Abstract: A chain assembly system can include an inner chain link and an outer chain link. The inner chain link and the outer chain link can define a pair of bores. The chain assembly system can include a pin including a head end that defines a head, and a thread end opposite the head end having threads. The chain assembly system can include a nut configured to threadingly engage the threads of the thread end of the pin and an axial stop that is configured to block further advancement of the nut along the thread end of the pin towards the head end of the pin when the pin contacts the axial stop.

Abstract: A method of repairing a chain can include aligning a bore of an outer chain link with a bore of an inner chain link, inserting a pin through the aligned bores, the pin having a thread end opposite a head end, engaging a multi-jackbolt tensioner with the thread end of the pin, the multi-jackbolt tensioner having a plurality of fasteners, advancing each of the plurality of fasteners to press on the outer chain link, and forming an interference fit between the pin and the outer chain link at the bore of the outer chain link from the advancing of the fasteners.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for monitoring and removing contaminants from a conveyor surface based upon predicted frictional engagement qualities detected on a conveyor surface. In some examples, the methods may include monitoring the conveyor surface with at least one sensor configured to sense a condition on the conveyor surface. The sensor may detect the presence of a contaminant, and communicate the location of the detected contaminant to a processor. A treatment cycle may then be initiated to remove or displace the contaminant from the conveyor surface after the presence of a contaminant has been detected.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly includes active roller control for reducing backline pressure without product to product contact when accumulating products. Methods are discussed for manipulating objects by a bump-through indexing operation, a slug-control indexing operation, a catch-and-release indexing operation, box or case turning operations, and zero-pressure accumulation operations.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly including a plurality of modules joined together, each module including a bushing housing, a coupling housed in the bushing housing, an axle coupled to the coupling and supported for rotation relative to the module, a drive pin coupled to the coupling, and a driven surface fixed to the drive pin. The modular conveying assembly also including a driving member that is in selective engagement with the driven surface to affect rotation of the axle.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly including a plurality of modules joined together, each module including a bushing housing, a coupling housed in the bushing housing, an axle coupled to the coupling and supported for rotation relative to the module, a drive pin coupled to the coupling, and a driven surface fixed to the drive pin. The modular conveying assembly also including a driving member that is in selective engagement with the driven surface to affect rotation of the axle.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly includes active roller control for reducing backline pressure without product to product contact when accumulating products. Methods are discussed for manipulating objects by a bump-through indexing operation, a slug-control indexing operation, a catch-and-release indexing operation, box or case turning operations, and zero-pressure accumulation operations.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly including a plurality of modules joined together, each module including a bushing housing, a coupling housed in the bushing housing, an axle coupled to the coupling and supported for rotation relative to the module, a drive pin coupled to the coupling, and a driven surface fixed to the drive pin. The modular conveying assembly also including a driving member that is in selective engagement with the driven surface to affect rotation of the axle.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly that includes a plurality of roller bodies, a driving member, a positive stop body, and a positive stop actuator. Each roller body includes a top surface, a driven axle mounted to the roller body for conveyance therewith, a roller fixed to the driven axle, and a driven surface fixed to the driven axle. The rollers define a support plane. The driving member selectively engages the driven surfaces to affect rotation of the driven axle. The positive stop body is coupled to the plurality of roller bodies and includes a positive stop that is movable relative to the positive stop body between a first position and a second position. The positive stop extends above the support plane in the second position. The positive stop actuator selectively engages the positive stop to move the positive stop between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly that includes a plurality of roller bodies, a driving member, a positive stop body, and a positive stop actuator. Each roller body includes a top surface, a driven axle mounted to the roller body for conveyance therewith, a roller fixed to the driven axle, and a driven surface fixed to the driven axle. The rollers define a support plane. The driving member selectively engages the driven surfaces to affect rotation of the driven axle. The positive stop body is coupled to the plurality of roller bodies and includes a positive stop that is movable relative to the positive stop body between a first position and a second position. The positive stop extends above the support plane in the second position. The positive stop actuator selectively engages the positive stop to move the positive stop between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an outer race and an inner race. The outer race has a body extending between a pair of axial faces and defines a radially-inward facing bearing surface. The inner race is received in the outer race and has a radially-outward facing bearing surface that bears against the radially-inward facing bearing surface of the outer race. The radially-outward facing bearing surface has one or more flat surfaces removed from it. These flats on the inner race can reduce the dimensional entry requirements for insertion of the inner race into the outer race and either permits the receiving slots in the outer race to be reduced in dimension (thereby relatively thickening the wall of the outer race, which structurally strengthens the outer races) or permits the receiving slots to be eliminated altogether.

Abstract: An accumulation system for a conveyor that supports an object for movement along a path. The accumulation system including a clutch mechanism that selectively manipulates the operation of the conveyor via eddy currents to affect the movement of the object.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a slotted entry bearing assembly includes inserting an inner race into a central space of an outer race. The outer race is configured to receive the inner race through at least one slot. Once the inner race is fully inserted into the outer race, it is rotated approximately ninety degrees within the center space, effectively locking the inner race within the outer race. After the inner race is rotated ninety degrees, a molded seal is molded between the inner race and the at least one slot. The molded seal adheres to the at least one slot and is made of a polymeric material. The molding process used to mold the molded seal may be compression molding.

Abstract: A gripper (12) is disclosed having a base (24) that extends from a first end a second end and includes resilient (32) fingers that extend from the base between the first end and the second end. The resilient fingers (32) may be configured to generally conform to and engage with articles (34) being transferred when the base is mounted to a conveyor.

Abstract: A transmission having improved heat dissipation components is disclosed. The transmission includes a housing having housing walls defining an internal chamber and a rotatable input shaft extending through one of the housing walls into the internal chamber. Power transmission components are disposed in the internal chamber and rotatably driven by the input shaft. An output shaft extends through one of the housing walls from the internal chamber and is rotatably driven by the power transmission components. A lubricating fluid is disposed in the internal chamber and lubricates the power transmission components. A cooling shroud surrounds the housing and includes a cooling passageway in fluid communication with the internal chamber. The lubricating fluid flows out of the internal chamber into the cooling passageway, through the cooling passageway, and back into the internal chamber.

Abstract: A magnetic lock and key system including a magnetic lock that includes: a body, a lock element arranged at least partially within the body and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, a cap coupled to the body and defining a dome, and an arc magnet arranged within the body between the cap and the lock element, the arc magnet defining a chamfered edge and moveable between a first position corresponding with the locked position of the lock element and a second position corresponding to the unlocked position of the lock element; and a magnetic key arranged to engage the cap of the magnetic lock and including a key magnet moveable between a first position spaced apart from the dome of the cap, and a second position adjacent the dome of the cap, the key magnet defining a countersink corresponding to chamfered edge.

Abstract: A conveyor belt module includes a body, a link end formed by the body, and an opening through the link end along a hinge axis. A cover extends from the body in a direction of the hinge axis and a post extends from the cover; a bearing is rotatably engaged with the post. A fastener engages the post to capture the bearing between the cover and the fastener, such that the bearing is housed at least partially between the upper and lower extremes of the body. A track for supporting and guiding the conveyor belt module includes a guide arm extending into a guide channel defined by the body to engage the bearing. The conveyor belt module may also include laterally offset protrusions extending from the link end in opposite directions to inhibit engagement with a drive member.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly includes active roller control for reducing backline pressure without product to product contact when accumulating products. The conveying assembly includes a first roller belt module having a top surface and at least one first roller axle support extending above the top surface. The first axle support supports at least one roller above the top surface. The at least one roller is rotatably coupled to a rotatably driven drive axle, such that rotation of the drive axle causes rotation of the roller. A clutch including a driven surface fixed to the drive axle engages a driving member to rotatably drive the drive axle and, thus the roller.

Abstract: A door stop pin assembly for a housing having a through hole is disclosed. The assembly includes a door stop pin having a body with a base pad attached to one end of the body and a recess formed in the other end of the body, the body having external threads formed in a first threading direction and internal threads formed in the recess in a second threading direction, and a locking screw having external threads also formed in the second threading direction. The external threads of the door stop pin engage internal threads formed on at least one of the through hole or a bushing inserted into the through hole to position the door stop pin relative to the housing. The external threads of the locking screw engage the internal threads of the recess to lock the door stop pin in position. Methods of assembling the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic lock and key assembly includes a magnetic lock assembly. The magnetic lock assembly includes a plunger translatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A detent is extendable when the plunger is in the locked position and retractable when the plunger is in the unlocked position. A lock magnet is translatable with the plunger and has an end defined by a lock magnet north pole and a lock magnet south pole. The magnetic lock and key assembly further includes a magnetic key assembly having a key magnet. The key magnet has an end defined by a key magnet north pole and a key magnet south pole. At least one of the lock magnet and the key magnet is rotatably supported to facilitate automatic magnetic attractive alignment, attraction of the lock magnet toward the key magnet, and translation of the plunger to the unlocked position.