U.S. patent application number 14/087245 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-20 for conveyor roller servicing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to ASGCO MANUFACTURING, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is ASGCO MANUFACTURING, INC.. Invention is credited to Michael B. Heenan, George T. Mott, Leroy C. Williams.
Application Number | 20140076695 14/087245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45063624 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140076695 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mott; George T. ; et
al. |
March 20, 2014 |
CONVEYOR ROLLER SERVICING APPARATUS
Abstract
A mounting apparatus for a return roller is provided. The
mounting apparatus is positioned beneath a return side of a
conveyor belt, the return side of the conveyor belt having a near
side along one edge of the return side of the conveyor belt and a
far side along an opposite edge of the return side of the conveyor
belt. The mounting apparatus has a return roller support structure
and a return roller supported on the return roller support
structure. The return roller support structure is slidable from the
mounting apparatus in a direction towards the near side of the
return side of the conveyor belt.
Inventors: |
Mott; George T.; (Alburtis,
PA) ; Heenan; Michael B.; (Bethlehem, PA) ;
Williams; Leroy C.; (Hellertown, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ASGCO MANUFACTURING, INC. |
ALLENTOWN |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ASGCO MANUFACTURING, INC.
ALLENTOWN
PA
|
Family ID: |
45063624 |
Appl. No.: |
14/087245 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13752906 |
Jan 29, 2013 |
8607968 |
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14087245 |
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|
12964037 |
Dec 9, 2010 |
8387781 |
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13752906 |
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12793933 |
Jun 4, 2010 |
8328006 |
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12964037 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
198/835 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 15/60 20130101;
B65G 2207/48 20130101; B65G 21/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
198/835 |
International
Class: |
B65G 15/60 20060101
B65G015/60 |
Claims
1. A return side conveyor belt support for a conveyor comprising: a
continuous conveyor belt extending about a head pulley and a tail
pulley to have a carry side and a return side, the conveyor having
a near side near one edge of the conveyor belt and a far side near
an opposite edge of the conveyor belt, a return side conveyor belt
support comprising: a support mountable to the far side of the
conveyor and extending transversely toward the near side thereof; a
member slidably mountable to said support from the near side of the
conveyor for sliding thereon in a direction transverse to the
conveyor belt; a return roller supported by said member, wherein
said return roller is transverse to the conveyor belt when the
member is mounted to said support; wherein rotating said support in
a first direction moves said return roller to an operating position
for supporting the conveyor belt and rotating said member in a
second direction moves said return roller away from the operating
position to a position wherein said member with said return roller
thereon is slidably removable from said support.
2. The return side conveyor belt support of claim 1 wherein said
member is a hollow member that slides onto said support mandrel for
providing the slidable and rotatable mounting.
3. The return side conveyor belt support of claim 1 wherein said
member includes brackets extending therefrom for supporting said
return roller shaft.
4. The return side conveyor belt support of claim 3 wherein said
return roller shaft is retained to said brackets by locking
retainers.
5. The return side conveyor belt support of claim 1 wherein said
member includes a crank for rotating said member.
6. The return side conveyor belt support of claim 5 wherein said
crank includes a lever and a handle.
7. The return side conveyor belt support of claim 1 further
comprising a bracket attached to a conveyor frame at the far side
of the conveyor for supporting said support transversely to the
conveyor belt.
8. The return side conveyor belt support of claim 1 further
comprising a bracket attached to a conveyor frame at the near side
of the conveyor and having a notch for receiving said member
therein.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of and takes the benefit
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/752,906
filed on Jan. 29, 2013 which in turn is a continuation application
and takes the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 of U.S. application
Ser. No. 12/964,037 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,387,781) filed Dec. 9,
2010, which is a continuation-in-part of and takes the benefit
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/793,933
(now U.S. Pat. No. 8,328,006) filed Jun. 4, 2010, and all of whose
entire disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
[0002] The present invention relates to a conveyor roller servicing
apparatus and, in particular to an arrangement for servicing the
rollers of a conveyor belt, for example, a conveyor belt of the
sort often employed for handling particulate material and the
like.
[0003] The movement of material in the form of aggregate and
particulate material has for many years been accomplished through
trough-type conveyors which operate in relatively severe conditions
and require periodic maintenance for changing and lubricating
rollers to prevent belt damage. Typically, the rollers on conveyor
belts need to be disconnected from mounting brackets on opposite
sides of the conveyor support frame, when it is desired to change
or repair the rollers. The return roller, which contacts the
underside of the conveyor belt, operates in a hostile environment
where the conveyor belt is used in applications where aggregate and
particulate material are conveyed by the belt. The return roller,
of course, operates on the return or dirty side of the belt and the
hostile conditions thereat can involve dirt, abrasive material, and
corrosive material, such as salt and moisture, which can affect the
bearings of the return roller and cause the return roller to stop
or resist rotating. Hence, changing of the return roller is
required to prevent damage to the belt.
[0004] On many conveyor belt systems, access to the mounting
brackets for the rollers is limited due to the conveyor system
being elevated above ground and a catwalk being located on only one
side of the conveyor system. Also, space for servicing the conveyor
system is normally not available on both sides of the conveyor belt
system and it would be expensive to duplicate the catwalk and
platforms on both sides of the conveyor system for servicing the
rollers. Generally, maintenance personnel in order to change or
work on the rollers have used safety lanyards or special safety
equipment and have had to work out on the framework of a truss to
gain access to the far side of the conveyor belt system where no
catwalk is available. Furthermore, since safety procedures and
standards have become very strict, it has become more tedious and
time consuming to safely gain access to the far side of the
conveyor in order to replace or service the conventional roller,
especially on elevated conveyor belt systems.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a roller arrangement that
may be serviced and/or replaced from one side of a conveyor
system.
[0006] The present arrangement provides a mounting apparatus for
rollers on a conveyor system that holds the roller in proper
engagement with the conveyor belt, e.g., when the conveyor system
is operating under normal conditions. When it is desired or
necessary to replace or otherwise service the roller, the present
arrangement provides an apparatus to permit disengagement of the
roller from its normal operating position and its removal from the
conveyor system from one side of the conveyor system, e.g., the
near side, without the need to access the roller from the far side
of the conveyor support structure. The present arrangement
maintains the rigid support for the roller in the conveyor belt
mounting arrangement while permitting easy removal of the roller
from one side of the conveyor system.
[0007] According to another aspect, a conveyor belt support for a
conveyor may comprise: a mandrel mountable to the far side of the
conveyor and extending transversely toward the near side thereof; a
member mountable to the mandrel from the near side of the conveyor
may slide thereon and may rotate about the mandrel; and a roller
supported by the member, wherein the roller is transverse to the
conveyor belt when the member is mounted to the mandrel, wherein
rotating the member in a first direction moves the roller to an
operating position for supporting the conveyor belt and rotating
the member in a second direction moves the roller to a position
wherein the member and roller are removable from the support
mandrel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0008] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the present
arrangement, and the drawings furnished herewith illustrate the
present arrangement. The detailed description of the preferred
embodiment(s) will be more easily and better understood when read
in conjunction with the FIGURES of the Drawing which include:
[0009] FIG. 1 is the perspective view of an example conveyor
assembly for conveying material embodying the present
arrangement;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the example conveyor
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the left
side of the example conveyor assembly of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the right
side of the example conveyor assembly of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, exploded view of a portion of the
example conveyor assembly of FIG. 2 showing the return roller
structure being removed;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the example
conveyor assembly of FIG. 5 showing the return roller being
removed;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a further view of the example return roller and
its support assembly similar to FIG. 5, but showing the return
roller completely removed from the support shaft;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a further view of the example return roller and
its support assembly similar to FIG. 7 but showing the return
roller beneath its support assembly;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the example return
roller of FIG. 8 showing the support structure for the return
roller in FIG. 8, but with the return roller structure removed
therefrom;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a view of the example return roller mounting
tubing and brackets for support of the return roller and retainers
for the roller shaft;
[0019] FIG. 11 is an exploded side elevational view of the example
return roller mounting tube, bracket and retainer of FIG. 10;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the example mounting
bracket which supports the free end of the return roller;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a top view of the example mounting bracket of
FIG. 12;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the example mounting
bracket of FIG. 12;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a view of the example mandrel for supporting the
return roller structure with the mandrel attached to its support
bracket;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the example support
bracket and mandrel of FIG. 15;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a top elevational view of the example bracket and
mandrel of FIG. 15;
[0026] FIG. 18 is a an enlarged sectional view of another example
conveyor assembly according to the present arrangement, and FIGS.
18A and 18B are left and right side elevations of the example
return roller arrangement of FIG. 18;
[0027] FIG. 19 includes views of the support mandrel and its
support bracket;
[0028] FIG. 20 includes views of an example crank handle for the
example roller of FIG. 18; and
[0029] FIG. 21 is an elevation view of an example belt support
usable with the example return roller arrangement of FIG. 1 or
18.
[0030] In the Drawing, where an element or feature is shown in more
than one drawing figure, the same alphanumeric designation may be
used to designate such element or feature in each figure, and where
a closely related or modified element is shown in a figure, the
same alphanumerical designation primed or designated "a" or "b" or
the like may be used to designate the modified element or feature.
Similarly, similar elements or features may be designated by like
alphanumeric designations in different figures of the Drawing and
with similar nomenclature in the specification. According to common
practice, the various features of the drawing are not to scale, and
the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded
or reduced for clarity; any value stated is given by way of
example.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0031] The present arrangement provides a mounting apparatus for
return rollers on a conveyor system 10 that holds the return roller
in proper engagement with the conveyor belt 11 when the conveyor
system 10 is operating under normal conditions. When it is desired
or necessary to replace or otherwise service the return roller, the
present arrangement permits and facilitates disengagement of the
return roller from its normal operating position to a servicing
position, and removal from the conveyor system 10 from one side of
the conveyor belt, e.g., the near side, without the need to access
the return roller from the far side of the conveyor system 10. The
present arrangement maintains the rigid support for the return
roller in the conveyor belt mounting arrangement while permitting
easy removal of the return roller from one side of the conveyor
system 10.
[0032] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an endless
conveyor belt assembly generally designated 10. The endless
conveyor belt assembly for illustration, includes an endless
troughing conveyor belt 11 extending around a head pulley 12 and a
tail pulley 13 providing a carry side 11a and a return side 11b for
the belt, which is supported by a belt support frame 14. There is
provided along the belt support frame 14, a plurality of belt
supports 19 supporting the conveyor belt 11 between the head pulley
12 and the tail pulley 13. The conveyor belt 11 is designed to
transport aggregate or particulate material that is loaded onto the
conveyor belt through chute 15 in loading zone 16. The conveyor
belt 11 carries the material away from the loading zone 16 and
discharges the material at the head pulley 12 area. As shown in the
sectional view of FIG. 2, the carry run 11a of the conveyor belt 11
is supported by a series of rollers 19. More specifically, at each
belt support station 19 along the carry run of the conveyor 10, the
conveyor belt 11 is supported by a central roller 17 and a pair of
wing rollers, each designated 18, extending upwardly along the
edges of the conveyor belt 11 to provide a troughing arrangement
for the edges of the conveyor belt 11. The troughing arrangement
prevents the aggregate materials from spilling over the edges of
the conveyor belt as the material is transported along the conveyor
belt.
[0033] Generally, the conveyor belt 11 is formed of a heavy duty
material, such as a fabric made of nylon, polyester, Kevlar.RTM.,
fiber glass or other such material, and may be covered in rubber.
As noted the marginal sides of the belt 11 are canted upwardly to
form a trough configuration preventing heavy aggregate material,
such as stones or the like or particulate material from spilling
from the belt. It is also noted that, after the material has
settled on the belt from the loading zone 16, it may not be
necessary to maintain the troughing of the belt to the discharge
area. The central and wing roller 17, 18 arrangements are mounted
for rotation to formed brackets or stanchions 35 attached to the
belt support frame 14 at intervals along the underside of the belt
11 to physically support the belt and maintain the desired location
of the belt between the belt supports 19. Each belt support is
similarly constructed as indicated in FIG. 1.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a return roller 20 is
supported by the belt support structure frame 14 beneath the
central roller and wing rollers 17 and 18, respectively. The
rollers 17, 18, 20 may be formed of steel or, alternatively, may be
formed of an impact absorbing material, such as, rubber, plastic,
urethane or a combination of steel and an energy absorbing
material. An energy absorbing material is desired in high impact
loading applications. Of course, since the belt supports are spaced
apart from one another, the belt 11 can deflect to absorb impact
forces, thereby reducing damage to the belt.
[0035] As previously mentioned, the return roller 20 contacting the
return side 11b of the belt 11 in the prior art is generally held
or attached to the belt support frame 14 by brackets at each end of
the roller fixed to opposite sides of the belt support structure to
support the return roller. Since the return roller supports the
belt on the return side of the belt, which has conveyed the
aggregate material, it operates in a hostile environment, requiring
periodic replacement or servicing of the roller, as the bearings
can fail so the roller does not turn and, accordingly, wears the
belt. The present apparatus facilitates an arrangement for easily
replacing or servicing the return roller 20 from one side of the
conveyor belt system 10.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the details of the support
structure 25 for the return rollers 20 is shown. When the need
arises to replace or otherwise service roller 20, the return roller
structure 25 of the present arrangement allows the roller 20 to be
disengaged by releasable support apparatus 25 from its normal
operation position and removed from the conveyor system 10 from one
side of the conveyor system. The structure for holding the return
roller 20 in position includes a tubular member or hollow shaft 21,
which is received and supported on a mandrel or shaft 22, as shown
more specifically in FIGS. 2, 5 and 7. The mandrel 22 is fixed to a
bracket 23, as by welding, and the bracket 23 is fixed to the belt
support frame 14, preferably by being bolted to the belt support
structure 14. The bracket and mandrel arrangement is shown more
clearly in FIGS. 14-16. Slots are provided in the upper portion of
the bracket 23 for receiving bolts threaded into or through the
belt support frame 14. In this manner, the mandrel 21 is held fixed
and stationary relative to the belt support frame 14.
[0037] As shown most clearly in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 7, the return
roller structure 25 includes the tubular member 21, which slides
over and onto the mandrel shaft 22 until it is adjacent the
mounting bracket 23 at the far side of the conveyor belt structure
10, 14. The return roller structure 25 further includes brackets 26
and 27, which are fixed to and extend outwardly from the tubular
member 21 to opposite ends of a central shaft 20a through the
return roller 20. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the brackets 26 and
27 are provided with notches 26a and 27a to receive the opposite
ends of the shaft 20a through the return roller. The return roller
shaft 20a is held in the notches 28a, 29a by shaft retainers 28 and
29, respectively, which are fixed to the brackets 26 and 27, as by
screws, through the openings, such as opening 28a in retainer 28
mating with an opening 26b in the bracket 26. The openings 28a and
26b are adapted to receive a screw to hold the parts 26, 28 and 27,
29 together and the shaft 20a of the return roller 20 in place. The
retainer 29 is arranged similarly to the retainer 28, and is held
to bracket 27 for capturing and holding the opposite end of the
shaft 20a of the return roller 20.
[0038] The accessible or free end of the return roller structure 25
is supported by releasable support apparatus generally designated
25a at the free end of the mandrel 22. More specifically, the
return roller structure 25 is supported at its free end in a notch
or recess 30a of bracket 30, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 9. Bracket
30 is shown most clearly in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 and is provided at
its top section with slots 31 for receiving screws to fix bracket
30 to the belt support frame 14, as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in
FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, a rotatable member shown as a lever or crank
32, is fixed to the free or accessible end of the tubular member 21
of the return roller structure 25. The lever 32 is provided with a
handle 33 for rotating the lever and the return roller structure
about the mandrel 22.
[0039] In this arrangement, as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the
tubular member 21 of the return roller structure 25 is slid onto
the mandrel 22 with the return roller 20 being free to pass by
bracket 30 and be slid onto or off of the mandrel 22. When the
tubular member 21 is adjacent bracket 23, the return roller
structure 25 is then rotated into operative position, as shown in
FIG. 2, to support the under side 11b of the conveyor belt 11. When
the return roller structure is rotated into its operative position
to support the conveyor belt 11 by the handle 33 on the lever 32,
the lever 32 is locked into position as by a locking mechanism 34.
In the arrangement shown, the locking mechanism includes a cap
screw 34 passing through opening 32a in the lever mating with
opening 30b in the bracket 30, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. More
specifically, the cap screw would be threaded into the openings 32a
and 30b for locking the return roller structure 25 fixed to support
bracket 30 for maintaining the return roller structure 25 in
operative position for supporting the conveyor belt 11, e.g., with
return roller 20 supporting the return side 11b of conveyor belt
11.
[0040] When it is desired to remove or service the return roller
20, the cap screw 34 in FIG. 3 would be removed permitting the
lever 32 to be rotated moving the return roller structure 20, 25
from its operative position to be rotated about mandrel 22 to the
position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The return roller structure 25 is
then slid off the mandrel 22 as shown in FIG. 5 with the return
roller 20 bypassing support bracket 30 for complete removal from
the mandrel 22, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this manner, the
return roller 20 is permitted to be easily removed from the mandrel
22 and to be replaced on the mandrel 22 and be returned to its
operative position.
[0041] The present arrangement thus provides an effective,
efficient and safe manner to service the return roller 20 from one
(i.e. a near) side of the conveyor belt structure 10, 11, 14,
avoiding the necessity for access to the return roller support
structure from the opposite (far) side of the conveyor belt 11. It
will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes and
modifications can be made to the above described embodiment without
departing from the broad inventive concept of the arrangement. For
example various parts can be fixed together by a wide variety of
means known to those skilled in the art. It should be understood
that this arrangement is not limited to the particular embodiment
described herein but is intended to include all changes and
modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention
as set forth in the following claims.
[0042] Referring to the drawing, FIGS. 18-21 illustrate an example
embodiment including various features intended to render the
present arrangement more easily usable in a variety of situations.
The function and operation of this embodiment, e.g., roller support
structure 25', installation and removal thereof, positioning of
roller 20, and the like, is substantially the same as described
herein above; several additional features are provided. As above,
the roller support structure is installable and removable from the
near side of conveyor belt 11 without the need to access the far
side thereof; the "near side" can be either at the right edge or
the left edge of conveyor belt 11 as may be convenient depending
upon the way a particular conveyor system 10 is installed at a
particular site, most often at the side at which a catwalk, a fixed
or movable platform, or another access platform is provided.
[0043] In the enlarged sectional view and elevations of FIGS. 18,
18A and 18B, roller support structure 25' is illustrated
positioning return roller 20 in its operative position supporting
conveyor belt 11, wherein roller 20 is rotatable on its shaft 20a
which is spaced away from tubular member 22' and supported thereon
by support brackets 26. The far side end of rotatable hollow
tubular member 21' slips onto mandrel or shaft 22' which is
supported at the far side of conveyor belt 11 by mounting bracket
23' which is attached to the support frame of conveyor system 10.
The near side end of tubular member 21' is supported in slot 30a of
mounting bracket 30' which is attached to the support frame 14 of
conveyor system 10.
[0044] Return roller shaft 20a is retained in roller supports 26 by
roller shaft retainers 28, 29 so that return roller 20 is
replaceable when roller structure 25' is removed from mandrel 22'.
Retainers 28, 29 are described above.
[0045] Near side tubular member support bracket 30' includes an
upper near side bracket 30'a which may be attached to the support
structure 14 of conveyor system 10 and which supports a lower near
side bracket 30'b having a notch or slot 30a into which tubular
member 22' is placed to be supported thereby. Both near side
brackets 30'a, 30'b are vertically symmetric so as to be usable
"universally," i.e. at either the right or left edges of conveyor
belt 11. Both brackets 30'a, 30'b are "C-shaped" having respective
holes therein for receiving fasteners for attaching upper near side
bracket 30'a to conveyor system 10 and for attaching lower near
side bracket 30'b to upper near side bracket 30'a. Upper bracket
30'a has a pair of mounting tabs 30't for supporting one end of a
belt support bar 23s, described below.
[0046] Far side mandrel support bracket 23' includes an upper far
side bracket 23'a which may be attached to the support structure 14
of conveyor system 10 and which supports a lower far side bracket
23'b which supports mandrel or shaft 21'. Both far side brackets
23'a, 23'b are vertically symmetric so as to be usable
"universally," i.e. at either the right or left edges of conveyor
belt 11. Both far side brackets 23'a, 23'b are "C-shaped" having
respective holes therein for receiving fasteners for attaching
upper far side bracket 23'a to conveyor system 10 and for attaching
lower far side bracket 23'b to upper far side bracket 23'a. Upper
bracket 23'a has a pair of mounting tabs 30't for supporting one
end of a belt support bar 23s, described below.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 18, 18B and 19, lower far side bracket
23'b is attached to upper far side bracket 23'a by a fastener 23f,
e.g., preferably a bolt and nut or nuts 23f, which passes through a
hole 23h in each of the flanges of C-shaped bracket 23'b and
through a cylindrical spacer 23sp, so that bracket 23'b is
rotatable on fastener 23f relative to upper bracket 23'a. For
example, nut 32f may be a locknut or nuts 32f may be two nuts
tightened against each other to be a locknut. Mandrel or shaft 22'
is affixed to bracket 23'b, e.g., as by welding or fastener, and
mandrel 22' may be pivoted relative to conveyor belt 11 with
corresponding rotation of lower bracket 23'b so as to move mandrel
22' to a more convenient position for placing tubular member 21'
thereon or removing member 21' therefrom. For example, the near end
of mandrel 22' may be pivoted away from near side support bracket
30' to provide additional clearance for facilitating the sliding of
tubular member 21' on and off mandrel 22'. With fastener 23f and
spacer 23sp rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to a
plane defined by conveyor belt 11, mandrel 22' is pivotable in a
plane generally parallel to the plane of conveyor belt 11.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 18, 18A and 20, an example crank handle
32', 33' for the example roller of FIG. 18 includes a flat
symmetric crank or lever 32' attached at one end to tubular member
21', e.g., as by welding, and having a handle 33' extending from
near an opposite end thereof. Handle 33' may be moved for using the
leverage provided by crank 32' for moving roller 20 to its
operative position supporting conveyor belt 11 and out of its
operative position to a servicing position wherein tubular member
21' may be installed and removed from mandrel 22', similarly to
that described above. In addition, handle 33' has at least one set
of opposing flats thereon providing for the placing of a wrench
thereon for increasing the force that can be applied via crank 32'
for moving roller 20 into and out of its operative position.
[0049] Crank 32' is preferably symmetric about an axis passing
through handle 33' and member 21' so that it is a "universal" crank
lever or handle, i.e. one that can be utilized with a right handed
bracket 30, with a left handed bracket 30 and with "universal"
bracket 30' in either a right hand or left hand installation. One
of the pair of positioning features 32p, e.g., indentations 32p,
comes proximate to a pin 30p in universal bracket 30'a when handle
32', 33' is moved to a position wherein roller 20 is in its
operative position supporting conveyor belt 11, thereby to provide
a handle stop. In that handle stop position, one of holes 32h is
aligned with a corresponding hole in upper bracket 30'a and a
locking pin 32a, locking bolt 32a, or other member 32a can be
placed through hole 32h into bracket 30'a thereby to provide a
locking mechanism. A quick release locking pin 32a is preferred
because it can be inserted and removed to lock handle 32' in place
without use of a tool. A lanyard or other retainer 32r may be
provided so that pin 32a is retained when it is not inserted
through a hole 32h into bracket 30' and so is not easily lost.
[0050] In addition, tubular member 21' may be provided with a
transverse handle 21h, sometimes called a roller engaging rod, that
preferably is longer than is crank 32' for facilitating the
application of additional rotational force for moving roller 20
into and out of its operative position supporting conveyor belt 11.
Handle 21h or engaging rod 21h preferably is slidable in a
transverse hole through member 21' and has enlarged ends for being
retained in that hole in member 21', for ease of use, similarly to
the handle of a vise or clamp.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 18, 18B and 21, an example belt support
bar 230 usable with the example return roller arrangement 25' may
be provided for supporting conveyor belt 11 when roller 20 is moved
from its operative position supporting conveyor belt 11. There is
normally no problem of the conveyor belt 11 rubbing on belt support
bar 230 because normal safety procedures, as well as common sense,
require that conveyor system 10 be shut down, i.e. that belt 11 be
stopped, when servicing elements of conveyor system 10 that are
close to moving conveyor belt 11.
[0052] Belt support bar 230 is supported at its respective ends by
fasteners 23f through holes 230h attaching belt support bar 230 to
the appropriate respective tabs 23t, 30t of brackets 23', 30'. Belt
support bar 230 is preferably located at the side of brackets 23',
30' from which belt 11 travels towards roller 20, and is preferably
positioned a small distance, e.g., about one-quarter inch below
conveyor belt 11 when roller 20 is in its operative position, so as
to provide protection against a worker's finger or hand being
pinched between roller 20 and belt 11, e.g., providing a pinch
point guard. Belt support bar 230 thus supports belt 11 only a
small distance below its normal operating location, thereby
reducing the force needed to move roller 20 into and/or out of its
operative position, because roller 20 only needs to lift belt 11a
small distance.
[0053] A conveyor assembly 10 may comprise: a continuous conveyor
belt 11 extending about a head pulley 12 and a tail pulley 13 to
have a carry side 11a and a return side 11b for the belt 11,
wherein the conveyor assembly 10 has a loading zone 16 where
material is loaded onto the carry side 11a of the belt 11 and a
transport zone between the loading zone 16 and the head pulley 12;
a plurality of conveyor belt supports 19 positioned along the
length of the belt 11 for supporting carry and return sides 11a,
11b of the conveyor belt 11, the conveyor belt support 25 may
comprise: a return roller structure 25 extending across the width
of the belt 11 and supported by a belt support on one side of the
conveyor assembly 10; a return roller 20 on the return roller
structure 25; a releasable support apparatus 25a adapted to support
the other side of the return roller structure 25 on the opposite
side of the conveyor assembly 10, whereby upon release of the
releasable support apparatus 25a, the return roller structure 25
can be removed from the opposite side of the conveyor assembly 10.
The belt support 19 may include a shaft 22 supported by the belt
support 19 on the one side of the conveyor assembly 10 and
extending to the opposite side of the conveyor assembly 10, the
shaft 22 being adapted to slidably receive the return roller
structure 25a from the opposite side of the conveyor assembly 10.
The return roller support 25a may include a tubular member 21
adapted to be received on the shaft 22. The releasable support
apparatus 25a may include a holding bracket 30 having a recess 30a
adapted to have the return roller structure 25a pass through the
recess 30a onto the shaft 22 for supporting the end of the return
roller structure 25a, when the return roller 20 is moved into
operative position to support the return side 11b of the belt 11.
The releasable support apparatus 25a may further include a
rotatable member 21 for rotating the return roller structure 25a to
have the return roller 20 in operative position and a locking
mechanism 34 for releasing holding the rotatable member 21 to the
holding bracket 30, whereby when the locking mechanism 34 is
released and the rotatable member 21 is rotated, the return roller
structure 25a can be removed from the opposite side of the conveyor
assembly 11. The belt support 19, 23' and the holding bracket 30,
30' may be a universal belt support 19, 23' and a universal holding
bracket 30, 30', each thereby being mountable one on a left side
and the other on a right side of the conveyor assembly 10; or the
shaft 22, 22' supported by the belt support 19, 23' may be
pivotable generally parallel to the conveyor belt 11; or a belt
support bar 230 may be positioned between the belt support 19, 23'
and the holding bracket 30, 30' to support the conveyor belt 11
when the return roller 20 is not in the operative position; or the
tubular member 21, 21' may include an engaging rod 21h slidable in
a transverse hole through the tubular member 21, 21'; or the
rotatable member 21, 21' may include a handle 33, 33' having flats
33f thereon; or the locking mechanism 34 may include a quick
release pin 32a; or any combination of any or all of the
foregoing.
[0054] For a conveyor 10 comprising a continuous conveyor belt 11
extending about a head pulley 12 and a tail pulley 13 to have a
carry side 11a and a return side 11b, the conveyor 10 having a near
side near one edge of the conveyor belt 11 and a far side near an
opposite edge of the conveyor belt 11, a conveyor belt support 19,
25, 25' may comprise: a support mandrel 22, 22' mountable to the
far side of the conveyor 10 and extending transversely toward the
near side thereof; a rotatable member 21, 21' slidably and
rotatably mountable to the support mandrel 22, 22' from the near
side of the conveyor 10 for sliding thereon in a direction
transverse to the conveyor belt 11 and for rotating about the
support mandrel 22, 22'; and a roller 20 rotatable on a roller
shaft 20a and supported by the rotatable member 21, 21', wherein
the roller 20 is transverse to the conveyor belt 11 when the
rotatable member 21, 21' is mounted to the support mandrel 22, 22';
wherein rotating the rotatable member 21, 21' in a first direction
relative to the support mandrel 22, 22' moves the roller 20 to an
operating position for supporting the conveyor belt 11 and rotating
the rotatable member 21, 21' in a second direction relative to the
support mandrel 22, 22' moves the roller 20 away from the operating
position to a position wherein the rotatable member 21, 21' with
the roller 20 thereon is slidably removable from the support
mandrel 22, 22'. The rotatable member 21, 21', may be a hollow
member 21, 21' that slides onto the support mandrel 22, 22' for
providing the slidable and rotatable mounting. The rotatable member
21, 21' may include brackets 26 extending therefrom for supporting
the roller shaft 20a. Roller shaft 20a may be retained to the
brackets 26 by locking retainers 28, 29. The rotatable member 21,
21' may include: a crank 32, 32' for rotating the rotatable member
21, 21'; or an engaging rod 21h slidable in a transverse hole
through the rotatable member 21, 21' for rotating the rotatable
member 21, 21; or a crank 32, 32' and an engaging rod 21h for
rotating the rotatable member 21, 21'. The crank 32, 32' may
include: a lever 32, 32' and a handle 33, 33; or a lever 32, 32'
and a handle 33, 33' having flats 33f thereon. The crank 32, 32'
may have a positioning feature 32p defining a locking position; or
may have an opening 30b, 32h for receiving a locking device 34, 32a
therein; or may have an opening 30b, 32h for receiving a quick
release locking pin 32a therein; or may be symmetric for being
usable in a right handed installation and in a left handed
installation; or any combination of the foregoing. The conveyor
belt support 19, 25, 25' may further comprise a bracket 23, 23'
attachable to a conveyor frame 14 at the far side of the conveyor
10 for supporting the support mandrel 22, 22' transversely to the
conveyor belt 11. The bracket 23, 23' may pivotably support the
support mandrel 22, 22' wherein the support mandrel 22, 22' is
pivotable generally parallel to the conveyor belt 11; or may be
universal for being usable in a right handed installation and in a
left handed installation; or may pivotably support the support
mandrel 22, 22' wherein the support mandrel 22, 22' is pivotable
generally parallel to the conveyor belt 11 and the bracket 23, 23'
is universal for being usable in a right handed installation and in
a left handed installation. The conveyor belt support 19, 25, 25'
may further comprise a bracket 30, 30' attached to a conveyor frame
14 at the near side of the conveyor 10 and having a notch 30a for
receiving the rotatable member 21, 21' therein. The bracket 30, 30'
may have a hole 30b, 30h for receiving a locking device 34, 32a for
locking the rotatable member 22, 22' in a position with the roller
20 in the operating position; or may be universal for being usable
in a right handed installation and in a left handed installation;
or may have a hole 30b, 32a for receiving a locking device 34, 32a
for locking the rotatable member 22, 22' in a position with the
roller 20 in the operating position and the bracket 30, 30' may be
universal for being usable in a right handed installation and in a
left handed installation. The conveyor belt support 19, 25, 25' may
further comprise a belt support bar 230 positioned to support the
conveyor belt 11 when the roller 20 is not in the operating
position.
[0055] A conveyor belt support 19, 25, 25' for a conveyor 10
comprising a continuous conveyor belt 11 extending about a head
pulley 12 and a tail pulley 13 to have a carry side 11a and a
return side 11b, the conveyor 10 having a near side near one edge
of the conveyor belt 11 and a far side near an opposite edge of the
conveyor belt 11, the conveyor belt support 19, 25, 25' may
comprise: a support mandrel 22, 22' mountable to the far side of
the conveyor 10 and extending transversely toward the near side
thereof, wherein the support mandrel 22, 22' is attached to a
conveyor frame 14 at the far side of the conveyor 10 for supporting
the support mandrel 22, 22' transversely to the conveyor belt 11; a
hollow member 21, 21' slidably and rotatably mountable to the
support mandrel 22, 22' from the near side of the conveyor 10 for
sliding thereon in a direction transverse to the conveyor belt 11
and for rotating about the support mandrel 22, 22; a crank 32, 32'
attached to the hollow member 21, 21' for rotating the hollow
member 21, 21' about the support mandrel 22, 22; and a roller 20
rotatable on a roller shaft 20a and supported by the hollow member
21, 21', wherein the roller 20 is transverse to the conveyor belt
11 when the hollow member 21, 21' is mounted to the support mandrel
22, 22; wherein moving the crank 32, 32' to rotate the hollow
member 21, 21' in a first direction relative to the support mandrel
22, 22' moves the roller 20 to an operating position for supporting
the conveyor belt 11 and rotating the crank 32, 32' to rotate the
hollow member 21, 21' in a second direction relative to the support
mandrel 22, 22' moves the roller 20 away from the operating
position to a position wherein the hollow member 21, 21' with the
roller 20 thereon is slidably removable from the support mandrel
22, 22'. The hollow member 21, 21' may be a tubular member 21, 21'
that slides onto the support mandrel 22, 22' for providing the
slidable and rotatable mounting. The hollow member 21, 21' may
include: brackets 26 extending from the hollow member 21, 21' for
supporting the roller shaft 20a; or an engaging rod 21h slidable in
a transverse hole through the hollow member 21, 21' for rotating
the hollow member 21, 21; or brackets 26 extending from the hollow
member 21, 21' for supporting the roller shaft 20a and an engaging
rod 21h slidable in a hole through the hollow member 21, 21' for
rotating the hollow member 21, 21'. The roller shaft 20a may be
retained to the brackets 26 by locking retainers 28, 29. The crank
32, 32' may include: a lever 32, 32' and a handle 33, 33; or a
lever 32, 32' and a handle 33, 33' having flats 33f thereon. The
crank 32, 32' may have a positioning feature 32p defining a locking
position; or may have an opening 32h for receiving a locking device
34, 32a therein; or the crank 32, 32' may have an opening 32h for
receiving a quick release locking pin 32a therein; or the crank 32,
32' may be symmetric for being usable in a right handed
installation and in a left handed installation; or any combination
of the foregoing. The conveyor belt support 19, 25, 25' may further
comprise a bracket 23, 23' attachable to a conveyor frame 14 at the
far side of the conveyor 10 for supporting the support mandrel 22,
22' transversely to the conveyor belt 11. The bracket 23, 23' may
pivotably support the support mandrel 22, 22' wherein the support
mandrel 22, 22' is pivotable generally parallel to the conveyor
belt 11; Or may be universal for being usable in a right handed
installation and in a left handed installation; or may pivotably
support the support mandrel 22, 22' wherein the support mandrel 22,
22' is pivotable generally parallel to the conveyor belt 11 and may
be universal for being usable in a right handed installation and in
a left handed installation. The conveyor belt support 19, 25, 25'
may further comprise a bracket 30, 30' attached to the conveyor
frame 14 at the near side of the conveyor 10 and may have a notch
30a for receiving the hollow member 21, 21' therein. The conveyor
belt support 19, 25, 25' may further comprise a belt support bar
230 positioned to support the conveyor belt 11 when the roller 20
is not in the operating position.
[0056] As used herein, the term "about" means that dimensions,
sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other quantities and
characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be
approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting
tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and
the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. In
general, a dimension, size, formulation, parameter, shape or other
quantity or characteristic is "about" or "approximate" whether or
not expressly stated to be such. It is noted that embodiments of
very different sizes, shapes and dimensions may employ the
described arrangements.
[0057] Although terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right,"
"front," "rear," "side," "top," "bottom," "forward," "backward,"
"under" and/or "over," may be used herein as a convenience in
describing one or more embodiments and/or uses of the present
arrangement, the articles described may be positioned in any
desired orientation and/or may be utilized in any desired position
and/or orientation. Such terms of position and/or orientation
should be understood as being for convenience only, and not as
limiting of the invention as claimed.
[0058] While the present invention has been described in terms of
the foregoing example embodiments, variations within the scope and
spirit of the present invention as defined by the claims following
will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, while
features such as a belt support bar 230, a pivotable mandrel 22',
an engaging rod 21h, universal brackets 23', 30', universal handle
32', handle flats 33f, are described in relation to the embodiment
of FIGS. 18-21, some or all of such features may be employed in the
embodiment of FIGS. 2-17, as may be desired in a particular
instance.
[0059] Although roller support structure 25, 25' is described in
terms of an example conveyor system 10 wherein the roller is a
return roller supporting the return side of conveyor belt 11,
roller support structure 25, 25' could be located between the carry
and return sides of conveyor belt 11 so as to support a roller that
supports the carry side of conveyor belt 11. While roller 20 is
illustrated as being generally cylindrical, it can be barrel shaped
or otherwise non-cylindrical.
[0060] While bracket 23'b is shown as being pivotable relative to
bracket 23'a, bracket 23'b could be fixed to bracket 23'a and
mandrel 22' could itself pivot relative to bracket 23', e.g., by
being affixed to spacer 23sp which is rotatable on fastener 23f. In
such case, bracket 23'b could be reversed so that spacer 23sp is
exposed towards conveyor belt 11 or bracket 23'b could have a slot
therein through which mandrel 22' passes to attach to spacer
23sp.
[0061] Crank 32, 32' may be sized to space handle 33, 33' away from
tubular member 21, 21' about the same distance as roller support
shaft 20a is spaced away therefrom as illustrated, or may be sized
to provide a greater spacing away of handle 33, 33' where
additional leverage is desired for placing or removing roller 20
from its operative position or may be sized to provide lesser
spacing away of handle 33, 33'.
[0062] Finally, numerical values stated are typical or example
values, are not limiting values, and do not preclude substantially
larger and/or substantially smaller values. Values in any given
embodiment may be substantially larger and/or may be substantially
smaller than the example or typical values stated.
* * * * *