Curved ratchet conveyor

A conveyor apparatus for conveying load carrying means through a curve, comprising:

• a frame, the frame having an intake end and an outlet end, a central stationary support means secured to a top surface of the frame, the central support extending through an arc from the intake end to the outlet end,
• load carrying means supports secured to the frame on either side of the central support and extending through the same arc as the central support from the frame intake end to the outlet end,
• a singular rigid mount rail slideably secured to the central support and extending through the same arc thereof, the mount rail including a plurality of retractable pushing means secured thereto, and
• a drive cylinder pivotally secured on one end to the main mount rail and on an opposite end thereof pivotally secured to the frame so that the mount rail can be moved in a back and forth action by repeated extension and retraction of the cylinder through the common arc with the central support so that the pushing means intermittently contact the load carrying means for moving the load carrying means through the arc from the frame inlet end to the outlet end.

A conveying apparatus for conveying load carrying means through a curve, comprising:

• a frame, the frame having an intake end and an outlet end,
• a central stationary support means secured to a top surface of the frame, the central support extending through an arc from the intake end to the outlet end,
• load carrying means supports secured to the frame on either side of the central support and extending through the same arc as the central support from the frame intake end to the outlet end,
• a singular rigid mount rail slideably secured to the central support and extending through the same arc thereof, the mount rail including a plurality of retractable pushing means secured thereto,
• a drive cylinder pivotally secured on one end to the mount rail and on an opposite end thereof pivotally secured to the frame so that the mount rail can be moved in a back and forth action by repeated extension and retraction of the cylinder through the common arc with the central support so that the pushing means intermittently contact the load carrying means for moving the load carrying means through the arc from the frame inlet end to the outlet end, and at least one of the load carrying means supports having continuously driven chain means operating there along for providing further driving contact with the load carrying means.