The present invention is directed to a steep angle conveyor for conveying bulk material or the like from one level to a higher level. The apparatus includes a lower conveyor frame which is supported on a lower surface by means of a lower drive mechanism and an upper conveyor frame which is supported on an upper surface by means of an upper drive mechanism, the lower and upper conveyor frames being connected by means of an intermediate frame. The frames accommodating a conveyor belt, one end of which is associated with a feeding device and the other end of which is associated with a discharging device.
German Utility Model No. 1,692,620 discloses a steep angle conveyor in which the conveyor belt is accommodated in a rigid conveyor frame which is able to operate only at an unchanging steep slope, with the vertical distance between the lower level and the upper level being fixed.
To compensate for irregular differences in height between the surfaces, it is also known to manufacture the conveyor frame of two telescoping parts. German Patent No. 942,079 discloses a configuration in which the conveyor is equipped with a vertical tower on which an adjustable-height bridge is disposed. However, these conveyors are very complicated in structure and, additionally, the vertical transport of material is very difficult.
To compensate for the differences in height between the lower and upper surfaces, it is further known (German Patent No. 3,217,745) to support a steep angle conveyor on only one drive mechanism, which is movable on the lower surface. The upper conveyor frame is designed as a pivotal cantilever which is held by a supporting frame having a counterbalancing cantilever and a cable winch device. This again involves high expenditures.