Abstract: A bearing assembly has two relatively rotatable members formed with annular tongues which are interleaved to form a labyrinth passageway seal between the two members. At least a portion of the passageway is defined by frusto conical surfaces on the annular tongues arranged to exert centrifugal force on any foreign matter in the passageway upon relative rotation between the two members so as to urge the foreign matter towards the outer end of the passageway. The labyrinth passageway may comprise portions which are flared in the direction towards the outer end of the passageway, and the annular tongues on one of the members arranged eccentric or non-circular so that the two members exert a pumping action on any foreign matter in the flared portions of the labyrinth passageway upon relative rotation between the two members.

Abstract: A conveyor roller comprises a roller tube fitted with end cap assemblies incorporating bearings for rotatably mounting the roller tube on a fixed shaft. Each end cap assembly is a self-contained unit comprising a housing, a ball bearing mounted in the housing, and an end cover having an annular flange extending as a close fit through the inner bearing ring and secured therein by abutments on the flange engaging opposite sides of the inner bearing ring. The end cover has a central bore for reception of the shaft as a close sliding fit. The housing and the end cover have annular concentric tongues which are interleaved to form an annular labyrinth passageway providing a seal between the housing and the end cover. The inner end of the labyrinth passageway is closed by an annular seal compressed between the housing and the end cover.

Abstract: A conveyor roller comprises a roller tube fitted with end cap assemblies incorporating bearings for rotatably mounting the roller tube on a fixed shaft. Each end cap assembly comprises a rigid housing having a cylindrical collar adapted to be a push fit in an end of the roller tube, the outer end of the collar being spaced radially from the housing. The end cap assembly is secured in position by swaging the end of the tube so as to force the outer end of the collar radially inwards against the rigid housing. The collar may be a close fit on the housing, or the housing may be moulded in plastics material and one end of the collar embedded in the plastics during the moulding of the housing. The outer end of the collar has a flange which abuts the end of the roller tube. The outer surface of the housing is curved radially inwards in the direction of the free end of the collar to limit the deflection of the collar.

Abstract: A conveyor roller comprises a roller tube fitted with end cap assemblies incorporating bearings for rotatably mounting the roller tube on a fixed shaft. Each end cap assembly comprises a housing molded in resilient plastics material, one portion of the housing forming a substantially rigid annular frame which supports the bearing, and another portion of the housing forming a spring support which surrounds the frame and is of a size to be a sliding fit within an end of the roller tube, the outer end of the support being spaced radially from the housing. An end cover has an annular flange which is a close fit in the bearing. The end cap assembly is secured in position by swaging the end of the tube so as to force the outer end of the spring support radially inwards against the rigid housing. The external surface of the housing is curved, so that the spring support and the end portion of the tube are deflected to the curvature of the external surface of the housing.