Transverse Frame Carrying At Least Three Transversely Spaced Roller Supports Patents (Class 198/830)
  • Patent number: 11945655
    Abstract: An apparatus for a conveyor system is disclosed. The apparatus has a housing assembly, a protrusion assembly including a base member and a probe member, the base member being attached to the housing assembly, a collar assembly that is movably attached to the housing assembly and movable between a first position and a second position, and a biasing member disposed in the housing assembly and configured to bias the collar assembly away from the base member and to the first position. A tip portion of the probe member is disposed in the collar assembly in the first position and the tip portion protrudes out of the collar assembly in the second position. The collar assembly includes a collar end cavity that is configured to receive a conveyor component of the conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Steel Craft Mfg. Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald B. Flournoy
  • Patent number: 11358797
    Abstract: This invention provides an idler for use in conveyor systems and associated shaft and support structure that reduces the potential for infiltration of contaminants into the bearing assemblies at the opposing ends of the shaft. By use of stampings, co-molded polymer with sealed metal end caps, press-fit end shafts and stamped-metal support structures a more contamination-resistant and efficiently constructed idler assembly is provided. A hollow shaft center section can be used. The polymer defines at least three sealing structures. The shaft defines a multi-piece unit, with the end shafts press-fit onto the center shaft section and held in place by the bearing subassemblies—affixed to the idler sleeve. The support framework includes three stamped and/or cut, and folded sheet metal pieces—a center section with a pair of opposing central risers that engage end shafts, and two opposing, separately attached, end risers, that engage outermost idler end shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: NHI Mechanical Motion, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Guay, Alexander J. Moskalenko, Zachary P. Kerin
  • Patent number: 11242204
    Abstract: An apparatus/method for a conveyor belt lifter apparatus that can be manually-configured to accommodate differently-sized conveyor belts of conveyor systems. The apparatus includes a pair of lifts in between which a trough-shaped adjustable conveyor belt support arm is releasably-secured. An adjustable shaft coupler connects the lifts to allow simultaneous activation and movement of both lifts by an operator engaging only one lift. An adjustable base also allows the apparatus to be adjusted for the conveyor system size. These adjustable components comprise segments that can be releasably secured using quick-release pins. The height of the ends of the conveyor belt support arm can also be manually adjusted to eliminate any gap between the conveyor belt and the support arm before lift activation. Each lift comprises a manually-controlled screw jack with an extender formed thereon to allow the lifter apparatus to raise or lower the particular conveyor belt once the lifter apparatus is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: ASGCO Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin L. Zsido, Andrew M. Collier, Leroy C. Williams
  • Patent number: 10562713
    Abstract: A support frame for a conveyor system, the support frame comprising: an upright longitudinally extending between an operative lower end and an operative upper end; a cross member extending outwardly from the upright between an upright end and a trolley end, the cross member including a trolley located towards the trolley end of the cross member and which trolley is operatively adapted to suspend the upright from an overhead rail; and an idler assembly attached to the upright and operatively adapted to support a carry belt portion and a return belt portion of a conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: CONVEYOR MANUFACTURERS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD.
    Inventor: Benjamin John Smith
  • Patent number: 10486913
    Abstract: A transport device includes a first transport-element that comprises rotatable transport-element sections and that defines a transport path for transporting materials between front and rear deflection-devices. The path has successive sections along a transport direction and extends between drive-arrangements spaced apart along the transport path. The drive-arrangements interactively connect to the transport-element at different locations along the transport path. Rotatable transport-element sections are repositioned relative to one another in such a way to change an overall length of the first transport-element. Targeted controlling of adjacent transport path sections at a differential speed by way of the first and second drive-arrangements creates an accumulation or a gap of transport material on a transport-path section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Scholz, Sebastian Götze, Thomas Stienen
  • Patent number: 10023395
    Abstract: A conveyor support includes a frame, a roller, and a retainer. The frame includes a support arm. The roller includes a shaft and a shell supported for rotation relative to the shaft, and the shaft includes an end. The retainer releasably secures the end of the shaft relative to the support arm. The retainer includes a first portion engaging a first side of the support arm and a second portion engaging a second side of the support arm. The second portion is biased toward the first portion to exert a compressive force on the support arm. At least one of the first portion and the second portion engages the shaft of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLC
    Inventor: Paul John Summerell
  • Patent number: 9999241
    Abstract: A conveyor belt is formed from a loop of material having opposite first and second side edges, and which when laid flat has opposite planar surfaces extending between the first and second edges. First and second sealing protrusions extend outwardly from the outer surface of the loop of material and extending continuously around the outer surface of the loop of material. In use, the sealing protrusions contact a hopper of a food patty forming machine to prevent the leakage of food material from the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: FORMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Roger Taylor, Kurt Thomas Schauwecker
  • Patent number: 9682840
    Abstract: A folding roller for use in a folding device for folding a fold is disclosed. At the folding device a substrate to be folded is pushed into an inlet roller nip of folding rollers rotating in opposite directions by a folding knife for forming a fold. The folded-away substrate is transferred from the folding rollers to a belt line guided about the folding rollers and consisting of transport belts for the purpose of onward transporting the folded product. The folding roller in the regions in axial extension in which at least one transport belt at least partially wraps the folding roller includes at least one rubber-elastic insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: manroland web systems GmbH
    Inventor: Siegmund Echerer
  • Patent number: 9457960
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting the movement of a transport chain (105, 405) in correspondence of a curve of a transport path of an articles conveyor (100, 400) is proposed. The transport chain comprises a plurality of modules (120i?1, 120i, 120i+1; 420i?1, 420i, 420i+1); each module being coupled to adjacent modules in order to form a loop. Moreover, top surfaces (122; 422) of the coupled modules define a transport surface (124; 424) for supporting the articles to be transported and a side surface (315; 540) define a chain side surface of the chain. The apparatus comprises at least one auxiliary chain (135, 435) arranged in a curvilinear running region (130, 430) corresponding to the transport path curve. In the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention, said auxiliary chain comprises a plurality of contact elements (235, 535).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: REXNORD FLATTOP EUROPE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Andrea Andreoli
  • Patent number: 9414541
    Abstract: A hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper is provided. Sealing strips may be used to prevent particulate material from moving beyond edges of a conveyor belt of the conveyor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
  • Patent number: 9067738
    Abstract: A guard bracket including a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is for attaching to an existing attachment point hardware of an exposed return roller of a conveyor belt system to facilitate installation of the guard bracket on the conveyor belt system. The second portion extends from the first portion, and is for preventing accumulation of debris between the guard bracket and the exposed return roller of the conveyor belt system. The third portion extends from the second portion, and in combination with the second portion, are for capturing an end of the exposed return roller of the conveyor belt system when the end of the exposed return roller of the conveyor belt system becomes disengaged and free-falling, even when the exposed return roller of the conveyor belt system is still spinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventor: Charles A. Frye
  • Patent number: 8833539
    Abstract: A belt conveyor system for creating an overland material transport assembly on a ground surface comprises a frame configured for transportation over the ground surface, a plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections, a head pulley assembly mounted to the first end of the frame, a tail pulley assembly mounted to one of the conveyor belt support sections, and a conveyor belt. The plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections are supportable on the frame in a transport configuration wherein the plurality of support sections are accordion-folded relative to one another. The plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections are movable to a material transport configuration wherein the plurality of support sections are unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Superior Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Corbin J. Fehr, Bruce J. Berlinger, Jarrod J. Felton
  • Patent number: 8376128
    Abstract: A roller for a belt conveyer. A roller tube has an engraved groove for indicating the degree to which the surface of the roller is abraded. A shaft reinforcement member is provided in one end of the roller tube, connected to a shaft disposed inside the roller tube, and rotatably coupled to the belt conveyor. A dustproof cover closes one end of the roller tube, and the shaft reinforcement member extends through the dustproof cover. A bearing housing is fitted into the dustproof cover, with a bearing thereof being rotatably coupled to the outer circumference of the shaft reinforcement member. A flat spring is fitted into the bearing housing, and elastically supports one surface of the bearing, thereby controlling expansion or contraction of the bearing. An end cap is fixedly coupled to an outer surface of the dustproof cover in order to block impurities from entering the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Woo-Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 8210344
    Abstract: A frame adapter assembly for use in connection with a belt conveyor assembly including: a frame adapter body having a top surface and a bottom bearing surface for at least partially contacting a surface of a belt conveyor frame; at least one bracket extending from the top surface of the frame adapter body for operatively engaging at least a portion of a shaft of at least one roller; and at least one attachment arrangement for removably or permanently attaching the frame adapter assembly to at least a portion of the existing belt conveyor frame. A method for repairing a belt conveyor assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Box 795, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott C. Croftcheck
  • Patent number: 8033385
    Abstract: A angle pipe conveyor comprises a conveyor belt or roller belt. The conveyor belt includes a first conveyor belt section and a second conveyor belt section to define a cylinder structure having an overlap thickness based on plural sections of the roller belt with an overlap structure having an oval-shaped cross section. Support elements support the conveyor belt as rollers located on the support elements guide the cylinder structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Foerdertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Christof Brewka, Ingolf Neubecker
  • Patent number: 7971705
    Abstract: A method comprises a step of accessing a conveyor belt system that has a belt, a return roller, and a return roller support assembly. The return roller is supported by the return roller support assembly. The return roller is engaged with the belt from beneath the return run. The method also comprises operating the return roller support assembly in a manner causing the return roller to lower relative to the belt to a position where the return roller is no longer engaged with the belt, without requiring any person to reach beneath the belt. The method still further comprises removing the return roller from the return roller support assembly by sliding the return roller out from under the belt after the return roller has been lowered, without requiring any person to reach beneath the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: Majid Jameel Jabber, Robert Todd Swinderman
  • Patent number: 7950520
    Abstract: A support for a conveyor belt is provided. The support has a series of frames that may be installed beneath the underside of the conveyor belt to support the underside of the belt in a trough-shaped arrangement. Each frame supports a guide element, such as a roller, slider bar or bearing block, that permits the belt to ride over the frames. The frames may be installed beneath the belt and removed from beneath the belt from one side of the conveyor belt. Installation and removal of the components require minimal side clearance beneath the belt. As a result, the support may be installed and removed with minimal interference from adjacent structures or fixtures beneath the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: ASGCO Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: George T. Mott
  • Patent number: 7870950
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes first and second upstanding posts disposed in longitudinally spaced apart relation to one another. Each post is surmounted by forward and rearward support arms that form a “V”-shape. A forward drive belt is mounted for rotation along a path of travel perpendicular to the forward support arms. A first embodiment cradles a product container between the forward drive belt and a rearward primary support arm. A second embodiment includes the first embodiment structure and adds a rearward secondary support arm. A third embodiment includes the primary but not the rearward secondary support arm, the forward drive belt and a forward secondary support arm. A fourth embodiment includes the rearward primary and secondary support arms, the forward drive belt and a forward secondary support arm. The product container is tilted from vertical so that the conveyor follows a path of travel including curvatures having no guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Rhett L. Rinne
  • Patent number: 7757839
    Abstract: Slides for use on an endless belt conveyor belt and wear pads for use on slides for endless belt conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Canglide Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Boudreau
  • Publication number: 20100155198
    Abstract: A support station (9) for a movable belt conveyor includes: a support cradle (17) for the belt (3), the cradle (17) including at least one roller (31, 33) for guiding and supporting the belt (3); a frame (15) for supporting the or each roller (31,33); at least one anti-jamming protection element (35, 37) fixed to the frame (15), the protection element (35, 37) being disposed along at least one of the rollers (31, 33) and having an elongate shape longitudinally substantially parallel to a generatrix of the roller (31, 33), characterized in that the protection element (37) includes at least first and second longitudinal profile sections (41, 43) having respectively first and second cross-sections that are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Renè BRUNONE
  • Patent number: 7617925
    Abstract: A conveyor idler support frame (10) for rotatably mounting a conveyor idler (12, 14, 16, 20, 22) is provided. The frame is displaceable between an operation position and an idler removal position. In the operation position, the frame places a mounted idler in operational engagement with a conveyor belt (18). In the idler removal position, the frame brings the mounted idler out of engagement with the conveyor belt to allow the idler to be removed from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Smart Frame Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Lay
  • Patent number: 7530450
    Abstract: A station for supporting a moving conveyor belt (3) includes a cradle (17) for guiding the belt (3), the cradle (17) having at least two rollers (33) for guiding and supporting the belt (3), a frame (15) for supporting the rollers (33), and anti-jamming protection (35) disposed along the rollers (33) and secured to the frame (15). Protection (35) includes a protective bar (36) extending continuously along the length of at least two rollers (33), being substantially parallel to a generator line of each roller (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: René Brunone
  • Patent number: 7530451
    Abstract: The invention concerns a support station (12) of a conveyor belt comprising a base (20) supported on the floor and a cradle (22) guiding the belt (14) supported by the base. The base (20) comprises at least one concrete beam (30). The invention is applicable to a conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: René Brunone
  • Patent number: 7287642
    Abstract: An idler roller assembly comprises a base frame which includes first and second spaced-apart mounting brackets, a support frame which includes a support tube that comprises a first end which is positioned adjacent the first mounting bracket and a second end which is positioned adjacent the second mounting bracket, and a locking shaft assembly which includes a stationary sleeve which is secured to the first mounting bracket and a rotating sleeve which is rotatably supported by the stationary sleeve and is secured to the first end of the support tube. The stationary sleeve comprises a first contact surface and the rotating sleeve comprises a second contact surface, and the locking shaft assembly further includes a lock spool which comprises a first lock surface which conforms to the first contact surface and a second lock surface which conforms to the second contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Carr, Charles C. Stanford, William B. Harwood, Thomas E. Hubbert
  • Publication number: 20040222071
    Abstract: An idler station for a conveyor comprising a frame aligned transverse to the direction of travel of the conveyor wherein there are troughing idlers arranged in a substantially U-shaped configuration with all idlers being of like dimensions; the centre, substantially horizontal and lowest idler position being occupied by two parallel idlers mounted on a cradle having a central pivot such that each centre idler on the pivot is offset, one forward and one behind with respect to adjacent wing idlers when viewed from above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: James Dennis Pomfret
  • Patent number: 6516942
    Abstract: An improved idler roller for a belt conveyor for conveying bulk materials includes a cylindrical roller shell, and a pair of cast roller heads fitted to respective opposite open ends of the roller shell. Bearing assemblies fitted within each of the roller heads mount the roller for rotation on a pair of stub shafts. Notably, the configuration of the stub shafts and bearing assemblies desirably acts to minimize deflection of the shafts, and thus misalignment of the bearing assemblies. Greater service life for the bearing assemblies, and thus the idler roller, are thus achieved, or alternatively, the rated load for the idler roller, for a given service life, is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles East
  • Publication number: 20020170805
    Abstract: An improved idler roller for a belt conveyor for conveying bulk materials includes a cylindrical roller shell, and a pair of cast roller heads fitted to respective opposite open ends of the roller shell. Bearing assemblies fitted within each of the roller heads mount the roller for rotation on a pair of stub shafts. Notably, the configuration of the stub shafts and bearing assemblies desirably acts to minimize deflection of the shafts, and thus misalignment of the bearing assemblies. Greater service life for the bearing assemblies, and thus the idler roller, are thus achieved, or alternatively, the rated load for the idler roller, for a given service life, is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Charles F. East
  • Patent number: 6427828
    Abstract: A segmental impact idler with the ability to mechanically lower idler segments is used for easy installation, removal and service of idler segments under loading skirts. The ability to mechanically lower idler segments eliminates a need to use a lifting device or to remove adjacent idlers to access the idler segments. One example of a device that can mechanically lower the segmental impact idler is a locking cam shaft. When the cam shaft is rotated, the idler can be lowered away from the conveyor belt. The idler segments can then easily slide out perpendicular to the direction of the conveyor belt without supporting the weight of the conveyor. The invention is specifically designed to operate in confined spaces. Furthermore, an adjustable mechanical linkage at one end of an idler segment, in conjunction with a pin at a second end of the idler segment, enables the idler segment to be rotatably lowered such that the idler segment can slide underneath the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Charles F. East, Bryan Shane Kelley
  • Patent number: 6390287
    Abstract: A conveyor belt idler support includes a fixed frame having support idlers for a return path of the belt. A movable frame is mounted on the fixed frame and is tiltable to support the carrying portion of the belt with a varying degree of tilt to allow the belt extend in a curved path around corners. The fixed frame has a projecting bracket carrying support rollers which extends into a hollow box portion at the center of the movable frame adjacent the middle to support most of the load on the movable frame. The movable frame has a center section and outwardly and upwardly sloping side sections each carrying idlers to define a trough for the belt. At one side, the movable frame carries a upwardly extending guide roller to limit lateral movement of the belt and allow the belt to apply a lateral force to the movable frame to tilt it about the support roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: The Robbins Company
    Inventor: Shirley D. Riffe
  • Patent number: 6349819
    Abstract: A belt material handling system including conveyor belts supported on a belt conveyor idler support frame. Brackets are provided for supporting one or multiple idler rollers on such a frame. One form of such brackets has a tab for retaining the shafts in the end bracket that can be precisely bent over the shaft end by providing a cut that extends generally at right angles from a slot. The adjacent ends of a center and an outer roller shaft in a center combined bracket are retained by a single tab that can be bent into locking position over adjacent ends of the shafts. A conveyor return bracket can be utilized either as a left- or right-hand bracket or it can be used as a simple rise bracket. This return bracket uses novel shaped flanges which act to position the shaft in an enlarged portion of the slot, then the slotted portion of the shaft is pressed into holding engagement in the narrow portion of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Astec Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Nohl, Neil E. Schmidgall, Darin J. Buss
  • Publication number: 20010040086
    Abstract: A conveyor belt idler support includes a fixed frame having support idlers for a return path of the belt. A movable frame is mounted on the fixed frame and is tiltable to support the carrying portion of the belt with a varying degree of tilt to allow the belt extend in a curved path around corners. The fixed frame has a projecting bracket carrying support rollers which extends into a hollow box portion at the center of the movable frame adjacent the middle to support most of the load on the movable frame. The movable frame has a center section and outwardly and upwardly sloping side sections each carrying idlers to define a trough for the belt. At one side, the movable frame carries a upwardly extending guide roller to limit lateral movement of the belt and allow the belt to apply a lateral force to the movable frame to tilt it about the support roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: The Robbins Company
    Inventor: SHIRLEY RIFFE
  • Patent number: 6193055
    Abstract: A support structure for a conveyor belt which includes two upwardly extending, pivotally mounted, support arms, a garland of conveyor idler rollers suspended between upper ends of the support arms and, for each support arm, respective biasing means which permits pivotal movement of the support arm, towards the other support arm, only when the support arm exerts a force on the respective biasing means in excess of a predetermined load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Scorpio Conveyor Products (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Arend Jacobus Brink
  • Patent number: 6155407
    Abstract: A belt support system for supporting a belt member along a portion thereof during a material transfer operation where a flow of material is allowed to impact the belt member at a predetermined impact location, the present system including a plurality of roller members housed in three separate members which are positioned in side-by-side relationship to each other, the center member being secured to a support structure and the two opposed end or wing members being each pivotally mounted to the center member and to the support structure so as to be angularly adjustable relative to the center member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Dust Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Delmer Leroy Shelstad
  • Patent number: 6044965
    Abstract: A troughing idler of an enclosed belt conveyor has a horizontal shaft that is supported by antifriction bearings mounted outside of the side walls of the trunking and carries a medial roller. Each of the side walls of the trunking supports a downwardly and inwardly sloping side roller in cantilevered relation by means of a side roller carrier that is mounted on the side wall and includes a spindle, a hub, and inboard and outboard antifriction bearings interposed between the spindle and the hub. The medial roller and the side rollers are arranged relative to each other so as to support the belt with side portions sloping upwardly and outwardly with respect to a medial portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Philip G. Clark
  • Patent number: 5988361
    Abstract: A split load cradle for conveyor belts comprised of two pipes (1 and 2) is disclosed. The longer pipe (1) incorporates vertical arms (3, 4 and 5) having an upper ends obliquely facing each other wherein the end rolls (11) of the load cradle (10) are pivoted. Between the shorter arm (5) and the shorter arm (4) an intermediary roll (12) is also pivoted between. The second shorter pipe (2) is just like the first longer pipe (1). Both longer and shorter pipes (1 and 2) are longitudinally split in their lower part by a narrow slot (6) and fit said pipes around and axially into another pipe (7) having a lower diameter. This arrangement is attached to the structure (8) of the conveyor belt (T).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Companhia Vale Do Rio Doce
    Inventors: Renato Antonio Giacomin, Antonio Carlos De Oliveira Santana, Geraldo Magela De Azevedo, Edson Carlos Da Silva, Eustaquio Mafra
  • Patent number: 5927478
    Abstract: An input station for a wide continuous conveyor belt that moves in a conveyor run through an input station to a discharge location, around a head pulley, through a return run around a tail pulley, and back into the input station. At the input station the belt rides on a plurality of N conventional central support rollers each mounted between two inner stanchions. A plurality of at least 2N elongated, flat, stationary slider rails support each extreme outer edge of the conveyor belt through the input station. There are 2N troughing rolls, one at each end of each central roller, between the slider rails and the central rollers. 2N fixed inner stanchions support each central roller and one end of each of its troughing rollers. 2N fixed medial support members each support one end of a troughing roller. The slider rails are supported by the medial support members and by 2N outer stanchions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Arch Environmental Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil F. Archer
  • Patent number: 5855477
    Abstract: A belt conveyance baking furnace which can reduce the weight and size of a belt and can raise and lower the furnace temperature to desired levels in a shorter time. A workpiece is baked while it is on a conveyor belt and conveyed through the furnace therewith. A table roller (31) for driving a conveyor belt (30) is disposed at least one of an entry section and a delivery section of the furnace. A plurality of furnace bed rollers (15) supporting the lower surface of the conveyor belt (30) and driven at the same circumferential speed as the table roller (31) are arranged side by side in the furnace in the longitudinal direction. Since the conveyor belt (30) runs while rolling over the furnace bed rollers (15), the friction force between the conveyor belt and the furnace bed rollers is practically negligible. It is hence possible to considerably reduce the weight and heat capacity of the conveyor belt as compared with a conventional conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Tanino
  • Patent number: 5762179
    Abstract: A chord member for facilitating the assembly and disassembly of a concrete conveyor system including a top flange defining a first plane, a pair of depending lips positioned at either end of the top flange, a bottom flange defining a second plane parallel to the first plane and a middle flange defining a third plane perpendicular to the first plane. A clevis is coupled to the top flange or the bottom flange so that a truss of the conveyor system can be attached to the clevis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Rotec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Oury, Mark S. Dingeldein, Alan S. Ledger, James C. Graham
  • Patent number: 5657857
    Abstract: A pivotal idler frame assembly for conveyors is disclosed in one preferred embodiment of the present invention as including an idler frame assembly selectively disposed in a pivotal relationship to a stationary conveyor frame. The idler frame assembly consists of a hinge member rotatably engaging at least two fixation members of the idler frame assembly and at least two support flanges of the conveyor frame which are correspondingly disposed in alignment with the fixation members. By releasing the operable engagement of a stabilizer member, the idler frame assembly may be pivoted in relation to the conveyor frame to remove the rollers of the idler frame from communication with a moving member. In addition, the structural hinge member provides means for slideably removing the idler frame assembly from beneath the moving member and adjacent the conveyor frame to expose the rollers of the idler frame assembly for dismounting and mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventors: Marvin C. Neilson, Norman A. Whittaker
  • Patent number: 5645158
    Abstract: An extensible conveyor apparatus and method for a continuous haulage system and continuous conveyor belt are disclosed for carrying coal or ore discharged from a continuous miner. A top roller combination supports the coal-carrying or ore-carrying continuous conveyor belt. A holding frame for the top roller and a bottom belt return is provided by a plurality of floor-supported frame members held and secured in position by belt tension. The holding frame is capable of rapid and nimble extendable, retractable construction in the mine. Rails connect and hold adjacent frame members in position by press-fit attachment of the rails to the frame members. The rails preferably are quickly rotatable to change the top wearing surface. A top roller for supporting the mined-material-carrying belt includes a combination of rollers formed into a roller combination insert which is quickly replaceable in an underground mine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: S & S Slides, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Polka, James J. Szalankiewicz, Scott A. Walter
  • Patent number: 5590757
    Abstract: An extensible conveyor apparatus and method for a continuous haulage system and continuous conveyor belt are disclosed for carrying coal or ore discharged from a continuous miner. A top roller-slider combination supports the coal-carrying or ore-carrying continuous conveyor belt. A holding frame for the top roller-slider and a bottom belt return is provided by a plurality of floor-supported frame members held and secured in position by belt tension. The holding frame is capable of rapid and nimble extendable, retractable construction in the mine. Rails connect and hold adjacent frame members in position by press-fit attachment of the rails to the frame members. The rails preferably are quickly rotatable to change the top wearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: S & S Slides, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Walter, Alan R. Polka, James J. Szalankiewicz
  • Patent number: 5564557
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing suspension for a conveyor assembly includes brackets that attach to the parallel support beams of the conveyor. The brackets support corresponding saddles, that in turn, mount the conveyor assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the saddles are mounted above inverted U-shaped brackets that are attached to the top flange of the support beams. Dual coil springs are positioned vertically between the brackets and the saddles, with one spring on each side of the support beams. Within the springs are guide pins to restrict lateral movement, while adjustable fasteners preload the springs. In an alternate embodiment, the bracket/saddle combination is reoriented to provide increased overhead clearance. Each longitudinal end of the combination is covered by a skirt of flexible rubber to protect the interior from dust and debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Hinkle Contracting Corporation
    Inventor: Donald R. Spencer
  • Patent number: 5381887
    Abstract: An inventive roller and an inventive conveyor assembly which includes at least one such roller. The inventive roller comprises: an axle housing; a polymer foam segment positioned around the axle housing; and a polymer coating which covers the exterior of the polymer foam segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Elastomer Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Orlin W. Emmons
  • Patent number: 5373935
    Abstract: A return roller assembly for the return flight of a continuous belt of a bulk conveyor, the return roller assembly having a center roller and a pair of end rollers, the center roller being mounted horizontally and the end rollers being mounted such that the upper most portion of the inner ends are at the same vertical level as the uppermost part of the center roller and the uppermost part of the outer ends of the end rollers are below the vertical level, the center and end rollers defining a shallow, inverted, trough-like supporting shape for the return flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Ronald G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5341920
    Abstract: An improved belt supporting and guiding apparatus enabling belt travel in other than a linear path wherein there is a base frame and a second frame mounted on the base frame; the second frame has center, left and right portions with surfaces which together define a belt support surface delimiting a concavity that is shaped other than as a constant arc of a circle so that rotation of the second frame on mounting rollers is about an instant center whose spatial location changes constantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Long-Airdox Company
    Inventor: Shirley D. Riffe
  • Patent number: 5341921
    Abstract: Catenary rigid top troughing assemblies guide and support the top, or load carrying portion of a flexible belt conveyor system. Each assembly consists of two formed cross members. Attached at each end of the cross members is a saddle, which rigidly mounts or affixes the cross members to the siderails. The saddles have slotted mounting holes to allow the assembly to be pivoted for proper belt training. Handles are attached to the saddles for lifting on or off of the siderails. One roller mounting bracket is also attached to each saddle. Two center supports span between the cross members with two roller mounting brackets affixed to each support. The rollers are mounted into the roller mounting brackets producing an inline, rigid, troughing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Edward N. Kokolis
    Inventor: Edward N. Kokolis
  • Patent number: 5318170
    Abstract: Catenary rigid top troughing assemblies guide and support the top, or load carrying portion of a flexible belt conveyor system. Each unit includes a centrally located, formed cross member. Attached at each end of the cross member is a saddle, which rigidly mounts or affixes the cross member to the siderails. The saddles have slotted mounting holes to allow the assembly to be pivoted for proper belt training. Handles are attached to the saddles for lifting on or off of the siderails. Roller mounting brackets are rigidly attached to the cross member to position three rollers into a appropriate troughing arrangement. The two outside or wing rollers are mounted on one side of the cross member, while the third, or center roller is mounted on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Edward N. Kokolis
    Inventor: Edward N. Kokolis
  • Patent number: 5271492
    Abstract: A conveyor belt for endless conveyor belt systems is laid in tight curve radii because the belt and the guide bar, which is attached to the underside of the belt, consist of highly elastic rubber. The belt is reinforced by preferably diagonally placed fabric inserts and can be pre-stretched in the longitudinal direction by means of a traction beam attached only at individual points so that it can do an optimum job in performing its transport function. The reversing rollers and the roller blocks are divided or are made up of individual units in order not to influence the guide bar, which runs in the middle, during the overrun. In this way, the necessary drive forces can attack at many corresponding places depending on the curve radius, without the conveyor as a whole, with a length of 100 meters and more, being subject to the so-called flip-arc effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Heinz-Ulrich Lewin
    Inventors: Heinz-Ulrich Lewin, Jan Ketterer
  • Patent number: 5197592
    Abstract: A support frame for use in supporting a plurality of idler rolls has separate compression and tension support members each extending across the length of the support frame and attached to center brackets for supporting the idler rolls. The support members are rod-shaped having similar width and thickness dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Charles F. East
  • Patent number: 5161675
    Abstract: A tubular belt conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having a cross-sectionally closed, curvilinear, tubular configuration including a zone of overlapping edge portions. A plurality of support and guide assemblies for the conveyor are situated along the conveyor path. Each assembly includes a plurality of support and guide rollers held about the cross-sectionally closed conveyor belt in a contacting relationship therewith. In each assembly one roller is in engagement with the cross-sectionally closed conveyor belt at the edge overlap. The closed tubular configuration in each length portion of the conveying path has an oval cross section. The support and guide rollers force the conveyor belt into the closed tubular configuration of oval cross section. The first support and guide roller of each assembly is settable onto the zone of overlapping edge portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: PWH Anlagen & Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Engst, Markus Hartwig, Rainer Alles