Chain conveyor

Claim 1

In a drag chain conveyor of the type utilizing a continuous length of chain, the combination comprising: first support means to slidably support a first section of said chain along a first straight segment of the conveyor run, second support means to slidably support a second section of said chain along a second straight segment of the conveyor run with one end of said second support means being located proximate to one end of said first support means with said second section of said chain continuous with and adjacent to said first section, each of said support means located to align the chain section supported thereon at a predetermined angle therebetween corresponding to a change of direction between said segments of the conveyor run, third support means to slidably support a third section of chain along said first straight segment of the conveyor run with said third support means and longer than said first support means, fourth sUpport means to slidably support a fourth section of chain along said second straight segment of the conveyor run, one end of said fourth support means located proximate to one end of said third support means with said fourth section of said chain continuous with and adjacent to said third section and said fourth support means parallel with said second support means and longer than said second support means. first and second deflector sheaves between each of said first and second support means and between said third and fourth support means, each of the deflector sheaves having a chainreceiving groove formed at the periphery thereof, means to mount said sheaves in upstanding, spaced-apart relationship adjacent respectively proximate ends of the support means with the uppermost portion of each groove landing at the same elevation as the adjacent chain-carrying portion of said associated support means and in alignment with said straight segment, intermediate deflector sheaves each having a chain-receiving groove formed at the periphery thereof, means to mount said intermediate deflector sheaves in upstanding position between said deflector sheaves, said intermediate sheaves shaped and positioned so that the groove landings on opposite sides thereof are in vertical alignment with the proximate groove landings of the adjacent deflector sheaves, whereby said first section and said third section of chain may be wrapped over first deflector sheaves and under said intermediate deflector sheaves and said second section and said fourth section of chain continuous respectively with said first section and said third section may be wrapped over said second deflector sheaves and under said intermediate sheaves with the change in the chain alignment from one segment of the conveyor to the next, characterized by rotation of the chain about the vertical sections thereof carried by the intermediate sheave groove landings and the adjacent deflector sheave groove landings, said first and third support means and said second and fourth support means being spaced and adapted to carry said chains with clearance therebetween so that an article carried by the chains and depending into the space between said chain supports is out of rubbing contact therewith.