Belt conveyor

Abstract

Belt conveyor The belt conveyor (1) comprises: - a conveyor belt (3); - a plurality of support stations (5) distributed along the conveyor belt (3), each support station (5) having a base (19) and at least one member (21) for supporting the conveyor belt (3) mounted on the base (19), the conveyor belt (3) comprising a belt section moving in a longitudinal direction relative to the support station (5) and resting on the or each support member (21); - a cover (29), comprising two side walls (31, 33) arranged transversely on either side of the conveyor belt (3) and extending along the conveyor belt (3); one of the two side walls (31, 33) having a plurality of shapes (35), the base (19) of each support station (5) having a counter-shape (36) cooperating with one of said shapes (35) preventing the support station (5) from tilting longitudinally.Figure for abstract: 4.

Description

Title of the invention: Belt conveyor

[0001] The present invention relates in general to belt conveyors, and more particularly to plain belt conveyors, known as semi-buried.

[0002] A belt conveyor typically comprises a conveyor belt and a plurality of support stations distributed along the conveyor belt.

[0003] The conveyor belt is typically arranged around two turning drums, placed at both ends of the belt path. The belt thus has a forward strand and a return strand, each extending from one turning drum to the other.

[0004] Some belt conveyors are said to be semi-buried.

[0005] For such conveyors, the applicant provides in certain cases to arrange the forward strand and the return strand parallel, one next to the other, in order to limit the height of the structure.

[0006] The conveyor is placed in a trench, dug into the ground. It is therefore buried at a certain depth, in order to reduce the nuisances likely to be caused along the conveyors: noise, crossing problems, visual impact, safety, etc.

[0007] The belt conveyor in this case is protected by a cover, comprising two side walls arranged transversely on either side of the conveyor belt, and cover slabs placed on the side walls. The cover slabs are removable, so that it is possible to access the conveyor for maintenance.

[0008] The conveyor is thus advantageously protected from climatic hazards such as wind, snow, hail, rain or intense solar radiation.

[0009] In this type of conveyor, each support station comprises a base and at least one belt support member mounted on the base.

[0010] The applicant uses concrete blocks placed at the bottom of the trench as bases. The support stations are not rigidly fixed to the ground. They are held in place by their own weight.

[0011] It happens that some support stations tip over, due to the movement of the belt and the load being transported.

[0012] If a support station tips over, a deflection is created in the belt at the level of the station that has tipped over. The belt, and the support stations located in the vicinity of the station that has tipped over, then undergo greater forces.

[0013] Furthermore, the belt may rub against the tilted support station and may be damaged as a result.

[0014] In this context, the invention aims to propose a belt conveyor not having the above defect.

[0015] To this end, the invention relates to a belt conveyor comprising: - a conveyor belt;

[0016] - a plurality of support stations distributed along the conveyor belt, each support station having a base and at least one conveyor belt support member mounted on the base, the conveyor belt comprising a belt section moving in a longitudinal direction relative to the support station and resting on the or each support member;

[0017] - a cover, comprising two side walls arranged transversely on either side and other side of the conveyor belt and extending along the conveyor belt; one of the two side walls having a plurality of shapes, the base of each support station having a counter-shape cooperating with one of said shapes by preventing the support station from tilting longitudinally.

[0018] Thus, the shape provided in the side wall and the counter-shape provided in the base cooperate to hold the support station in place and prevent it from tilting longitudinally.

[0019] The risk of the support station tipping over is eliminated. This is achieved due to the shape cooperation between the side wall and the base, therefore in a very simple manner.

[0020] The installation of the conveyor is particularly quick and simple.

[0021] In particular, it is not necessary to provide screws, tie rods or other members to fix the support station to the ground. It is also not necessary to provide screws to fix the base to the side walls, this fixing being done by shape cooperation.

[0022] The belt conveyor may further have one or more of the following characteristics, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0023] - the form and the counter-form cooperate in defining the position of the base according to the transverse direction relative to the side wall;

[0024] - the form and the counter-form cooperate in defining the position of the base according to the longitudinal direction relative to the side wall;

[0025] - the other of the two side walls has a plurality of other shapes, the base of each support station having another counter-form cooperating with one of said other forms in preventing the support station from tilting longitudinally;

[0026] - the base is elongated transversely, the counter-form and the other counter-form being arranged at the two opposite transverse ends of the base;

[0027] - the side wall has a lower edge facing a bearing surface of said side wall, the shape being a notch made in the lower edge;

[0028] - the shape has a trapezoidal shape;

[0029] - the base comprises a solid mass, the counter-form being a branch arranged in the solid, one edge of the shape being engaged in the groove;

[0030] - the massif has two protruding edges delimiting the groove on two sides opposite transverses;

[0031] - the groove has a trapezoidal shape, with a central upper portion facing upwards, and frontal portions extending downwards from the upper portion, moving away from each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0032] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description given below, for information purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended figures, among which: - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a simplified schematic view of a belt conveyor; - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic view, in cross-section, of a belt conveyor according to the invention; - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of a section of the belt conveyor of [Fig.2], the cover slabs not being shown; and - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic, perspective view, similar to that of [Fig. 3], the central wall being shown separated from the bases of the support stations; and - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic perspective view of the prepared massif at the end of the base of the station shown in [Fig.2], cooperating with the side wall, the side wall being shown in a semi-transparent manner.

[0033] The belt conveyor 1 shown in [Fig.l] comprises a conveyor belt 3 and a plurality of support stations 5 distributed along the conveyor belt 3.

[0034] The conveyor belt 3 is arranged around two turning rollers 7, 9.

[0035] The conveyor belt 3 comprises a forward strand 11 and a return strand 13.

[0036] The forward strand 11 extends from the turning drum 7 to the turning drum 9, and circulates from the turning drum 7 to the turning drum 9 in a first direction of movement DI.

[0037] The return strand 13 extends from the turning drum 9 to the turning drum 7, and circulates from the turning drum 9 to the turning drum 7 in a second direction of movement D2, substantially opposite to the first direction of movement DI.

[0038] Typically, the belt conveyor 1 also comprises a loading hopper 15 via which the product to be transported is deposited on the conveyor belt 3.

[0039] The belt conveyor 1 also comprises a discharge hopper 17, the conveyor belt 3 discharging the transported product into said hopper 17 at the arrival point.

[0040] The product to be transported is a bulk, mixed or homogeneous product. The product to be transported is typically an ore extracted from a mine, or rubble, or products from a quarry, or sand, or any other suitable bulk product.

[0041] The belt conveyor 1 is provided for transporting the product from a starting point where the loading hopper 15 is located to an arrival point where the unloading hopper 17 is located.

[0042] In the example shown, the loading hopper 15 is located at an upstream portion of the forward strand 11, located near the turning drum 7.

[0043] The unloading hopper 17 is located at the level of the turning drum 9.

[0044] The conveyor belt 3, between the turning drums 7, 9, follows a straight path or, on the contrary, a path comprising winding portions.

[0045] In the example shown, one of the two turning drums is motorized, so as to drive the conveyor belt 3. This drum is for example the drum 9.

[0046] In the example shown, only the forward strand is used for transporting bulk product. The return strand 13 circulates empty.

[0047] Alternatively, the return strand is also used to transport a bulk product.

[0048] For example, the forward strand 11 and the return strand 13 are arranged side by side, parallel to each other, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

[0049] They are substantially at the same level relative to the ground.

[0050] As illustrated in [Fig.2], each support station 5 comprises a base 19 and at least one member 21 for supporting the conveyor belt 3 mounted on the base 19.

[0051] The or each support member 21 is for example a roller. Alternatively, it is a pad or any other type of suitable support member.

[0052] For example, each support station 5 comprises three support members 21 arranged in a trough, as shown in [Fig.2].

[0053] Alternatively, the support station has more than three support members, or less than three support members.

[0054] For example, it comprises a single horizontal support member. Such a support member is well suited for guiding the return strand 13 of the belt, when the latter is not loaded.

[0055] Each support member 21 is typically mounted on the base 19 by means of a suitably bent iron 23.

[0056] The support station 5 can be equipped with protection 25, masking the re-entrant angle between the conveyor belt 3 and the or each support member 21.

[0057] A section of strip 27 rests on the or each support member 21. The section of band 27 moves in a longitudinal direction relative to the support station.

[0058] The function of the support members 21 is to support the strip section 27 and to guide it in its movement.

[0059] The belt conveyor 1 also has a cover 29.

[0060] The cover 29 comprises two side walls 31, 33 arranged transversely on either side of the conveyor belt 3 and extending along the conveyor belt 3.

[0061] More precisely, two side walls 31, 33 are placed transversely on either side of the forward strand 11, and two other side walls 31, 33 are placed transversely on either side of the return strand 13.

[0062] In the example shown in [Fig.2], the forward strand 11 and the return strand 13 are arranged side by side, parallel to each other. In this case, the side wall 33 is arranged between the forward strand 11 and the return strand 13 and is common to both strands.

[0063] The forward strand 11 is then framed transversely by a side wall 31 and the side wall 33, and the return strand 13 by the side wall 33 and another side wall 31.

[0064] The cover 29 also comprises an upper slab 34, placed on the side walls 31, 33.

[0065] The upper slab 34 covers the strip 3 and the support stations 5.

[0066] The upper slab 34 is removable, so as to be able to access the strip 3 and the 5 support stations.

[0067] In the example shown in [Fig.2], a single-piece upper slab 34 transversely covers both the forward strand 11 and the return strand 13, from the side wall 31 to the other side wall 31. It is supported by the side wall 33 and by the two side walls 31.

[0068] According to the invention, one of the two side walls 31, 33 has a plurality of shapes 35, the base 19 of each support station 5 having a counter-shape 36 cooperating with said shape 35 by preventing the support station 5 from tilting longitudinally.

[0069] Advantageously, the shape 35 and the counter-shape 36 cooperate in defining the position of the base 19 in the transverse direction relative to said side wall 31, 33.

[0070] Furthermore, the form 35 and the counter-form 36 cooperate in defining the position of the base 19 in the longitudinal direction relative to said side wall 31, 33.

[0071] Preferably, the other of the two side walls 31, 33, located transversely on the other side of the strip 3, has a plurality of other shapes 35.

[0072] The base 19 of each support station 5 has in this case another counter-form 36 cooperating with one of said other shapes 35 in preventing the support station 5 from tilting longitudinally.

[0073] In other words, the two side walls 31, 33 arranged on either side of the conveyor belt 3 each have a shape 35, cooperating with two counter-shapes 36 of the base 19.

[0074] The other shape 35 and the other counter-shape 36 are also configured to define the position of the base 19 in the transverse direction relative to the other side wall 31, 33, and to define the position of the base 19 in the longitudinal direction relative to the other side wall 31, 33.

[0075] The base 19 is typically a concrete block.

[0076] It has an elongated shape in the transverse direction.

[0077] It extends from the side wall 31 to the central wall 33.

[0078] It is simply placed on the ground, and is not rigidly fixed to the ground.

[0079] Each side wall 31, 33 is formed of substantially vertical concrete plates, placed longitudinally in line with each other.

[0080] The side wall 31, 33 has a lower edge 37 facing the bearing surface on which said side wall 31, 33 rests.

[0081] The shape 35 is a notch formed in the lower edge 37.

[0082] It is open downwards and covers the base 19.

[0083] Thus, the base 19 is pressed against the support surface by the side wall 31, 33.

[0084] More precisely, the form 35 is in vertical support on the counter-form 36.

[0085] The weight of the side wall 31, 33 is transmitted to the base 19 via the form 35 bearing vertically on counter-form 36.

[0086] The shape 35 has a trapezoidal shape.

[0087] It is delimited upwards by a bottom surface 38. It is also delimited by two flat surfaces 39, 41 extending downwards from the bottom surface 38, moving away from each other longitudinally.

[0088] Each of the side surfaces 39, 41 extends from the bottom surface 38 to the lower edge 37.

[0089] The shape 35 is cut out in the entire thickness of the side wall 31. In other words, it is open not only downwards but also at the level of the two large faces of the side wall 31, 33.

[0090] The base 19 comprises at least one block 43, the counter-form being a groove 45 formed in the block 43.

[0091] In the example shown, the base 19 has a block 43 at each of its two opposite transverse ends.

[0092] A counter-form 36 is provided in each of the two blocks 43.

[0093] The counter-form 36 is a groove 45, the edge of the form 35 being engaged in the groove.

[0094] The groove 45 is open upwards, and is open longitudinally on two opposite sides.

[0095] It has substantially the same shape as the edge of shape 35.

[0096] The block 43 has two projecting edges 47 delimiting the groove 45 on two sides. opposite transversals.

[0097] The groove 45 has a transverse width corresponding to the thickness of the side wall 31. This width is taken between the two projecting edges 47.

[0098] Thus, the edge of the shape 35 is blocked transversely in translation by the projecting edges 47 when the edge of the shape 35 is engaged in the groove 45.

[0099] The groove 45 is further delimited by a bottom 49, formed on the block 43. When the edge of the shape 35 is engaged in the groove 45, it comes to bear against the bottom 49.

[0100] The groove 45 also has a trapezoidal shape.

[0101] It comprises a central upper portion 51 facing upwards and front portions 53, 55 extending downwards from the upper portion 51, moving away from each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0102] The front portions 53, 55 extend to the support surface on which the block 43 rests.

[0103] The lateral surfaces 39, 41 are vertically supported against the bottom along the front portions 53, 55.

[0104] The bottom surface 38 is vertically supported against the bottom 49 along the upper portion 51.

[0105] The lateral surfaces 39, 41 are shorter than the front portions 53, 55 and do not extend down to the bearing surface.

[0106] Advantageously, the spacing along the conveyor belt 3 between the shapes 35 formed in the side wall 31 corresponds to the desired spacing between the support stations 5. Thus, it is very easy to wedge the support stations 5 into position along the conveyor belt.

[0107] Typically, the side wall 33 comprises shapes 35 whose spacing along the conveyor belt 3 is the same as that of the shapes of the side wall 31.

[0108] The support members 21 are fixed on a central portion of the base 19. The transverse position of the counter-form 36 is chosen so that the support members 21 are placed in the transverse direction at the required position relative to the side wall 31.

[0109] The transverse position of the other counter-form 36 is chosen so that the support members 21 are placed in the transverse direction at the required position relative to the other side wall 33.

[0110] In the example illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the support stations 5 of the forward strand 11 and the support stations 5 of the return strand 13 are longitudinally offset from each other. The side wall 33 comprises shapes 35 for the support stations of the forward strand 11 and shapes 35 for the support stations of the return strand 13. Each side wall 31 only comprises shapes 35 for the support stations of the forward strand 11 or only shapes 35 for the support stations of the return strand 13.

[0111] The number of support stations dedicated to the forward strand is generally different from the number of support stations dedicated to the return strand. In this case, one of the side walls 31 comprises a greater number of shapes 35 than the other side wall 31.

[0112] The belt conveyor described above has multiple advantages.

[0113] As indicated above, the form and the counter-form cooperate to prevent the longitudinally tilting support station.

[0114] Advantageously, they cooperate to also define the position of the base in the transverse direction relative to the side wall, and / or the position of the base in the longitudinal direction relative to the side wall.

[0115] Thus, the positioning of the support stations is particularly simplified. It is obtained in a very simple manner, and does not require the use of screws. The installation of the conveyor is faster, and more economical.

[0116] When the two side walls have shapes and the base has two counter-shapes each cooperating with a shape of one of the two side walls, the locking in position of the support station is ensured in a particularly reliable manner.

[0117] The positioning is also particularly easy.

[0118] When the shape is a notch provided in the lower edge of the side wall, the installation of the support station and the side wall is particularly simple. The side wall can be engaged from above, the notch overlapping the base of the support station.

[0119] When the notch has a trapezoidal shape, the locking in position of the base is particularly good.

[0120] When the counter-form is a groove made in a block formed in the base, the edge of the form being engaged in the groove, the positioning of the side wall and the support station relative to each other is particularly simple.

[0121] When the block has two projecting edges delimiting the groove on two opposite transverse sides, the base is particularly well wedged transversely in relation to the side wall.

[0122] When the groove has a trapezoidal shape, the base is held in position particularly well.

[0123] The belt conveyor can have multiple variants.

[0124] The belt conveyor is not necessarily installed in a trench. It can be at ground level.

[0125] In the example described above, the forward strand and the return strand of the conveyor belt share the same side wall 33. As a variant, the cover comprises two side walls 31, 33 arranged transversely on either side of the forward strand, and two other side walls 31, 33 arranged transversely on either side of the return strand 13. This is particularly the case when the path of the forward strand and the path of the return strand are not parallel to each other.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the shape is a trapezoidal notch. It could have another non-trapezoidal shape: square, rectangular, etc.

[0127] The shape might not be a notch open towards the bearing surface of the side wall. For example, the shape might be a closed-contour opening, provided in the side wall 31. In this case, the counter-shape would be a projecting part of the base 19, engaged in the closed-contour opening. The shapes of the projecting part and the opening would be chosen to prevent longitudinal tilting of the support station. For example, these shapes would be rectangular or triangular or any other suitable shape.

[0128] Alternatively, and as illustrated in [Fig.l], the forward strand 11 and the return strand 13 are arranged one above the other, at two different levels relative to the ground. The support members of the two strands are superimposed and are mounted on the same base.

[0129] According to another variant, certain support stations of the forward strand are each aligned transversely with a support station of the return strand. The support station of the forward strand and the support station of the return strand can then share the same base 19. The base 19 then comprises a central block with a counter-form 36, cooperating with a form 35 of the side wall 33 separating the forward strand from the return strand.

Claims

Claims

1. Belt conveyor (1) comprising: - a conveyor belt (3); - a plurality of support stations (5) distributed along the conveyor belt (3), each support station (5) having a base (19) and at least one member (21) for supporting the conveyor belt (3) mounted on the base (19), the conveyor belt (3) comprising a belt section moving in a longitudinal direction relative to the support station (5) and resting on the or each support member (21); - a cover (29), comprising two side walls (31, 33) arranged transversely on either side of the conveyor belt (3) and extending along the conveyor belt (3); one of the two side walls (31, 33) having a plurality of shapes (35), the base (19) of each support station (5) having a counter-shape (36) cooperating with one of said shapes (35) by preventing the support station (5) from tilting longitudinally.

2. A belt conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the form (35) and the counter-form (36) cooperate in defining the position of the base (19) in the transverse direction relative to the side wall (31, 33).

3. A belt conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the form (35) and the counter-form (36) cooperate in defining the position of the base (19) in the longitudinal direction relative to the side wall (31, 33).

4. A belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the other of the two side walls (31, 33) has a plurality of other shapes (35), the base (19) of each support station (5) having another counter-shape (36) cooperating with one of said other shapes (35) by preventing the support station (5) from tilting longitudinally.

5. A belt conveyor according to claim 4, wherein the base (19) is transversely elongated, the counter-form (36) and the other counter-form (36) being provided at the two opposite transverse ends of the base (19).

6. Belt conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the side wall (31, 33) has a lower edge (37) facing a bearing surface of said side wall (31, 33), the shape (35) being a notch made in the lower edge (37).

7. A belt conveyor according to claim 6, wherein the shape (35) has a trapezoidal shape.

8. Belt conveyor according to claim 6 or 7, in which the base (19) comprises a block (41), the counter-form (36) being a groove (45) formed in the block (41), an edge of the form (35) being engaged in the groove (45).

9. Belt conveyor according to claim 8, in which the block (41) has two projecting edges (47) delimiting the groove (45) on two opposite transverse sides.

10. A belt conveyor according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the groove (45) has a trapezoidal shape, with a central upper portion (51) facing upwards, and front portions (53, 55) extending downwards from the upper portion (51) away from each other in the longitudinal direction.

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