AU2011213785A1 - An Inline Swivel Adjustment Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An inline swivel adjustment assembly for a conveyor belt cleaning blade, the assembly including a backing plate for attachment to a conveyor belt support 5 structure, a swivel plate rotatably mounted relative to the backing plate and a blade mounting portion mounted to the swivel plate and adapted to mount an elongate member extending transversely across the conveyor belt, the elongate member mounting at least one cleaning blade, wherein the orientation of the blade mounting portion is adjustable by movement of the swivel plate relative to the backing plate to 10 change the angle of the at least one cleaning blade relative to the conveyor belt. 1025 29 28 25 Fiur 12

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: An Inline Swivel Adjustment Assembly Applicant: Lawrence Harvey Robinson The invention is described in the following statement: 2 AN INLINE SWIVEL ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention. The present invention relates to conveyor belt assemblies, more particularly to cleaner blade assemblies and most particularly to a swivel adjustment 5 assembly to adjust the angle of the cleaner blade relative to the conveyor belt. Background Art. A conventional conveyor belt cleaning assembly includes an elongate member extending transversely across the conveyor belt mounting a number of cleaning blades. 10 Cleaning blades may be provided with a positive rake, a 00 rake or a negative rake in relation to the conveyor belt. A positive rake means that the cleaner blade is angled so that the tip is located more forwardly than the base which in turn means that the cleaner blade can dig into the conveyor belt if positioned incorrectly or if the positive rake angle is too aggressive. A 0* rake is when the cleaning blade tip is 15 substantially over the base and the cleaning blade is substantially perpendicular to the conveyor belt. A negative rake is where the cleaning blade tip is positioned more rearwardly than the base and in this position, the cleaning blade does not clean as effectively. The rake or angle of the cleaning blades are fixed and if a loss in 20 cleaning efficiency is observed by an operator, the conveyor is stopped, the cleaning blade angle adjusted and the conveyor restarted under observation of whether cleaning efficiency has improved or not, which will then typically lead to multiple stops and restarts, until it is considered that the cleaning has been optimized. It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to 25 herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. Summary of the Invention. The present invention is directed to an inline swivel adjustment assembly, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned 30 disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in an inline swivel adjustment assembly for a conveyor belt cleaning blade, the assembly including a backing plate for attachment to a conveyor belt support 3 structure, a swivel plate rotatably mounted relative to the backing plate and a blade mounting portion mounted to the swivel plate and adapted to mount an elongate member extending transversely across the conveyor belt, the elongate member mounting at least one cleaning blade, wherein the orientation of the blade mounting 5 portion is adjustable by movement of the swivel plate relative to the backing plate to change the angle of the at least one cleaning blade relative to the conveyor belt. According to an alternative embodiment, the invention resides in a conveyor belt cleaning assembly including a blade mounting portion extending transversely across the conveyor belt and including an elongate member mounting at 10 least one cleaning blade and an inline swivel adjustment assembly, the inline swivel adjustment assembly including a backing plate for attachment to a conveyor belt support structure, a swivel plate rotatably mounted relative to the backing plate and the blade mounting portion wherein the orientation of the blade mounting portion is adjustable by movement of the swivel plate relative to the backing plate to change the 15 angle of the at least one cleaning blade relative to the conveyor belt. The in-line swivel adjustment assembly of the present invention is preferably provided to adjust the angle of attack of one or more cleaner blades relative to the conveyor belt while the conveyor is running, and/or without having to open the conveyor housing or to reach inside the conveyor housing which may expose 20 operators to safety issues. It is preferred therefore that the swivel plate is preferably mounted on or relative to the outside of the conveyor housing or cover. The in-line swivel adjustment assembly of the preferred embodiment can be used to adjust the angle of one or more cleaning blades by up to 100 in either 25 direction from the 0' rake orientation. The inventors of the present invention have found that with only a few degrees of adjustment, the cleaning efficiency can be improved by up to 50%. The backing plate of the swivel assembly of the present invention is typically attached to an exterior of the conveyor housing. It is preferred that the 30 backing plate is substantially planar. It is further preferred that the backing plate of the present invention is substantially U-shaped with a pair of side arms preferably integrally formed with a base portion.

4 There are typically a plurality of openings in the backing plate of the present invention. Normally, a number of attachment openings are provided in order to attach the backing plate to the conveyor housing or structure. The attachment openings are preferably peripherally located in order to allow access to the fasteners 5 located in the attachment openings when the swivel assembly is assembled, so that the entire swivel assembly can be removed from the conveyor housing or structure if necessary. Normally, the attachment openings are elongate or slot openings as this may allow precise positioning of the backing plate and/or better adjustment of the position. Normally, the attachment openings are substantially vertically oriented. 10 The largest opening in the backing plate will normally be the blade rail opening which due to its size and location, will preferably render the backing plate U shaped. The blade rail opening preferably allows the blade rail to extend outwardly from the conveyor belt housing, through the backing plate. This opening will normally be in an upper portion of the backing plate between the side arms and will 15 typically be open topped. The blade rail opening is preferably located approximately centrally across the backing plate for a backing plate with a single swivel adjustment assembly but it is anticipated that a double swivel assembly may be provided. Where a double swivel assembly is required, the backing plate will typically be configured as a pair of 20 single backing plates but integrally formed. Normally, the blade rail is generally rectangular in cross-section therefore, the blade rail opening will normally also be basically rectangular in cross-section. There will also preferably be a number of swivel plate mounting openings provided in the backing plate. Typically, the swivel plate mounting openings 25 will be provided in order to receive fasteners thereinto to at least temporarily fix the swivel plate relative to the backing plate. Normally, the fasteners used will be threaded fasteners such as bolts or similar. According to a preferred embodiment, a number of swivel plate mounting openings are provided in the region where the swivel plate attaches to the backing plate. Normally, at least a pair of swivel plate 30 mounting openings will be provided on either lateral side of the blade rail opening. The backing plate will also preferably be provided with a swivel plate rest. The swivel plate rest will typically provide an abutment surface on which the swivel plate can rotate and also a surface against which the swivel plate can be at least 5 temporarily fixed in use. The swivel plate rest will preferably be substantially annular and positioned at least partially over the blade rail opening in the backing plate such that the swivel plate rest is not continuous. The swivel plate rest may be a low friction rest and may be polished to 5 provide this reduced friction. Alternatively, a low friction shim or liner may be provided between the swivel plate rest and the swivel plate. This may allow the swivel plate to move more easily but may require a more robust fixing mechanism in order to secure the swivel plate relative to the backing plate. The swivel plate rest will typically stand proud of the remainder of the 10 surface of the backing plate. Further, the swivel plate mounting openings discussed above will typically extend at least into the backing plate through the swivel plate rest. One or more guide portions may be provided in order to maintain the position of the swivel plate relative to the backing plate, particularly during 15 adjustment or movement of the swivel plate. In particular, arcuate guides are preferably located adjacent the swivel plate rest. Normally, at least a pair of guides are provided, one on either lateral side of the blade rail opening and preferably outside the swivel plate rest rather than inside. Each of the guide portions will preferably stand proud of the surface of 20 the backing plate to a greater degree than the swivel plate rest. The guide portions will preferably prevent accidental dislodgement of the swivel plate against small movements but not determined removal of the swivel plate from the backing plate through larger movements, particularly those applied outwardly away from the backing plate. 25 The backing plate will also preferably include at least one lateral extension provided on either or preferably both sides of the base portion of the backing plate. Each lateral extension will preferably extend substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the backing plate. The function of the lateral extensions will be discussed below in relation to the controlled adjustment means. 30 The swivel adjustment assembly of the present invention includes a swivel plate rotatably mounted relative to the backing plate. Preferably, the position of the swivel plate can be adjusted relative to the backing plate and therefore, the 6 swivel plate is releasably mounted (or attached or secured) to the backing plate. A clamping attachment is preferred. Again, the preferred form of swivel plate will be substantially U shaped with a blade rail opening which in use, is aligned with the blade rail opening 5 of the backing plate. The swivel plate normally has a pair of side arms and a base portion which define the blade rail opening. The swivel plate will preferably have a pair of arcuate portions, normally edges, on either lateral side of the swivel plate, on the outer edge of the respective side arms. These arcuate portions preferably abut the guides on the backing 10 plate. Enlarged stop portions will normally be provided on each side arm of the swivel plate above the arcuate portions in order to prevent or limit rotation of the swivel plate beyond a particular angle, which in turn prevents or limits the angle to which the cleaning blades can be raked. 15 Preferably, each side arm has one or more openings therein to allow attachment of the swivel plate relative to the backing plate. Elongate or slot openings are preferred, and normally, there will be a pair of slot openings on either side arm, one upper and one lower. The slot openings may be arcuate or straight. These openings are preferably adapted to receive fasteners therethrough which can 20 subsequently be received into the swivel plate mount openings in the backing plate. Preferably, threaded fasteners such as bolts are used and the head of the bolt will typically abut the swivel plate adjacent each of the openings in order to provide a clamping force when tightened. Therefore, tightening the fasteners preferably clamps the swivel plate to the backing plate and loosening the fasteners allows guided 25 rotation of the swivel plate relative to the backing plate to adjust the angle of the associated cleaning blades. Preferably, the side arms of the swivel plate each have an extension portion extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the swivel plate. These extension portions normally extend over a majority of the height of the side arms and 30 are adjacent the side edges of the blade rail opening. A lower extension may also be provided extending from the base portion substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the swivel plate. This lower extension preferably extends over a majority of the width of the base portion.

7 One or more bracing members may extend from the extension portion on the side arm to the lower extension on the base portion. The extensions may be formed integrally with the swivel plate or formed separately therefrom and attached thereto. The extensions are preferably 5 provided in order to allow attachment of the cleaning blade rail mount. The cleaning blade rail mount will preferably be a substantially U shaped channel. The cleaning blade rail mount is typically biased upwardly to force the cleaning blade against the conveyor belt as the cleaning blades are worn. The cleaning blade rail mount preferably includes an elongate member 10 and a biasing member in addition to the U-shaped channel. The elongate member is provided on the base wall of the U-shaped channel and extends downwardly to the lower extension, allowing movement of the U-shaped channel relative to the lower extension. The biasing member may be located between the lower extension and the U-shaped channel or between a pair of abutment washers provided about the elongate 15 member, typically below the U-shaped channel. The biasing member preferably biases the U-shaped channel into an elevated condition in order to bias the cleaning blades . The blade rail mount preferably includes guide portions to guide movement of the rail mount and associated blade rail. These guide portions limit the 20 movement of the U-shaped channel to reciprocal movement relative to the swivel plate, particularly the blade rail opening, with any rotational movement provided by the swivel plate moving relative to the backing plate. The cleaning blade rail extends outwardly through the backing and swivel plates into the cleaning blade rail mount where it is fixed to the cleaning blade 25 rail mount. Preferably, the cleaning blade rail mount is fixed to the extensions which being fixed to or integral with the swivel plate, results in rotation of the cleaning blade rail mount and cleaning blade rail with the swivel plate. A controlled adjustment means is also normally provided to control the adjustment of the swivel plate relative to the backing plate. The controlled adjustment 30 means is preferably provided at a lower area of the swivel and backing plates and includes the lateral extensions on the backing plate. A pivot attachment is normally provided on the swivel plate and most preferably on the base portion of the swivel plate.

8 Typically the controlled adjustment means includes a threaded adjustment means or rod located between the pivot attachment on the swivel plate (usually one end of the threaded adjustment means forms a part of the pivot assembly) and the lateral extension on the backing plate as this allows fine adjustment and 5 controlled movement of the swivel plate. Normally, the threaded adjustment means or rod has at least one nut associated therewith such that rotation of the nut increases and decreases the effective length of the threaded rod between the pivot attachment on the swivel plate and the lateral extension on the backing plate, which in turn moves the swivel plate. 10 In use, the preferred clamping fasteners fixing the swivel plate relative to the backing plate are loosened allowing guided relative movement and the angle of the swivel plate is then adjusted using the controlled adjustment means, before refixing the swivel plate relative to the backing plate by tightening the clamping fasteners. 15 Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings. Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference 20 to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of an inline swivel adjustment assembly to adjust a single cleaning blade row according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view of the inline swivel adjustment assembly 25 illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a front view of an inline swivel adjustment assembly to adjust a pair of cleaning blade rows according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of backing plate 30 used in an inline swivel adjustment assembly to adjust a pair of cleaning blade rows. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, an inline swivel adjustment assembly for a conveyor belt cleaning 9 assembly is provided. The conveyor belt cleaning assembly includes a blade mounting rail extending transversely across the conveyor belt mounting a number of cleaning blades, neither of which are illustrated in the accompanying Figures. 5 The inline swivel adjustment assembly 10 illustrated includes a backing plate 11 for attachment to a conveyor belt support structure such as a housing with a swivel plate 12 rotatably mounted relative to the backing plate 11. A blade rail mounting assembly 13 is mounted to the swivel plate 12 and is adapted to mount an elongate blade rail transversely across the conveyor belt. The orientation of the blade 10 rail mounting assembly 13 is adjustable by movement of the swivel plate 12 relative to the backing plate 11 to change the angle of the at least one cleaning blade relative to the conveyor belt. A preferred embodiment of a swivel assembly for a single blade rail is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and a swivel assembly for a double blade rail is 15 illustrated in Figure 3. According to the illustrated embodiment, the backing plate 11 is attached to an exterior of the conveyor housing and the backing plate 11 is substantially planar. The backing plate 11 is substantially U-shaped with a pair of sidearms 20 14 integrally formed with a base portion 15. A preferred embodiment of a backing plate used in an inline swivel adjustment assembly to adjust a pair of cleaning blade rows is illustrated in Figure 4 and the backing plate for a single rail swivel adjuster will have substantially the same features. There are typically a plurality of openings in the backing plate 11. A 25 number of attachment openings 16 are provided in order to attach the backing plate 11 to the conveyor housing or structure. The attachment openings 16 are peripherally located in order to allow access to fasteners (not shown) located in the attachment openings 16 when the swivel assembly is assembled so that the entire swivel assembly can be removed from the conveyor housing or structure if necessary. As 30 illustrated, the attachment openings 16 are elongate slot openings and are substantially vertically oriented. The largest opening in the backing plate 11 is the blade rail opening 17 which due to its size and location, renders the backing plate 1 1 U-shaped. The blade 10 rail opening 17 allows the blade rail (not shown) to extend outwardly from the conveyor belt housing, through the backing plate 11. The blade rail opening 17 is located approximately centrally across the backing plate for a backing plate with a single swivel adjustment assembly. Where a double swivel assembly is provided as 5 illustrated, the backing plate 11 is configured as a pair of single backing plates but integrally formed. Normally, the blade rail is generally rectangular in cross-section therefore, the blade rail opening 17 is basically rectangular in cross-section. There are also a number of swivel plate mounting openings 18 provided in the backing plate 11. Typically, the swivel plate mounting openings 18 10 receive fasteners thereinto to at least temporarily fix the swivel plate 12 relative to the backing plate 11. The fasteners 37 used are normally threaded fasteners such as. bolts or similar. According to the illustrated embodiment, a number of swivel plate mounting openings 18 are provided in the region where the swivel plate 12 attaches to 15 the backing plate I1 with a pair of swivel plate mounting openings 18 provided on either lateral side of the blade rail opening 17. The backing plate will also preferably be provided with a swivel plate rest 19. The swivel plate rest 19 provides an abutment surface on which the swivel plate 12 can rotate and also a surface against which the swivel plate 12 can be at least 20 temporarily fixed in use. The swivel plate rest 19 is substantially annular and positioned at least partially over the blade rail opening 17 in the backing plate 11 such that the swivel plate rest 19 is not continuous. The swivel plate rest 19 stands proud of the remainder of the surface of the backing plate 11. 25 Further, the swivel plate mounting openings 18 discussed above extend at least into the backing plate 11 through the swivel plate rest 19. Guides 20 are provided in order to maintain the position of the swivel plate 12 relative to the backing plate 11, particularly during adjustment or movement of the swivel plate 12. As illustrated, a pair of arcuate guides 20 are located adjacent 30 the swivel plate rest 19, one on either lateral side of the blade rail opening 17 and outside the swivel plate rest 19 rather than inside. Each of the guides 20 stand proud of the surface of the backing plate I1 to a greater degree than the swivel plate rest 19. The guides 20 prevent accidental 11 dislodgement of the swivel plate 12 against small movements but not determined removal of the swivel plate 12 from the backing plate I1 through larger movements outwardly away from the backing plate 11. The illustrated backing plate I1 also includes a lateral extension 21 5 provided on both sides of the base portion 15 of the backing plate 11. Each lateral extension 21 extends substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the backing plate 11. The function of the lateral extensions 21 is discussed below in relation to the controlled adjustment means. The position of the swivel plate 12 can be adjusted relative to the 10 backing plate 11 and therefore, the swivel plate 12 is releasably mounted to the backing plate 11 using a clamping attachment involving the clamping fasteners 37 discussed above. The preferred form of swivel plate 12 is substantially U-shaped with a blade rail opening which in use, is aligned with the blade rail opening 17 of the 15 backing plate 11. The swivel plate 12 also has a pair of side arms and a base portion which define the blade rail opening. The swivel plate 12 has a pair of arcuate edges 22, on either lateral side of the swivel plate 12, on the outer edge of the respective side arms. These arcuate edges 22 abut the guides 20 on the backing plate 11. 20 Enlarged stop portions 23 are provided on each side arm of the swivel plate 12 above the arcuate edges 22 in order to prevent or limit rotation of the swivel plate 12 beyond a particular angle which in turn prevents or limits the angle of the cleaning blades. Each side arm has openings 24 therein to allow attachment of the 25 swivel plate 12 relative to the backing plate 11. Elongate or slot openings are preferred, and normally, there will be a pair of slot openings on either side arm, one upper and one lower. The slot openings may be arcuate or straight. These openings 24 are adapted to receive fasteners therethrough as illustrated in Figure 1, which are subsequently received into the swivel plate mount openings 18 in the backing plate 30 11. Threaded fasteners such as bolts are used and the head of the bolt will typically abut the swivel plate 12 adjacent each of the openings 24 in order to provide a clamping force when tightened. Therefore, tightening the fasteners preferably clamps the swivel plate 12 to the backing plate 11 and loosening the fasteners allows guided 12 rotation of the swivel plate 12 relative to the backing plate 11 to adjust the angle of the associated cleaning blades. The side arms of the swivel plate 12 each have an extension portion 25 extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the swivel plate 12. These 5 extension portions 25 normally extend over a majority of the height of the side arms. A lower extension 26 is also provided extending from the base portion 15 substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the swivel plate 12. This lower extension 26 extends over a majority of the width of the base portion 15. Bracing members 27 extend from the extension portion 25 on the side 10 arm to the lower extension 26 on the base portion. The extensions 25, 26 may be formed integrally with the swivel plate or formed separately therefrom and attached thereto. The extensions are preferably provided in order to allow attachment of the cleaning blade rail mounting assembly 13. 15 The cleaning blade rail mounting assembly 13 includes a substantially U-shaped channel 28 with a cover 29 to attach the blade rail. The U-shaped channel 28 and cover 29 is biased upwardly to force the cleaning blade against the conveyor belt as the cleaning blades are worn. The cleaning blade rail mounting assembly 13 includes an elongate 20 member 30 and a biasing spring 31 in addition to the U-shaped channel 28. The elongate member 30 is provided on the base wall of the U-shaped channel 28 and extends downwardly through the lower extension 26 allowing movement of the U shaped channel 28 relative to the lower extension 26. The biasing spring 31 is located between a pair of abutment washers 32 provided about the elongate member. The 25 biasing spring 31 biases the U-shaped channel 28 into an elevated condition. The cleaning blade rail (not shown) extends outwardly through the backing plate 11 and swivel plate 12 into the cleaning blade rail mounting assembly 13 where it is fixed to the U-shaped channel 28. The U-shaped channel 28 is fixed to the extensions which are in turn fixed to the swivel plate 12 resulting in rotation of the 30 cleaning blade rail mounting assembly 13 and cleaning blade rail with the swivel plate 12. A controlled adjustment means 33 is also provided to control the adjustment of the swivel plate 12 relative to the backing plate 11. The controlled 13 adjustment means 33 is provided at a lower area of the swivel plate 12 and backing plate I1 and includes the lateral extensions 21 on the backing plate 11. A pivot attachment 34 is provided on the base portion of the swivel plate 12. The controlled adjustment means 33 includes a threaded adjustment 5 rod 35 located between the pivot attachment 34 on the swivel plate 12 and the lateral extension 21 on the backing plate I1 as this allows fine adjustment. The threaded rod 35 has a pair of nuts 36 associated therewith such that rotation of the nuts, increases and decreases the effective length of the threaded rod 35 between the pivot attachment 34 on the swivel plate 12 and the lateral extension 21 on 10 the backing plate 11, which in turn rotates the swivel plate 12. In use, the clamping fasteners 37 fixing the swivel plate 12 relative to the backing plate 11 are loosened allowing relative movement and the angle of the swivel plate 12 is then adjusted using the controlled adjustment means 33, before refixing the swivel plate 12 relative to the backing plate 11. 15 In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in 20 connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. 25 In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications 30 within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (20)

1. An inline swivel adjustment assembly for a conveyor belt cleaning blade, the assembly including a backing plate for attachment to a conveyor belt support structure, a swivel plate rotatably mounted relative to the backing plate and a 5 blade mounting portion mounted to the swivel plate and adapted to mount an elongate member extending transversely across the conveyor belt, the elongate member mounting at least one cleaning blade, wherein the orientation of the blade mounting portion is adjustable by movement of the swivel plate relative to the backing plate to adjustably fix an angle of the at least one cleaning blade 10 relative to the conveyor belt.

2. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in claim I wherein the backing plate is mounted on or relative to the outside of a conveyor belt housing or cover.

3. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in claim I or claim 2 wherein the backing plate is planar and substantially U-shaped with a pair of side arms 15 integrally formed with a base portion defining a U-shaped opening.

4. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least a pair of swivel plate mounting openings are provided on either lateral side of the blade rail opening.

5. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding 20 claims wherein at least a pair of swivel plate mounting openings are provided in the backing plate to receive fasteners thereinto to at least temporarily fix the swivel plate relative to the backing plate.

6. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the backing plate is provided with a swivel plate rest on which 25 the swivel plate rotates and against which the swivel plate can be at least temporarily fixed in use.

7. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the swivel plate rest stands proud of a surface of the backing plate.

8. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in either one of claims 6 or 7 30 wherein a pair of arcuate guides are located adjacent the swivel plate rest, one on either lateral outer side of the swivel plate rest.

9. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the swivel plate is substantially U-shaped with a pair of side arms 15 and a base portion defining a blade rail opening which in use, is aligned with the blade mounting portion.

10. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein enlarged stop portions are provided on the swivel plate above the arcuate edges in order to 5 prevent or limit rotation of the swivel plate beyond a particular angle.

11. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein each side arm has one or more elongate, arcuate openings therein to allow adjustable, temporarily fixed positioning of the swivel plate relative to the backing plate. 10

12. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 to I1 wherein the side arms of the swivel plate each have an extension portion extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the swivel plate extending over a majority of the height of the side arms and are adjacent the side edges of the blade rail opening. 15

13. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein a lower extension is provided extending from the base portion substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the swivel plate.

14. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the swivel plate has a pair of arcuate edges, on either lateral side 20 of the swivel plate.

15. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the blade mounting portion will preferably be a substantially U shaped channel biased upwardly to force a cleaning blade against the conveyor belt as the cleaning blade is worn. 25

16. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the blade mounting portion includes guide portions to guide movement of the blade mounting portion and to limit the movement of the blade mounting portion to reciprocal movement relative to the swivel plate.

17. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding 30 claims wherein a controlled adjustment means is provided to control the adjustment of the swivel plate relative to the backing plate.

18. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein the controlled adjustment means includes a pivot attachment provided on the swivel 16 plate and a threaded adjustment means located between the pivot attachment on the swivel plate and an extension on the backing plate.

19. An inline swivel adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein threaded adjustment means has at least one nut associated therewith such that rotation of 5 the nut increases and decreases the effective length of the threaded rod between the pivot attachment on the swivel plate and the extension on the backing plate.

20. A conveyor belt cleaning assembly including a blade mounting portion extending transversely across the conveyor belt and including an elongate member mounting at least one cleaning blade and an inline swivel adjustment assembly, 10 the inline swivel adjustment assembly including a backing plate for attachment to a conveyor belt support structure, a swivel plate rotatably mounted relative to the backing plate and the blade mounting portion wherein the orientation of the blade mounting portion is adjustable by movement of the swivel plate relative to the backing plate to adjustably fix an angle of the at least one cleaning blade 15 relative to the conveyor belt.