Guide Exerting Lateral Force On Nonload-supporting Belt Surface Patents (Class 198/840)
  • Patent number: 5782340
    Abstract: A tapered side support for conveyor belts wherein tapered recesses and projections having correspondingly tapered surfaces are selectively provided on the sides of a conveyor support frame assembly and a conveyor belt. The tapered recesses and projections are slidably mounted relative to each other for supporting the conveyor belt. When used on an endless conveyor belt, the load supporting flight and return flight are supported by the tapered side support, which also facilitates the flushing and draining of the side support during the cleaning of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Rex H. Dolan
  • Patent number: 5743378
    Abstract: A device for stabilizing the conveyor belt in a self-adjusting belt steering assembly is described. The belt steering assembly has conveyor supporting rollers (1) provided on a rotatable supporting plate (2) which is connected via a longitudinal stay (6) with guide rollers (9). The guide rollers (9) are mounted on a rotatably mounted transverse stay (7). A parallel stay (13) is mounted between the transverse stay (7) and the mounting beam (11, 19) or the foundation for the conveyor belt (5). Thus, when lateral misalignment occurs in the conveyor belt, the guide rollers (9) are kept in an approximately perpendicular position on the conveyor belt's (5) longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: AS Techno Track
    Inventors: Kenneth Hovst.o slashed., Kjell Arne Gaarden
  • Patent number: 5706934
    Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt of heavy duty construction has a solid top with closely fitted together interdigited link ends or projections on the modules for minimizing dropping of particles, liquids, etc. from conveyed objects through the belt. The link ends extending in both directions from the belt are sharply tapered, generally triangular in shape so as to expose large gaps between the link ends and a large proportion of each connecting rod when the belt modules travel around a sprocket, making the gaps and the connecting rods more easily cleaned. The spacing between adjacent link ends is wide, minimizing the number of link ends and thus the number of gaps for cleaning. In addition, the link ends and the connecting rods are relatively heavy in dimension, providing for high tensile strength in the conveyor belt. The belt is driven by engagement of sprocket teeth between the generally cylindrical barrels of the link ends, at the underside of each module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: KVP Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric K. Palmaer, Karl V. Palmaer
  • Patent number: 5667058
    Abstract: A powered belt turn (10) for conveying parcels, objects and the like through an arcuate path from an input conveyor to an output conveyor. The powered belt turn (10) comprises a frustoconically shaped conveyor belt (15) which is supported for rotation through an arcuate path about angularly displaced end rollers (56). The conveyor belt is selectively and preferentially stiffened by reinforcing stays adapted to the conveyor belt structure. A motor (74) is operatively attached to an end roller causing the end roller to rotate thereby rotating the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is supported on a belt support plate (28) and maintained in engagement with the end rollers by a belt retainer. In a first embodiment, the belt retainer is a sheave belt retainer (12) comprising sheaves (96, 98) adapted to engage an inner edge (36) of the conveyor belt and to urge the conveyor belt into engagement with the end rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Henri Bonnet
  • Patent number: 5626337
    Abstract: A belt feeding device including a plurality of elastic rolls each having a plurality of disklike elastic fins arranged in an axial direction, and a belt member wrapped around a plurality of rolls inclusive of the elastic rolls and adapted to be circularly moved. Each elastic roll is formed by finishing the outer circumferential surfaces of the elastic fins to a given outer diameter with a given directionality from one axial end to the other axial end of the roll, and the given directionality of finishing of at least one of the elastic rolls is opposite to that of the other elastic rolls. Accordingly, the walk of the belt member due to the incompleteness of forming of the elastic roll around which the belt member is wrapped can be prevented to reduce an edge force acting on the side edge of the belt member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuji Iseki
  • Patent number: 5580044
    Abstract: A device for tracking a belt moving along a path in a predetermined direction, including a member including opposed arcuate marginal regions and a central region interposed therebetween. The opposed arcuate marginal regions have a first coeffecient of friction and the central region has a second coeffecient of friction less than the first coeffecient of friction so as to maintain the belt moving over the member in substantial alignment with the predetermined direction. A second belt path defining member or roller may further contribute to straight belt tracking. Plural belt/roller systems may be used cooperatively in sheet moving systems and decurlers in printing machines and in other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Walter F. Wafler
  • Patent number: 5579695
    Abstract: An assembly line system has a pallet travelling along a work top of a work table section. The table section has a track along which a cardanic chain moves to convey pucks connected to the underside of the pallet in spring-loaded manner, by means of frictional engagement between the chain and pucks. The pallet is provided with a set of castors having resilient wheels. Passageways convey the pneumatic supply necessary for operating various items of equipment along the assembly line. The assembly line system also includes an adjustable track bend. In a modification the pucks are locked in the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Flexible Assembly Equipment Limited
    Inventor: David J. Cockayne
  • Patent number: 5573104
    Abstract: A belt feeding device including a plurality of belt feeding rolls, a belt wrapped around the rolls, and at least a pair of guide members each having an edge guide surface against which either side edge of the belt abuts in crosswise movement of the belt. The outer circumferential surface of each roll is formed with a plurality of ring-shaped slits axially spaced a distance w from each other, each of the slits having a depth h and a width m. The values of h, m, and w are set so that a load to an axial displacement of the belt wrapped around the rolls at a position of each guide member becomes 80 N/mm or less. Accordingly, an edge force acting between either side edge of the belt and the corresponding guide member against which the side edge of the belt abuts can be reduced to 15N or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Kibayashi, Junichi Murakami, Tsutomu Matsuzaki, Kunimasa Aoshima, Mamoru Kido, Naohisa Fujita
  • Patent number: 5465956
    Abstract: A conveying device prevents slip or disengagement of a conveying endless belt. The belt has an flat outer periphery, which is to be contact with one of the major faces of the bank note to be conveyed, and an inner periphery having a plurality of teeth formed thereon. A drive pulley and a driven pulley are both cylindrical and have a plurality of gear teeth formed on their outer peripheries. The teeth of each of the pulleys may be engageable with the plurality of teeth of the endless belt. Between the drive pulley and the driven pulley, the endless belt is tensioned and a belt drive mechanism for rotating the drive pulley is provided. Each pulley has a flange which has a larger outer diameter than that of each pulley and provided at one end portion thereof in which each of the rotary shaft extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ace Denken
    Inventors: Takatoshi Takemoto, Tosikazu Chida, Noriaki Kano, Eizi Ito, Koji Murakami, Takasi Itagaki, Kozo Sedimoto, Masanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5458477
    Abstract: Continuous impression forming of three-dimensional products from heated, formable thermoplastic materials between top and bottom mold carriages each having a three-dimensional forming belt mold revolvable around the carriage. Each three-dimensional forming belt mold includes a flexible silicone rubber mold adhered to a multi-ply woven fabric belt. A surface of desired shape on one revolving rubber mold mates with the desired shape of an opposed revolving rubber mold forming a continuously moving mold channel between the mold belts into which is fed hot thermoplastic material at moldable temperature. After discharging molded plastic product from the exit of the moving mold channel, localized surface heat in the rubber molds resulting from contact with hot plastic is removed by air blown directly onto the rubber mold surfaces. Each carriage frame includes a back-up plate coated with low friction coefficient material over which slides a continuously moving belt mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Kemcast Partners-1989
    Inventors: W. James Kemerer, Clyde W. Vassar
  • Patent number: 5454467
    Abstract: A chain conveyor, wherein the annular elements of one of the chains are connected to corresponding annular elements of the other chain by means of cross bars directly supported and guided by longitudinal slide elements arranged parallel along the path of the belt; elements are also provided for the lateral centering of the belt, arranged on one side of at least one of the chains of the belt along all or part of the guide path, in particular along curved sections and at drive devices of the chains of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Tecno Pool S.p.A.
    Inventor: Leopoldo Lago
  • Patent number: 5410389
    Abstract: A system to support a moving photoreceptor belt in an electrophotographic printing machine while minimizing lateral forces applied thereon. Pairs of idler rolls are located in contact with the inner surface of the belt in an arrangement in which the axes of rotation of the idlers are skewed in substantially equal but opposite angles from a direction perpendicular to the direction of belt motion. As the resultant lateral forces between the belt and rolls act in a direction nearly parallel to the axes of rotation of the idlers, the opposing skew essentially cancels the side force of each pair of idlers which promotes good belt tracking. As the idlers are freely rotating, drag and tensioning forces on the belt are also minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond E. Poehlein
  • Patent number: 5369477
    Abstract: A liquid electrophotography fluid containment and belt tracking device has a rubber or other elastomeric profile fixed to both edges of a photoconducting belt to provide both belt tracking control and fluid edge effects control. The part of the profile that extends from the inside surface of the belt is used as a tracking rail. A mating profile is machined into the belt rollers to provide tracking control. The part of the profile that extends from the outside surface of the belt is used to seal the edge to the squeegee roller to prevent fluid from moving around the end of the squeegee roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Wayne E. Foote, Paul L. Jeran
  • Patent number: 5360102
    Abstract: Apparatus for transporting discrete objects or bulk goods from a first station at a first level to a second station at a second level, which may but need not be above or below the first level, has an endless belt conveyor which is trained about pulleys at the two stations and has an upper reach which is braced from below by a table and defines a straight horizontal or a hilly path for the commodities. The marginal portions of the belt, at least in the region of the upper reach, are guided by pairs of idler rollers whose axes are inclined relative to each other. The rollers are mounted in bearing units which, in turn, are adjustably coupled to elongated bases of a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Transnorm System GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Schoning
  • 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: 5332082
    Abstract: A corner conveyor having a flat endless carrying belt is supported on a frame defining an arcuate conveying path. Either the upper or the lower course, or both, are driven by pinch rollers located at an intermediate point around the turn. The conveyor preferably has a hollow guide rail around the outer periphery of the turn, and the belt has spaced rollers adjacent its outer edge engaging the inside of the hollow rail above and below a slot receiving the belt. The drive mechanism engages the belt portion that extends radially outward from the guide rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventor: Ronald L. Sommerfield
  • Patent number: 5280308
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet feeding device having an endless belt for feeding a sheet; multiple rotation members bodies supporting the endless belt and including at least one crown roller, a cylindrical rotational member located between the crown roller and a first body member among the multiple rotation members from the crown roller in the endless belt moving direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruhiko Takahashi, Makoto Takamiya, Kosuke Yamamoto, Hidejiro Kadowaki, Ken Tsuchii, Masafumi Wataya, Toshiyuki Yanaka
  • Patent number: 5246099
    Abstract: A belt steering roller mechanism for active steering correction of an endless belt, including a shaft having a longitudinal axis and a deformable roller having a fore end and an aft end and a predetermined diameter. The roller is rotatable about the shaft and has a body including a plurality of longitudinally extending rigid members located near the outer diameter of the roll separated by a plurality of longitudinally extending deformable sections. The body may be elastomeric or may be rigid with flexible hinges to provide differential lateral velocity of an outer circumferential surface of the roller. At least one flange plate is located against one of the fore end and aft end and is flexibly held on the shaft by a flexible coupling. Upon a corrective force being applied to the flange plate by an articulating mechanism, the longitudinally extending rigid members are laterally displaced in a cyclic fashion by the flange plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Frank C. Genovese
  • Patent number: 5234097
    Abstract: A belt-like tire component member 8 is conveyed to a shaping drum 2 by a belt conveyor 1. There is provided a conveyor belt 6 having a reverse surface with at least one toothed portion 12 which protrudes from the reverse surface at a predetermined position in width thereof and endlessly extends along a longitudinal direction of the belt, a driving drum 4 which drives the conveyor belt 6 and has teeth 14 formed on the outer peripheral portion corresponding to the toothed portion 12 so as to mesh with the toothed portion, and a driving motor 7 which drives the driving drum 4 and controls its rotational speed. There is provided a plurality of air holes 11 on the conveyor belt 6, and an air chamber 9b which is disposed under the conveyor belt 6 so as to contact therewith and to communicate with the air holes 11. Air is supplied to and discharged from the air chamber 9b by a blower 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Okuyama
  • Patent number: 5219063
    Abstract: An alignment maintenance device has one or two guide members mounted on the roller of a conveyor system to counteract any tendency of a conveyor belt to move laterally. The guide member has a split sleeve including a cylindrical hub and radial flanges. The flanges are bolted together to clamp the sleeve tightly on the roller adjacent the conveyor belt. A dome-shaped disc is fixed to the inside edge of the sleeve, placing it between the sleeve and conveyor belt. The disc prevents the belt from moving laterally on the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignees: Wyatt Group, Inc., Gordon Belt Scrapers
    Inventor: Paul Wyatt
  • Patent number: 5205399
    Abstract: A return trainer for keeping a conveyor belt centered along the center line of normal travel path including a frame having a pair of side walls positioned adjacent to opposite edges of the conveyor belt. A first pair of parallel idler rollers are mounted between the side walls which rollers are positioned above and below a conveyor belt. A second pair of parallel idler rollers located downstream from the first pair of idler rollers are also mounted between the side walls on opposite sides of the conveyor belt. A pair of guide rollers are mounted on axles held by the frame intermediate the first and second set of idler rollers. The axles for these guide rollers extend in a generally vertical direction and each roller is positioned at an opposite edge of the conveyor belt. The guide rollers thus provide structure to prevent the conveyor belt from moving laterally away from the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Billy B. Millhollin
  • Patent number: 5186313
    Abstract: A conveyor belt tracking and drive mechanism for use with a short, wide conveyor belt system. The mechanism has a stationary frame with first and second roller journaled for rotation at a first and second end of the stationary frame. A first moveable frame is pivotally suspended from the stationary frame. A second moveable frame is pivotally suspended from the first moveable frame. The second moveable frame has a drive roller and motor operatively connected to the drive roller. A micro-tracking adjustment screw, disposed between the first moveable frame and stationary frame, is used to adjust the tracking of the conveyor belt by laterally moving the first and second moveable frame. A belt adjustment screw located between the first moveable frame and second moveable frame allows one as to adjust the tension of the short, wide conveyor belt by movement of the power roller against or away from the short, wide conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Doboy Packaging Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley D. Denker, Bradley H. Lehrke
  • Patent number: 5174435
    Abstract: A conveyor construction including a frame having a pair of side rails with each side rail having a longitudinal T-shaped slot. A plurality of cross members are connected between the side rails and support a bed plate. An endless belt rides on the bed plate and is trained over an adjustable spindle assembly which is located at an end of the conveyor. The spindle assembly includes a spindle journalled between a pair of side members that are mounted for sliding movement in the T-slots of the respective side rails. A ratchet and pinion mechanism interconnects the conveyor frame with the spindle assembly and acts to move the spindle assembly longitudinally of the frame to tension the belt. A belt tracking mechanism is associated with each side of the spindle assembly and includes a cam member which is engaged with the respective side member of the spindle assembly. Individual rotation of the cam members serve to properly track the belt on the bed plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Dorner Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Wolfgang C. Dorner, Kenneth A. Hansen, Michael A. Hosch
  • Patent number: 5172803
    Abstract: A conveyor has an endless belt spanned over upstream and downstream rollers and having upper and lower stretches. The belt has an outer surface adapted to carry a load in the upper stretch and a lower surface turned inward. Permanent magnets are fixed to the inner surface of the belt and a linear-motor stator is provided underneath the upper stretch and juxtaposed with the permanent magnets thereof. The stator and magnets together form a linear motor for advancing the upper stretch downstream. An array of such permanent magnets is imbedded in the lower surface of the belt spaced apart to permit the belt to flex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Inventor: Heinz-Ulrich Lewin
  • Patent number: 5156260
    Abstract: A conveyor constructing having a pair of spaced parallel side rails that support a conveyor belt, each of the side rails is provided with a pair of vertically spaced, parallel, longitudinal slots. Each slot is generally T-shaped in cross section and has an open side facing laterally outward of the side rail. The open side of the lower slot is offset laterally outward from the open side of the upper slot of the side rail. End units are associated with each end of the conveyor and each end unit includes a pair of spaced side plates having a belt supporting spindle journalled between the side plates. Slide blocks are mounted in the ends of the slots in the side rail and the side plates are disposed outward of the respective side rails and are connected to the slide blocks. Slide blocks can also be mounted in the slots and serve to connect auxiliary equipment at selected positions to the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Dorner Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Wolfgang C. Dorner, Kenneth N. Hansen, Michael A. Hosch, Terrence E. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 5156261
    Abstract: An improved articulated link construction used in a conveyor belt tracking mechanism. The conveyor includes a frame having a pair of spaced parallel side rails that support a bed plate and an endless conveyor belt is supported on the bed plate. A spindle assembly includes a pair of side members that are mounted for sliding movement with respect to the side rails and a spindle is journaled between the side members. A plate-like link extends transversely of the spindle assembly and the ends of the link are pivoted to the side members. Each pivotal connection includes a vertical bolt that extends through an opening in the respective side member and a bushing is threaded on the bolt and is received within an oversized opening in the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Dorner Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Wolfgang C. Dorner
  • Patent number: 5127515
    Abstract: A chain link conveyor which includes chain links and a curved section as well as an interacting arrangement in the shape of a longitudinally extending profile in the curved section, and downwardly extending parts on the chain links so that interacting slanting surfaces are provided. The interacting slanting surfaces permit the chain to be automatically held down in a correct plane during a passage of the chain links through the curves. A free passage is provided so as to enable the chain links to be lifted free of the track as soon as the chain link conveyor is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Maskinfabrikken Baeltix A/S
    Inventor: Poul E. Damkjaer
  • Patent number: 5105937
    Abstract: A closed-hinge conveyor belt constructed of interconnected modules in which the tracking of drive sprockets is achieved by belt link end structure forming tracking recesses that mate with the tracking teeth of drive sprockets. In conventional open-hinge belts in which tracking is so achieved, tracking recesses are formed in link end structure that forms pivot rod bearing holes only partly surrounded by the link end structure, thereby exposing the pivot rod directly to contamination in such an open-hinge construction. According to this invention, shallow tracking recesses are formed in link end structure that forms pivot rod bearing holes to ensure that no part of the pivot rod across the width of the belt is left openly exposed, but rather is surrounded by link end structure. Thus, the access of grit and grime to the pivot rod in such a closed-hinge belt is restricted, thereby affording longer belt operating life, particularly in abrasive environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventor: James O. Gundlach
  • Patent number: 5088593
    Abstract: A conveyor has an endless belt spanned over upstream and downstream rollers and having upper and lower stretches. The belt has an outer surface adapted to carry a load in the upper stretch and a lower surface turned inward. Permanent magnets are fixed to the inner surface of the belt and a linear-motor stator is provided underneath the upper stretch and juxtaposed with the permanent magnets thereof. The stator and magnets together form a linear motor for advancing the upper stretch downstream. An array of such permanent magnets is imbedded in the lower surface of the belt spaced apart to permit the belt to flex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: Heinz-Ulrich Lewin
  • Patent number: 5050727
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveying method and a conveyor apparatus for the inclined conveyance including the vertical conveyance of materials by superposed two belts and pinching and holding the material to be conveyed between the belts. The present conveying method is characterized by the fact that two belts which are oppositely arranged are superposed. Tensile forces in the direction of the width of the belts is applied to the said superposed belts. Pinching and holding forces for pinching and holding the material to be conveyed between the belts is generated in the superposed belts by the tensile forces, and the material to be conveyed is conveyed by moving the superposed belts in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Isekikaihatsu Koki
    Inventor: Toshio Akesaka
  • Patent number: 5017969
    Abstract: A device having a movable belt for transporting, for example, a recording medium, at least one rotary body around which the belt is wound so as to be supported thereon, and limiting portions or members for limiting the movement of the belt in the axial direction of the rotary body. The device is designed to stabilize the movement of the belt by making the friction between the limiting members smaller than the friction between the belt and the rotary body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Mitomi, Yoshihiko Hirose
  • Patent number: 5011060
    Abstract: A combined fabric stretching and straightening apparatus is comprised of a pair of cylinders having helical configurations on their periphery the cylinders being mounted for rotation on a shaft adapted to be driven in a direction opposite the direction of feed of a fabric web. The cylinders may rotate relative to each other and the shaft or may be coupled to rotate with the shaft by clutches interposed between the cylinders and shaft. Sensors are optionally provided for energizing one or the other clutch so as to center the fabric as it is fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: H. Krantz GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Hans Cramer
  • Patent number: 4958724
    Abstract: A tubular belt conveyor for carrying granulated materials, materials, etc., in which an endless belt is rolled up into a tube thereby to carry the materials in a wrapped condition is guided through a plurality of belt-retaining rollers mounted to each of supporting frames disposed along the length of the endless belt. The plurality of belt-retaining rollers includes a smooth rollers and at least one circumferentially multi-grooved friction roller at a position of greatest pressure contact with the belt, thereby preventing the belt from being twisted during the operation. The high friction roller is generally positioned at the bottom of the loaded belt in regions of no path direction changes but may be positioned at the top on an unladen belt, or at a point intermediate the top and bottom where the belt undergoes directional changes and the resultant force is directed other than straight down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nihon Pipe Conveyor
    Inventor: Kunio Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 4955466
    Abstract: The radially outermost marginal portion of a flat washer-like or disc-shaped belt in a belt conveyor is confined in an arcuate slot of a reinforcing member which has (a) a bead surrounding the peripheral surface of the marginal portion, and (b) two lips each of which extends radially inwardly of the bead and overlies one of the two lateral surfaces of the marginal portion. The lips are fastened to the belt, and the bead has a convex external surface which is guided by pairs of rolling elements at locations radially outwardly of fasteners which secure the lips to the belt. This reduces the likelihood of spreading of the open inner end of the slot and resulting rapid destruction of the reinforcing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Transnorm System GmbH
    Inventors: Horst-Dieter Almes, Bernd Grutza
  • Patent number: 4925016
    Abstract: A sprocket and a module for forming a heavy duty, smooth top, straight running conveyor belt which is easy to clean and which uses a center transverse tooth member to receive a driving force from an intermeshed sprocket is disclosed. Each of the modules is suitable for being pivotally connected with a multiplicity of similar modules by pivot rods to construct a conveyor belt. Each of the modules includes first and second pluralities of link ends which are aligned in the module to form first and second pivot axes. Each of the link ends have a topmost portion which has a width which is just less than the space between two adjacent link ends on the same module, such that when intermeshed with link ends of another module a continuous, flush, smooth top surface is provided. The pluralities of link ends of each of the modules are joined by an integrally molded smooth top connecting structure which includes a tooth member extending downward and parallel to the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Lapeyre
  • Patent number: 4917232
    Abstract: The invention involves flanged rollers which engage the lateral sides of the upper and lower runs of an endless, flexible belt conveyor which traverses a curved path to control movement of the belt laterally of the path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Joy Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Neal W. Densmore
  • Patent number: 4899872
    Abstract: Disclosed is an anti-weaving conveyor belt comprising a belt body which is composed of a heat-resistant, fluoroplastic-impregnated sheet and at least one guide member fixed to the back of the belt body in its longitudinal direction, the guide member comprising a number of cords twisted together to form a round or square elongation, each cord comprising a number of heat-resistant, fluoroplastic-impregnated fibers twisted together. The round or square elongation is joined to the back of the belt body by stitches of heat-resistant, fluoroplastic-impregnated strands. Thanks to the sewing of the guide member to the belt body, an anti-weaving conveyor belt can be made of a material of good releasability even if the material has no good bonding properties to permit the guide member to be fixed to the belt body by an adhesive. The belt conveyor can be used in an atmosphere at an elevated temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Honda Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naomi Hokao
  • Patent number: 4886266
    Abstract: An exercise treadmill for forward and/or rearward walking. The treadmill has a frame with spaced side rails and spaced uprights extending upwardly from the front end of the side rails. Spaced front and rear rollers extend transversely between the side rails. An endless belt entrained about the rollers has an upper reach on which a user runs or walks. To maintain the belt in a predetermined path around the rollers, a guide is provided which imparts a resilient deflecting force on the lower reach to deflect the belt, adjacent its opposite marginal edge portions, prior to movement of the belt across a roller, as it moves from the lower to the upper reach of the treadmill. Where both forward and backward walking are desired endless belt guides are provided on the lower reach of the belt adjacent each roller to maintain the belt in the predetermined path, regardless of direction of movement. An adjustable elevating system includes idler pulleys mounted on uprights and a bedframe over which a cable is entrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: True Fitness Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Trulaske
  • Patent number: 4860881
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying assembly parts from a storage bin to a singling and/or orienting station has a conveyor which includes an endless carrier extending from an inlet in the bin to a discharge end whence the conveyed assembly parts are thrown from the carrier. The carrier is driven in an endless path about a reversing point at the discharge end and entrainment elements on the carrier entrain the assembly parts from the inlet to the discharge end in a conveying direction. A support defining a guide track in the conveying direction extends under the carrier and guide elements on a side of the carrier facing the support engage the guide track whereby the guide track and the guide elements constitute a guide for the endless carrier in the conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: STIWA-Fertigunstechnik Sticht GesmbH
    Inventor: Walter Sticht
  • Patent number: 4854447
    Abstract: A belt conveyor with dual upper runs and dual lower runs defined by a single continuous belt for synchronized movement of the upper runs. The dual lower runs cross each other and are guided by longitudinally spaced support rollers which twist the lower belt runs and vertically shift at least one of these lower runs to provide for free unencumbered crossing of the lower belt runs and the keepers mounted on the belt to assist in movement of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Inventor: Rolf Johansson
  • Patent number: 4832186
    Abstract: A conveyor belt system having an improved pulley is disclosed in which the improved pulley includes a roller having grooves of varying width machined into the cylindrical surface of the roller to form raised guides or lands of equal width therebetween which spiral outward relative to the center of the roller with decreasing pitch. The contacting surface of the guides is operative to engage a conveyor belt or webbing passing over the pulley and the varying pitch of the guides allows for the quick centering of unaligned belts or webs. The roller may be machined to have more than one helical guide spiralling outward from the center of the cylindrical surface of the roller at one time. The guides may be squared, chamfered or rounded and may optionally contain serrations. The roller may additionally be machined to taper slightly from its center to the respective ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Dynapower Corporation
    Inventor: Rene A. Conrad
  • Patent number: 4823940
    Abstract: A conveyor for transporting flat articles, e.g., printed circuit boards, between manufacturing workstations includes laterally spaced endless belts disposed about pulleys at opposite ends of the conveyor at each side thereof. The belts lie on edge, having a height dimension greater than their width dimension. The upper edges of the belts are beveled to facilitate transfer of flat articles from one conveyor section to the next. The articles are conveyed on the upper flat edges of the conveyor belts. The axes of rotation of the pulleys at opposite ends of the conveyor converge downwardly and longitudinally toward one another by locating the single bearing race of each pulley above the central longitudinal axis of the belt. In this manner, the pulley axes converge downwardly and longitudinally toward one another such that the belts are biased for engagement along guide surfaces disposed between the belts and the flanges on the lower ends of the pulleys, freeing the upper ends of the pulleys from obstructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Schuyler Dynamics
    Inventor: Richard Cretser
  • Patent number: 4811496
    Abstract: Method of correcting the track of an intermittently-running endless belt in a veneer dryer is disclosed. In a veneer dryer having a pair of intermittently movable endless belts provided under tension so as to form at least one straight passage therebetween through which a veneer sheet is conveyed by the endless belts while being heated by heating plates located above and below the passage, and means disposed adjacent to the opposite lateral edges of the endless belts and movable toward and away from said lateral edges for moving the belts laterally, the tension is released to loosen the belts after a predetermined number of stops of the endless belts and the belts are then moved at the edge thereof on the side corresponding to the direction in which they are displaced, by said means located adjacent to said edge, until an area of normal running track is reached by the belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Meinan Machinery Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Honda, Yukio Abe, Makoto Isobe, Nobuhiro Nakata
  • Patent number: 4790428
    Abstract: A conveyor belt guide apparatus is provided in which a guide roller is attached on either side of a conveyor belt and contacts the same. The guide roller is designed to rotate by the force of the conveyor belt when the conveyor belt moves off center. Spiral rings are positioned on the guide rollers in such a manner that the rings have a vertical pitch in the direction in which the conveyor belt causes the guide roller to rotate. When the conveyor belt attempts to climb up the guide roller, it engages the spiral rings and is forced back down. In this manner, the conveyor belt is prevented from climbing above the guide rollers and is adjusted back to its normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Inventor: Dean L. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 4738353
    Abstract: In belt conveyors having two parallel belts (1) with feeders, movement of the belts must be synchronized. The known method of achieving this is by means of electrical systems. The present invention entails a radical simplification of this synchronization by using a single belt (1) crossing over below the conveyor, the two parallel sections on the upper side of the conveyor thus moving snychronously. The conveyor according to the invention is less expensive and more reliable than previously known conveyors, nor is it dependent on a source of electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Inventor: Rolf Johansson
  • Patent number: 4732268
    Abstract: An arrangement on a conveyor of the type which comprises a flexible chain whereupon objects, e.g. parallelepipedic packing containers, are conveyed. The conveyor comprises guide rails (4) located on either side of the chain (1) which steer the packing container. In curves the guide rails are substituted on the one side by a curve disc (5) having a sloping steering surface (8) which acts upon the packing container outwards against the guide rails located on the opposite side of the conveyor. As a result packing containers of different sizes can be conveyed on the conveyor without the conveyor needing adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Tetra Pak International AB
    Inventor: Uno Sjostrand
  • Patent number: 4685553
    Abstract: Container transporting apparatus comprising a plurality of pulleys (16) each supported by a support (30,28) in spaced pairs to maintain one or more belts (15) forming a path along which the containers are transported. Each pulley includes guides (24) for maintaining the belts aligned on the pulley and idler wheels (47) for aligning the belts with the pulley. The support for the pulleys includes a locking assembly (31) allowing the position of the pulley to be adjusted for transporting different sizes of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Inventor: Michael W. Jennings
  • Patent number: 4656762
    Abstract: An ice preparation machine has a snow container, and a conveyor for transporting of snow removed from an ice surface into the snow container and formed as an inclined container including a belt drive provided with driving posts which are arranged centrally between screws transporting the snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: Heinrich Schliehe
  • Patent number: 4645070
    Abstract: A conveyor adaptable for bending in vertical and horizontal planes having a central guide and drive, steel base chain capable of being driven in two planes and a continuous, horizontal, carrying surface formed by a plurality of removable, non-metallic top plates having flexible, outwardly extending, finger members interlaced between one another and adaptable for slidable engagement and flexural movement when the conveyor moves in either a horizontal or a vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: PT Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald F. Homeier
  • Patent number: 4629062
    Abstract: A belt training device for a conveyor. The conveyor includes an endless belt which is mounted for travel on a drive roll and an idler roll and a trainer wheel is mounted on a pivotable bracket beneath the return run of the belt and adjacent the drive roll. The wheel is pivoted upwardly into engagement with the lower surface of the return run adjacent the side edge of the belt, toward which the belt would normally drift on reverse travel of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: A. D. Smith Harvestore Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Silverthorn, Marcus N. Allhands