Abstract: Devices and systems are provided for improved article sortation. An example sortation device includes a frame and a sortation table movably attached to the frame. The sortation table defines a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body extending therebetween. The second end pivotally attaches the sortation table to the frame, and the body defines a first surface configured to support an article thereon. The sortation device performs a tilt operation in which the sortation table rotates about the pivotal attachment between the second end and the frame in a first direction. The sortation device also performs a bomb bay operation in which the sortation table rotates about the pivotal attachment between the second end and the frame in a second direction opposite the first direction. An example sortation system is provided that includes two or more of the example sortation devices.

Abstract: An augmented reality, mixed reality, virtual reality, and/or metaverse teaching, training, and analytical system for contact sports, such as American football, which (a) provides realistic interaction and physical engagement resistance with virtual opponents and objects in simulated game and practice settings, or with a virtual image of an actual opponent, but (b) eliminates the types of accidental or over-aggressive impacts and collisions which can cause ligament and joint damage, or produce concussions or other traumatic head injuries which can lead to conditions such as CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), dementia, and Alzheimer's.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a motion-based virtual-reality simulator device and a method for controlling the same. The motion-based virtual-reality simulator device includes a virtual-reality interface for outputting virtual reality content in a form of multi-sense data that is perceptible by a user, a virtual-reality movement implementation unit including a track component for performing continuous track motion in a state in which a user gets on the track component, the track component being configured such that a slope of the track component is controlled while a surface of the track component is deformed into an even surface or an uneven surface, and an interworking control unit for outputting a control signal to the virtual-reality movement implementation unit so that a slope and a surface of the track component are deformed in accordance with the virtual reality content that is output through the virtual-reality interface.

Abstract: A motion capture and spatial translation system comprises an infinite directional travel platform (IDTP) that includes a hollow vessel having an elliptical lower body and a flat upper body, a treadmill motion surface encapsulating the hollow vessel, an intervening layer of lubricant fluid between the treadmill motion surface and the hollow vessel, and a port integrated within the vessel to define a channel for movement of the lubricant fluid from a top to a bottom of the vessel. A host frame supports the IDTP and anchors motor-controlled wheels that induce movement of the treadmill motion surface relative to the hollow vessel. Computer vision enabled cameras capture direction, speed, and acceleration of foot movements of the user to anticipate the user's path of travel and activates and controls the treadmill motion surface in real time.

Abstract: A conveyor system and drive element for same include a chain including a plurality of links that hinge with respect to each other and a plurality of moving elements such as balls that freely move in the links. A drive element drives the chain in a conveying direction and includes an elongated body with a surface that has a plurality of planar facets arranged around the longitudinal axis of the body. The facets extend along the body and engage respective links of the chain as the body is rotated to drive the chain. Relief elements are located in each facet and are configured for receiving the moving elements of the chain links engaging the facets so the links lie generally flat on the facets when the chain is driven. Other versions of the drive element are faceted for driving a chain with links but without relief elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chainwheel (1, 1?) for transferring a drive output from an input shaft, more particularly from a drum motor (800), onto a synthetic modular belt (900), a drum motor (800) for driving a synthetic modular belt, a semi-finished chainwheel product (10) for a chainwheel (1, 1?) and a method for producing a chainwheel (1, 1?). The chainwheel comprises at least one toothed ring and an outer ring (200, 200?) and an inner ring (300, 300?) adjoining the toothed ring, wherein the inner ring (300, 300?) and the outer ring (200, 200?) are connected to one another via bridges (410, 410?).

Abstract: Described herein are robotic platforms and associated features that may have applicability in a wide variety of applications and industries, but that may have particular applicability in automotive testing and testing of vehicles having autonomous or semi-autonomous driving features. Robotic platforms may include a low-profile chassis, one or more rotational elements coupled to one or more drive motors and supported within the chassis, and a control system coupled to and controlling the drive motor(s). Also disclosed are suspension systems that may maintain the chassis of a robotic platform above the ground in use but that allows the chassis to ground out when subject to a pre-determined load, thereby spreading the load across the chassis.

Abstract: A modular conveyor belt with sturdy edges capable of supporting the weight of the belt along a carryway. The sturdy edges have bearing surfaces, such as the peripheries of wheels or the faces of wear pads, mounted at the sides of the belt to bear the belt's weight when the belt rollers are not supported on a roller-activation system.

Abstract: A slip sensation simulation apparatus includes a base, a first haptic assembly, and a second haptic assembly. The first haptic assembly includes a first synchronous belt, a plurality of first synchronous wheels, and a first motor. The first motor is in a transmission connection with one of the first synchronous wheels, to drive the first synchronous wheels and the first synchronous belt to rotate. The second haptic assembly includes a second synchronous belt, a plurality of second synchronous wheels, and a second motor. The second motor is in a transmission connection with one of the second synchronous wheels, to drive the second synchronous wheels and the second synchronous belt to rotate. The first synchronous belt is located at an inner side of the second synchronous belt. Rotational axial directions of the first and second synchronous belts are different. The first synchronous belt is in contact with the second synchronous belt.

Abstract: A server device that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a memory and a processor. The processor can identify first and second players present at first and second physical locations, to identify first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations, to map the first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations to a virtual gaming space, to capture first and second position and orientation information for the first and second players, to map the first and second position and orientation information to the virtual gaming space, to generate first and second virtual players corresponding to the first and second players, and to transmit to first goggles information representative of the second virtual player for display superimposed onto a transparent viewing apparatus for viewing of the virtual gaming space. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A roller modular conveyor belt module for motorized continuous conveyors includes, first and second hinge elements extending from a main body along opposite directions orthogonal to the first direction and spaced from each other. Each of the hinge elements has a through hole with axis parallel to the first direction and being coaxial to each other to receive a respective hinge pin. The first hinge elements are adapted to interpose to second hinge elements of another module with through holes coaxial to each other to receive a hinge pin articulating therebetween. In the space between adjacent hinge elements, there is at least one roller passed through by an axial hole arranged coaxially with the through holes of the adjacent hinge elements delimiting the space. The module includes at least one bushing having an end portion inserted in the through hole, and extending through the roller axial hole.

Abstract: In a virtual reality environment a user's movements are coupled, meaning the user cannot walk and look in different directions. Discloses are methods and systems for soft decoupling the movements of the user in a virtual reality environment, enabling the user to look and walk in different directions simulating real-world interactions. The soft decoupling is performed by receiving acceleration and orientation data from sensors attached to the user. A heading and a heading delta based on a ratio are calculated. The calculated heading and a velocity are translated into soft decoupling inputs for the virtual reality environment.

Abstract: A guard assembly can be positionable in an installed position between a first roller and a second roller of a roller conveyor system. The guard assembly can include a first frame having a first contour shaped for receiving at least a portion of the first roller. The guard assembly can further include a second frame having a second contour shaped for receiving at least a portion of the second roller. The guard assembly can also include a biaser between the first frame and the second frame so as to urge the first frame toward the first roller and the second frame toward the second roller in the installed position.

Abstract: A fire-fighting virtual reality simulator allows the trainee to move in a virtual space in various complex virtual fire disaster situations and perform a suppression of a virtual fire and a confrontation training. An experience interactive simulator for providing a trainee with a floor movement that may occur in a fire disaster situation so that the trainee wearing HMD in a virtual fire-fighting training has the same sense of feeling as that in an actual fire-fighting training is provided. For the realistic content experience, a physical floor movement, such as tilting, falling, and shaking of the floor is reproduced using a base motion, thereby providing a floor movement that enables a sense of feeling similar to a fire disaster situation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for conveying products on a production line, comprising a section for moving said products longitudinally and another section for diverting said products in relation to said longitudinal movement. One of the sections comprises a plurality of Mecanum wheels compactly grouped in sets, and the device comprises a single means for driving the assembly of Mecanum wheels. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for conveying products.

Abstract: A grid sorter for discharging articles received from many inputs to selected discharge destinations. The grid sorter comprises a rectangular grid of parallel conveyor lines. Each line has a series of bidirectional conveyors fed articles by infeed conveyors at each end of the line. Omnidirectional-roller sorters, at the intersections of the conveyor lines, can pass articles received from one line in multiple directions: along that same line; in either direction to an intersecting line; or obliquely to a selected discharge between lines. Omnidirectional rollers in the omnidirectional-roller sorters are controlled by a controller to push articles in selected directions to predetermined discharge destinations.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a plurality of modules arranged in succession and articulated with each other. First and second projections of the modules have mating profiles to allow the insertion of a connecting pin between adjacent modules. Each module includes housings for respective rolling balls projecting through a respective circular opening. The ratio between the diameter of at least one circumferential portion of the housing and the diameter of the respective rolling ball is between 0.8 and 0.6, while at least part of a rib is provided below, near the lower surface, with at least one respective projecting portion arranged for snap-fit insertion of the rolling ball into the respective housing seat.

Abstract: A balance training system including a riding plate; a load distribution sensor; a load sensor; a mobile body on which the riding plate, the load distribution sensor, and the load sensor are disposed; and a control unit configured to calculate a reference position based on positions of feet of a trainee detected by the load distribution sensor, then calculate a center of gravity position of the trainee based on the load detected by the load sensor, and control a movement of the mobile body based on a change of the center of gravity position with respect to the reference position. The control unit is configured to update the reference position based on the changed positions of the feet of the trainee when the change of the position of at least one of the feet of the trainee is detected by the load distribution sensor.

Abstract: Each of three floors is adjacent to the other two floor robots so that a position at which three vertices selected each from the three floor robots face each other is set as a central point, and an information processing apparatus includes a floor robot guidance unit to specify an advancing direction and a walking speed of a walking person based on pressures detected by the floor robots when the walking person walks, to move the three floor robots at the specified walking speed in an opposite direction to the specified advancing direction, to specify, as a target vertex, a vertex that can be determined to lie in the specified advancing direction, other than the three vertices, and rotate at least one of the three floor robots so that the position of the target vertex is set as a new central point.

Abstract: A transport system for cylindrical products to be labelled includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor. The first conveyor has pairs of support members for supporting the cylindrical products, which are predisposed parallel to one another and mutually distanced so as to identify a free space between them. The second conveyor is a looped conveyor having an upper branch and arranged with the free space present between the pairs of support members and comprises pairs of idle rollers which, when moving along the upper branch, are interposed with each support member pair. The upper branch has an ascending portion so that the rollers can abut the products transported by the support member pairs and raise the products from the housings so that the products are supported only by idle rollers when they transit at an abutting means of a label applicator.

Abstract: A container sorting system can receive a container on a conveyance surface and convey the container in a conveyance direction. A linear induction motor positioned relative to the conveyance surface (e.g., below) can generate a magnetic field that causes movement of a shoe coupled to the conveyance surface. The shoe can move relative to the conveyance surface and engage the container to change the movement direction of the container. The movement direction of the container can be changed to move the container off of the conveyance surface.

Abstract: A destacking conveyor having a conveyor belt with pushers selectively pushing stacked packages transverse to the conveying direction to one side of the conveyor against a vertical wall with a gap between the bottom of the wall and the belt to block the top package of a stack and allow the bottom package to pass through the gap and off the side of the belt to a reject bin. In another version a destacking conveyor uses a force applicator to apply a downward force against the top of a stack to hold the top package while the pushers slide the bottom package from under the top package.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly including a plurality of modules joined together, each module including a bushing housing, a coupling housed in the bushing housing, an axle coupled to the coupling and supported for rotation relative to the module, a drive pin coupled to the coupling, and a driven surface fixed to the drive pin. The modular conveying assembly also including a driving member that is in selective engagement with the driven surface to affect rotation of the axle.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly including a plurality of modules joined together, each module including a bushing housing, a coupling housed in the bushing housing, an axle coupled to the coupling and supported for rotation relative to the module, a drive pin coupled to the coupling, and a driven surface fixed to the drive pin. The modular conveying assembly also including a driving member that is in selective engagement with the driven surface to affect rotation of the axle.

Abstract: A staggered type conveyor chain includes: a chain extending in a serial direction; plural side rollers arranged in a staggered manner on both sides of the chain in the serial direction; and plural suppressing members, each arranged to be paired with the side roller across the chain in a staggered manner on either side of the chain in the serial direction, and configured to suppress entrance of foreign material interfering with the side rollers into a space between the neighboring side rollers with respect to the serial direction.

Abstract: A module is for a modular conveyor belt having a roller conveyor surface. The module includes a base body including a first end and an opposite second end along a feeding direction of the belt and at each of which an articulation eye is defined for a cylindrical hinge articulation respectively with a second end and with a first end of adjacent modules. The base body also includes a first surface from which supports project for supporting at least one shaft on which at least one roller is mounted. A distance between the articulation axis defined by each of the cylindrical hinges and an orthogonal projection of a longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft on a reference plane is not null and is less than a sum of a radius of the at least one roller and of half the height L of the respective articulation eye.

Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt constructed of a series of block-shaped belt modules. The belt has drive elements along its left and right sides for side-driving by a sprocket or drive belt. The top side and the bottom side are flat, devoid of drive structure, and provide high impact resistance and reversibility. Hinge elements along leading and trailing sides have circular hinge-pin holes or elongated oval holes that allow the belt to collapse under low tension.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly including a plurality of modules joined together, each module including a bushing housing, a coupling housed in the bushing housing, an axle coupled to the coupling and supported for rotation relative to the module, a drive pin coupled to the coupling, and a driven surface fixed to the drive pin. The modular conveying assembly also including a driving member that is in selective engagement with the driven surface to affect rotation of the axle.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly that includes a plurality of roller bodies, a driving member, a positive stop body, and a positive stop actuator. Each roller body includes a top surface, a driven axle mounted to the roller body for conveyance therewith, a roller fixed to the driven axle, and a driven surface fixed to the driven axle. The rollers define a support plane. The driving member selectively engages the driven surfaces to affect rotation of the driven axle. The positive stop body is coupled to the plurality of roller bodies and includes a positive stop that is movable relative to the positive stop body between a first position and a second position. The positive stop extends above the support plane in the second position. The positive stop actuator selectively engages the positive stop to move the positive stop between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endless conveyor for transporting products, for example packaging units, along a transport path in a transport direction T, wherein the conveyor comprises: ?freely rotating supporting rollers (2) which extend substantially perpendicular to the transport direction, which are connected at both ends to conveyor elements (3), and which form an endless transport surface, and ?flights (4), connected to the conveyor at well-defined positions, which with a control are movable to and away from a carrying position above the transport surface, wherein, after such carrying position has been taken up, a product present on the transport surface is carried along in the transport direction T, wherein the flights comprise strip-shaped thresholds (41) which, from a rest position below at least the transport surface, can be moved up between the rollers to the carrying position. Suitable to carry and buffer along products over an incline and thus transport them.

Abstract: A system for moving loads, in particular within an aircraft, comprising: a cargo hold floor, at least one row of rollers including a plurality of rollers integrated into the floor one behind another, at least one guide rail in the floor extending substantially parallel to the row of rollers, and at least one transport vehicle removably received in and movable along the guide rail. At least one coupling arrangement selectively couples the vehicle with a load arranged on the row of rollers, the load being movable with the vehicle. At least one locking arrangement, in an active state, locking the load relative to the floor and, in a non-active state, allowing a relative movement between the load and the floor. The vehicle operates the locking arrangement according to at least one of the following: so that it assumes the active state; and, so that it assumes the non-active state.

Abstract: Sorting table with sorter rolls eliminates foreign matter remaining mixed in with the products of the harvest of small fruit. The sorting table features a sorting system constituted by a succession of rotating rolls of cylindrical shape arranged in parallel so as to form a mobile sorting plane, and a locomotion device, allowing the rotating drive of the rolls in the same direction, so as to allow transporting the grapes dumped on the upstream part of this sorting plane, in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis of the rotating cylindrical rolls and over the entire length of the sorting plane. The rotating cylindrical rolls allow the passage and drop-off of only the small fruit to be sorted, whereas the foreign matter of a size larger than that of the latter remains on the surface of the mobile sorting plane and is evacuated at the downstream end.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe techniques for operating an omnidirectional treadmill, the techniques include receiving VR (virtual reality) topographical information comprising a VR environment, and displaying the VR environment to a user wearing a headset. VR topographical information includes information about VR elements in front of the user in the VR environment relative to a facing direction of the user in the VR environment. The method includes sending topographical signals to active elements in an omnidirectional treadmill based upon the VR topographical information where the omnidirectional treadmill permits the user to move along at least two perpendicular directions of motion on a surface of the omnidirectional treadmill. The techniques include activating the active elements, based upon the VR topographical signals, to physically simulate the VR elements in the VR topographical information on the surface by at least one of expanding or contracting the active elements.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly that includes a plurality of roller bodies, a driving member, a positive stop body, and a positive stop actuator. Each roller body includes a top surface, a driven axle mounted to the roller body for conveyance therewith, a roller fixed to the driven axle, and a driven surface fixed to the driven axle. The rollers define a support plane. The driving member selectively engages the driven surfaces to affect rotation of the driven axle. The positive stop body is coupled to the plurality of roller bodies and includes a positive stop that is movable relative to the positive stop body between a first position and a second position. The positive stop extends above the support plane in the second position. The positive stop actuator selectively engages the positive stop to move the positive stop between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A force measurement system is disclosed herein. The force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly configured to receive a subject thereon, a visual display device having an output screen, and one or more data processing devices operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly and the visual display device. In the one or more embodiments, the force measurement assembly is a static force plate and the visual display device is a head-mounted visual display device or a visual display device having an output screen configured to at least partially circumscribe three sides of a torso of the subject. In one or more other embodiments, the force measurement assembly is a displaceable force plate and the visual display device is a head-mounted visual display device.

Abstract: A pickface builder for a storage and retrieval system for storing goods units and having an in-feed conveyor and a picking device, each goods unit holding at least one product package therein, the pickface builder including a frame, a pusher member movably coupled to the frame, and a snugger member movably coupled to the frame, wherein the pickface builder is configured to receive goods units from the in-feed conveyor and the pusher member and snugger member are movable at least in a direction transverse to a direction of goods unit travel on the in-feed conveyor and configured to form the goods units into a pickface picked by the picking device as a unit and having a predetermined reference datum relating the pickface to a placement position of goods units forming the pickface along a storage surface of the storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A control system for a treadmill including a control unit and a laser distance sensor, the laser distance sensor being configured to determine the distance and/or the movement of a user relative to the laser distance sensor with the aid of a laser beam, the control unit being configured to control a movement of the treadmill as a function of measuring data of the laser distance sensor. A treadmill including such a control system is also described.

Abstract: A conveyor belt module of the type having eye parts projecting outwardly from both sides of a central spine, where a plurality of interconnected belt modules define a transport plane, where the eye parts are offsetly spaced along the spine on either side of the spine, said spine defining a central line laterally on each module, such that eye parts on one belt module may be interfitted between eye parts on an adjacent module and mutually connected in a hinge-like manner, characterized in that the belt module comprises at least two types of eye parts: a first type of eye parts arranged on one side of the spine having a central opening in a direction orthogonal to the transport plane with parallel sides delimiting the eye part, and a second type of eye parts arranged on the other side of the spine having a central opening in a direction orthogonal to the transport plane with parallel sides delimiting the eye part, where adjacent the distal end of the second type of eye parts, cams, projecting away from the sides

Abstract: A surface platform for a conveyor belt includes a platform member having an upper surface and a rail member at one side of the upper surface. The upper surface has a first portion adjacent the rail member, a second portion adjacent the first portion, and a third portion adjacent the second portion. The second portion extends upward at a distance and in a direction such that when an article is placed on the platform member in contact with the rail the article extends to, and no further than, the second portion. The first portion may be horizontal or curved.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a transporting device for transporting a substrate in a process chamber is provided. The transporting device includes a guiding rail arrangement having two guiding rails for mounting a multiplicity of bars between the two guiding rails. The two guiding rails form a closed path of movement along which the multiplicity of bars are guided. The transporting device further includes the multiplicity of bars that are mounted in the guiding rail arrangement, and a drive device for pushing at least one bar of the multiplicity of bars in such a way that, in a transporting region of the guiding rail arrangement, in each case multiple bars of the multiplicity of bars are pushed against one another and the bars that have been pushed against one another move along the path of movement in the transporting region.

Abstract: Conveyor glide plates inserted between conveyor rollers provide support between the rollers. The glide plate main body includes forward and rear flexible flaps forming a leading edge and a trailing edge extending from the main body which includes an attachment member for cooperatively engaging a conveyor roller support member such as a clip or bracket used to affix the rollers to the conveyor. The front portion of the forward distal end of the glide plate includes a concave curve extending from the leading edge downward forming a turned-up lip extending from the main body of the glide plate following the adjacent roller. A rear flap having a distal end angled downward slightly at the trailing edge extends toward a following roller or following glide plate. The width of the glide plate is selected based on the width of the conveyor or length of the roller.

Abstract: A treadmill includes a running deck. The running deck includes a front portion, a rear portion connected to the front portion by a first side and a second side, a tread belt surrounding the front portion and the rear portion, a motor to drive movement of the tread belt, and an actuator that cause the running deck to tilt laterally towards either the first side or the second side to form a lateral tilt angle in response to a tilt command.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing eggs from an egg carrier is provided. Such an apparatus includes a frame and an egg lifting system having an array of egg lifting devices configured to lift eggs from the egg carrier. A platform assembly has a platform configured to be moveably positioned between the array of egg lifting devices and the egg carrier. In this manner, the platform is capable of being positioned to receive eggs released from the egg lifting devices while concurrently obstructing access of the egg lifting devices to the egg carrier. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A zone-controlled in-line, stacked-roller conveyor belt. The belt has pairs of stacked rollers—a top article-supporting roller and a bottom driven roller. The top and bottom rollers contact each other so that when the bottom roller is driven in one direction by contact with a bearing surface under the belt as the belt advances, the top roller rotates in the opposite direction—opposite to the direction of belt travel. Articles atop the actuated roller pairs mark time. When the bottom roller is out of contact with a bearing surface, the rollers are braked and do not rotate so that the articles atop the braked rollers advance with the belt. The bearing surfaces are arranged in individually controllable segments that are dynamically grouped into zones that are actuated to halt an article in that zone. An imaging system is used by a controller to change the zone grouping dynamically.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly includes active roller control for reducing backline pressure without product to product contact when accumulating products. The conveying assembly includes a first roller belt module having a top surface and at least one first roller axle support extending above the top surface. The first axle support supports at least one roller above the top surface. The at least one roller is rotatably coupled to a rotatably driven drive axle, such that rotation of the drive axle causes rotation of the roller. A clutch including a driven surface fixed to the drive axle engages a driving member to rotatably drive the drive axle and, thus the roller.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and a belt module having multiple roller sets, each roller set including a bottom roller in contact with an axially elongated top roller. Driving the bottom roller in a first direction causes rotation of the top roller in an opposite angular direction. The bottom rollers in first longitudinal lanes are arranged to rotate obliquely toward one side of the belt, and the bottom rollers in second lanes are arranged to rotate toward the other side of the belt. Either the first lanes of roller sets or the second lanes can be selectively actuated to direct articles conveyed atop the top rollers rearward and toward one side of the belt or the other or to receive articles fed onto the belt from either side.

Abstract: In a conveyor belt composed of hinged modular links, one or more of the links are composed of multiple parts at least one of which is in the form of an guide-engaging element having a protruding guide-engaging section, a pair of laterally spaced hinge knuckles on a leading or trailing edge of a base, and a single hinge knuckle on the opposite edge. The single hinge knuckle is positioned opposite the mid point between the two laterally spaced hinge knuckles. The sum of the cross-sectional areas of the two laterally spaced hinge knuckles is equal to the cross-sectional area of the single hinge knuckle. The widthwise cross-sectional area of the base of the guide-engaging element is equal to the widthwise cross-sectional area of any portion of the base of any other modular link in the belt having the same width as that of the base of the guide-engaging element.

Abstract: A belt conveyor having upper article-supporting belt rollers that are rotated rearward by rotating lower belt rollers only when the articles are slowed or stopped from advancing with the belt. As the belt advances in a direction of travel, the lower rollers rotate by contact with a bearing surface underlying the belt. The upper rollers have axles whose ends are retained in slots that slope downward in the belt's direction of travel. The slots provide the upper rollers a range of positions between a forward position out of contact with the rotating lower roller and a rearward position contacting the lower roller, which rotates the upper roller rearward relieving back line pressure on accumulated articles.

Abstract: A conveyor chain constructed so as to prevent a leakage of lubricant oil to the outside. The conveyor chain comprises a plurality of bearing elements operable to revolve in a raceway between an outer circumferential surface of a bush and an inner circumferential surface of a roller. A pair of right and left thrust bearing annular members are press-fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the bush and are positioned between the inner side surface of an inner link plate and the outwardly-facing end surfaces of the bearing elements. Annular sealing members for sealing lubricant oil within bearing element raceway are disposed between the inner circumferential surface of the roller and an inner circumferential surface of the thrust bearing annular member. The sealing members slidably contact but are not deformed by the inner circumferential surface of the roller.

Abstract: A chain conveyor includes a chain constituted of a plurality of links foldably coupled by pins. The links include roller-equipped links each having a roller. The chain conveyor includes a pushing-up mechanism for pushing up each roller to a protruding position. At the protruding position, each roller protrudes upward above a loading surface of the chain, on which articles are loaded. Accumulated articles are supported by the rollers arranged at the protruding position so that the articles are separate from and above the loading surface.