Intersecting bi-directional buckets for a bucket elevator system
AssigneeFMC Corporation
InventorsRobert J. Kovalak, Harold E. Patterson, Paul I. Sleppy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bucket elevator system capable of being driven bi-directionally. The system having a plurality of pivoted buckets supported between two endless chains. Each bucket having a primary guide boss with an upper surface and a guide surface thereon. Guides arranged to contact the upper surface of the primary guide boll to restrain the pivotal movement of the buckets.
Claims8
A bucket elevator system capable of being driven bi-directionally, said system having a plurality of buckets which are supported between two continuous chains, each bucket having a primary guide boss with an upper surface thereon and guide surface thereon, the improvement comprising:
- means to drive said system such that said buckets may be moved in a forward and in a subsequent backward direction;
- guide means associated with said system and arranged to contact said upper surface of said primary guide boss of said buckets;
- said buckets having interacting leading and trailing edges that will co-act with adjacent buckets to form a seal between said adjacent buckets when said buckets are maintained in a restrained position by said guide means contacting said upper surface of said primary guide boss of said buckets whereby adjacent buckets are in contact and said buckets are not in contact when said buckets are not maintained in a restrained position when said guide means is not in contact with said upper surface of said primary guide boss of said buckets.
A bucket for use in a bucket conveyor system which includes a horizontal guide means, said bucket comprising:
- a first end wall having an upper edge;
- a second end wall;
- a curvilinear containment web connecting said first end wall with said second end wall;
- a primary guide boss having an upper surface, said primary guide boss affixed to said first end wall, said primary guide boss extending to the upper edge of the first end wall and said primary guide boss including a primary guide boss guide surface at a relatively lower portion of said primary guide boss, whereby said upper surface of said primary guide boss is provided to maintain said bucket in a horizontal position when said primary guide boss upper surface is in contact with said guide means.
A bucket for use in a bucket conveyor system which includes first and second guide means, said bucket comprising:
- a first end wall having an upper edge;
- a second end wall;
- a curvilinear containment web connecting said first end wall with said second end wall;
- a primary guide boss having an upper surface and a lower guide surface which is inclined downwardly and rearwardly toward the rear portion of said bucket, said primary guide boss affixed to said first end wall, said primary guide boss extending to the upper edge of the first end wall whereby said upper surface of said primary guide boss is provided to maintain said bucket in a horizontal position when said primary guide boss upper surface is in contact with said first guide means and said lower guide surface of said primary guide boss is provided to maintain said bucket in a non-horizontal position when said primary guide boss lower guide surface is in contact with said second guide means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.