Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor frame or casing – Modules connectable end-to-end with no relative movement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-08-21
Bidwell, James R. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor frame or casing
Modules connectable end-to-end with no relative movement
C198S860100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276521
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to conveyor support structures. More specifically, the present invention relates to truss modules for use in constructing conveyor support spans.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many conveyor applications, a conveyor must transport material over an area in which providing support from directly below or above the conveyor is impractical. Conveyor support bridges or spans are used to provide the necessary support for the conveyor.
Conveyor support spans are typically large relative to the transportation means used to transport the spans from the factory to the customer site. Accordingly, the support spans are often shipped in piece parts that are assembled at the customer site.
On-site assembly of traditional conveyor support spans involves time consuming and potentially hazardous assembly operations, such as cutting and welding. The on-site assembly operations are typically performed in less than ideal safety circumstances and often outdoors.
Increasing the amount of conveyor span construction performed at the factory results in more controlled and generally safer span construction. However, transporting large sections of conveyor support span is economically inefficient and often results in the need for additional heavy material handling equipment at the customer site.
A need therefore exists for a modular conveyor support structure that is easy to assemble on-site and constructed from efficiently transportable components.
An object of the present modular conveyor support structure is to provide a conveyor truss module usable for constructing a conveyor truss span.
Another object of the present present modular conveyor support structure is to provide a conveyor truss module that is easy to assemble on site.
A further object of the present modular conveyor support structure is to provide a conveyor truss module made from efficiently transportable components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One or more of the foregoing objects is met in whole or in part by an embodiment of the present modular conveyor support structure is that provides a conveyor truss module for use in constructing conveyor support spans. The conveyor truss module comprises a substantially rectangular base assembly. The base assembly comprises front and back chords coupled with left and right cross ties. The front and back chords comprise clevis attachment members for attaching the base assembly to base assemblies of adjacent conveyor truss modules.
The conveyor truss module further comprises a single-pin top chord joint for coupling top chords between adjacent conveyor truss modules. The single-pin top chord joint comprises a single top chord pin and a top chord spacer.
The preferred conveyor truss module further comprises a plurality of front and back lacing struts. The lacing struts extend from the corners of the base assembly to the single-pin top chord joint. The lacing struts each comprise a gusset and eye bar on the upper end. Each eye bar comprises an eye to receive the single top chord pin. The top chord spacer of the single-pin top chord joint separates the eye bars of the front lacing struts and the eye bars of the back lacing struts. The top chord spacer provides space between the front lacing strut eye bars and the back lacing strut eye bars for top chords coupled to the single-pin top chord joint and adjacent conveyor truss modules.
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patent: 5797481 (1998-08-01), Uber et al.
Arndt Bruce
Ledger A. Steven
Oury Robert F.
Bidwell James R.
McAndrews Held & Malloy Ltd.
Rotec Industries Inc.
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