U.S. patent application number 10/322865 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-24 for belt conveyor side rail.
This patent application is currently assigned to BUNTING MAGNETICS CO.. Invention is credited to Gaeddert, Thomas J., Svoboda, Paul.
Application Number | 20040118663 10/322865 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32468962 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040118663 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gaeddert, Thomas J. ; et
al. |
June 24, 2004 |
BELT CONVEYOR SIDE RAIL
Abstract
A conveyor side rail consisting of a rack and pinion assembly; a
first side rail section having lateral sides, having a longitudinal
end, and having a hollow space between the lateral sides, the rack
and pinion assembly being housed within the hollow space, the
hollow space opening laterally for application of torque for pinion
rotation, the hollow space further opening longitudinally for
alternate rack extension and retraction; a second side rail section
having a longitudinal end; a telescoping slide channel and slide
ridge assembly interconnecting the first and second side rail
sections, the slide channel and slide ridge assembly aligning the
first and second side rail sections so that the hollow space's
longitudinal opening faces the second side rail section's
longitudinal end; and a releasable lock further interconnecting the
first and second side rail sections.
Inventors: |
Gaeddert, Thomas J.;
(Newton, KS) ; Svoboda, Paul; (Newton,
KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kenneth H. Jack
Davis & Jack, L.L.C.
2121 W. Maple
Wichita
KS
67213
US
|
Assignee: |
BUNTING MAGNETICS CO.
|
Family ID: |
32468962 |
Appl. No.: |
10/322865 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
198/861.1 ;
198/813 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 23/44 20130101;
B65G 21/105 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
198/861.1 ;
198/813 |
International
Class: |
B65G 023/44 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A conveyor side rail comprising: (a) a rack and pinion assembly;
(b) a first side rail section having lateral sides, having a
longitudinal end, and having a hollow space between the lateral
sides, the rack and pinion assembly being housed within the hollow
space, the hollow space opening laterally for application of torque
for pinion rotation, the hollow space further opening
longitudinally for alternate rack extension and retraction; (c) a
second side rail section having a longitudinal end; (d) telescoping
means interconnecting the first and second side rail sections, said
means aligning said sections so that the hollow space's
longitudinal opening faces the second side rail section's
longitudinal end; and, (e) releasable locking means further
interconnecting the first and second side rail sections.
2. The conveyor side rail of claim 1 further comprising spindle
mounting means connected operably to the first side rail section or
connected operably to the second side rail section.
3. The conveyor side rail of claim 2 wherein the spindle mounting
means comprises an axle or an axle receiving aperture.
4. The conveyor side rail of claim 1 further comprising pinion
rotating means connected operably to the rack and pinion
assembly.
5. The conveyor side rail of claim 4 wherein the pinion rotating
means comprises a non-circular aperture or a prismatic lug, said
aperture or lug being accessible through the hollow space's lateral
opening.
6. The conveyor side rail of claim 5 further comprising a wrench
connectable operably to the non-circular aperture or connectable
operably to the prismatic lug.
7. The conveyor side rail of claim 1 wherein the hollow space
further opens oppositely from the hollow space's lateral opening,
and further comprising a rack and pinion retaining plate removably
covering said further opening.
8. The conveyor side rail of claim 1 wherein the telescoping means
comprises a longitudinally extending slide channel operably
connected to or formed wholly with the first or second side rail
sections.
9. The conveyor side rail of claim 8 wherein the telescoping means
further comprises a longitudinally extending slide ridge nestingly
received by the longitudinally extending slide channel, the
longitudinally extending slide ridge being operably connected to
the first or second side rail sections.
10. The conveyor side rail of claim 9 wherein the longitudinally
extending slide channel comprises a "T" channel, wherein the
longitudinally extending slide ridge comprises a helically threaded
"T" nut, and wherein the operable connection of the slide ridge to
the first or second side rail sections and the releasable locking
means comprise at least a first helically threaded bolt threadedly
engaging the helically threaded "T" nut.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to apparatus and assemblies for
article conveying. More particularly, this invention relates to
continuous loop belt conveyors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A continuous loop belt of a common belt conveyor is
typically driven and guided by a pair of cylindrical spindles which
are spaced apart a distance approximately equal to one-half of the
circumferential length of the belt. Such paired conveyor spindles
are commonly rotatably mounted upon a support structure comprising
parallel side rails, the side rails and cross spanning spindles
forming a conveyor frame.
[0003] Such common belt conveyor preferably further comprises means
for alternately extending and retracting the spindles away from and
toward each other, and means for rotating the spindles about their
vertical or yaw axes (i.e., axes which are perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the conveyor, and which are perpendicular to
the spindles' axes of rotation) are preferably provided. By
facilitating alternate extension and retraction, such means allows
the side rail and spindle assembly to place the continuous loop
belt under tension during operation, and allows such continuous
loop belt to be alternately released for disassembly and
replacement. By facilitating rotation about yaw axes, such means
allows the spindles to be angularly positioned for belt tracking,
preventing lateral drifting of the belt during operation.
[0004] The above described means for spindle extension, retraction,
and belt tracking typically comprises rectilinear motion actuators
which are connected operably to the conveyor's side rails and
spindles, and which are adapted for selectively altering the
effective spindle to spindle length of the conveyor, or adapted for
rotating one or both of the spindles about their yaw axes. For
purposes of compactness and exterior space economy of such common
belt conveyor, the rectilinear motion actuator is known to be
mounted within the interior space between the conveyor's lateral
side rails, and between the conveyor's bed and the lower flight of
the conveyor's closed loop belt. Such positioning of the
rectilinear actuators advantageously avoids space consuming upward,
downward, or laterally outward structural protrusions. However,
various assemblies associated with belt conveyors are known to be
advantageously mounted within the interior space between the
conveyor's side rails, bed and lower belt flight. For example,
where the belt conveyor is adapted for air cushioned or vacuum
assisted conveying, air ducts and plenums commonly occupy such
space. As another example, magnet assemblies are commonly mounted
within such space for prevention of slippage of ferrous articles
carried by the belt. As a further example, heating apparatus may be
advantageously installed within such interior space for application
of heat to conveyed articles.
[0005] Where the above described rectilinear motion actuators
protrude into or occupy portions of the interior space between the
conveyor's side rails, bed, and lower belt flight, the actuators
tend to undesirably interfere with or prevent such other
advantageous known uses of such space.
[0006] The instant inventive conveyor side rail solves or
ameliorates the conveyor space usage problems described above by
positioning and mounting rectilinear motion actuating rack and
pinion assembly in a manner promoting exterior space economy of the
conveyor, avoiding any significant upward, downwardly, and outward
structural protrusion, and in a manner preventing such assembly
from occupying the interior space between the conveyor's side
rails, bed, and lower belt flight.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The instant inventive conveyor side rail comprises first and
second side rail sections, the first side rail section necessarily
having a hollow interior space adapted for receiving and
operatively supporting a rack and pinion assembly. The pinion of
the rack and pinion assembly preferably has oppositely and axially
extending journals which are nestingly received by annular bearings
which are housed and supported within the first side rail section's
hollow interior space. Preferably, the lateral side wall surfaces
of such space are molded or milled to include such annular
bearings. Also preferably, the pinion is rotatably supported within
the hollow space so that the pinion's axis of rotation is
substantially perpendicular to the lateral sides of the first side
rail section.
[0008] Necessarily, the first side rail section's hollow interior
space has a first lateral opening, such opening facilitating
application of rotational torque to the pinion. The first lateral
opening is preferably configured circularly and is closely fitted
to the outside diameter of one of the pinion's journals, such
configuration allowing the first lateral opening to dually function
for pinion rotating access, and as an annular bearing.
[0009] The side of the pinion which is exposed to the first lateral
opening preferably comprises rotating means, preferably comprising
an axially aligned non-circular aperture. Suitably, such aperture
is hexagonally shaped for nesting receipt of an allen head wrench.
Suitably, such laterally exposed side of the pinion may alternately
comprise an outwardly protruding prismatic lug for application of
rotating torque via a common socket wrench.
[0010] The hollow interior space between the lateral sides of the
first side rail section preferably further comprises a
longitudinally extending chamber fitted for sliding receipt of a
rack, such longitudinal chamber being positioned to facilitate
operative engagement of the teeth of the rack with the teeth of the
pinion. Necessarily, the longitudinal chamber extends to and opens
at one of the longitudinal ends of the first side rail section.
[0011] Preferably, the first side rail section's hollow interior
space further opens oppositely from the above described first
lateral opening, such opposite opening providing access to the
pinion and rack chambers of the hollow interior space for assembly,
disassembly, and maintenance of the rack and pinion assembly. A
rack and pinion retaining plate preferably covers such opposite or
second lateral opening, such plate preferably being removably
attached by means of screws. Like the opposite lateral wall of the
hollow interior space, the rack and pinion retaining plate
preferably presents annular bearing surfaces for nesting receipt
and rotatable support of the pinion.
[0012] In operation of the above described preferred embodiment of
the first side rail section, the driving head of an allen wrench is
inserted into the pinion's hexagonal aperture via the hollow
interior space's first lateral opening. Thereafter, the allen
wrench may be alternately rotated and counter rotated, applying
rotational torque to the pinion, and causing the pinion to rotate
and counter rotate against the rack, alternately extending and
retracting an end of the rack from and into the hollow interior
space's longitudinal opening.
[0013] The instant inventive conveyor side rail necessarily further
comprises a second side rail section and telescoping means which is
adapted for interconnecting the first and second side rail
sections, such means being further adapted for aligning the first
and second side rail sections so that the longitudinal opening of
the first side rail section's hollow interior space faces a
longitudinal end of the second side rail section, and such means
being further adapted for facilitating longitudinal telescoping
motions of the first and second side rail sections toward and away
from each other. According to the functions of the telescoping
means, upon operation of the rack and pinion assembly to extend the
rack, an end of the rack contacts the longitudinal end of the
second side rail section, telescopingly extending the first side
rail section away from the second side rail section. Opposite
operation of the rack and pinion assembly to retract the rack,
frees the first and second side rail sections for telescoping
retraction toward each other.
[0014] Preferably, the telescoping means comprises an arm extending
longitudinally from the first or second side rail sections, such
arm supporting a longitudinally extending slide ridge, the slide
ridge being nestingly and slidably received by a slide channel
within the first or second side rail section. Where the
longitudinally extending arm extends from one of the sections among
the first and second side rail sections, the other section
necessarily includes the slide channel which nestingly receives the
slide ridge. When such arm alternately includes a slide channel,
such other section necessarily supports the slide ridge. Suitably,
the telescoping means may alternately comprise a slide shaft and
slide channel assembly, or may comprise a slide slot and slide pin
assembly.
[0015] Releasable locking means further interconnecting the first
and second side rail sections are necessarily provided, such means
being adapted for selectively and alternately fixing the first and
second side rail sections in an extended position with respect to
each other for maintenance of belt tension, and adapted for
releasing the first and second side rail sections for retracting
motion toward each other, slackening the belt and allowing
disassembly and replacement of the belt. Preferably, the releasable
locking means comprises a "T" nut clamp and "T" channel assembly,
such assembly dually functioning as the above described telescoping
means. Suitably, the releasable locking means may alternately
comprise a clamping means selected from numerous other commonly
known releasable clamping means such as a "C" clamps and set screw
and slide bar assemblies. For quick release and clamping, levered
cam locks may serve as a suitable substitute for screw actuated
clamps.
[0016] The opposite longitudinal end of the first side rail section
(i.e., the end which is opposite the longitudinal end which
includes the hollow space's longitudinal opening) is preferably
configured to include conveyor spindle mounting means, such means
preferably comprising a spindle axle or a spindle axle receiving
aperture. Said opposite longitudinal end may be suitably
alternately configured to include means for mounting and
longitudinally aligning a third conveyor side rail section.
Suitably, the spindle mounting means may be alternately carried by
the distal or opposite longitudinal end of the second side rail
section, or by the distal or opposite end of such third side rail
section.
[0017] In practice, a pair of the instant inventive conveyor side
rails are preferably incorporated within a belt conveyor, the pair
serving as a major structural components of the belt conveyor's
frame. The inventive side rails allow the overall effective length
of the conveyor to be alternately lengthened and shortened for
alternate belt tensioning and belt releasing. Where a longitudinal
end of at least one of such pair of inventive conveyor side rails
comprises spindle mounting means, as described above, such at least
one side rail may be individually manipulated for belt tracking
adjustment.
[0018] Accordingly, an object of the instant invention is to
provide a conveyor side rail capable of alternate lengthening and
shortening through the action of a compactly mounted rectilinear
motion actuator.
[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
such a conveyor side rail which promotes both exterior and interior
space economy, and whose rectilinear motion actuator comprises a
rack and pinion assembly occupying a hollow interior space within
the side rail.
[0020] Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the
present invention will become known to those skilled in the art
upon review of the Detailed Description which follows, and upon
review of the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pair of the instant
inventive conveyor side rails, the view showing said pair
supporting a conveyor spindle, a conveyor bed (shown in partial
view), and a continuous loop belt (shown in partial view).
[0022] FIG. 2 is a sectional view as indicated in FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 3 is an alternate sectional view as indicated in FIG.
1.
[0024] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the instant inventive conveyor
side rail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular
simultaneously to FIGS. 2 and 4, the instant inventive conveyor
side rail comprises a first side rail section 2, such section
necessarily having a hollow interior space, such space preferably
comprising a longitudinally extending rack receiving chamber 12 and
a semi-circular and cylindrical pinion receiving chamber 13.
[0026] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, a pinion 26
within chamber 13 preferably has laterally and oppositely extending
journals 25 and 27. Journal 25 preferably has a noncircular axially
aligned opening 24 which is preferably fitted for nesting receipt
of an allen wrench 23. Journal 25 also preferably extends laterally
through a circular lateral opening 29 of chamber 13, such opening
29 dually functioning as a port for access to pinion 26 and as a
rotational bearing for journal 25.
[0027] Referring further simultaneously to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, a
rack 28 is slidably mounted within chamber 12, the teeth of rack 28
intermeshing with and engaging the teeth of pinion 26. Chamber 12
necessarily has a longitudinal opening 31 for rack extension and
retraction.
[0028] Referring further simultaneously to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, a
rack and pinion retaining plate 40 closes chambers 12 and 13, and
mechanically retains pinion 26 and rack 28 within said chambers.
Preferably, the surface of plate 40 opposite that in view in FIG. 4
forms an annular bearing surface for nesting receipt of and
rotatable support of journal 27. Plate 40 is preferably removably
attached to the first side rail section 2 by spirally threaded
bolts 50 and 52, said bolts extending through plate apertures 46
and 48, and being threadedly mounted within helically threaded
apertures 16 and 14.
[0029] In operation of the first side rail section 2, referring
simultaneously to FIGS. 2 and 4, allen wrench 23 is inserted into
hexagonal aperture 24 within pinion 26's journal 25. Clockwise
rotation of allen wrench 23 rotates pinion 26 clockwise, extending
rack 28 out of the longitudinal opening 31 of chamber 12.
Alternately, counter clockwise rotation of allen wrench 23 retracts
rack 28 into chamber through longitudinal opening 31.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, the first side rail section 2 is
connected to a second side rail section 60 by telescoping means,
such means preferably comprising a longitudinally extending arm 3,
such arm 3 preferably having a laterally extending slide ridge 10,
such ridge 10 being nestingly and slidably received by, referring
further simultaneously to FIGS. 3 and 4, slide slot 61.
[0031] The instant inventive conveyor side rail necessarily further
comprises releasable locking means which further interconnects the
first and second side rail sections 2 and 60. Where the first and
second side rail sections 2 and 60 are telescopingly moved to their
longitudinally extended positions, as depicted in FIG. 1, spindles
54 place continuous loop belt 78 under tension. Absent a locking
means, such tension would undesirably telescopingly move the first
and second side rail sections toward each other, releasing the
tension. Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, a preferred
releasable locking means comprises an internally helically threaded
"T" nut 34, the "T" nut 34 being slidably mounted within a "T"
channel 62 within the second side rail section 60, the slide slot
61 further functioning as an access way into "T" channel 62.
Helically threaded bolts 30 and 32 extend through apertures 6 and 8
within longitudinally extending arm 3, and thence extend through
slide slot 61 to threadedly engage helically threaded apertures 36
and 38 of "T" nut 34.
[0032] The lateral dimension of slide ridge 10 is necessarily less
than the lateral dimension of slide slot 61 so that, upon
tightening of helically threaded bolts 30 and 32, "T" nut 34
compresses against the inturned flanges of "T" channel 62, and
sequentially press, according to the view of FIG. 4, the lateral
outer surface of the second side rail section 60 against the
lateral inner surface of longitudinally extending arm 3. Such
configuration allows continued tightening of helically threaded
bolts 30 and 32 to frictionally clamp and lock the first and second
side rail sections 2 and 60 in a desired longitudinally extended
orientation with respect to each other. Loosening of helically
threaded bolts 30 and 32 allows "T" nut 34 to move slidably within
"T" channel 62, and allows slide ridge 10, "T" nut 34, slide slot
61, and slide channel 62 to concurrently serve as the telescoping
means.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 4, the opposite longitudinal end of the
first side rail section 2 (i.e., the end which is opposite the end
from which arm 3 extends) is preferably configured to include
spindle mounting means, preferably comprising a non-circular
aperture 20 and circular aperture 42, such apertures 20 and 42
being fitted for nesting receipt of a lateral end of spindle axle
56, the spindle 54 being rotatably mounted upon such axle 56 by
means of bearings 58. Suitably, such opposite longitudinal end of
side rail section 2 may be configured substantially identically
with longitudinally extending arm 3, such configuration alternately
allowing side rail sections substantially identical to the second
side rail section 60 to extend from both longitudinal ends of the
first side rail section 2.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, configuration of the first side rail
section 2 to include both telescoping means and spindle mounting
means at its opposite longitudinal ends is preferred because such
configuration best facilitates use of the inventive conveyor side
rail for both spindle extension and retraction and spindle tracking
yaw angle adjustment.
[0035] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1 and 3, conveyor bed 76
is preferably removably attached to the second side rail sections
60 by combinations of helically threaded bolts 84, and helically
threaded "T" nuts 88, the "T" nuts 88 being mounted within and
clamping against inturned flanges of "T" channels 68.
[0036] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the inner
surfaces of the depicted pair of inventive conveyor side rails, in
combination with the lower surface of conveyor bed 76, and in
further combination with the upper surface of the lower flight of
the continuous loop belt 78 defines a longitudinally extending
interior space 70. Within such interior space 70, various auxiliary
apparatus associated with article conveying, such as air plenums,
magnet assemblies, and heaters, may be conveniently installed, the
inwardly opening "T" channel 64 of the second side rail sections 60
providing a convenient mounting structure for installation of such
apparatus. None of the structures associated with the above
described rectilinear motion actuation, telescoping, and locking
functions of the inventive conveyor side rails encroach or protrude
into the interior space 70. By leaving such interior space 70 clear
of obstructions, installation of such auxiliary apparatus is
facilitated and the overall functionality of the belt conveyor is
enhanced.
[0037] While the principles of the invention have been made clear
in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may
make modifications in the structure, arrangement, portions and
components of the invention without departing from those
principles. Accordingly, it is intended that the description and
drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting
sense, and that the invention be given a scope commensurate with
the appended claims.
* * * * *