Abstract: A conveyor drive apparatus comprising a shaft having sprockets mounted thereon for rotation with the shafts. A conveyor belt is engaged by the sprockets. A key includes a body shaped to fit loosely in a groove along the length of the outer surface of the shaft. The key further includes a force-applying member disposed on the body for applying a force against the shaft and pressing the body against the sprocket to lock it in position on the shaft. The sprocket can further have a slot through its central bore wall in which part of the key can reside to rotate the drive member with the shaft.

Abstract: A low noise chain drive of this invention includes toothed sprockets and an endless silent chain having sets of link plates successively connected for articulation by means of connecting members. Each set has a plurality of transversely aligned link plates with each having a pair of link plate teeth designed to engage the sprocket and a pair of openings through which the connecting members are inserted. The link plate teeth are defined by an outside flank and an inside flank. The sprocket has sprocket teeth defined by a sprocket tooth flank.The sprocket tooth flanks and the outside flanks are profiled such that the outside flanks have a swelling located between the tip of the link plate tooth and a point that is in contact with the sprocket tooth after the completion of the engagement.

Abstract: A sheave is provided with a compliant contact surface such that the sheave is suitable for use with a leaf chain in applications in which the leaf chain is subjected to more than simply a straight tensile pull. Since the sheave contact surface is compliant, any chain leaves that protrude inwardly against the sheave will embed themselves, thus allowing any non-protruding leaf edges to come into contact with the sheave and share the load. In a preferred embodiment, compliancy of the contact surface is obtained by providing a plurality of closely spaced parallel grooves on at least those parts of the contact surface that contact the chain.

Abstract: A unidirectional sprocket includes a hub and a series of radially arrayed sprocket teeth. Each of the sprocket teeth include a root at the point of connection with the hub, a radially extending split body and twin outwardly projecting points at the distal or outermost end. Forward and rearward flanks extend from the root radially outwardly, while forward and rearward faces extend radially inwardly from the pitch circle. Each of the sprocket teeth is asymmetrical with a forward offset. Thus, the point is shifted in the drive direction toward the forward face and flank, and shifted away from the rearward face and flank. Each of the teeth also includes a forward landing area formed above the forward flank and a rearward landing area formed above the rearward flank. Together, the forward and rearward faces and landing areas of adjacent teeth define a split chain link seat for engaging the chain being driven.

Abstract: Sprocket drive mechanisms formed of metal lamina engage belt drive surfaces formed in a modular plastic conveyor belt. The lamina are positioned axially along a rotary drive shaft to mate with drive surfaces extending across the width of the belt. Belt wear from the metal sprocket lamina is reduced by floating at least one lamina axially along the drive shaft to conform with belt positioning under loading and other dynamic conditions. Spacers for axially separating the lamina for registration with belt drive surfaces when mounting the belt on the sprocket drive may be removed after registration, thereby keeping the metal drive assembly lighter with less inertia to further reduce wear. Alternatively light weight laminar spacers disposed axially along the shaft are interlocked to the sprocket lamina to maintain a fixed spacing while permitting the assembly and/or separate sprocket lamina to float axially on the shaft.

Abstract: A leaf chain drive assembly (20) designed for use with a platform lift of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,228. Leaf chains (72, 120, 208) are used in place of roller chains for transmitting rotational drive between spaced sheaves (50, 60). Each sheave contains a unique projecting lug (52, 54) designed to engage a correspondingly sized connecting link (122) in the associated leaf chain (120) so as to permit drive to be transmitted between the leaf chain and the associated sheave.

Abstract: A sprocket arrangement for driving conveyor belts is disclosed which provides improved operation in the presence of abrasives, corrosives and contaminants. The metal sprocket is used with modular plastic belts to produce long wear and improved performance. The sprocket is formed by aligning a multiplicity of thin substantially disk shaped metal sprocket lamina across the width of the belt. Groups of aligned lamina may be formed into a rigid sprocket unit by simply bolting or welding. Each of the sprocket lamina includes a non-circular central aperture for fitting onto a drive shaft. Driving surfaces are formed around the perimeter of each driving lamina. The lamina may be stacked in contact with each other, or for some applications may use spacers to separate selected ones of the stacked lamina so as to cooperate with the structure of the belt being driven.

Abstract: A sprocket including spaced rims with sprocket teeth confined between the rims. The rims cooperatively define a configured periphery with link-supporting arc portions located at the teeth tips and flat sections extended between the arc portions. As a side link approaches the sprocket, the leading lower corner (the toe of the leading footprint) passes over a flat portion to remain out of contact with the sprocket. The following supporting arc portion rotates up into the notch formed in the bottom edge of the side link to support the side link as it travels around the sprocket. The hammering effect of the leading lower corner of the side link impacting the sprocket of prior devices is avoided.

Abstract: A reversible sprocket assembly for a chain and sprocket drive system includes a sprocket body having an inner hub portion with a central bore and an outer sprocket drive unit including teeth for engaging a drive chain. A coupling, such as mating splines, is provided along the bore for coupling the sprocket in driving relationship with the drive shaft. The coupling is reversible so that the bore of the hub may be received on the shaft with either end first. A counterbore is provided at each end of the hub adjacent the coupling so as to form end portions of the bore. When mounted on the shaft, one counterbore mates with a first shoulder on the shaft. A removable annular spacer forms a second shoulder to mate with the other counterbore. In this way, the sprocket body is securely supported in driving relationship on the shaft. By reversing the sprocket drive unit as a whole, the trailing faces of the teeth become the new drive faces and the life of the sprocket assembly is essentially doubled.

Abstract: A sprocket arrangement which provides increased contact surface area for driving conveyor belts is disclosed. The sprocket is particularly suitable for abrasive applications and/or use with modular plastic belts. The sprocket is formed by stacking and aligning a multiplicity of thin substantially disk shaped sprocket lamina together and then joining the stacked and aligned lamina by simply bolting or welding. Each of the sprocket lamina includes a central aperture for fitting onto a drive shaft. Teeth or other driving surfaces are also formed around the perimeter of each of the lamina. The lamina may be stacked in contact with each other, or for some applications may use spaces to separate selected ones of the stacked lamina so as to cooperate with the structure of the belt being driven.

Abstract: A chain and sprocket drive in which the chain is constructed of sets of connected links, the links in all sets being constructed to drivingly contact the sprocket teeth with inside flanks only, the links in some sets of links being of a shape which differs from the links in other sets of links.

Abstract: A reactive-track type propulsion system for a mineral winning machine comprises a sprocket chain located along the path of intended movement and a sprocket wheel with teeth meshing with the chain. The wheel is mounted on the machine and driven to propel the machine along the chain. The chain has horizontal oval links and vertical links which have planar end faces which make driving and rolling contact with the flanks of the teeth of the sprocket wheel.

Abstract: A sprocket wheel for driving a saw chain of a chain saw including a pair of annular sprocket wheel members of the same shape and configuration each formed on one side surface thereof with elevated surface portions of a number which is one-half the desired number of the teeth of the sprocket wheel produced as an end product by joining the sprocket wheel members together in such a manner that the one side surfaces thereof having the elevated surface portions face each other.

Abstract: A stone block, cutting chain saw having an improved drive sprocket and chain link design is disclosed. The sprocket itself is formed using rectangular, preferably square, shaped teeth which engage corresponding receiving areas on the cutting chain. In the preferred embodiment, the teeth are formed of carbide steel. The sprocket having the improved teeth design is rotably attached to a drive shaft. The cutting chain continuously revolves around the drive sprocket and at least a second sprocket, so that rotary motion over both sprockets enables the continuous cutting of stone, rock, coal and the like.

Abstract: A power transmission chain adapted to be used with toothed sprockets, the chain having a plurality of sets or ranks of interleaved links, the adjacent sets or ranks of which are connected by pivot means. The links of the chain each have a pair of toes separated by a crotch, each toe being defined by outside and inside flanks, the latter defining the crotch. The chain is assembled with some of the links being constructed to drivingly contact the sprocket teeth on their inside flanks and the remainder to drivingly contact the sprocket teeth on their outside flanks. The arrangement alters the normal tooth contact noise frequency.