# US 10,309,583 B2 · Support mechanism for a construction machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,583 B2 - Document ID: US10309583B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/709,645 - Filed: 2017-09-20 - Published: 2019-03-21 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-20 - Assignees: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. - Applicants: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. - Inventors: Colton Hirman; Robert D. Rukavina - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309583B2 ## CPC - F16M 13/022: {repositionable} - B62D 65/00: Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for - E01C 23/088: Rotary tools, e.g. milling drums {(for forming recesses to receive marking materials E01C23/0946)} - E01C 23/127: {rotary, e.g. rotary hammers} - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H) ## Abstract A construction machine includes a frame. The machine includes an engine mounted on the frame. The machine includes a milling tool rotatably mounted on the frame and configured to be selectively coupled to the engine. The machine also includes a conveyor removably mounted on the frame. The machine further includes a support mechanism mounted on the frame. The support mechanism includes a track member secured to the frame. The support mechanism also includes at least one carriage member movably mounted on the track member. The support mechanism further includes an attachment member secured to the at least one carriage member and the conveyor. The attachment member is configured to be selectively unsecured from the conveyor. The support mechanism is configured to move at least a portion of the conveyor relative to the construction machine. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A construction machine comprising: a frame; an engine mounted on the frame; a milling tool rotatably mounted on the frame and configured to be selectively coupled to the engine; a conveyor removably mounted on the frame; and a support mechanism mounted on the frame, the support mechanism comprising: a track member secured to the frame; at least one carriage member movably mounted on the track member; and an attachment member secured to the at least one carriage member and the conveyor, the attachment member configured to be selectively unsecured from the conveyor, wherein the support mechanism is configured to move at least a portion of the conveyor relative to the construction machine; and wherein the conveyor includes a lift point proximate a center of gravity of the conveyor and configured to be coupled to a lifting system such that the conveyor can be removed from the construction machine using the lifting system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The construction machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one carriage member includes at least one roller member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The construction machine of claim 2, wherein the at least one roller member includes a plurality of roller members, each of the plurality of roller members is secured to one another using a body member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The construction machine of claim 3, wherein the attachment member is secured to the body member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The construction machine of claim 1 further includes a coupling member configured to secure the attachment member to the conveyor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The construction machine of claim 1 further includes at least one stop member provided on the track member, the at least one stop member configured to limit a movement of the at least one carriage member over the track member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The construction machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one carriage member is configured to be slidably coupled to the track member. ### Claim 8 A support mechanism for a conveyor associated with a construction machine, the support mechanism comprising: a track member configured to be secured to the construction machine; at least one carriage member configured to be movably mounted on the track member; and an attachment member configured to be secured to the at least one carriage member and the conveyor, the attachment member configured to be selectively unsecured from the conveyor, wherein the support mechanism is configured to move at least a portion of the conveyor relative to the construction machine; and wherein the conveyor includes a lift point proximate a center of gravity of the conveyor and configured to be coupled to a lifting system such that the conveyor can be removed from the construction machine using the lifting system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The support mechanism of claim 8, wherein the at least one carriage member includes at least one roller member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The support mechanism of claim 9, wherein the at least one roller member includes a plurality of roller members, each of the plurality of roller members is secured to one another using a body member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The support mechanism of claim 10, wherein the attachment member is secured to the body member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The support mechanism of claim 8 further includes a coupling member configured to secure the attachment member to the conveyor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The support mechanism of claim 8 further includes at least one stop member provided on the track member, the at least one stop member configured to limit a movement of the at least one carriage member over the track member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The support mechanism of claim 8, wherein the at least one carriage member is configured to be slidably coupled to the track member. ### Claim 15 A method for removal of a conveyor of a construction machine, the conveyor removably mounted on a frame of the construction machine, the method comprising: decoupling a first end of the conveyor with respect to the frame; coupling the first end of the conveyor with respect to a support mechanism; decoupling a second end of the conveyor with respect to the frame; sliding at least a portion of the support mechanism to move at least a portion of the conveyor out of the construction machine; coupling a lifting system with respect to a lift point on the conveyor; decoupling the first end of the conveyor with respect to the support mechanism; and removing the conveyor from the construction machine using the lifting system. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the first end of the conveyor further includes coupling the first end of the conveyor with respect to an attachment member of the support mechanism. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein decoupling the second end of the conveyor further includes coupling the second end of the conveyor with respect to the lifting system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein coupling the lifting system with respect to the lift point further includes decoupling the second end of the conveyor with respect to the lifting system. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein coupling the lifting system with respect to the lift point further includes supporting the second end of the conveyor using a support structure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein sliding at least the portion of the support mechanism further includes moving a carriage member over a track member of the support mechanism.