Conveyor apparatus
US5107982A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 1991 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G13/071
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A roller conveyor apparatus includes a plurality of tapered tubular rollers, each rotatably mounted on an axle. The roller axles are supported by a frame so that, in one embodiment, the rollers are arranged to form a conveyor turn segment. A drive wheel, also mounted on the axle, is associated with each roller to provide a friction surface operating against one end of the roller for rotation of the roller. A spring load assembly at the other end of the roller controls the frictional contact between the roller and the drive wheel. The drive wheel for each of the plurality of rollers is driven by a friction drive assembly including a sprocket horizontally supported beneath the drive wheel. A drive tire is mounted on the sprocket so that the tire surface contacts the drive wheel. A chain, driven by a single motor and drive sprocket, engages the sprocket of each friction drive assembly to rotate the sprocket, and therefore the drive tire. The frictional contact between the drive tire and the drive wheel causes the drive wheel to also rotate. The frictional contact between the drive wheel and the roller, and between the drive tire and the drive wheel, provide two torque limiting feature…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.