Abstract: A frame supported conveyor useful in handling baggage includes inclined flights connected to movable link plates to form an endless chain assembly. A drive arrangement located beneath the conveyor engages and moves the endless chain assembly about a closed planar path. The drive arrangement is movably mounted on the frame between an operating position in engagement with the endless chain assembly and a servicing position out of engagement with and movable away from the endless chain assembly.

Abstract: An endless path conveyor of the type used for luggage handling, having crescent shaped pallets connected one to the next through pivotal connecting pins by offset link arms. The pivotal connecting pins have a cam follower which engages a helical groove in a drive screw located beneath the conveying surface. The cam follower is maintained in secure contact with the driving groove of the helical screw by limiting cam rollers, eliminating sideways movements of the pallets during engagement or disengagement of the cam follower with the helical screw drive. The driving groove has enlarged portions at either end to eliminate bumping motion of the conveyor links. The axis of the conveyor and of the links are offset from one another to minimize the gap formed when travelling through curved sections, allowing the maximum amount of conveying surface possible. Bearing and guide means are provided for a smoother, quiet drive, and to prevent tilting or inward collapse of the pallet links under heavy load.

Abstract: A device adapted for use as a positively driven steering member in a conveying apparatus, having a wheel with a spherically curved inner surface, a hub with a spherically curved outer surface which fits inside of the wheel, and a coupling which secures the wheel to the hub, permitting the axis of the wheel to be rotated relative to the axis of the hub in any direction while restraining relative motion between the wheel and hub about the axis of the hub. This arrangement provides that, when the hub is driven by a shaft passing through its axis, it drives the wheel, regardless of the angle between the hub and wheel.

Abstract: An improved roller mount comprising a short stub axle, having a surface configuration such that contact with the inner bore wall is limited to line contact perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore. Such contact permits relative motion about the line thereby minimizing tilt and subsequent binding of the inner bearing cone against the rotating elements of the bearing.