# US 8,770,390 B2 · Belt conveyor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,390 B2 - Document ID: US8770390B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/592,768 - Filed: 2012-08-23 - Published: 2014-02-27 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2012-08-23 - Assignees: Woodhaven Capital Corp. - Applicants: Juan Neufeld; Samuel John Plett; Bernie Thiessen - Inventors: Juan Neufeld; Samuel John Plett; Bernie Thiessen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770390B2 ## CPC - B65G 45/12: comprising scrapers - B65G 21/14: to allow adjustment of length or configuration of load-carrier or traction element (varying speed of conveyance by adjusting configuration of load-carrier B65G23/00; {tensioning arrangements for belt or chain B65G23/44}) - B65G 23/44: Belt or chain tensioning arrangements - B65G 41/006: {with the conveyor not adjustably mounted on the supporting frame or base} - 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 An improved conveyor belt assembly is provided with telescoping housing sections and a tension system for extending and retracting the sections relative to one another to maintain a selected tension on the conveyor belt. The assembly also has a lower end with a stepped profile matching the stepped profile of the cleated belt, so as to pick up and discharge fallen seeds or material and eliminate gaps where fallen seeds and material may collect. One or more scrapers are provided adjacent the lower track of the belt to push stray seeds and material off the lower track for pick up by the cleated belt at the lower end of the assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A belt conveyor assembly, comprising: a first housing section with a first pulley and a product inlet; a second housing section with a second pulley and a product outlet; a conveyor belt trained about the pulleys; a motor operatively connected to one of the pulleys to drive the conveyor belt; the housing sections being telescopically coupled so as to be extendable and retractable; and a tension system on the housing sections to adjust the extension and retraction of the housing sections when the belt length changes and thereby maintain tension on the conveyor belt. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The belt conveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein the tension system includes at least one threaded shaft extending between the housing sections, a spring mounted on the shaft, and a nut on the shaft to adjust the belt tension. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The belt conveyor assembly of claim 2 wherein the spring extends the second housing section relative to the first housing section when the nut is tightened, and retracts the second housing section relative to the first housing section when the nut is loosened. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The belt conveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein the tension system maintains constant tension on the belt. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The belt conveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein the first housing section is stationary, and the second housing section is movable relative to the first section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The belt conveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein the assembly is a portable agricultural conveyor with wheels. ### Claim 7 A belt conveyor assembly, comprising: first and second housing sections coaxially joined to form an elongated housing with an adjustable length; first and second pulleys at opposite ends of the housing; a conveyor belt trained about the pulleys; and a spring assembly including a threaded shaft with a nut to adjust the housing length and thereby controlling tensions on the conveyor belt. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The belt conveyor assembly of claim 7 wherein the first housing section is stationary and the second housing section is movable relative to the first housing section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The belt conveyor assembly of claim 7 wherein the first and second housing sections are slidably connected to one another. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The belt conveyor assembly of claim 7 wherein the spring assembly extends between the first and second housing sections. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The belt conveyor assembly of claim 7 wherein the spring assembly includes a pair of laterally spaced springs on the housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The belt conveyor assembly of claim 7 wherein the spring 1 assembly includes a spring to extend and retract one of the housing sections relative to the other housing section.