Abstract: A sprocket assembly for a roller conveyor comprising a hub and a sprocket plate, the hub having a central cylindrical bore for fitting onto a round shaft of a roller, the hub having provisions for rotationally and axially locking it on a shaft in a manner adequate to transmit torque to the shaft and rotationally drive the roller, the sprocket plate having peripheral teeth adapted to be interengaged with a drive chain and a central bore capable of receiving the shaft, the sprocket plate and hub being constructed and arranged to be removably joined together with the centers of their respective bores coincident, said hub and sprocket plate having complementarily shaped radially extending abutting surfaces enabling the sprocket plate to develop torque on the hub by compressive forces developed by the radially extending sprocket plate surfaces against the radially extending hub surfaces.

Abstract: A bearing mount assembly for a powered roller conveyor of the type used in veneer dryers comprising a bearing mount base and a bearing holder, the base having a lower part with a vertical surface adapted to abut a cage angle and apertures for fastening it to a vertical face of the cage angle, an upper end of the base being in the shape of a yoke open at the top for locating the shaft of an upper roller, the bearing holder having a pocket for holding an arcuate section of a sleeve bearing, the base and holder having mating surfaces capable of locating the holder in a position where it supports the bearing in registry with the desired axis of rotation of the shaft of a lower roller.

Abstract: A hold down device for positioning the drive chain of a roller conveyor in a dryer comprising a mounting bracket, and a wear bar, the mounting bracket being arranged to be mounted on a horizontally extending rigid frame member and having a configuration enabling it to support the wear bar over the path of the reach of a roller chain that is meshed with drive sprockets that are each associated with a respective roller of the conveyor, the mounting bracket being arranged to locate the wear bar in an operative position immediately overlying the chain while the chain is meshed with the roller sprockets, the wear bar being removably mounted on the mounting bracket. In one embodiment the wear bar is an elongated element having a width adapted to be received in the space between a pair of links separated by a roller of the drive chain. The elongated wear bar is carried on a guide which in turn is supported directly on the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A multi-piece stargear assembly comprising a hub, a pair of arcuate toothed segments, and a lock ring, the hub having an internal bore, a keyway in the bore, and an external radially extending flange adjacent one end, the ring being configured to fit on an end of the hub opposite said one end, said segments being arranged around said hub, said flange and segments having mutually interlocking surfaces that enable the flange to resist axial and radial movement on said hub of said segments adjacent said flange, said ring and segments having mutually interlocking surfaces that enable the ring to resist axial and radial movement on said hub of said segments adjacent said ring.

Abstract: A sprocket assembly for a roller conveyor comprising a hub and a sprocket plate, the hub having a central cylindrical bore for fitting onto a round shaft of a roller, the hub having provisions for rotationally and axially locking it on a shaft in a manner adequate to transmit torque to the shaft and rotationally drive the roller, the sprocket plate having peripheral teeth adapted to be interengaged with a drive chain and a central bore capable of receiving the shaft, the sprocket plate and hub being constructed and arranged to be removably joined together with the centers of their respective bores coincident, said hub and sprocket plate having complementarily shaped radially extending abutting surfaces enabling the sprocket plate to develop torque on the hub by compressive forces developed by the radially extending sprocket plate surfaces against the radially extending hub surfaces.

Abstract: A bearing mounting system for a roller conveyor used in a hot air dryer, comprising an elongated bearing support cartridge having an elongated base with individual bearing carriers distributed between the ends of the base and each being arranged to carry a bearing sleeve segment of the type that has a bearing surface that lies in an imaginary cylinder such that an axis of the bearing surface lies in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the length of the cartridge and corresponds to the axis of rotation of a roll of the conveyor, the cartridge having mounting elements distributed at least on its ends for mounting to a frame of the dryer, the individual bearing carriers being installable and removable on and off the dryer frame only as a unit with other portions of the cartridge.

Abstract: A platen press for pressing loose wood-based material into structural panels at high temperature while exhausting steam generated in the process through vents distributed across the face of a platen to thereby produce an improved product. The vents are periodically cleaned to remove elements of the panel material that have been deposited into the vents with steam flow or mechanical pressure by pins carried within the platen. The pins are positively extended into respective vents by actuating elements housed within the thickness of the body of the platen.

Abstract: A platen press for pressing loose wood-based material into structural panels at high temperature while exhausting steam generated in the process through vents distributed across the face of a platen to thereby produce an improved product. The vents are periodically cleaned to remove elements of the panel material that have been deposited into the vents with steam flow or mechanical pressure by pins carried within the platen. The pins are positively extended into respective vents by actuating elements housed within the thickness of the body of the platen.