Patent ID: 7316522

Claim:
A placer/spreader for distributing a spreadable material to form a layer of the material on a substrate comprising: a frame extending in a lateral direction over at least a portion of the substrate, the frame ending in spaced-apart lateral sides and spaced-apart ends between the sides which face in a travel direction of the placer/spreader, at least one of the lateral sides forming a lateral opening providing access to a space that is bounded by the frame; a frame-propelling device secured to the frame proximate the lateral sides and capable of advancing the frame along the substrate in the travel direction; a conveyor of a given length arranged in the space, extending in the lateral direction and having an intake end proximate the lateral opening and a discharge end located in the space; a support structure movably mounting the conveyor on the frame so that the conveyor can be extended through the lateral opening for positioning the intake end at a spreadable material receiving location that is spaced in the lateral direction from the at least one lateral side of the frame for receiving the spreadable material, transporting the spreadable material to the space, and discharging the material from the discharge end onto the substrate beneath the frame, the support structure including a rail attached to the frame which stiffens the frame and is arranged between the lateral sides of the frame, and a belt support connected to the conveyor, engaging the rail and permitting reciprocating movements of the conveyor relative to the frame between a retracted conveyor position and the material receiving location of the intake end; and, a drive for reciprocating the conveyor between the retracted position and the receiving location.