Abstract: A belt tightening assembly for conveyor systems includes an elongated outer tube and an inner tube sized to be complementarily received in the outer tube. The inner tube retractably extends out of the outer tube to varying lengths. A bearing housing extends from a long end of the inner tube and is integrated with the inner tube such that the inner tube and bearing housing do not separate from each other during normal operation. A spherical bearing is inserted into the bearing housing, the belt tightener is secured to a roller of a conveyor system, and the assembly is secured to a side of a conveyor. A separate pillow block is not used, eliminating a number of collection points for contamination and lowering costs. Also, not requiring a pillow block to be fastened to the inner tube reduces shear forces that result from imprecise fastening.

Abstract: An improved conveyor roller (100) having a belt-engagement length (103) between a first end (101) and second end (102), and a necked-down portion (109) adjacent the second end, and a method of manufacturing such a roller are disclosed. The method comprises forming a roller from a metal tube (12) with a longitudinal axis (106), first and second ends, and an initial outer diameter by: rotating the tube about the longitudinal axis, the tube being substantially free of internal and external supports between the ends thereof, providing rollers (40,41) which are rotatable about corresponding axes generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; and urging the rollers against the tube and moving the rollers between the ends of the tube so as to alter the outer diameter of the tube to form the belt-engagement length and the necked-down portion, the necked-down portion providing a mounting surface for receiving a bearing assembly.

Abstract: An improved conveyor roller (100) having a belt-engagement length (103) between a first end (101) and second end (102), and a necked-down portion (109) adjacent the second end, and a method of manufacturing such a roller are disclosed. The method comprises forming a roller from a metal tube (12) with a longitudinal axis (106), first and second ends, and an initial outer diameter by: rotating the tube about the longitudinal axis, the tube being substantially free of internal and external supports between the ends thereof, providing rollers (40,41) which are rotatable about corresponding axes generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; and urging the rollers against the tube and moving the rollers between the ends of the tube so as to alter the outer diameter of the tube to form the belt-engagement length and the necked-down portion, the necked-down portion providing a mounting surface for receiving a bearing assembly.

Abstract: A conveyor pulley is configured to revolve about an axis of rotation and includes a cylindrical shell and first and second bushing portions supported within the shell. First and second shaft portions are in torque-transmitting engagement with the first and second bushing portions, respectively. Such first and second shaft portions are restrained from axial movement with respect to the first and second bushing portions, respectively, and the first and second shaft portions are spaced from one another. For repair, the shaft portions and related bearings are independently removable without removing the entire pulley from the conveyor system.

Abstract: A conveyor pulley is configured to revolve about an axis of rotation and includes a cylindrical shell and first and second bushing portions supported within the shell. First and second shaft portions are in torque-transmitting engagement with the first and second bushing portions, respectively. Such first and second shaft portions are restrained from axial movement with respect to the first and second bushing portions, respectively, and the first and second shaft portions are spaced from one another. For repair, the shaft portions and related bearings are independently removable without removing the entire pulley from the conveyor system.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for regulating the amonut of oil, lubricant, or other type of lubricant applied to a surface of a work piece in order to reduce friction during a machining process. It comprises a primary reservoir, a needle valve, float assembly, a liquid drop control orifice, a sight for allowing visual confirmation of the flow rate, an atmospheric vent, an inlet for pressurized air, and a nozzle. The needle valve is slidably engaged into an orifice in the primary reservoir and is actuated by the float assembly. The float assembly floats in the low volume constant depth reservoir and controls the degree to which the needle valve need be open in order to maintain a constant volume of lubricant in the low volume constant depth reservoir. As the volume increases to the required level, the needle valve will close. As the volume decreases, the needle valve will open in order to maintain a constant level of lubricant in the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention is a low volume lubricant delivery system for delivering low volumes of lubricant, entrained by gas, to workpieces and comprises essentially: a plurality of electrical conductors; a plurality of lubricant passages and a plurality of gas passages, preferably pipes; a compressor for supplying gas under pressure; a gas inlet; a gas outlet; gas flow control valves, one of which is a solenoid valve; a constant pressure pump; a lubricant entrainment structure, preferably a nozzle; a lubricant outlet; lubricant flow control valves, of which one is a solenoid valve; a lubricant supply and a timer.