US 12,662,323 B2Granted

Conveyor with directional fold

AssigneeRocky Mountain Investor Holdings, Inc.

InventorsDaniel R. Pattillo, Marcus Dacar, Wes Cornell

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Abstract

A foldable conveyor has a static conveyor housing section and a foldable conveyor housing section. The static conveyor housing section includes a substantially horizontal portion and an inclined portion, and the foldable conveyor housing section is selectively rotatable between an operational configuration and a transportation configuration. In the operational configuration, the foldable conveyor housing section is angled, while in the transportation configuration the foldable conveyor housing section is substantially horizontal. The conveyor also includes a conveyor belt operably associated with each of the static conveyor housing section and the foldable conveyor housing section, and a frame for supporting the static conveyor housing section and the foldable conveyor housing section.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A foldable belt-type conveyor, the conveyor comprising:

a frame;
a first conveyor portion having a first housing section connected to the frame;
a second conveyor portion having a second housing section connected to the frame and to the first housing section, at least a portion of the second housing section being inclined at a substantially fixed angle relative to horizontal;
a third conveyor portion having a third housing section, the third housing section being pivotally connected to the frame by a linkage assembly, the linkage assembly comprising:
a mounting structure disposed on an underside of the third housing section;
a first vertical support rigidly connected to the frame at a first end and pivotally connected to the mounting structure at a second end;
a telescoping arm pivotally connected to the frame at a first end and pivotally connected to the mounting structure at a second end;
a second vertical support extending from the frame;
a sliding support member, the sliding support member being pivotally connected to the mounting structure at a first end and being releasably securable to the second vertical support at a second end;
and
an inclined support having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the first vertical support and the second end is connected to the frame;
a support leg pivotally coupled to the underside of the third housing section, a height of the support leg being selectively adjustable;
and
a conveyor belt operably associated with each of the first conveyor portion, the second conveyor portion, and the third conveyor portion;
wherein:
the first conveyor portion is configured to receive a conveying material upon the conveyor belt;
the third housing section rotates between an operational configuration and a transportation configuration via the linkage assembly;
the sliding support member comprises a wheel disposed at the second end configured to engage with an upper surface of the inclined support when the third housing section is rotated between the transport configuration and the operational configuration;
in the operational configuration:
the third housing section is substantially co-linear with the inclined portion of the second housing section;
and
the support leg is pivoted into a storage configuration whereby the support leg is substantially adjacent the third housing section;
and
in the transportation configuration:
the third housing section is substantially horizontal;
and
the support leg is pivoted into a substantially vertical configuration and the height is adjusted such that the support leg extends between the third housing section and a floor surface.

24 more elements

A conveyor, comprising:

a static conveyor housing section comprising a substantially horizontal portion and an inclined portion;
a foldable conveyor housing section, the foldable conveyor housing section being selectively rotatable between an operational configuration and a transportation configuration;
a linkage assembly configured to selectively rotate the foldable conveyor housing section between the operational configuration and the transportation configuration, the linkage assembly comprising:
a first vertical support rigidly connected to the frame at a first end, the foldable conveyor housing section being pivotally connected to a second end of the first vertical support;
and
a telescoping arm pivotally connected to the foldable conveyor housing section and to the frame, wherein the telescoping arm is configured to selectively raise and lower the foldable conveyor housing section;
an inclined support connected to the frame at a first end and to the first vertical support at a second end;
and
a support member pivotally connected to the foldable conveyor section at a first end and having a roller disposed at a second end, wherein the roller selectively moves along a length of the inclined support when the foldable conveyor housing section is rotated between the operational and transportation configurations;
a conveyor belt operably associated with each of the static conveyor housing section and the foldable conveyor housing section;
and
a frame for supporting the static conveyor housing section and the foldable conveyor housing section, the frame comprising at least one locator tab;
wherein:
in the operational configuration, the foldable conveyor housing section is angled;
in the transportation configuration, the foldable conveyor housing section is substantially horizontal;
and
the locator tab is configured to selectively engage with a material receiving bin to ensure accurate placement of the conveyor relative to the material receiving bin.

14 more elements

A conveyor, comprising:

a static conveyor housing section comprising a substantially horizontal portion and an inclined portion;
a foldable conveyor housing section, the foldable conveyor housing section being selectively rotatable between an operational configuration and a transportation configuration;
a linkage assembly configured to selectively rotate the foldable conveyor housing section between the operational configuration and the transportation configuration, the linkage assembly comprising:
a first vertical support rigidly connected to the frame at a first end, the foldable conveyor housing section being pivotally connected to a second end of the first vertical support;
and
a telescoping arm pivotally connected to the foldable conveyor housing section and to the frame, wherein the telescoping arm is configured to selectively raise and lower the foldable conveyor housing section;
an inclined support connected to the frame at a first end and to the first vertical support at a second end;
and
a support member pivotally connected to the foldable conveyor section at a first end and having a roller disposed at a second end, wherein the roller selectively moves along a length of the inclined support when the foldable conveyor housing section is rotated between the operational and transportation configurations;
a conveyor belt operably associated with each of the static conveyor housing section and the foldable conveyor housing section;
and
a frame for supporting the static conveyor housing section and the foldable conveyor housing section, the frame comprising at least one locator tab;
wherein:
in the operational configuration, the foldable conveyor housing section is angled;
in the transportation configuration, the foldable conveyor housing section is substantially horizontal;
the locator tab is configured to selectively engage with a material receiving bin to ensure accurate placement of the conveyor relative to the material receiving bin;
and
the support member is selectively lockable in a substantially vertical orientation when the foldable conveyor housing section is in the operational configuration.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/411,812Filed 12 Jan 2024
Published: US 2025/0229991 A117 Jul 2025
Granted: 23 Jun 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B65G 21/14
Movable, or having interchangeable or relatively movable parts; Devices for moving framework or parts thereof: to allow adjustment of length or…
B65G 41/008
Means for moving conveyor frames and control arrangements therefor: frames mounted on wheels or caterpillar
B65G 21/10
Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors: movable, or having…
B65G 41/002
With the conveyor adjustably mounted on the supporting frame or base: pivotably mounted