Mounting assembly and method for reciprocating slat conveyor

A reciprocating slat conveyor, comprising:

• at least two sets of conveyor slats;
• a conveyor drive for moving the conveyor slats in a first direction, for conveying a load, and for retracting the conveyor slats in the opposition direction;
• said conveyor drive including a separate piston-cylinder drive unit for each set of conveyor slats;
• said drive units being positioned below the conveyor slats;
• and each said drive unit including a movable portion connected to its set of conveyor slats and a fixed portion having a mounting end part;
• a main frame below the conveyor slats;
• and
• a transverse drive frame member below the conveyor slats, connected to the main frame;
• said frame member including a generally horizontal metal plate having a central portion provided with a plurality of strengthening ribs extending longitudinally of the conveyor, and opposite side portions extending laterally outwardly from the central portion, each to an outer end, said outer ends being connected to the main frame;
• wherein said mounting end parts of the drive units are connected to the-central portion of the metal plate, to place the drive units in substantial axial alignment with the ribs on the central portion of the metal plate;
• and
• wherein the opposite side portions of the metal plate are bendable in position relative to the central portion of the metal plate to permit adjustment of the vertical position of said outer ends to accommodate variations in vertical spacing of the drive units relative to portions of the main frame that are connected to said outer ends.

A reciprocating slat conveyor, comprising:

• a plurality of conveyor slats;
• a conveyor drive for moving the conveyor slats in a first direction, for conveying a load, and for retracting the conveyor slats in the opposite direction;
• said conveyor drive including a piston-cylinder drive unit positioned below the conveyor slats, said drive unit including a movable portion connected to the conveyor slats and a fixed portion having a mounting end part;
• a main frame below the conveyor slats;
• and
• a transverse drive frame member below the conveyor slats, connected to the main frame;
• said frame member having a central portion and opposite side portions extending laterally outwardly from the central portion, each to an outer end;
• wherein said mounting end part of the drive unit is connected to the central portion of the transverse drive frame member;
• and
• wherein the opposite side portions of the transverse drive frame member are bendable in position relative to the central portion of the transverse drive frame member to permit adjustment of the vertical position of said outer ends to accommodate variations in vertical spacing of the drive unit relative to portions of the main frame that are connected to said outer ends.

A drive frame assembly for a reciprocating slat conveyor, comprising:

• a drive frame including first and second transverse drive frame members, said frame members being longitudinally spaced apart;
• each said frame member including a generally horizontal metal plate having a central portion and opposite side portions extending laterally outwardly from the central portion, each to an outer end;
• and each said frame member including stiffening portions that stiffen said central portion;
• and
• a conveyor drive for moving conveyor slats in a first direction, for conveying a load, and for retracting the conveyor slats in the opposition direction;
• said conveyor drive including a plurality of separate piston-cylinder drive units;
• each said drive unit including a movable portion connectable to a set of conveyor slats, and a fixed portion having a first mounting end part and a second mounting end part opposite said first mounting end part;
• and said first and second mounting end parts being connected to said central portions of said metal plates of said first and second frame members, respectively;
• wherein the opposite side portions of each said metal plate are bendable in position relative to the central portion of the metal plate to permit adjustment of the vertical positions of said outer ends relative to the drive units when the assembly is mounted on a structure by securing said outer ends to portions of the structure.

A method of mounting a reciprocating slat conveyor on a structure, said structure including a main frame having laterally spaced apart portions, comprising:

• providing a conveyor drive including a plurality of separate piston-cylinder drive units, each said drive unit including a movable portion and a fixed portion having a mounting end part;
• providing a drive frame including a transverse drive frame member having a central portion and opposite side portions extending laterally outwardly from said central portion, each to an outer end;
• stiffening said central portion, but allowing said side portions to be bendable in position relative to said central portion to permit vertical adjustment of said outer ends relative to said central portion;
• connecting the mounting end parts of the drive units to said central portion;
• connecting said outer ends to said spaced apart portions of the main frame, including positioning said outer ends vertically to bring them into engagement with said spaced apart portions;
• providing a plurality of sets of conveyor slats, one set for each drive unit, and positioning said conveyor slats above said drive units, the main frame, and the transverse drive frame member;
• and
• connecting each set of conveyor slats to the movable portion of its drive unit.

A method of mounting a reciprocating slat conveyor on a structure, said structure including a main frame having laterally spaced apart portions, comprising:

• providing a conveyor drive including a piston-cylinder drive unit having a movable portion and a fixed portion with a mounting end part;
• providing a drive frame including a transverse drive frame member having a central portion and opposite side portions extending laterally outwardly from said central portion, each to an outer end;
• stiffening said central portion, but allowing said side portions to be bendable in position relative to said central portion to permit vertical adjustment of said outer ends of said side portions relative to said central portion;
• connecting the mounting end part of the drive unit to said central portion;
• connecting said outer ends of said side portions to said spaced apart portions of the main frame, including positioning said outer ends vertically to bring them into engagement with said spaced apart portions;
• providing a plurality of conveyor slats, and positioning the slats above the drive unit, the main frame, and the transverse drive frame member;
• and
• connecting the conveyor slats to the movable portion of the drive unit.

A drive frame assembly for a reciprocating slat conveyor, comprising:

• a drive frame including first and second longitudinally spaced transverse drive frame members, and a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal drive frame members extending between and connecting said transverse drive frame members;
• a conveyor drive for moving conveyor slats in a first direction, for conveying a load, and for retracting the conveyor slats in the opposite direction;
• said conveyor drive including a plurality of separate piston-cylinder drive units;
• each said drive unit including a movable portion connectable to a set of conveyor slats, and a fixed portion having a first ball end and a second ball end opposite said first ball end;
• and
• a ball block for each said ball end, each said ball block defining a cavity into which the corresponding ball end is received, and each said ball block being firmly connected to end portions of one of said transverse drive frame members, to secure each said drive unit to both of said transverse drive frame members.