Abstract: A roller conveyor comprising a driven section (18) freely rotatably mounted on one end of a roller shaft (16) a sleeve member freely rotatably mounted on the same one end through a bearing device (31), a roller body (24) freely rotatably fitted on the driven section (18) and the other end of the roller shaft (16), the sleeve member (19) being provided with a flexible body (26) adapted to contact the inner surface (24a) of the roller body (24) when contracted and to press against the inner surface (24a) and driven section (18) when expanded, and a fluid feed and delivery passage which opens to the interior of the flexible body (26) and which extends from the roller shaft 16 to the sleeve member (19). Thus, when the flexible body is expanded to press against the inner surface of the roller body and the driven section, the torque in the driven section can be transmitted to the roller body through the flexible body, thereby causing the forced rotation of the roller body.

Abstract: Transfer apparatus of the type in which transverse article advancing rollers are moved by a conveyor along a predetermined path. The apparatus also includes crossing track sections for diverting articles on the conveyor to branch conveyors, with a control switch for the crossing track sections.

Abstract: A roller conveyor in which articles are supported by idler rollers carried by a main frame and conveyed as the idler rollers are driven into rotation. A plurality of first idler rollers are arranged in one of two side frames of the main frame. A plurality of second idler rollers capable of supporting articles in pair with the first idler rollers are arranged in the other side frame. Driving force for conveying articles is given to the first idler rollers only. The fact that first idler rollers and second idler rollers are separately arranged at opposite sides assures that the first and second idler rollers are of short and light construction.

Abstract: A drive system roller apparatus used for a roller conveyor built in a shelf device or a roller conveyor installed on a floor, wherein at the outer periphery of a roller shaft supported at a frame is provided a roller body rotatable and supporting a load to be transported, between the roller body and the roller shaft is provided an annular flexible member which is capable of expanding and contracting so as to contact with and remove from the inner periphery of the roller body by the expansion and contraction, and the flexible member is rotatably driven, so that an operating fluid is supplied from the fluid route into the flexible member, and the flexible member in the contacting state is expanded to abut against the inner surface of the roller body, thereby the roller body rotates to transport a load.

Abstract: Free rollers for transferring objects to be transferred, and a driving device for rotating the free rollers are supported by a support frame. A plurality of support frames are attached to a main frame so that their positions can be changed lengthwise of the main frame. The roller pitch can be changed as desired by changing the attaching position of the support frame. Thereby, the number of units each consisting of a free roller and a driving roller is reduced in accordance with the shape and length of objects to be transferred. Thus a cost reduction of the entire conveyor and a compact design of the free roller driving device can be attained.