Patent ID: 8069977

Claim:
A slider bed conveyor system for allowing lateral movement of a longitudinally moving conveyor of a fixed length comprising: a longitudinally moving conveyor defining a path of travel along an axis; a first conveyor section having a first surface extending between opposing first walls to support said longitudinally moving conveyor as said longitudinally moving conveyor moves along said axis; and a second conveyor section operatively connected with said first conveyor section by said longitudinally moving conveyor and having a second surface extending between opposing second walls to support said longitudinally moving conveyor as said longitudinally moving conveyor moves along said axis, said second conveyor section being laterally moveable relative to said first conveyor section conveyor; wherein said second conveyor section is longitudinally spaced from said first conveyor section for allowing at least one of said first and second conveyor sections to move laterally relative to the other of said first and second conveyor sections, and each of said first walls of said first conveyor section includes a first fixed portion and a hinged portion secured to said corresponding first fixed portion at a pivot, said hinged portion being movable rotatably about said pivot as said first conveyor section moves laterally relative to said second conveyor section while continuing to support said longitudinally moving conveyor as said longitudinally moving conveyor moves along said axis.