WO2014122469A1

WO2014122469A1 - Conveyor apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014122469A1
Application number: PCT/GB2014/050356
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Paul BARBER
Original assignee: Mmd Design & Consultancy Limited
Priority date: 2013-02-08
Filing date: 2014-02-07
Publication date: 2014-08-14
Also published as: GB201302294D0

Abstract

A conveyor apparatus comprising an elongate conveyor (4) having a movable belt for the conveyance of material; a cross conveyor (5) having a movable belt for the conveyance of material received from the elongate conveyor (4) arranged in a direction at an angle thereto; a tripper apparatus (7) configured for the transfer of material between the elongate conveyor (4) and the cross conveyor (5); wherein the elongate conveyor (4) comprises a plurality of elongate sections engaged together by an articulating engagement; and wherein the elongate conveyor is provided with at least one ground engaging member (11) configured to facilitate movement of the elongate section over a ground surface; and wherein each elongate section is adapted to be tilted relative to the horizontal independently of another section.

Description

CONVEYOR APPARATUS

The invention relates to a conveyor apparatus for materials handling, and for example for the handling of overburden, minerals, ores and the like from or associated with opencast mining, quarrying and like operations. The invention relates in particular to a conveyor system that can be positioned as desired alongside an overland conveyor to receive material from the overland conveyor and stack material at a stacking location.

Conveyors may be used in devices to stack material at a stacking location. Conveyor systems used to stack material often include multiple conveying devices. For example, long elongate overland conveyors are often used to transport material over long distances, for example in the present context to a stacking location. Cross conveyors at an angle to and for example perpendicular to these elongate overland conveyors may be used to transfer material to a stack. A tripper device such as a tripper conveyor may be configured to feed material from the overland conveyor to the cross conveyor for transfer to the stack. In a possible prior art system, an elongate mobile bridge conveyor is positioned adjacent to an overland conveyor at a stacking location. For stacking, a transfer device may be configured to feed material from the overland conveyor to the bridge conveyor. In an alternative case, transfer may be made directly from the elongate overland conveyor to the cross conveyor without use of a bridge conveyor. To cover both alternatives, the conveyor that transfers to the cross conveyor is referred to herein as an elongate conveyor, which may as the context dictates either be a separate elongate bridge conveyor positionable in use adjacent a primary overland conveyor or an elongate (portion of the) primary overland conveyor itself. The elongate conveyor is the source of material to be fed to a cross conveyor for transfer to the stack. The present invention is primarily concerned with such a stacking process, although the skilled person will be aware that for reclaiming, the procedure may be reversed.

In a known arrangement, an elongate conveyor includes and/ or supports and/ or is suitable associated in position with a tripper device that is interconnected with a cross conveyor. The tripper device facilitates transport of material from the elongate conveyor to the cross conveyor. The tripper device may be movably supported on the elongate conveyor and/ or on a suitable frame with suitable ground contacting base to ensure alignment and proper transport of material to the cross conveyor for stacking material.

To make such a structure mobile, it is often given ground contacting rolling transport means such as wheels or tracks, driven tracks being particularly typical. An example of such a conveyor system comprising a mobile bridge conveyor, tripper conveyor and cross conveyor can be seen in International patent publication WO2011/067727.

A typical elongate conveyor is a long and heavy structure given the structural materials needed to support the material being transported. Even with suitable tracks, such devices have a heavy structure that is difficult to move quickly. Devices of such size and weight are also difficult to fabricate and expensive. It is also likely to be expensive to modify such large devices which can limit their flexibility as between different applications for example where different stacking heights/ materials/ capacities are involved.

There is a general desire to develop an improved conveyor system incorporating an elongate conveyor to transfer material in an overland direction and a cross conveyor to transfer it from the elongate conveyor for stacking which mitigates some or all of the above disadvantages and in particular that offers a conveyor system that is more flexibly mobile and/ or more readily flexible between different stacking requirements. In accordance with the invention, a conveyor apparatus comprises: an elongate conveyor having a movable belt for the conveyance of material;

a cross conveyor having a movable belt for the conveyance of material received from the elongate conveyor arranged in a direction at an angle thereto;

a tripper apparatus configured for the transfer of material between the elongate conveyor and the cross conveyor;

wherein the elongate conveyor comprises a plurality of elongate sections engaged together by an articulating engagement;

and wherein the elongate conveyor is provided with at least one ground engaging member configured to facilitate movement of the elongate sections over a ground surface;

and wherein each elongate section is adapted to be tilted relative to the horizontal independently of another section.

Thus, a conveyor apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises the three basic elements which will be familiar from the prior art.

The conveyor apparatus comprises an elongate conveyor.

The conveyor apparatus further comprises a cross conveyor adapted for the conveyance of material from the elongate conveyor in a direction at an angle thereto, and typically at an angle perpendicular thereto, or at various angles at or about such a perpendicular angle, so as to transfer material from the cross conveyor to a stack during a stacking operation. The cross conveyor may be mounted to the elongate conveyor in articulated manner to move to various angles thereto at or about such a perpendicular angle or otherwise.

The conveyor apparatus further comprises a tripper apparatus. Such an apparatus is known in the art to effect transfer of material from a first conveyor to a second conveyer and is for example a suitable arrangement to raise material on the elongate conveyor to a point above a delivery location on the cross conveyor and deposit the material on the cross conveyor. This may be a means to raise a belt or like means on the elongate conveyor to such a point above a delivery location on the cross conveyor, which is for example a steel structure and particular arrangement of conveyor drums which are known in the art so as to achieve the transfer of material between the elongate conveyor and the cross conveyor during such operation.

The apparatus in accordance with the invention differs from the prior art combination in three respects, which operate synergistically to offer a distinct solution to the problem of providing a conveyor system that is more flexibly mobile and/or more readily flexible in dealing with different stacking requirements.

First, the elongate conveyor is sub-divided into a plurality of sections. Each section engages with its neighbour(s) via an articulating engagement between their respective adjacent elongate ends. A degree of articulation is provided in recognition of the difficulty which is likely to be encountered of moving individual sections exactly in alignment, so as to accommodate a small degree of misalignment between them.

Second, the elongate conveyor is provided with at least one ground engaging member configured to facilitate movement of the elongate sections over a ground surface. A plurality of ground engaging members may be provided. The ground engaging member may be driven or undriven. Combinations of one or more driven and undriven ground engaging members may be provided. In a possible embodiment each elongate section is provided with at least one ground engaging member configured to facilitate movement of the elongate section over a ground surface. In a possible embodiment each elongate section is provided with at least one ground engaging member configured to facilitate movement of the elongate section over a ground surface but without being driven.

In a possible embodiment a simplified system is proposed to effect mobile transfer of the segmented elongate conveyor across the ground in use. Instead of providing a driven mobile transfer means such as a tracked carriage, each elongate conveyor and for example each elongate conveyor section is provided with at least one undriven ground-engaging member configured to facilitate movement of the elongate section over a ground surface without itself being driven by powered drive means.

Accordingly in such embodiment, any ground contacting assembly provided in association with the base of the elongate section may be of simple design and low profile. In a possible simple embodiment, the base of the elongate section is provided with means to maintain a sliding ground contact such as skids orientated in a direction generally transverse to the elongate direction to facilitate movement in such a direction perpendicular to an elongate conveyor direction. Alternatively, means may be provided which maintain a rolling ground contact, such as rollers, wheels or the like. Because such rolling ground contact means do not need to be driven, they can still have a low profile.

For many applications, the provision of at least one undriven ground-engaging member configured to facilitate movement of the elongate section over a ground surface without itself being driven by powered drive means might present an effective and advantageous solution. However, at its broadest the invention additionally encompasses additionally or alternatively the case where each elongate conveyor and for example each elongate conveyor section is provided with at least one driven ground-engaging member configured to facilitate movement of the elongate section over a ground surface, suitable drive means being associated with the said driven ground-engaging member and operable to effect such movement. Suitable driven ground-engaging members include driven wheels, rollers and the like, and tracked carriages etc.

When it is desired to relocate the elongate conveyor, each section may be relocated by an external drive source, for example being pulled or pushed by a dozer or the like, with a suitable attachment which engages with typical rail sections fixed to each section of elongate conveyor. The method of fixing may be by the usual spring- loaded attachment which are known in the railway industry for securing railway sections. Alternatively, as discussed in more detail in the example which follows, the tripper apparatus and cross conveyor may be supported on a common frame provided with a driven transport carriage means to move the same across the ground surface in use, being so juxtaposed with the elongate conveyor as to move the same along the ground as desired, for example as the tripper apparatus and cross-conveyor units move along the length of the elongate conveyor.

Third, the invention is characterised by a system to accommodate misalignment between modular sections. It is accepted, and accommodated via the articulated joints, that such a modular construction and external relocation system makes it difficult to maintain perfect alignment between individual sections of the elongate conveyor. However, this introduces a potential further problem. Misalignment can introduce additional stresses and strains to the system, in particular creating difficult load conditions on the belt, and can lead to material being improperly conveyed or spilled and/or cause damage. The invention accommodates this by providing a means by which each individual elongate section of the elongate conveyor is adapted to be tilted relative to the horizontal independently of another section, about a notional pivot axis along a section elongate direction. This is found to give an effective mechanism to counter the detrimental effects of misalignment in large degree. In cases where misalignments are small, it might be possible to simplify or omit the tilting frame, as very often the conveyor belt profile adjusts itself against the conveyor support rollers in response to misalignment forces. It has been observed that subject to these three characterising differences, elements of the conveyor system are based on those of comparable prior art conveyor systems. Additional features and additional components of the system will therefore readily be inferred by the skilled person from such prior art systems. The elongate conveyor comprises a plurality of conveyor sections. In a convenient arrangement, each conveyor section comprises a support frame section on which the moveable belt may be supported for movement of material in use. Each support frame section is conveniently provided with at least one ground-engaging member configured to facilitate movement over a ground surface and for example sliding movement of the frame section over a ground surface without being driven. Each conveyor section and for example frame section is provided with mutually engageable connections so that a plurality of successive conveyor sections can be assembled sequentially into a supporting framework for the elongate conveyor. A limited degree of lateral articulation is necessary for the reasons discussed above. Otherwise any suitable joint assembly may be considered, and the detail of the joint assembly is not specifically pertinent to the invention, although two possible arrangements are discussed herein.

To transfer electrical current along the length of the elongate conveyor, it is envisaged that a busbar system will be attached to the sides of the frames of the individual elongate conveyor sections. The end-to-end joints between these busbar sections will be flexible to accommodate misalignment between the individual elongate conveyor sections. Therefore as the tripper apparatus and cross-conveyor units move along the length of the elongate conveyor, they are able to draw electrical power via pick-up runners which slide along the busbar.

Each section may be adapted to be releasably fixed and connected in a releasable engagement to an adjacent section. Plural sections may be provided to make up an assembled whole with mutually co-operable mechanical engagement formations such that in an assembled state each end face of an elongate conveyor section abuts with an adjacent end face of a further elongate conveyor section in mechanically engaged manner. For example, complementary first and second engagement formations are provided in association with for example in or on the adjacent end faces of each pair of abutting sections. For example, complementary projections and recesses may be provided on or in such adjacent end faces.

In a convenient embodiment, the first and second end faces of each section are respectively provided with identical first and second engagement formations, such that in a complete assembled conveyor a first face of each conveyor section is mutually engaged with a second face of an adjacent further section successively along the assembled elongate conveyor. In a different embodiment, the first and second end faces of each section are respectively provided with male and female clevis joint parts, such that in a complete assembled conveyor a first face of each conveyor section is joined to a second face of an adjacent further section by means of a drop in pin, successively along the length of the assembled elongate conveyor.

Each elongate section, and for example each frame section, may include a separately tiltable conveyor support frame which can tilt relative to the horizontal. For example, a conveyor support frame section comprises a first elongate side on one side of the belt, and a second elongate side on the other side of the belt, and tilting means are provided to raise and lower one side relative to the other as desired. The tilting means may also not be required to be externally actuated, but may actuate automatically due to the conveyor belt misalignment forces. These tilting means are intended to provide a capability for tilting individual conveyor sections relative to the horizontal to accommodate to some extent a degree of misalignment as the sections are moved, and to mitigate the damaging effects of the belt misalignment. The tilting mechanism works alongside the modular structure and the simplified ground-contacting transport structure to provide a mobile conveyor assembly that is more flexibly mobile and/or more readily flexible to account for belt misalignment in application between different stacking configurations.

The cross conveyor extends at an angle out from the elongate conveyor. This angle may be variable. For example, the cross conveyor is separately supported, for example by a suitable support frame and/ or on a suitable base, and this separate support provides for rotation of the cross conveyor relative to the elongate conveyor. The separate support frame and/ or base may additionally be separately moveable across the ground, for example by suitable drive means, for example rolling drive means such as tracks. Conveniently a portion of the base of the conveyor apparatus is rotatable such that rotation of the base rotates the cross conveyor. The tripper apparatus is conveniently configured and/ or positionable to move material from a feed location on the elongate conveyor to a delivery location on the cross conveyor. The tripper apparatus for example lifts material, via elevated elongate belt support rollers to the delivery location on the elongate conveyor so that material can fall to a feed location on the cross conveyor.

Conveniently the tripper apparatus thus creates a tripper conveyor having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a movable belt comprising a part of the elongate conveyor belt movable between the said first and second ends for transport of material. The tripper conveniently moves material from a feed location on the elongate conveyor to a delivery location on the cross conveyor and for example lifts material on the elongate conveyor from a feed location at the first end of the tripper conveyor part to a delivery location for delivery onto the cross conveyor. Conveniently the tripper apparatus has a lower end portion at its first end to lift up the elongate conveyor belt and an upper end portion positionable to transfer material to the cross conveyor, for example comprising a drum arrangement about which the belt passes in such manner that allows material to fall from the second end of the tripper conveyor part of the belt onto the cross conveyor under action of gravity. The cross conveyor has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a movable belt between the said first and second ends for transport of material. Conveniently a receiving location on the cross conveyor, for example but not limited to being at or towards a first end of the cross conveyor is configured to be positionable under a delivery portion of the tripper apparatus to receive material from the tripper apparatus. Conveniently a delivery portion on the cross conveyor, typically at or towards a distal second end of the cross conveyor, is configured to be positionable to stack material in use. The conveyor apparatus preferably further comprises a luffing conveyor device for example attached to an end of the cross conveyor and for example to an end distal from the receiving location.

A conveyor apparatus in accordance with the invention may include a support frame configured to support and/or engage together one or more of the elongate conveyor, the cross conveyor and the tripper apparatus. In a particular preferred case, the frame supports at least the cross conveyor. The frame may additionally support the tripper apparatus, for example such that a portion of the cross conveyor is positioned under an upper end portion of the tripper apparatus to receive material from the tripper apparatus. The frame may be movable relative to the elongate conveyor. The frame in such an embodiment thus serves to support at least the cross conveyor, and in a preferred embodiment both the cross conveyor and the tripper apparatus, and position the same relative to the elongate conveyor.

The frame is preferably adapted to be movable across the ground relative to and generally in the elongate direction of the elongate conveyor, for example by provision of suitable driven ground contacting means, such as tracks. The frame may be configured to be moved rotatably relative to the elongate conveyor to vary the angle between the cross conveyor and the elongate conveyor. The frame is also preferably adapted to include one or more guides which engage with one or more of the individual elongate conveyor frames, so that in use the ground engaging tracks, whilst moving can pull or push the individual elongate conveyor frame sections in a direction which is generally transverse to the elongate direction of the elongate conveyor.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings in which: figure 1 is a schematic of a system for operation of a conveyor apparatus embodying the principle of the invention;

figure 2 is a perspective view of a conveyor apparatus embodying the principle of the invention, by providing an embodiment of an assembly of elongate conveyor and mobile dumper comprising tripper apparatus and cross conveyor in accordance with the principles of the invention;

figure 3 is a more detailed representation of the mobile dumper of figures 1 and 2; figure 4 is an embodiment of conveyor end apparatus for use in the system of figure 1;

figure 5 is an embodiment of tripper apparatus for use in the system of figure 1; figure 6 is a representation of an embodiment of tilting mechanism of the elongate conveyor in cross-section;

figure 7 is a representation of the tilting mechanism of figure 6 in perspective view; figure 8 is an alternative elongate conveyor sectional arrangement;

figure 9 shows in detail a suitable attachment which engages with typical rail sections fixed to each section of elongate conveyor;

figure 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a conveyor apparatus embodying the principle of the invention. Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a system in which a conveyor apparatus embodying the principle of the invention can be employed, for example for the progressive dumping of overburden or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1, an overland conveyor, on the left of the figure, receives overburden or like material from a remote site which is then transported on an overland conveyor belt in familiar manner in the material flow direction M indicated.

At the dumping site, as illustrated, an elongate conveyor embodying the principles of the invention described above extends generally parallel to a dumping face and in a direction generally perpendicular to the overland conveyor as illustrated. A tripper apparatus 1 diverts overburden from the overland conveyor to the elongate conveyor at the dumping face. A mobile dumper 2 embodying the principles of the invention above described and in particular comprising a tripper apparatus and cross conveyor as above described is positioned to move to and fro along the elongate conveyor, to receive material from the elongate conveyor, and to deposit the same into the dumping site. At a distal end of the elongate conveyor, opposite the end where the tripper apparatus is provided, a conveyor end apparatus 3 described in more detail below is further provided.

The invention has been described above in particular in the context of the provision in combination of an elongate conveyor and a mobile dumper comprising a tripper apparatus and cross conveyor. It will be appreciated that in a more complete aspect in the invention, a system for the stacking of material delivered from a remote site, and in particular for the dumping of overburden delivered from a remote operational site, may be provided which embodies the general principles of the first aspect of the invention in addition to the general principles of one or more aspects of the further components of the system as represented in Figure 1 and as described by way of example herein.

In a typical mode of operation, the mobile dumper moves along the elongate conveyor to deposit material progressively along the dumping face. As material is deposited, the elongate conveyor is progressively moved forwards in the indicated direction of advance D so that the dumping location where material delivered from the cross conveyor is deposited for dumping progressively advances, and the dumping face progressively advances correspondingly. Conveniently, the movement of the elongate conveyor takes place progressively section by section as the dumping operation progresses. This may be under the action of an external drive such as a dozer. Alternatively, in one possible embodiment, the mobile dumper is suitably configured and juxtaposed relative to the elongate conveyor to effect movement of the elongate conveyor frame sections in a direction which is generally transverse to the elongate direction of the elongate conveyor as it moves itself to and fro along the elongate conveyor. To facilitate advance of the dumping face, it is also necessary that the tripper apparatus and conveyor end apparatus are similarly able to move in the direction of advance D. Conveniently, the tripper apparatus is provided with a ground-engaging driven transport carriage such as ground-engaging tracks generally oriented in the direction of advance. Preferably, the conveyor end apparatus is provided with a ground-engaging driven transport carriage such as ground-engaging tracks generally oriented in the direction of advance, although in the alternative sliding means such as skids orientated generally in the direction of advance might be practical.

This allows the whole assembly of tripper apparatus, elongate conveyor, mobile dumper and conveyor end apparatus to move in the direction of advance as the dumping front advances, and for example to creep along progressively either continuously or stepwise as the dumping front advances. In particular in the preferred case the tripper apparatus and conveyor end apparatus creep along with the elongate conveyor as the elongate conveyor is moved for example by action of the mobile dumper as it moves to and fro along the elongate conveyor or otherwise.

Figure 2 shows in more detail an embodiment of elongate conveyor and mobile dumper comprising tripper apparatus and cross conveyor in accordance with the principles of the invention and suitable for application in the system of figure 1. Figure 2 illustrates an assembly of an elongate conveyor 4 having a movable belt for the conveyance of material in an overland direction, a cross conveyor 5 positionable at an angle thereto, having a movable belt for the delivery of material to a stack in use, and a tripper apparatus 7 which utilises a length of the elongate conveyor belt to lift material from the elongate conveyor to the cross conveyor frame sections to transfer it to the cross conveyor during the stacking operation.

During use in a stacking operation, material is transferred overland along the elongate conveyor 4 to a receiving lower end 7a of the suitably positioned tripper apparatus 7, raised by the tripper apparatus to a second end 7b on the movable belt, and thereby delivered to the cross conveyor 5. Material is then transferred to a delivery end 5a of the cross conveyor 5 for stacking at a stacking location. The general operation of the conveyor apparatus of this embodiment of the invention will therefore be familiar. In the illustrated embodiment, the tripper apparatus and cross conveyor are provided with a common support frame. The support frame provides a means for pivoting the cross conveyor relative to the conveyor belt on the tripper apparatus (and hence relative to the elongate direction), in particular through a range of angles at or about a perpendicular direction to the elongate direction. The frame is supported on a support base comprising a chassis 9 and driven ground contacting tracks 11 which are positioned to allow movement of the frame, and in particular therefore of the tripper apparatus 7, along the elongate conveyor 4 in use. As described, the chassis 9 or the driven ground engaging tracks 11 may have a guide means by which the individual elongate conveyor frame sections are pushed or pulled in a direction transverse to the elongate direction.

The provision of driven ground engaging tracks 11 is an example only of a suitable means by which to allow movement of the tripper apparatus along the elongate conveyor in use. The invention is not limited to such a mechanism. Other relative movement mechanisms could be considered. For example in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 10 the apparatus is rail mounted.

The apparatus assembly of the invention thus operates on generally similar principles to those of similar prior art systems. In particular, the tripper and cross conveyor assembly is moveable relative to the elongate conveyor to provide for delivery of material from the elongate conveyor via the tripper conveyor to the cross conveyor for stacking.

The embodiment differs from conventional such embodiments in that the elongate conveyor is segmented, is in this example provided with skids, and is tiltable. This makes it particularly suitable for applications such as illustrated by the system of figure 1 where the elongate conveyor sits at the dumping face and is able to advance progressively as the dumping face advances.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the elongate conveyor 4 comprises a plurality of frame segments 13 supporting an endless belt 15 for the transport of material. Frame segments 13 are supported for transverse movement on transverse skids 17, and the elongate conveyor 4 is moveable in a transverse direction under the action of a suitable external drive, such as for example by being pulled or pushed by a dozer or the like, or by the ground engaging means 11 or chassis 9. This modular system, with a simple ground contacting sliding movement means, offers a simple solution for mobility for the elongate conveyor 4.

The provision of transverse skids 17 is an example only of a suitable means by which to enable transverse mobility for the elongate conveyor in use. The invention is not limited to such a mechanism. Other non-driven sliding or rolling mechanisms could be considered. Alternatively driven ground-engaging systems provided with suitable drive means operable to effect such movement may be provided. For example in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 10 the apparatus is provided with tracked carriages.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of mobile dumper apparatus such as is represented in Figures 1 and 2 in greater detail, showing respectively in Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, an end elevation illustrating in particular the cross conveyor, a perspective view, and a side elevation illustrating in particular the tripper device.

Referring in particular to Figure 3c, the arrangement of drums can be seen by means of which the elongate conveyor belt passes in such manner that allows material to be lifted into a delivery position where it is dropped on to the cross conveyor belt. The belt rises and lifts conveyed material to a head apparatus where there is provided a reversal drum at which point the belt reverses in direction, material falls over the edge, and is received on the belt of the cross conveyor. Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of conveyor end apparatus suitable for use in the system of Figure 1. Again, Figures 4a, 4b and 4c respectively show this apparatus in end elevation, perspective view, and side elevation. The representation in side elevation shows in particular an arrangement of tripper device and hopper. The tripper device raises the elongate conveyor belt to a head portion in similar manner to the representation in Figure 3. The purpose of the conveyor end apparatus is to recover any material which bypasses the tripper of the mobile dumper and ensure that it is removed from the belt before the belt returns in the elongate direction. This material falls into the hopper which is provided with chutes to deposit material to the side. The purpose of this end apparatus is to allow this deposited material to be secondarily pushed into the dumping area, for example by a suitable dozer.

Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of tripper apparatus for use in the system of figure 1 to divert overburden from the overland conveyor to the elongate conveyor at the dumping face.

It is accepted that maintaining perfect alignment of individual segments 13 of the elongate conveyor 4 will be difficult, and accordingly individual segments are provide with articulated joints (not shown) to accommodate a degree of misalignment. However, this misalignment can introduce additional stresses and strains to the system, in particular creating difficult load conditions on the belt. This is accommodated in part by making individual conveyor support frame segments tiltable relative to the horizontal.

An example tilt mechanism is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, with Figures 6a and 6b showing a frame and conveyor segment in cross-section, respectively untilted and tilted, and Figures 7a and 7b showing the same in perspective view. Referring to these figures, an elongate conveyor is shown with a belt 15 supported on a frame 13 as illustrated in Figure 1. The frame 13 is supported on either side by upright legs 21 and is provided with transverse skids 17 to effect transverse sliding movement across the ground surface when it is desired to reposition the conveyor.

If external means of tilting the conveyor frame 13 is required, then each elongate leg 21 may comprise a hydraulic ram and connects to the frame 13 via an articulated joint 23. In the illustrated example, one of the legs 23 (that shown on the right of the drawing) is extended in Figures 6b and 7b to raise the corresponding side of the frame, and hence effect a tilt of the belt 15. This is found give an effective mechanism to counter to some degree the detrimental effects of misalignment which might result as the modular structure is moved across a ground surface during use.

Figure 8 shows an alternative elongate conveyor section with an alternative detailed assembly mechanism including a bus bar system to transfer electrical current along the length of the elongate conveyor as a source of electrical power for the mobile dumper, for example via suitable pick-up runners which slide along the bus bar as the mobile dumper moves along the conveyor. Figure 8 also illustrates a possible joint system, in that the first and second end faces of each section are respectively provided with male and female clevis joint parts, which are joined together by means of a drop in pin as the conveyor is assembled from plural sections.

The mobile dumping unit is adapted to move to and fro along the elongate conveyor, in particular in the preferred case to move the elongate conveyor forward in the direction of advance as it does so. For example a support frame of the mobile dumper includes one or more guides which engage with rails on an individual elongate conveyor frame section to push or pull the individual elongate conveyor frame section in the direction which is generally transverse to the elongate direction of the elongate conveyor and cause it to creep in the direction of advance. Figure 9 shows in detail a suitable attachment which attaches the typical rail sections to each section of elongate conveyor. This particular distinctive combination of a modular elongate conveyor structure, the provision of a simple sliding mechanism such as transverse skids, and the provision of a tilting mechanism to accommodate misalignment, provides a distinctive and efficient mobile solution which offers flexibility to a range of stacking applications.

Figure 10 is a side elevation of a further embodiment of a conveyor apparatus embodying the principle of the invention, by providing an embodiment of an assembly of elongate conveyor and mobile dumper comprising tripper apparatus and cross conveyor in accordance with the principles of the invention, but with some alternative arrangements in detail to the embodiment illustrated in figure 2.

In particular, instead of the transverse skids shown in figure 2, the conveyor is set on tracks 19 which may be driven by suitable drive means so that the conveyor is moveable in transverse direction as required. Instead of the tracked carriage shown in figure 2, the tripper apparatus is rail mounted to allow its movement along the elongate conveyor in use.

These are merely further examples of mechanisms to effect the relative movement of the various components of the invention.

Claims

1. A conveyor apparatus comprising:

an elongate conveyor having a movable belt for the conveyance of material; a cross conveyor having a movable belt for the conveyance of material received from the elongate conveyor arranged in a direction at an angle thereto;

and wherein the elongate conveyor is provided with at least one ground engaging member configured to facilitate movement of the elongate section over a ground surface;

2. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein each elongate section is provided with at least one ground engaging member configured to facilitate movement of the elongate section over a ground surface.

3. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2 provided with at least one ground engaging member configured to facilitate movement of the elongate section over a ground surface having drive means associated with the ground-engaging member and operable to effect such movement.

4. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim provided with at least one ground engaging member configured to facilitate movement of the elongate section over a ground surface without being driven.

5. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim wherein each conveyor section comprises a support frame section on which a moveable belt may be supported for movement of material in use.

6. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim wherein to transfer electrical current along the length of the elongate conveyor each conveyor section is provided with a busbar system attached to the sides of the individual elongate conveyor sections.

7. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim wherein each conveyor section is provided with mutually engageable connections so that a plurality of successive conveyor sections can be assembled sequentially into a supporting framework on which a moveable belt may be supported.

8. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim wherein each section of the elongate conveyor is adapted to engage with its neighbour(s) via an articulating engagement between their respective adjacent elongate ends.

9. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim wherein each section is adapted to be releasably fixed and connected in a releasable engagement to an adjacent section.

10. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim wherein plural elongate conveyor sections are provided with mutually co-operable mechanical engagement formations such that in an assembled state each end face of an elongate conveyor section abuts with an adjacent end face of a further elongate conveyor section in mechanically engaged manner.

11. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with one of claims 7 to 10 wherein complementary first and second engagement formations are provided in association with the adjacent end faces of each pair of abutting sections.

12. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein complementary projections and recesses are provided on or in such adjacent end faces.

13. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with one of claims 11 or 12 wherein the first and second end faces of each section are respectively provided with identical first and second engagement formations, such that in a complete assembled conveyor a first face of each conveyor section is mutually engaged with a second face of an adjacent further section successively along the assembled elongate conveyor.

14. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with one of claims 11 or 12 wherein the first and second end faces of each section are respectively provided with male and female clevis joint parts, such that in a complete assembled conveyor a first face of each conveyor section is joined to a second face of an adjacent further section by means of a drop in pin, successively along the length of the assembled elongate conveyor.

15. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim wherein each elongate section includes a separately tiltable conveyor support frame section which can tilt relative to the horizontal.

16. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein a conveyor support frame section comprises a first elongate side on one side of the belt, and a second elongate side on the other side of the belt, and tilting means are provided to raise and lower one side relative to the other as desired.

17. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the cross conveyor is adapted for the conveyance of material from the elongate conveyor in a direction at a variable angle thereto.

18. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 17 wherein the cross conveyor is separately supported by a suitable support frame and/ or on a suitable base, and this separate support provides for rotation of the cross conveyor relative to the elongate conveyor.

19. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein the separate support frame and/ or base is additionally adapted to be separately moveable across the ground.

20. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the tripper apparatus is configured and/ or positionable to move material from a feed location on the elongate conveyor to a delivery location on the cross conveyor.

21. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein the tripper apparatus is configured to lift material via an elevated elongate belt support rollers to the delivery location on the elongate conveyor so that material can fall to a feed location on the cross conveyor.

22. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim further comprising a luffing conveyor device for example attached to an end of the cross conveyor and for example to an end distal from the receiving location.