PORTABLE BELT CONVEYOR SYSTEM

摘要

A belt conveyor system for creating an overland material transport assembly on a ground surface comprises a frame configured for transportation over the ground surface, a plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections, a head pulley assembly mounted to the first end of the frame, a tail pulley assembly mounted to one of the conveyor belt support sections, and a conveyor belt. The frame includes first and second elongate rails, each of which have a first support surface and a second support surface spaced from the first support surface. The plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections are supportable on the frame in a transport configuration wherein the plurality of support sections are accordion-folded relative to one another and are generally perpendicular to the first and second elongate rails. The plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections are movable to a material transport configuration wherein the plurality of support sections are unfolded to be generally parallel to the first and second rails. The belt conveyor is carried by the head pulley assembly, the plurality of conveyor belt support sections and the tail pulley assembly.

主权项

1. A method for creating an overland material transport assembly on a ground surface, the method comprising:
providing a frame configured for transportation over the ground surface, the frame comprising a first end, a second end and first and second elongate rails, each of the first and second elongate rails having a first support surface and a second support surface spaced from the first support surface; supporting a plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections on the frame in a transport configuration wherein the plurality of support sections are accordion-folded relative to one another and are generally perpendicular to the first and second elongate rails, the plurality of conveyor belt support sections carrying a conveyor belt, wherein a first end of the conveyor belt is connected to a head pulley assembly that is mounted on a first end of the frame, and wherein a second end of the conveyor belt is connected to a tail pulley assembly that is mounted to one of the conveyor belt support sections; lowering an end one of the conveyor belt support sections onto the ground; and towing the frame in a direction generally opposite the end conveyor belt support section to cause an unfolding of the plurality of conveyor belt support sections to a material transport configuration wherein the plurality of support sections are generally parallel to the first and second rails and the conveyor belt is tensioned about the head and tail pulley assemblies.