Patent ID: 7549531

Claim:
A tip-up tail assembly for use with a conveyor assembly having a continuous conveyor belt having an upper run and a lower run supported on support members between a pair of spaced side frame members, each side frame member extending between a first end and a second end, the tip-up tail assembly comprising: an axle extending between the side frame members and having outer ends protruding beyond the side frame members and formed with bores passing transversely therethrough, the axle being rotatably mounted in the side frame members at one of the first and second ends thereof; and a pair of spaced side arms having first ends received and adjustably retained in the bores of the axle, and second ends rotatably receiving opposite ends of a roller assembly having one or more rollers mounted to a roller shaft and engagable with the conveyor belt, the side arms and roller assembly being rotatable with the axle between an operating position in which the one or more rollers and the roller shaft extend longitudinally outward from one of the first and second ends of the side frame members such that the roller assembly maintains tension on the conveyor belt and a retracted position in which the one or more rollers and the roller shaft of the roller assembly are positioned above the side frames members to release tension on the conveyor belt, wherein the first ends of the side arms are each movable into and out of the bores in the axle to adjust the tension in the conveyor belt when the side arms and roller assembly are in the operating position.