Hanging chute
A hanging chute with a rib cage is described. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a chute constructed from flexible wear material with a rib cage to reinforce the chute. In particular, several ribs are dispersed throughout the length of the flexible sheet for support. A flexible sheet has a reinforced edge with varying thicknesses to accommodate different weight loads and abrasive conditions. Furthermore, the chute has interlocking edges for ease of constructing long lengths from a series of shorter sections. These shorter sections are easier to transport to a processing plant or other site where the chute is to be installed. Preferably the chute is easily maintainable and can incorporate wear inserts for additional wear resistance.
1. A flexible sheet for use in a hanging chute utilized in moving materials, the flexible sheet comprising:
at least one wall;
an upper ridge formed along an edge of the at least one wall;
a sloping bottom connected with the at least one wall, wherein the sloping bottom comprises a radius corner connected to a flat bottom;
a reinforced edge formed integrally with a portion of the sloping bottom; and
at least one member molded into the sheet and operatively configured for engagement with a portion of the hanging chute, wherein the at least one member molded into the sheet is non-continuous across the length of the sheet.
2. The flexible sheet of claim 1 wherein the at least one member comprises at least one rib channel molded into the sheet and operatively configured for engagement with at least one rib within the hanging chute.
3. The flexible sheet of claim 1 wherein the at least one member molded into the sheet and operatively configured for engagement with a portion of the hanging chute extends in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the length of the sheet.
4. The flexible sheet of claim 1 further comprising interlocking edges operatively configured to facilitate in construction and transportation of chutes having more than one flexible sheet.
5. The flexible sheet of claim 1 further comprising material molded into the flexible sheet for increased strength over sheets without reinforcement.
6. The flexible sheet of claim 1 wherein the flexible sheet upper ridge is operatively configured for engagement with a top rib within the hanging chute.
7. The flexible sheet of claim 6 further comprising an overhanging edge adjacent to the upper ridge that together form a channel operatively configured for placement of the top rib in the channel.
8. The flexible sheet of claim 6 wherein the flexible sheet upper ridge further comprises a snap fit connector operatively configured for engagement with a reciprocal snap fit connector on the top rib.
9. The flexible sheet of claim 1 further comprising a lower ridge spaced apart from the upper ridge and formed in an area of the at least one wall, wherein the flexible sheet lower ridge is operatively configured for engagement with at least one rib within the hanging chute to act as a latching mechanism to hold the flexible sheet in place.
10. A flexible sheet for use in a hanging chute utilized in moving materials, the flexible sheet comprising:
at least one wall;
an upper ridge formed along an edge of the at least one wall;
a sloping bottom connected with the at least one wall, wherein the sloping bottom comprises a radius corner connected to a flat bottom;
a reinforced edge formed integrally with a portion of the sloping bottom; and
a wear insert formed into the flexible sheet.
11. A flexible sheet for use in a hanging chute utilized in moving materials, the flexible sheet comprising:
at least one wall with an inflection point in an area of the at least one wall;
a sloping bottom located adjacent to the inflection point;
a reinforced edge formed integrally with a portion of the sloping bottom; and
at least one member molded into the sheet and operatively configured for engagement with a portion of the hanging chute, wherein the at least one member molded into the sheet is non-continuous across the length of the sheet.
12. The flexible sheet of claim 11 wherein the at least one member comprises at least one rib channel molded into the sheet and operatively configured for engagement with at least one rib within the hanging chute.
13. The flexible sheet of claim 11 further comprising interlocking edges operatively configured to facilitate in construction and transportation of chutes having more than one flexible sheet.
14. The flexible sheet of claim 11 further comprising material molded into the flexible sheet for increased strength over sheets without reinforcement.
15. The flexible sheet of claim 11 wherein the flexible sheet comprises an upper ridge operatively configured for engagement with a top rib within the hanging chute.
16. The flexible sheet of claim 15 further comprising an overhanging edge adjacent to the upper ridge that together form a channel operatively configured for placement of the top rib in the channel.
17. The flexible sheet of claim 15 wherein the flexible sheet upper ridge further comprises a snap fit connector operatively configured for engagement with a reciprocal snap fit connector on the top rib.
18. The flexible sheet of claim 11 further comprising a lower ridge spaced apart from an upper ridge and formed in an area of the at least one wall wherein the flexible sheet lower ridge is operatively configured for engagement with at least one rib within the hanging chute to act as a latching mechanism to hold the flexible sheet in place.
19. The flexible sheet of claim 11 wherein the at least one member molded into the sheet and operatively configured for engagement with a portion of the hanging chute extends in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the length of the sheet.
20. A flexible sheet for use in a hanging chute utilized in moving materials, the flexible sheet comprising:
at least one wall with an inflection point in an area of the at least one wall;
a sloping bottom located adjacent to the inflection point;
a reinforced edge formed integrally with a portion of the sloping bottom; and
a wear insert formed into the flexible sheet.