Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing an indication of the perpendicularity of a conveyor belt idler with respect to a reference line known to be parallel to a direction of movement of a conveyor belt when the conveyor belt is disposed on the conveyor belt idler. An idler roller attachment structure is provided to be temporarily attached to a first idler roller having a first rotational axis. An elongated member is rotatably and axially moveably operatively attached to the idler roller attachment structure along a reference axis of rotation which is parallel to the first rotational axis. A laser, having a laser beam, is operatively attached to the elongated member, the laser beam being perpendicular to the reference axis of rotation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing an indication of the perpendicularity of a conveyor belt idler with respect to a reference line known to be parallel to a direction of movement of a conveyor belt when the conveyor belt is disposed on the conveyor belt idler. An idler roller attachment structure is provided to be temporarily attached to a first idler roller having a first rotational axis. An elongated member is rotatably and axially moveably operatively attached to the idler roller attachment structure along a reference axis of rotation which is parallel to the first rotational axis. A laser, having a laser beam, is operatively attached to the elongated member, the laser beam being perpendicular to the reference axis of rotation.

Abstract: The shaft monitoring device for monitoring the rotation of a shaft about a longitudinal axis is comprised of an encoder, a stationary housing, and a shaft-engaging member rotatably attached to the stationary housing. The encoder has a target and a proximity sensor located within the housing. The housing is mounted to a stationary object such as a block-type bearing supporting one end of the rotating shaft to be monitored. A first end of the shaft-engaging member is placed against the shaft. The first end firmly engages the rotating shaft, thereby allowing the shaft-engaging member to rotate in unison with the rotating shaft. As the shaft rotates, the target attached to a second end of the shaft-engaging member also rotates in unison. As the target passes over the end of the proximity sensor, the sensor reads the presence of the target and closes a switch. Each time the switch is closed, a pulse is generated.

Abstract: A method of constructing a pulley comprising a shaft, annular members and a rim, wherein the shaft has an integral tapered surface of a uniform slope near each end. The annular members have an interior periphery of a slightly larger diameter than the outside diameter of the shaft. The interior periphery of the annular members also includes a tapered surface with substantially the same slope as the outside diameter of the shaft at its tapered surfaces. In constructing the pulley, the shaft is inserted through the rim. The annular members are then placed over the ends of the shaft and displaced axially toward the tapered surfaces of the shaft until the tapered surface of the annular members are mateably engaged over the tapered surfaces of the shaft. A compressive interference connection is thereby created between the tapered surfaces. A continuous weld is placed all around the outside face of the annular member where the annular member intersects the shaft.

Abstract: An improved one-point grease distribution system for belt conveyor idlers of a type including bearings with inner and outer races and a shaft disposed through the inner races. The shaft has an axial bore on each end thereof and at least one flow port connecting the blind end of each axial bore with the outside periphery of the shaft. A first annular seal member is disposed on each end of the shaft. A grease tube is disposed around the shaft and is sealed by the first annular seal members to the shaft at each end thereof to form a continuous grease supply passageway on one end of the shaft, through the axial bore, through the flow port, and through the space between the shaft and the grease tube to the other flow port and axial bore. A sealed reservoir is disposed on each side and through each bearing and this grease seal reservoir is defined by a back seal and a front seal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a replaceable pulley lagging for attachment to wing pulleys and includes a backing member having a shape which conforms to the contact bars of each of the wings of the wing pulley. These backing members have an adhesive and an elastomeric member vulcanized thereto along the length thereof for contacting an endless conveyor belt disposed around a wing pulley. The replaceable pulley lagging devices can be slid onto or off from the contact bars of the wing pulley. A method of forming these replaceable pulley lagging devices includes using an apparatus to push the backing member against an elastomeric substance in a mold and hold the backing member and elastomeric substance in the formed position until it can be vulcanized in an autoclave or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a replaceable pulley lagging for attachment to wing pulleys and includes a backing member having a shape which conforms to the contact bars of each of the wings of the wing pulley. These backing members have an adhesive and an elastomeric member vulcanized thereto along the length thereof for contacting an endless conveyor belt disposed around a wing pulley. The replaceable pulley lagging devices can be slid onto or off from the contact bars of the wing pulley. A method of forming these replaceable pulley lagging devices includes using an apparatus to push the backing member against an elastomeric substance in a mold and hold the backing member and elastomeric substance in the formed position until it can be vulcanized in an autoclave or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a replaceable pulley lagging for attachment to wing pulleys and includes a backing member having a shape which conforms to the contact bars of each of the wings of the wing pulley. These backing members have an adhesive and an elastomeric member vulcanized thereto along the length thereof for contacting an endless conveyor belt disposed around a wing pulley. The replaceable pulley lagging devices can be slid onto or off from the contact bars of the wing pulley. A method of forming these replaceable pulley lagging devices includes using an apparatus to push the backing member against an elastomeric substance in a mold and hold the backing member and elastomeric substance in the formed position until it can be vulcanized in an autoclave or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotatably mounting idlers and pulleys of various sizes, including an idler or pulley for engaging the underside of a conveyor belt. The idler or pulley includes a cylindrical chamber in each end for reception of bearing assemblies therein. Each of the bearing assemblies in each end of the idler or pulley has a stub shaft therein. An elongated member which is tubular, at least at each end thereof, is press fit onto the inner ends of each of the stub shafts whereby the length of the elongated member can be chosen depending upon the length of the idler or pulley, while at the same time identical standard bearing assemblies and stub shafts can be used for idler pulleys of various sizes.

Abstract: A method of making a wing pulley using a plurality of substantially identical building block segments. These building block segments are generally U-shaped with a tapering configuration from one end to the other. A predetermined number of the building block segments are welded together to form a first rigid annular subassembly and a second identical number of predetermined building block segments are also welded together to form a second rigid annular subassembly. A hub is attached to the outer end of each of the rigid annular subassemblies so that bushings or other attachments can be made for rotatably mounting the wing pulley in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A method of making a wing pulley using a plurality of substantially identical building block segments. These building block segments are generally U-shaped with a tapering configuration from one end to the other. A predetermined number of the building block segments are welded together to form a first rigid annular subassembly and a second identical number of predetermined building block segments are also welded together to form a second rigid annular subassembly. A hub is attached to the outer end of each of the rigid annular subassemblies so that bushings or other attachments can be made for rotatably mounting the wing pulley in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A scraper blade for use in cleaning conveyor belts, the blade including one or more laterally extending fracture slits provided in the rear face thereof, extending part way between the rear face and front face, the slits forming predetermined fracture lines to ensure fracture and removal of the tip of the scraping edge after wear to a given depth of the blade has taken place.

Abstract: A conventional self-propelled combine has a forwardly positioned platform assembly equipped with a usual transverse auger for conveying cut crop plants to a crop intake which is located in the platform assembly back wall intermediate the ends of the auger. A row crop header mounted from the floor of the platform assembly is comprised of a plurality of transversely spaced harvesting or row units, each of which includes a pair of gathering belts arranged at opposite sides of a longitudinally extended guideway. A pair of discs having upwardly and outwardly inclined peripheral notched sections are positioned transversely opposite each other at the forward end of the guideway. The adjacent peripheral portions of the discs are in an overlapped relation so that the peripheral section of the lowermost disc in the cutting zone of the discs rests on the ground surface.