Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method associated with conveyors for moving items where the conveyor has an endless loop belt, a wear strip for supporting the belt and a way of moving the belt. The endless loop belt comprises a succession of individual components, each component having a first end, a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface such that the first end and the second end comprise a pivot.

Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt formed of rows of plastic belt modules pivotally interlinked by transverse pivot rods and specially adapted for following a curving conveyor path. The modules include a top, product-conveying surface and a bottom, sprocket-driven surface. A central elongate element extends across the width of each module transverse to the direction of belt travel. The elongate element is formed by a thin, corrugated strip forming a series of regularly spaced alternating grooves and ridges. Link ends extend outward from the ridges on each side of the corrugated strip. Each link end has a thick portion at the end of the link end distant from the corrugated strip. Transverse holes in the link ends are aligned to accommodate a pivot rod. When the link ends of consecutive rows of side-by-side modules are intercalated, the pivot rod serves as a hinge pin in a hinged joint between consecutive interlinked rows.

Abstract: This invention solves a problem encountered in driving conveyor belts where mating belt drive engagement surfaces and sprocket drive surfaces interact to cause wear and to force the belt away from the sprocket. Thus, various shaped modular belt links, provided in accordance with this invention to fit into various conveyor belt configurations, have drive structure appendages extending from cylindrical structure about the pivot rod journalling aperture to form drive surfaces which enter and leave mating sprocket drive channels, with wall surfaces formed between adjacent sprocket teeth in a substantially parallel drive relationship to avoid radially directed forces that drive the belt away from the drive sprocket. Trapezoidal shaped drive surface appendages from the links extend from a generally cylindrical body about the pivot rod in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: Headless pivot pins in flexible plastic modular belts for pivoting modular sections are desirable, but pose a problem in that they must be retained axially in place as the belt is loaded and used, generally under tension. This invention provides pivot pin retention means of low construction and installation cost by means of swivelling an interdigital belt module member, preferably of integrally molded plastic material, from a movable toe end to move about a swivel joint at an opposite anchored heel end out of its retention position blocking the pivot pin axial movement. One embodiment of the invention provides for swiveling of an end plate member at the edge of the belt in a plane normal to the belt and pivot pin axis forcibly away from a biased rest position at least partially covering a pivot pin aperture.

Abstract: In a traction roller transmission having toric discs mounted opposite each other on its input and output shafts motion transmitting traction rollers are engaged between the toric discs and supported by pivotal roller support structures permitting adjustment of the ratio of motion transmission between the input and output shafts. A cam structure is arranged adjacent a toric disc to provide an axial contact force depending on the torque transmitted through the transmission, the cam structure having cam areas with different leads, the cam leads adjacent the cam crests being larger than those of the cam surfaces adjacent the cam low points so as to reduce the contact forces provided by the cam structure when the cam areas with large lead are utilized during high transmission ratio pivot positions of the traction rollers.

Abstract: An infinitely variable traction roller transmission has traction rollers arranged between toric discs which are forced toward each other for engagement with the traction rollers for the transmission of power. The traction rollers are mounted on pivotal support structures which are supported on tension sheets extending, and balancing the forces effective, therebetween. The tension sheets are held in position by guide blocks extending from the housing into openings in the tension sheets and permitting tilting of the tension sheet to permit axial movement of the roller support structures in opposite directions for initiation of a change of the transmission ratio.

Abstract: In an infinitely variable traction roller transmission which has toric traction elements mounted opposite each other on coaxial input and output shafts with traction rollers arranged between, and in engagement with, the toric elements, the traction rollers are supported on pivot trunnions which may be moved axially for initiation of a change of the transmission ratio and the trunnions have a lever arrangement associated therewith including arms pivotally connected to their one ends to the trunnions and joined at their other ends, each arm being linked to a control lever pivotally supported in the center plane between the trunnions so as to provide, upon control lever pivoting, the same precess force to the trunnions, however in opposite directions.

Abstract: An infinitely variable traction roller transmission which has traction rollers pivotally supported between toric discs mounted opposite each other on coaxial input and output shafts. The traction rollers are rotatably supported on a support block which is laterally movably supported on a pivotal traction roller support structure. The traction roller support block and pivotal support structure have cooperating bearing surfaces with rollers arranged therebetween to permit lateral movement of the support block. The bearing surfaces or bearing rollers are so formed that the support block is lifted off the pivotal support structure upon torque-induced lateral movement of the traction rollers in order to engage the traction rollers with the toric discs.