# US 10,370,193 B2 · Folding conveyer 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 10,370,193 B2 - Document ID: US10370193B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/810,315 - Filed: 2017-11-13 - Published: 2019-05-16 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-11-13 - Assignees: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. - Applicants: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. - Inventors: Colton Hirman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10370193B2 ## CPC - B65G 21/14: to allow adjustment of length or configuration of load-carrier or traction element (varying speed of conveyance by adjusting configuration of load-carrier B65G23/00; {tensioning arrangements for belt or chain B65G23/44}) - B65G 41/002: {Pivotably mounted} - E01C 23/088: Rotary tools, e.g. milling drums {(for forming recesses to receive marking materials E01C23/0946)} - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - 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 is provided. The machine includes a frame and a power source mounted on the frame. The machine also includes a milling drum configured to be driven by the power source. The machine further includes a conveyor mounted on the frame. The conveyer includes a first conveyor portion having a first end and a second end. The first end is mounted on the frame. The conveyer also includes a second conveyor portion having a third end and a fourth end. The third end is mounted on the second end of the first conveyor portion. The second conveyor portion is configured to move between a working position and a stowed position. The conveyer further includes a magnet member secured to one of the first and second conveyor portion. The magnet member is configured to couple the second conveyor portion to the first conveyor portion in the stowed position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A construction machine comprising: a frame; a power source mounted on the frame; a milling drum configured to be driven by the power source; and a conveyor mounted on the frame, the conveyer including: a first conveyor portion having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end configured to be mounted on the frame; a second conveyor portion having a third end and a fourth end opposite to the third end, the third end configured to be pivotally mounted on the second end of the first conveyor portion, the second conveyor portion configured to selectively move between a working position and a stowed position; and a magnet member secured to at least one of the first conveyor portion and the second conveyor portion, the magnet member configured to selectively couple the second conveyor portion to the first conveyor portion only in the stowed position, wherein, in the stowed position, when the second conveyor portion is selectively coupled to the first conveyor portion via the magnet member, the second conveyor portion hangs from an underside of the first conveyor portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The construction machine of claim 1, wherein the magnet member is any one of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The construction machine of claim 2, wherein the electromagnet is electrically coupled to at least one of an electrical power source associated with the construction machine and an external electrical power source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The construction machine of claim 2, wherein the second conveyor portion is selectively decoupled with respect to the first conveyor portion using at least one of hydraulic force and deactivation of electrical power. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The construction machine of claim 1, wherein the magnet member is an electromagnet, and wherein the second conveyor portion is selectively decoupled with respect to the first conveyor portion responsive to deactivation of the electromagnet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The construction machine of claim 1 further includes an attachment member secured to any one of the first conveyor portion and the second conveyor portion in association with the magnet member, a location of the attachment member being different with respect to a location of the magnet member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The construction machine of claim 6, wherein the attachment member is any one of a ferromagnet, a ferrimagnet, a permanent magnet, and an electromagnet. ### Claim 8 A folding conveyor associated with a construction machine, the folding conveyor comprising: a first conveyor portion; a second conveyor portion pivotally mounted to the first conveyor portion; and a coupling mechanism including: a magnet member secured to at least one of the first conveyor portion and the second conveyor portion, the magnet member configured to selectively couple the second conveyor portion to the first conveyor portion only in a stowed position of the conveyor, wherein, in the stowed position, when the second conveyor portion is selectively coupled to the first conveyor portion via the magnet member, the second conveyor portion hangs from an underside of the first conveyor portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The folding conveyor of claim 8, wherein the magnet member is any one of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The folding conveyor of claim 9, wherein the electromagnet is electrically coupled to at least one of an electrical power source associated with the construction machine and an external electrical power source. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The folding conveyor of claim 9, wherein the second conveyor portion is selectively decoupled with respect to the first conveyor portion using at least one of hydraulic force and deactivation of electrical power. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The folding conveyor of claim 8, wherein the magnet member is secured to at least one of the first conveyor portion and the second conveyor portion using at least one of welding, bolting, and riveting. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The folding conveyor of claim 8 further includes an attachment member secured to any one of the first conveyor portion and the second conveyor portion in association with the magnet member, a location of the attachment member being different with respect to a location of the magnet member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The folding conveyor of claim 13, wherein the attachment member is any one of a ferromagnet, a ferrimagnet, a permanent magnet, and an electromagnet. ### Claim 15 A method of securing a conveyer of a construction machine in a folded position and a stowed position, the conveyor having a first conveyor portion and a second conveyor portion, the second conveyor portion being pivotally mounted on the first conveyor portion, the method comprising: moving, pivotally, the second conveyer portion with respect to the first conveyer portion; aligning, adjacent and longitudinally spaced apart, the second conveyer portion with respect to the first conveyer portion; and coupling, removably, the second conveyer portion with the first conveyer portion using a magnet member positioned on at least one of the first conveyer portion and the second conveyer portion, wherein, in the stowed position, when the second conveyor portion is selectively coupled to the first conveyor portion via the magnet member, the second conveyor portion hangs from an underside of the first conveyor portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the second conveyer portion with the first conveyer portion further includes: providing an attachment member on any one of the first conveyer portion and the second conveyer portion in association with the magnet member, a location of the attachment member being different with respect to a location of the magnet member, and coupling, removably, the attachment member with the magnet member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein aligning the second conveyer portion with respect to the first conveyer portion further includes: aligning, adjacent and spaced apart, the attachment member with respect to the magnet member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the second conveyer portion with the first conveyer portion further includes: providing electrical power to the magnet member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further comprising: decoupling the second conveyer portion with respect to the first conveyer portion using at least one of hydraulic force and deactivation of the electrical power. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the second conveyer portion is pivotally moved with respect to the first conveyer portion using hydraulic force.