Claims
- 1. An apparatus for controlling the conveyance of particulate material on a first conveyor belt, said first conveyor belt having a first engagement means and being driven by an independent driving means, said apparatus comprising:
a) a frame having at least one longitudinal member; b) at least two rotating elements spaced apart along said frame; and, c) an endless belt extending around said rotating elements and where said endless belt includes a second engagement means; said apparatus being positioned above and proximal to said first conveyor, wherein said endless belt extends along a portion of said first conveyor and wherein said particulate material flows between said endless belt and said first conveyor; said first engagement means of said first conveyor engages said second engagement means of said endless belt; between said endless belt and said first conveyor and whereby said endless belt is frictionally driven by said first conveyor belt.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a panel located above said endless belt for preventing particulate material attached to said belt from being discharged.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus rests freely on said first conveyor.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said apparatus is pivotally connected with respect to said first conveyor belt vertical spacing between said apparatus and said first conveyor belt is dynamically variable.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rotating elements comprise pairs of wheels on axles mounted.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said endless belt includes a pair of channels on an inner surface thereof, said channels being adapted to receive said wheels and to maintain alignment of said endless belt on said wheels.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second engagement means comprises a plurality of outwardly extending ribs.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/210,745, now allowed, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09210745 |
Dec 1998 |
US |
Child |
09870695 |
Jun 2001 |
US |