Scraper-chain conveyors

A scraper-chain conveyor, comprising:

• a plurality of channel sections having side walls of a generally sigma-shaped cross-section, each adjacent pair of channel sections being connected together by connection means, each connection means comprising two coupling elements fastened to the outer sides of the adjacent ends of the corresponding channel sections, and a coupling member for connecting the two coupling elements, the coupling member having a shank provided at each end with an enlarged head portion, the coupling elements having laterally open recesses for receiving, with a predetermined amount of axial play, the coupling member, one of the coupling elements having a projection which mates, with an all-round clearance, with a recess in the other coupling element, one head portion of the coupling member having an axially extending locking member which extends behind a complementary locking member fastened to one of the channel sections of the associated pair of adjacent channel sections, and the other head portion of the coupling member having locking projection means which co-operate with corresponding locking recess means in the adjacent coupling element, each connection means further including a C-shaped spring clip insertable into a V-shaped portion of the side wall of the other channel section of the associated pair of adjacent channel sections, whereby axial movement of the coupling member is prevented by the C-shaped spring clip filling up the space available for said predetermined amount of axial play.