Patent ID: 8104605

Claim:
A material sample collector for a conveyor, the conveyor having a support structure, a central longitudinal axis, and a trough belt adapted for the carriage of material thereon, the belt having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, and a width therebetween, the material sample collector comprising: a frame adapted for attachment to the support structure of the conveyor to extend across and beneath the conveyor belt; a post extending upwardly from the frame; an arm pivotally attached to and extending from the post over the conveyor belt, the arm being disposed in a vertical plane forming an acute dihedral angle with a vertical plane containing the central longitudinal axis of the trough belt; at least one axle extending normal to the arm; a wheel rotationally disposed upon the axle, the arm being biased so that the wheel is normally above the trough belt, leaving flow of material on the belt unimpeded by the at least one wheel; and means for selectively lowering the wheel into the trough belt to drive the wheel in order to divert a sample of material from the trough belt.