External guide assembly for reducing conveyor belt drag
US6298982A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 9, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/02
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An external guide assembly for reducing the frictional drag force acting on a side-flexing modular link conveyor belt, particularly along curves or bends in the conveyor system. The guide assembly is formed from one or more roller assemblies, each having first and second rollers that provide external bearing surfaces for the forward and return runs of the belt. The rollers prevent the belt from drifting to the inside of the curve, and thus serve to reduce the frictional drag force between the belt and the guide rail on the outside of the curve. To form the guide assembly, pairs of articulated members interconnect the roller assemblies and allow the relative angular position of each to be selectively adjusted for mounting along any curve. The rollers may optionally include a peripheral lip which provides additional support for the guide links of the belt.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.