Vibratory distribution conveyor

Abstract

In order to provide the capability of distributing a material that is conveyed, a vibratory distribution conveyor includes a deck having a distribution edge. The distribution edge extends between an inlet end and an end remote therefrom and the deck is subjected to vibratory motion to cause material to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remote therefrom. With this arrangement, the declination of the deck is controlled about a longitudinal axis to control the distribution characteristics of the conveyor.

1. A vibratory distribution conveyor, comprising:
 a deck having an inlet end and a distribution edge extending between the inlet end and an end remote therefrom;  
 means for imparting vibratory motion to cause material on the deck to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remote therefrom; and  
 means for controlling declination of the deck about an axis extending from the inlet end to the end remote therefrom.  
 
     
     
       2. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 1  wherein the vibratory motion imparting means produces a resultant force disposed at an oblique angle to the deck. 
     
     
       3. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 1  wherein the deck comprises a generally planar conveying surface having an upstanding wall opposite the distribution edge. 
     
     
       4. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 1  wherein the deck comprises a generally linear conveying surface and the axis of declination is a longitudinally extending axis. 
     
     
       5. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 1  wherein the vibratory motion imparting means comprises a motor driven eccentric mass system associated with the deck. 
     
     
       6. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 1  wherein the deck is supported by a plurality of links extending from a rigid support surface at an obtuse angle to the deck. 
     
     
       7. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 1  wherein the deck is supported by a plurality of springs extending from a rigid support surface at an acute angle to the deck. 
     
     
       8. The vibratory distribution conveyor, comprising:
 a deck having an inlet end and a distribution edge extending between the inlet end and an end remote therefrom, the deck comprising a generally linear conveying surface extending along a longitudinal axis, the deck further comprising a generally planar conveying surface having an upstanding wall opposite the distribution edge;  
 a motor driven eccentric mass system associated with the deck for causing material on the deck to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remote therefrom; and  
 means for controlling declination of the distribution edge of the deck in relation to the generally linear, planar conveying surface of the deck about the longitudinal axis.  
 
     
     
       9. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 8  wherein the motor driven eccentric mass system produces a resultant force at an oblique angle to the deck having a vertically upward force component and a horizontally forward force component. 
     
     
       10. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 8  wherein the deck is supported by a plurality of links extending from a rigid support surface at an obtuse angle to the deck and by a plurality of springs extending from the rigid support surface at an acute angle to the deck. 
     
     
       11. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 8  including a pivotable connection between the generally linear, planar conveying surface of the deck and the motor driven eccentric mass system to accommodate pivoting movement of the deck about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       12. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 8  wherein the declination controlling means includes an inflatable and deflatable bag located below the deck on the side opposite the distribution edge to control the angle of declination relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       13. The vibratory distribution conveyor, comprising:
 a deck having an inlet end and a distribution edge extending between the inlet end and an end remote therefrom, the deck comprising a generally linear conveying surface extending along a longitudinal axis, the deck further comprising a generally planar conveying surface having an upstanding wall opposite the distribution edge;  
 a motor driven eccentric mass system producing a resulting force at an oblique angle to the deck having a vertically upward force component and a horizontally forward force component for causing material on the deck to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remote therefrom;  
 the deck being supported by a plurality of links extending at an obtuse angle from a rigid support surface to a frame member disposed beneath the deck and also being supported by a plurality of springs extending at an acute angle from the rigid support surface to the frame member disposed beneath the deck; and  
 means for controlling declination of the distribution edge of the deck in relation to the generally linear, planar conveying surface of the deck about the longitudinal axis.  
 
     
     
       14. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 13  including a pivotable frictional connection between the generally linear, planar conveying surface and the frame member to accommodate pivoting movement of the deck about the longitudinal axis and wherein the declination controlling means includes an inflatable and deflatable bag located below the deck beneath the generally linear, planar conveying surface on the side of the deck opposite the distribution edge to control the angle of declination relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       15. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 14  wherein the pivotable frictional connection is defined by a first yoke member rigidly mounted to the deck and a second yoke member rigidly mounted to the frame member, the pivotable frictional connection further including a compressible spacer, the compressible spacer being disposed between and in contact with the first and second yoke members, and a fastener joining the first and second yoke members for slight relative pivotal movement within limits defined at least in part by the compressible spacer. 
     
     
       16. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 15  wherein the compressible spacer is formed of generally donut or toroid shaped compression rubber, the fastener comprises a bolt extending through the first and second yoke members of the donut or toroid shaped compressible spacer and a nut threadingly engaged with the bolt for tightening and loosening the connection between the first and second yoke members, the nut and bolt permitting the connection to be tightened and loosened to increase and decrease torsional resistance to movement of the compressible spacer. 
     
     
       17. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 16  further including a pair of first and second yoke members each of which has a donut or toroid shaped compressible spacer therebetween, and further including a pair of inflatable and deflatable bags located below the deck beneath the generally linear, planar conveying surface, the inflatable and deflatable bags being disposed at spaced locations opposite the distribution edge and each of the bags being carried by first and second mounting brackets secured on the deck and frame member, respectively. 
     
     
       18. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 17  wherein the links and springs are provided in grouped pairs with each of the grouped parts being arranged such that the link and the spring of each pair are joined in substantially adjacent relation to the frame member, and the links each have one end pivotally mounted to the rigid support surface and the other end pivotally mounted to the frame member to accommodate a reciprocating motion of the deck imparted by the motor driven eccentric mass system and resisted by the springs. 
     
     
       19. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 18  wherein the motor driven eccentric mass system includes a motor mounted to the rigid support structure, an eccentric mass carried by a shaft mounted to the rigid support structure in close proximity to the motor, a coupling for rotating the shaft with the motor to cause the eccentric mass carried by the shaft to rotate about the axis of the shaft, and a resilient connection to the frame member for producing the resultant force for conveying material on the conveying surface of the deck. 
     
     
       20. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 19  wherein the rigid support structure is a first beam mounted to a rigid surface and the frame member is a second beam mounted above the first beam, the distribution edge comprising a linear edge of the generally linear, planar conveying surface of the deck extending substantially entirely from the inlet end to the opposite end for distributing conveyed materials therealong. 
     
     
       21. A vibratory distribution conveyor, comprising:
   a deck having an inlet end and an end remote therefrom, the deck also having a material distribution edge between the inlet end and the end remote therefrom;        an eccentric mass system for imparting vibratory motion to the deck to cause material to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remote therefrom; and        means for controlling declination of the material distribution edge of the deck to cause material being conveyed from the inlet end to be distributed therefrom.     
     
     
       22. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 21  wherein the eccentric mass system is motor driven and produces a resultant force disposed at a generally oblique angle to the deck. 
     
     
       23. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 21  wherein the deck comprises a generally linear conveying surface supported by a plurality of springs extending from a rigid support surface. 
     
     
       24. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 21  wherein the deck comprises a generally planar comveying surface supported by a plurality of springs extending from a rigid support surface. 
     
     
       25. A vibratory distribution conveyor, comprising:
   a deck having an inlet end and a distribution edge;        means for imparting vibratory motion to cause material on the deck to be conveyed from the inlet end to the distribution edge; and        means for controlling declination of the distribution edge.     
     
     
       26. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 24  wherein the deck is supported by a plurality of springs extending from a rigid support surface. 
     
     
       27. A vibratory distribution conveyor, comprising:
   a deck having an inlet end and a distribution edge;        an eccentric mass system for causing material placed on the deck at the inlet end to be conveyed by vibratory motion to the distribution edge; and        a controller for controlling declination of the distribution edge.     
     
     
       28. The vibratory distribution conveyor of  claim 26  wherein the deck is supported by a plurality of springs extending from a rigid support surface.