A gripper (12) is disclosed having a base (24) that extends from a first end a second end and includes resilient (32) fingers that extend from the base between the first end and the second end. The resilient fingers (32) may be configured to generally conform to and engage with articles (34) being transferred when the base is mounted to a conveyor.

A scraper for use on a scraper chain conveyor, the scraper having an upper element and a lower element. A chain bed for receiving at least one horizontal chain link and at least one vertical chain link is formed in both upper and lower elements. The upper element and lower element are connected together by means of form-fit surfaces provided on the upper element and the lower element, such that these form-fit surfaces engage with each other when the two elements are assembled for operation to form a form-fit lock. A chain link presses from behind against the lower element or the upper element of the scraper in the direction of transport and this force reinforces the form-fit lock between the two elements.

A scraper for use on a scraper chain conveyor, the scraper having an upper element and a lower element. A chain bed for receiving at least one horizontal chain link and at least one vertical chain link is formed in both upper and lower elements. The upper element and lower element are connected together by means of form-fit surfaces provided on the upper element and the lower element, such that these form-fit surfaces engage with each other when the two elements are assembled for operation to form a form-fit lock. A chain link presses from behind against the lower element or the upper element of the scraper in the direction of transport and this force reinforces the form-fit lock between the two elements.

A chain and slat conveyor with first and second continuous chains and a plurality of slats. Each slat is connected to the first chain by a keyhole connection and to the second chain by a bolt or rivet which passes through a hole in the slat.

A close tolerance disc for a flexible member conveyor including a disc body member and a movable resilient ring. The ring is preferably formed of a durable polymer interlocking ring where the ring outer periphery closely matches the inside surface of the conveyor tubing. The resilience of the ring biases it to conform to the inside surface of the conveyor tubing to provide 100% conveyance of the material in the system. The ring can move in place within a groove in the body member of the disc, as well as distort to self-align and conform to the irregularities that are present in the manufacturing of the conveyor tubular components. The ring is easily removeable for quick replacement and cleaning. The interlocking ends of the ring keep the ring ends in place and in line to prevent the ends from being misaligned while passing through a partially cutaway portion of the tube.

An inclined conveyor for a combine harvester has two drive elements which define a conveying direction and revolve in a conveying duct. Conveying duct is divided into an overshot return duct and an undershot conveying duct by a separating element situated between the upper run and the lower run of the drive element. Drive element is interconnected by carriers situated transversely with respect to conveying direction that convey harvested crop in undershot conveying duct. The difference in speed between the carrier bars and harvested crop stream is eliminated, and at least reduced, by additional acceleration of harvested crop stream. Carrier bars serve as carriers, and as acceleration elements for the harvested crop. That is because the cross section of each of the carrier bars viewed in conveying direction, occupies at least 30% of the smallest internal cross section of undershot conveying duct.

An inclined conveyor for a combine harvester has two drive elements which define a conveying direction and revolve in a conveying duct. Conveying duct is divided into an overshot return duct and an undershot conveying duct by a separating element situated between the upper run and the lower run of the drive element. Drive element is interconnected by carriers situated transversely with respect to conveying direction that convey harvested crop in undershot conveying duct. The difference in speed between the carrier bars and harvested crop stream is eliminated, and at least reduced, by additional acceleration of harvested crop stream. Carrier bars serve as carriers, and as acceleration elements for the harvested crop. That is because the cross section of each of the carrier bars viewed in conveying direction, occupies at least 30% of the smallest internal cross section of undershot conveying duct.

Mining machines such as continuous miners and chain haulage units may include chain conveyors that are capable of deflecting laterally in order to travel through lateral turns. The chain conveyors may include flight members for pushing or urging material along a pan. The chain may be driven by one or more sprockets. In one independent aspect, a link for a chain conveyor includes a body including a first end a second end opposite the first end, a first opening proximate the first end and extending in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the link, a second opening proximate the second end and extending in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the link, and a relief opening extending through the link body and positioned between the first end and the second end.

Mining machines such as continuous miners and chain haulage units may include chain conveyors that are capable of deflecting laterally in order to travel through lateral turns. The chain conveyors may include flight members for pushing or urging material along a pan. The chain may be driven by one or more sprockets. In one independent aspect, a link for a chain conveyor includes a body including a first end a second end opposite the first end, a first opening proximate the first end and extending in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the link, a second opening proximate the second end and extending in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the link, and a relief opening extending through the link body and positioned between the first end and the second end.

A retaining element for retaining and conveying an object along a conveyor rail includes a carrier part having a width, including an entrainment element for the entrainment of the carrier part by a drive element and including a receiver for receiving the object to be conveyed, and a spacer lever which is pivotably articulated on the carrier part and which is displaceable between a resting position in which the spacer lever is arranged within the width of the carrier part and a working position in which the spacer lever protrudes in the width direction of the carrier part.