Abstract: A conveyor assembly for a continuous belt conveyor. The conveyor assembly includes a drive assembly and a belt tensioner that are both mounted to one end of the conveyor assembly. The belt tensioner includes a housing that surrounds a catenary sag portion of an endless conveyor belt. A weighted tension roller is positioned in contact with the conveyor belt in the catenary sag portion to exert tension onto the conveyor belt due to gravity. The tension roller includes a main body and a pair of weight plates that increase the overall weight of the tension roller. The housing of the belt tensioner includes a pair of guide slots that guide the vertical movement of the tension roller. A stationary ratchet plate and a movable ratchet member restrict the direction of vertical movement of the tension roller in the pair of guide slots.

Abstract: A tensioning mechanism for a conveyor system includes a support structure, a first carriage, a second carriage, and a brake mechanism. The first carriage is positioned proximate a first end of the support structure and is supported for movement relative to the support structure. The first carriage includes first rolls for receiving the belt such that movement of the first carriage modifies a tension in the belt. The second carriage is supported for movement relative to the support structure and includes second rolls and at least one return pulley. The second rolls are configured to support a portion of the belt extending between the first carriage and the second carriage. The brake mechanism is positioned proximate a second end of the support structure and includes a brake pulley and a brake selectively retarding rotation of the brake pulley. The brake pulley supports a portion of the belt extending between the brake mechanism and the return pulley.

Abstract: A tensioning mechanism for a conveyor system includes a support structure, a first carriage, a second carriage, and a brake mechanism. The first carriage is positioned proximate a first end of the support structure and is supported for movement relative to the support structure. The first carriage includes first rolls for receiving the belt such that movement of the first carriage modifies a tension in the belt. The second carriage is supported for movement relative to the support structure and includes second rolls and at least one return pulley. The second rolls are configured to support a portion of the belt extending between the first carriage and the second carriage. The brake mechanism is positioned proximate a second end of the support structure and includes a brake pulley and a brake selectively retarding rotation of the brake pulley. The brake pulley supports a portion of the belt extending between the brake mechanism and the return pulley.

Abstract: A tensioning mechanism for a conveyor system includes a support structure, a first carriage, a second carriage, and a brake mechanism. The first carriage is positioned proximate a first end of the support structure and is supported for movement relative to the support structure. The first carriage includes first rolls for receiving the belt such that movement of the first carriage modifies a tension in the belt. The second carriage is supported for movement relative to the support structure and includes second rolls and at least one return pulley. The second rolls are configured to support a portion of the belt extending between the first carriage and the second carriage. The brake mechanism is positioned proximate a second end of the support structure and includes a brake pulley and a brake selectively retarding rotation of the brake pulley. The brake pulley supports a portion of the belt extending between the brake mechanism and the return pulley.

Abstract: The belt tracking guide provides a stationary device that secures to a side rail of the conveyor system. The belt of the conveyor system travels between the two rails to transport objects through the conveyor system. The guides attach to the side rails allowing the belt to travel adjacent the guides. Each guide provides an upper guide finger and a lower guide finger. The guide fingers form a guide aperture located between the fingers. The belt travels through the guide apertures between the guide fingers. The guide finger redirects the belt away from the guide to center the belt.

Abstract: A tensioning mechanism for a conveyor system includes a first end including a drive unit, an anchor structure, a continuous belt extending at least partially between the drive unit and the anchor structure, a first carriage, and a second carriage. The first carriage is coupled to the drive unit and supports a portion of the belt. The first carriage is supported for movement relative to the drive unit to adjust a tension in the belt, and the first carriage is movable between the drive unit and an intermediate position. The second carriage is releasably secured to the anchor structure and supports another portion of the belt. The second carriage is supported for movement relative to the anchor structure between a first position and a second position. A distance between the first end and the second carriage defining a take-up length, and movement of the second carriage changes the take-up length.

Abstract: A rotary motion transfer apparatus, such as a combine grain elevator, which includes first and second endless flexible members which may include belts and/or chains. Each flexible member is trained around a respective set of rotary members which may be pulleys, sheaves or sprockets. One rotary member from each set shares a common shaft and may, or may not, be in driving engagement with one another. The common shaft is mounted on an adjustment frame member that is linearly displaceable with respect to a main frame to adjust the tension in the first endless flexible member. A pair of idler rotary members are provided for tensioning the second endless flexible member and are mounted on a pivot arm which is mounted to the adjustment frame member for pivoting movement around a pivot axis intermediate the pair of idler rotary members.

Abstract: A conveyor take-up device may include a carriage, a pulley, a counterweight assembly, at least one connector, and at least one safety restraint. The carriage may be movably joined to a support structure and may support the pulley, which may be configured for operative association with an endless conveyor belt. The counterweight assembly may include a counterweight arm, a tension arm, and a counterweight. The counterweight arm may be pivotally joined to the support structure and configured to move between upper and lower limit positions. The tension arm may extend generally transversely from a first end portion of the counterweight arm with the counterweight supported by the counterweight arm distal from the tension arm. The connector may be joined to the carriage at one end portion of connector and to the tension arm at a second end portion that is distal the first end portion of the connector.

Abstract: A conveyor take-up device may include a carriage, a pulley, a counterweight assembly, at least one connector, and at least one safety restraint. The carriage may be movably joined to a support structure and may support the pulley, which may be configured for operative association with an endless conveyor belt. The counterweight assembly may include a counterweight arm, a tension arm, and a counterweight. The counterweight arm may be pivotally joined to the support structure and configured to move between upper and lower limit positions. The tension arm may extend generally transversely from a first end portion of the counterweight arm with the counterweight supported by the counterweight arm distal from the tension arm. The connector may be joined to the carriage at one end portion of connector and to the tension arm at a second end portion that is distal the first end portion of the connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a width-adjusting device for conveyor corridor(s), comprising a wide gear-reduction mechanism connected to the frame (5) of said conveyor, wherein said mechanism is arranged between the control shaft (12) and the wall(s) of said corridor. The device includes: a final drive capable of reverse operation and consisting of said control shaft (12) in the form of an endless screw and of a toothed wheel (11); and a system for controlling at least one of the walls of said corridor, consisting of an endless screw (13) and a nut, the endless screw being mobile or fixed relative to said toothed wheel (11). The shaft (12) of the final drive is a flexible shaft having a long length and engaging with the tension-retaining system (20) for absorbing the pulling and pushing forces in the rotation direction thereof.

Abstract: A conveyor take-up device may include a carriage, a pulley, a counterweight assembly, at least one connector, and at least one safety restraint. The carriage may be movably joined to a support structure and may support the pulley, which may be configured for operative association with an endless conveyor belt. The counterweight assembly may include a counterweight arm, a tension arm, and a counterweight. The counterweight arm may be pivotally joined to the support structure and configured to move between upper and lower limit positions. The tension arm may extend generally transversely from a first end portion of the counterweight arm with the counterweight supported by the counterweight arm distal from the tension arm. The connector may be joined to the carriage at one end portion of connector and to the tension arm at a second end portion that is distal the first end portion of the connector.

Abstract: Obtained is a passenger conveyor that, in the case of the elongation of a step chain of the passenger conveyor, causes a hydraulic cylinder to move a lower-part step chain wheel, thereby absorbing a slack in the step chain and tensioning the step chain with any push-out force.

Abstract: A roller transport conveyor and method provides a device for conveying items along a plurality of rollers, in which the device may be set up and operated and serviced by manually raising and lowering one or more contact members that transmit force from a spring to urge a drive belt into contact with an underside of the rollers. The contact member is adjustable by raising and lowering the contact member to expand and contract the spring, or by raising and lowering a base on which the spring is supported, so that the drive belt may be engaged with and disengaged from the rollers. A gravity take-up includes a mass suspended from a cable that is routed to a pulley having the drive belt reeved thereon. The cable is wound upon a winch that compensates for belt stretch, or for belts of various lengths.

Abstract: A conveyor 12 includes an infeed/scanning section (18) and a cutting/outfeed section (22). Both sections have an endless belt (70) and (180) each driven by a friction drive roller (100) and (200). Adequate frictional load is applied between the endless belts and corresponding drive rollers by tension assemblies, each having a tensioning roller (86), (188) rotatably mounted on a pivot frame structure (112), (220) allowing the weight of the tensioning roller to be applied to the return run of the endless belts. Dampeners (130) (270) are integrated with the tensioning rollers (86) (188) to dampen vibrations in the endless belts (70) (180).

Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus includes a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the endless web defining a conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the plurality of slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A linear motor propulsion system may be provided for propelling the web including at least one motor primary and a plurality of motor secondaries at the slats.

Abstract: A variable counterweighted take-up assembly for an endless conveyor system is disclosed, wherein the endless conveyor system has a frame, an endless conveyor belt supported by the frame and is adapted to traverse a predetermined endless path. A take-up section of the conveyor system receives and stores excess portions of the conveyor belt so as to permit operational fluctuations in the length of the belt. The portion of accumulated excess belt is divided into at least two adjacent sections, a first fixed section wherein the length and weight of the belt therein is substantially constant, and a second variable section wherein the length and weight of the belt therein is permitted to vary. The first and second sections are opposed to each other in counterbalance relation in a manner to affect belt tension throughout the conveyor system.

Abstract: A boot-driven bucket elevator apparatus for bulk material handling is provided with a boot pulley drive and take-up which effects rotation of the apparatus co-operating bucket endless belt, which is platform lever-mounted, and which automatically effects proper tensioning and centering of the apparatus endless belt by the gravitational weight of the drive and take-up.

Abstract: An endless belt conveyor has vertically spaced, oppositely moving, upper and lower load carrying runs having entrance and exit ends, with the entrance end of one run being adjacent to the exit end of the other run. A first series of rollers disposed between the exit end of the upper run and the entrance end of the lower run direct the belt downwardly, around a drive roller driven by a first drive unit, around a dynamic takeup roller, toward the entrance end of the lower run along a first depressed section of belt travel below the level of the lower run, and upwardly to the entrance end of the lower run from a static takeup installed below the lower run.

Abstract: A main conveyor belt endlessly conveys articles to be displayed. A side conveyor belt guides said articles in the direction of conveyance. Said main conveyor belt is disposed along an endless conveyance path having a plurality of corners, and said side conveyor belt is disposed along the outer periphery of said main conveyor means and in a direction in which the plane of conveyance of said side conveyor belt intersects the plane of conveyance in said main conveyor belt.

Abstract: A drive unit for distribution systems for materials of fluid behavior, such as livestock feed materials, in which a cable provided with spaced-apart conveying elements is caused to slide inside a tube, said drive unit being of the type comprising a geared motor, on the output shaft of which there is fixed a toothed wheel about which the cable winds. The geared motor is mounted on a supporting structure in a freely oscillating manner such that as the tension in the slack branch of the cable varies, the position of the axis of the toothed wheel varies by virtue of its rotation about an axis passing essentially through the point of tangency between the toothed wheel and the taut branch of the cable.

Abstract: A vertical conveyor comprises a driving drum; a tensioning drum spaced vertically from the driving drum and supported shiftably for varying its distance from the driving drum; a vertically oriented endless carrier trained about the driving drum and the tensioning drum; a tensioning weight situated spaced from and in vertical alignment with the tensioning drum; and coupling elements situated between and in vertical alignment with the tensioning weight and the tensioning drum. The coupling elements are secured to the tensioning weight and to the tensioning drum for directly transmitting forces from the tensioning weight to the tensioning drum urging the tensioning drum vertically away from the driving drum, whereby the endless carrier is tensioned.

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: A miniature size doughnut fryer has a portable hopper easily removed from the frying machine and which is automatically positioned in an aligned cutting position when installed on the machine. An improved safety cut-out device is provided for a belt drive to assure that the doughnut conveyor stops in an overload condition but which signals the operator that the overload condition is existing. The drive and safety cut-out are provided housed within the heater housing adjacent the frying tank of the machine for ease of assembly and manufacturing cost. The heater element housing is mounted on pivots which allow easy pivotal removal of the heating elements from the frying tank as well as providing a wide stance support for the heating elements when pivoted out of the tank. The drive and control circuitry for the conveyor and the cutter head are interlocked to prevent repetitive cycling of the cutter head during a conveyor overload position. An improved dual head doughnut cutter is also provided.

Abstract: An endless conveyor where the tension of the belt carrying the product cannot be readily adjusted during operation, the conveyor having a progressive counterweight device for tensioning of the belt where lengthening of the portion of the belt carrying the product automatically reduces the tension force and shortening of the belt carrying the product automatically increases the tensioned force.

Abstract: An improved fully mechanized sawmill is provided which is composed of structurally independent modules which are removably mounted on a platform composed of a plurality of side-by-side longerons supported horizontally on files of spaced-apart vertical piers and columns. The longerons provide horizontal stress support for the platform along the files of piers and columns perpendicularly to the cutting axis of the sawmill, and the modules mounted thereon provide horizontal stress support for the platform along the ranks of the piers and columns parallel to the cutting axis. In addition, improved mechanisms and techniques are provided for handling and selecting the sawlogs to be cut, for selecting and distributing the pieces cut therefrom according to shape and utility, and for stacking and handling the distributed pieces at preselected locations according to shape and utility.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for applying a constant tension to a belt extending around first and second rollers by way of a parallelogram linkage connected to said second roller for moving said second roller to tension said belt. A lever arm is connected to the linkage and includes a weight adjustable along the lever arm.

Abstract: Apparatus for accurately controlling registration of incoming sheets against a stop with minimal buckling. The apparatus includes a roller positioned on top of the stack of sheets which are registered against the stop. A belt encircles the roller and extends thru a slot formed in the stop. The roller is supported by a double pivoted linkage incorporating a counter weight to set a predetermined tension on the belt.

Abstract: The self-counterweighted take-up assemblies disclosed herein are especially adapted for use with endless conveyor systems comprising a headshaft, a footshaft, an endless conveyor trained around the headshaft and the footshaft, and a first frame which is immobile relative to the headshaft. Speaking broadly, two general types of self-counterweighted take-up assemblies are disclosed herein. In the first, a second frame is pivotably mounted about an axis parallel to and spaced from the footshaft, take-up bearings journalling the footshaft are mounted on the second frame, and means are provided for moving the footshaft in the take-up bearings in order to maintain tension in the endless conveyor as it varies in length, permitting the second frame to pivot about its axis. In the second, a wire rope is connected to each end of the footshaft and the wire rope[s] is or are connected to the first frame so as to maintain tension in the endless conveyor as it varies in length.