Belt Drive Patents (Class 198/790)
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Patent number: 12240702Abstract: Roller conveyor, comprising: a plurality of driven rollers (2) each of which has a cylindrical outer surface (21), arranged allow the support of an object to be transported, which is tangential to a transport plane (a) on which the transport of the objects occurs; a motor (3); a transmission element (4), which kinematically connects the motor (3) to the driven rollers (2) and is placed in contact with a portion of the outer surface (21) tangential to the transport plane (a); a plurality of presser rollers (5), placed in contact with the transmission element (4), on the opposite side with respect to the driven rollers (2), each of said presser rollers (5) being arranged abutting a respective driven roller (2), so as to press the transmission element (4) between itself and the respective driven roller (2).Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2022Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: SYSTEM CERAMICS S.P.A.Inventor: Marco Valentini
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Patent number: 11072497Abstract: An automatic belt biasing device is provided for biasing a drive belt into frictional contact with rollers of a conveyor. The belt biasing device maintains a drive belt in contact with rollers of a live roller conveyor to provide drive for the rollers to propel items or packages along the conveyor. A spring attached to a pivot arm or pair of scissoring pivot arms adjusts a biasing force applied by guide wheels of the belt biasing device to the drive belt due to changes in drive belt tension. The belt biasing device may be selectively adjustable based on required roller pitch distances. The belt biasing device is pivotably coupled to the roller conveyor allowing the guide wheels to apply equal pressure to the drive belt while allowing the pivot arms to actuate and increase or decrease the biasing force provided by the belt biasing device.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: Jeffery D. Duncan, Nicholas M. Thomas, Nolan R. Pilarz, Thomas H. Triesenberg, Shreedhar M. Hebbur
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Patent number: 11066242Abstract: A positive displacement sorter and method of diverting articles includes a conveying surface configured to convey articles in a longitudinal direction and at least one diagonal take-away lane, extending diagonally from the conveying surface to receive articles being diverted from said conveying surface. A plurality of pushers are configured to move together in a lateral direction in order to displace an item on the conveying surface to the diagonal take-away lane. A rotational system is configured to rotate a leading portion of a diverted article in the direction of the take-away lane. A belt drive system is provided for driving live roller conveyors about a curved section of a roller conveyor of the sorter. The drive belt is guided along a single conical drive plane that maintains the orientation of the drive belt relative to the single conical drive plane and limits twisting and stress in the drive belt.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: Nolan R. Pilarz, Veronique Cole, Shreedhar Murthy Hebbur, Jeffery D. Duncan, Nicholas M. Thomas, Steven M. DeMan, John M. Karas, Jeffrey S. DeVries, Jeffery T. Boorsma, Thomas H. Triesenberg
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Patent number: 10246267Abstract: A destacking conveyor and a method for destacking stacked articles, such as parcels and envelopes. The destacking conveyor comprises an inclined array of rollers that are arranged to rotate on axes perpendicular to a conveying direction. The conveyor is divided along its length into continuous roller-activation zones and selectively activated zones. In the continuous zones, the rollers always rotate in the conveying direction. In the selectively activated zones, the rollers are activated to rotate in the conveying direction and deactivated to be freely rotatable and allow articles to slide backward by gravity. The conveyor also includes a lift to change its inclination angle. By regulating the inclination angle and the activation and deactivation of the rollers in the selectively activated zones, piggy-backed articles slide off bottom articles.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Bryant G. Ragan
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Patent number: 10106326Abstract: An apparatus for covering the side rails of a conveyor framework. The apparatus includes a locking tab, grip and living hinge that together allow for a greater likelihood that the cover will remain intact on the rail of a conveyor framework.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2018Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Hilmot, LLCInventors: Jason Ocain, Joe Klein, Tony Hill, Zachary Kaehler
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Patent number: 10040633Abstract: A conveyor section for transportation or accumulation of articles such as cartons and totes includes a pair of spaced, opposing side rails, vertical frame members attached transversely between the pair of opposing side rails, and live rollers transversely attached for rotation between the opposing side. An upstream end idler and a downstream end idler both having a vertical axis of rotation are attached at respective upstream and downstream ends of the conveyor section. A drive belt is vertically elongate and supported for horizontal looping between the upstream and downstream end idlers. The drive belt supported and guided by the vertical frame members such that a drive loop side and a return loop side are horizontally positioned under the live rollers. The drive loop side of the drive belt is at selectively engageable to an undersurface of the live rollers. A drive motor is operatively coupled to drive the drive belt.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Intelligrated Headquarters, LLCInventors: Michael E. Moser, Kevin Lawrence Klueber, Jonathan Lim
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Patent number: 9976635Abstract: A contact guard for a belt drive, in which a filling space formed between two pulleys and the belt is filled by a filling body, which includes two sub-bodies that can be moved relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Wipotec Wiege- und Positioniersysteme GmbHInventors: Andreas Edrich, Markus Wagner
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Patent number: 9347768Abstract: A system for monitoring, in real time, relatively large samples as they are caused to pass by an ellipsometer or the like system, and method of its use.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: J.A. WOOLLAM CO., INCInventors: Galen L. Pfeiffer, Blaine D. Johs, Brian D. Guenther, Martin M. Liphardt, Jeffrey S. Hale
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Patent number: 9309054Abstract: A small-diameter-roller conveyor converted from a large-diameter-roller conveyor and a method for the conversion. One or more belts are trained around the power-driven rollers of a roller conveyor. A stationary array of smaller-diameter article-supporting rollers is positioned atop the belts. The article-supporting rollers are in frictional contact with the belts. The rotation of the power-driven rollers advances the belts, which rotate the article-supporting rollers and convey articles supported atop the article-supporting rollers.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Dennis K. Scates
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Patent number: 9181032Abstract: A conveyor-section bearing element (50) for fitting to a conveyor frame (10) of a roller conveyor (1), wherein the conveyor-section bearing element (50) has at least one bearing site (54) for bearing a conveyor roller (20) on the conveyor frame, wherein the conveyor-section bearing element (50) further has at least one roller axle for bearing a carrier or support roller (32; 33), as well as a retrofit kit and a roller conveyor (1) comprising such a conveyor-section bearing element (50).Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Interroll Holding AGInventors: Thomas Wolters, Siegmund Dudek
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Patent number: 9150356Abstract: A curved roller conveyor (1) with a conveyor frame (10) and a plurality of conveyor rollers (20) rotatably supported on the conveyor frame (10), wherein the curved conveyor (1) has a drive system (30) with a drive belt (31) having a round cross-section, wherein several conveyor rollers (20) rest on the drive belt (31) in a floating manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: INTERROLL HOLDING AGInventors: Thomas Wolters, Siegmund Dudek
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Publication number: 20150083551Abstract: Various apparatus embodiments include first, second, third and fourth idler shafts, and further include a first movable idler shaft having a first movable axis that is movable between a first axis position and a second axis position, and a second movable idler shaft having a second movable axis that is movable between a third axis position and fourth axis position. At least one linkage connects the first movable idler shaft to the second movable idler shaft. A motor linkage connects the at least one linkage to at least one motor for providing simultaneous movement of the first and second movable idler shafts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: Delta Industrial Services, Inc.Inventor: David Schiebout
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Publication number: 20150068873Abstract: A material handling system have the ability for the rollers to slip relative to the drive system, such as a roller bed conveyor used an accumulator conveyor system. The rollers include a slip assembly with a clutch surface, wherein the tube of the roller is configured to act as a heat sink.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventor: Matthew Earl Wallace
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Publication number: 20150041284Abstract: A dolly and methods for transporting and discharging items. The dolly includes a frame and one or more power conveyer assemblies. The one or more power conveyer assemblies include a set of transfer rollers and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a drive motor, a continuous drive belt, a set of idler pulleys, a plurality of electrical actuation members, and a foot actuation pedal. Engagement of the foot actuation pedal can cause the drive motor to rotate the continuous drive belt around the set of idler pulleys and the plurality of electrical actuation members to move the continuous drive belt into an interference position with the set of transfer rollers. This can result in rotation of the set of transfer rollers and application of a discharge force to items set upon them.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Randy Lee Pfeiffer, Aaron James Wilson, Kenneth W. Raider
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Publication number: 20140360844Abstract: An accumulation conveyor for transporting articles includes a plurality of rollers defining a conveying surface, a frame supporting the plurality of rollers, a drive belt selectively couplable with the plurality of rollers to drive the plurality of rollers, and an actuator assembly having at least one piezoelectric actuator assembly configured to selectively urge the drive belt into driving engagement with the plurality of rollers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: Intelligrated Headquarters, LLCInventors: John J. Wilkins, Kevin Lawrence Klueber
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Publication number: 20140224623Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes first and second rotatable members for forming a nip for heating therein a toner image on a sheet; an endless belt for contacting an outer surface of the first rotatable member and heat the first rotatable member; first and second rollers provided inside the endless belt and to rotatably support the endless belt; first and second bearings for rotatably supporting the first and second rollers; an elastic member contactable to the first bearing and to the second bearing and for urging the first roller and the second roller in directions away from each other; and a preventing member for preventing the elastic member from moving in directions of expansion and contraction thereof when the elastic member is out of contact with the first bearing and the second bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takuya Hasegawa
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Publication number: 20140224622Abstract: A conveyor singulator includes a conveying surface defined by a plurality of lanes, each made up of freely rotatable rollers that are skewed with respect to a longitudinal direction. A drive system for each of the lanes is adapted to driving the rollers in that lane. The drive system includes an endless belt, a motor assembly that is adapted to propel the belt and a plurality of guide assemblies that are each adapted to bias the belt against the rollers. Each guide assembly includes a stationary block of low-friction polymers and a support that is adapted to press the block against an upper run of the belt to press the belt against the rollers in that lane.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2013Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Dematic Corp.Inventor: Harry Thad German
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Publication number: 20140110225Abstract: A conveyor assembly for conveying substrates through a vapor deposition system is disclosed. The conveyor assembly may generally include a first carriage rail disposed on a drive side of the conveyor assembly and a second carriage rail disposed on an opposite side of the conveyor assembly. Each of the carriage rails may define a plurality of roller positions, with a plurality of the roller positions on the first carriage rail being configured as drive positions. The conveyor assembly may also include a drive pulley positioned at each drive position. Each drive pulley may be configured to rotationally drive a drive device. In addition, the conveyor assembly may include a plurality of rollers extending between the carriage rails at the roller positions. The rollers disposed at the drive positions may be configured to engage the drive devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: PRIMESTAR SOLAR, INC.Inventor: Christopher Rathweg
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Publication number: 20130299319Abstract: A small-diameter-roller conveyor converted from a large-diameter-roller conveyor and a method for the conversion. One or more belts are trained around the power-driven rollers of a roller conveyor. A stationary array of smaller-diameter article-supporting rollers is positioned atop the belts. The article-supporting rollers are in frictional contact with the belts. The rotation of the power-driven rollers advances the belts, which rotate the article-supporting rollers and convey articles supported atop the article-supporting rollers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2012Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventor: Dennis K. Scates
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Publication number: 20130248333Abstract: A conveyor-section bearing element (50) for fitting to a conveyor frame (10) of a roller conveyor (1), wherein the conveyor-section bearing element (50) has at least one bearing site (54) for bearing a conveyor roller (20) on the conveyor frame, wherein the conveyor-section bearing element (50) further has at least one roller axle for bearing a carrier or support roller (32; 33), as well as a retrofit kit and a roller conveyor (1) comprising such a conveyor-section bearing element (50).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: INTERROLL HOLDING AGInventors: Thomas Wolters, Siegmund Dudek
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Publication number: 20130233679Abstract: A curved roller conveyor (1) with a conveyor frame (10) and a plurality of conveyor rollers (20) rotatably supported on the conveyor frame (10), wherein the curved conveyor (1) has a drive system (30) with a drive belt (31) having a round cross-section, wherein several conveyor rollers (20) rest on the drive belt (31) in a floating manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventors: Thomas Wolters, Siegmund Dudek
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Publication number: 20130228420Abstract: A power roller conveyor system includes a section having a slide mechanism that engages a loop that is driven by an external motor. The loop slides along a surface of the slide mechanism. The slide mechanism maintains the loop in frictional engagement with surfaces of rollers of the conveyor, whereby the rollers are directly driven by the loop. A wheel may bridge a directly driven roller and another roller that is not driven. The other roller and driven roller bridged by the wheel may be separated by an intermediate roller. The section may be a straight section, a 90 degree curved section, or a 180 degree curved section.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: KPC- Master's Craft International, IncInventor: Richard Floyd Anderson
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Publication number: 20130098294Abstract: A conveyor assembly for conveying substrates through a vapor deposition system includes a first carriage rail disposed at a drive side of the conveyor assembly. A roller position is defined along the carriage rail, and a drive wheel is disposed at the roller position and configured for driving engagement against a roller. The drive wheel includes an axial cylindrical extension and an elastomeric sleeve disposed on the cylindrical extension, with the elastomeric sleeve having a defined outer diameter. With this configuration, a roller placed in the roller position rests by gravity on the elastomeric sleeve and is rotationally driven by rotation of the drive wheel such that a substrate conveyed by the roller is displaced a defined distance for each rotation of the drive wheel as a function of the outer diameter of the elastomeric sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: PRIMESTAR SOLAR, INC.Inventor: Christopher Rathweg
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Patent number: 8418839Abstract: A power roller conveyor system includes a section having a slide mechanism that engages a loop that is driven by an external motor. The loop slides along a surface of the slide mechanism. The slide mechanism maintains the loop in frictional engagement with surfaces of rollers of the conveyor, whereby the rollers are directly driven by the loop. A wheel may bridge a directly driven roller and another roller that is not driven. The other roller and driven roller bridged by the wheel may be separated by an intermediate roller. The section may be a straight section, a 90 degree curved section, or a 180 degree curved section.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: KPC Master's Craft International, Inc.Inventor: Richard Floyd Anderson
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Publication number: 20130062166Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that includes urging members provided at first and second ends in an axial direction of at least one of rollers around which an endless belt is wound, so as to urge the at least one roller and apply a tension to the endless belt. The urging members include a first urging member for applying a first moment about a middle point of a contact portion of a predetermined one roller in the axial direction and a second urging member for applying a second moment about the middle point. The second moment is different from the first moment such that a first-side portion, where a guide is provided to fit into a groove formed on at least one roller, of the endless belt with respect to the middle point is extended by a same length as a second-side portion of the endless belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroshi Nakano
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Publication number: 20130048469Abstract: A conveyor assembly includes a series of rollers for conveying a product to one or more product operations. A pair of spaced apart side frames support the series of rollers spanning between said the frames. A drive system is associated with one or more rollers of the series of rollers and includes a selectively inflatable bladder, an elastomeric sleeve and a moving belt, wherein inflation of the bladder pushes the moving belt against one or more of the rollers for their rotation. A brake system is associated with one or more of the series of rollers and includes a selectively inflatable bladder and a fixed elastomeric band, wherein inflation of the bladder pushes the fixed elastomeric band against one or more of the rollers for stopping its rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventor: Don A. Rogers
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Patent number: 8328946Abstract: A conveyor assembly for conveying substrates through a vapor deposition system includes a first carriage rail and a second carriage rail disposed at an opposite side of the conveyor assembly. The first and second carriage rails include a plurality of roller positions spaced longitudinally therealong. The carriage rails further include a pair of wheels at each of the roller positions, with the wheels spaced apart so as to define a cradle at the respective roller position. At least one of the wheels at each roller position on is drive wheel. A plurality of rollers extend between the first and second carriage rails. The rollers have ends that drop into the cradles at the roller positions such that the rollers are removable from the carriage rails by being lifted out of the cradles at the roller positions.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: PrimeStar Solar, Inc.Inventors: Edwin Jackson Little, Christopher Rathweg
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Patent number: 8196736Abstract: A roller conveyor includes a drive member whose path and the end of the overlying portions of the rollers sortation conveyor is configured to avoid substantial contact between certain rollers and the drive member. The roller conveyor is depicted in an embodiment as an accumulation conveyor with skewed roller sections.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2007Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Intelligrated Headquarters, LLCInventor: Ronald G. Wagner
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Publication number: 20120006657Abstract: A conveyor having at least one curved portion includes a pair of spaced apart side channels that are curved at the curved portion of the conveyor. A plurality of rollers are supported between the side channels. An endless drive member, which is propelled by a motor, drives the rollers. A guide system made up of a plurality of guide members guides the drive member. Each of the guide members includes a guide surface that provides substantial non-slip engagement with the drive member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: Dematic Corp.Inventors: John M. Karas, Floyd W. Butler, Bruce E. Taylor
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Publication number: 20110222947Abstract: A carrying apparatus includes: a carry path which is defined to guide a first carried object and a second carried object; a first pulley; a first roller; a second pulley; a first belt which is wound on the first pulley and the second pulley; a first tensioner; and a first moving mechanism which moves the first roller between a first position and a second position. The first moving mechanism moves the first roller between a first position at which the first roller carries the first carried object and a second position which is farther from the carry path than the first position and at which the first roller carries the second carried object.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shota IIJIMA, Iwane SANO, Yasuhira OTA, Naokazu TANAHASHI, Shingo ITO
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Publication number: 20110155063Abstract: A conveyor assembly for conveying substrates through a vapor deposition system includes a first carriage rail and a second carriage rail disposed at an opposite side of the conveyor assembly. The first and second carriage rails include a plurality of roller positions spaced longitudinally therealong. The carriage rails further include a pair of wheels at each of the roller positions, with the wheels spaced apart so as to define a cradle at the respective roller position. At least one of the wheels at each roller position on is drive wheel. A plurality of rollers extend between the first and second carriage rails. The rollers have ends that drop into the cradles at the roller positions such that the rollers are removable from the carriage rails by being lifted out of the cradles at the roller positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: PRIMESTAR SOLAR, INC.Inventors: Edwin Jackson Little, Christopher Rathweg
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Patent number: 7963388Abstract: A spline roller having a cylindrical barrel having a length, a first and second end, a centerline, and a circumferential surface, and at least a first drive portion formed integrally into the circumferential surface, having a first end and a second end, at least a first circumferential recess at the first end, and comprising a plurality of the parallel, radially-disposed, splines about the circumference, each spline extending along the length of the barrel from the first circumferential recess. Each spline has a ridge extending from the first end to the second end, and typically has a crown along the length of the ridge. The ridge can be oriented along a line that is parallel to the centerline of the spline roller, to provide a straight spline roller. The ridge can also be oriented along a line that is angled inwardly at a taper angle toward the centerline of the roller, to provide a tapered spline roller.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: TKF IncorporatedInventors: Ronald L. Eubanks, John Erwin Treft
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Publication number: 20110139589Abstract: A roller conveyor is described that includes a frame with spaced, parallel side rails; a plurality of parallel driven rollers, each roller having shaft ends extending through the rails; a shaft pulley affixed to the one shaft end outside of a given rail; a rotary drive means including a rotatable drive pulley mounted outside the given rail; and connector means operably connecting the drive pulley to the shaft pulleys, whereby rotation of the drive means rotates the driven rollers. The drive means can be an electric motor mounted beneath the driven rollers or a motorized drive roller in a plane with the other rollers. One of the rollers can be deflectable downwardly by objects conveyed on the conveyor, with the state of a switch being changed when the roller is deflected.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventor: Charles Agnoff
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Publication number: 20110108394Abstract: The transport device especially for transporting flat substrates through a coating installation comprises a plurality of transporting rolls, which are arranged transversely in relation to the transporting direction, and supporting rolls are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicants: VON ARDENNE ANLAGENTECHNIK GMBH, FIRST SOLAR, INC.Inventors: Michael Hentschel, Steffen Lessmann, Michael Huhn, Reinhard Jaeger, Ricky C. Powell
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Publication number: 20110089002Abstract: A power roller conveyor system includes a section having a slide mechanism that engages a loop that is driven by an external motor. The loop slides along a surface of the slide mechanism. The slide mechanism maintains the loop in frictional engagement with surfaces of rollers of the conveyor, whereby the rollers are directly driven by the loop. A wheel may bridge a directly driven roller and another roller that is not driven. The other roller and driven roller bridged by the wheel may be separated by an intermediate roller. The section may be a straight section, a 90 degree curved section, or a 180 degree curved section.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventor: Richard Floyd Anderson
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Patent number: 7882944Abstract: A belt guard for a drive belt on a roller conveyor system, that can be positioned adjacent the drive belt and between adjacent conveyor rollers to guard the side edges of the drive belt from inadvertent or intentional entanglement of a person's fingers or other body parts or clothing in the rotating rollers and drive belts. A guard assembly is provided having a first and second belt guard members affixed together and disposed on opposite sides of the drive belt. The invention also includes a roller conveying system that has a plurality of the spaced-apart cylindrical rollers, driven by a plurality of a circular drive belt, and a nip guard system having a plurality of nip guard means that guard the nips and/or sides of the revolving drive belts.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2009Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: TKF, Inc.Inventors: Ronald L. Eubanks, John Erwin Treft
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Publication number: 20110017575Abstract: A low-pressure accumulation system and a conveyor belt in an accumulation conveyor for the use with the system. The belt, which is flanked on opposite sides by lines of gravity rollers, has a longitudinal lane of article-supporting belt rollers arranged in groups along the length of the conveyor belt. The groups are spaced apart from each at regular intervals. Trays sit atop the gravity rollers until they are lifted slightly higher by one of the slightly elevated groups of article-supporting belt rollers, which engage the bottom of the tray and convey it along toward a discharge end. Retractable stops selectively block the trays from advancing on the accumulation conveyor. The freely rotatable article-supporting belt rollers roll along the bottoms of any blocked and accumulated trays and provide low back pressure. The belt may also include low-friction rollers that ride on bearing surfaces below the belt to help lower friction between the belt and the conveyor structure while the belt is running.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventors: Stephen G. Wargo, Robert M. Poma, Matthew L. Fourney
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Patent number: 7748520Abstract: In some embodiments, a conveyor may include one or more of the following features: (a) a plurality of driven roller assemblies mounted on said side walls in spaced relationship and at uniform height along the lengthwise direction of said pathway, each said driven roller assembly may include one or more of the following features: i) a center shaft mounted in the side wall so said center shaft is fixed against rotation and projects, perpendicularly inward from the inside surface of the side wall, ii) a driven pulley having an outer flange, an inner axial bore of a size permitting said driven pulley to slide axially over the center shaft, and iii) a roller carried on said driven pulley for rotation therewith to move articles resting on said roller down said pathway, said roller having a recess for engaging a catch on the driven pulley to hold the roller securely.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2008Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Activar Technical Products Group, Inc.Inventors: David E. Helgerson, Brian D. Koenig
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Patent number: 7604110Abstract: An assembly is provided for moving the drive belt of a roller conveyor system between a first position in which the drive belt engages the rollers to rotate the rollers and a second position spaced from the rollers, the second position permitting conveyed articles to be accumulated on the rollers. The assembly comprises a bracket and at least one pulley having a circumferential groove for seating the drive belt. The pulley is rotatably secured to both the bracket and a first side frame for the conveyor. A guide roller is also secured to the bracket so as to maintain the drive belt seated on the pulley. At least one actuator is provided for our operating on the bracket to move the drive belt between the first and second positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2008Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: TGW-Ermanco, Inc.Inventor: Delwyn G Deur
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Patent number: 7540375Abstract: A roller conveyor installation (1) includes a curved roller conveyor (2) for conveying piece goods, optionally from a first conveying strip to a second conveying strip oriented in a different direction. The first and second conveying strips are roller conveyors (3, 4) with driven rollers (9) that extend at an angle to the conveying strip. The curved roller conveyor (2) includes, at an angle to the conveying strip, radially extending, spaced-apart individual rollers (5) that are driven by a common revolving driving belt. A revolving driving belt is configured as a V-belt (6) which is guided in coaxial drive rollers (13) or coaxial peripheral sections of the individual rollers (5) both at the upper end in the V-belt upper strand (6a) and at the bottom end in the V-belt lower strand (6b) in the same V-belt guide. The V-belt (6) is held in the V-belt guide from above in the V-belt upper strand (6a) and from below in the V-belt lower strand (6b) by floating upper or lower press rollers (14).Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Knapp Logistik Automation GmbHInventor: Karl Freudelsperger
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Patent number: 7537107Abstract: A conveyor that is powered by a drive unit is disclosed. The conveyor includes a frame, and the drive unit includes a gearless external drive motor that is configured to fit within the footprint defined by the conveyor frame. The conveyor includes a series of conveying members, such as rollers, that are rotatably supported by the frame. The motor includes an output member that is engaged with a driven one of the rollers, and the driven roller is mechanically linked to an adjacent one of the rollers so that the adjacent roller is driven into rotation in response to rotation of the driven roller. The conveyor is constructed as a conveyor section or zone, which is adapted to be used with a series of similarly constructed conveyor sections or zones to form an overall conveyor system.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Milwaukee Electronics CorporationInventor: David V. Hall
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Patent number: 7530446Abstract: A sheet feed assembly with a pair of rollers (2,3) to feed sheets of media along a feed path. The roller pair has a drive roller 2 and an idler roller 3. The drive roller 2 is mounted between two bearings 4 and 5 for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The idler roller 3 is shorter than the drive roller 2 and is held against the drive roller by two guide formations 7 and 8 at either end. The guide formations bias the idler roller against the drive roller while allowing some lateral displacement of the idler roller from the drive roller.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Garry Raymond Jackson, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7503451Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a conveying apparatus which guides a conveying target object in the conveying direction while preventing it from falling off from rollers and in which intervals between the adjacent rollers can be narrowed.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2004Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Hirata CorporationInventors: Yoichi Hirasawa, Tetsuya Kimura
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Publication number: 20080210526Abstract: An assembly is provided for moving the drive belt of a roller conveyor system between a first position in which the drive belt engages the rollers to rotate the rollers and a second position spaced from the rollers, the second position permitting conveyed articles to be accumulated on the rollers. The assembly comprises a bracket and at least one pulley having a circumferential groove for seating the drive belt. The pulley is rotatably secured to both the bracket and a first side frame for the conveyor. A guide roller is also secured to the bracket so as to maintain the drive belt seated on the pulley. At least one actuator is provided for our operating on the bracket to move the drive belt between the first and second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Inventor: Delwyn G. DEUR
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Publication number: 20080164126Abstract: A roller conveyor installation (1) includes a curved roller conveyor (2) for conveying piece goods, optionally from a first conveying strip to a second conveying strip oriented in a different direction. The first and second conveying strips are roller conveyors (3, 4) with driven rollers (9) that extend at an angle to the conveying strip. The curved roller conveyor (2) includes, at an angle to the conveying strip, radially extending, spaced-apart individual rollers (5) that are driven by a common revolving driving belt. A revolving driving belt is configured as a V-belt (6) which is guided in coaxial drive rollers (13) or coaxial peripheral sections of the individual rollers (5) both at the upper end in the V-belt upper strand (6a) and at the bottom end in the V-belt lower strand (6b) in the same V-belt guide. The V-belt (6) is held in the V-belt guide from above in the V-belt upper strand (6a) and from below in the V-belt lower strand (6b) by floating upper or lower press rollers (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2006Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventor: Karl Freudelsperger
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Patent number: 7383765Abstract: A strapping machine feeds strapping material around a load, positions, tensions and seals the material around the load. The machine includes a work surface, a portion of which is upwardly pivotal. A conveyor mounted within the work surface has a friction belt drive. The conveyor roller closest to the strap chute has a middle portion that has a smaller diameter than the end portions. The middle portions are fitted together to rotate as a unitary element. A load compression assembly is mounted at the strap chute. A side squaring assembly aligns the load in the direction transverse to the load direction. A strap guide extends between a pre-feed assembly and the feed assembly and includes a fixed portion and a movable portion forming a guide path that is opened to access the guide path. An interlocked enclosure is mounted to the machine frame below the work surface to access the sealing head and the feed assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Matt E. Kirar, Allan J. Bobren
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Publication number: 20080121011Abstract: A machine for producing articles of sheet material, having a conveyor with powered rollers for feeding blanks along a path; pressure devices for holding the blanks in contact with the powered rollers; and operating devices which interact with the blanks to perform operations, in particular folding and gluing operations, on the blanks as the blanks travel along the path. The conveyor has a number of drive members arranged along the path, and to which the pressure devices are connectable by universal transmission assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Inventor: Giorgio PETRATTO
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Publication number: 20080116041Abstract: A conveyor that is powered by a drive unit is disclosed. The conveyor includes a frame, and the drive unit includes a gearless external drive motor that is configured to fit within the footprint defined by the conveyor frame. The conveyor includes a series of conveying members, such as rollers, that are rotatably supported by the frame. The motor includes an output member that is engaged with a driven one of the rollers, and the driven roller is mechanically linked to an adjacent one of the rollers so that the adjacent roller is driven into rotation in response to rotation of the driven roller. The conveyor is constructed as a conveyor section or zone, which is adapted to be used with a series of similarly constructed conveyor sections or zones to form an overall conveyor system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2007Publication date: May 22, 2008Inventor: David V. Hall
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Patent number: 7370752Abstract: A declined conveyor for conveying articles in a downstream direction, which is parallel to a longitudinal direction, has one or more controlled conveyor sections interposed between gravity conveyors. Each controlled conveyor includes a plurality of driven rollers which are driven by a drive member disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal direction, and is operatively connected to a plurality of the driven rollers through O belts.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Intelligrated, Inc.Inventors: Raymond R. Neiser, Randall J. Harrison
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Patent number: 7364035Abstract: An accumulation conveyor and method, according to the invention, includes providing a plurality of tandem accumulation zones, each of the zones including a conveying surface and at least one drive roller selectively driving the conveying surface. A drive member below the conveying surface extends a length of the plurality of tandem accumulation zones. Each of the zones includes a clutch roller rotated by the drive member and an electromagnetic clutch. The clutch selectively transfers rotation of the clutch roller to the drive roller to drive the conveying surface. The clutch may be made up of a pair of concentric cylinders aligned in a vertical plane and a force transmission member between the concentric cylinders with the force transmission member transmitting force between the concentric cylinders when the clutch is electrically actuated. The clutch may be a wrapped-spring clutch.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2006Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Dematic Corp.Inventors: Harry T German, David H Cotter, Wynn M Pelak, Dennis J Schuitema