# US 5,699,894 A · Cable driven conveyor system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,699,894 A - Document ID: US5699894A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/539,895 - Filed: 1995-10-06 - Granted: 1997-12-23 - Earliest claimed: 1995-10-06 - Assignees: FMC Corporation - Inventors: Michael J. Bestgen; Richard B. Kramer; Daniel P. Moulden; Chris Barbee; Bryon Hibbetts - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699894A ## CPC - B65G 17/02: comprising a load-carrying belt attached to or resting on the traction element - B65G 2201/04: Bulk - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract There is disclosed a cable driven conveyor system having a plurality of hangers connected to a cable and conveyor belt disposed on the plurality of hangers. The conveyor system is capable of hauling material in more than one direction. The ends of the conveyor system may be easily transportable, allowing for flexibility in the setup of the conveyor system. Their is also shown an idler assembly for use in a cable driven system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A conveyor system for transporting material comprising: a cable; at least one hanger connected to said cable; a conveyor belt disposed on said hanger; an idler assembly, said idler assembly comprising an idler bracket having a first side and a second side and an angle between said first and second side, said idler bracket forming a v-shape, said idler assembly further comprising a first idler wheel connected to said first side of said idler bracket and a second idler wheel connected to said second side of said idler bracket, said first and second idler wheels forming a pair of idler wheels and being arranged in an angular relation forming a cradling region; and at least one support mounted on the underside of said conveyor belt; wherein said cradling region supports said cable and wherein said first idler wheel is generally parallel to said first side of said idler bracket and said second idler wheel is generally parallel to said second side of said idler bracket and wherein said conveyor system comprises a plurality of said hangers and a plurality of said supports, said hangers being disposed in a region approximately half way between adjacent supports. ### Claim 2 A conveyor system for transporting material comprising: a cable; at least one hanger connected to said cable; a conveyor belt disposed on said hanger; an idler assembly, said idler assembly comprising an idler bracket having a first side and a second side and an angle between said first and second side, said idler bracket forming a v-shape, said idler assembly further comprising a first idler wheel connected to said first side of said idler bracket and a second idler wheel connected to said second side of said idler bracket, said first and second idler wheels forming a pair of idler wheels and being arranged in an angular relation forming a cradling region; a cable connecting assembly for connecting said cable to said hanger; and a chain disposed between said hanger and said cable connecting assembly wherein said cable connecting assembly comprises a spring steel strap and a bracket, said spring steel strap being fastened to one end of said bracket, and an opposing end of said spring steel strap being connected to said chain, said spring steel strap being wrapped around said cable and wherein said cradling region supports said cable and wherein said first idler wheel is generally parallel to said first side of said idler bracket and said second idler wheel is generally parallel to said second side of said idler bracket. ### Claim 3 A conveyor system for transporting material comprising: a cable; at least one hanger connected to said cable; a conveyor belt disposed on said hanger; and at least one support mounted on the underside of said conveyor belt; wherein said conveyor system comprises a plurality of said hangers and a plurality of said supports, said hangers being disposed in a region approximately half way between adjacent supports. ### Claim 4 A conveyor system for transporting material comprising: a cable; at least one hanger connected to said cable; a conveyor belt disposed on said hanger; a cable connecting assembly for connecting said cable to said hanger; and a chain disposed between said hanger and said cable connecting assembly; wherein said cable connecting assembly comprises a spring steel strap and a bracket, said spring steel strap being fastened to one end of said bracket, and an opposing end of said spring steel strap being connected to said chain, said spring steel strap being wrapped around said cable. ### Claim 5 A conveyor system for transporting material comprising: a cable; a plurality of hangers operatively connected to said cable; a conveyor belt disposed on said plurality of hangers; a plurality of idler assemblies, said idler assemblies supporting said cable; and at least one bull wheel having a notch, said notch receiving said cable; and a steel plate cover disposed on said bull wheel allowing said material to be placed onto said steel plate cover; wherein said conveyor is capable of transporting said material in more than one direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The invention of claim 5 further comprising a shroud disposed around said bull wheel and having an opening to allow particles deposited onto said steel plate cover to be provided to said conveyor belt. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The invention of claim 5 wherein said steel plate cover is domed-shaped and has a plurality of paddles disposed thereon. ### Claim 8 A conveyor system for transporting material comprising: a cable; a plurality of hangers operatively connected to said cable; a conveyor belt disposed on said plurality of hangers; a plurality of idler assemblies, said idler assemblies supporting said cable; at least one bull wheel having a notch, said notch receiving said cable; and one of a side rail, bell flange and a wheel disposed below said bull wheel; wherein said conveyor is capable of transporting said material in more than one direction. ### Claim 9 A conveyor system for transporting material comprising: a cable; a plurality of hangers operatively connected to said cable; a conveyor belt disposed on said plurality of hangers; a plurality of idler assemblies, said idler assemblies supporting said cable; at least one bull wheel having a notch, said notch receiving said cable; and a transportable bull wheel assembly, said transportable bull wheel comprising a mounting bracket, one side of said mounting bracket forming a shaft for said bull wheel, said transportable bull wheel assembly further comprising a plurality of wheels for allowing said assembly to be movable; wherein said conveyor is capable of transporting said material in more than one direction. ### Claim 10 A conveyor system for transporting material comprising: a cable; a plurality of hangers operatively connected to said cable; a conveyor belt disposed on said plurality of hangers; a plurality of idler assemblies, said idler assemblies supposing said cable, each of said idler assemblies comprising an idler bracket having a first side and a second side and an angle between said first and second side, said idler bracket forming a v-shape, said idler assembly further comprising a first idler wheel connected to said first side of said idler bracket and a second idler wheel connected to said second side of said idler bracket, said first and second idler wheels forming a pair of idler wheels and being arranged in an angular relation forming a cradling region; and at least one bull wheel having a notch, said notch receiving said cable; wherein said cradling region supports said cable, said first idler wheel is generally parallel to said first side of said idler bracket and said second idler wheel is generally parallel to said second side of said idler bracket, and said conveyor is capable of transporting said material in more than one direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The invention of claim 10 further comprising a steel plate cover disposed on said bull wheel allowing said material to be placed onto said steel plate cover. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The invention of claim 11 further comprising a shroud disposed around said bull wheel and having an opening to allow particles deposited onto said steel plate cover to be provided to said conveyor belt. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The invention of claim 11 wherein said steel plate cover is domed-shaped and has a plurality of paddles disposed thereon. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The invention of claim 10 further comprising a hopper for placing said material onto said conveyor belt. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The invention of claim 10 further comprising an idler roll for engaging a top part of said conveyor belt for dumping said material from said conveyor belt. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The invention of claim 10 further comprising a scraper for scraping excess material from said conveyor belt. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The invention of claim 10 further comprising one of a side rail, bell flange and a wheel disposed below said bull wheel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The invention of claim 10 further comprising a transportable bull wheel assembly, said transportable bull wheel comprising a mounting bracket, one side of said mounting bracket forming a shaft for said bull wheel, said transportable bull wheel assembly further comprising a plurality of wheels for allowing said assembly to be movable. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The invention of claim 10 further comprising a continuous haulage assembly, said continuous haulage assembly comprising a bull wheel disposed on a shuttle car, said continuous haulage assembly being movable. ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) The invention of claim 10 further comprising a tensioning system for providing tension to said cable, said tensioning system comprising one of a constant tensioned winch and a counterweight. ### Claim 21 A continuous haulage system for transporting material comprising: a cable; a plurality of hangers operatively connected to said cable; a conveyor belt disposed on said plurality of hangers; a plurality of idler assemblies, said idler assemblies supporting said cable; and a continuous haulage assembly, said continuous haulage assembly comprising a bull wheel disposed on a shuttle car, said bull wheel having a notch for receiving said cable, said continuous haulage assembly being movable. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The invention of claim 21 further comprising a transportable bull wheel assembly, said transportable bull wheel comprising a mounting bracket, one side of said mounting bracket forming a shaft for a second bull wheel. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The invention of claim 21 wherein said conveyor belt is capable of transporting said material in more than one direction. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The invention of claim 21 further comprising an intermediate bull wheel for moving said conveyor belt in more than one direction. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The invention of claim 24 wherein said intermediate bull wheel changes a path in said conveyor belt by approximately ninety degrees. ### Claim 26 A conveyor system for transporting material comprising: a cable; a plurality of hangers operatively connected to said cable; a conveyor belt disposed on said plurality of hangers; a plurality of idler assemblies, said idler assemblies supporting said cable; at least one bull wheel having a notch, said notch receiving said cable; and a continuous haulage assembly, said continuous haulage assembly comprising a bull wheel disposed on a shuttle car, said continuous haulage assembly being movable; wherein said conveyor is capable of transporting said material in more than one direction.