GB2405394A

GB2405394A - A material handling apparatus comprising a conveyor

Info

Publication number: GB2405394A
Application number: GB0320209A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Gates
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-29
Filing date: 2003-08-29
Publication date: 2005-03-02
Also published as: WO2005021409A1; GB0320209D0; WO2005021409A9

Abstract

A material handling apparatus comprises a chassis 10 having ground engaging wheels 12. The chassis 10 supports uprightly a rotatable post (14) to the top of which a plate 16 is mounted. The plate 16 carries a frame in which a conveyor 18 is positioned and capable of lengthwise extension. A hopper 20 is securely mounted above the conveyor 18 with its outlet 22 feeding onto the conveyor 18. The conveyor 18, hopper 20 and frame forms an assembly capable of rotation through a substantially 180{ arc relative to the chassis 10.

Description

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS

This invention relates to a material handling apparatus for use, for example, in back-filling drainage trenches with such as stone pea gravel, sand or the like, replacing clean sand in golf bunkers, topdressing/spreading sand, lime or other aggregates on the ground, such as sports grounds, filling areas, such as flower beds, 0 with sand, wood bark, mulch or other materials or for use with other material handling apparatus.

Accordingly, the present invention is a material handling apparatus comprising a chassis having ground engaging wheels, the chassis supporting uprightly a rotatable post to the top of which a plate is mounted, the plate carrying a frame in which a conveyor is positioned and capable of lengthwise extension, a hopper being securely mounted above the conveyor with its outlet feeding onto the conveyor, the conveyor and hopper and frame forming an assembly capable of rotation through a substantially lo. 180 arc relative to the chassis. e.

Preferably, rotation means comprises one or more first hydraulic ram and ë cylinder arrangements fixed between the post and the chassis.

Preferably also, the assembly is capable of being inclined upwardly relative to and at the rear of the chassis. Means for inclination desirably comprises one or more en.

second hydraulic ram and cylinder arrangements fixed between the chassis and hopper.

Preferably further, the conveyor has opposed side members at and between opposite ends of which rollers are cross-mounted and arranged around which an endless belt is carried. The conveyor is desirably lengthwise slidable with the side members tracking guides upstanding from the plate, the hopper being secured to the top of the guides. Means to extend the conveyor outwardly in a rearward direction relative to the direction of travel beneficially comprises one or more third hydraulic and ram cylinder arrangements secured between the hopper and a lug upstanding from the side of the conveyor.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a material handling apparatus; and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus showing the extent of rotational travel of an assembly of a frame, a conveyor and a hopper in dotted formation.

Referring to the drawings, a material handling apparatus comprises an elongate chassis 10 having ground-engaging wheels 12 carried at one end with a tow bar 11 at the opposite end. A rotatable post 14 is supported uprightly in journal bearings (not shown) on the chassis 10. A plate 16 is mounted to the top of the post 14. The plate 16 is circular and carries a frame (not shown) in which a conveyor 18 is positioned and - capable of lengthwise extension. A hopper 20 is securely mounted above the conveyor I. 18 with its outlet 22 feeding into the conveyor 18. The conveyor 18 and hopper 20 and .

frame form an assembly capable of rotation through a substantially 180 arc relative to ..

the chassis 10. .

: 20 Rotation means comprises two first hydraulic ram and cylinder arrangements 24 I. (only one is shown) fixed between the post 14 and the chassis 10.

The assembly is capable of being inclined upwardly relative to and at the rear of the chassis 10 in the direction as shown by arrows in Fig. 1. Means for inclination comprises two second hydraulic ram and cylinder arrangements 26, one on each 2s lateral side fixed between the chassis 10 and hopper 20 as shown in Fig. 1.

The conveyor 18 has opposed side members 28 at opposite ends of which rollers 30 are cross-mounted and arranged around which an endless belt 30A is carried. The conveyor 18 is lengthwise slidable with the side members 28 tracking guides 32 upstanding from the plate 16. The hopper 20 is secured to the top of the guides 32. Means to extend the conveyor 18 outwardly in a rearward direction relative to the direction of travel comprises one third hydraulic and ram cylinder arrangement 34 secured between the hopper 20 and a lug 36 upstanding from one side member 28 of the conveyor 18.

The assembly can only be inclined when the conveyor 18 is in it extended state.

0 Attachments such as a broadcasting plate or a chute may be fitted to the discharge end of the conveyor 18.

In use, after the chassis 10 has been towed to the required location, material to be handled for distributing or broadcasting is fed into the hopper 20 and the conveyor 18 is length adjusted so that the discharge from the end of the conveyor 18 is positioned where required either as a full load deposit or the commencement of a line . ë of deposit as the chassis 10 is towed along parallel to the line where the deposit is I. required. If it is necessary to rotate the assembly, the conveyor 18 is fully extended ...

and then inclined before being rotated. e.

In a modification, the chassis may have two sets of wheels, one at each end of A: 20 the chassis. The chassis may be self-propelled. ..e

Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described above.

Claims

1. A material handling apparatus comprising a chassis having ground engaging wheels, the chassis supporting uprightly a rotatable post to the top of which a s plate is mounted, the plate carrying a frame in which a conveyor is positioned and capable of lengthwise extension, a hopper being securely mounted above the conveyor with its outlet feeding onto the conveyor, the conveyor and hopper and frame forming an assembly capable of rotation through a substantially 180 arc relative to the chassis.

2. A material handling apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the rotation means comprises one or more first hydraulic ram and cylinder arrangements fixed between the post and the chassis.

3. A material handling apparatus as claimed in Claims1 or 2, wherein the assembly is capable of being inclined upwardly relative to and at the rear of the chassis.

4. A material handling apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein means for inclination comprises one or more second hydraulic ram and cylinder arrangements fixed between the chassis and hopper.

5. A material handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the conveyor has opposed side members at and between opposite ends of which rollers are cross-mounted and arranged around which an endless belt is carried.

6. A material handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, s wherein the conveyor is lengthwise slidable with the side members tracking guides upstanding from the plate, the hopper being secured to the top of the guides.

7. A material handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, lo wherein means to extend the conveyor outwardly in a rearward direction relative to the direction of b avel comprises one or more third hydraulic and ram cylinder arrangements secured between the hopper and a lug upstanding from the side of the conveyor.

8. A material handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the discharge endof the conveyor is adapted to receive an attachement to assist in the delivery of material.

9. A material handling apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. !