AU2017201086B2

AU2017201086B2 - A conveyor belt skirt assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2017201086B2
Application number: AU2017201086A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Terry Thew
Original assignee: Ess Engineering Services & Supplies Pty Ltd; ESS Engineering Services and Supplies Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ESS Engineering Services and Supplies Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-02-19
Filing date: 2017-02-17
Publication date: 2023-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2037-02-17
Also published as: AU2017201086A1

Abstract

A CONVEYOR BELT SKIRT ASSEMBLY ABSTRACT A skirt seal assembly (15) for a conveyor belt (10) having an upper surface (11) to which material tobe conveyed is delivered. The assembly (15) includes a plurality of skirt segments (16) that are supported by a plurality of clamp assemblies (17), with the assemblies (17) providing for adjustable movement of the segments (16) relative to the belt (10). 1/7

Description

1/7

A CONVEYOR BELT SKIRT ASSEMBLY FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to assemblies that secure in position conveyor belt skirt and more particularly but not exclusively to such assemblies used with conveyors that transport mined material such as coal.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the mining industry, conveyors extend from a loading point to a delivery point. Adjacent the loading points, strips are employed to engage the conveyor belt to inhibit material leaving the belt and more particularly acts as dust seal. The skirt strips are mounted on the surrounding steel frame structure, with the strips engaging the conveyor belt.

[0003] A disadvantage of previous assemblies, that secure the strips in position, is that the assemblies can inadvertently project an edge at the conveyor belt, damaging the conveyor belt.

[0004] Further disadvantages include difficulties in respect of installation and adjustment.

OBJECT

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] There is disclosed herein a conveyor belt skirt seal clamp assembly to secure a skirt seal to a backing plate, the assembly including: a base to be fixed to the backing plate, the base having a securing portion to be fixed to the backing plate, and a mounting portion to project away from the securing portion and therefore away from the backing plate; a clamp actuator mounted on the mounting portion and movable relative thereto in an actuation direction, the clamp actuator having a clamp surface that is moved relative to the base towards the securing portion and therefore the backing plate upon movement of the clamp actuator relative to the mounting portion in said direction; and a clamp member mounted on the mounting portion so as to be guided thereby for movement in a generally upward direction relative to the base, and engaged by the clamp surface to be moved by the clamp actuator to clamp the skirt seal between the backing plate and the clamp surface.

[0007] Preferably, the base includes a guide portion having at least one upwardly extending guide surface that slidably engages the clamp member.

[0008] Preferably, the mounting portion includes a guide surface that guides the clamp member in the upward movement.

[0009] Preferably, the mounting portion includes a pair of arms that extend laterally from the base portion, the arms being spaced so that there is a slot therebetween, with the actuator mounted on the arms.

[0010] Preferably, the clamp member has upwardly oriented surfaces that slidably engage the arms to aid in guiding the clamp member in its movement relative to the base.

[0011] Preferably, the clamp member includes a pair of upwardly extending beams that are transversely spaced so as to provide a slot therebetween, with the arms extending through the slot between the arms.

[0012] Preferably, the clamp member has a portion at the top of the clamp member slot that prevents downward movement of the clamp member beyond a predetermined position.

[0013] Preferably, the actuator is elongated so as to have said clamp surface, and the actuator includes a longitudinally extending slot that is inclined to the clamp surface by an acute angle, and the clamp assembly further includes a pin extending between the arms and through the actuator slot so that the actuator is captively located with respect to the arms.

[0014] Preferably, the clamp member slot includes a lower enlarged portion through which the arms and the actuator pass when mounting the clamp member on the base.

[0015] Preferably, the actuator slot has an enlarged end portion through which the pin projects to provide for orientation of the actuator aligned with the arms, to provide for insertion of the arms and actuator through the enlarged portion of the slot of the clamp member.

[0016] Preferably, the clamp member includes an elongated clamping part that is to abut the skirt, with the clamping part including a longitudinally extending projection that is received in the skirt slot.

[0017] There is further disclosed herein a conveyor belt skirt seal segment to engage a conveyor belt, and to be engaged by a clamp assembly to secure the skirt seal segment in position, the skirt seal segment being longitudinally elongated so as to extend longitudinally in the direction of the belt in use, the segment having a longitudinally extending lower edge to be positioned adjacent the belt, and a longitudinally extending slot spaced from the edge and to receive a projection of a clamp member of the clamp assembly.

[0018] Preferably, the seal has end edge portions extending generally normal to the lower edge and slot, with one edge portion providing a projection, and the other edge portion providing a recess, so that a like seal segment can have the projection thereof engage in the recess or have the projection engage in a recess of the like skirt segment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of a conveyor belt, skirt seal and a clamp assembly securing the skirt seal in position adjacent the conveyor belt;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic isometric view of one of the clamp assemblies and skirt seal of Figure 1;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic isometric view of portion of the clamp assembly of Figure 2;

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic isometric view of a base of the clamp assembly of Figure 2;

[0024] Figure 5 is a further schematic isometric view of a modification of the clamp assembly of Figure 2;

[0025] Figure 6 is a further schematic isometric view of the clamp assembly as shown in Figure 5; and

[0026] Figure 7 is a schematic isometric view of skirt seal segment employed with the clamp assembly of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0027] In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a conveyor belt 10 having an upper surface 11 to which material to be conveyed is delivered. As an example, the material to be conveyed may be a mined material such as coal.

[0028] As a particular example, the portion of the belt 10 illustrated may be that portion located adjacent the loading end of the conveyor belt 10 where the material is delivered to the conveyor belt 10. In such instances, a chute is generally placed above the conveyor belt 10, with the chute including a backing plate 12. The backing plate 12 has a longitudinally extending generally upright flange 13 from which there extend from an upper portion of the flange 13 a generally horizontal longitudinally extending flange 14.

[0029] Secured to the backing plate 12 is a skirt seal assembly 15. In this embodiment the skirt seal assembly 15 includes a plurality of skirt segments 16 that extend longitudinally relative to the belt 10 and engage the upper surface 11 thereof. In alterative embodiments, the segment 16 may be replaced with a single length skirt seal.

[0030] Each of the segments 16 is engaged by a respective clamp assembly 17. The segments 16 may be replaced with a single segment 16 engaged with a number of the clamp assemblies 16.

[0031] The flange 13 provides a longitudinally extending transversely outwardly facing surface 18 to which each clamp assembly 17 is secured.

[0032] Each clamp assembly 17 includes a base 19 having an attachment portion 20. The attachment portion 20 may be welded to the surface 18, or most preferably, threaded fasteners would be used to pass through the attachment portions 20 to secure the bases 19 to the flange 13.

[0033] Each base 19 further includes a mounting portion 21 that extends laterally and generally horizontally outwardly from the mounting portion 20 and therefore laterally outward away from the flange 13. Extending generally upwardly from the mounting portion 20 is a guide portion 22.

[0034] The mounting portion 21 includes a pair of generally parallel and co-extensive arms 23 that are generally vertically spaced so that a slot 24 is located therebetween. The end extremity of each arm 23 is provided with a passage 25, while the top arm 23 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 26.

[0035] The guide portion 22 includes an upwardly extending end wall 27 from which there transversely extends a pair of guide flanges 28.

[0036] Fixed to the arms 23 by means of a pin 29 is a clamping actuator 30. The pin 29 extends through the aligned passages 25.

[0037] The actuator 30 is slidable through the slot 24, but is fixed to the arms 23 by the pin 29.

[0038] The actuator 30 is of a plate construction having longitudinally extending side surfaces 31 and 32, as well as a longitudinally extending slot 33. The slot 33 is inclined to the surface 32 by an acute angle.

[0039] The slot 33 has an enlarged end portion 34.

[0040] The slot 33 is defined between internal surfaces 35 and 36, in this embodiment the surfaces 35 and 36 are generally parallel, and are both inclined to the surface 32 by an acute angle. The surfaces 35 and 36 may have teeth or be serrated.

[0041] Attached to the mounting portion 21 is a clamp member 37.

[0042] The clamp member 37 includes generally upright beams 38 that are spaced so that the arms 23 can extend therebetween. Extending between the beams 38 is a guide projection 39 that engages the flanges 28 and wall 27, so that the clamp member 37 is guided in its vertical movement in the direction 40 by the guide portion 19.

[0043] Fixed to the lower portion of the beams 38 is a clamping part 41 that is longitudinally elongated in the direction of the belt 10, and engages the associated adjacent strip segment 16.

[0044] In this embodiment each strip segments 16 may have a longitudinally extending lower edge 42 that engages the surface 11 of the conveyor belt 10, and a longitudinally extending slot 43 into which a longitudinally extending projection 44 of the part 41 extends, to correctly locate the segments 16 with respect to the assembly 17.

[0045] Preferably, each segment 16 includes an upwardly extending end slot 45 that receives the tapered projection 46 of the end portion of next adjacent segment 16. The slots 45 and projections 46 are complimentary so that the segments 16 are at least partly sealingly connected.

[0046] Engagement of the slots 45 and projections 46 also aid in correctly aligning adjacent segments 16.

[0047] Located between the beams 38 is an upwardly extending slot 47, that has a lower enlarged portion 48. The arms 23 and actuator 30 are insertable through the portion 48 relatively easily, however once the arms 23 are moved upward into the upper portion 54 of the slot 47, the surfaces 49 of the beams 38 slidably engage the arms 23 to guide the clamp member 37 in its movement relative to the base in the direction (upward) 40.

[0048] In installing the strips 16, initially the actuator 30 is arranged with the pin 29 in the enlarged portion 30. The actuator 30 aligned with the arms 23. Thereafter the clamp member 37 is moved so that the arms 23 enter the portion 48. With the segments 16 attached to the clamp member 37 by engagement of the projection 44 in the slot 43, the clamp member 37 is moved so that the segment 16 is sandwiched between the surface 18 and the clamp member 37. Thereafter, the actuator 30 is moved angularly through approximately 900until it is in an orientation as shown in Figure 2. Thereafter, the actuator 30 is moved in a direction, generally normal to the direction 40, with the clamp surface 36 abutting the pin 29. With movement of the actuator 30 in the direction 50, the clamp member 37 is moved towards the surface 18 thereby clamping the strip 16 between the clamp member 37 and the surface 18. Movement of the actuator 30 in a direction opposite the direction 30 releases the associated strip 16.

[0049] With the guide projection 39 closing the upper end the slots, downward movement of the clamp member 37 is thereby limited thereby and the guide protection will engage the upper arm 23.

[0050] With engagement of the arms 23 in the slot 47, so as to be guided by the surfaces 49, as well as engagement of the guide part 39 between the flanges 28, the clamp member 37 is guided in its vertical movement in the direction 40.

[0051] The above described preferred embodiment describes use of the segments 16. In alternative embodiments, the segments 16 could be replaced with a single length of skirt.

[0052] The above described preferred embodiment has a number of advantages, in particular the clamp member 37 being guided in its vertical movement. This prevents displacement of the clamp member 37 to a position at which it may engage the belt 10. Even if the actuator 30 becomes displaced loosening the clamping action, the clamp member 37 will not fall to the extent where it will engage the belt 10.

[0053] Operation of the clamp assembly 17 is reasonably simple is all that is required is movement of the actuator 30. Accordingly it is reasonably easy to install, as well as replace segments 16.

[0054] By engagement of the projection 44 in the slot 43, the segments 16 are maintained in a correct orientation relative to the belt 10.

[0055] As the position of the clamp member 37 is adjustable, the assembly 17 can be used with a variety of strip skirts. The upward adjustment in the direction 40, as well as the adjustment provided by the actuator 30, enable a wider variety of skirts to be employed.

[0056] In an alternative embodiment, a spacer 51 may be employed. The spacer 51 is located in the slot 47 and extends into the slot 26 to abut a lower portion of the mounting part 29 so as to be retained in a desired position. The spacer 51 thereby limits the extent at which the clamping member 37 may move downward.

[0057] The spacer 51 includes a downwardly extending projection 52 having a lower through passage 53. The projection 52 could extend through a passage in the mounting part 21 so that the passage 53 is exposed beneath the mounting part 21. A split pin or other pin could then be inserted through the passage 53, securing the spacer 51 in position.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A conveyor belt skirt seal clamp assembly to secure a skirt seal to a backing plate, the assembly including: a base to be fixed to the backing plate, the base having a securing portion to be fixed to the backing plate, and a mounting portion to project away from the securing portion and therefore away from the backing plate; a clamp actuator mounted on the mounting portion and movable relative thereto in an actuation direction, the clamp actuator having a clamp surface that is moved relative to the base towards the securing portion and therefore the backing plate upon movement of the clamp actuator relative to the mounting portion in said direction; and a clamp member mounted on the mounting portion so as to be guided thereby for movement in a generally upward direction relative to the base, and engaged by the clamp surface to be moved by the clamp actuator to clamp the skirt seal between the backing plate and the clamp surface; wherein the mounting portion includes a pair of arms that extend laterally from the base portion, the arms being spaced so that there is a slot therebetween, with the actuator mounted on the arms.

2. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the base includes a guide portion having at least one upwardly extending guide surface that slidably engages the clamp member.

3. The clamp assembly of claim 2, wherein the mounting portion includes a guide surface that guides the clamp member in the upward movement.

4. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the clamp member has upwardly oriented surfaces that slidably engage the arms to aid in guiding the clamp member in its movement relative to the base.

5. The clamp assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the clamp member includes a pair of upwardly extending beams that are transversely spaced so as to provide a slot therebetween, with the arms extending through the slot between the arms.

6. The clamp assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp member has a portion at the top of the clamp member slot that prevents downward movement of the clamp member beyond a predetermined position.

7. The clamp assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator is elongated so as to have said clamp surface, and the actuator includes a longitudinally extending slot that is inclined to the clamp surface by an acute angle, and the clamp assembly further includes a pin extending between the arms and through the actuator slot so that the actuator is captively located with respect to the arms.

8. The clamp assembly of claim 7, wherein the clamp member slot includes a lower enlarged portion through which the arms and the actuator pass when mounting the clamp member on the base.

9. The clamp assembly of claim 7 or 8, wherein the actuator slot has an enlarged end portion through which the pin projects to provide for orientation of the actuator aligned with the arms, to provide for insertion of the arms and actuator through the enlarged portion of the slot of the clamp member.

10. The clamp assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp member includes an elongated clamping part that is to abut the skirt, with the clamping part including a longitudinally extending projection that is received in the skirt slot.

11. A conveyor belt skirt seal segment to engage the conveyor belt skirt seal clamp assembly of claims I to 10, and to be engaged by a clamp assembly to secure the skirt seal segment in position, the skirt seal segment being longitudinally elongated so as to extend longitudinally in the direction of the belt in use, the segment having a longitudinally extending lower edge to be positioned adjacent the belt, and a longitudinally extending slot spaced from the edge and to receive a projection of a clamp member of the clamp assembly.

12. The skirt seal of claim 11, wherein the seal has end edge portions extending generally normal to the lower edge and slot, with one edge portion providing a projection, and the other edge portion providing a recess, so that a like seal segment can have the projection thereof engage in the recess or have the projection engage in a recess of the like skirt segment.

ESS Engineering Services & Supplies Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON