Abstract: A belt conveyor comprising a drive device, a drive shaft connected to the drive device and rotated by the drive device, a driven shaft capable of rotating freely, and a first base member supporting the drive shaft at one end, a second base member supporting the driven shaft at one end, and an endless belt wrapped around the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The first and second base members can move relative to each other. The belt conveyor further comprises a bias device biasing the first and second base members away from each other, and a guide for guiding the second base member moving away from the first base member.

Abstract: A connecting device comprising a nut and a nut holder made of synthetic resin for holding the nut in a predetermined position in a T-groove made in one side of an elongated standardized member. The nut holder consists of an elastically deformable portion and two projections integrally formed with the opposing ends of the deformable portion. The deformable portion has a width slightly greater than that of the T-groove. The nut is held between the projections of the nut holder, and the nut holder is inserted into the T-groove. Once in the T-groove, the deformable portion of the nut holder remains elastically deformed, thus holding the nut at the predetermined position.