Abstract: A roller for a conveyor that includes an elongated stationary axle adapted to be mounted between the opposed side plates of the conveyor. A hollow cylindrical shell having a first diameter is mounted for rotation with respect to the axle. An axle support is provided that includes an inner portion having a cross-sectional shape complimentary to the cross-sectional shape of the stationary axle and an outer portion with a cross-sectional size and shape so as to define a space between the shell and the outer portion of the axle support. A plurality of webs connect the inner portion to the outer portion.

Abstract: A belt guide for a drive belt of a roller conveyor that cants the belt in the skewed roller section of the conveyor so that an edge portion of the belt, and not the entire width, engages the skewed rollers to impart driving motion. This is accomplished by providing a series of free-wheeling cam followers that support the raised edge portion of the drive belt that contacts the skewed rollers. A second series of freely rotatable grooved wheels or sheaves is provided whose grooved portion captures the lower edge portion of the drive belt.

Abstract: A trigger assembly for use with an accumulation conveyor includes two opposing pivot brackets. A pair of carrier-type roller extend between the pivot brackets and are respectively mounted for rotation about shafts that mount the pivot brackets to the side channels of the accumulation conveyor. Two sensing rollers extend between the pivot brackets and are respectively mounted for rotation about shafts that pivot about the shafts of the carrier-type roller during actuation and deactuation of the trigger assembly. A common counterweight roller is positioned between the first and second carrier-type rollers and is mounted on a shaft that pivotally connects the links of each of the pivot brackets to bias the sensing rollers upwardly into the travel path of the conveyor.

Abstract: A live roller zero pressure accumulation conveyor and trigger assembly for sensing the presence or absence of articles on the conveyor are described. The trigger assembly includes a cam which is mounted to the conveyor for pivotal movement about an axis at or above the axes of rotation of the conveyor rollers, a leg on the cam spaced from the pivotal mounting and extending upwardly between a pair of the conveyor rollers, and a cam roller rotatably mounted adjacent the end of the leg. The cam roller is rotatable about an axis which is substantially parallel to the axes of rotation of the conveyor rollers.

Abstract: A curve unit for live roller line shaft conveyor systems is described. In a preferred embodiment, the curve unit includes a curve segment with driven rollers powered by a drive disc and a pair of straight segments with driven rollers powered by a pair of drive shafts through the use of elastomeric belts. The unit may be incorporated in a live roller, line shaft conveyor system with all of the driven rollers powered by a single drive motor. Alternatively, the curve unit may be driven by a dedicated drive motor. An annular lip is provided on the disc drive to frictionally engage the bottom surfaces of the conveyor rollers in the curve segment so that rotation of the drive disc about its vertical axis also drives the rollers in the curve segment. The described arrangement of parts provides for synchronous rotation of driven rollers in both the curved segment and the adjoining segments of the curve unit as well as the driven rollers in the conveyor system.

Abstract: An opposite direction transfer device for use in live roller line shaft conveyor sytems is disclosed. The transfer device is driven by the same drive used to power the main conveyor rollers of a live roller, line shaft conveyor system. In the preferred embodiment, the transfer device includes a conveying member in the form of an elastomeric O-belt which is reeved around a set of transfer wheels, a drive shaft, at least two idler wheels, and a slave shaft. The conveying member is driven by the rotating drive shaft and slave shaft to transfer articles from an adjacent conveyor line or work station onto the pass line of the main conveyor system, or vice versa.

Abstract: An interlocking torque tube-pulley assembly as provided for live roller, line shaft conveyor systems. The assembly is actually disposed along a rotating drive shaft and generally includes a number of drive pulleys with spacer members interposed therebetween. The drive pulleys and the spacer members snap together by an overlap of materials with a locking feature. When interlocked, the pulley and spacer members are connected to the conveyor rollers of the conveyor system by endless drive belts. In this manner, an accumulation zone of conveyor rollers is formed wherein a "positive drive" is provided by the disclosed torque tube-pulley assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the spacer members are provided in a segmented form wherein two spacer half members are adhesively joined by a collar portion. In this second embodiment, the distance between the pulley members on the assembly may be varied to accomodate the spacing between the conveyor rollers of the conveyor system.

Abstract: A live roller zero pressure accumulation conveyor and brake assembly are described. The brake assembly includes a rotatable drive shaft surrounded by a tubular torque tube. The drive shaft extends into the torque tube and has a diameter such that the cylindrical surface of the drive shaft is capable of frictionally engaging the interior of the torque tube to rotate the torque tube when the drive shaft is rotated, but to slip relative to the torque tube when rotation of the torque tube is restrained. Clamping members surround the torque tube and are movable relative to the exterior surface of the torque tube between a first position in which the clamping surfaces are moved out of contact with the torque tube and the rotating drive shaft rotates the torque tube, and a second position in which the clamping surfaces move into contact with the exterior of the torque tube to restrain the torque tube from rotating with the drive shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bi-directional transfer mechanism which is driven by the drive shaft of a conveyor system. The transfer mechanism includes a pair of vertically displaceable lift tables with a conveying member reeved thereon such that the conveying member is driven in one direction on the first lift table and in a different direction on the second lift table. By selectively displacing the first and second lift tables between an engaging position whereby the conveying member is displaced above the conveying surface of the conveyor system and a non-engaging position whereby the conveying member is displaced below the conveying surface of the conveyor system, the transfer mechanism can transfer articles in two directions.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting drive having a driving member and a driven member spaced therefrom with an endless transmission belt engaging the members to transmit torque from the driving member to the driven member. The endless belt is folded over one of these members such that two strands of this belt pass over the one member and this same one member thereby does not pass through the endless belt. A bearing sleeve is further slippingly mounted on this one member, over which the endless belt folds such that one strand of the belt at the fold passes over the bearing sleeve. Thus, one strand at the belt fold is in driving engagement with the member and the other strand of the endless belt moves in the opposite direction such that the bearing sleeve is rotating in a direction opposite to that of the member over which the belt folds. When replacing belts, it is not necessary to disturb or dismantle the member over which the endless belt folds, as that member does not pass through the belt.

Abstract: A divider switch for a roller conveyor selectively switches or displaces the lateral position of objects being conveyed to either separate or merge the objects. The switching apparatus is interposed in a live conveyor system. The divider switch includes a framework of longitudinal and transverse members; a plurality of transverse rollers at either end of the switch; a set of angularly movable rollers centrally located in the switch, the angularly movable rollers being of shorter length than the transverse rollers and switchable between at least two angular positions which define opposite acute angles relative to the transverse rollers; and two additional sets of rollers disposed on opposite sides of the angularly movable rollers, the additional sets of rollers being fixedly mounted to define opposite acute angles relative to the transverse rollers.