Abstract: An accumulator conveyor has rollers forming an object transport surface and an endless flexible drive member. The drive member, at intervals, rests on and travels over support members each resiliently supported for vertical movement. Each support member has a generally circular drive member support having a flattened area of reduced radius and also a circular feeler extending into the path of objects on the transport surface. An object held stationary over the feeler depresses it and the drive member, with the drive member continuing to rotate until the flattened area is uppermost, dropping the drive member and terminating its drive engagement with the object above.

Abstract: A conveyor propelling member is disclosed. The propelling member consists of a chain to provide a primary tension load member and a plurality of strips of a flexible material, such as plastic, having a relatively high coefficient of friction. The strips are of a length equal to a number of chain links and, at spacings equal to two chain links, have lugs which seat through openings in the chain leaving the remaining chain link openings free for engagement by a sprocket. These strips are arranged in tandem along the entire length of the chain. The lugs at the ends of each strip are stiffened by rivets.