Feed distributing apparatus

Claim 2

Particulate material distributing apparatus comprising: a. first and second carriage means each having a pulley rotatably mounted therein; b. generally horizontally extending track means; c. means mounting said first and second carriage means on said track means for movement therealong; d. first power means connected to said first and second carriage means for moving said carriage means along said track means and maintaining a predetermined spatial relationship therebetween relative to said track means; e. endless belt conveyor means; f. means operatively mounting said conveyor means on said pulleys in said carriage means so that a portion thereof is substantially horizontal for receiving particulate material thereon; and g. second power means operatively connected to said conveyor means for producing movement thereof about said pulleys with proper energization of said second power means; and h. means for receiving material from said conveyor means and directing said material transversely of the longitudinal dimension of the track means, said receiving means being mounted vertically lower than said conveyor means and adjacent one of the pulleys for receiving material therein upon movement of the conveyor means about said one pulley.

Claim 3

Particulate material distributing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the track means includes two horizontal tracks positioned in generally vertical overlying relationship with each track having one of said carriage means mounted thereon.

Claim 4

Particulate material distributing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 having in addition means for introducing particulate matter onto the horizontal portion of said conveyor means, said additional means being fixedly mounted adjacent one end of said track means.

Claim 5

Particulate material distributing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 having in addition means disposed below the substantially horizontal portion of the conveyor means for supporting said portion and mounting said portion substantially horizontal when particulate matter is deposited thereon. 5. Particulate material distributing apparatus comprising: a. a housing; b. first and second carriage means each having a pulley rotatably mounted therein; c. first and second tracks mounted within said housing with said first track spaced from and vertically overlying said second track; d. means mounting said first carriage on said first track and said second carriage on said second track for movement therealong said carriage means being further mounted with the rotational axes of said pulleys generally horizontal and transverse to the longitudinal dimension of said tracks; e. flexible connecting means attached adjacent one end to said first carriage means and adjacent the other end to said second carriage means for producing simultaneous movements of said first and second carriage means in opposite directions; f. first guide and power means attached to said housing adjacent one end of said first and second tracks and engaging said flexible connecting means for moving one of said carriage means toward the one end of the first and second tracks; g. an endless belt operatively mounted on said pulleys; and h. second guide and power means attached to said housing adjacent the other end of said first and second tracks and engaging said endless belt for maintaining a lower portion thereof generally Horizontal and for producing movement thereof about said pulleys with power energization of said second guide and power means; i. switching means operatively controlling said first guide and power means for producing reciprocating movements along any desired one of a plurality of predetermined paths; and j. particulate material supplying means affixed to said housing for receiving particulate material and directing the material onto the upper surface of said horizontal lower portion of said endless belt.

Claim 6

Particulate material distributing apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the flexible connecting means includes spring means mounted to cooperate for changes in length of said endless belt during temperature changes and to maintain said endless belt taut.

Claim 7

Particulate material distributing apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein a portion of the flexible connecting means extends generally horizontal and adjacent the lower generally horizontal portion of the endless belt and includes support means for maintaining said lower generally horizontal portion generally horizontal when particulate material is deposited thereon.