Elevator conveyor for tomatoes or the like

Claim 1

Elevator conveyor for tomatoes and the like comprising: a. an upwardly inclined main frame having an upper end and a lower end, said main frame including two spaced apart parallel beams connected by a series of spaced apart transverse braces, a plurality of inwardly-extending block means connected to said beams, a series of first rollers rotatably secured to said beams, one of said first rollers being disposed between adjacent ends of said block means, and a series of second rollers secured to an underside of said main frame, b. a dog leg lower end frame portion integral with said lower end of said main frame and disposed substantially parallel to the supporting surface, c. an endless rubber covered chain conveyor operating throughout said dog leg and main frame, an upper flight of said conveyor chain being carried by said block means and said first rollers and a lower flight of said conveyor chain being carried by said second rollers, said chain conveyor including spaced apart transversely extending cross pieces and upstanding pusher paddles, d. a subframe connected to the underside of said main frame having articulated arms and a wheel support axle, e. sheave and cable means connected to said articulated arms to cause upon operation variation in vertical positioning of the upper end of said main frame, and f. a reel means for operating said cable means.