摘要 |
The present invention relates to extensible endless conveyor belt support structures and systems. A support structure has vertical support members (8) connected by V-shaped arrangements of pivotally connected (17, 19) link members (7, 9). By mounting at least the upper belt run rollers (4) on the vertical supports (8) the load can be more effectively supported whilst providing a relatively high ratio of extended to contracted length. By using telescopically extendable (14, 15) vertical supports (8), any increase in overall height of the support structure upon contraction thereof is minimized or avoided. By also having detachable lower belt run rollers (23) the support structure can be inserted into an endless conveyor belt installation without dismantling or even stopping running thereof. The invention also provides systems including setting devices for holding the support structures in their contracted form and deploying and collecting them into and from their extended conditions. Preferably the setting device includes a retractor means for drawing in the support structure during collection thereof.
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