Revolvable Means Engaging Carrier Belt Face Automatically Skews To Correct Belt Training Deviation Patents (Class 198/806)
  • Patent number: 6279733
    Abstract: A tensioning and tracking system with specific useful features for adjusting a conveyor belt is disclosed. Generally, the tensioning and tracking systems include a pair of plate members attached together and defining a channel and an elongated opening. Mounted within the channel is a slide plate having a distal end. Also, connected to one of the side plate members is a rotating member for reciprocally advancing the distal end of the slide plate into the elongated opening. The position of the slide plate within the elongated opening is secured by a locking screw connected to one of the plate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Frank A. Eltvedt
  • Patent number: 6267228
    Abstract: A device to permit manual adjustment of the track or path of a conveyor belt (1) while providing constant, predetermined belt tension. A removable conveyor roller (23) is supported by a pivotable yoke (11), which is pivoted about a shaft (12) from a nonoperational position of no belt tension, at which point cleaning and regular maintenance take place, to the operating position of full belt tension. Conveyor belt tension is provided by at least one spring (10), the spring force increasing with deflection during the pivoting motion of the roller yoke (11) into the normal operating position. The spring force resists the motion of a pivoting plate (8) to slide in a plane relative to the fixed conveyor bed (18) along an adjustable axis. Force is transmitted through the pivoting shaft (12) to the yoke (11) which creates tension in the conveyor belt (1) without exceeding the load limitations of the conveyor belt (1) or the roller shaft (9) bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventors: Lawrence O. Cadwell, Kevin A. Nesdahl
  • Patent number: 6247580
    Abstract: The actuator device for use in a bi-directional conveyor belt comprises a toothed wheel which rotates depending on the belt's transport direction and is engaged with a toothed rack on a toothed element which is movable between two extreme points and which has at each end portion a pin which, when a force is applied in the direction of the end of the toothed element, is arranged to move to a position in which it forms a tooth as an extension of the toothed rack, and when a force is applied in the direction of the opposite end of the toothed element is arranged to move to a retracted, yielding position relative to the toothed rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: A/S Techno Track
    Inventors: Kenneth Hovstø, Kjell Arne Gaarden
  • Patent number: 6246858
    Abstract: A contact belt fusing apparatus is provided for reducing sheet edge wear defects in fused copies. The fusing apparatus includes an endless fusing belt having an external fusing surface defining a path of movement and a plurality of support rollers for supporting and moving the endless fusing belt along the path of movement. The endless fusing belt as supported has a first fusing position aligned on the plurality of support rollers at a first location, and at least a second fusing position aligned on the plurality of support rollers at a second location that is spaced axially from the first location thereon. The fusing apparatus also includes heating member for heating the external fusing surface of the endless fusing belt, and a pressure roller forming a fusing nip with the external fusing surface of the endless fusing belt for contacting and moving toner image carrying sheets therethrough, the toner image carrying sheets having edges that induce wear on the external fusing surface of the endless fusing belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony S. Condello, Mark S. Amico, Donald M. Bott, Rabin Moser, Derek E. Vaughan
  • Patent number: 6241078
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for training a troughing conveyor belt are provided. The apparatus includes a training roller enclosing a concentric shaft. The training roller is rotatably connected to the shaft. In addition, the training roller is pivotable relative to the shaft about a pivot axis that is transverse the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The training roller engages the conveyor belt so that the conveyor belt rotates the training roller. When the conveyor belt is properly aligned, the force of the belt against the training roller is equally distributed on both sides of the pivot axis of the training roller. When the belt becomes misaligned, the training roller pivots in response to the unequal force of the conveyor belt on opposite sides of the pivot axis. The belt then travels down the pivoted roller, thereby realigning the belt. The shaft is rotatable between two positions. Rotating the shaft also rotates the pivot axis of the training roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: ASGCO Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: George T. Mott
  • Patent number: 6186317
    Abstract: A reversible belt steering assembly for centering of conveyor belts which during operation is subjected to a lateral displacement away from a neutral position. A rotating mechanism (3, 19) supports at least one steering roller for the conveyor belt, and is rotatably attached to a first fixed beam (2) for rotation about an axis (a) perpendicular to the conveyor belt. A first set of guide rollers (9) abuts the sides of the conveyor belt, and is thus displaced laterally depending on the lateral displacement of the conveyor belt, and a first transfer mechanism supports the first set of guide rollers (9) for transferring the lateral displacement of the first set of guide rollers (9) to the rotating mechanism (3, 19), to rotate the steering roller to a position where it guides the conveyor belt back to the neutral position. There is a second set of guide rollers (9′) corresponding to the first set of guide rollers, and a second transfer mechanism corresponding to the first transfer mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: A/S Techno Track
    Inventors: Kenneth Hovsto, Kjell Arne Gaarden
  • Patent number: 6181900
    Abstract: A photoreceptor belt control apparatus for a printer having a photoreceptor belt that circulates around rollers rotatably installed on a belt frame. The apparatus includes a pair of auxiliary frames slidably and pivotally installed on the belt frame, and a steering roller whose ends are rotatably installed respectively on the auxiliary frames. The steering roller rotates in contact with the photoreceptor belt. A shaft is rotatably installed on the belt frame, and a cam unit is installed on at least one end of the shaft for controlling the inclination of the steering roller by pivoting each of the auxiliary frames according to the rotational position of the shaft. A tension control unit controls the tension in the photoreceptor belt by sliding the pair of auxiliary frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-chan Lee, Min-soo Lee, Jung-hun Bang
  • Patent number: 6173830
    Abstract: A tracking assembly for mounting to a support frame of a conveyor belt installation in order to keep the conveyor belt which travels thereon centrally aligned includes a sub-frame adapted to be mounted to a support frame of a conveyor belt installation. A plurality of independently rotatable idlers are mounted for rotation on the sub-frame to support the conveyor belt of the installation in position. The idlers are aligned generally parallel to each other spaced apart from each other across the width of the belt, with the sub-frame and idlers being mounted to the support frame generally transverse to the length of the belt. Each of the idlers include a support shaft, an outer drum rotatably supported on the shaft, and a pivot assembly located within the drum defining a pivot axis about which the drum is pivotable relative to the shaft, the pivot axis being perpendicular to the belt which in use travels on the idler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Tru-Trac Roller (Proprietary) Ltd.
    Inventors: John P. Cumberlege, Paul A. Savage
  • Patent number: 6131726
    Abstract: A belt steering assembly for centering of conveyor belts (5) comprises a mechanism with steering rollers (1) and guide rollers (9). In the event of a lateral misalignment of the belt (5), the belt's movement will be transferred from the guide rollers (9) to the steering rollers (1), with the result that the steering rollers return the belt to a neutral position. Preferred ratios are described between different lengths of a lever arm (6) for transfer of the movement. A method for loading of a conveyor belt comprises moving the conveyor belt (5) laterally before loading to a position where the centre of gravity of the loaded material (15) falls on the conveyor belt's central portion (12), and after loading steering the conveyor belt laterally to its neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: A/S Techno Track
    Inventors: Kenneth Hovsto, Kjell Arne Gaarden
  • Patent number: 6125994
    Abstract: A belt conveyor system has a rotatable first roller and a second roller tapered toward a first end thereof and located substantially parallel to and at a distance from the first roller. The system also has a conveyor belt passed around and stretched between the first and second rollers for endless traveling. The system further includes a regulating member located at a position close to a first end of the first roller, opposite the first end of the second roller. The regulating member is in sliding contact with an end side of the conveyor belt only in a region where the conveyor belt is in contact with the first roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Todome
  • Patent number: 6116410
    Abstract: Belt-position sensing structure (30) and belt readjustment apparatus (36) are used to steer a conveyor belt (11)) and to center said belt relative to the intended path of travel of the belt. The belt readjustment apparatus (36) is a belt-support roller (36) intended to engage the belt and to roll against the latter and being pivotal in the principal plane of the belt. The belt-position sensing structure (30) is connected to the belt-support roller (36) via a linkage system (27, 34) for pivoting and setting the belt-support roller in a pivotal position in which said belt-support roller, by engaging the belt, exerts a readjustment force on the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Svedala Trellex AB
    Inventor: Mats Anders Malmberg
  • Patent number: 6088558
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an endless belt, a pair of belt winding rollers that wind and rotate the endless belt, and a belt shift detecting device that detects a belt shift. The image forming apparatus further includes a roller end moving device that moves one end of one of the belt winding rollers around its other end in response to the detection of a belt shift to suppress the belt shift to a predetermined range, and a belt surface contacting device that pressure contacts the surface of the endless belt. The belt surface contacting device is mounted on a frame that supports a shaft of the belt winding roller to be moved so that its contacting condition does not change during the movement of the belt winding roller moved by the roller end moving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamichi Yamada, Shigeo Kurotaka
  • Patent number: 6078766
    Abstract: A belt driving apparatus includes an endless belt which is wrapped around at least a driving roller and a driven roller, a belt shift detecting member detecting a shift of the endless belt and being rotatably supported by the driven roller with at least one end of a shaft thereof, the belt shift detecting member rotating free from a rotation of the driven roller, a supporting device supporting the at least one end of shaft of driven roller and being moveable in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the shaft of the driven roller, and a conversion device converting a displacement of said at least one end of the shaft of the driven roller into a displacement in a predetermined direction perpendicular to shaft of the driven roller, when the endless belt is brought into contact with the belt shift detecting member and belt shift detecting member has a rotation torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeo Kurotaka
  • Patent number: 6000531
    Abstract: A steerable rotatable member such as a pulley, sprocket or timing gear which can be mounted on a shaft so that the plane of the rotatable member may be positioned at selected angles other than a 90.degree. angle to the axis of rotation of the shaft. A torque transmitting member, commonly in the shape of a planar disc, is used to operatively connect the shaft and the rim of the rotatable member. The disc radially elongates and laterally flexes as the rotatable member rotates. A sleeve member may be used to connect the disc to the shaft. When used as a driver, a key may be used to transmit power from the shaft to the sleeve. The use of an elongated groove in the shaft permits the rotatable member to be adjustably moved to different locations along the axial length of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Martin Family Trust
    Inventor: Merrill D. Martin
  • Patent number: 5991575
    Abstract: A belt unit has a drive roller, a driven roller, and a tension roller. An endless belt is mounted about the drive roller, driven roller, and tension roller. When the drive roller is driven by a motor, the endless belt runs with a print medium placed thereon. The tension roller longitudinally extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the belt runs. First and second support members are pivotally mounted on a frame and support the tension roller between the first and second supports. The spring urges the support members so that the tension roller exerts tension on the belt. A coupling member such as a rod, wire, and plate couples the first support member to the second support member, so that a first pivotal movement of one of the first and second support members causes a second pivotal movement of the other of the first and second support members, the first and second pivotal movements applying a substantially same urging force to the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: OKI Data Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitatsu Okiyama, Ken Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 5964338
    Abstract: A conveying system includes first and second straight side supports arranged parallel to one another on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis. A plurality of roller structures is provided, each having opposite ends mounted in respective ones of the side supports. An endless web is mounted for travel along the rollers in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Each roller structure is associated with a set of mounting holes formed in the side supports, whereby each set comprises a first series of holes formed in the first side support and a second series of holes formed in the second side support. One end of the roller structure is mounted in a selected one of the holes of the first series, and the other end of the roller structure is mounted in a selected one of the holes of the second series. Each hole of the first series is aligned with a respective hole of the second series to form a pair of aligned holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Sandvik Sorting Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
  • Patent number: 5950806
    Abstract: A guiding station for preventing the conveyor belt of a belt conveyor from running off sideways from a preset direction and running up against the supporting structure of the conveyor. The guiding station comprises a console secured to a cylindrical element and forming an axis of rotation of the console so that the console is swingable in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor belt. A pair of guide rollers are supported by the console and are rotatable around their longitudinal axes. The lower strand of the conveyor belt is guided between the guide rollers. A plurality of sensor rollers are rotatably mounted on the guiding station upstream in the running direction of the conveyor belt from the guide rollers and on both sides of the lower strand of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Transnorm System GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Warneke
  • Patent number: 5934449
    Abstract: A transfer conveyor having a frame assembly in which a large diameter drive roller is mounted together with tension rollers. A pair of small diameter nose bars are mounted on each end of the frame assembly, and an endless conveyor belt of fabric or plastic chain is looped around the drive roller, tension rollers, and nose bars. A quick release tension mechanism is operatively connected between the frame assembly and one of the tension rollers, whereby the belt can be removed from the rollers and nose bars without the use of any special tools. A lateral adjustment mechanism is operatively connected between the frame assembly and upper run of the endless conveyor belt, whereby the transfer belt can be maintained in alignment with two other conveyors between which the transfer conveyor is interposed, and a quick disconnect mechanism is also provided for releasing the transfer conveyor from a base support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Rex H. Dolan
  • Patent number: 5911304
    Abstract: A training idler for guiding a travelling conveyor belt so that the belt follows a central path. The training idler includes an axle adapted to be mounted to a conveyor support frame, a steering roller rotatably mounted on the axle and adapted to be aligned generally transverse to a conveyor belt which will ride thereon, and a pivot connecting the roller to the axle, the pivot defining a generally perpendicular pivot axis about which the steering roller is able to pivot. The steering roller has an outer peripheral surface of generally right circular cylindrical form and has a central region and opposite edge regions, the edge regions having a peripheral circumference which is either greater than or less than the peripheral circumference of the central region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Alucais Inc.
    Inventor: John Pear Cumberlege
  • Patent number: 5896979
    Abstract: An endless belt type delivery device includes a drive roller, a plurality of driven rollers including a tension apply roller disposed in such a manner that the respective axial directions of the rollers are set parallel to each other, an endless belt wound around the respective rollers in such a manner that the endless can be driven by rotating the drive roller, and meandering adjusting means, provided in at least two of the above-mentioned rollers, for biasing contact pressures between the two or more rollers and the endless belt toward the axial-direction end portions of the rollers. The contact pressure between the rollers and the endless belt are biased in the opposite direction to the meandering direction of the endless belt by the meandering adjusting means, thereby being able to correct the meandering of the endless belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Hokari, Shuji Iseki, Junichirou Sameshima, Yukio Hayashi, Ryoichi Tsuruoka, Mikio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5884754
    Abstract: A conveyor belt support maintains a conveyor belt in a central position. Support rollers for the conveyor belt are provided. Additionally, an underside, edge portion of the conveyor belt acts on at least one conical alignment roller that extends transversely to a longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, and acts to hold the conveyor belt in the central position. The rollers are supported by a rotary frame that is pivotable relative to a stationary base frame when the conveyor belt shifts sideways out of the central position. A hydraulic drive is provided for pivoting the rotary frame when the conveyor belt shift sideways. Two hydraulic pumps are provided, each driven by one of the alignment rollers to provide a pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic drive via a two-pressure valve. One of the pumps is driven with a rotational speed that depends on the amount of shifting of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: bebro-electronic Bengel & Bross GmbH
    Inventor: Alfred Fromm
  • Patent number: 5743378
    Abstract: A device for stabilizing the conveyor belt in a self-adjusting belt steering assembly is described. The belt steering assembly has conveyor supporting rollers (1) provided on a rotatable supporting plate (2) which is connected via a longitudinal stay (6) with guide rollers (9). The guide rollers (9) are mounted on a rotatably mounted transverse stay (7). A parallel stay (13) is mounted between the transverse stay (7) and the mounting beam (11, 19) or the foundation for the conveyor belt (5). Thus, when lateral misalignment occurs in the conveyor belt, the guide rollers (9) are kept in an approximately perpendicular position on the conveyor belt's (5) longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: AS Techno Track
    Inventors: Kenneth Hovst.o slashed., Kjell Arne Gaarden
  • Patent number: 5717984
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving, steering and maintaining tension on a moving web, particularly in an electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an endless photoreceptor belt supported by a plurality of rolls and arranged to move in a predetermined path through a plurality of processing stations disposed therealong the belt being of the type which is supported by a plurality of rolls. A belt utility roll for driving, steering and maintaining tension on the belt adapted for rotational movement about a first axis and tilting movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis is used. The drive motor and transmission are mounted integral to the utility roll unit and tilt with the roll. An actuator tilts the roll in one of two directions to cause the belt to laterally walk along the roll to maintain the predetermined belt path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Lam F. Wong
  • Patent number: 5699898
    Abstract: The angular orientation of a roller in a group of rollers supporting a moving belt, such as a screen strip, a conveyor belt or the like, in a paper-making system, is adjusted. One of the bearing blocks is supported on a final control element which is adjustable in the direction of motion of the belt. The control element is moved relative to a support frame with an adjusting device. This causes the angular orientation of the roller supported in the bearing block to vary relative to the longitudinal direction of the belt. The final control element is embodied as a car which is provided with wheels or the like and which can be moved about by the adjusting device relative to the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventors: Klaus Bartelmuss, Heinz Bartelmuss
  • Patent number: 5619310
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image former for forming an image on an image carrier, a conveyor belt for conveying an image receiving medium to the image carrier, a conveyor roller structure having a first roller with different diameter at both ends and taper size T expressed by T=(D-d)/L, wherein D is the diameter at the large diameter side, d is the diameter at the small diameter side and L is the length of the first roller, which is more than 2.341.times.10.sup.-3 and a coefficient of static friction is less than 0.26. A second roller is provided opposite to the first roller, for moving the conveyor belt in a prescribed direction by rotating the first and the second rollers in a state where the conveyor belt is put over the first and the second rollers, and a transferring structure for transferring the image formed on the image carrier onto the image receiving medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tuyoshi Todome
  • Patent number: 5609241
    Abstract: A training idler assembly for use with a conveyor belt which quickly responses to mis-tracking of the belt to thereby return the belt to its centered position. The idler roller is rigged through cables to hinged guide rollers which engage either side of the conveyor belt so that when the belt tracks either to the right or to the left, the respective guide roller actuates the appropriate cable to cause the idler roller to rotate about a vertical axis which, in turn, causes the belt to track back towards its center position on the idler roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Grover P. Shaw
  • Patent number: 5507382
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for stabilizing a thin, relatively frictionless conveyor belt against lateral movement. The typical belt is made of fiberglass and Teflon-coated and is mounted on rollers, one of which is a drive roller. The drive roller is equipped with at least one ridge disposed circumferentially adjacent an end thereof and the belt forms a track which receives the ridge as the roller rotates. The track, in turn, has mutually spaced holes along its length. The holes are disposed at least so that two contact the roller during each revolution, and the diameter of the ridge is less than one-half of the diameter of the hole. This tracking device then will maintain the belt during operation against lateral movement relative to the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: G. S. Blodgett Corporation
    Inventors: S. A. Hartwell, Greg M. Sterling, Peter MacFarland
  • Patent number: 5481338
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carriers on each of which an image is formed, a conveyor belt for carrying an image receiving medium, a driving roller on which the conveyor belt is mounted for driving the conveyor belt to convey the image receiving medium and a pressing roller for pressing the conveyor belt against the driving roller. The images formed on the image carriers are transferred seguentially to the image receiving medium conveyed by the conveyor belt. A tensioning member causes the conveyor belt to skid to maintain proper relative positioning of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tuyoshi Todome
  • Patent number: 5471289
    Abstract: A fixing device incorporated in an image recording apparatus has a heater 24 for fixing an image formed on a sheet 11 by heating a toner 12 constituting the image, and a thin endless belt 21 for carrying the sheet 11. The endless belt 21 is rotated by a drive roller 22 and is given tension by a tension roller 23. A tapered member 26a is located at an end of the tension roller 23 and a guide member 30 contacts with a side tapered surface of the tapered member. When the endless belt 21 skews, the tension roller 23 moves along its axis by a reaction force and inclines in a direction parallel to a tension direction of the tension roller 23 to compensate for the skew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Satoh, Kazuhito Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5467171
    Abstract: An apparatus for steering a moving web, particularly in an electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an endless photoreceptor belt supported by a plurality of rolls and arranged to move in a predetermined path through a plurality of processing stations disposed therealong the web being of the type which is supported by a plurality of rolls. A web steering roll for supporting the web being adapted for rotational movement about a first axis and tilting movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Vittorio Castelli, Stephen T. Chai
  • Patent number: 5458229
    Abstract: A support roller and a magnetic separator incorporating the same utilizes a plurality of roller segments which are pivotally mounted to an axle member such that the roller segments are radially spaced from the axle member and extend in longitudinal parallel relation thereto. The opposite ends of the roller segments can move toward and away from the axle member. A first pair of roller segments are interconnected by a linkage that causes the first ends of the pair to move correspondingly and, due to the pivot mount, the second ends move correspondingly to one another in a direction opposite the movement of the first ends. Preferably, at least four equiangularly spaced roller segments are employed and a pair of linkages interconnect each pair of opposed roller segments. Several different linkage assemblies are disclosed. Where the support roller is incorporated in a magnetic separator, a support frame rotatably supports a magnetic roller and the support roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Bo R. Arvidson
  • Patent number: 5394222
    Abstract: A system for transporting an imaging surface in an electrostatographic printing apparatus. The imaging surface is transported along a predetermined path in a process direction of travel while being maintained in both lateral and skew alignment via a selectively controllable drive system for inducing differential or non-differential transport motion of the imaging surface. A control system is also provided for selectively operating the drive system to compensate for detected lateral or skew misalignment of the imaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Frank C. Genovese
  • Patent number: 5387962
    Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a moving web, particularly in an electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an endless photoreceptor belt supported by a plurality of rolls and arranged to move in a predetermined path through a plurality of processing stations disposed therealong the web being of the type which is supported by a plurality of rolls. A roll for supporting the web and in frictional contact therewith is adapted for rotational movement about a first axis. A roll support in the form of a dead shaft allows the roll laterally move to pivot about a second axis in a direction substantially normal to the predetermined path direction. This is accomplished by supporting the dead shaft on a V-groove roller which rides in a track substantially along the arc of rotation normal to the predetermined path direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Vittorio Castelli, Harold Brown, Stephen T. Chai
  • Patent number: 5365321
    Abstract: An endless belt driving device comprises an endless belt, a driving roller for driving the endless belt, a guide member for guiding the movement of the endless belt, and a supporting plate by which the guide member is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the length of the guide member. When the endless belt is laterally displaced along the guide member, a load resulting from the force of displacement causes the guide member to turn. Consequently, a force oriented opposite to the direction of displacement acts on the endless belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Koshimizu, Yuji Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 5358098
    Abstract: If a conveyor belt creeps sideways, belt training idlers are used to return it to a central position. Conventionally the training idlers do this by pivoting about an axis normal to the conveyor belt surface (i.e. they "slew"). The slewing of the present training idlers however is also accompanied by a sideways tilting movement to increase the realigning influence of the idler. The combined movement of the idler is enabled by spherical bearing (10) which lines frame (4), carrying idler roller (5), to base frame (9). This bearing acts as a modified universal joint, with one degree-of-freedom removed by support rollers (11) attached to a shaft through the spherical bearing along axis (12) in the direction of belt travel on each end of the shaft. When respective servo roller (3) [alternatively pairs of servo rollers (13) may be used] is contacted by a misaligned belt edge it serves to slew the frame (4) to which it is attached about axis (6) passing through the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Tasman Engineers Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Sundstrom, Alan Huth
  • Patent number: 5343279
    Abstract: A lateral shift preventing mechanism for a rotatable endless belt includes a tension member for applying a tension to the endless belt; a receiving member for receiving lateral shifting force from the endless belt; and a displacing mechanism for converting a moving force to the receiving member to a displacing force to the tension member to displace the tension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsunetoshi Nagata, Nobukazu Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5333541
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for guiding steel bands of a continuously operating press about a longitudinal axis during operation of the press without overstretching one side of the steel bands. First and second bands are guided, via driving drums and return drums, around a pressing ram and a pressing table, respectively. The steel bands are supported, with an adjustable pressing gap, on a plurality of co-rotating steel rods which are guided, with their axes of rotation extending transversely to the direction of travel of the bands, against abutment lugs of the table and the pressing ram. The axis of at least one of the drums is altered in a first direction through an angle .alpha..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik J. Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Friedrich B. Bielfeldt, Detlef Kroll
  • Patent number: 5323696
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for guiding steel bands of a continuously operating press about a longitudinal axis during operation of the press without overstretching one side of the steel bands. First and second bands are guided, via driving drums and return drums, around a pressing ram and a pressing table, respectively. The steel bands are supported, with an adjustable pressing gap, on a plurality of co-rotating steel rods which are guided, with their axes of rotation extending transversely to the direction of travel of the bands, against abutment lugs of the table and the pressing ram. The axis of at least one of the drums is altered in a first direction through an angle .beta..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik J. Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Friedrich B. Bielfeldt, Detlef Kroll
  • Patent number: 5312176
    Abstract: A self-aligning idler wheel assembly for a belted work vehicle includes a spindle having first and second radially extending flange portions. First and second self-aligning mechanisms are associated with a respective flange portion. The vehicle has an undercarriage assembly including a belt tensioning mechanism and a roller frame assembly. The first self-aligning mechanism connects the idler wheel assembly to the belt tensioning mechanism and the second self-aligning mechanism connects the idler wheel assembly to the roller frame assembly. The first and second self-aligning mechanisms provide self-aligning of the idler wheel assembly to ensure that the track belt runs straight and true.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Catepillar Inc.
    Inventor: Elmer R. Crabb
  • Patent number: 5305066
    Abstract: An image heating device includes a heater; an endless belt movable together with a recording material carrying an image; wherein the image carried upon the recording material is heated through the endless belt by heat from the heater; a lateral shift controller for controlling the endless belt to shift laterally in the alternating directions within a predetermined range; and a lateral shifting range controller for controlling the range by the lateral shift controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shokyo Koh, Koki Kuroda, Tamotsu Okada, Hironobu Nakai, Takehito Utsunomiya
  • Patent number: 5291728
    Abstract: In the case of a spinning machine for the spinning of slivers fed in cans into yarns, drivable transport belts are provided which transport the slivers between the cans and the spinning stations. Stationary lateral guides are assigned to the transport belts immediately before they run onto deflecting rollers, the distance between these stationary lateral guides being maximally as large as the width of the deflecting rollers. At the point of the lateral guides, a rear support is provided which is in a slight contact with the transport belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignees: Fritz Stahlecker, Hans Stahlecker
    Inventors: Fritz Stahlecker, Werner Zott
  • Patent number: 5253571
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for guiding steel bands of a continuously operating press about a longitudinal axis during operation of the press without overstretching one side of the steel bands. First and second bands are guided, via driving drums and return drums, around a pressing ram and a pressing table, respectively. The steel bands are supported, with an adjustable pressing gap, on a plurality of co-rotating steel rods which are guided, with their axes of rotation extending transversely to the direction of travel of the bands, against abutment lugs of the table and the pressing ram. The axis of at least one of the drums is altered in a first direction through an angle .beta..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik J. Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Friedrich B. Bielfeldt, Detlef Kroll
  • Patent number: 5251553
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for guiding first and second bands of a continuously working press via driving drums and return drums around a pressing ram and a pressing table, respectively, while supporting the steel bands, with an adjustable pressing gap formed therebetween, on a plurality of co-rotating steel rods which are guided with their axes of rotation extending transversely to the direction of travel of the bands. A device is provided for realigning the first steel band with respect to a longitudinal center-line of the press and the pressing table. The realigning step includes the steps of relieving pressure in short-stroke pressure cylinders located in a high-pressure region of the press, and then horizontally rotating the pressing ram and those pressure rollers and pressure drums which are connected to the pressing ram through an angle .alpha. about a vertical axis of rotation which is located on the longitudinal center-line of the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik J. Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Friedrich B. Bielfeldt
  • Patent number: 5186313
    Abstract: A conveyor belt tracking and drive mechanism for use with a short, wide conveyor belt system. The mechanism has a stationary frame with first and second roller journaled for rotation at a first and second end of the stationary frame. A first moveable frame is pivotally suspended from the stationary frame. A second moveable frame is pivotally suspended from the first moveable frame. The second moveable frame has a drive roller and motor operatively connected to the drive roller. A micro-tracking adjustment screw, disposed between the first moveable frame and stationary frame, is used to adjust the tracking of the conveyor belt by laterally moving the first and second moveable frame. A belt adjustment screw located between the first moveable frame and second moveable frame allows one as to adjust the tension of the short, wide conveyor belt by movement of the power roller against or away from the short, wide conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Doboy Packaging Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley D. Denker, Bradley H. Lehrke
  • Patent number: 5182986
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for guiding first and second bands of a continuously working press via driving drums and return drums around a pressing ram and a pressing table, respectively, while supporting the steel bands, with an adjustable pressing gap formed therebetween, on a plurality of co-rotating steel rods which are guided with their axes of rotation extending transversely to the direction of travel of the bands. A device is provided for realigning the first steel band with respect to a longitudinal center-line of the press and the pressing table. The realigning step includes the steps of relieving pressure in short-stroke pressure cylinders located in a high-pressure region of the press, and then horizontally rotating the pressing ram and those pressure rollers and pressure drums which are connected to the pressing ram through an angle .alpha. about a vertical axis of rotation which is located on the longitudinal center-line of the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik J. Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Friedrich B. Bielfeldt
  • Patent number: 5174435
    Abstract: A conveyor construction including a frame having a pair of side rails with each side rail having a longitudinal T-shaped slot. A plurality of cross members are connected between the side rails and support a bed plate. An endless belt rides on the bed plate and is trained over an adjustable spindle assembly which is located at an end of the conveyor. The spindle assembly includes a spindle journalled between a pair of side members that are mounted for sliding movement in the T-slots of the respective side rails. A ratchet and pinion mechanism interconnects the conveyor frame with the spindle assembly and acts to move the spindle assembly longitudinally of the frame to tension the belt. A belt tracking mechanism is associated with each side of the spindle assembly and includes a cam member which is engaged with the respective side member of the spindle assembly. Individual rotation of the cam members serve to properly track the belt on the bed plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Dorner Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Wolfgang C. Dorner, Kenneth A. Hansen, Michael A. Hosch
  • Patent number: 5157444
    Abstract: A lateral shift control apparatus for an endless belt includes a lateral shifting driver for applying to the endless belt a lateral shifting force in lateral directions; a switching device for switching direction of the lateral shifting force; a detector for detecting a lateral end position of the endless belt; and a controller responsive to an output of the detector to control the switching device. The lateral end portion detected by the detector is provided with an inclined portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Mori, Yoshihiko Suzuki, Shokyo Koh
  • Patent number: 5127714
    Abstract: The invention described herein is a belt alignment mechanism for causing the belt of a belt driven vehicle to run true. In such vehicles, the belt runs around wheels and often such belts have a tendency to run to one side of the wheels or in other words not run true. By angling one of the wheels in a direction opposite to the direction the belt runs untrue, the belt can be made to run true. The belt alignment mechanism described herein has a member for angling one of the wheels and a jack for fixing the wheel in the angled position so the belt runs true.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Satzler
  • Patent number: 5078263
    Abstract: A web-steering mechanism, particularly for the endless belt of a xerographic copier, uses two rolls to hold the belt under tension. An idler roll is designed to rotate about an axis which is at a small angle to a tilt axis of the idler roll assembly. Small tilting movements of the idler roll assembly, under the control of a servo-motor are effective to alter the angle at which the web enters and/or leaves the roll, to cause the web to walk along the tilted roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Philip R. Thompson, Michael G. Ladell
  • Patent number: 5052547
    Abstract: A belt meandering motion correcting device includes a belt tension enhancer for enhancing the tension of a side of the belt which undergoes a deviation, and a control roller around which the belt is wound and which allows a side portion of the belt where tension has increased to be displaced toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the belt. Accordingly, a side portion of the control roller on the side where tension has been enhanced, i.e., the side where a deviation has occurred, is displaced toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the belt, and is thereby guided in an opposite direction to the deviating direction of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsuhiro Doi