US3701411A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conveyor system
Assignee: Goodrich Corp
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Filing: 1971-02-01
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1991-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A mobile conveyor system for carrying bulk material in both a straight and transversely curved path having an endless elastomeric belt formed with an embedded inextensible central spine and the margins on either side corrugated for permitting transverse flexing. A self-propelled tractor is pivotally connected at each end of a chain of pivotally interconnected single-axle carriages with the load carrying and return spans of the conveyor belt trained over pulleys provided on the tractors and on rollers on the carriages intermediate the tractors.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert E Mcginnis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:06
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G21/00; B65G21/10; B65G21/14; B65G15/00; B65G15/30; B65G15/56; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A mobile conveyor system for transporting bulk material in a path including both straight and transversely curved portions comprising: a. an endless flexible conveyor belt of reinforced elastomeric material with the said belt including an inextensible flexible central portion and spaced integral corrugated margins extending from the said central portion to the edges of the belt; b. a train of carriages each including belt-supporting idler means arranged to direct movement of the belt in troughed condition longitudinally of the carriage train and means individually supporting each carriage for movement over a surface to be traversed; c. said idler means including two rows of longitudinally spaced transversely extending rollers with one row contacting in a supporting manner the inner periphery of the load carrying span of said belt and the remaining row of rollers contacting in a supporting manner the outer periphery of the return span of said belt. d. tractor means connected to at least one end of said conveyor belt and carriage train including means for moving said tractor over the surface to be traversed; e. drive means connected to the discharge end of said belt for moving said belt over said idlers; f. means articulating said tractor means and said carriage train for movement as a unit in the direction of the length of said train while permitting angular displacement of the longitudinal centerline of any one of the said carriages relative to the other; and g. means limiting the extent of said angular displacement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A mobile conveyor system for transporting bulk material in a path including both straight and transversely curved portions comprising: a. an endless flexible conveyor belt of reinforced elastomeric material with the said belt including an inextensible flexible central portion and spaced integral corrugated margins extending from the said central portion to the edges of the belt; b. a train of carriages each including belt-supporting idler means arranged to direct movement of the belt in troughed condition longitudinally of the carriage train and means individually supporting each carriage for movement over a surface to be traversed; c. said idler means including two rows of longitudinally spaced transversely extending rollers with one row contacting in a supporting manner the inner periphery of the load carrying span of said belt and the remaining row of rollers contacting in a supporting manner the outer periphery of the return span of said belt. d. tractor means connected to at least one end of said conveyor belt and carriage train including means for moving said tractor over the surface to be traversed; e. drive means connected to the discharge end of said belt for moving said belt over said idlers; f. means articulating said tractor means and said carriage train for movement as a unit in the direction of the length of said train while permitting angular displacement of the longitudinal centerline of any one of the said carriages relative to the other; and g. means limiting the extent of said angular displacement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein a. said carriages are pivotally interconnected; and, b. said means for limiting the extent of said angular displacement includes interengageable surfaces on adjacent ends of said carriages with the included angle between corresponding surfaces of adjacent carriages and on a common side of the longitudinal centerline being less than a right angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system as defined in claim 2, wherein the means individually supporting each of said carriages comprises a pair of spaced wheels mounted so as to rotate about a common transverse axis located equidistant between the ends of the carriage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system defined in claim 1, further comprising a separate tractor means at each end of said belt and train of carriages.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein each of said carriages has skid means provided on the sides thereof for permitting the carriage to move along a surface substantially perpendicular to the said surface to be traversed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system defined in claim 5, wherein said skid means includes rigid portions concavely curved about a vertical axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein each carriage has roller means contacting the edges and the outer periphery of the load carrying span of said belt for maintaining the belt in contact with said idler means during transverse curvature of the train of carriages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system defined in claim 7, wherein said roller means comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced rollers disposed in two transversely spaced rows with the rollers in each row contacting respectively opposite transverse edges of the belt with each roller having a cylindrical portion and a flanged portion tapered conically and at an obtuse angle with said cylindrical portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |