Abstract: A flexible element loading and unloading station in which a number of clo travelling loops are utilized over the top of a platform in such a way that one part of the loop in maximum tension carries the applied load while the other part travelling in the opposite direction is out of contact with the load.

Abstract: A belt conveyor for packaging apparatus includes an endless belt which supports a plurality of spaced article receiving cells, the belt being passed about a pair of direction-changing wheels. Variations in the loading of the endless belt are minimized by coupling the drive shaft, by which power is delivered to a first of the wheels, to a drive shaft for the other wheel via at least one rotationally fixed cardan connection.

Abstract: A high-speed conveyor system for conveying articles of baggage, includes a number of accelerating conveyor belt sections arranged in tandem for transporting a number of baggage articles loaded onto an upstream end of a first one of the belt sections to a downstream end of a last one of the belt sections. The sections are driven at successively increasing rates of speed from the first to the last one. High-speed conveyor belt sections transport baggage articles received from the last one of the accelerating conveyor belt sections at a substantially high rate of speed over a relatively long distance to a downstream end of the high-speed sections. A number of decelerating conveyor belt sections are arranged in tandem for transporting baggage articles fed from the high-speed conveyor belt sections onto an upstream end of a first one of the decelerating conveyor belt sections.

Abstract: A drive station for a longwall conveyor includes a sprocket wheel mounted in the drive head of a machine frame and with a drive unit flanged to the sprocket wheel. The lateral walls of the machine frame are formed in the region of its drive head as guide cheeks with guide recesses for bearing cheeks displaceably guided therein in longitudinal haul direction, between which (cheeks) the sprocket wheel is mounted. The bearing cheeks are connected together by a traverse. A chain tensioning device works against the traverse. For the drive chain of a winning machine a second drive unit is provided, which is likewise mounted displaceably in longitudinal haul direction and is acted upon by a chain tensioning device. In this manner the conveyor chain and the drive chain e.g. plane chain, can be tensioned independently of each other while obtaining a short machine frame design.

Abstract: The housing of a delivery unit is engaged with a predetermined part of the body of an image forming apparatus, the housing being pivotable upwardly from the body. An endless belt is wound on a pair of pulleys. One of the pulleys is mounted on a first shaft which is secured to the housing which is latched in position on the body while the other pulley is mounted on a second shaft that is movable with respect to the housing. The second shaft is attached to the body, and the endless belit is stretched to restrain the housing from being unlatched and pivoted upwardly from the body. The delivery unit is attached without use of screws. Accordingly, the delivery unit may be readily placed in its operating position on the body with no possibility of the photoreceptor being damaged. In an image forming apparatus having electric component elements disposed under the delivery unit, the maintenance of the element is facilitated.

Abstract: An improved mounting for spaced band wheels about which the sealing bands of a band sealer move is achieved by mounting at least one of the band wheels carrying each band from a double ended cylinder movable longitudinally with respect to the inter-band wheel distance to thereby allow adjustability in the distance between the drive and idler band wheels and, in turn, modulate the tension in the band and with the shortest wheel distance allow easy removal and replacement of the band.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a mutual phase relationship of respective rotational angles of two drive wheels, which are mounted on drive shafts parallel to one another and connected by a continuous transmission drive member to one another, the transmission drive member being deflectable so that the drive wheels are angularly set relative to one another, a first spanner being engageable with a slack strand of the transmission drive member, includes an adjusting lever for deflecting the tight strand of the transmission drive member, the adjusting lever being mounted swivellably with respect to a swivelling axis, and carrying the first spanner, and an adjusting device for swivelling the adjusting lever with respect to the swivelling axis and a spreading device including a guiding system for the second spaner, a spinning device for pressing the second spanner against the slack strand of the transmission drive member, and a counter-bearing for the spring device, the spreading device being braced against the adjusting le

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for enabling removal of an endless belt trained around rollers fixed to axles has two rotatable plates connect to a conveyor frame having two parallel stationary plates. A first axle affixed with a roller is connected to the stationary plates, and a second axle affixed with a roller is connected to the rotatable plates which have slots for receiving the second axle. Belt tension adjusting means are provided which are integral to the rotatable plates and are connected to the second axle.

Abstract: A conveyor or case drive mechanism includes a continuous chain loop having two or more drive motors positionally spaced there along. A sensor is associated with the motors for sensing slack in the chain at the associated motor. When a predetermined amount of slack in the chain is no longer present at the motor, the sensor presents an output signal which, through a speed control device, increases the rotational speed of the associated motor until generation of the requisite slack in the chain has been achieved. Each motor in the chain drive loop has a sensor structure associated with it such that each motor provides a motive force to the chain.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping and arraying spheroidal bodies is provided. The apparatus comprises a means for continuously supplying a cylindrical body comprising an outer material and a filler material, a cutter assembly having cutter members circumferentially disposed to form a central opening, and an arraying device having an endless belt for transferring a tray. The cutter members slide inwardly to close the opening, and thus the part of the cylindrical body inserted in the opening is shaped into a spheroidal body. An endless belt device is disposed beneath the cutter assembly and the belt is driven intermittently and forwardly and the frame of the endless belt device is moved back and forth in a transverse direction. By moving the belt and frame of the endless belt device so that predetermined positions of its belt are in turn moved to a position directly beneath the opening of the cutter assembly, the spheroidal bodies drop on each predetermined position on a tray placed on the belt.

Abstract: Plant extracting apparatus is provided by the present invention which utilizes spaced pairs of endless belts having adjacent runs which extend from an inlet adjacent the ground towards an elevated outlet above a cutter assembly. The adjacent runs of the belts are biassed towards one another and engage plants therebetween and pull them from the ground as they are conveyed along the adjacent runs and as the apparatus travels along. Transfer means are provided for transferring the plants to the cutter assembly.

Abstract: A windrow mover having a frame with a linkage arm on each side. Each of the linkage arms having a first end pivotally attached near the front of and at a point on the axis of the frame. An axle is attached to a second end of each linkage arm defining an axis. Ground engaging wheels are mounted on each of the axles, thereby permitting movement of the frame over a groundsurface. A hydraulic cylinder is provided for moving the linkage arm such that the axis of the frame moves in a substantially vertical plane radially about the axis of the wheels as defined by the axle, thereby altering the spacial relationship between the frame and the wheels from an operative position where the front of the frame is adjacent the groundsurface to a transport position where the front of the frame is spaced from the groundsurface.

Abstract: Provided is a process to continuously dry remove ash from the bottom of steam boilers by discharging the ash on a high temperature resistant conveyer which is enclosed in a tight sealed envelope. Also is provided an apparatus for accomplishing this which has a steel conveyer belt constructed to withstand high temperatures and enclosed in a sealed steel box connected to the bottom of the boiler so that the conveyer continuously receives and discharges ash from the boiler.

Abstract: The stop and go conveyor includes a driver sprocket and a driven sprocket from which the conveyor is directly driven. On both the tension or drive side of the chain and the slack side of the chain are a pair of fixed idler sprockets and between them is a pair of idler sprockets mounted on a idler sprocket carrier which reciprocates through a complete cycle during each revolution of the driver sprocket. During the stop period of the driver sprocket, chain is being taken up by the driver sprocket by action of the reciprocating member which supplied extra chain. During the second half of the stroke, the reciprocating member uses extra chain, whereby the driven sprocket rotates faster than the driver sprocket. In adition, the reciprocating member moves in such a fashion that, when the driven sprocket starts to rotate it accelerates slowly to a peak angular velocity and the decellerates back down to zero. Its velocity vs. time is represented by a sine curve, an ideal situation for material handling.

Abstract: A skirt seal impact bracket for supporting a conveyor belt idler which improves the impact characteristics of a suspension type idler by enabling the idlers to yield under the force of material being loaded thereonto and thereby protects the idler from undue stress and extends the life of the same. The skirt seal bracket includes a mounting assembly for the bearings of the first and second ends of a belt conveyor idler so as to allow arced pivoting of each bearing of the idler about a point substantially corresponding to a contact point of a trough skirt seal and a belt conveyed by the idler. In this manner, downward movement of a central portion of the idler in response to a load impinging thereon causes the pivoting of each of the bearings about the point of contact of the trough skirt seal and the belt. Further, a structure for limiting such pivoting and downward movement is provided.

Abstract: A curved conveyor element is provided which comprises outer and inner spaced curved frame members having first and second ends. A pivotal head is rotatably mounted to the frame at one end, a row of rollers being provided in the pivotal head and a second row being secured to the other end of the frame. An endless conveyor belt passes around both rows of rollers, and is driven by a drive attached to the belt by elastic dog members. Removable supporting elements are positioned between the outer and inner frame members substantially coplanar with the conveyor belt. The pivotal head is rotatable to a position above the upper reach of the belt to permit the belt to be installed and removed through a slot defined by the removable supporting elements.

Abstract: A telescopic belt tensioner includes a pair of housings mounted to the sides of a conveyor bed. Each housing has an outer tube telescopically mounted in it, and an inner tube telescopically received within the outer tube. The inner tube includes means for rotatably supporting a conveyor belt roller. Bolt and nut means between the inner and outer tubes reciprocate the inner tube with respect to the outer tube to provide fine adjustment of the belt tension. A quick release mechanism between the housing and outer tube provides rapid adjustment of belt tension. The quick release mechanism comprises a lever mounted to the housing and a hook mounted to the outer tube, with a pivotable link connecting the lever and hook.

Abstract: A bucket type elevator having a head pulley and a boot pulley with a belt entrained about both pulleys is hydraulically driven. The drive mechanism comprises a hydraulic motor mounted in the boot pulley. It is connected, via flexible hydraulic lines, to an electric motor driven pump and fluid source located near ground level outside the boot housing, easily accessible for maintenance and replacement but far enough away from the elevator to avoid risks of explosion from the electrical power source. The elevator also includes a tensioning system for maintaining adequate and uniform tension across the width of the belt and for preventing slippage and miscentering of the belt on the boot pulley.

Abstract: A feeding device for effecting a longitudinally directed relative movement between a stem and the device proper comprises at least one feeding unit in the form of an endless band or band-like element which is drivable by means of at least one rotatable wheel. The endless element is composed of a large number of hingedly interconnected chain-forming links (11, 12) which are movable along the outer side or the periphery of an elongate guide bar and which, by bearing against said bar (10), are adapted to transfer substantially uniformly distributed bearing pressures to the stem substantially throughout the length of said bar.

Abstract: A tension regulator for a chain drive has a sensor positioned and attached adjacent the chain, preferably to chain guides for the chain which allow some free play for the chain, a logical switching unit connected to the sensor which signals when the chain configuration changes, particularly when the distance from the sensor to the chain changes, and a tension control connected to the logical switching unit. The logical switching unit signals and controls the tension control of the chain drive so that the chain tension is maintained at a preset value. Preferably the tension control comprises a telescoping cylinder about which the chain is mounted and an apparatus which extends or retracts the telescoping cylinder thus controlling chain tension. The sensor is preferably an electrical source which provides an oscillating, directed magnetic field.

Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly is provided with automatic tension adjustment. The assembly includes a conveyor belt trained about a pair of pulleys. A drive means powers one of the pulleys, each of which are mounted upon slidably interconnected frame members. A hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with the motor and connected at opposite ends to each frame member automatically extends the first frame member with respect to the second frame member so as to increase the tension upon the conveyor belt as the load upon the belt increases. As the load upon the belt decreases, the fluid pressure within the motor and hydraulic cylinder decreases such that the first frame member is retracted with respect to the second frame member, thereby decreasing the tension upon the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A chain adjustment arrangement including a drive gear having a fixed axis, an idler gear having a movable axis, and a driven gear having a movable axis, a first rigid link mounted between the axes of the drive gear and the idler gear, and a second rigid link mounted between the axes of the idler gear and the driven gear. The first and second links serve to maintain the idler gear in engagement between the drive gear and the driven gear upon manual movement of the driven gear to take up stretch in the conveyor chain.

Abstract: A belt training device for a conveyor. The conveyor includes an endless belt which is mounted for travel on a drive roll and an idler roll and a trainer wheel is mounted on a pivotable bracket beneath the return run of the belt and adjacent the drive roll. The wheel is pivoted upwardly into engagement with the lower surface of the return run adjacent the side edge of the belt, toward which the belt would normally drift on reverse travel of the belt.

Abstract: A bottom unloader having a material conveyor for moving material from a hopper centrally located in a bin to a location outside of the bin. A drive apparatus mounted on the outer end of the conveyor operates the conveyor and adjusts the tension on the conveyor chain. The outer end of the conveyor has a door that is clamped to a closed position with eccentric clamping locks. An elongated auger collector is mounted on a rotatable turntable located in the central hopper. A cap having a side opening for the auger collector is mounted on the turntable. The auger collector is drivably connected with the conveyor so that, when the conveyor is operated, the auger collector is rotated. A separate drive operated with a hydraulic motor is used to move the auger collector in a circular path.

Abstract: A conveyor drive mechanism has a continuous drive loop trained over first, second, and third pulleys, with the first and second pulleys disposed in driving relationship to a support bed or conveyor, and a driving facility which supplies drive torque in either direction to the third pulley, to move the drive loop and conveyor in the selected direction. Counterpoised anti-backlash motors impart equal, opposed counter-torques to the first and second pulleys to impose a predetermined level of continuous tension in the active area of the drive loop, even during reversal of the direction of the torque transmitted by the driving facility.

Abstract: A conveyor belt tensioning system having two fluid piston and cylinders units on each lateral side of the belt. The units are parallel to each other and are attached to a tensioning roll. A pair of cables are attached to both of the pistons and pass around pulleys in a manner as to compensate for any differences in force between the pistons such that the pistons move in the same direction the same amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device consisting of endless chains or the like, which are adapted to be driven and which are led over end rollers, while cross-bars extend between the chains, the cross-bars carrying teeth, the path which is followed by the cross-bars with the teeth including a conveying portion and an inactive portion which is positioned lower than the conveying portion. According to the invention the inactive portion of the path comprises a stretch, which extends partly towards the conveying portion and partly away from the conveying portion. The invention further relates to an apparatus for loosening and apportioning silage or the like material provided with a storage container, which comprises a carrier conveyor and a loosening conveyor, which loosening conveyor joins this carrier conveyor and is inclined upwardly. This loosening conveyor may be executed as the conveyor device described hereinabove.

Abstract: The filter press for dewatering of materials such as, for example, sewage sludges has two sieve belts or filter belts (18, 19) being passed, with inclusion therebetween of the material to be dewatered, in common over dewatering drums (2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Behind the dumping location for the dewatered cake, the sieve belts or filter belts (18, 19) are separately returned again and tensioning rolls for adjusting the belt tension of the sieve belts or filter belts (18, 19) are provided at this area. The tensioning rolls (27, 32) are adjusted by a common actuating member (34) acting on the axes of the tension rolls (27, 32), so that an uniform belt tension is obtained for both sieve belts or filter belts. (FIG.

Abstract: A hydraulic take-up device for removing slack and applying constant and adjustable tension on an endless conveyor belt or chain. The device characterized by having a hydraulic cylinder which applies continuous pressure on take-up bearings surrounding a take-up shaft mounted at one end of a conveyor.

Abstract: In a system for individually marking electrical or mechanical components a conveyor belt apparatus for delivering the components to and from a marking device for marking thereby including first and second elongated, closed loop, endless belt elements spaced side by side in a parallel arrangement and adapted to be synchronously driven in a tractor-like manner and a carrier assembly for carrying the components to be marked including a longitudinal (in the direction of belt elongation) series of short length plate members for mounting to the first and second belt elements thereby forming a tractor belt with the belt elements and interchangeable upper members removably mounted to the plate member, each upper member holding a component thereon at least while the conveyor belt apparatus is delivering components.

Abstract: A cable tensioning apparatus and method for automatically maintaining and adjusting the tension forces in an endless cable for a ski lift, aerial tramway, etc. is disclosed. The apparatus includes a carriage on which the cable is carried, a pneumatic carriage displacement apparatus in the form of a piston and cylinder, a source of gas under pressure, and a regulator and relief valve connected to establish and maintain a pressure within the cylinder which falls between predetermined minimum and maximum pressures. As the aerial tramway is subject to passenger or cargo loading and ambient conditions which change the tension forces, the pressure in the pneumatic cylinder will vary within the preselected range, and upon a change in the tension force beyond the range, gas is automatically exhausted from or interjected into the pneumatic cylinder to maintain tension forces within the preselected range.

Abstract: A ash-removal conveyor used in combination with an ash-quenching trough has a drive wheel above and spaced from the trough, horizontally spaced reversing and guide wheels in the trough below the liquid level therein, and an endless conveyor chain spanned over the wheels and having a horizontal lower stretch extending between the reversing and guide wheels, an inclined lower stretch extending between the guide and drive wheels, and an at least partially inclined upper stretch extending between the reversing and drive wheel. The drive wheels are tensioned away from the other wheels and to tension the belt. A drive connected to the drive wheel moves the chain to pick up ash in the trough and conduct the picked-up ash from the trough. The conveyor has a floor immediately beneath and extending along the upper stretch between the reversing and drive wheels and above the lower stretches.

Abstract: A sling belt conveyor has a pair of individually tensioned cables (209, 224) with transverse slings (51) pivotally connected to the cables (209, 224) which support a low tension conveyor belt (61) without being connected thereto. The belt (61) extends beyond the path of the support cables (209, 224) and is tensioned independently of the latter.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copier with an endless photoconductor belt adapted to move around a cylindrical drum and a flat platen. A vacuum column is positioned between the cylindrical drum and the platen. The vacuum column creates a concave bend in the photoconductor, enabling a latent image of a document to be placed on a flat run of the photoconductor belt, and enabling charging, developing, transferring and cleaning of the photoconductor belt to occur about a curved run of the photoconductor belt.

Abstract: To synchronize the belt of a conveyor, a scanner, a fluorescent lamp, and an LED display unit of an area meter, the main AC power supply of the area meter drives the conveyor belt through a synchronous motor and supplies the same frequency of power to a phase locked loop. The phase locked loop provides synchronous pulses of higher frequencies to the scanning system, fluorescent lamp and LED display unit to maintain synchronism. The resolution of the measuring system is optimized when changes are made in the size of the area that is scanned by adjusting: (1) the lens of the scanner; (2) the rate of readout of the pulses from the scanner; and (3) the decimal place of the display unit. Travel from side to side of the belt is avoided by individually adjusting the ends of the pulleys until the belt runs true and an idler which lifts both bottom and top run of the belt when an object moves under it prevents slippage of the belt with respect to the rollers and the bite of the conveyor is adjustable.

Abstract: The driven head shaft of a drag elevator type conveyor is mounted at the roller end of a shaft mounting frame which is in the nature of a first class lever. A mid-portion of the shaft mounting frame is mounted onto an upper end portion of the conveyor main frame for pivotal movement about an axis which is parallel to the axes of both the head shaft and the tail shaft. A turnbuckle is interconnected between the upper portion of the shaft mounting frame and an upper portion of the main frame. The shaft mounting frame end of the turnbuckle is connected to a mid-portion of a lever arm which is at its upper end pivotally attached to the shaft mounting frame. The lower end of such lever rests on a pair of laterally spaced apart compression springs. The turnbuckle provides a way of adjusting the tension in a pair of roller chains which are portions of an endless carrier which extends between and is mounted on the head shaft and the tail shaft.

Abstract: A die casting system comprises a machine of the balanced, dual movement type wherein the part is cast and trimmed without any lateral movement. Both halves of the molds or dies are moved equal distances to and from the part plane. The machine incorporates a system of metal injection on the mold parting line with a runner-drain provision; provision for supporting the part at a plurality of points after the die opening; hydraulic fluid volumetric flow reduction; various nozzle configuration options and a heat transfer system for the dies. In addition, a part trimming machine is disclosed together with a cable transfer for moving the part from the casting machine to the trimming machine.

Abstract: The invention provides an endless conveyor designed to provide in a multiplicity of tiers of chain length racks which carry removable material carriers in upright orientation. In one aspect, tensioning of the chain is performed by providing a shaft, for a sprocket connected to the end of a chain length, slidably mounted. The drive chain for supplying torque to the drive shaft is directed and tensioned to tension the conveyor chain. In another aspect the travelling rack is designed with longitudinal recesses between support members so that stationary cantilever members may be inserted therebetween for unloading or loading. In another aspect there is provided a loader that tilts in synchronism with the conveyor and in juxtaposition to a conveyor rack during the loading of a pan on the rack.

Abstract: A packaging device comprises three conveyor assemblies, each having a belt mounted on wheels in turn rotatably attached to a carrier disposed within a loop formed by the respective belt. The carriers have apertures for being removably secured by screws to a vertical plate of a supporting frame, while the wheels include respective shafts with couplings for forming a locked driving engagement between drafts upon assemblage of the packaging device, the rotation of one wheel by a power source thus serving to drive all of the belts. A first pair of assemblies transport goods and containers along parallel paths from respective feeders and a third assembly carries reciprocating pushers along a third parallel path for loading the goods into the containers. A carrier is formed from a pair of members slidably interconnected for increasing the distance between peripherally mounted belt-bearing wheels and thereby increasing belt tension.

Abstract: An egg transporting system having a plurality of egg belt conveyors leading from cages of a poultry installation includes a transition mechanism for dividing and orienting the eggs at the output end of each of the egg belt conveyors into a plurality of separate rows and depositing the eggs on an elevator. The elevator includes a plurality of endless loop belts on which there is attached egg transporting cradles for receiving eggs from the transition mechanism at vertically and horizontally-spaced input locations at the input side of the elevator and for transporting the eggs to the opposite side of the elevator and releasing them onto a main conveyor which extends in communication with several egg elevators for accumulating and collecting eggs from the poultry installation. The transition and elevator mechanism cooperate to provide a minimum of egg breakage and a maximum conveying speed for transferring eggs from the egg belt conveyors onto the main conveyor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chain conveyor wherein the tension of the chain or chains thereof is controlled by a closed-loop servo system. The servo-system includes an electrically-operable servo-device. An electrical signal dependent on the torque of an electric motor driving the conveyor is applied to the servo-device for operation thereof to control a piston-and-cylinder device which is adapted to alter the distance between a chain-driving sprocket and another sprocket of the conveyor. The arrangement controls the tension of the or each chain at the point where the chain is just leaving the circumference of the first-mentioned sprocket, maintaining the tension at a constant value which may be near to zero under all conditions of operation.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for an endless drive belt for vehicle accessories has a shaft which is mounted in a fixed position adjacent the belt. A lever is pivotally mounted on the shaft and has an idler pulley rotatably mounted on an extended end of the lever. The pulley is movable into tensioning engagement with the belt by rotation of the lever. A first cam plate is slidably mounted on the shaft and is engaged with a second cam plate which is attached to the lever for rotation with the lever. The cam plates each have a plurality of a series of camming surfaces which are mutually engageable with the opposite cam plate surfaces. A plurality of spring discs are telescopically mounted on the shaft and bias the first camming block into engagement with the second block applying a rotational force on the lever to move the pulley into tensioning engagement with the drive belt.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading and unloading of vehicles such as a semi-trailer in which two pairs of continuous chains riding on their side plates extend substantially the length of the vehicle, the pairs being separated by a vertical wall, each pair of chains having a sprocket equipped drive shaft at the rear end of the vehicle with a hydraulic motor for driving the shaft and hydrauically operated struts connected to the bearing housings of the shaft for varying the chain tension.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for adjusting pallet wheel track length when the spacing between pallets changes due to temperature changes such as in the sintering of ore. The apparatus comprises pivotable arc segments which can be opened or closed to expand and contract the track length, a wedge-shaped casting positioned between said arc segments and slidable in and out at right angles to said track containing track to mate with said arc segments, drive means for moving said arc segments and wedge and a sensor means for detecting a change in pallet spacing and activating said drive means.

Abstract: A belt drive system featuring an adjustable belt tightener including coordinated gauge means for designating the proper belt tension according to changing positions of the belt tightener as the belt stretches during operation of the drive.

Abstract: Sheets are delivered to receptacles by a traveling distributor which includes an incrementally movable carriage. A continuous loop belt or belts such as in a vacuum plenum transport convey the sheets to the carriage where a roller arrangement on the carriage diverts the belts and thus the sheets into a direction in alignment with the receptacles. The rollers then divert the belt away from the receptacles so that the sheets continue into the receptacles. The rollers are mounted so as to place the belt or belts in tension during normal operation but are movable to relieve the belt tension to facilitate paper removal from the belt in jam clearance procedures.

Abstract: A gear cutting machine is provided with an endless chain for carrying a plurality of tools into contact with one or more workpieces to thereby form gear tooth configurations on the workpieces. The endless chain is provided with tightening means for stiffening articulated links of the chain as it passs through a zone in which its tools make contact with a workpiece, thereby providing a rigid series of links in the work zone.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor belt is mounted between an inner cylindrical wall and a concentric outer cylindrical wall wherein the belt is formed of curved segments having an upper reach resting upon a spiralled slide plate and a lower under reach suspended therebelow, rollers at the top and at the base of the spiral about which the belt turns and means to drive the roller and belt connected thereto. The improvement is a belt tightener comprising a pair of spaced holding rollers engaging the under reach of the belt at one side thereof, a takeup roller mounted between the holding rollers at the opposite side of the belt and means to adjustably shift the takeup roller against the belt to move it between the holding rollers for taking up slack in the belt.

Abstract: A belt tensioning system for a belt transport particularly adapted for use in a document handling system of a reproducing machine. A belt is arranged for movement about first and second pulleys which are adjustably supported within a frame. The frame includes a tensioning system for adjusting the tension of the belt by changing the relative distance between the pulleys. The tensioning system includes a vernier for providing fine adjustment of the belt tension. The vernier system allows the belt tension to be adjusted while maintaining the parallelness of the belt pulleys.

Abstract: An arrangement for tensioning a gateway conveyor in a sloping gateway during longwall working using supports having base frames which are provided with pulling and shifting hydraulic actuators, wherein in a tensioning device is provided at least at one of the supports and is connected at one end to the gateway conveyor and at the other end to a slide member which is slidably guided by the base frame of the support for a movement which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the gateway conveyor, characterized in that the slide member which is slidably guided for a movement which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the gateway conveyor consists of a guide frame, which is supported by the base frame against forces acting in the longitudinal direction of the gateway conveyor, the cylinder of the pulling and shifting actuator is axially immovably mounted in the base frame and its piston is connected to said guide frame, which when retracted extends on opposite sides of the pulling and shifting a