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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A conveyor truss module comprising:
(a) a base assembly, said base assembly being substantially rectangular and
having a left front corner, a right front corner, a left back corner, and
a right back corner;
(b) a single-pin top chord joint; and
(c) a left front lacing strut coupled to the left front corner and said
single-pin top chord joint;
(d) right front lacing strut coupled to the right front corner and said
single-pin top chord joint;
(e) a left back lacing strut coupled to the left back corner and said
single-pin top chord joint; and
(f) a right back lacing strut coupled to the right back corner and said
single-pin top chord joint.
2. The conveyor truss module of claim 1, wherein said base assembly
comprises:
a front chord having a left front chord end and a right front chord end;
a back chord having a left back chord end and a right back chord end;
a left cross tie coupled to the left front chord end and the left back
chord end; and
a right cross tie coupled to the right front chord end and the right back
chord end.
3. The conveyor truss module of claim 2, wherein said base assembly further
comprises:
a first diagonal tie coupled to the left front chord end and the right back
chord end; and
a second diagonal tie coupled to the right front chord end and the left
back chord end.
4. The conveyor truss module of claim 3, wherein said first diagonal tie
and said second diagonal tie are adjustable in length.
5. The conveyor truss module of claim 2, wherein said front chord and said
back chord each comprise:
a female clevis attachment member on one end; and
a male clevis attachment member on the other end.
6. The conveyor truss module of claim 2, wherein said front chord and said
back chord each comprise a lacing strut attachment plate near both ends.
7. The conveyor truss module of claim 1, wherein said base assembly further
comprises base assembly attachment members for coupling said base assembly
to base assemblies of adjacent conveyor truss modules.
8. The conveyor truss module of claim 1, wherein said base assembly further
comprises:
a left male clevis attachment member near one of the left corners;
a left female clevis attachment member near the other of the left corners;
a right male clevis attachment member near one of the right corners; and
a right female clevis attachment member near the other of the right
corners.
9. The conveyor truss module of claim 1, wherein said single-pin top chord
joint comprises a top chord pin extending through the upper ends of said
lacing struts.
10. The conveyor truss module of claim 9, wherein said single-pin top cord
joint further comprises a top chord spacer, said top chord pin extending
longitudinally through said top chord spacer, said top chord spacer
disposed between the upper ends of said front lacing struts and the upper
ends of said back lacing struts.
11. The conveyor truss module of claim 10, wherein said top chord spacer is
adapted to receive attachment members of top chords coupled to adjacent
conveyor truss modules.
12. The conveyor truss module of claim 1, wherein said single-pin top chord
joint comprises a top chord pin, and each of said lacing struts comprises:
a gusset plate near the upper end of said lacing strut; and
an eye bar attached to said gusset plate, said eye bar comprising a pin
eye, said top chord pin extending through said pin eye.
13. The conveyor truss module of claim 12, wherein each of said lacing
struts further comprises a base assembly attachment plate near the lower
end of said lacing strut, said base assembly attachment plate for coupling
said lacing strut to said base assembly.
14. The conveyor truss module of claim 5, wherein said single-pin top chord
joint comprises:
a top chord pin extending through the upper ends of said lacing struts; and
a top chord spacer, said top chord pin extending longitudinally through
said top chord spacer, said top chord spacer disposed between the upper
ends of said front lacing struts and the upper ends of said back lacing
struts;
and wherein each of said lacing struts comprises:
a gusset plate near the upper end of said lacing strut;
an eye bar attached to said gusset plate, said eye bar comprising a pin eye
for receiving said top chord pin; and
a base assembly attachment plate near the lower end of said lacing strut
for attaching said lacing strut to said base assembly.
15. The conveyor truss module of claim 1, further comprising modular
conveyor apparatus coupled to said base assembly.
16. The conveyor truss module of claim 1, further comprising a modular
walkway coupled to said base assembly.
17. The conveyor truss module of claim 1, further comprising modular
conveyor apparatus coupled to said base assembly.
18. The conveyor truss module of claim 17, wherein said modular conveyor
apparatus comprises material discharge apparatus.
19. A conveyor-supporting truss span comprising:
a first conveyor truss module as set forth in claim 7;
a second conveyor truss module as set forth in claim 7, said base assembly
attachment members on the right side of said first conveyor truss module
coupled to said base assembly attachment members on the left side of said
second conveyor truss module; and
a first top chord coupled to said single-pin top chord joint of said first
conveyor truss module and coupled to said single-pin top chord joint of
said second conveyor truss module.
20. The conveyor-supporting truss span of claim 19, wherein said first top
chord comprises:
a male clevis attachment member on a first end of said first top chord; and
a female clevis attachment member on a second end of said first top chord.
21. The conveyor-supporting truss span of claim 20, wherein said male and
female clevis attachment members comprise eye-bar ends.
22. The conveyor-supporting truss span of claim 19, wherein said first top
chord is adjustable in length.
23. The conveyor-supporting truss span of claim 19, wherein said first top
chord comprises a shim assembly for adjusting the length of said first top
chord.
24. The conveyor-supporting truss span of claim 22, wherein the length of
said first top chord is adjusted to bow the conveyor-supporting truss
span.
25. The conveyor-supporting truss span of claim 19, further comprising:
a third conveyor truss module as set forth in claim 7, said base assembly
attachment members on the left side of said third conveyor truss module
coupled to said base assembly attachment members on the right side of said
second conveyor truss module; and
a second top chord coupled to said single-pin top chord joint of said
second conveyor truss module and said single-pin top chord joint of said
third conveyor truss module.
26. The conveyor-supporting truss span of claim 25, wherein said first top
chord comprises a male clevis attachment member coupled to said single-pin
top chord joint of said second conveyor truss module, and wherein said
second top chord comprises a female clevis attachment member coupled to
said single-pin top chord joint of said second conveyor truss module. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to conveyor support structures.
More specifically, the present invention relates to truss modules for use
in constructing conveyor support spans.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many conveyor applications, a conveyor must transport material over an
area in which providing support from directly below or above the conveyor
is impractical. Conveyor support bridges or spans are used to provide the
necessary support for the conveyor.
Conveyor support spans are typically large relative to the transportation
means used to transport the spans from the factory to the customer site.
Accordingly, the support spans are often shipped in piece parts that are
assembled at the customer site.
On-site assembly of traditional conveyor support spans involves time
consuming and potentially hazardous assembly operations, such as cutting
and welding. The on-site assembly operations are typically performed in
less than ideal safety circumstances and often outdoors.
Increasing the amount of conveyor span construction performed at the
factory results in more controlled and generally safer span construction.
However, transporting large sections of conveyor support span is
economically inefficient and often results in the need for additional
heavy material handling equipment at the customer site.
A need therefore exists for a modular conveyor support structure that is
easy to assemble on-site and constructed from efficiently transportable
components.
An object of the present modular conveyor support structure is to provide a
conveyor truss module usable for constructing a conveyor truss span.
Another object of the present present modular conveyor support structure is
to provide a conveyor truss module that is easy to assemble on site.
A further object of the present modular conveyor support structure is to
provide a conveyor truss module made from efficiently transportable
components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One or more of the foregoing objects is met in whole or in part by an
embodiment of the present modular conveyor support structure is that
provides a conveyor truss module for use in constructing conveyor support
spans. The conveyor truss module comprises a substantially rectangular
base assembly. The base assembly comprises front and back chords coupled
with left and right cross ties. The front and back chords comprise clevis
attachment members for attaching the base assembly to base assemblies of
adjacent conveyor truss modules.
The conveyor truss module further comprises a single-pin top chord joint
for coupling top chords between adjacent conveyor truss modules. The
single-pin top chord joint comprises a single top chord pin and a top
chord spacer.
The preferred conveyor truss module further comprises a plurality of front
and back lacing struts. The lacing struts extend from the corners of the
base assembly to the single-pin top chord joint. The lacing struts each
comprise a gusset and eye bar on the upper end. Each eye bar comprises an
eye to receive the single top chord pin. The top chord spacer of the
single-pin top chord joint separates the eye bars of the front lacing
struts and the eye bars of the back lacing struts. The top chord spacer
provides space between the front lacing strut eye bars and the back lacing
strut eye bars for top chords coupled to the single-pin top chord joint
and adjacent conveyor truss modules.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a conveyor truss module of the present
modular conveyor support structure.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the conveyor truss module illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a top view of the conveyor truss module base assembly shown in
FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 illustrates a single-pin top chord joint.
FIG. 5 illustrates a top chord.
FIG. 6 shows a top view of the top chord illustrated in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 illustrates a conveyor truss module with a walkway according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows a side view of the conveyor truss module illustrated in FIG.
7.
FIG. 9 illustrates a conveyor truss module with modular conveyor apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention
FIG. 10 shows a side view of the conveyor truss module illustrated in FIG.
9.
FIG. 11 illustrates a conveyor-supporting truss span according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT (S)
In the following detailed description, spatially orienting terms are used,
such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," and
the like. It is to be understood that these terms are used for convenience
of description of the preferred embodiments by reference to the drawings.
These terms do not necessarily describe the absolute location in space,
such as left, right, upward, downward, etc., that any part must assume.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 1 illustrates a conveyor truss module
100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows
a side view of the conveyor truss module 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The
conveyor truss module 100 comprises a base assembly 110 and a single-pin
top chord joint 120.
A right front lacing strut 130 is coupled to the base assembly 110 and the
single-pin top chord joint 120. The lower end 131 of the right front
lacing strut 130 comprises a base assembly attachment plate 132. The base
assembly 110 comprises a right front lacing strut attachment plate 133.
The base assembly attachment plate 132 of the right front lacing strut 130
is coupled (preferably bolted) to the right front lacing strut attachment
plate 133 of the base assembly 110. The upper end 136 of the right front
lacing strut 130 comprises a gusset plate 137 and an eye bar 138 that is
coupled to the single-pin top chord joint 120.
The conveyor truss module 100 also comprises a left front lacing strut 140,
a right back lacing strut 142, and a left back lacing strut 144. Each of
the lacing struts 130, 140, 142, 144 are similarly coupled to the base
assembly 110 and the single-pin top chord joint 120.
Referring now to FIG. 3, that figure shows a top view of the conveyor truss
module 100 base assembly 110. The base assembly 110 comprises a front
chord 202 and a back chord 204. A left cross tie 206 is coupled
(preferably bolted) to the left ends of the front chord 202 and the back
chord 204. Similarly, a right cross tie 208 is coupled to the right ends
of the front chord 202 and the back chord 204. The front chord 202 and the
back chord 204 may, for example, be approximately 20 feet long. The left
cross tie 206 and the right cross tie 208 may, for example, be
approximately 14 feet long.
The front chord 202 and the back chord 204 comprise base assembly
attachment members 210, 212, 214, 216 (preferably clevis attachment
members). For example, the front chord 202 may comprise a male clevis
attachment member 210 on the left end of the front chord 202 and a female
clevis attachment member 212 on the right end of the front chord 202.
Similarly, the back chord 204 may comprise a male clevis attachment member
214 on the right end of the back chord 204 and a female clevis attachment
member 216 on the left end of the back chord 204. The base assembly
attachment members 210, 212, 214, 216 couple to corresponding base
assembly attachment members on adjacent conveyor truss module base
assemblies.
The front chord 202 and the back chord 204 comprise lacing strut attachment
plates 133, 230, 232, 234 for the right front lacing strut 130, left front
lacing strut 140, right back lacing strut 142, and left back lacing strut
144, respectively. The left cross tie 206 and the right cross tie 208 may
include additional attachment members, such as conveyor attachment members
(two of which are denoted by label 220) and lower rail attachment members
(two of which are denoted by label 222).
The left cross tie 206 and the right cross tie 208 preferably include
diagonal tie attachment members 250, 251, 252, 253. A first diagonal tie
260 is coupled (preferably bolted) to the left front diagonal tie
attachment member 253 and the right back diagonal tie attachment member
251. A second diagonal tie 262 is coupled (preferably bolted) to the right
front diagonal tie attachment member 252 and the left back diagonal tie
attachment member 250. The first diagonal tie 260 and the second diagonal
tie 262 are preferably adjustable in length.
Referring now to FIG. 4, that figure contains a magnified view of the
single-pin top chord joint area 400 shown in FIG. 2. The right front
lacing strut 130 comprises a gusset plate 137 and an eye bar 138. The left
front lacing strut 140 comprises a gusset plate 410 and an eye bar 411.
The right back lacing strut 142 comprises a gusset plate 412 and eye bar
413. The left back lacing strut 144 comprises a gusset plate 414 and eye
bar 415. Each of the eye bars 138, 411, 413, 415 include a pin eye (420,
421, 422 and 423 respectively) to receive the top chord pin 430. Each pin
eye is preferably located along the longitudinal axis of the corresponding
lacing strut. For example, the pin eye 420 for the right front lacing
strut 130 is preferably located along the longitudinal axis 459 of the
right front lacing strut 130.
The single-pin top chord joint 120 is preferably centered over the base
assembly (110 in FIGS. 1-3). Thus, the lacing struts 130, 142
corresponding to the inner eye bars 420, 422 may be slightly longer than
the lacing struts 140, 144 corresponding to the outer eye bars 421, 423.
A top chord spacer 440 is disposed about the top chord pin 430 between the
eye bars 138, 411 for the front lacing struts 130, 140 and the eye bars
413, 415 for the back lacing struts 142, 144. The top chord spacer 440 is
adapted to receive attachment members of top chords coupled to adjacent
conveyor truss modules. The top chord spacer 440 provides space between
the front eye bars 138, 411 and back eye bars 413, 415 for the top chord
attachment members.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, FIG. 5 illustrates a top chord 500, and
FIG. 6 shows a top view of the top chord 500 illustrated in FIG. 5. The
top chord 500 comprises a top chord bar 502.
The left end of the top chord 500 comprises a male clevis attachment member
504 (or single eye end). The male clevis attachment member 504 may
comprise an eye-bar end, including a U-shaped member 506 and an eye seat
508. A bolt assembly 510 couples the U-shaped member 506 to the eye seat
508, thereby forming a single eye 512. When the male clevis attachment
member 504 is coupled to the single-pin top chord joint 120 (shown in FIG.
4), the top chord spacer 440 of the single-pin top chord joint 120 is
disposed within the single eye 512.
The top chord 500 also comprises a female clevis attachment member 520 (or
double-eye end). The female clevis attachment member 520 may comprise
eye-bar ends including a first U-shaped member 522 and a first eye seat
524. A first bolt assembly 525 couples the first U-shaped member 522 to
the first eye seat 524, thereby forming a first eye 526. The female clevis
attachment member 520 also comprises a second U-shaped member 530 and a
second eye seat 532. A second bolt assembly 534 couples the second
U-shaped member 530 to the second eye seat 532, thereby forming a second
eye 538. When the female clevis attachment member 520 is coupled to the
single-pin top chord joint 120 (shown in FIG. 4), the top chord spacer 440
of the single-pin top chord joint 120 is disposed within the first eye 526
and second eye 538 of the female clevis attachment member 520.
A single-pin top chord joint, such as that denoted by label 120 in FIG. 4,
is typically coupled to a male clevis attachment member from a top chord
coupled to a first adjacent conveyor truss module, and a female clevis
attachment member from a top chord coupled to a second adjacent conveyor
truss module. Referring back to FIG. 4, a male clevis attachment member
from a top chord coupled to a first adjacent conveyor truss module will
typically occupy the center longitudinal space 490 along the top chord
spacer 440. A female attachment member from a top chord coupled to a
second adjacent conveyor truss module will typically occupy the outer
longitudinal spaces 491, 492 along the top chord spacer 440.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the top chord 500 also comprises a shim
assembly 550 for adjusting the longitudinal length of the top chord 500.
The shim assembly 550 comprises a first shim plate 552 and a second shim
plate 554. One or more shims 553 may be disposed between the first shim
plate 552 and the second shim plate 554, thereby adjusting the
longitudinal length of the top chord 500. Shim bolt assemblies, three of
which are denoted by labels 560-562, couple the first shim plate 552, the
shim(s) 553 (if any), and the second shim plate 554.
Constructing a conveyor support span using adjustable length top chords
provides span shaping flexibility. For example, when constructing a span
for supporting a relatively heavy load, top chords may be lengthened to
pre-bow the span, thus compensating for the anticipated bowing effects of
the load.
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, FIG. 7 illustrates a conveyor truss module
700 including a modular walkway assembly 720, and FIG. 8 shows a side view
of the conveyor truss module 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 along line A--A.
The conveyor truss module 700 comprises a modular walkway assembly 720
coupled to a base module 710. The base module 710 is substantially similar
to the conveyor truss module 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1--3.
The modular walkway assembly 720 comprises cross tie attachment members
(three of which are denoted by labels 722-724) that are used to couple the
walkway assembly 720 to the cross ties 726, 727 of the base module 710.
The modular walkway assembly 720 also comprises a base platform 730,
vertical rails (five of which are denoted by labels 732-736), and
horizontal rails (two of which are denoted by labels 738 and 739).
Vertical rail attachment members 740-743 couple the vertical rails 732-735
to the base platform 730. Horizontal rail attachment members (two of which
are denoted by labels 750 and 751) couple the horizontal rails 738, 739 to
the vertical rails 732-735.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, FIG. 9 illustrates a conveyor truss module
900 including modular conveyor apparatus 901, 902, and FIG. 10 shows a
side view of the conveyor truss module 900 illustrated in FIG. 9. The
modular conveyor apparatus 901, 902 may, for example, be similar to that
disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/464,942, filed
concurrently with the present application and which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
The conveyor truss module 900 comprises upper modular conveyor apparatus
901 coupled to the base module 905. The base module 905 is substantially
similar to the conveyor truss module 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.
The upper modular conveyor apparatus 901 comprises conveyor rails 910, 911,
which may be coupled to the base module 905 using conveyor attachment
members (such as the conveyor attachment members 220 illustrated in FIG.
3). The upper modular conveyor apparatus 901 may also comprise material
conveying apparatus coupled to the conveyor rails 910, 911. The upper
modular conveyor apparatus 901 may further comprise upper material
discharge apparatus 930. The upper material discharge apparatus 930 may,
for example, be translationally coupled to the conveyor rails 910, 911
using longitudinal slots (one of which is denoted by label 931) in the
conveyor rails 910, 911.
The conveyor truss module 900 may comprise lower modular conveyor apparatus
902. The lower modular conveyor apparatus 902 comprises lower rails 940,
941, which may be coupled to the base module 905 using lower rail
attachment members (such as the lower rail attachment members 222
illustrated in FIG. 3). The lower modular conveyor apparatus 902 may
comprise lower material discharge apparatus 960 translationally coupled to
the lower rails 940, 941 using longitudinal grooves 970, 971 and wheels
974-976.
Referring now to FIG. 11, that figure illustrates a conveyor-supporting
truss span 1100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
truss span 1100 comprises a first conveyor truss module 1110 with a
modular walkway (such as the conveyor truss module 700 illustrated in FIG.
7). The truss span 1100 further comprises a second conveyor truss module
1120 with modular conveyor apparatus (such as the conveyor truss module
900 illustrated in FIG. 9).
The first conveyor truss module 1110 and the second conveyor truss module
1120 are coupled using their respective base assembly attachment members
1115 (such as the clevis attachment members 210, 212, 214, 216 shown in
FIG. 3). A first top chord 1117 (such as the top chord 500 as illustrated
in FIG. 5) is coupled to the single-pin top chord joint 1118 of the first
truss module 1110 and the single-pin top chord joint 1119 of the second
truss module 1120.
The truss span 1100 further comprises a third conveyor truss module 1130,
fourth conveyor truss module 1140, and fifth conveyor truss module 1150.
Each of these additional conveyor truss modules 1130, 1140, 1150 are
coupled to their respective adjacent conveyor truss modules in a manner
like that discussed above with respect to the first conveyor truss module
1110 and the second conveyor truss module 1120.
The present invention provides a modular conveyor support structure. The
modularity of the conveyor support structure results in a conveyor support
structure that is easy to assemble on-site and constructed from
efficiently transportable components. The ease of assembly results in
cheaper and safer on-site conveyor support construction. The increased
transportability results in greatly reduced transportation cost.
While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present
invention have been shown and described, it will be understood, of course,
that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made
by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present disclosure, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.
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