Conveyor systems

Abstract

A system for conveying material is disclosed. The system may include a base assembly including at least one proximal leg movably, and a plurality of wheels configured to move between a transport position in which the plurality of wheels is adjacent to the base, and a working position in which the plurality of wheels is spaced from the base relative to the transport position, wherein the at least one proximal leg is configured to move between a retracted position in which the plurality of wheels supports the system on a ground surface, and an extended position in which the at least one proximal leg supports the system on the ground surface and at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels does not support the system on the ground surface; a conveying assembly; and a support assembly configured to move the conveying assembly between storage and operating positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for conveying material, comprising:
 a base assembly including:
 a base; 
 at least one proximal leg movably connected to the base; and 
 a plurality of wheels rotatably connected to the base and configured to move between a transport position in which the plurality of wheels is adjacent to the base, and a working position in which the plurality of wheels is spaced from the base relative to the transport position; wherein the at least one proximal leg is configured to move between a retracted position in which the plurality of wheels supports the system on a ground surface, and an extended position in which the at least one proximal leg supports the system on the ground surface and at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels does not support the system on the ground surface; 
   a power source coupled to the base assembly and configured to move the wheels between the transport position and the working position, and further configured to move the proximal leg between the retracted position and the extended position;   a conveying assembly including a feed inlet and a discharge outlet spaced from the feed inlet, the conveying assembly configured to move the material from the feed inlet toward the discharge outlet; and   a support assembly configured to move the conveying assembly between a storage position in which the conveying assembly is at least substantially horizontal, and an operating position in which the conveying assembly is inclined relative to the storage position.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base assembly further includes at least one hydraulic cylinder configured to move the at least one proximal leg between the retracted and extended positions. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the base assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder for each proximal leg of the at least one proximal leg. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base assembly further includes at least one hydraulic cylinder configured to move the plurality of wheels between the transport and working positions. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of wheels includes first and second sets of wheels, and the base assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder for each set of the first and second sets of wheels. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base assembly includes a pivot assembly spaced from the base and attached to the conveying assembly, the pivot assembly being configured to contact the ground surface when the conveying assembly is inclined and allow the conveying assembly to be pivoted along a pivot axis perpendicular to the ground surface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the pivot assembly is adjacent the feed inlet of the conveying assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base assembly further includes at least one distal leg movably connected to the conveying assembly and spaced from the base, the at least one distal leg being configured to move between a lengthened position in which the at least one distal leg contacts the ground surface, and a shortened position in which the at least one distal leg does not contact the ground surface. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the conveying assembly further includes a first portion having the feed inlet, and a second portion having the discharge outlet and configured to move between a folded position in which the discharge outlet is adjacent the feed inlet, and an unfolded position in which the discharge outlet is spaced from the feed inlet relative to the folded position. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the conveying assembly further includes at least one hydraulic cylinder configured to move the second portion between the folded and unfolded positions. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a diesel engine configured to drive at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels. 
     
     
         12 . A system for conveying material, comprising:
 a base assembly including a base, at least one base support member attached to and extending vertically from the base, and a plurality of wheels rotatably connected to the base;   a conveying assembly including a feed inlet and a discharge outlet, the conveying assembly configured to move the material from the feed inlet toward the discharge outlet; and   a support assembly configured to move the conveying assembly between a storage position in which the conveying assembly is at least substantially horizontal, and an operating position in which the conveying assembly is inclined relative to the storage position, the support assembly including at least one conveyor support member attached to the conveying assembly and configured to overlap with the at least one base support member and to move relative to the at least one base support member, wherein the suspension system includes at least one air bag having a first end portion attached to the base and a second end portion attached to the at least one conveyor support member, wherein the at least one conveyor support member is configured to move relative to the at least one base support member between a proximal position and a distal position.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the base assembly includes at least one distal leg movably connected to the conveying assembly and spaced from the base, the at least one distal leg being configured to move between a lengthened position in which the at least one distal leg contacts the ground surface, and a shortened position in which the at least one distal leg does not contact the ground surface. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the conveying assembly includes a first portion having the feed inlet, and a second portion having the discharge outlet and configured to move between a folded position in which the second portion is adjacent the first portion, and an unfolded position in which the second portion is spaced from the first portion. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the conveying assembly further includes at least one hydraulic cylinder configured to move the second portion between the folded and unfolded positions. 
     
     
         16 . A system for conveying material, comprising:
 a base assembly including a base, at least one proximal leg movably connected to the base, at least one base support member attached to and extending vertically from the base, and a plurality of wheels rotatably connected to the base and configured to move between a transport position in which the plurality of wheels is adjacent to the base, and a working position in which the plurality of wheels is spaced from the base relative to the transport position, wherein the at least one proximal leg is configured to move between a retracted position in which the plurality of wheels supports the system on a ground surface, and an extended position in which the at least one proximal leg supports the system on the ground surface and at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels does not support the system on the ground surface;   a conveying assembly including a feed inlet and a discharge outlet, the conveying assembly configured to move the material from the feed inlet toward the discharge outlet; and   a support assembly configured to move the conveying assembly between a storage position in which the conveying assembly is at least substantially horizontal, and an operating position in which the conveying assembly is inclined relative to the storage position, the support assembly including at least one conveyor support member attached to the conveying assembly and configured to overlap with the at least one base support member and to move relative to the at least one base support member, wherein the at least one conveyor support member is configured to move relative to the at least one base support member between a proximal position and a distal position.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the suspension system further includes at least one shock absorber having a first end portion attached to the base and a second end portion attached to the at least one conveyor support member.