Abstract: The invention provides roller element bearings for roller conveyors. The bearings fit into the ends of hollow sleeve bodies to define the rollers of the conveyor. The bearings are designed to prevent the ingress of water through the bearings into the interior of the sleeve bodies, because collection of liquid in these bodies is unhygienic in food factory applications. The bearings are designed to act as water seals by the design of labyrinth seals between the inner and outer races of the bearings in that the labyrinth gaps are designed to allow outflow of liquid from the bearings, The clearances are not made so large as to allow excessive inflow of liquid into the bearing. The labyrinth seal therefore acts in two ways. It limits inflow of liquid into the bearing and also allows outflow of that liquid from the bearing to prevent accumulation of liquid in the bearing.

Abstract: A conveyor roller comprises a roller tube fitted with end cap assemblies incorporating bearings for rotatably mounting the roller tube on a fixed shaft. Each end cap assembly comprises a housing molded in resilient plastics material, one portion of the housing forming a substantially rigid annular frame which supports the bearing, and another portion of the housing forming a spring support which surrounds the frame and is of a size to be a sliding fit within an end of the roller tube, the outer end of the support being spaced radially from the housing. An end cover has an annular flange which is a close fit in the bearing. The end cap assembly is secured in position by swaging the end of the tube so as to force the outer end of the spring support radially inwards against the rigid housing. The external surface of the housing is curved, so that the spring support and the end portion of the tube are deflected to the curvature of the external surface of the housing.

Abstract: A conveyor roller having a low noise level and a long wear life consisting of a steel shaft, an intermediate layer made of a polymeric material (e.g., fiberglass-reinforced polyester) bonded to the shaft, a helical steel spring wear element situated around the periphery of the intermediate layer, and an outer layer made of an abrasion-resistant polymeric material bonded to the intermediate layer and the wear element. This roller solves the problem of high noise levels in steel plants, yet also exhibits long wear life.

Abstract: A conveyor frame and conveyor roll assembly comprising spaced conveyor frame elements defining opposed, noncircular axle receiver slots or openings, as the case may be. A conveyor roll and axle assembly includes a conveyor axle formed of cylindrical stock, such as tubing, and having the extremities thereof formed to a noncircular configuration adapted to be received in nonrotatable relation by the axle receiver slots or openings and defining a cylindrical intermediate portion having stop surfaces at each extremity thereof. Bearings are provided having inner and outer bearing races and rotatable bearings therebetween. The inner race of each of the bearings is received in nonrotatable relation with the noncircular extremities of the conveyor roll axle and is adapted to be engaged by the stop surfaces of the axle to limit axle movement relative thereto.

Abstract: A support installation is provided for use with large, cylindrical loads to provide rotational and longitudinal movement therefor. The support includes a plurality of non-driven all-round rolls and at least one driven all-round roll, the principal rotational axes of the non-driven rolls being parallel to the load and the rotational axis of the driven roll being perpendicular thereto. The rolls engage the circumference of the load for rotational and longitudinal movement. A U-shaped bracket fixedly or yieldably supports the rolls.

Abstract: A seal for a rolling bearing has two annular sheet metal members and a resilient sealing element. The two annular members have adjacent axially extending portions which are radially spaced apart to provide an annular axially extending gap. The sealing element is fixed to one annular member, bridges the gap and is in rubbing contact with the other annular member.

Abstract: A conveyor belt roll assembly comprising a roll casing, a roll end mounted at opposite axial ends of the roll casing and a rolling bearing with a first bearing ring supported in the roll end and a second bearing ring secured in an axial direction by means of a ring member connected to the shaft. The roll end has a radially outwardly directed flange with corrugations at its outer edge extending in a peripheral direction and the ring member axially securing the bearing on the shaft is arranged outside of the bearing. The conveyor belt roll assembly further includes a radially outwardly directed disc fastened to the shaft and forming a radial sealing slot with the axial outer face of the roll end.

Abstract: A roller assembly having longitudinal ribs which snap fit into shelf members of a support frame. In one embodiment the shelf members have upright T-shaped end members with lateral extending feet that engage the ribs. In another embodiment the shelf members have longitudinal feet that engage the ribs. Preferably, the edge forming the underside of the roller assembly are supported by base portions of the shelf member.

Abstract: A means for quickly placing a roller set onto a supporting shaft is disclosed. Generally, a guide sleeve is mounted at one end of the shaft and formed whereby the upper surfaces of the sleeve provide an aligned continuation of the upper surface of the supporting shaft. The remaining portions of the sleeve surface taper inwardly away from the imaginary continuation of the shaft surface. Thus, the sleeve has a diameter somewhat less than the outer diameter of the supporting shaft and accordingly, less than the inner diameter of the roller set. This arrangement facilitates a slipping of the roller set onto the guide sleeve without a need for precisely aligning the roller set with respect to the guide sleeve. The configuration of the upper surfaces of the sleeve insures the proper alignment of the roller set with the supporting shaft. Once the roller set is placed onto the guide sleeve, it may then be easily slipped from the sleeve and onto the shaft.

Abstract: A strand guiding roller to be used in a continuous casting plant for supporting, bending, straightening and deforming a wide strand includes an axle, and a plurality of longitudinally divided rollers arranged on the axle and held thereon by bracing means.

Abstract: A roller assembly for use in gravity roller and power roller conveyors, especially those used in sanitary applications such as for food processing and the like. The roller assembly prevents contaminants from entrapment within the roller or associated parts and may be repeatedly washed or steam cleaned without corrosion or degradation. Preferably, wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, organic, polymeric plastic, bearing inserts are axially and rotationally retained by retaining means within openings in the opposite ends of a corrosion-resistant roller. At least one of the roller end opening or the insert at each end includes a bottom wall closing off the roller interior and providing a thrust resisting surface. Preferably, the inserts receive stainless steel support shafts which have rounded ends engaging the bottom wall to resist axial thrust on the roller.

Abstract: A rolling loader designed particularly to be mounted on the rear bumper of a pickup truck for facilitating the loading of heavy objects onto and off of the bed of the truck. The loader includes a heavy, steel pipe having a pair of ball bearing assemblies fitted within each end thereof. A pair of L-shaped brackets have their horizontal plates fastened to the top surface of the bumper. A solid shaft is secured to the vertical plate of each bracket and extends through a central aperture formed in each ball bearing assembly so as to define a horizontal axis for the tube. The brackets are mounted to the bumper so that the rear most and top most portions of the tube extend respectively beyond the rear edge of the bumper and the level of the bed of the truck.

Abstract: A roller structure adapted for supporting a boat on a trailer bed, or the like, which has a cushioned roller surface for engaging the boat hull to distribute the weight stress over a substantial area, and a mounting for the roller on the support bed to guide and support the boat as it is pulled across the rollers with minimum risk of damage to the hull.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a cylindrical cargo-roller construction wherein a circumferentially continuous molded-plastic elongate cylindrically annular tire is carried between radial flanges at the ends of a rigid tubular body. The tire is of slightly larger diameter than the flanges, and radial bearings are fitted beneath the radial flanges, so that overloads are sustained directly via the radial flanges, whereas normal loads are distributed along the length of the tire.

Abstract: A bowed roll lubrication system for a bowed roll of the type having an elongated shaft and a plurality of spools disposed about the shaft for rotation. A plurality of ball bearings are disposed along the shaft and each of the bearings has an inner race in contact with the shaft and an outer race in contact with one of the spools. A through passageway extends between the races and cooperates with the races in defining a ball chamber. The lubricant system is designed to provide lubricant to the interior of the ball chambers and includes a lubricant reservoir and a lubricant line extending between the reservoir and the interior of the roll so that the lubricant may be interjected to the interior of the roll at a predetermined location. The interjected lubricant is then directed through the ball chambers in a desired pattern.

Abstract: A roller assembly for use in a package flow system. The roller assembly has a unitary rail frame assembly with pairs of opposed arcuate shaft sections spaced along the rail frame. The arcuate shaft sections of each pair are axially spaced from each other and extend integrally from the rail frame to provide integral bearing frame surfaces for supporting one of a plurality of rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor-belt drum comprises a cylindrical drum shell surrounding a shaft and carried by a pair of spaced-apart support disks mounted on this shaft. Between the outer periphery of each disk and the inner surface of the drum there is provided a wedge member which carries an elastic insert urged against either the inner surface of the shell or the outer surface of the disk. The outer surface of the disk and the inner surface of the wedge member have frustoconical peripheries along which they are relatively displaceable by a screw.

Abstract: A free wheeling tire having the ability to resist increased rotational speed under load is comprised of a hub portion, rim portion, and a multiplicity of flexure members defining voids extending continuously from one side of the tire to another. Deleterious heat generated during operation is successfully dissipated through the increased surface area provided by the voids and by the nature of geometrical element configuration. The tires are placed in a gravity roller conveyor in arrays where each array may have different speed control characteristics permitting variations in speeds of objects as they move from one array to another.

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.

Abstract: Conveying rollers for roller-hearth furnaces and the shafts upon which the rollers are mounted are made of molybdenum. The rollers can be either cylindrical or of the disc type. Molybdenum conveying rollers and shafts can be used at temperatures above 1200.degree. C. in reducing atmospheres without distorting or cracking.

Abstract: A retainer arrangement for a stationary shaft, rod or the like for retaining the shaft against upward movement in an upwardly open recess or slot of a support bracket, and the combination of the retainer with the shaft and with the support bracket. The retainer arrangement comprises a retention spring clip which encircles a substantial portion, such as 270.degree., of the shaft periphery contiguous the supported end of the shaft. The upper portion of the retention spring clip is formed to include opposite laterally spaced axially extending lugs which are adapted to snap each into a corresponding retention groove carried by the respective opposite recess-bounding walls of the support bracket when the shaft is seated in the upwardly open recess or slot of the support bracket.

Abstract: A roller assembly useful as a self-aligning caster for recessed mounting in a support plate or tray such as those used in aircraft cargo loading systems. The assembly includes a sub-assembly of a cup housing having an upper, outer-annular flange with a roller support mounted therein on an annular bearing. The sub-assembly is secured by a single screw fastener that extends through a central aperture in the bottom wall of the housing and engages a ring retainer. The roller support has massive, upright standards which are spaced apart by the width of the roller and which have opposed slots in their upper faces to receive the support shaft of the roller. The roller and support shaft are received in the support base and are retained therein by a cover plate that has a radial slot to surround the roller and that overlies the roller shaft notches of the upright standards.

Abstract: The cartridge comprises an anti-friction bearing positioned between rotating seals. At one end of the bearing the outer race makes rotary sealing contact with rim of an annular sealing disk of softer material than the bearing race. At the other end of the bearing the outer race is urged axially against the sealing disk by a resilient member. The other end of that member presses against a second annular sealing disk having a flange around its central opening which forms a rotary seal with a shaft extended through the cartridge. The bearing cartridge during assembly is partially filled with lubricant and rotation of the bearing causes lubricant to be thrown against the inner surface of the bearing and the cartridge by centrifugal force and circulated thereby through the load-carrying area of the bearing in the direction of the pressure applied by the resilient member and back through the remainder of the bearing.

Abstract: The specification discloses a roller conveyor having a plurality of elongated cylinders arranged to define a planar conveyor path. Each of the cylinders includes a low friction plastic bearing member rigidly mounted in the end thereof, with each of the bearing members including blind sockets formed in the centers. The cylinders are disposed between a pair of parallel side rails and a plurality of rigid metal shafts are connected along the interior sides of the rails. The ends of the shafts are received within the blind sockets in the bearing members such that the bearing members and cylinders rotate relative to the rigid metal shafts.

Abstract: The specification discloses a roller conveyor having a plurality of elongated cylinders arranged to define a planar conveyor path. Each of the cylinders includes a low friction plastic bearing member rigidly mounted in each end thereof, with each of the bearing members including blind sockets formed in the centers. The cylinders are disposed between a pair of parallel side rails and a plurality of rigid metal shafts are connected along the interior sides of the rails. The ends of the shafts are received within the blind sockets in the bearing members such that the bearing members and cylinders rotate relative to the rigid metal shafts.

Abstract: A roller apron framework or strand guide framework for supporting a partially solidified strand in a continuous casting installation, especially for casting slabs, comprising a number of rollers mounted within the maximum slab width. Guide rings are arranged in overhung position upon bearing journals provided for an intermediate portion of the guide rollers, the bearing journals protruding outwardly past the bearings of the rollers.

Abstract: An improved mounting means for the rollers of a roller conveyor apparatus comprising a tubular bushing having a body portion which extends through the polygonal-shaped holes in the adjacent support structure into the polygonal-shaped shaft opening or bore of a bearing assembly sitted within the end of a roller and a tubular pin having a shaft portion extending through the bushing. The bushing has longitudinal slots running from the remote end along the body portion forming a plurality of resilient members and internal radially extending knobs on the resilient members. The circumference of the bushing is sufficiently large within the bearing shaft opening to prevent rotational motion of the contacting element in the bearing assembly. The pin has a complimentary groove circumferentially disposed about the shank portion near the remote end which causes the knobs and therefore resilient members to expand outwardly against the bearing assembly when the pin is fully inserted into the bushing.

Abstract: A conveyor for stacking cases in a run-through storage structure comprises a bearing cage into which snap the ends of an axle carrying a roller, the bearing cage having a projection engaging into an opening in a frame member of the storage structure and being retained therein by a complementary projection engaging into the same opening from the opposite side of the frame member.

Abstract: A platform conveyor device for transporting loads, comprising a plurality of spaced apart elongate members alternate ones of which carry rotatable bearing members and are reciprocatable vertically by compressed air hoses so that in an uppermost position loads can be transported over a load bearing surface formed by remaining ones of the members and in a lowermost position loads rest on the load bearing surface.

Abstract: A conveyor roller is disclosed which has flanges radially inwardly thereof at its ends. Stub shafts are secured to the flanges by bolts passing through mating flanges formed on the stub shafts. Threaded apertures are formed in the flanges of the stub shafts to receive bolts to bear against the flanges at the ends of the roller sleeve to function as screw jacks for removing the stub shafts. One end of the conveyor roller includes noncircular rotational restriction means to drive the conveyor roller.

Abstract: Two concentric tubes made from a lightweight plastic are locked together by two plastic cylindrical end pieces having an aperture formed in the center thereof. The outer plastic tube rotatably supports an advancing conveyor belt carrying a bulk type material, while the inner plastic tube receives the turning torque stress. Self-lubricating plastic bearing members having blind sockets formed in the center thereof are dimensioned to be inserted in the ends of the roller. Stub shafts having generally spherical stainless steel bearing portions formed on the ends thereof are closely received within the blind sockets to rotatably suspend the roller assembly therebetween. Under such high speed, heavy-duty operations the heat built up in the stainless steel bearing is dissipated through an aluminum stub shaft to the frame assembly for the bulk material handling system.

Abstract: The turntable in the wall of the irradiation apparatus is provided with two vertically aligned chambers; one to introduce receptacles for irradiation, the other to remove irradiated receptacles. Ejector devices are provided in each chamber of the turntable to act in alternating manner to introduce a receptacle from one turntable chamber into the irradiation chamber or to eject an irradiated receptacle into the removal passage. The turntable can be used with a single-story or multiple-story conveyor system in the irradiation chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for the omni-directional movement of objects over a surface which includes a plurality of rotatable elements mounted between adjacent, parallel support members. The rotatable elements comprise a gimbaled ring mounted for rotation to the adjacent supports, a central disc rotatably mounted to the ring along an axis of rotation of the ring, and a plurality of lobes rotatably mounted to the central disc having axis of rotation equally distributed in a common plane and perpendicular to the rotational axis of the central disk. Associated with each rotatable element is a means which restricts the rotation of the gimbaled ring.

Abstract: A flanged wheel for a roller conveyor is provided with a substantially solid elastomeric tire narrower than and surrounding the wheel without bonding thereto, the tire normally extending radially beyond the flanges. Compression set of the elastomer and consequent flat spots under excessive load are avoided by the load coming to rest on the rims of the flanges.

Abstract: A braking device for retarding and controlling the speed of moving objects such as cartons, pallets and the like, travelling down an inclined roller conveyor system. The device comprises a primary roll journalled in a housing and having a peripheral surface actuable by a said moving object and a secondary roll journalled within the housing actuable by the primary roll. The secondary roll is loosely journalled in a bracket pivotally mounted on an axle coaxial with the primary roll and is biased by an adjustable pressure plate having a bevelled portion at one end to an at-rest position in proximity to the primary roll. Rotation of the primary roll under the weight of an object travelling thereon rotates the secondary roll by frictional interengagement against the bias of the pressure plate whereby the secondary roll becomes wedged between said primary roll and the pressure plate bevelled portion for retarding the rotation of the primary roll.

Abstract: An improved surface for an outer race member of a roller bearing by providing an annular curved surface between the circumferential crown surface and the annular corner radius surface. This improved surface has one end thereof tangent to the crown surface and the other end thereof tangent to the corner radius surface. The center of the radii of the curve increments therebetween being on a line connecting the centers of the crown radius and the corner radius and the radii uniformly diminish from the crown radius to the corner radius.

Abstract: A transport roller is disclosed for advancing elongated strips of flat sheet material such as photographic film, paper and the like in tanks for chemical treatment, in driers and for other purposes which comprises a hollow tubular roller body having shafts extending from its ends, with an improved leakproof and quickly assembled shaft mounting being provided in expanded frictional engagement with the tube.

Abstract: A power roller conveyor has a plurality of rollers forming an article propelling and transporting surface. The rollers are powered from beneath by a continuously driven propelling member which has a width substantially less than the length of the rollers and is located midway between the ends of the rollers. The longitudinal axis of each of the rollers is slightly arched whereby each roller, in one rotational position, has driving engagement with the propelling member and, in a diametrically different position, disengages the roller, permitting the conveyor to serve either as a transport conveyor or as an accumulator having low line pressure and capable of automatically shifting from one mode to the other without the necessity for sensors or any other operating mechanisms.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying hot glass sheets in a non-vertical orientation through a glass cooling station on spaced rolls capable of rapid and exact adjustment from roll to roll to support and convey either flat glass sheets or sheets shaped to different shapes.

Abstract: The specification discloses a two-lobed conveyor ball comprising a hub having a hole therethrough adapted to receive a first axle, second and third axles coaxially mounted on the hub at right angles to the axis of the hole therein and on opposite sides thereof, first and second generally hemispherical lobes rotatably mounted on the second and third axles respectively, and a spacer disc mounted on the hub, extending between the second and third generally hemispherical lobes, and filling the gap therebetween at the outer surface thereof, thereby preventing objects or material being passed over the conveyor ball during use thereof from getting caught between the first and second generally hemispherical lobes.

Abstract: Conveyors, having associated therewith means to divert loads from the normal line of travel, have means thereon to reduce the drag of the loads on the conveyor elements at the point of diversion. A diverter element is sometimes positioned adjacent the path of travel of a load and is provided with antifriction means on its face to reduce the friction of the load in changing its direction of travel. Antifriction means is provided on conveyor elements, either in the surface of a belt conveyor, or in the peripheral surface of conveyor rollers, which means is so arranged that it tends to cause a load to partake of motion in two directions at an angle to each other, the resultant of which is a path substantially normal to the line of travel on the conveyor.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in a roller device by which articles placed on a roller face are moved in a desired direction in a plane, and composed of a main body, a plurality of rollers mounted around the periphery thereof with a cylindrical boss included in the main body and adapted to receive a shaft for mounting a plurality of the devices.

Abstract: An accumulating roller conveyor system comprising a first tail end section which delivers the articles at a more rapid speed to an intermediate accumulating section wherein successive portions of the conveyor are disengaged upon movement of an article over a downstream portion and a drive section which is operable to stop articles and brake their movement.

Abstract: This invention relates to a roller for a conveying apparatus, the roller consisting of a tubular casing, a roller bottom in each end, and a dust cover inserted into each roller bottom and being so designed as to limit the entrance of water into the roller casing.

Abstract: Components for roller assemblies including a cylindrical roller pipe, and first and second end members having internal roller bearings, the end members being slidable onto a fixed cylindrical axle and into the ends of the pipe. Hubs on the end members frictionally engage the inside of the pipe, and a flange abuts the end of the pipe. A plurality of hollow frustoconical members are slidable over the pipe in end-to-end relationship surrounding the pipe between the end members, the outer surfaces of the frustoconical members making equal angles with the axes thereof, the members being of graduated sizes so that the smaller end of one member has an outer surface diameter equal to the larger end of the next adjacent member to form a continuous frustoconical outer surface along the length of the assembly.

Abstract: The specification discloses a roller conveyor having a plurality of elongated cylinders arranged to define a planar conveyor path. Each of the cylinders includes a low friction plastic bearing member rigidly mounted in the end thereof, with each of the bearing members including blind sockets formed in the centers. The cylinders are disposed between a pair of parallel side rails and a plurality of rigid metal shafts are connected along the interior sides of the rails. The ends of the shafts are received within the blind sockets in the bearing members such that the bearing members and cylinders rotate relative to the rigid metal shafts.