Support, Guide, Or Hold-down Means For Carrier Belt Patents (Class 198/837)
  • Publication number: 20080202090
    Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes a plurality of platform sections. One or more of the platform sections include a cutterbar assembly which is movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions. An endless belt has a leading edge. A plurality of belt guides each have a rear edge with an upper surface and a lower surface. Each lower surface partially overlies the leading edge of the endless belt. Adjacent belt guides have an overlap with a smooth upper transition and/or smooth lower transition at the overlap. A smooth upper transition has an absence of any discontinuities extending above adjacent upper surfaces, and a smooth lower transition has an absence of any discontinuities extending below adjacent lower surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Lovett, Mark A. Melton
  • Publication number: 20080202897
    Abstract: The invention concerns a conveying apparatus, essentially including an endless conveying element which is guided over several deflecting elements and comprises a conveying sector and a return sector, the conveying sector defining a conveying plane E, a drive for the conveying element and elements for centering the conveying element, which is distinguished by the fact that at least the deflecting elements arranged at opposite ends of the conveying sector are designed as elements for centering the conveying element transversely to the direction of transport T with an inwardly directed shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Grabau
  • Publication number: 20080196996
    Abstract: The medium conveying mechanism includes a motor, a driving pulley adapted to be rotated by the motor, an endless belt wound around the driving pulley and adapted to be moved by the driving pulley in a belt moving direction, a first driven pulley around which the endless belt is wound and adapted to be rotated by the endless belt, a first conveying roller disposed on the medium conveying path and adapted to be rotated by the first driven pulley to convey the medium, and a first pressure roller disposed to correspond to the first conveying roller so as to press the medium against the first conveying roller. A distance in the medium conveying path between the information reading position and a nip portion between the first conveying roller and the first pressure roller is shorter than a distance between a leading end of the conveyed medium and back end of the recording area. The first driven pulley is disposed upstream from the driving pulley in the belt moving direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Furihata
  • Publication number: 20080135383
    Abstract: A gapless side guard for use with a modular belt having modules connected to one another by pivot rods. The gapless side guard has a continuous strip of flexible material for retaining materials being transported on the modular belt. In one embodiment, the strip has strip openings and the strip is connected to the module with brackets. The brackets have anchors and the strip openings are positioned around the anchors such that the strip is thereafter joined to the anchors. The bracket has a stud side with studs extending from the stud side. The module has stud openings and the studs are snapped into the stud openings in the module and are thereafter joined to the module. The strip is flexible such that when the modular belt is driven over a sprocket it is capable of elongating as the distance between the brackets increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Dietmar Elsner
  • Publication number: 20080092680
    Abstract: A substrate transfer apparatus and a method of driving the same includes a first guide block and a second guide block, and a single ball screw shaft connected to the first and second guide blocks moves the guide blocks in an axial direction thereof. A first drive unit rotates the ball screw shaft to concurrently move the pair of guide blocks, and a second drive unit connected to the second guide block separately moves the second guide block with respect to the first guide block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-Ku Kim, Jong-Eok Ban
  • Publication number: 20070295582
    Abstract: A separation conveyor using a roller belt whose rollers are already rotating before receiving an article to provide immediate pull-away from an infeed conveyor. The rollers of a roller belt extend through the thickness of the belt and into contact with a bearing surface in a reversing segment of a belt path between the returnway and the carryway of the separation conveyor. The rollers are already rotating on the bearing surface in the reversing segment at the infeed end before they contact articles to avoid delays in pulling articles away from the infeed conveyor and onto the separation conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Joseph M. DePaso
  • Patent number: 7311193
    Abstract: A conveyor chain has a succession of longitudinally succeeding links, a respective entrainment lug projecting transversely outward from each link and formed with a latch seat and a plurality of identical entrainment elements. The entrainment elements each have a transversely outwardly projecting entrainment arm, a transversely inwardly open socket adapted to fit complementarily over a respective one of the lugs, a formation in the socket engageable in the seat of the respective one lug, and a longitudinally extending brace bearing transversely inward on at least one of the lugs adjacent the respective one lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Fritz Fochler
  • Patent number: 7245857
    Abstract: A belt driving apparatus for driving a belt has the belt hung around and between rollers, and has a meandering prevention member provided in each end part of each roller to restrict the meandering of the belt in the roller axial direction. A cut is formed to be open toward the roller end face and to extend in the roller axial direction, and a boss that fits into the cut is formed on the inner circumference of the meandering prevention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Ishii, Hiroshi Ito
  • Patent number: 7232030
    Abstract: The present invention is related to quick release holders that grip the beading of a conveyor belt. Due to a holder's unique structure, without the use of tools, the holder can manually be opened to release the beading and the conveyor belt. Conversely, without the use of tools, the holder can also be manually closed to secure the beading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Transnorm System Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Duncan, Donald K. Wier, John K. Crowley
  • Patent number: 7178664
    Abstract: A belt device that includes an endless belt having a projection on an inner surface of the endless belt, the projection extending parallel to a running direction of the endless belt and a support roller having a guide portion that contacts the projection, the support roller supporting the endless belt so as to run the endless belt, wherein the projection is designed such that frictional forces between the guide portion and the projection is lower than frictional forces between the guide portion and a rectangular, square or circular shaped projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Okabe
  • Patent number: 7156224
    Abstract: A circulating mechanism includes a moving member, e.g. a chain or a belt, which travels along a circulating path and is looped about at least one deflecting member for reversing a travel direction of the moving member. Disposed in a section of the circulating path is a guide assembly for guiding the moving member. A magnetic field generating device is provided for applying a magnetic force upon the moving member at least in an area of the guide assembly so as to draw the moving member against the guide assembly and thereby enhance the travel behavior of the moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Forster, Jens Hamann, Dietmar Stoiber, Bernd Wedel
  • Patent number: 7048112
    Abstract: A yoke for a food grade conveyor is formed of UHMW plastic molded as a single unit having left and right upright portions connected by vertically separated upper and lower cross portions. Each cross portion has a stanchion to provide a support face or ledge for connecting to a conveyor runner. The upright portions also include first ledges for supporting runners and second ledges for supporting side rails. The side rails can be screwed into the upper portion of the yoke. Smooth transition regions and curved surfaces promote cleanliness and sanitation. The runners are screwed onto the yokes at the support surfaces, and appropriately shaped stainless steel frame members are screwed onto the yokes. Modified yokes allow the inclusion of lower guides with channels. A flush-top conveyor arrangement is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Formigoni, William J. Nahlen
  • Patent number: 6962252
    Abstract: The invention provides a curved belt support apparatus (300) that prevents a curved belt (200) from moving inward by supporting a thick part (220) of the curved belt that thickens in both vertical directions at the outer edge of the belt. An upper roller (370) is brought in contact with the upper inside surface (221) of the thick part (220), a lower guide roller (380) is brought in contact with the lower guide roller (380) is brought in contact with the lower inside surface (222) of the thick part (200), and the upper and lower guide rollers are elastically supported such that they can move up and down. When operated, the upper guide roller (370) and the lower guide roller (380) are moved diagonally upward and downward, respectively, in the direction of the radial inner edge of the curved belt so that the thick part (220) of the belt is released from the upper and lower guide rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventors: Hiroaki Fujiwara, Walter Niklaus Polt
  • Patent number: 6935483
    Abstract: A sortation system includes a metal frame member and a traveling member having a series of wheels supported by the frame member. The traveling member defines an upper surface that supports articles being sorted. A wear strip is provided between said frame member and the wheels. The wear strip is made up of at least one wheel support strip and a sound deadening material between the at least one wheel support strip and the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp.
    Inventors: Frank W. Veit, Rhonda J. Verploegen, Mark S. Harkema
  • Patent number: 6902053
    Abstract: A conveyor belt alignment system for maintaining a maintaining a conveyor belt's alignment under various operating conditions. The conveyor belt alignment system includes a mounting plate for attaching to a structure, a first plate attached to a second plate, wherein the second plate is adjustably attached to the mounting plate, a support frame adjustably positioned upon the first plate, a plurality of first idlers extending from the support frame, and a plurality of second idlers extending from the support frame. The first idlers are positioned on opposite surfaces of the conveyor belt for vertical alignment. The second idlers are positioned on a same side as the conveyor belt for horizontal alignment of the conveyor belt. The second idlers have an upper guide member and a lower guide member, wherein the conveyor belt is positioned between the upper and lower guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Rodney Long
  • Patent number: 6840370
    Abstract: A drive unit (10) for a continuous conveyance means of a transfer system has a housing part (16) comprising two side walls (17, 18), in each of which a recess (25) is formed. A bearing plate (31) is capable of being inserted into each of the recesses (25) from the top end face of the housing part (16). The drive shaft (37) of a drive wheel (38) for the conveyance mechanism is supported in the bearing plates (31). The design of the drive unit (10) according to the invention allows for universal use of the drive unit (10) combined with easy assembly of its individual parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Haug, Ralph Schneider, Claus Scholpp
  • Publication number: 20040245075
    Abstract: A transport system, in particular airport baggage handling system, for transport of containers with articles, in particular bags, includes a discharge unit for unloading a container which supports an article and defines a longitudinal axis. The discharge unit includes a curve section to define a curved transport path, and an engagement assembly for guiding and moving the container at a desired speed. The engagement assembly is constructed to move the container along the curved transport path at a transport speed by which the article is forced outwards as a result of centrifugal forces so that the article spontaneously slides from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Wolfgang Brixius, Dominik Grafer, Albrecht Hoene
  • Publication number: 20040168892
    Abstract: A transport system for advancing containers includes a curve section for defining a curved transport path which is defined by a curve radius, and a driving and guiding assembly for advancing and guiding a container along the transport path. The driving and guiding assembly has support elements, which support the underside of the container, and is constructed to bear upon at least one of the sidewalls, at least along portions thereof, in a force-locking or form-fitting manner for propulsion of the container. The container has an underside formed with two longitudinal sidewalls extending mirror-symmetrically and curved outwardly or inwardly at a radius, which corresponds to the curve radius, such that a distance between the sidewalls is at a maximum or minimum in mid-section of the sidewalls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Wolfgang Brixius, Dominik Grafer, Albrecht Hoene
  • Publication number: 20040168894
    Abstract: A container transport system for transport of an article, in particular a baggage item, includes a container for receiving an article, with the container made of flame-resistant, wear-resistant and translucent plastic material which is stable in shape. The container has an underside which is formed with touch surfaces extending in a transport direction by which the container is advanced by a conveyor between a receiving end and a discharge end. The conveyor is provided with a guiding and/or driving engagement assembly for cooperation with the touch surfaces of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Wolfgang Brixius, Dominik Grafer, Albrecht Hoene, Andreas Syndikus
  • Publication number: 20040168888
    Abstract: A transport system for transport of containers has a switch with an entry zone, an exit zone with at least two different transport paths for conveying a container, and a switch mechanism for selectively controlling the transport of the container to the transport paths. During their travel, the containers are supported by a support assembly, and aligned and advanced in a controlled manner in the entry zone by an alignment and propulsion mechanism. A propulsion and guide assembly in the exit zone is rendered operative in response to a transport of the container along the transport paths and includes at least two modules which respectively cooperate with the transport paths and are disposed in the exit zone below the plane of the support assembly. The modules are hereby so controlled that only the one of the modules is raised into a plane above the plane of the support assembly, when the container is transported along the associated transport path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Wolfgang Brixius, Dominik Grafer, Albrecht Hoene
  • Publication number: 20040168893
    Abstract: A conveyor system for transport of containers, in particular an airport baggage handling system, includes a conveyor having a curved transport path with one end defining an entry zone and another end defining an exit zone. The containers are moved by a container propulsion mechanism along the curved transport path between the entry and exit zones, wherein the curved transport path is constructed for movement of the containers in an inwardly inclined disposition for reducing centrifugal forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Wolfgang Brixius, Dominik Grafer, Albrecht Hoene
  • Patent number: 6766901
    Abstract: An endless conveyor belt formed of plastic belt modules and capable of following a curved path. The modules include first and second module surfaces, i.e., a top, product-conveying surface and a bottom, sprocket-driven surface. An intermediate section extends across the width of each module transverse to the direction of belt travel. A plurality of snap-on side guards are mounted in vertical openings disposed in the belt modules. Each side guard includes a central post having opposed wings extending in a forwardly and a rearwardly direction along the direction of conveyor belt travel. The wings are staggered in the lateral direction so that the forward wing of a first side guard overlaps with the rearward wing of an immediately adjacent second side guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventors: Dieter Guldenfels, Enrico Visconti
  • Patent number: 6612424
    Abstract: A drive shaft (5) with at least one chain wheel (7) for the drive of chain scraper conveyors, especially for underground mining operations, with a full-width drive shaft (5) mounted on both ends in bearings (4) on the machine frame (1), which has outer gearing teeth (6) for the positive rotational engagement with single part chain wheels (7), which can be pulled off the drive shaft (5), whereby the drive shaft (5) has outer teeth (6) along its longitudinal region, in which a through central gearing (6) reaches to the reduced diameters (17) of the drive shaft (5) in the proximity of the bearing housings (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: DBT GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Merten, Adam Klabisch
  • Patent number: 6588584
    Abstract: A clamping assembly for mounting an apparatus on a side rail of a conveyor has one or a pair of parallelepiped shaped blocks, each having a tenon extending outwardly from one planar side thereof. The tenon has a shape similar to one-half of a dovetail shaped groove, one or two such grooves are formed in one of the side rails of a conveyor. A pair of fasteners clamp each of the blocks against the outer surface of the side rail with the tenons thereof extending into a respective dovetail groove and engaging one-half of the groove. The outer width of the tenon is less then the entrance opening of the dovetail groove enabling the tenon to be placed directly into the groove without being slid inwardly from an end opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: R. L. Craig, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Craig, Jason R. Craig, Charles W. Bell
  • Patent number: 6585261
    Abstract: A track bottom piece is provided for use in a document processing system having a baseplate. A document track is defined in a surface of the track bottom piece. Document items can move along the document track from an upstream end to a downstream end. An angled surface is defined along an edge of the track bottom piece. The angled surface receives a releasable mechanism to secure the track bottom piece relative to the baseplate. When the releasable mechanism is released, the track bottom piece is allowed to move relative to the baseplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Miller, Fredrik L. N. Kallin
  • Publication number: 20030091246
    Abstract: Guide for slats of a reciprocally moving floor of a transport or loading surface, stationary or mobile, such as a loading floor of a trailer, the slats being supported on locations that are spaced apart in slat direction, on rectangular tubular longitudinal profiles that may or may not be continuous, guides being arranged between the longitudinal profiles and the slats, which guides substantially have an inverted U-shape with an upper body situated on top of the longitudinal profile and two legs on either side of the longitudinal profile extending downward from the upper body, at least one of which legs being provided with a flange at the lower end for engagement of the lower surface of the longitudinal profile, the guide being designed for keeping the longitudinal profile between the legs and between the flange and the upper body, the one portion of the portions of the legs situated opposite each other on either side being shortened into a short protrusion engaging over the upper corner of the longitudinal p
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: CARGO FLOOR B.V.
    Inventor: Frans Arian Heino De Raad
  • Patent number: 6550608
    Abstract: A carton feeding system for feeding cartons into a packaging machine is disclosed. The carton feeding system includes a frame in which a carton feeder is rotatably mounted and a carton guide assembly. The carton guide assembly includes a pair of spaced guide tracks along which guide chains are moved to engage and urge the cartons along the carton feeding system toward a drop point overlying a series of products passing therebeneath. A pair of spaced chute plates receive and support the ends of the cartons as the cartons are released by the carton feeder and are urged by the guide chains along a feed path toward the drop point and engagement with a series of products passing through the product-packaging machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Brown, Colin Ford
  • Patent number: 6543609
    Abstract: A split housing for a sprocket in a conveyor system is disclosed. The sprocket includes a first, preferably upper portion that mates with a second, preferably lower portion to define a curved guide track for guiding a conveyor belt from a forward to a return run, or vice versa. The split nature of the housing allows for the removal of one portion, such as the upper portion, in a vertical direction without the need for moving the adjacent sprocket or guide rail. Hence, the other portion may remain attached to a stable structure used to support the conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Span Tech LLC
    Inventors: James L. Layne, Stephen C. Fye, Michael D. McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20030047426
    Abstract: Chain guide assemblies for conveyor systems including matched chain guide strips and preassembled straps that interconnect and locate the chain guide strips in constant perpendicular spacing. In certain aspects, the matched chain guide strips are preassembled with the straps to form preassembled chain guide assemblies. The chain guide assemblies can describe straight segments as well as circle segments. The chain guide assemblies present a relatively open configuration to facilitate cleaning and servicing the chain guide assemblies and attached conveyor chains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Patent number: 6510941
    Abstract: An endless conveyor belt has a thermal fluid (gas or liquid) sprayed against a portion of its underside to define a temperature-controlled region of the belt. To prevent the lateral escape of the thermal fluid, stationary seals are provided which contact the belt underside adjacent respective longitudinal edges of the belt. To keep the seals in continuous contact with the belt, despite warping that might occur, the seals carry magnets, and the belt is formed of a magnetizable material. Hence, the magnets force the belt and seals together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Santrade Ltd.
    Inventors: Konrad Schermutzki, Matthias Kleinhans
  • Publication number: 20030015406
    Abstract: An endless conveyor belt formed of plastic belt modules and capable of following a curved path. The modules include first and second module surfaces, i.e., a top, product-conveying surface and a bottom, sprocket-driven surface. An intermediate section extends across the width of each module transverse to the direction of belt travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Dieter Guldenfels, Enrico Visconti
  • Patent number: 6499588
    Abstract: A conveying system for conveying items along a conveying line (1, 2) includes a guide device (3) extending along the conveying line and at least one conveying element (5) movable along the conveying line and guided by the guide device (3). The guide device (3) and conveying element (5) are designed for conveying the items substantially independent of gravity. For selectable connection of the conveying line to a plurality of connecting points (A.1-A.3) the conveying system includes, connected to a invariable conveying line region (1) with a fixedly mounted guide device, a variable conveying line region (2) in which the guide device (3) is reversibly bendable and twistable. For bending and/or twisting the guide device and for supporting the guide device in a bent and/or twisted position necessary for a specific connection, a drivable connector (8) is provided. The variable conveying line region (2) may be an end region of the conveying line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: IPT Weinfelden AG
    Inventor: Jürg Eberle
  • Patent number: 6491156
    Abstract: A fluid plenum trough conveyor support that provides a near frictionless fluid film bearing to support a conveyor belt. The apparatus of the present invention may be used as a discrete conveyor belt support element. The discrete elements formed by the method of the present invention may also be sealingly joined to form a continuous trough conveyor path for a conveyor system. An improved particulate collection system is provided at termination points of the conveyor system for eliminating particulate emissions as the bulk materials transported by the conveyor are unloaded or transferred to receiving points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Hudco Industial Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Clinton Hudson
  • Publication number: 20020153231
    Abstract: An idler system for conveyors, the system providing an idler which is released or propelled downwardly away from the conveyor belt, when a pre-determined condition is present, such as the tripping of an idler guard or the presence of a pre-determined amount of pressure on the idler. The idler itself may be releasably attached to a conveyor framework, or it may be provided with an idler bracket which is partially or wholly released with the idler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Northwest Product Design, LLC.
    Inventor: Robert A. Horne
  • Publication number: 20020060141
    Abstract: A modular conveyor system having an improved side flexing conveyor belt and improved active guide rail is provided. One or more roller assemblies replace the passive inside or outside guide rails in a curved section of the conveyor system for reducing the drag force on the conveyor belt as it negotiates the curve. Pairs of articulated members interconnect roller assemblies and allow the relative angular position of each to be selectively adjusted. The improved side flexing conveyor belt includes side links having a curved skirt which bridges the gap between the side links, thereby providing a continuous bearing surface for smooth operation. The skirts of adjacent links engage each other in edge-to-edge contact to prevent the tendency to sag, as well as assisting the conveyor belt in ramping up and down and the retention of the conveyor belt along a return run.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: James L. Layne, Wendell S. Bell, Michael D. McDaniel, Mark T. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6390289
    Abstract: A conveyor belt alignment device comprises an idler roller mounted relative to a conveyor belt, the idler roller having a first cylindrical portion extending over the conveyor belt proximate an edge thereof, and a second cylindrical portion abutting against an edge of the conveyor belt for preventing lateral movement of the conveyor belt relative thereto. The idler roller is biased toward the conveyor belt in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by an upper surface of the conveyor belt to allow debris to pass between the idler roller and the conveyor belt and thus reduce damage to the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Richard M. Hoggan
  • Patent number: 6367619
    Abstract: A conveyor which includes a conveyor frame for supporting a chain for slidable movement thereon, and having an end. A chain is slidably supported by the frame and wraps around the end. A nose bar is mounted to the conveyor end, and has an edge extending away from the frame. An insert is mounted to the nose bar edge and has wear material slidably engaging the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Rexnord Corporation
    Inventors: James A Cemke, Jr., Jeffrey A. Schumacher
  • Publication number: 20020014394
    Abstract: Conveyors, in particular accumulating roller conveyors (10), feature a profile section (11), in which a top belt (15) and a bottom belt (16) of a accumulating roller chain (14) are guided. In known accumulating roller conveyors (10), the profile section (11) has permanently divided receiving spaces (26) for the top belt (15) and the bottom belt (16). The receiving space (26) for the bottom belt (16) is closed on all sides, which has an adverse effect on the accessibility of the receiving space (26) for the bottom belt (16), in particular during the mounting of same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Walter Mann, Michael Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20010025769
    Abstract: A belt conveyor comprises a frame wherein at least two support rolls for supporting a laterally curved endless conveyor belt are disposed. The laterally curved endless conveyor belt carries on at least one of its surfaces a guiding bead disposed at or adjacent the outer peripheral edge thereof. Furthermore the belt conveyor comprises one or more bearing rolls for bearing the guiding bead. The guiding bead is a coextruded layered bead comprising a base layer of a base layer material which is fastened to the conveyor belt and a top layer of a top layer material which is flexible and wear resistant. Preferably the base layer is thermoplastically bonded to a top cover of the conveyor belt. If necessary the base layer is melted into a supporting bottom fabric of the conveyor belt. The top layer material comprises preferably a thermoplastic rubber or copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Ammeraal International B.V.
    Inventors: Simon Jacobus Roet, James Ray Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 6227354
    Abstract: An assembly for supporting the drive or idler shaft in an endless conveyor, such as an armored face or scraper chain conveyor, is provided. The assembly includes a pair of annular bearing housings having central bores for receiving the ends of an idler shaft carrying dual spaced inner, or single twin inboard sprocket rings. Each bearing housing includes a relatively wide integral support arm for insertion into a corresponding C-shaped bracket attached to the end face of the conveyor frame. Fasteners, such as dowel pins and bolts, are inserted into aligned vertical apertures formed in the cooperating support arms and brackets. In the mounted position, the bearing housings fully support the shaft ends independent of the conveyor frame sidewalls and thus are useful with conveyors having sidewalls spaced any distance apart. The independence provided by moving the bearing housings inward permits a shorter and consequently lighter shaft to be used and one that is less prone to deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Longwall-Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Howden, Garland J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 6196376
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a support device for applying a lateral guiding force in the case of side-arc link chains, comprising a side-arc link chain and a support element moving together with said side-arc link chain and supporting it laterally on the inner side of the chain arc. For providing a support device of the type cited at the start which requires much less constructional outlay and can be produced at a much more moderate price and which, in addition, requires little mounting space, the present invention is so conceived that the support element is defined by an endless traction means which is guided with the aid of deflection means and supported by guide means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Joh. Winklhofer & Söhne GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Grabmann, Dag Heinrich
  • Patent number: 6186318
    Abstract: An elongated low profile sheet metal tray has a bottom panel adapted to seat on the bolster plate of a stamping press under a die set. The panel supports adjacent upper and lower runs of an endless belt directed around guide rollers and a drive roller supported by cast support members removably connected to opposite ends of the tray. A motor and gear reducer unit is mounted on one support member and drives the belt drive roller, and the sheet metal tray has opposite integral side rails forming inclined surfaces and channel portions enclosing opposite edge portions of the belt. A sheet of plastics material extends between the bottom panel and the bottom run of the belt, and a detector senses belt stoppage for stopping the motor and stamping press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Pax Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis J. Pax, Steven J. Pax
  • Patent number: 6170648
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an angle station 3 for lateral angular displacement of an endless conveyor belt 2 in a conveyor system. The angle station 3 comprises a belt guide in the form of a multiplicity of guide rollers 22 mounted on a roller support. The guide rollers 22 are arranged in an axially and laterally extending array, so as to define a generally continuously curved support for a conveyor belt 2 in use of the angle station 3. The roller support comprise an elongate support member 24 provided with a plurality of roller support elements 26 mounting roller mounting members 28 which are arranged along a plurality of axially spaced substantially helical pathways C, D, E, F. The roller support elements 26 project from the elongate support member 24 and the elongate support member 24 is laterally offset and spaced from a common longitudinal axis of the helical pathways for the roller mounting members 28 so that the space radially inwards of the helical pathway is substantially unobstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Continental Conveyor Ltd.
    Inventors: Alan Coxon, Norman Charles Hadley, John Pattison
  • Patent number: 6145653
    Abstract: A conveyor system comprises a pair of side-by-side conveyors adapted to move articles such as baggage or cargo in opposite directions simultaneously, preferably at the same elevation, and linked together by an endless belt. The endless belt is directed from the exit of one conveyor to the entrance of the other conveyor and from the exit of the other conveyor to the entrance of the one conveyor via a pair of conveyor twist assemblies which maintain the baggage carrying surface in an upward orientation on both conveyors. The twist assemblies can employ vertical or horizontal rolls to attain the direction change of the endless belt. Staggered idler rolls can be arranged beneath the two conveyors for belt support and reduction of vibration caused by belt travel. The side-by-side conveyor system is particularly useful in multiple stacked arrangements in tunnels for airports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventor: William A. Mensch
  • Patent number: 6142293
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a circuit substrate, including: two belts which are provided at respective positions apart from each other in a first direction, and which include respective flat portions extending parallel to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; two substrate guides one of which extends over one of opposite sides of the flat portion of a corresponding one of the two belts, and the other of which extends over one of opposite sides of the flat portion of the other belt, the one side of the flat portion of the one belt being remoter from the other belt than the other side of the flat portion of the one belt in the first direction, the one side of the flat portion of the other belt being remoter from the one belt than the other side of the flat portion of the other belt in the first direction, the two substrate guides having respective guide surfaces opposite to each other; the respective other sides of the respective flat portions providing respective substrate-conve
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Ozawa, Toshikatsu Terashima, Mamoru Tsuda
  • Patent number: 6142468
    Abstract: A chain conveyor for transporting sheets in a sheet-processing printing press, having chain guide rails which, together with a holder for carrying the guide rails, define an interior having an open long side, and having conveyor chains carrying gripper systems for gripping the sheets. The conveyor chains being guidable by the chain guide rails, being formed by outer tabs and inner tabs joined together swivellably with respect to pivot axes and, on a side thereof, having cover tabs for covering the open long side, includes detent elements on the cover tabs for connecting the cover tabs form-lockingly to a respective outer tab; and a sheet-fed printing press having the foregoing chain conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Gunschera, Roland Hirth
  • Patent number: 6113059
    Abstract: The invention provides a tubing material suitable for constructing a double-walled dead shaft idler. The idler so constructed is lighter weight than standard idlers. It permits bearings to be mounted at a distance recessed from the ends of the idler, thereby reducing deflection or bending of the idler. The tubing also includes built-in balancing lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Engineered Metals Corporation
    Inventor: Cal Couillard
  • Patent number: 6109427
    Abstract: A conveyor construction includes a frame, a drive section stationarily mounted to the frame, and a tensioning section mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the frame. The drive and tensioning sections each include a spindle, and a belt is engaged with the spindles. The frame defines an upper support surface disposed below the upper run of the belt, and mating engagement structure is provided on the belt and the upper support surface for preventing lateral movement of the belt relative to the upper support surface. The drive and tensioning sections include spaced side members, each of which defines an inwardly opening cavity for receiving a bearing assembly for rotatably supporting the spindle. The bearing-receiving cavity faces the spindle, and each side member defines outer wall structure which engages and supports the belt outwardly of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Dorner Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Michael A. Hosch, Scott M. Hall, Daniel E. Ertel, Kenneth A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6106388
    Abstract: A belt guide member for guiding an abrasive belt on a rotary drum sander. The belt guide member includes a slot for accommodating an edge of the abrasive belt. The belt guide member may have two slots, such that when one slot of the member has been used and is worn out, the other slot can be used by turning around the member. A ridge between the slots helps prevent the edge of the belt from folding over between the slots. The member may have a magnet at its bottom face for attaching to the sander and for facilitating removal and exchange of the member. The belt guide member may be manufactured from a ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Performax Products Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Green
  • Patent number: 6085895
    Abstract: Disclosed is a curved belt conveyor, which comprises a curved belt between rollers, guide rollers supporting the inner peripheral edge of the curved belt, a driving roller set in the outer peripheral section of the curved belt, a pinch roller for pressing the forward run side of the curved belt against the driving roller, and a pinch roller for pressing the return run side of the curved belt against the driving roller. The pinch rollers are supported with their axial centers inclined with respect to the reference line. With the pinch rollers inclined to contact the curved belt, the outer peripheral section of the curved belt is driven towards the outside of turning, thereby preventing bulging and zigzag movement of the curved belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Maruyasu Kikai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Osaka, Masahiro Kobayashi, Kazue Yoda