A and 13B  show an embodiment using track-mounted pivot units. In this embodiment, the on track-mounted pivot units provide power and anchorage to the appropriate sections of the Pivoting Conveyor System to move the sections of the Pivoting Conveyor System as required. 
         [0025]    The pivoting assembly  203  is comprised of a frame supports  306  which are formed from strructual steel and is essentially a triangular shape frame. The frame is mounted on two pivot assembly wheels  307  which permit the pivot assembly to move in all directions. On top of the triangular frame supports  306  is a chute assembly which conveys the material from the incoming section to the outgoing section. All conveying sections, both incoming and outgoing, are comprised of a lattice structure of structual steel and square tubing that provides mechanical and structural support for the conveyor. The conveyor moves roughly from a low position to a higher position such that the material being conveyed is transported from the bottom of the chute to the top of the next pivoting assembly chute. The chute  301  in the pivoting assembly is comprised of a large diameter pipe framed in a rectangular tubing structure  302 . In an embodiment of the invention the chute  301  is comprised of pipe. The outgoing chute is comprised of a pair of I-beams, a right chute I-beam  304  and left chute I-beam  303 , which direct the conveying material into the chute  301  as shown in  FIG. 3 . As the conveyed material exits the outgoing chute the conveyed material drops into the chute  301  onto the moving conveyor of the outgoing chute. 
         [0026]    The conveying assemblies  202  and the outgoing feed conveyor  204  are also comprised of conveyor belts and conveyor pulleys  503 . The conveying belts and pulleys  503  are integral to the operation of all embodiments of the Pivoting Conveying System as the conveying belts directly move the minerals and materials from the beginning of the conveyors to the end of the conveyors. The conveying belts and pulleys  503  are omitted from some figures so as to avoid unnecessary clutter of the figures. However, it should be understood and appreciate that all conveying sections are comprised of conveyor belts and pulleys  503 . In another embodiment of the Pivoting Conveyor System, augers or screw conveyors are used in the place of belt conveyors to convey the material. 
         [0027]    The conveying sections  202  are comprised of a lattice structure of strructual steel supports as illustrated in an embodiment in  FIG. 4 . These supports include without limitation a plurality of bottom feed supports  404 , a plurality of diagonal supports  401 , a plurality of bottom supports  402 , a plurality of top supports  405 , a plurality of top outgoing top supports  406 , and one or more end support  403 . The conveying sections  202  convey material from the infeed location  407  to the outfeed location and chute  301 . 
         [0028]    The chute assembly, as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  5   6 , is comprised of a chute  301  and a static outer chute  305 . The static outer chute  305  is welded to the lower rotating plate  502 . The chute  301  is welded to the upper rotating plate  501 . The lower rotating plate  502  and the upper rotating plate  501  provide the means for the Pivoting Conveyor System to rotate. The rotation around the chute  301  centerline provides for a first rotational degree of freedom. To accomplish this rotation as effortlessly as possible, grease is applied between the upper rotating plate  501  and the chute support  305 . As an alternative to grease, a coating of high molecular weight polymer can be applied between the upper rotating plate  501  and the lower rotating plate  502  to reduce friction. The static outer chute  305  is welded to the lower rotating plate  502  to allow these two plates to slide over one another as the incoming and outgoing conveyors articulate. When the incoming feed conveying section rotates so as to change the angle with the outgoing conveying section, the lower rotating plate  502  and the upper rotating plate  501  rotate around the centerline of the chute  301  thereby allowing the Pivoting Conveyor System to articulate around that centerline. The lower rotating plate  502  is welded to the tubular frame structure  701  of the outgoing conveyor. 
         [0029]    The pivoting assembly  203 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , is comprised of frame supports  306  which is formed of strructual steel and is essentially a triangular shape frame. The frame is mounted on a pivot frame base  601  which in turn is mounted on top of two or more pivot assembly wheels  307  which permit the pivot assembly to move in all directions. On top of the triangular frames is a chute assembly which conveys the material from the incoming section to the outgoing section. 
         [0030]    Connections between conveyor systems are made via a “pipe within a pipe” type of connection as shown in  FIG. 7 . The chute assembly is further comprised of an inner male pipe connector  703  which is welded to the chute  301  and to the support saddle  801 . The inner male pipe connector  703  serves as a connection for the outer female pipe connector  702 . The outer female pipe connector  702  is welded to right chute I-beam  304  of the incoming conveyor  202 . The outer female pipe connector  702  and the inner male pipe connector  703  are free to rotate around the common centerline of the outer female pipe connector  702  and the inner male pipe connector  703 . The rotation around the common centerline of the outer female pipe connector  702  and the inner male pipe connector  703  provides for a second rotational degree of freedom. 
         [0031]    The first rotational degree of freedom of rotation around the chute  301  centerline and the second rotational degree of freedom around the common centerline of the outer female pipe connector  702  and the inner male pipe connector  703  provide the means for each incoming and outgoing conveyor pair to move relative to each other. In other words, the first and second degrees of freedom allow an incoming and outgoing conveyor pair to articulate. 
         [0032]    The connection between an incoming conveying section  202  and an outgoing feed conveyor  204  is made by sliding the outer female pipe connector  702  over the male pipe connector  703  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The connection is secured by a compression saddle  901  as shown in  FIG. 9 . The connection is secured by a saddle fastener  902  which constricts the compression saddle  901  around the outer female pipe connector  702  via a resistance fit thereby securing the outer female pipe connector  702  so that it cannot move longitudinally relative to the inner male pipe connector  603 . However the outer female pipe connector  702  can still rotate around the inner male pipe connector  603  allowing for the required second rotational degree of freedom. 
         [0033]    The embodiments allow for the conveyor to be loaded in the center. There is nothing on the conveyor to move the material to the center once the material has been placed on it. As the embodiments allow for the conveyor to be loaded in the center, this prevents the conveyor belt from being pulled to one side or the other and spilling material making the conveyor process more efficient. The Pivoting Conveyor System places the material in the center of the conveyor no matter at what angle or configuration the conveyors are in. This is very important to having a smooth working, efficient conveyor system. The deflector plates  504  provide the means to center the material in on the conveying units. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 8  as the material or minerals is transported down a conveyor section on the belt when the material reaches the end of the conveyor belt the material has velocity associated with it that will tend to force the material in the direction of the movement of the top belt. As this material goes through the chute there&#39;s a need for deflector plates  504  to eliminate this velocity in the web direction. The reason being if the material were to continue down the chute to the next conveying belt with an additional velocity this tends to increase wear and tear on the equipment particularly the conveying belt. In addition the material tends to be sporadically placed on the belt and may result in latitudinal instability of the belt. Therefore deflector plates  504  are introduced in the pivoting conveyor system so that the material as it falls through the chute is directed towards the center of the outgoing conveyor belt, down the middle of the outgoing conveyor and also reduces the velocity in the longitudinal direction to minimize wear and tear on the belt. 
         [0035]    Embodiments of the pivoting conveyor system are also comprised of an end conveyor assembly positioning means  1101 . The purpose of the end conveyor positioning means  1101  is to provide a geographical location of the end of each conveyor system. This location information is used to provide automated articulation of the pivoting conveyor system so that the pivoting conveyor system can be placed in the proper orientation for any need for conveying material from one location to another. The end conveyor positioning means includes without limitation any GPS method or means, radar, sonar, laser range finder, or any method using the electromagnetic spectrum to triangulate a given position. 
         [0036]    If explosives are used the crusher and conveying means is commonly moved out of harm&#39;s way. Therefore, the conveying equipment needs to be moved away from the mineral face so as to enable the destruction of the mineral face by explosives. The articulation of the conveying means allows for the crusher to move away from the mineral face and then moves back close to the mineral face after the mineral face is degraded by explosives. 
         [0037]    In another embodiment, the articulating conveyor has a number of configurations involving the feed unit, the conveying sections, and how the conveying sections are supported. In one embodiment the feed section is a crushing unit which is track-mounted. See  FIG. 10A and 10B . The embodiments of the conveying sections can be either supported by track-mounted pivot units or by wheel units. As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , an embodiment of the Pivoting Conveyor System is comprised of conveying units where the first conveying assembly is attached to and supported by the feed unit. Remaining conveyor assemblies are supported by wheel-mounted pivot units. In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 11 , the first conveying section is not attached to the crushing unit, but is automatically positioned as a slave to the end of the crushing unit that serves as a master unit. Alternatively, instead of acting as an automatic slave unit following the crushing unit, the first conveying section can be manually positioned through towing, other manual positioning means, or by controls and motors on the unit. All conveying sections can be so positioned. In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , all conveying unit assemblies are supported by wheel-mounted pivot units. In yet another embodiment of the Pivoting Conveyor System shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the a plurality of the conveying unit assemblies are supported by track-mounted pivot units and a plurality of the conveying assembly units are supported by a wheel-mounted pivot units. As shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , a plurality of conveying units can be connected together to form an extended conveying assembly. In  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the extended conveying section has conveying units supported by both track-mounted and wheel-mounted pivot units. 
         [0038]    In all embodiments the location of the end of each conveying section can be determined through means of a positioning system. In one embodiment the positioning system is a GPS system that can be used to relay the location of the end of the conveying section to a central computer system that can use the position of the end of the conveying sections to position the entire conveying system in the appropriate manner to deliver the material from the feed unit to the desired end location. 
         [0039]    The operation in a typical mineral extraction operation is shown schematically in  FIG. 1 . In one type of such operation minerals are extracted from a mineral face typically using heavy construction equipment and explosive means. The rubble that results from this mineral face extraction is then collected and fed to a crusher. The crusher is in turn engaged to a conveying means that conveys the materials to a central processing plant. This central processing plant is typically well removed from the mineral face. If explosives are used the crusher and conveying means is commonly moved out of harm&#39;s way. Therefore, the conveying equipment need to be moved away from the mineral face so as to enable the destruction of the mineral face by explosives. The articulation of the conveying means allows for the crusher to move away from the mineral face and then moves back close to the mineral face after the mineral face is degraded by explosives. 
         [0040]    The track-mounted pivot units provide motive force to move the entire Pivoting Conveyor System. See  FIG. 1 . As the application requires, the track-mounted pivot units power the Pivoting Conveyor System to a particular location and in a specific orientation. For example, when the rock face is being readied with explosives, the track-mounted pivot units move the Pivoting Conveyor System out of the way of the harmful effects of the blast and the falling debris from the blast. Once the rock face is ready, the track-mounted pivot units move the Pivoting Conveyor System into position for the purpose of conveying minerals from the vicinity of the rock face to the central processing facility. See  FIG. 1 . The track-mounted pivot units also serve to provide stability to the entire Pivoting Conveyor System by anchoring the configuration of the system into a specific orientation. The track-mounted pivot units are comprised of tracks, an automatic brake system as is commonly found on hydraulic crane hoists. In the automatic brake system, hydraulic fluid pressure releases a spring loaded brake, which allows causes the tracks to turn. Correspondingly, when the hydraulic pressure is released the tracks stop turning and the brakes automatically reset. 
         [0041]    The conveying assemblies supported by a wheeled pivoting unit, See  FIG. 3 , are not powered. The wheeled pivot units merely provide support and as they are mechanically attached to track-mounted pivot units, are essentially pulled or pushed along when the track-mounted pivot units are activated. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment of the Pivoting Conveyor System, the feed unit is comprised of and holds a GPS unit, and the conveying assembly nearest the feed unit is comprised of and holds a GPS unit. The position and orientation of the conveying assembly nearest the feed assembly is electronically, either by a wired or wireless means, to a central computer facility. In addition, the position and orientation of the feed unit is electronically, either by a wired or wireless means, to a central computer facility. The central computer facility, given the position and orientation of the conveying assembly nearest the feed unit and the position of the feed unit, can command the Pivoting Conveyor System to position itself to accept material from the feed unit. This master-slave processing can take place even if the conveying assembly nearest the feed unit and the feed unit are not in direct contact. 
         [0043]    The central computer facility allows for central control of the entire Pivoting Conveyor System from a central, remote location. The central computer facility allows the operator to be able to turn the Pivoting Conveyor System on and off from an operator&#39;s console from any location. The central computer facility allows the operator to control the conveyor including commanding the Pivoting Conveyor System to automatically position itself to stay under the discharge of the belt and to remain in position to receive materials from the crusher as the crusher moves to collect more material. Further, the central computer facility allows the operator to command the Pivoting Conveyor System to retract or move away for blasting or maintenance. Further, the operator can view the central computer facility to determine that the Pivoting Conveyor System is operating properly. This surveillance includes the accurate position of each element of the Pivoting Conveyor System, pictorial representations of the orientations of the entire system, angles of approach of each element relative to adjacent elements, speed of each belt on each conveyor assembly, material rate of transport on each belt, and all other speeds, power inputs, material weights related to the transport of materials via the Pivoting Conveyor System. The central computer facility will comprise a one or more computer systems located in the central computer facility. 
         [0044]    Determining of the position and the orientation of each element, such as each conveyor assembly, of the Pivoting Conveyor System is determined by a positioning means. The positioning means is any means of locating the end of each conveying means that receives or deposits material to or from another conveying or material processing unit. The positioning means includes any GPS method or means, radar, sonar, laser range finder, or any method using the electromagnetic spectrum to triangulate a given position. 
         [0045]    In a best mode of operation of Pivoting Conveying System, the feed/crusher assembly  201  is connected to the incoming conveyor section  202  and the outgoing feed conveyor  204 . The material is guided into the chute  301  by two I-beams a left I-beam  303  and a right chute I-beam  304 . The material drops through the chute  301  which is further supported by the outer chute  305  onto the conveyor belt of the outgoing feed conveyor  204  the connection between the incoming conveyor section  202  and outgoing feed conveyor  204  is accomplished by a pipe within a pipe connection system. The incoming conveyor section  202  is connected to an outer female pipe connector  702  which is slid over the inner male pipe connector  703  and in turn secured by compression saddle  901  and a saddle fastener  902  once the conveyor sections are connected the material can flow from the incoming conveyor section  202  through the pivoting assembly  203  and into the outgoing feed conveyor  204 . In another best mode of operation of the Pivoting Conveyor System, the Pivoting Conveyor system is comprised of a track-mounted crushing unit as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this best mode, the track-mounted feed/crusher assembly  201  deposits material via a bin onto an incoming conveyor section  202 , which is shown in  FIG. 2  as the first section in the conveying system. This first section can either be supported by the crusher/feeder unit (See  FIG. 10 ) or a track-mounted unit (See  FIG. 11 ). The track-mounted feed/crusher assembly  201  moves as necessary to remain close to the material to be transported. As material is transported, the track-mounted crushing unit  201  is moved, generally in the direction of the rock face, to facilitate the mining process. The position of the hopper on the incoming conveyor section  202  is determined by the positioning means and this position is relayed to the central computer facility. The central computer facility in turn directs the incoming conveyor section  202  to automatically position itself to remain positioned to accept material discharged by the track-mounted crushing unit  201 . In other words, the central computer facility directs the Pivoting Conveyor System to automatically position itself so that mining operations continue in a smooth fashion without loss of material. 
         [0046]    The best mode of operation of the Pivoting Conveyor System allows for a readily movable conveyor system. The Pivoting Conveyor System permits the operator to easily position the conveyor system either manually or remotely, and has an anchoring system in place to hold the conveying system in the designated location. Also, with the use of a positioning means the conveyor system can follow the crusher unit automatically or by remote control. Further, the deflector plate allows for the load material to be centered on to the conveyor belt reducing material loss and increasing conveyor efficiency. Lastly, the Pivoting Conveyor System allows for the conveyor system to cover uneven ground much like a pivoting irrigation system with the added advantage of not requiring permanent anchors except the connection of the final segment to the discharge end of the conveying system. The embodiments shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  allow the Pivoting Conveyor System to be used in conjunction with existing material handling systems including without limitation portable crusher units without modifications. The Pivoting Conveyor System can be employed to handle, process, and convey any bulk granular material including without limitation rock, minerals, grain, corn, coal, and sugar.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1