The present invention relates to scraper chain conveyors, and line pans which can be secured end-to-end to similar line pans, each line pan being for example of five foot length, to make up a conveyor of the desired length.

It is well known to construct scraper chain conveyors for use in, for example, coal mining from a series of channel sections or pans arranged end to end and along which a scraper chain assembly is driven. Each pan usually comprises a pair of shaped side walls with a deckplate extending between the side walls; the free edges of the deckplate are generally welded at suitable locations to the side walls. An example of such a line pan is illustrated in GB 2084532, and comprises two "sigma-shaped" side members, with a flat deck plate welded to corresponding intermediate portions of the side members.

According to the present invention, there is provided a line pan for a scraper chain conveyor, said line pan comprising an elongate deckplate having integrally formed at each longitudinal edge thereof, in the order specified, an upstanding wall member, and an in-turned portion; and separately formed longitudinal edge support members extending along and below each said longitudinal edge.

In one embodiment of the invention, the deckplate may further comprise an integral out-turned portion having a free edge extending beyond the longitudinal edge; in a second embodiment, the inturned portion may comprise the free edge of the line pan.

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Typically, there is an inclined portion connecting the deckplate to the wall member. The pans are provided with shaped end formations (typically a male projection at one end and a female recess at the other end) such that the pans can be connected end-to-end in indefinite lengths.

The deckplate and the integrally formed edge formations are generally formed from sheet steel stock and the longitudinal support members are typically welded to the underside of the deckplate along the length thereof.

The present invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are denoted by like reference numerals, and in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a line pan according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a line pan according to the invention; and

Figure 3 is a part sectional perspective of a part of a third embodiment of a linepan according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a line pan 1 which comprises an elongate deckplate 2 having integrally formed along each longitudinal edge, in the order specified, an inclined portion 3, an upstanding wall member 4, an inturned portion 5 which is parallel to deckplate 2 and an out-turned end portion 6. Out-turned end portion 6 further leads onto spill board 7 which is supported by arm 8, arm 8 being received within sleeve 9 and secured therein by pin 10.

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Sleeve 9 is connected to the underside of out-turned portion 6. End portion 6 is connected to inturned portion 5 by support brackets 11, there being four such brackets in total, one at each corner of the line pan. Out-turned portion 6 is also supported by a further three plates 18 which are welded along each side to brace support member 13, upstanding wall member 4, and out-turned portion 6. The lower face of elongate deckplate 2 is contiguous with the upper face of baseplate 12, being connected along each longitudial edge to support members 13.

At one end of the line pan, elongate deckplate 2 extends beyond baseplate 12, whereas at the other end of the line plan, baseplate 12 extends beyond deckplate 2, these respective shaped end formations (which are not shown) being for connecting the line pan to further line pans having complementarily shaped formations.

Interlocking bracket 14, shaped to complementaril fit the junction between upstanding inclined portion 3 and support member 13, is further supported by interlocking plate 15. Pin guides 16 are shaped to recieve torque pin 17.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a line pan 1 which comprises an elongate deckplate 2 having integrally formed along each longitudinal edge, in the order specified, an inclined portion 3, an upstanding wall member 4, and an inturned end portion 5 which is substantially parallel to deckplate 2.

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Referring finally to Figure 3, there is shown a part of a line pan 1 which again comprises an elongate deckplate 2, this time connected to a lateral web member 19 extending to a wall member 4 which is provided with an inclined potion 3 itself connecting with inturned portion 5. The lateral web member 19, upstanding wall member 4, inclined portion 3 and inturned portion 5 are integrally formed as a channel section edge piece 20. Support members 13 on which the construction is located are formed of similar channel section edge pieces to channel section edge pieces 20.

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