Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor section – Conveyor section folds to facilitate transportation or...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-02
2001-10-02
Valenza, Joseph E. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor section
Conveyor section folds to facilitate transportation or...
C198S861300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296109
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a fold linkage for a conveyor that permits the conveyor to be folded for transport, and more particularly, relates to a fold linkage that may be preassembled and mounted onto the conveyor while avoiding modification of the conveyor frame.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Methods for folding a conveyor to facilitate transport are well known. Prior assemblies typically include a foldable conveyor section that is hingedly attached to a main conveyor section via a fold linkage, which includes a plurality of linkage members that are attached to the conveyor frame. Typically, the fold linkage includes a fluid operated cylinder having an extendible piston that is attached to one of a plurality of the linkage members, which are rotatably attached to each other via a corresponding plurality of joints. More specifically, the joints may rotatably connect the linkage members to the rod, the main conveyor section, and/or the folding conveyor section. As a result, actuation of the hydraulic cylinder correspondingly folds or unfolds the foldable conveyor section about the main section via the fold linkage until the conveyor is configured for transport or operation, respectively.
Conventional fold linkages suffer from several drawbacks. Specifically, because a plurality of the joints attaches the linkage members directly to the truss frame members, manufacture of prior told linkages is expensive and inefficient. The truss frame is therefore modified within tight tolerances in order to accommodate the joints of the fold linkage. This requires significant time and expense.
Additionally, in some prior fold linkage assemblies, the first and second linkages are joined by links that extend through the conveyor, resulting in further necessary modifications to the truss members. The interaction between prior fold linkages and truss members prohibits manufacture of a modular fold linkage prior to attaching the linkage onto the conveyor. Instead, the fold linkage needs to be assembled while, at the same time, integrated with the truss members and frame.
What is therefore needed is a fold linkage for a conveyor that is modular so as to allow the fold linkage to be preassembled before being mounted onto the conveyor, and that includes joints that are free from contact and interference with the truss members.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a fold linkage that is usable in combination with a conveyor to fold and unfold the conveyor.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a fold linkage that is modular and that is configured so as to be pre-assembled into a fixture prior to being mounted onto the conveyor.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a fold linkage that does not require modification of the truss members of the conveyor when the fold linkage is mounted onto the conveyor.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a fold linkage having a relief valve to accommodate a hopper that is disposed on the conveyor.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of producing a fold linkage that incorporates at least some of the above-mentioned objects.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of operating a fold linkage in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a conveyor includes a foldable conveyor section that is foldable with respect to a main conveyor section. The foldable and main conveyor sections are hingedly attached to each other via a fold linkage, which includes a first hinge section that is hingedly attached to a second hinge section. The first hinge section is mounted onto the main conveyor section, and the second hinge section is mounted onto the foldable conveyor section. The fold linkage in accordance with the preferred embodiment includes a pair of pressure operated cylinders disposed on opposite sides of the fold linkage, each of which includes corresponding pistons that are extendable and retractable so as to actuate a plurality of linkage members to rotate the second hinge section relative to the first hinge section. Extension of the pistons thereby rotates the foldable conveyor section from an unfolded position to a folded position to facilitate transport of the conveyor. The foldable conveyor section becomes unfolded, thereby rendering the conveyor operational, when the pistons are retracted. Advantageously, the rods of the cylinders are protected from potential hazards during operation of the conveyor.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the first and second hinge sections are rotatably attached to one another, and are further rotatably attached to the linkage members associated with the fold linkage. Furthermore, the linkage members are not connected to the truss members. Moreover, the linkage members do not extend through the truss frame. As a result, the fold linkage in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may be preassembled into a fixture prior to being mounted onto the conveyor.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the link members in accordance with an embodiment of the invention are rotatably attached to other link members or to a hinge section. As a result, the link members are not attached to the truss members of the conveyor frame. Accordingly, the truss members do not require modification in order to accommodate the fold linkage.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the foldable conveyor section includes a conventional hopper that is disposed at an end of the section opposite the end that is connected to the main section. In order to protect the hopper or other conveyor or fold linkage members from damage when the foldable conveyor section is folded, the cylinders include a relief valve that is operable to limit the amount of pressure that is accumulated within the cylinders once the pistons extend to a predetermined distance. The limited pressure within the cylinders correspondingly limits the force that causes the pistons to extend, thereby limiting the force with which the foldable conveyor section is biased towards the main conveyor section. The fold linkage and conveyor section are thereby protected from potential damage.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of assembling a fold linkage in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes rotatably connecting a first hinge section to a second hinge section. A pair of hydraulic cylinders is rotatably connected to the first hinge section at one end, and to a corresponding pair of pivot arms at a second, opposite end. The pivot arms are also rotatably connected to the first conveyor section at another location, and to a corresponding pair of link arms at still another location. The pair of link awns is rotatably connected to the second hinge section. The first and second hinge sections are mounted onto the main and foldable conveyor sections, respectively.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of operating a fold linkage in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes extending the pistons of the pressure operated cylinders when the conveyor is in an unfolded position. Extending the pistons folds the foldable conveyor section about the main conveyor section until the conveyor is folded for transport. Likewise, to unfold the conveyor, the pistons are retracted to unfold the foldable conveyor section about the main section so as to render the conveyor operational.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without dep
Astec Industries Inc.
Nilles & Nilles SC
Valenza Joseph E.
LandOfFree
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