Patent ID: 7284947

Claim:
A telescoping support strut configured to support a conveyor assembly of a portable conveyor system, the support strut comprising: a first strut section having a first beam and a second beam and a plurality of braces coupled between facing portions of the first and second beams, the first and second beams being generally parallel to one another, wherein a first one of the plurality of braces comprises a cross support connected between the first and second beams at a first end of each of the first and second beams, the cross support defining first and second spaced openings, and wherein a second one of the plurality of braces comprises a cross member spaced from the cross support; a second strut section having a first generally C-shaped channel beam and a second generally C-shaped channel beam, the first and second channel beams being generally parallel to one another, the first and second channel beams each comprising a perimeter wall and a channel slot, the channel slot of the first channel beam facing the channel slot of the second channel beam, and a plurality of braces coupled between outer surfaces of the first and second channel beams, the first and second channel beams configured to telescopically receive and substantially surround a respective first and second beam of the first strut section; and first and second telescoping hydraulic cylinders extending along the second strut section and positioned within a respective one of the first and second spaced openings of the cross support, the first and second hydraulic cylinders connected to the cross member of the first strut section; wherein the first strut section is slideable within the second strut section such that the plurality of braces of the first strut section slide within the channel slots of the second strut section.