Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a conveyor system that includes a rotatably-mounted drum and a conveyor belt that is movable along a path that includes a helical portion around the drum. During movement of the conveyor belt, a surface of the drum frictionally engages an inside edge of the conveyor belt along the helical portion of the path. Finally, a peripheral surface of a rotating driving element directly engages the drum and to rotate the drum thereby operatively to move the conveyor belt along the path.

Abstract: A drive for conveyor belts, of the type that comprises, associated with a travel frame for a conveyor belt with at least one transport chain, transport elements for the belt and a device for recovering any elongation of the belt. The belt elongation recovery device is constituted by a supporting element for the transport element, which floats adjacent to the belt and is coupled to a box-like body for containing the drive by way of at least one sliding guide and by way of an elastic tension-preventing member for the belt.

Abstract: A passenger conveyor drive belt assembly (40) includes a belt support (60) that facilitates proper engagement between the drive belt (42) and corresponding links (32) of a step chain (30) under selected conditions such as a full brake application. The belt support (60) preferably is positioned between a drive sheave (50) and an idler sheave (52) within the loop traveled by the drive belt. The belt support (60) includes at least one moveable support member (62) that does not contact the inner surface of the drive belt during normal operation conditions. In one example, the belt support (60) comprises a plurality of rollers (62).

Abstract: A conveyor constructed of a single belt or a plurality of abutting belts arranged side by side in the conveyor, in which the belt or belts have rollers arranged to rotate on axes oriented at multiple angles oblique to the direction of belt travel. A gradual or monotonic, stepped change in the axes of the rollers across the width of the conveyor can be used to make a conveyor capable of converting a mass flow of articles into a single stream of separated articles.

Abstract: The drive mechanism (10) has a drive member (12) and a flexible conveying member (14). The engaging elements (12b) of the drive member (12) have an engaging element spacing (t1), while the associated counter elements (14b) of the conveyor member 14 have a counter element spacing (t2). According to the invention the engaging element spacing (t1) of the engaging elements (12b) is larger than the counter element spacing (t2) of the counter elements (14b) of the conveying member in order to compensate for conveyor member stretching in operation. In a preferred embodiment the conveying member is a flexible conveyor chain and the drive member (12) is a toothed drive wheel. In another preferred embodiment the ratio of the engaging element spacing (t1) of the drive member (12) to the counter element spacing (t2) of the conveying member (14) is between about 1.01 and about 1.10.

Abstract: A two-material plastic sprocket for modular plastic conveyor belts and an associated method for molding such a sprocket. The sprocket is made of a first plastic material forming the exterior skin and a second plastic material forming the interior core. The sprocket is preferably molded in a co-injection molding process.

Abstract: A crossover conveyor system that allows people to safely cross over a portion of a conveyor line is disclosed. The crossover conveyor system includes a frame that has at least a first side member and a second side member. A plurality of rollers may be connected between the first and second side members. A first and second drive shaft may be connected between the first and second side members at opposing ends of the frame. At least one endless belt extends or wraps around an upper surface of the frame, the rollers and the first and second drive shaft. A drive belt may be connected with a drive mechanism. Pressure rollers are included for constantly applying pressure to the drive belt or selectively applying pressure to the drive belt. The drive belt is located between the endless belt and the pressure rollers such that when the drive mechanism rotates the drive belt and the endless belt rotates.

Abstract: A device for conveying piece goods. The device comprises a sorting system for sorting the piece goods. The successively arranged conveying systems are guided with this device along a conveying line and can be driven by at least one driving means that engages a driving belt. In a first embodiment, there is a driving belt on the driving side and a driving belt on the driven side which each comprise a rubber chain comprising a toothed profile. The toothed profiles of both rubber chains are in a substantially similar form. The device can also have a driving belt that is clamped in a fixed manner between the clamping jaws of the rigid clamping profiles. These clamping jaws extend at least substantially over the entire length of respective conveying system or sorting system. Furthermore, the non-clamped length of driving belt between the successively disposed conveying systems is much shorter than the length of the clamping profiles.

Abstract: A linear drive includes a toothed belt (2) driven by direction-changing rollers (1) in the pretensioned state. The toothed belt (2) has at least one tension reinforcement. The teeth (3) of the belt (2) engage in the teeth gaps (4) of a linear toothed counterpiece (5) over a specific length. The pitch of the teeth (3) of the belt is slightly less, up to 0.8%, than the pitch of the toothed counterpiece (5) in the pretensioned state of the toothed belt (2) and during loading of the toothed belt which occurs during operation under load. The tooth flank (6) of the tooth (3) of the belt is at right angles or almost at right angles to the plane of the tension reinforcement (7) and the tooth gap (4) of the toothed counterpiece (5) is approximately 20% to 80% wider than the width of the tooth (3) of the belt. The belt teeth (3) are elastically configured compared to the high stiffness of the tension reinforcement (7).

Abstract: An inspection method is provided which can achieve sufficient reliability of a continuously variable transmission belt without spending much working time. The inspection method of the continuously variable transmission belt assembled through supporting an element laminated body constituted of a number of metal elements on a belt laminated body constituted of a plurality of steel belts comprises: a trial step of trial use with a load applied on the continuously variable transmission belt in the assembled state; a separation step of separating the belt laminated body and the element laminated body from each other after completion of the trial step; and an inspection step of inspecting whether there is any damage on a surface of the steel belt positioned in a first layer of the belt laminated body separated in the separation step.

Abstract: A conveyor 20 comprising a continuous conveyor belt 35, driven at a constant speed, and configured for compression and expansion along the direction of travel of the continuous conveyor belt 35. The continuous conveyor belt 35 passes over a drive pulley 32 and a secondary pulley 34 that freely rotates. At least one impulse linkage 37 engages the continuous conveyor belt 35, the impulse linkage 37 extends beyond the continuous conveyor belt 35 such that it may be contacted by an impulse striker 49 that is configured to intermittently contact said impulse linkage 37. By so contacting the impulse linkage 37, a displacement of a portion of the continuous conveyor belt 35 relative to the rest of the continuous conveyor belt 35 is caused due to the subsequent expansion or compression of the continuous conveyor belt 35, resulting in a localized acceleration.

Abstract: A singulating conveyor for aligning a mass of conveyed articles into a single file. The conveyor includes a first centering conveying zone in which one or more roller-top conveyor mats direct conveyed articles sidewise toward a side or the center of the zone. The rollers on which the articles ride rotate about axes oblique to the conveying direction to provide a sidewise component of motion to the articles. The articles are received downstream in a second separation zone, in which the articles are sped up in the conveying direction to separate them into a single file. The conveyor mats can be realized as endless conveyor belts in motion or as stationary mats overlying a moving belt contacting and rotating the rollers.

Abstract: The article conveyor module has a drive system comprising a support plate on which there are mounted a synchronization pulley and a drive belt engaging said synchronization pulley. The synchronization pulley is for coupling to the drive belt of another conveyor module for the purpose of synchronizing the two conveyor modules. In this conveyor module drive system, the synchronization pulley is mounted outside the drive belt. The drive belt of the other conveyor module can also engage the synchronization pulley while remaining on the outside thereof. With this configuration, synchronizing two conveyor modules does not require an intermediate synchronization belt to be installed.

Abstract: An installation for transporting objects, in particular items of clothing hanging on clothes hangers, on conveying paths of a transporting roller, in particular a roller having two parallel spaced-apart flanges on end sides thereof and a central part located therebetween, as well as a through-passage opening extending through a center thereof disposed between the flanges and the central part. The central part has at least one peripheral, annular circumferential part which can rotate separately from the two flanges, so that when the circumferential part rotates as a result of bearing on one of the conveying paths, the two flanges remain in a rest state irrespective of the rotation of the circumferential part. A hook-like carrier element is provided for an object which is to be transported, passing through the through-passage opening and projecting from the latter by way of its free end.

Abstract: A device for controlling the conveyance of particulate material on a conveyor belt comprises a frame with an endless belt attached thereto. The apparatus is positioned above the conveyor belt and in frictional contact therewith whereby the motion of the conveyor results in motion of the endless belt on the apparatus. The particulate material thereby is passes between the endless belt and the conveyor belt and any bouncing movement of such material is prevented. Use of the present invention on conventional conveyor belts controls the dispersion of the particulate material carried thereon and allows for the speed of the conveyor to be increased. The present invention is suitable for use with a conveyor apparatus used with a truck and commonly known as a “stone slinger”.

Abstract: A belt conveyor includes a strut adapted to be connected to at least two parallel arranged drive elements. At least one belt is positioned on the cross strut between the two drive elements. A detachable connecting mechanism detachably connects the belt to the cross strut.

Abstract: The article conveyor module has a drive system comprising a support plate on which there are mounted a synchronization pulley and a drive belt engaging said synchronization pulley. The synchronization pulley is for coupling to the drive belt of another conveyor module for the purpose of synchronizing the two conveyor modules. In this conveyor module drive system, the synchronization pulley is mounted outside the drive belt. The drive belt of the other conveyor module can also engage the synchronization pulley while remaining on the outside thereof. With this configuration, synchronizing two conveyor modules does not require an intermediate synchronization belt to be installed.

Abstract: A passenger conveyor drive belt assembly includes a belt support that facilitates proper engagement between the drive belt and corresponding links of a step chain. The belt support preferably is positioned between a drive sheave and an idle sheave within the loop traveled by the drive belt. The belt support includes at least one moveable support member that moves responsive to movement of the drive belt while urging the drive belt into proper engagement with the step chain links.

Abstract: A conveyor device comprises a conveyor belt including a plurality of slidable links which can slide on guiding elements. The conveyor belt is driven by a timing belt through link teeth formed on each of the links, and designed for engaging corresponding teeth of the timing belt.

Abstract: A conveyor is disclosed having a mechanism for driving an endless chain, which is used for driving and optionally also for supporting the article-supporting parts of the conveyor. The mechanism comprises a drive belt that engages and drives on a number of wheels on the chain. By driving on the periphery of the rotating wheels instead of directly on the chain itself, the force between the drive belt and the point of engagement with the chain is halved whereby the construction may be made substantially lighter.

Abstract: A conveyor belt for transporting objects is provided. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of body members. Also included in the conveyor belt are a plurality of surface platform members that are disposed at one side of the body members. An outside surface of the surface platform member is sloped from a first location of higher elevation to a second location of lower elevation. A rail member is located on the surface platform member and is proximate to the second point of lower elevation. The surface platform member is adapted to support an object that is transported by the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A continuous conveyor for conveying material, has a supporting profile, a pulling element, a plate-shaped supporting element connected with the pulling element, at least one guiding rail for guiding the pulling element, the supporting profile being formed so that the pulling element extends in an inner region of the supporting profile, the guiding rail being arranged in the inner region of the supporting profile and guiding a lower region of the pulling element.

Abstract: A conveyor ratcheting apparatus for advancing a conveyor in one direction in discrete steps. A ratchet arm is pivotally supported on a frame. A ratchet actuator drives the arm reciprocally between first and second positions. A ratchet wheel is rotatably supported on the frame. Circumferentially spaced teeth are formed around an outer rim of the ratchet wheel. The ratchet arm sequentially engages each of the teeth and causes the ratchet wheel to rotate in one direction each time the ratchet arm engages one of the teeth and moves toward the second position from the first position. The ratchet arm disengages whenever the ratchet arm moves from the second position back toward the first position. A detent engagement member is supported on the frame and is moveable into engagement with one of four stop detents in the ratchet wheel when the first ratchet arm is in the second position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor comprises identical carriages and apparatus for connecting the carriages end. The carriages each include first wheel pairs supported for a rotation about spaced apart parallel axes and a second wheel pair supported for rotation about a perpendicular axis. The first and second wheel pairs are rotatably supported by self-lubricated bearings. The connection apparatus may comprise either connection rods or a wire rope. In another embodiment, the conveyor comprises identical links each including first and second link portions. The link portions are pivotally interconnected by a first connecting pin which also supports a first pair of wheels. Adjacent links are interconnected by a second connecting pin which also supports a second wheel pair. The first: and second wheel pairs are rotatably supported by self-lubricated bearings.

Abstract: A movable backup bar assembly includes an endless drive chain, a sprocket or the like for coupling the drive chain to the power source, and a backup bar for guiding the drive chain. The assembly has two positions: a first position for holding the drive chain in engagement with the chain to be driven and a second position for holding the drive chain away from the driven chain. An actuator is provided for positively shifting the assembly between these two positions.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a base frame having an input side and an output side as well as a transport path from the input side to the output side. A plurality of tray carriers for holding trays are arranged in succession from the input side to the output side along the transport path. A drive means advances the tray carriers in an advancement plane. Further, feed means are provided for feeding a cover film for covering the filled trays. Successive tray carriers are pivotally interconnected by means of pivoting coupling links. Each tray carrier has engagement elements provided at its forward and rearward side. The drive means is formed as a drive chain with a chain strand trained over chain wheels and the engagement elements engage the chain strand when in a position adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A device for moving bulk flow material is provided. The device includes an idler sprocket assembly and a drive sprocket assembly. The drive sprocket assembly is engaged with a motor, which turns the drive sprocket assembly. Endless loop drive chains are functionally engaged on the idler sprocket assembly and the drive sprocket assembly. Spacer bars are positioned perpendicular to and attached to the endless loop drive chains. A conveyor belt is received loosely on the endless loop drive chains, covering the endless loop drive chains and leaving slack in the conveyor belt. A method for moving bulk flow material is also provided. According to the method, the motor turns the drive sprocket assembly, advancing the drive chains. The weight of the bulk flow material presses the conveyor belt against the chains, creating friction which advances the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveyor system especially suitable for transfer and spacing of articles in a smooth distortion-free manner and controlled acceleration/deceleration is provided. An endless transfer belt is driven by an endless drive belt selectively engaging the lower return run thereof. An actuator assembly including a pneumatic motor lifts a pressure roller mounted in a cradle to provide the driving function in response to one or more controllers. A plurality of transfer belt modules, all driven by the single drive belt, are aligned to form an accumulation conveyor system for establishing zero pressure between the articles. Each transfer run is supported and guided along a flat plate to provide the smooth conveying surface and to steady the articles. In the related method, the drive belt selectively drives the transfer belt or belts of the single or modular conveyors by lifting the driving run into engagement with the return run. The spacing of the articles is controlled by the one or more controllers.

Abstract: A conveyor mechanism is provided for transporting objects. The conveyor mechanism, includes a single continuous belt member wrapped around a plurality of chain loops and also around a pair of spaced-apart pulleys disposed outboard thereof. A chain drive drives the chain loops and the chain loops drive the surrounding belt. A frame having substantially frictionless channel guides provides additional support to the upper track portion of each chain so that the belt member can accommodate heavy loads. The belt has at least one guide ridge formed in its substantially flat undersurface. The belt turning rollers are provide with circumferential grooves which are sized to engage the raised guide ridge on the undersurface of the belt, so that cooperation between the grooves in the turning rollers and the ridge on the belt maintains lateral tacking of the belt. Further lateral stability is provided by disposing of pair of chain guides on either side of the ridge along the upper run of the belt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyer comprising: a pair of conveyer belts movable in the direction of transportation of an article by rollers; and a pair of article-supporting belts for supporting an article, the article-supporting belts being positioned between and interlocked with the conveyer belts, wherein upper portions of the conveyer belts are positioned above the article-supporting belts.

Abstract: For the continuous production of the cigarette rod (10), the strip-like outer wrapper (12) and a tobacco strand (11) are provided on a forming belt (15) and conveyed, with the latter, through a rod-forming unit (13). Located within the latter is a forming bed (19) which, during transportation, deforms the forming belt (15) along with the outer wrapper (12) and the tobacco rod (11) so as to produce a cigarette rod (10). A compensating belt (21) is provided in order to avoid or reduce the friction of the forming belt on the forming bed (19), and said compensating belt circulates at reduced speed between the forming belt (15) and forming bed (19) The compensating belt (21) reduces the friction and dissipates (frictional) heat.

Abstract: A conveyor drive unit is provided for engaging and driving a belt type conveyor. The unit includes a motor drive unit and drive chain assembly having a drive chain driven by the motor along a drive path. The drive chain has drive lugs configured thereon to engage with drive dogs on the conveyor as the drive chain is driven along the drive path. The drive path defines the drive angle with respect to a straight path of the conveyor along the drive path. An adjustable positioning device is disposed relative to the drive chain assembly such that upon variable positioning of the drive chain assembly, the drive angle defined between the drive path of the chain and the straight path of the conveyor along the drive path varies. In this manner, the degree of engagement of the drive lugs with the drive dogs of the conveyor along the drive path can be adjusted by varying the drive angle.

Abstract: A curved conveyor section comprises a generally flat substantially horizontally disposed curved belt-supporting bed having first and second opposite ends and first and second direction reversing members disposed at the first and second opposite ends, respectively. A continuous loop curved conveyor belt has arcuate inner and outer edges with a common substantially vertical centre axis and is mounted on the belt-supporting bed in looped relation around the direction reversing members so as to have an article carrying portion disposed above the belt-supporting bed and a return portion disposed below the belt-supporting bed, thus defining a looped path for the conveyor belt and presenting a substantially horizontal article carrying top surface. A motor driven continuous loop drive chain or belt is oriented in a substantially horizontal plane and has a plurality of driving members disposed along its looped length.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is formed from a plurality of conveyor links having crest and valley link bodies and apertures. The links are interwoven together and operatively coupled together by hinge pins extending in a transverse direction to the longitudinal direction of travel. Each link as on at least one end, an integral drive arm in the same plane as the link body and adapted to engage a drive element. The drive arm has an angled surface and a straight surface. The angled surface biases the drive element inward and into abutment with the straight surface of a neighboring link to provide a stable operating engagement between the drive element and conveyor link.

Abstract: A curved conveyor section comprises a flat, horizontally disposed curved belt-supporting bed. Direction reversing members are disposed at each end of the conveyor section. A continuous loop curved conveyor belt has arcuate inner and outer edges with a common substantially vertical center axis, and is mounted on the belt-supporting bed. An article carrying portion of the conveyor section is disposed above the belt-supporting bed, and a return portion is disposed below the belt-supporting bed. A motor driven continuous loop drive chain or belt is oriented in a substantially horizontal plane and has a plurality of driving members disposed along its looped length. A plurality of driven receptors are securely mounted on the curved conveyor belt along its looped path. The driving members drivably engage a consecutive subset of the plurality of co-operating receptors. The driven receptors are a plurality of teeth, each of which is mounted to the curved conveyor belt by means of an elastomeric member.

Abstract: A conveyor mechanism is provided for transporting objects. The conveyor mechanism, in particular, includes a single continuous belt member wrapped around one or more chain loops and also around a pair of spaced-apart pulleys disposed outboard thereof. A first axle having one or more drive sprockets, a second axle having an equal number of idler sprockets, and a motor connected to the first axle are provided for driving the chain loops and the surrounding belt member. In use, the belt member maintains a constant linear velocity throughout its travel path (i.e., both inboard and outboard of the two sets of sprockets), due to the action of the pulleys. In this way, the velocities of the belt member and chains are synchronized at all points where they are in engagement (i.e., inboard of the sprockets), and slipping and/or stretching of the belt member with respect to the chains is advantageously prevented at its reversal points (i.e., outboard of the sprockets).

Abstract: An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of varying sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor.

Abstract: A storage system for the storage and retrieval of material goods has a continuous track and a storage carousel movable along the track. The carousel carries a plurality of shelf arrays, each of which includes a plurality of vertically-spaced shelves removably attachable to the carousel at an adjustable vertical pitch. One or more inserter assemblies are disposed adjacent the carousel for transferring cartons onto the carousel. One or more removal assemblies are disposed adjacent the carousel for removing cartons from the carousel. A vertical transport unit has an upward reach disposed adjacent the inserter assemblies for transferring cartons to the inserter assemblies, and a downward reach disposed adjacent the removal assemblies for receiving cartons from the removal assemblies. The vertical transport unit has a plurality of platforms removably attachable to the vertical transport unit at an adjustable pitch.

Abstract: A processing apparatus, conveyor and method for processing products or materials, such as food processing equipment or methods, is configured such that the conveyor travels in a generally helical path within a processing chamber to expose products on the conveyor to a gaseous processing media such as heated or cooled air. The conveyor includes gas flow compensation including a plurality of gas flow compensation members which partially block a portion of the surface of the conveyor, preferably toward the exterior of the conveyor in the helical path, to deflect or direct more of the gaseous food processing media away from the less densely distributed products or materials at the exterior of the conveyor caused when the conveyor follows the helical path. The processing media is thus preferably forced in the direction of the more densely distributed products toward the interior of conveyor to uniformly expose product on the conveyor to the processing media.

Abstract: A reversible conveyor belt system has, on at least one surface of the belt, projections arranged preferable in a plurality of asymmetrical rows and columns thereby forming a matrix engagable with an offset mating tracking surface glued to the surface of the pulley. The projections are truncated geometrical solids, pyramids, extending outwardly from the surface of the belt. When the truncated solids of the belt intermesh in the tracks provided between the rows of truncated solids on the pulley, positive alignment without creep, improved timing and increased drive force are achieved. The projections may be used on both sides of the belt, and a second belt with interlocking projections may be mounted around a second pulley and positioned beneath the main conveyor belt for heavy impact loads. The drive system includes an easily removable hub assembly wherein the shaft of the pulley defines a flat area which engages a hardened dowel wedge for providing positive drive with reduced shear.

Abstract: A storage system including a container storage area in the form of a multi-rack, multi-tier storage carousel, a vertical conveyor for transporting conveyors vertically and input and output shuttle units for conveying containers between the vertical conveyor and the storage carousel. The vertical conveyor includes a loading zone which is below the operating levels of the shuttle units. The storage carousel and the shuttle units are driven by a common mechanically synchronized drive. The vertical conveyor is driven intermittently and independently of the drive for the rest of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enable horizontally transporting a succession of objects, such as glass bottles, without bottom support and yet maintaining precise, consistent centerline location. A pair of continuous transport belts are supported, preferably by a pair of complimentary interlocking belts, to maintain a substantially constant distance between the facing object-supporting surfaces. Preferably, the interlocking belts are made of alternating teeth and grooves transverse to the horizontal transfer path. The belts are rendered substantially inextensible transverse to the direction of the path.

Abstract: A vertical conveyor is disclosed having a frame with a first and second vertical frame section spaced apart but supportingly connected to each other. Load supports having first and second ends are conveyed around a looped path. Each load support is movably mounted at the first and second ends to first and second frame sections. A pickup chain assembly has a pickup drive chain, an upper drive sprocket driven by the motor wherein a substantial amount of the load exerted by the supports against the pickup chain assembly is imported against the upper drive sprocket. An idler sprocket is aligned below the drive sprocket and has a smaller diameter than the drive sprocket. The pickup drive chains include a plurality of pickups pivotally mounted thereto which engage transverse axles mounted at the end of compression links of a compression chain assembly. The load supports are mounted on the compression chain assembly.

Abstract: A tandem belt conveyor system comprising an endless primary conveyor belt, an endless support conveyor belt and a synchronous drive for synchronously driving the primary and support conveyor belts. The primary conveyor belt is a flat wire belt having a carrier flight for transport of articles and a return flight. The support conveyor belt has a support flight for supporting the carrier flight of the primary conveyor belt, and a return flight. The support conveyor belt includes a pair of chains interconnected by transverse cross bars for supporting the primary conveyor belt. The synchronous drive includes an AC motor for driving one of the belts, a DC motor for driving the other belt, and a DC motor controller for controlling the AC and DC motors in master-slave relationship to synchronize the speeds of the belts.

Abstract: A multiple-belt conveying apparatus includes at least one endless inner belt movably wound on at least one substrate plate secured to a base having two arcuate end portions disposed on a front end portion and a rear end portion of the substrate plate for movably winding the endless inner belt on the two arcuate end portions of the substrate plate, having an inner slipping surface and an outer frictional surface; and an endless outer belt movably wound on a front roller and a rear roller fixed on a base, the outer belt movably overlapping the inner belt (or belts) with an inner surface of the outer belt frictionally contacting the outer frictional surface of the inner belt, and the inner belt having its inner slipping surface slidably contacting an upper slipping surface formed on an upper surface of the substrate plate, thereby providing a belt conveying apparatus having a flat top surface for comfortable and minimum stress loading, riding or walking on the outer belt and also for a smooth movement of the bel

Abstract: A conveyor arranged to travel along a prescribed path, the upper surface of which conveyor being constituted by a comparatively large number of separate segments, with each segment supported by a carriage member. The conveyor utilizes a substantial number of interconnected carriage members, with at least one elongate linear sprocket attached to each carriage member. Each linear sprocket has a number of consistently spaced, generally downwardly directed teeth, which are successively brought into operative contact with components of a powered endless chain that is disposed under, and in general alignment with, the intended path of travel of the carriage members.

Abstract: An escalator handrail drive system includes a powered drive belt which engages the underneath surface of the handrail along the return path of travel of the latter. A series of pressure rollers engage the outer surface of the handrail to press the latter against the drive belt. The pressure rollers are all biased against the handrail by a single spring. The drive belt is pretensioned by an adjustable pretension spring assembly which can apply a fixed pretensioning force to the drive belt which will not substantially change irrespective of whether the handrail is being driven in the "up" direction or in the "down" direction on the escalator.

Abstract: Plastic modular link belt conveyors are provided with an inner drive belt system disposed along a variable length of the conveyor belt at one or more positions to produce various advantages including operation of longer belts and those which have curved conveyance paths. The modular characteristics of these drive systems permit custom design in the field for different conveyor loadings, paths and loads. Thus, belt life and performance is enhanced by driving a belt with a belt drive system. The system advantageously uses standard modules of one type in both the driven and driving belts. Thus the modules have similar manufacturing tolerances and temperature characteristics. Pivoted link modules with oblong apertures in the belt drive system permits choices of modules for belt constructions compatible with curved paths. The modularized belt systems are versatile for adaptation to such applications as wide bricklayered modular belts and non-conventional conveyor needs.

Abstract: A tandem belt conveyor system comprising an endless primary conveyor belt, an endless support conveyor belt and a synchronous drive for synchronously driving the primary and support conveyor belts. The primary conveyor belt is a flat wire belt having a carrier flight for transport of articles and a return flight. The support conveyor belt has a support flight for supporting the carrier flight of the primary conveyor belt, and a return flight. The support conveyor belt includes a pair of chains interconnected by transverse cross bars for supporting the primary conveyor belt. The synchronous drive includes an AC motor for driving one of the belts, a DC motor for driving the other belt, and a DC motor controller for controlling the AC and DC motors in master-slave relationship to synchronize the speeds of the belts.

Abstract: The moving handrails of an escalator or moving walk-way are driven by a pair of linear powered belts which are positioned along a linear portion of the return path of travel of the escalator. Each handrail drive system includes a pair of drive belts which are entrained about a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket. The drive belts have toothed surfaces which engage teeth on the sprockets. The sides of the belts away from the toothed surfaces are smooth. The belts are moved along a rectilinear path which brings them into the underneath side of the returning handrail. A spreader forces the belts apart and into the side pockets on the handrail where they engage and drive the handrail. The drive system does not contact the outer surface of the handrail and does not move the handrail through a nip where it will bend.