Belt conveyor and method of converting a roller conveyor to a belt conveyor, and retrofit kit
US7467708B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 2007 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 11, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G21/00
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A belt conveyor includes spaced-apart opposite sidewalls and at least two rollers positioned along and between the sidewalls defining a zone in which two of the rollers are end rollers located at opposite ends of the zone. A continuous conveying belt is reeved around the rollers and defines a conveying surface between the sidewalls. At least one of the rollers is a driven roller to drive the conveying belt and move articles along the belt conveyor. The conveying belt is initially stretched lengthwise at least 0.75 percent when it is reeved around the rollers. The conveying belt is tracked around the rollers, without a take up device, by engaging with the rollers. End rollers are mounted to axles, each axle extending through and protruding from both sidewalls. Axle retainers may receive the ends the end roller axles and connect the axle ends to their respective sidewalls. The rollers may be driven in response to an article sensor that senses articles on the conveying belt, in order to convey or accumulate articles on the belt conveyor. The belt may be applied as a retrofit to an existing roller conveyor system, and the belt may be incorporated into a kit which may also include repla…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.