Abstract: A telescoping belt tightener for conveyors includes an elongated outer body and a slider tube inserted in one end, with the slider tube able to slide into and out of the outer body to varying lengths. An adjuster at an opposing end can be turned to extend or retract the slider tube from the outer body. A bearing collar, with a bearing cavity that fits a spherical bearing, is attached to the slider tube. A collar shield snugly fits with the bearing collar to keep contaminants from entering the bearing cavity. One or both ends of the outer body include a stopper for keeping contaminants from entering the outer body. The outer body is round and without standing surfaces on which food and debris could accumulate. The outer body and adjuster are unitary parts without crevices in which contaminants can collect. The belt tightener is well-suited for food-grade applications.

Abstract: A belt tightening assembly for conveyor systems includes an elongated outer tube and an inner tube sized to be complementarily received in the outer tube. The inner tube retractably extends out of the outer tube to varying lengths. A bearing housing extends from a long end of the inner tube and is integrated with the inner tube such that the inner tube and bearing housing do not separate from each other during normal operation. A spherical bearing is inserted into the bearing housing, the belt tightener is secured to a roller of a conveyor system, and the assembly is secured to a side of a conveyor. A separate pillow block is not used, eliminating a number of collection points for contamination and lowering costs. Also, not requiring a pillow block to be fastened to the inner tube reduces shear forces that result from imprecise fastening.

Abstract: A roller includes an inner core assembly surrounded by a rigid expanded foam roller body, preferably having closed-cell foam with a density of 2 pcf or denser. The foam roller body may be formed by injecting or pouring expandable foam into a mold, or by spraying expandable foam over the inner core assembly, allowing it to cure, and machining it to desired specifications. The use of expanded foam cuts the costs of raw materials, production, labor, etc. To provide abrasion resistance and/or traction, a protective outer layer is provided over the foam roller body, preferably having a thickness of 0.5 inches or less, and a run-out of 0.1 inches or less. The outer layer helps make the foam roller body strong and durable enough for conveyor, pulley, and other industrial applications.

Abstract: An improved conveyor roller (100) having a belt-engagement length (103) between a first end (101) and second end (102), and a necked-down portion (109) adjacent the second end, and a method of manufacturing such a roller are disclosed. The method comprises forming a roller from a metal tube (12) with a longitudinal axis (106), first and second ends, and an initial outer diameter by: rotating the tube about the longitudinal axis, the tube being substantially free of internal and external supports between the ends thereof, providing rollers (40,41) which are rotatable about corresponding axes generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; and urging the rollers against the tube and moving the rollers between the ends of the tube so as to alter the outer diameter of the tube to form the belt-engagement length and the necked-down portion, the necked-down portion providing a mounting surface for receiving a bearing assembly.

Abstract: A conveyor pulley is configured to revolve about an axis of rotation and includes a cylindrical shell and first and second bushing portions supported within the shell. First and second shaft portions are in torque-transmitting engagement with the first and second bushing portions, respectively. Such first and second shaft portions are restrained from axial movement with respect to the first and second bushing portions, respectively, and the first and second shaft portions are spaced from one another. For repair, the shaft portions and related bearings are independently removable without removing the entire pulley from the conveyor system.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are provided for spin-forming tapered rollers, including but not limited to conveyor rollers, drum pulleys, web feed rollers and the like, from a tube without using any internal or external supports between the ends of the tube. The apparatus includes first and second clamp assemblies which support opposite ends of the tube. A rotation structure rotates the tube as a plurality of rollers engage the outer surface thereof. The rollers move between the clamp assemblies to alter the outer diameter of the tube during travel. A controller controls the urging of the rollers against the tube and controls the movement of the rollers between the clamp assemblies.

Abstract: A linear spacing device has first and second elongated components, which may be telescoping hollow tubes, each having linear surfaces engaging each other in sliding relationship. Each component has spaced holes disposed at regular linear intervals along its length. The intervals between the holes through the second component are different than the intervals between the holes through said first component. A pin or similar means is insertable through selected aligned holes through the first and second components to secure them in a selected orientation. Thus the overall length of the spacer can be adjusted in small increments substantially less than the diameter of the holes. The device further includes an extendable linear actuator engageable with a surface of each of the components to extend the overall length of the spacer. The actuator is removable from the device after the components are secured together.