Abstract: A conveyor roller includes a generally cylindrical roller tube and a pair of stub shafts rotatably mounted in each end thereof. At least one of the stub shafts is mounted for axial movement between an extended position and a retracted position. When in the extended position, the stub shafts on each end of the conveyor engage respective mounting holes in the conveyor frame. To insert the conveyor roller in the conveyor frame, the movable stub shaft is moved to a retracted position while the roller is lowered into the conveyor frame. When the stub shaft aligns with the mounting holes in the conveyor frame, the stub shaft is urged back to the extended position by a biasing member to engage the mounting hole in the conveyor frame.

Abstract: A rocker-type load separating mechanism for a roller conveyor includes a rocker arm and a release mechanism. The rocker arm is pivotally mounted in a discharge zone of the conveyor. The rocker arm is movable between a first load blocking position in which an upstream end of the rocker arm extends into the conveyor pathway to block loads in the holding zone of the conveyor, and a load releasing position in which the upstream end is positioned out of the conveyor pathway to allow those to pass from the holding zone into a discharge zone of the conveyor. A manually actuated release mechanism applies force to the downstream end of the rocker arm to move the rocker arm from a load blocking position to the load releasing position. The force applied by the release mechanism overcomes the weight of loads in the holding zone pressing against the rocker arm when the rocker arm is in the load blocking position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically driven drum motor 1 comprising a substantially cylindrical drum 2 of noncorroding material, especially in the form of an electrically driven conveyer roller, said drum 2 having annular end edges 12 and being connected with two circular end caps 14, 15 to define, together with these, an internal space to receive an electric motor 7, said end caps 14, 15 being provided with a central opening 18 for a rigid shaft 6 for the drum motor 1, which is characterized in that each end cap 14, 15 is firmly connected with an external, separate jacket 30 of noncorroding material, especially stainless steel or plastic, said jacket 30 having a central opening 31 for the rigid shaft (6) of the drum motor, and said jacket 30 being formed as a circular disc of a relatively thin plate which is formed integrally with a peripheral flange 35, said flange 35 being formed to tightly engage an end edge 12 of the cylindrical drum 2 and to form a smooth transition to the external surface of the cy

Abstract: A conveyor roller includes a generally cylindrical roller tube and a pair of stub shafts rotatably mounted in each end thereof. At least one of the stub shafts is mounted for axial movement between an extended position and a retracted position. When in the extended position, the stub shafts on each end of the conveyor engage respective mounting holes in the conveyor frame. To insert the conveyor roller in the conveyor frame, the movable stub shaft is moved to a retracted position while the roller is lowered into the conveyor frame. When the stub shaft aligns with the mounting holes in the conveyor frame, the stub shaft is urged back to the extended position by a biasing member to engage the mounting hole in the conveyor frame.

Abstract: A motorized pulley or roller comprises a stationary roller shaft, a generally cylindrical drum mounted for rotation about the roller shaft, and an electric drive assembly disposed inside the cylindrical drum for rotating the drum about the roller shaft. The motorized pulley includes an integral electrical connector for connecting the roller to a power supply. The integral electrical connector includes a male connector disposed in a recess formed in one end of the roller shaft. A female connector which registers with the male connector is wired to the power supply. The male and female connectors allow for easy and quick replacement of the motorized rollers by untrained personnel.

Abstract: A roller for a conveyor comprises a roller shaft, a generally cylindrical roller tube rotatably mounted to the roller shaft, and an axially moveable shuttle disposed at one end of the roller shaft. The shuttle is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. A spring biases the shuttle to the extended position. The shuttle has a tapered-end portion which mates with a mounting hole in a frame member supporting the roller. The spring urges the tapered-end portion of the shuttle into engagement with the mounting hole in the frame so as to eliminate play between the shuttle and the mounting hole.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for a roller conveyor for efficiently accommodating two-way pallets. The arrangement includes a interim parking station in proximity to the initial and/or final end region of the roller conveyor. The interim parking station includes a parking surface characterized by a pair of spaced apart recesses to receive the forks of a forklift device. Thus, a two-way pallet can be picked up at a remote location by a forklift device in the conventional manner with the forks of the forklift device passing into spaces between adjacent scantlings of the pallet. The forklift device can then deposit the two-way pallet onto the scantlings. The same forklift device or a separate forklift device passing into spaces between adjacent scantlings of the pallet. The forklift device can then deposit the two-way pallet onto the scantlings.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor includes a plurality of zones extending from the first end of the conveyor to a second end. Each zone includes its own independently operable electric drive motor which can be activated independently of the drive motors in the other zones of the conveyor to drive a respective zone in either a reverse or forward direction. Each zone includes a sensor for sensing the presence or absence of a load in such zones and the direction of a respective zone. An electrical control circuit is operatively connected with the sensing means and the electric motor for each zone. The control circuit is operable to actuate a first one of the accumulating zones and the immediately adjacent downstream zone when a load is present in the first one of said zones and no load is present in the immediately adjacent downstream zone.

Abstract: An improved construction for a crowned and lagged pulley for a belt conveyor includes a roller tube having a central portion and two outer end portions. A pair of circumferentially extending grooves are formed in the outer surface of the roller tube between the central portion and respective end portions. An elastomeric member is disposed around the central portion of the roller tube and includes first and second end received in respective grooves such that the ends of the elastomeric member lie flush with the outer end portions of the roller tube. The thickness of the elastomeric member, when added to the outside diameter of the roller tube, produces a crown. Also, the elastomeric member serves as lagging for the pulley.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for a roller conveyor for efficiently accommodating two-way pallets. The arrangement includes a interim parking station in proximity to the initial and/or final end region of the roller conveyor. The interim parking station includes a parking surface characterized by a pair of spaced apart recesses to receive the forks of a forklift device. Thus, a two-way pallet can be picked up at a remote location by a forklift device in the conventional manner with the forks of the forklift device passing into spaces between adjacent scantlings of the pallet. The forklift device can then deposit the two-way pallet onto the scantlings. The same forklift device or a separate forklift device can then approach the interim parking station with the forks of the forklift device aligned parallel to the recesses in the parking surface of the interim parking station. The forks can be inserted into these recesses and beneath the bottom surface of the pallet to enable the two-way pallet to be transferred.

Abstract: A photo-optic attachment for a conveyor roller comprises an end cap mountable on the conveyor roller and a photo-optic disc mountable on the end cap. The end cap includes an outwardly facing surface having a raised boss. The photo-optic disc includes an opening sized and shaped to register with the boss on the end cap. The photo-optic disc is retained on the end cap by a spring clip which is insertable over the end of the boss. The shape of the boss and the opening in the photo-optic disc is such to prevent relative rotation between the end cap and the photo-optic disc thereby providing a more accurate measure of the conveyor roller speed.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor includes a plurality of load carrying rollers over which loads are conveyed from an upstream end of the conveyor to a downstream end. The rollers are divided into a plurality of zones. Each zone includes at least one drive roller and may include one or more idler rollers. Each zone includes a controller which is connected between the power supply and the drive roller for that zone. The controller receives a variable input signal which is indicative of the drive roller speed for the immediately adjacent downstream zone, and produces an output signal based on the variable input signal. The output signal is used to adjust the speed of the associated drive roller and is also used as the input signal for the controller of the next adjacent upstream zone. Accordingly, the speed of each zone is continuously adjusted based on the speed of its immediately preceding zone.

Abstract: A load separating mechanism for a roller conveyor includes an actuating member pivotally mounted at a discharge point on the conveyor and a stop member pivotally mounted at a load holding point upstream from the discharge point. The actuating member and stop member are operatively connected so that the stop member assumes a load blocking position to arrest further movement of the loads when a load load at the discharge point depresses the actuating member. The actuating member is biased to an extended position to cause the stop member to assume a load releasing position when the lead load is removed from the conveyor. The return of the actuating member to the extended position is delayed for a predetermined period after the lead load is removed from the discharge point.

Abstract: A belt drive for a roller conveyor is provided to assure the firm application of the drive belt to the conveyor rollers regardless of manufacturing tolerances. Each pressing roller has a cylindrical base body as well as at least one belt-pressing disc adjoining it which extends annularly around the circumference of the cylindrical base body and obliquely to the axis of the pressing roller. The belt-pressing disc is arranged, as seen in the direction of the roller conveyor, in connection with the successive pressing rollers, alternately on the right and left of the pressing rollers. By the travel of the belt onto the obliquely developed belt-pressing disc the firm application of the drive belt against the conveyor rollers is assured.

Abstract: A drive pulley assembly is disclosed for a conveyor belt assembly which permits a reduction in the overall size of the conveyor assembly without any reduction in the size or width of the conveyor belt. The overall width of the conveyor assembly is reduced by providing recessed end cavities in the ends of the drive pulley to accommodate the mounting brackets for the pulley. In accordance with the present invention, the mounting brackets are secured to the inside of respective frame members and extend therefrom into the recessed end cavities of the drive pulley such that substantially the entirety of the mounting bracket lies within the drive pulley. Because the mounting brackets are contained substantially within the confines of the drive pulley, the drive pulley assembly of the present invention requires less space than conventional conveyor assemblies in which the mounts are disposed beyond the ends of the drive pulley.

Abstract: An improved push back pallet rack for loading and unloading pallets in which parallel channels inclining upward and rearward from a front of the rack on which pallets are stored are joined along their length and have longitudinal grooves, convex within each channel, to provide a lateral bumper guide(s) and a track on which carrier rails to support a pallet are mounted with rollers having concave rolling surfaces to roll on the track and are adapted with self-righting rolling surfaces.

Abstract: A longitudinally-extending constant speed decline belt conveyor for conveying a load along a downwardly sloped planar surface thereon. An endless traction belt rotatable about terminal rollers at the ends thereof, has an upper run extending in the longitudinal direction along the entire length of the conveyor. At least one of the terminal rollers of the endless traction belt is a speed control or braking roller for applying a braking force to the traction belt. The braking roller retards the rotation of the endless belt thereby retarding the movement of the load along the conveyor. A traction belt is utilized for braking so that the loads on the belt may have a uniform braking action applied thereto continuously as the loads move downwardly along the conveyor.

Abstract: A motorized conveyor roller is mounted in a conveyor frame to support and propel articles from one end of the conveyor path towards the opposite end. The conveyor roller includes a roller tube rotatably mounted in the conveyor frame and a drive means contained inside the roller tube for driving the roller tube. The drive means includes a motor; a gear reducer assembly operatively connected to the motor; and a drive member connected to the output shaft of the speed reducer for engaging and rotating the roller tube. The drive member preferably includes an elastomeric means for frictionally engaging the inner wall of the roller tube, and a clutch means adapted to slip at a predetermined torque to protect the motor and gear reducer assembly from torque overload.

Abstract: A handling apparatus for displacing, in a substantially horizontal longitudinal direction, unitary loads resting on rolling members such as rollers or rolls engaged on traverse shafts driven by friction, and comprising a chassis having two parallel, vertical, lateral walls joined together, at a fixed distance constituting the width of the apparatus, with the aid of transverse crosspieces. To facilitate adaptation of the apparatus to its conditions of use and, consequently, to modify its dimensions, the walls of the chassis are constituted by wall elements assembled end to end, lengthwise of the apparatus, with bolts, so that the length of the apparatus can be rendered greater or smaller by adding or removing wall elements, the crosspieces being constituted by bars provided, at their end parts, with axial tappings into which screws are inserted passing through holes pierced in the walls, the width of the apparatus being made larger or smaller by using longer or small crosspieces.