U.S. patent number 3,593,841 [Application Number 04/873,360] was granted by the patent office on 1971-07-20 for idler roller actuating device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to United States Steel Corporation. Invention is credited to Carl D. Leow.
United States Patent |
3,593,841 |
Leow |
July 20, 1971 |
IDLER ROLLER ACTUATING DEVICE
Abstract
An idler roller actuating device for a conveyor having a
conveyor frame, an idler roller having a roller frame pivotable on
the conveyor frame, and a belt passing over the idler roller and
having a normal operating position is disclosed. The idler roller
actuating device is disposed adjacent one side of the belt and has
a pivot member pivotable on the conveyor frame; a sensing arm
affixed to the pivot member had having a sensing arm free end; a
sensing member mounted on the sensing arm free end of the sensing
arm adjacent the one side of the belt; a first tension member
affixed to the pivot member and having a first tension member free
end; and a second tension member affixed to the roller frame and
having a second tension member free end pivotably connected to the
first tension member free end. The sensing member is engageable
with the one side of the belt when the belt moves away from the
normal operating position and toward the one side of the belt to
rotate the sensing member and the sensing arm in one direction of a
counterclockwise direction and a clockwise direction. The first
tension member and the second tension member are operable by the
rotation of the sensing member and the sensing arm to rotate the
roller frame and the idler roller in the other direction of the
counterclockwise direction and the clockwise direction so that the
idler roller reverses the movement of the belt away from the normal
operating position and returns the belt to the normal operating
position.
Inventors: |
Leow; Carl D. (Rogers Township,
Presque Isle County, MI) |
Assignee: |
United States Steel Corporation
(N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
25361485 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/873,360 |
Filed: |
November 3, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
198/806; 198/808;
226/23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G
39/16 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65G
39/16 (20060101); B65G 39/10 (20060101); B65g
015/62 () |
Field of
Search: |
;198/202,192
;226/23,18,21 ;74/242 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Aegerter; Richard E.
Claims
I claim:
1. For a conveyor having a conveyor frame, an idler roller having a
roller frame pivotable on said conveyor frame, and a belt passing
over said idler roller and having a normal operating position, an
idler roller actuating device disposed adjacent one side of said
belt and having:
a. a pivot member pivotable on said conveyor frame;
b. a sensing arm affixed to said pivot member and having a sensing
arm free end;
c. a sensing member mounted on said sensing arm free end adjacent
said one side of said belt;
d. a first tension member affixed to said pivot member and having a
first tension member free end; and
e. a second tension member affixed to said roller frame and having
a second tension member free end pivotably connected to said first
tension member free end;
f. said sensing member being engageable with said one side of said
belt when said belt moves away from said normal operating position
and toward said one side of said belt to rotate said sensing member
and said sensing arm in one direction of a counterclockwise
direction and a clockwise direction; and
g. said first tension member and said second tension member being
operable by said rotation of said sensing member and said sensing
arm to rotate said roller frame and said idler roller in the other
direction of said counterclockwise direction and said clockwise
direction so that said idler roller reverses said movement of said
belt away from said normal operating position and returns said belt
to said normal operating position.
2. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 and having
a support member affixed to said conveyor frame and said pivot
member pivotable on said support member.
3. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said roller frame has an idler roller centerline, said belt has a
belt centerline and said normal operating position has said belt
centerline disposed in alignment with said idler roller
centerline.
4. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said sensing member is a movable member.
5. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said sensing member is a fixed member.
6. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said sensing member is a shoe.
7. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said sensing member is spaced from said belt when said belt is in
said normal operating position.
8. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said sensing member engages said belt when said belt is in said
normal operating position.
9. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said one direction is clockwise.
10. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said one direction is counterclockwise.
11. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said first tension member is positionable.
12. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said second tension member is positionable.
13. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 11 wherein
said positionable first tension member is a turnbuckle.
14. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 11 wherein
said positionable first tension member is an apertured strip
member.
15. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 11 wherein
said positionable first tension member is a threaded rod having a
connector on each end thereof.
16. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 11 wherein
said positionable first tension member is a spring.
17. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 12 wherein
said positionable second tension member is a turnbuckle.
18. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 12 wherein
said positionable second tension member is a spring.
19. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 12 wherein
said positionable second tension member is an apertured strip
member.
20. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 12 wherein
said positionable second tension member is a threaded rod having a
connector on each end thereof.
21. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said roller frame has a connection member, and said second tension
member is connected to said connection member.
22. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 21 wherein
said connection member is provided with a plurality of apertures
for connection of said second tension member thereto.
23. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 21 wherein
said connection member is provided with a slot and has a connector
block affixed to said connection member for connection of said
second tension member thereto.
24. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said idler roller has a central portion and an outer troughing
portion inclined at an angle to said central portion.
25. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said idler roller has a central portion and an outer portion which
is a substantially straight line continuation of said central
portion.
26. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said pivot member has a post member affixed to said conveyor frame
and a sleeve member pivotable on said post member.
27. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 1 wherein
said pivot member has a sleeve member affixed to said conveyor
frame and a post member pivotable in said sleeve member.
28. In combination:
a. a conveyor having a conveyor frame, an idler roller having a
roller frame pivotable on said conveyor frame, and a belt passing
over said idler and having a normal operating position, and
b. an idler roller actuating device disposed adjacent one side of
said belt and having:
1. a pivot member pivotable on said conveyor frame;
2. a sensing arm affixed to said pivot member and having a sensing
arm free end;
3. a sensing member mounted on said sensing arm free end adjacent
said one side of said belt;
4. a first tension member affixed to said pivot member and having a
first tension member free end; and
5. a second tension member affixed to said roller frame and having
a second tension member free end pivotably connected to said first
tension member free end;
6. said sensing member being engageable with said one side of said
belt when said belt moves away from said normal operating position
and toward said one side of said belt to rotate said sensing member
and said sensing arm in one direction of a counterclockwise
direction and a clockwise direction; and
7. said first tension member and said second tension member being
operable by said rotation of said sensing member and said sensing
arm to rotate said roller frame and said idler roller in the other
direction of said counterclockwise direction and said clockwise
direction so that said idler roller reverses said movement of said
belt away from said normal operating position and returns said belt
to said normal operating position.
29. For a conveyor having a conveyor frame, an idler roller having
a roller frame pivotable on said conveyor frame, and a belt passing
over said idler roller and having a normal operating position,
a. a first idler roller actuating device disposed adjacent one side
of said belt,
b. a second idler roller actuating device disposed adjacent the
other side of said belt,
c. each of said first idler roller actuating device and said second
roller actuating device having:
1. a pivot member pivotable on said conveyor frame;
2. a sensing arm affixed to said pivot member and having a sensing
arm free end;
3. a sensing member mounted on said sensing arm free end adjacent
said one side of said belt;
4. a first tension member affixed to said pivot member and having a
first tension member free end; and
5. a second tension member affixed to said roller frame and having
a second tension member free end pivotably connected to said first
tension member free end;
6. said sensing member being engageable with said one side of said
belt when said belt moves away from said normal operating position
and toward said one side of said belt to rotate said sensing member
and said sensing arm in one direction of a counter clockwise
direction and a clockwise direction; and
7. said first tension member and said second tension member being
operable by said rotation of said sensing member and said sensing
arm to rotate said roller frame and said idler roller in the other
direction of said counterclockwise direction and said clockwise
direction so that said idler roller reverses said movement of said
belt away from said normal operating position and returns said belt
to said normal operating position.
30. In combination:
a. a conveyor having a conveyor frame, an idler roller having a
roller frame pivotable on said conveyor frame, and a belt passing
over said idler roller and having a normal operating position,
b. a first idler roller actuating device disposed adjacent one side
of said belt, and
c. a second idler roller actuating device disposed adjacent the
other side of said belt,
d. each of said first idler roller actuating device and said second
idler roller actuating device having:
1. a pivot member pivotable on said conveyor frame;
2. a sensing arm affixed to said pivot member and having a sensing
arm free end;
3. a sensing member mounted on said sensing arm free end adjacent
said one side of said belt;
4. a first tension member affixed to said pivot member and having a
first tension member free end;
5. a second tension member affixed to said roller frame and having
a second tension member free end pivotably connected to said first
tension member free end;
6. said sensing member being engageable with said one side of said
belt when said belt moves away from said normal operating position
and toward said one side of said belt to rotate said sensing member
and said sensing arm in one direction of a counterclockwise
direction and a clockwise direction; and
7. said first tension member and said second tension member being
operable by said rotation of said sensing member and said sensing
arm to rotate said roller frame and said idler roller in the other
direction of said counterclockwise direction and said clockwise
direction so that said idler roller reverses said movement of said
belt away from said normal operating position and returns said belt
to said normal operating position.
31. For a conveyor having a conveyor frame, an idler roller having
a roller frame pivotable on said conveyor frame, and a belt passing
over said idler roller and having a normal operating position, an
idler roller actuating device disposed adjacent one side of said
belt and having:
a. a pivot member pivotable on said conveyor frame,
b. one member of a first tension member having a first tension
member free end and a sensing arm having a sensing arm free end
affixed to said pivot member,
c. a mounting member affixed to said one member,
d. the other member of said first tension member and said sensing
arm mounted on said mounting member,
e. a sensing member mounted on said sensing arm free end adjacent
said one side of said belt,
f. a second tension member affixed to said roller frame and having
a second tension member free end pivotably connected to said first
tension member free end,
g. said sensing member being engageable with said one side of said
belt when said belt moves away from said normal operating position
and toward said one side of said belt to rotate said sensing member
and said sensing mounting member in one direction of a
counterclockwise direction and a clockwise direction, and
h. said first tension member and said second tension member being
operable by said rotation of said sensing member and said sensing
mounting member to rotate said roller frame and said idler roller
in the other direction of said counterclockwise direction and said
clockwise direction so that said idler roller reverses said
movement of said belt away from said normal operating position and
returns said belt to said normal operating position.
32. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 31 wherein
said one member is said first tension member.
33. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 31 wherein
said one member is said sensing arm.
34. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 11 wherein
said positionable first tension member is a chain.
35. The idler roller actuating device recited in claim 12 wherein
said positionable second tension member is a chain.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Heretofore, conventional conveyors and more particularly
conventional troughing conveyors and the like, employed to transfer
dry comminuted material, such as limestone, iron ore and the like
have had several disadvantages and defects. Such conveyors are
adjusted or trained on their head roller, tail roller, and idler
rollers while they are empty. After several weeks of load carrying
operation, the head roller or the tail roller or the conveyor frame
may shift from its original trained position, thus producing a
shift of the conveyor belt to one side of the idler rollers with
resultant riding off of the belt over such idler rollers.
Similarly, an improper belt splice (where the two spliced edges are
not parallel to each other) may produce the same undesirable
result. Further, since the conveyed load is often loaded from one
side of the conveyor belt, the piling up of the load on the other
side will also cause a shift in the conveyor belt from its normal
operating position, for example, where the longitudinal centerline
of the conveyor belt is aligned with the centerline of the idler
rollers toward such one side. Again, the characteristics of the
conveyor may change, such as by elongation or contraction of either
the load carrying or nonload carrying surface thereof or the
deposition of a fluid, such as water or the like, on one surface
thereof, or the like, to produce such undesirable transverse shift
of the belt.
Conventional devices are available for restraining such undesirable
transverse movement of the conveyor belt during a load carrying
operation, but none are available for sensing the above-described
undesirable transverse movement and then actuating the idler roller
to move the conveyor belt back to its normal operating
position.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the general object of this invention to avoid and overcome
the foregoing and other difficulties of and objections to prior art
practices by the provision of an improved idler roller actuating
device which:
a. senses the undesirable transverse movement of a conveyor belt
and then actuates the associated idler roller to return the
conveyor belt to its normal operating position;
b. is simple and rugged in structure;
c. has a long maintenance free operational life;
d. is readily repaired with a minimum of conveyor down time;
and
e. has a minimum number of moving or wearing parts.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforesaid objects of this invention, and other objects which
will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by
providing an idler roller actuating device for a conveyor having a
conveyor frame, an idler roller having a roller frame pivotable on
the conveyor frame, and a belt passing over the idler roller and
having a normal operating position. The idler roller actuating
device is disposed adjacent one side of the belt and has a pivot
member pivotable on the conveyor frame; a sensing arm affixed to
the pivot member and having a sensing arm free end; a sensing
member mounted on the sensing arm free end of the sensing arm
adjacent the one side of the belt; a first tension member affixed
to the pivot member and having a first tension member free end; and
a second tension member affixed to the roller frame and having a
second tension member free end pivotably connected to the first
tension member free end. The sensing member is engageable with the
one side of the belt when the belt moves away from the normal
operating position and toward the one side of the belt to rotate
the sensing member and the sensing arm in one direction of a
counterclockwise direction and a clockwise direction. The first
tension member and the second tension member are operably by the
rotation of the sensing member and the sensing arm to rotate the
roller frame and the idler roller in the other direction of the
counterclockwise direction and the clockwise direction so that the
idler roller reverses the movement of the belt away from the normal
operating position and returns the belt to the normal operating
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of this invention, reference should be
had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of
reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a conveyor, one
of its idler rollers and the improved idler roller actuating
device, and showing the sensing members normally in engagement with
the edges of the belt and the centerline of the belt moved to the
left of the centerline of the conveyor,
FIG. 2 is a view similar to an end elevational view of the
apparatus shown in FIG. 1, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 in
the direction of the arrows,
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1,
taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the
arrows,
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternative embodiment,
showing a fixed sensing member mounted on the free end of the
sensing arm,
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a fixed rigid or
resilient shoe utilized as the sensing member,
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4, 5, showing a pivotable rigid
or resilient shoe as the sensing member,
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternative embodiment of
the first tension member and the second tension member showing a
positionable first tension member,
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing a spring as the second
tension member,
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIGS. 7, 8 showing an apertured bar or
angle as the first tension member and a threaded rod with a
connector on each end as the second tension member,
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of a connection member having a
positioning slot and a pivot block secured in the slot in the
desired location,
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of a fixed sleeve secured to the
conveyor frame, as by welding or the like, and a post or shaft
pivotable in such fixed sleeve with the sensing arm and first
tension member removed for clarity,
FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing a fixed post secured
to the conveyor frame and a pivotable sleeve about the fixed shaft
or post,
FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a return idler roller showing
the improved idler roller actuating device in the operating
position,
FIG. 14 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment showing the
sensing arm mounted on the first tension member, which first
tension member is secured to a rotatable sleeve pivotable on a
fixed shaft upstanding from the conveyor frame,
FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 of another alternative
embodiment showing the first tension member mounted on the sensing
member and the sensing member secured to a rotatable shaft
pivotable on a bearing secured to the conveyor frame, and
FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the sensing members
normally spaced from the edges of the belt.
Although the principles of this invention are broadly applicable to
conveyors, this invention is particularly adapted for use in
conjunction with a troughing conveyor and hence it has been so
illustrated and will be so described.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With specific reference to the form of this invention illustrated
in the drawings, and referring particularly to FIGS. 1--3, a
conveyor for transporting material, such as crushed limestone and
the like, is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.
This conveyor 10 has a conveyor frame 12 (FIGS. 1--3), an idler
roller 14 (FIGS. 1--3) having a roller frame 16 (FIGS. 1--3)
pivotable on a shaft 17 in a bearing 18 (FIG 2) mounted on the
conveyor frame 12. A belt 20 (FIGS. 1--3) passes over the idler
roller 14 and has a normal operating position. This normal
operating position has the belt centerline B-B (FIG. 1) disposed in
alignment with the idler roller centerline A-A (FIG. 1). The idler
roller 14 has central roller 14a and outer rollers 14b (FIGS. 1, 2)
mounted on shafts 14c journaled in brackets 14d upstanding from the
roller frame 16.
Idler roller actuating devices 22a, 22b (FIGS. 1--3) are disposed
on each side of the belt 20 for the purpose of sensing deviation of
the belt 20 from its normal operating position, for example, to the
left to the position shown in FIG. 1. Since the idler roller
actuating devices 22a, 22b are similar, it is deemed sufficient to
described idler roller actuating device 22a.
IDLER ROLLER ACTUATING DEVICE 22a
The idler roller actuating device 22a has a pivot member or sleeve
24 (FIGS. 1--3) pivotable on a post 26 (FIGS. 1--3) upstanding from
the free end of a support member 28 (FIGS. 1--3) affixed to the
conveyor frame 12 at 30, as by a bolt and nut or the like (FIGS.
1--2). A sensing arm 32 (FIGS. 1--3) is affixed at 34, as by a
screw or the like (FIG. 2), to the upper portion of the pivot
sleeve 24 (FIG. 2) and has a sensing arm free end 36 (FIGS. 1--3).
A sensing member 38 (FIGS. 1--3), such as a roller or the like, is
pivotable at 40 (FIGS. 1--2) on the free end 36 of the sensing arm
32. When the belt 20 is in the normal operating position, the
sensing arm is disposed at the angle a (FIG. 1) equal to about
15.degree.--20.degree..
A first tension member or arm 42 (FIGS. 1--3) is mounted at 44
(FIG. 2) as by a screw or the like, on lower portion of the pivot
sleeve 24 (FIGS. 2--3) and has a first tension member free end 46
(FIGS. 1--2). A second tension member 48 (FIGS. 1--3) is secured at
50 (FIG. 1), as by a bolt and nut or the like, through one of the
holes 52 (FIG. 1) in a connection member or plate 54 affixed to the
roller frame 16. The connection point 50 is a distance d (FIG. 1)
from the centerline A-A (FIG. 1) of the idler roller 14 or the
conveyor frame 12. As the distance d is increased, the angle of
rotation b (FIG. 1) of the idler roller 14 is decreased. The second
tension member 48 has a free end 56 (FIG. 1) which is secured at
57, as by a pin or the like (FIG. 1) to the free end 46 of the
first tension member 42. Stops 43 (FIGS. 1--3) are upstanding from
the conveyor frame 12 to limit the rotation b of the idler roller
14.
OPERATION
When the sensing member 38 is engaged by one side or edge, for
example the left side or edge, (FIG. 16) of the belt 20 or is
continually in engagement with such left side (FIG. 1) of the belt
20 and the belt 20 moves to the left, to the position shown in FIG.
1, the sensing member 30 is moved away from the normal operating
position (not shown) to the position shown in FIG. 1 where the belt
centerline B-B is a distance d.sub.1 (FIG. 1) from the idler roller
centerline A-A. The sensing member 38 has also moved a distance d
normal to its point of contact 58 (FIG. 1) with the belt 12.
However, the sensing roller 38 has also moved on an arc greater
than the distance d to the position shown in FIG. 1 where the angle
a is now about 40.degree. to 50.degree.. The sensing roller 38 is
moved in one direction of a clockwise direction and a
counterclockwise direction (in this case a counterclockwise
direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1).
The first tension member 42 and the second tension member 48 are
operable (in the same counterclockwise direction) by the rotation
of the sensing roller 38 and the sensing arm 32 to rotate the
roller frame 16 and the idler roller 14 in the other direction of
such clockwise direction and counterclockwise direction (i.e.
clockwise direction) as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1, so that the
idler roller 14 reverses the leftward movement (FIG. 1) of the belt
20 away from the normal operating position and returns the belt 20
to the normal operating position.
It will be noted from FIG. 1 that the angular increase in angle a
from about 15.degree.--20.degree. to about 40.degree.--50.degree.
by the leftward belt movement (FIG. 1) moves the idler roller 14
through the angle b of about 15.degree.--20.degree..
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that
alternatively the movable sensing roller 38 (FIGS. 1--3) may be
replaced by a fixed sensing member (FIG. 6) or roller 38.sup.4
secured to the free end 36 of the sensing arm as by a bolt 60 and
nut 62 or the like.
In FIG. 5 a fixed resilient or rigid shoe 38.sup.5 is affixed, as
by welding, at 64 to the free end 36 of the sensing arm 32. The
shoe 38.sup.6 (FIG. 6) may also be pivoted at 66 on the free end 36
by an arm 68, restrained in its movement by stops 70 on the free
end 36 and biased by a spring 72 extending between a post 74 on the
arm 68 to a post 74 on the free end 36.
In FIG. 1, the second tension member 48.sup.7 is a positionable
turnbuckle or the like. FIG. 7 shows the first tension member
42.sup.7 as a positionable turnbuckle or the like and the second
tension member as a fixed length arm 48.sup.7.
Referring to FIG. 8, the second tension member is a spring 48.sup.8
extending between a post 78 on the free end 46 of the first tension
member 42 and a post 78 disposed in a selected hole 52 of the
connection member 54.
The first tension member in FIG. 9 is a strap member, such as a bar
or angle 42.sup.9 having spaced holes 80 therein. The second
tension member (FIG. 9) is a threaded rod 48.sup.9 having threaded
connectors 84 on each end thereof, which connectors 84 are
connected at 57 to the free end 46 of the first tension member
42.sup.9 and to the connection member 54 at 50.
In FIG. 10 the connection member 54.sup.10 has a positioning slot
86 and a pivot block 88 secured, as by a nut 90 and a bolt 92 or
the like, to the desired location in the slot 86. The second
tension member, a fixed length arm 48.sup.10, is pivotable at 50 on
the block 88.
FIG. 11 shows a portion of the conveyor frame 12 having a plate 94
mounted on two channels 96. A fixed sleeve or closed end pipe
24.sup.11 is secured to the conveyor frame 12 as by welds 98 or the
like. The shaft or post 26.sup.11 rotates in the fixed sleeve
24.sup.11.
FIG. 12 has a fixed post 26.sup.12 (secured as by welds 98 or the
like to) and upstanding from the conveyor frame 12 and a rotatable
sleeve 24.sup.12 disposed about the fixed post 26.sup.12.
In FIGS. 1--3, the idler roller 14 has a central portion 14a and
outer portions 14b which outer portions 14b are inclined at an
angle c (FIG. 2) of about 20.degree.--35.degree. with respect to
the central portion 14b. It will be understood that the outer
portions 14b may be a straight line continuation of the central
portion 14a or replaced by a single straight return roller
14.sup.13 as shown in FIG. 13.
FIG. 13 shows the improved idler roller actuating devices 22a, 22b
in the upside-down position adjacent to the return roller
14.sup.13.
FIG. 14 shows a sensing mounting member 100 having sensing arms
102a, 102b between which the sensing roller 38.sup.14 is pivotably
mounted at 40. The first tension member 42.sup.14 is secured (as by
welds 98 or the like) to a rotatable sleeve 24.sup.14 which rotates
on a fixed shaft 26.sup.14. The shaft 26.sup.14 is secured as by
welds 104 to the conveyor frame 12. Alternatively, the sensing
roller 38.sup.14 can be mounted at 40 on only one of the sensing
arms 102a, or 102b, similar to the mounting shown in FIG. 1.
In FIG. 15 the sensing arm 32.sup.15 is secured as by welds 106 or
the like to a shaft 26.sup.15 rotatable in a bearing 108 affixed to
the conveyor frame 12 as by welds 106 or the like. A mounting
member 100.sup.15 depends from the sensing arm 32.sup.15 and
carries the first tension member 42.sup.15. A chain 110 is the
second tension member and is secured by S-hooks 112 or the like at
57 and 50 to the free end 36.sup.15 of the first tension member
42.sup.15 and to a selected hole 52 in the connection member 54
respectively.
FIG. 16 shows the sensing members 38.sup.16 spaced a predetermined
distance d.sub.2 from the edges of the belt 20.
SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects
of this invention have been achieved by providing improved idler
roller actuating devices 22a, 22b which sense any undesirable
transverse movement of the conveyor belt 20 from a normal operating
position and then actuate the associated idler roller 14 to return
the conveyor belt 20 to its normal operating position; is simple
and rugged in structure; has a long maintenance free operational
life; is readily repaired with a minimum of conveyor down time; and
has a minimum number of moving or wearing parts.
While in accordance with the patent statutes preferred and
alternative embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and
described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the
invention is not limited thereto or thereby.
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