AU2002225778B2 - Roller bed for a conveyor belt system - Google Patents

Roller bed for a conveyor belt system Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2002225778B2
AU2002225778B2 AU2002225778A AU2002225778A AU2002225778B2 AU 2002225778 B2 AU2002225778 B2 AU 2002225778B2 AU 2002225778 A AU2002225778 A AU 2002225778A AU 2002225778 A AU2002225778 A AU 2002225778A AU 2002225778 B2 AU2002225778 B2 AU 2002225778B2
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AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
conveyor belt
bed
bed rail
rollers
assembly
Prior art date
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AU2002225778A
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AU2002225778A1 (en
Inventor
John S. Fischer
Edgar Hugh Schwartz
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SOLID SYSTEMS ENGINEERING Co
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Solid Systems Eng Co
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/725,551 external-priority patent/US6634490B2/en
Application filed by Solid Systems Eng Co filed Critical Solid Systems Eng Co
Publication of AU2002225778A1 publication Critical patent/AU2002225778A1/en
Assigned to SOLID SYSTEMS ENGINEERING COMPANY reassignment SOLID SYSTEMS ENGINEERING COMPANY Request for Assignment Assignors: AIR CONTROL SCIENCE, INC
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU2002225778B2 publication Critical patent/AU2002225778B2/en
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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65GTRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G39/00Rollers, e.g. drive rollers, or arrangements thereof incorporated in roller-ways or other types of mechanical conveyors 
    • B65G39/10Arrangements of rollers
    • B65G39/12Arrangements of rollers mounted on framework
    • B65G39/125Arrangements of rollers mounted on framework for selectively adjusting troughing of the conveying belt

Description

P:OPER1AI\2222S77B spo.dm-0107/OS -1- ROLLER BED FOR A CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEM This invention relates to conveyor belt system. More particularly, this invention relates to a bed rail assembly apparatus for supporting a conveyor belt.
Still more particularly, this invention relates to a bed rail assembly apparatus that is adapted to be inserted between industry standard carry idlers of the conveyor system to support a conveyor belt with reduced drag and friction. This invention further relates to a bed rail assembly apparatus having sides that are adjustable to different widths and different inclinations to accommodate conveyor systems of different configurations.
It is common to use conveyor belts to move bulk materials from one place to another. For example, power plants transport coal from storage piles out one location to hoppers at a distant processing area using a series of conveyor belts.
One problem with the use of conveyor belts is spillage of material. A second problem is air pollution from dust created by the conveyor belts. The generated dust may be volatile and can be ignited by any heat or spark introduced into the environment.
SSpillage of material typically occurs at a conveyor transfer point where bulk material is passed from one conveyor belt to a second conveyor belt. The transfer often involves dropping the bulk material from the first conveyor belt to the second P:OPER\AI\2002225778 spe.doc-0810703 -2belt. As the bulk material hits the second conveyor belt, the bulk material spreads and some falls over the sides of the second conveyor belt. Vibrations caused by nearby machinery may shake the conveyor belt and cause bulk material to spill over the belt edges.
Air pollution is caused by induced air flow in a conveyor belt system. Bulk material falling or projected from the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt forms a material stream. The individual particles in the stream impart a frictional drag on the surrounding air. The surrounding air begins to flow in the direction of the material stream and attains a velocity approaching the velocity of the bulk material stream. This is called an induced air flow. The bulk material is suddenly stopped at the end of its fall and is compacted by the impact onto the second conveyor belt. The velocity pressure of the induced air flow is converted to static pressure by the material impact. A region of high air pressure is created by the static pressure. Air in the high air pressure region flows to a region of lower air pressure. This air flow contains small particles of the bulk material. In an open system, this air movement of the air is evident by a dust cloud billowing from a loading point of the second conveyor belt.
P:\OPER\AI\2002225778 sp~.do-08107/03 -3- It is common to use a housing to enclose the second conveyor belt to prevent the billowing dust and reduce material spillage. A rubber skirting seal hangs on the bottom edge of the housing and drags against the top surface of the inclined sides of the conveyor belt to completely enclose the area. To maintain contact with the rubber skirting seal and the inclined sides of the conveyor belt surface, a support is positioned underneath the conveyor belt. The support often includes bars or beams that run longitudinally beneath the bottom surface of the conveyor belt along each side. This support may also include large rollers spaced apart on 4 foot centers beneath the conveyor belt. The bars or beams can cause excessive drag or friction with the bottom surface of the conveyor belt. This can cause an undue load on the motor turning the conveyor belt and/or wear of the side skirting and a wear of the belt. The drat may also generate heat that can melt the belt or the beams. With the use of larger rollers having 4 foot centers or greater, the belt can sag between the rollers and cause excessive clearance between the inclined sides of the conveyor belt and rubber skirt seal. This allows material spillage and impingement points where material wedges between the inclined sides of the belt and the wearliner where the belt sags between the rollers.
This causes conveyor belt damage.
P:OPER\SASJan-Jun 05\12235970 2-spa.doc-08/0205 The present invention provides a roller bed assembly apparatus adapted to be inserted between standard carry idlers of a conveyor belt system, said roller bed assembly apparatus comprising: a support rail oriented substantially parallel to and beneath a lower surface of a conveyor belt of said conveyor system; a first bed rail assembly coupled to a first end portion of said support rail; said first bed rail assembly having a plurality of rollers inclined at an angle offset from horizontal to said to support a first side of said conveyor belt at said angle; 04-10-20024-2002 FRI 08--52 AMFXN, 452 US 1 447E 350201016W 0 a socond bad rail assembly coupled to an opposite end portion of said support rqiil; sziid second bed rail assaimbly having a plurality of rollers inclined at an anujlo offsat from horizontal to suppoit a second side of said conveyor belt at said angla; and said pluriality of rollers are of a diameter sufficiently smaller than the dilamoter of seid ciarry idlers and ae positioned sufficiently close to each other alongj tho langth of said belt at a spaing that reduces conveyor belt seg and inhiblis timi spill age of material from sides of said conveyor belt.
ID Preferably roller bed assembly apparatus further comprises at least one ccnter carvy idler coupled to said support rail beneath said conveyor belt to support a lower horizontal -surface of said conveyar belt.
Preforably said adjusting means Includes linkage means coupled to said first bed rail masembly and to said second bed rail assembly to enable a change of said angfle of inclination of sald rollers of said first and second bed rail assemblies.
Preferably said adjusting means further comprises: bnncket mneans connected to said support rail; sid bracket means is movable along the length of said support rail; an outer link means extendling upwards from said bracket means; a lower -arid of said outer link means is rotatably connected to said bracket sald oultr lUnk means is rotatable about said bracket mean to position said Wed rail assarnblies at a desired angle of inclination, Preforably said outer link means Wrrmprises an end portion having a plurality of openingjs adapted to receive a bolt.
Prororably said adjusting moan-$ comprise: a lbrackot means connected to said support rail and to said bed rail sidf bracket means is movablo Wlong the length of said support rail to adjust AMENDED SHEET Empf ze i to4/1in, 4 .ue i -qj fnPt-nri-i-iX P nil I-P,inted:09-072002 )I 6VV 0 :DESCPAMD EPD1995268.8 PCTUS 01 44761 the position of said first and second bed rail assembly to accommodate conveyor belts of different widths.
Preferably said adjusting means further comprises: outer linkage having an upper arid a lower portion; an inner linkage comprising a slide bar and a movable member; said slide bar extends diagonally upward from said support rail towards said upper portion of said outer linkage and is connected to said outer linkage; said slidable member slidably engages said slide bar and is movable along the length of said diagonally extending slide bar; an upper surface of said movable member is coupled to a bottom surface of said bed rail assemblies; and locking/unlocking means for enabling said movable member to be fixably coupled to said slide bar or to be movable along the length of said slide bar to position said inclined rollers beneath the inclined sides of different conveyor belts.
Preferably said adjusting means further comprises: outer linkage having an upper and a lower portion; an inner linkage comprising a slide bar and a movable member; said slide bar extends diagonally upward from a bracket connected to said support rail towards said upper portion of said outer linkage and is connected to said outer linkage by said bolt; said slidable member slidably engages said slide bar and is movable along the length of said diagonally extending slide bar; an upper surface of said movable member is affixed to a bottom surface of said bed rail assemblies; and locking/unlocking means for enabling said movable member to be fixably coupled to said slide bar or to be movable along the length of said slide bar to center said inclined rollers beneath the inclined sides of different conveyor belts.
Preferably said rollers support said first and said second inclined sides of said conveyor belt upwards against a skirting seal and wear liner of said conveyor belt system.
Preferably said rollers are mounted on said bed rail assemblies with spacing between rollers being less than 12.5% of the diameter of the rollers to reduce conveyor belt sag.
6 AMENDED SHEET 25-06-2002.' Printed:09-07-2002 1 WO DESIPAMD C .EP01995268.8 PCTUS 0' 44761 Preferably said rollers are mounted on said bed rail assemblies with spacing between rollers being less than 6% of the diameter of the rollers to-reduce conveyor belt sag.
Preferablysaid rollers are smaller in diameter than said idlers by a factor of less than 1 to 3 to reduce conveyor belt sag.
Preferably said rollers are smaller in diameter than said idlers by a factor of less than 1 to 6 to reduce conveyor belt sag.
Preferably said apparatus for adjusting comprises: adjusting means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to adjust the position of said first and second bed rail assemblies along a horizontal axis to accommodate conveyor belts of different types including different widths.
Preferably said apparatus for adjusting comprises: adjusting means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to adjust the inclination said first and second bed rail.assemblies to accommodate conveyor belts of different characteristics.
Preferably said apparatus for adjusting comprises: adjusting means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to adjust the position of said first and second bed rail assemblies along an inclined axis to center said first bed rail assembly and second bed rail assembly beneath the inclined sides of conveyor belts of different dimensions.
Preferably said apparatus for adjusting comprises: adjusting means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to adjust the position of said first and second bed rail assemblies along a horizontal axis to accommodate conveyor belts of different types; adjusting means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to adjust the inclination said first and second bed rail assemblies to accommodate conveyor belts of different types; and adjusting means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to adjust the position of said first and second bed rail assemblies along an inclined axis to center said first bed rail, assembly and second bed rail assembly beneath the inclined sides of conveyor belts of different types.
Preferably the roller bed assembly apparatus further has: 7 AMENDED SHEET 25-06-W22 P:\OPER\SAS\a-Juo 05\12235970 2-spa.do-08/02/05 7A- T a hood; vertically oriented side plates of said hood extending downwardly towards said sides of said conveyor belt; 00oo the lower portion of said side plates are each affixed to a wear liner and a seal; (said first side plate and said second side plate urge said side conveyor belt N against said wear liner and said seals to reduce conveyor belt sag and to inhibit 0 the spillage of material from the sides of said conveyor belt under said wear liners
(N
and said seals.
Preferably said first plurality of rollers and said second plurality of rollers are mounted on said bed rail assemblies with minimal space between said rollers to reduce conveyor belt sag; said rollers support said first and second inclined sides of said conveyor belt upwards against a skirting and wear liner.
Preferably said first plurality of rollers and said second plurality of rollers are smaller in diameter than said idlers of said conveyor system to reduce conveyor belt sag.
Preferably said apparatus is adapted to support a conveyor belt in a material receiving impact zone of a conveyor belt system, said roller bed assembly apparatus is further adapted to be inserted between carry idlers positioned along the length of said conveyor belt to reduce conveyor belt sag, said roller bed assembly apparatus further includes a hood having sidewalls covering at least a portion of said conveyor belt, said sidewalls each have a wear liner and a seal affixed to the bottom of said sidewalls to inhibit spillage of material between the edges of said conveyor belt and said wear liners and said seals; said roller bed assembly apparatus further comprising: apparatus for adjusting said first and said second bed rail assembly to an angle of inclination matching that of the inclined sides of said conveyor belt; and at least one center carry idler coupled to said support rail beneath said conveyor belt to support a lower horizontal surface of said conveyor belt to prevent belt sag.
P:OPERWI2002225778 spc.doc.0807/03 -7B- Preferably said apparatus is adapted to support a conveyor belt in a material receiving impact zone of a conveyor belt system, said roller bed apparatus is adapted to be inserted between carry idlers positioned along the length of said conveyor belt to reduce conveyor belt sag, said apparatus further includes a hood having sidewalls covering at least a portion of said conveyor belt, said sidewalls each have a wear liner and a seal affixed to the bottom of said sidewalls to inhibit spillage of material between the edges of said conveyor belt and said wear liner and said skirting seals; and said rollers are of a diameter sufficiently smaller than the diameter of said carry idlers and are positioned sufficiently close to each other along the length of said belt at a spacing that reduces conveyor belt sag and inhibits the spillage of material between the upper edges of said belt and said skirting seals and said wear liners.
A bed rail assembly apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention addresses the above and other problems and has an adjustable inclined bed of inclined rollers. A first advantage of the bed rail assembly apparatus is that the bed cradles the inclined sides of the conveyor belt at an adjustable inclination to prevent spillage. A second advantage of this embodiment is that the bed rail assembly apparatus has a series of inclined rollers that support to the bottom of the inclined sides of the conveyor belt. These rollers reduce friction between the bed rail assembly apparatus and the conveyor belt. The rollers are positioned with reduced spacing between rollers to prevent sag that could cause a excessive clearance between the flexible rubber skirting seals and the inclined sides of the conveyor belt. A third advantage of this embodiment is that the angle of the inclination of the sides of the roller bed rail assembly is adjustable to allow the roller plate of the invention to be used with a range of industry standard conveyor troughing angles with infinite angle adjustments being available between those standard conveyor angles. This infinite angle adjustment compensates for small variances in equipment that is common among different manufactures. The bed rail assembly apparatus is also adjustable in its width to accommodate different conveyor systems.
L. P:'OPER\Arl\2002225778 spcdoc-08JO7O3 -7C- The bed rail assembly apparatus according to this embodiment of the invention, which is inserted between standard carry idlers in an existing conveyor belt, is designed in the following manner. The bed rail assembly apparatus has a center portion oriented substantially parallel to and beneath the horizontal surface of the conveyor belt. A first bed rail assembly on a left side of the belt is inclined to support the inclined surface of the left side of the belt. This causes the left side of the conveyor belt to be inclined upwards and in-line with respect to a plane of the horizontal carrying surface of the conveyor belt. The left bed rail assembly has rollers affixed to its frame with an adjustable linkage that maintains the inclined side of the conveyor belt in contact with to the rubber skirting seal. This reduces conveyor belt drag while maintaining the left side of the belt at an inclination that creates an effective seal. A right second bed rail assembly (similar to the left side bed rail assembly) function in the same manner with respect to the inclined right side of the conveyor belt.
A horizontal center portion of the bed rail assembly has horizontal idlers positioned under the belt to reduce drag on the belt and provide additional support under the horizontal carrying surface of the belt.
In order to be inserted under conveyor belts having different designs by manufacturers, the first and second bed rail assembly apparatus that includes an adjusting linkage that changes the angle of inclination of rollers to accommodate the angle of standard carry idlers in the conveyor belt system. This adjustable linkage may include a base, a support that extends upwards from the base, and a movable attachment member that adjusts the rollers on each side to a desired angle of inclination and to a desired horizontal width.
The bed rail assembly apparatus may be affixed to a mounting rail by couplings. The side rollers on the bed rail assemblies have minimal spacing between rollers. The side rollers are advantageously smaller in diameter than the standard carry idlers beneath the belt. The minimal space between side rollers and their smaller diameter reduces that amount of unsupported area underneath the inclined sides of the conveyor belt. The side rollers are of a small diameter and have sealed precision bearing to increase speed and reduce friction.
P:\OPER\Ar\2002225778 spe.doc-08/07/03 -7D- Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, as set out below: FIG. 1 illustrates a conveyor system 100 including bed rail assembly apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 illustrating a sectional front view of a bed rail assembly apparatus inserted into a conveyor belt system in accordance with this embodiment; P:\OPER\Ar200225778 spe doc-08/07/03 -8- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the roller bed rail assembly apparatus comprising the embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 is a lower side view of the bed rail assembly apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate further details of the apparatus that enables the inclined side plate rollers to be adjusted to different angles; and FIG. 8 illustrates further details of support rail 123 and end bracket 207.
Description of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 FIG. 1 discloses a roller bed rail assembly apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an existing conveyor system 100 having a top hood 107, a hood cover 108 and vertical skirt sidewalls 106. Vertical supports 121 are connected to vertical skirt side walls 106. Vertical supports 121 are further connected to horizontal skirt wall supports 109 each of which is connected at its outer end to vertical support element 105 which at its lower end is connected to stringer 103 which comprises a lower base for conveyor system 100.
The equipment provided in accordance with the present embodiment includes the conveyor glider bed apparatus 119 of which four are shown on FIG. 1.
Glider bed apparatus 119 includes inclined rollers 110 which are shown inclined at an angle of inclination to support the inclined sides of belt 104. This inclination contains the material transported by conveyor belt 104 while preventing material spillage over the inclined sides of conveyor belt 104. The apparatus provided in accordance with the present embodiment further includes a series of center carry idlers 117 underneath belt 104. Only one center carry idler 117 is shown on FIG.
1. However, each glider bed 119 includes a center carry idler 117. The system of FIG. 1 further includes inclined carrier idlers 116 which comprise a part of the existing conveyor system. Idlers 127 and 116 are positioned approximately every four feet along the length of conveyor belt 104. Hood 107 encloses the top portion of conveyor system 100 and prevents spillage of material over the sides of the belt 04-10-20021-2002 FRI 0954A FAX NO. 4495428 US014476 an~d furthear prevents the escape of dust generated by the movement of the material load. The C' 40pe Of dUSt Find the spillage of material is further prevented by njba-r 1:elt $,'als 1 18 positioned on the lower'portion of the inner sido Wkit walls 106 Frubbor belt geals 11 U and wear liner 125 have a lower encd which drepress against the top of tho inclined portion of belt 104. Idler support 115 supporbs inclinod carry idler 116 anti rests on, conveyor stringer 103 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 2 is a seocioned front view of conveyor system 100 including conveyor hell 104. FIG, 2 discloses a decN 101, support raillplatform 123, a left side plate 102 and a right sida, plate 102. Left sidie plate 102 inclines the left side of conveyor bolt 104 upwards to prevent spillage and to hold conveyor belt 104 against a rubber belt ~oI118. Rlight side plate 102 Inclines a right side of conveyor belt 104 to upwArNl Sto provant spil.1age and holds conveyor belt 104 against a robber belt soal I I3 rall 123 holds idlers 117 and a carrying surface of conveyor belt 104 [kit. 8>iIppoit rail 123 supports conveyor belt 104 and idler 117 from buckling under tha imricA4 of material. $upport rail 123 has a support surface oriented smbstariiially parallel to the carryIng surface of conveyor belt 104. Support rail 123 oiupports bod r-ail assembly 124 and the carrying surface of conveyor belt 104. End bod vuailasenbly 124 inpludes inclined rollers 110. Inclined rollers 110 and idlers 117 are coupled to support rail 123 via struts 215, 204 and 205. Struts 215 and 204 are -affixed to support rail 1 23 by bolts 206 that thread through openings in suppoft rail 123. Idlers 117 are affixed to support rail 123 by bracket 211 arnd pin 216.
Loft side plate Is on the left side of -support rail 123. Left side plate 102 Comprisar a part of the bed rail assembly 24 which is subsequently described in coririoctfor wilh FIG. 3 and Includes rollers 110, elements 212, 122, 204, 205 all as dascibod lo~ furthier detailed for FIG. 3. FIG'. 2 has right side plate 102 identical in all respects to the left side apparatus 102, Bed rail assembly 124 supports the inclined lower surfaces of belt 104 to enalose the entfrapped dust generated by the conveyor and to prevent the spillaae of material over the sides of the inclined belt.
Red rail assembly 124 comprises the above enumerated apparatus and is iidjstrMbl as described in connection with FIG. 3 and later in connection with FIGS. 5, 0 and 7 to eniable (fhe bed rail asiembly 124 to be usable in the different 9 AMENDED SHEET EmPf .2eit:4/1GtLjuL ii.z4J hnirtnr_HHR ii fl1 P:\OPER\Arl\2002225778 spe.do-08/07/03 conveyor systems having different degrees of inclination for the side portions of the conveyor belt.
Member 212 is slidable on element 205 to permit the rollers 110 of FIG. 3 to be adjusted to an inclined angle corresponding to that of the inclined sides of the conveyor belt. Element 212 is adjustable to enable the entire array of rollers 110 shown on FIG. 3 to be adjustable and slidable to different positions to accommodate conveyor belts 104 of different widths and different angles of inclination. Slidable element 212 is mounted on member 205 whose left end is pivotably connected to element 204 which comprises a part of bracket 206. The right end of element 205 is affixed by means of a bolt 211 to one of holes 203 in outside linkage 122 that is a one piece element which includes element 122B.
The lower part of 122B is pivotably affixed by means of a bolt to element 215 which comprises a part of bracket 206.
The bed rail assembly 124 comprising the present embodiment is adjustable so as to be compatible with different conveyor systems. Both the left and right side plates 102, as best shown in FIG. 3, include member 212 which are slidably mounted on member 205. The slidable interaction between movable member 212 and element 205 permit the entire bed rail assembly 124 including rollers 110 to be adjustable in width to accommodate different belts. The bed rail assembly 124 and element 212 and rollers 110 are further adjustable regarding their angle of inclination. The angle of inclination is adjusted by loosening set screws 210 to enable elements 212 and 205 to be movable with respect to each other. The outer linkage 122 is then adjusted by rotating linkage 122 and its pivot point on element 215 and, at the same time, interconnecting the bar 205 and the vertical portion of outside linkage 122 by inserting a bolt 211 through the appropriate hole 203 in the vertical portion of outside linkage 122. Following this, the set screws 210 may be then adjusted and tightened so that movable member 212 is fixably positioned with respect to side bar 205.
FIG. 2 is a sectioned front view of the bed rail assembly apparatus 124 shown in further detail on FIG. 3. The function of the bed rail assembly 124 is to support the lower horizontal portion of conveyor belt 104 by means of center carry P:'OPER\Arl2002225778 spe.doc-08/07/03 idlers 117 provided by the apparatus of the embodiment. Another function of the bed rail assembly 124 is to support the inclined sides of the conveyor belt 104 with rollers WO 02/44059 PCT/US01/44761 110. Each bed rail assembly 124 is adjustable in width by set screws 210 which can be loosened to enable member 212 to be slidable along inclined slide bar 205.
The bed rail assembly 124 together with its rollers 110 may be further adjustable in width to accommodate different conveyor belts by means of loosening the bolts associated with brackets 206 to slide bed rail assembly 124 to the left or right along support rail 123 to accommodate conveyor belts of different widths. Following the adjustment, the bolts associated with brackets 206 may be tightened as may be the set screws 212. Each bed rail assembly 124 is adjustable to different angles of inclination by removing bolt 211 from a current hole 203 of outside linkage 122, by rotating the one piece linkage 122 and 122B about its pivot point on bracket 206, by rotating slide bar 205 about its pivot point connected to a portion of bracket 206 and element 215 to position rollers 110 of bed rail assembly 124 to an inclination of that matches the inclination of the conveyor belt. Following this, bolt 211 is then inserted into the appropriate hole 203 of vertical linkage 122 to accommodate the desired inclination of the bed rail assembly 124. Following this, the bolts and set screws associated with this adjustment are tightened to fix the bed rail assembly 124, the desired width along support rail 123, the desired angle of inclination, and the desired position on element 205.
Support rail 123 supports bed rail assembly apparatus as well as idlers 117 which support the horizontal carrying surface of conveyor belt 104 flat. Support rail 123 prevents conveyor belt 104 from buckling under the impact of the material load. Support rail 123 and idler 117 provide a support surface beneath the carrying surface of conveyor belt 104. Support rail 123 also supports inclined rollers 110 and its associated members.
Conveyor system 200 of FIG. 2 includes side skirt boards 107 and top covering 108. Side skirt boards 107 and covering 108 are positioned over and enclose conveyor belt 104. Supports 109 couple side skirt boards 107 via vertical members 121 to the base of conveyor belt system 200 via conveyor stringers 105.
Wear liners 125 depend from the bottom end of skirt boards 107. Wear liners 125 engage the top portions of conveyor belt 104 to prevent material from spilling out of the sides of conveyor belt 104. Skirting seals 118 extend outward from wear liners 125 and further engage conveyor belt 104.
WO 02/44059 PCT/US01/44761 FIG. 4 is a lower side view of the elements of the bed rail assembly 124. It shows the inclined carrier idlers 116 of the existing conveyor system. It further shows the inclined rollers 110 of bed rail assembly 124. It further shows the brackets 207 which are fixed to the ends of the support rail 123 shown on FIGS. 2 and 3. It further shows the upper and lower brackets 128A and 128B mounting rollers 110 to the rest of the bed rail assembly 124. All of this apparatus is mounted to the frame 103 termed the "conveyor stringer" as shown on FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 also shows the carrier idlers 117 which as shown on FIG. 1 are horizontally oriented beneath the lower surface of the conveyor belt to provide further support for the horizontal portion of the conveyor belt. The horizontal carrier idler 117 comprises an integral part of each element 119 on FIG. 1 which is termed the "glider bed". Each bed rail assembly 124 includes two glider bed elements 117 and thus two horizontally oriented carrier idlers 117 in addition to the array of inclined rollers 110.
Rollers 110 are of the smaller diameter than are the inclined idlers 116 of the existing conveyor systems. This allows rollers 110 to be closely spaced to minimize the unsupported belt span of the inclined portion of belt 104 between rollers 110 to minimize sag of the inclined portion of the belt. This provides improved material support for the inclined portion of the belt and, as best shown on FIG. 2, permits the rubber belt seal 118 and wearliner 125 to engage the inclined portion of the belt 104 to minimize the escape of dust and to minimize material spillage over the inclined sides of the conveyor belt 104. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, rollers 110 are of small diameter and have sealed precision bearings. This promotes improved sealing for the conveyor belt 104 to prevent spillage.
FIGS. 5,6, and 7 illustrate first side plate 102 at a variety of angles to fit under different conveyor belts. In FIG. 5, side plate 102 position 500 at a degree angle with respect to the plane of the carrying surface of the conveyor belt.
In the shown embodiment, first side plate 102 is placed in position 500 by inserting a bolt through a top most opening 501 in movable attachment member 122. In FIG. 6, side plate 102 is placed in position 600 which is at a 35 degree angle with respect to the plane of the carrying surface of conveyor belt 104. In the shown embodiment, first side plate 102 is placed in position 600 by inserting a bolt WO 02/44059 PCT/US01/44761 through a middle opening 601 in movable attachment member 122. In FIG. 7, first side plate 102 is in position 700 at a 20 degree angle with respect to the plane of the carrying surface of conveyor belt 104. In the shown embodiment, first side plate 102 is placed in position 700 by inserting a bolt through a lower most opening in movable attachment member 122.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIG. 8 Figure 8 discloses further details of support rail 123 of FIG. 3 and how it interacts with the brackets 206 and their associated bolts. The single support rail 123 of FIG. 3 actually comprises two separate rails 123A and 123B of FIG. 8. A space exists between the rails 123A and 123B to allow bolt 301 to extend downwardly through the space to clamp upper and lower portions of bracket 206 together when the bolt 301 is tightened. The front and rear bolts 302 on the front and back of the plates 206 on FIG. 3 can be tightened or loosened to control the clamping of plates 206 rigidly to the front and rear platform rails 123A and 123B.
The ends of elements 123A and 123B are welded to brackets 207 (FIG. 2).
FIG. 8 further shows side portion of member 204 affixed to upper bracket 206 and its bolts 303 and 304. Also shown is the side portion of the lower segment 122B of outside linkage 122.
The structure shown on FIG. 8 permits the bolts shown thereon to be loosened so that each bed rail assembly 124 can be slidably adjusted along the length of platform rail 123. This adjustability is desired so that the bed rail assemblies 124 can be adjusted as required to accommodate the various widths of conveyor belts 104 to which the apparatus of FIG. 3 is to be engaged when in use.
The above is a description of a roller bed rail assembly that is inserted between idlers in an existing conveyor system in accordance with this invention.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, idlers 127 are positioned every 4 feet along the load carrying portion of the conveyor and every 10 feet on the return portion of the belt. The idlers are 6 inches in diameter and the rollers 110 are 2 1/ inches in diameter. The spacing between the outer surface of adjacent rollers 110 is 1/4 inch. The bed rail assembly 124 is 40 inches in length.
The above dimensions are merely exemplary and may vary over a considerable range.
P:%OPERVUrl'2002225778 spc.do-08107/03 -14- It is to be expressly understood that the claimed invention is not to be limited to the description of the preferred embodiment but encompasses other modifications and alterations of varying dimensions.
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims (24)

1. A roller bed assembly apparatus adapted to be inserted between standard 00oo carry idlers of a conveyor belt system, said roller bed assembly apparatus comprising: a support rail oriented substantially parallel to and beneath a lower surface of a conveyor belt of said conveyor belt system; Sa first bed rail assembly coupled to a first end portion of said support rail; said first bed rail assembly having a plurality of rollers inclined at an angle offset from horizontal to support a first side of said conveyor belt at said angle; a second bed rail assembly coupled to an opposite end portion of said support rail; said second bed rail assembly having a plurality of rollers inclined at an angle offset from horizontal to support a second side of said conveyor belt at said angle; and said plurality of rollers are of a diameter sufficiently smaller than the diameter of said standard carry idlers and are positioned sufficiently close to each other along the length of said belt at a spacing that reduces conveyor belt sag and inhibits the spillage of material from the sides of said conveyor belt.
2. The roller bed assembly apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: apparatus for adjusting that comprises adjusting means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to adjust the position of said first and second bed rail assemblies to accommodate conveyor belts of different characteristics including different belt widths.
3. The roller bed assembly apparatus of claims 1 or 2 further comprising: at least one center carry idler coupled to said support rail beneath said conveyor belt to support a lower horizontal surface of said conveyor belt. P:;OPER\AI'I2002225778 sp.doOi-08/0703 -16-
4. The roller bed assembly apparatus of any one of claims 1-3 wherein said rollers support said first and said second inclined sides of said conveyor belt upwards against a skirting seal and wear liner of said conveyor belt system.
5. The roller bed assembly apparatus of any one of claims 1-4 wherein said rollers are mounted on said bed rail assemblies with spacing between rollers being less than 12.5% of the diameter of the rollers to reduce conveyor belt sag.
6. The roller bed assembly apparatus of claim 5 wherein said rollers are mounted on said bed rail assemblies with spacing between rollers being less than 6% of the diameter of the rollers to reduce conveyor belt sag.
7. The roller bed assembly apparatus of any one of claims 1-6 wherein said rollers are smaller in diameter than said idlers by a factor of less than 1 to 3 to reduce conveyor belt sag.
8. The roller bed assembly apparatus of claim 7 wherein said rollers are smaller in diameter than said idlers by a factor of less than 1 to 6 to reduce conveyor belt sag.
9. The roller bed assembly apparatus of any one of claims 1-8 further having: a hood; vertically oriented side plates of said hood extending downwardly towards said sides of said conveyor belt; the lower portion of said side plates are each affixed to a wear liner and a seal; said first side plate and said second side plate urge said sides of said conveyor belt against said wear liner and said seals to reduce conveyor belt sag and to inhibit the spillage of material from the sides of said conveyor belt under said wear liners and said seals. P:\OPERISASV--h O\12235970 2-sp.doc-O/205 Q-17- T
10. The roller bed assembly apparatus of any one of claims 1-4 wherein said first plurality of rollers and said second plurality of rollers are mounted on said bed rail assemblies with minimal space between said rollers to reduce conveyor belt oo sag; said rollers support said first and second inclined sides of said conveyor belt upwards against a skirting and wear liner.
11. The roller bed assembly apparatus of any one of claims 1-4 wherein said roller bed assembly apparatus is adapted to support a conveyor belt in a material receiving impact zone of a conveyor belt system, said roller bed apparatus is adapted to be inserted between carry idlers positioned along the length of said conveyor belt to reduce conveyor belt sag, said apparatus further includes a hood having sidewalls covering at least a portion of said conveyor belt, said sidewalls each have a wear liner and a seal affixed to the bottom of said sidewalls to inhibit spillage of material between the edges of said conveyor belt and said wear liner and said skirting seals; and said rollers are of a diameter sufficiently smaller than the diameter of said carry idlers and are positioned sufficiently close to each other along the length of said belt at a spacing that reduces conveyor belt sag and inhibits the spillage of material between the upper edges of said belt and said skirting seals and said wear liners.
12. The roller bed assembly apparatus of any one of claims 2-11 wherein: said adjusting means includes linkage means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to enable a change of said angle of inclination of said rollers of said first and second bed rail assemblies.
13. The roller bed assembly apparatus of claim 12 wherein said adjusting means further comprises: bracket means connected to said support rail; said bracket means is movable along the length of said support rail; P:\OPER\SAS\Ja.J 05\12235970 2-sp.doc O/02/ Q)-18- T an outer link means extending upwards from said bracket means; _a lower end of said outer link means is rotatably connected to said bracket means; oO said outer link means is rotatable about said bracket mean to position said bed rail assemblies at a desired angle of inclination.
14. The roller bed assembly apparatus of claim 13 wherein said outer link Smeans comprises: an end portion having a plurality of openings adapted to received a bolt.
The roller bed assembly apparatus of claim 2 wherein said adjusting means comprise: a bracket means connected to said support rail and to said bed rail assembly; said bracket means is movable along the length of said support rail to adjust the position of said first and second bed rail assembly to accommodate conveyor belts of different widths.
16. The roller bed assembly apparatus of claim 2 wherein said adjusting means further comprises: outer linkage having an upper and a lower portion; an inner linkage comprising a slide bar and a movable member; said slide bar extends diagonally upward from said support rail towards said upper portion of said outer linkage and is connected to said outer linkage; said slidable member slidably engages said slide bar and is movable along the length of said diagonally extending slide bar; an upper surface of said movable member is coupled to a bottom surface of said bed rail assemblies; and locking/unlocking means for enabling said movable member to be fixably coupled to said slide bar or to be movable along the length of said slide bar to position said inclined rollers beneath the inclined sides of different conveyor belts.
P:\OPER\SAS\Ja-Jw 05\12235970 2-spldo-O8/O205 Q- -19- S17. The roller bed assembly apparatus of claim 2 wherein said adjusting means further comprises: 00oo outer linkage having an upper and a lower portion; an inner linkage comprising a slide bar and a movable member; N said slide bar extends diagonally upward from a bracket connected to said (support rail towards said upper portion of said outer linkage and is connected to 0 said outer linkage by said bolt; said slidable member slidably engages said slide bar and is movable along the length of said diagonally extending slide bar; an upper surface of said movable member is affixed to a bottom surface of said bed rail assemblies; and locking/unlocking means for enabling said movable member to be fixably coupled to said slide bar or to be movable along the length of said slide bar to center said inclined rollers beneath the inclined sides of different conveyor belts.
18. The roller bed assembly apparatus of claim 2 wherein said apparatus for adjusting comprises: adjusting means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to adjust the position of said first and second bed rail assembles along a horizontal axis to accommodate conveyor belts of different types including different widths.
19. The roller bed assembly apparatus of claim 2 wherein said apparatus for adjusting comprises: adjusting means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to adjust the inclination said first and second bed rail assemblies to accommodate conveyor belts of different characteristics.
20. The roller bed assembly apparatus of claim 2 wherein said apparatus for adjusting comprises: P:OPER\SASU.-J.u 05\12235970 2-spdoc-0802/05O T adjusting means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to adjust the position of said first and second bed rail assemblies along an inclined axis to center said first bed rail assembly and second oo bed rail assembly beneath the inclined sides of conveyor belts of different r- r- 5 dimensions.
21. The roller bed assembly apparatus of claim 2 wherein said apparatus for 0adjusting comprises: adjusting means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to adjust the position of said first and second bed rail assemblies along a horizontal axis to accommodate conveyor belts of different types; adjusting means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to adjust the inclination said first and second bed rail assemblies to accommodate conveyor belts of different types; and adjusting means coupled to said first bed rail assembly and to said second bed rail assembly to adjust the position of said first and second bed rail assemblies along an inclined axis to center said first bed rail assembly and second bed rail assembly beneath the inclined sides of conveyor belts of different types.
22. The roller bed assembly apparatus of claims 1 or 2 wherein said apparatus is adapted to support a conveyor belt in a material receiving impact zone of a conveyor belt system, said roller bed assembly apparatus is further adapted to be inserted between carry idlers positioned along the length of said conveyor belt to reduce conveyor belt sag, said roller bed assembly apparatus further includes a hood having sidewalls covering at least a portion of said conveyor belt, said sidewalls each have a wear liner and a seal affixed to the bottom of said sidewalls to inhibit spillage of material between the edges of said conveyor belt and said wear liners and said seals; said roller bed assembly apparatus further comprising: apparatus for adjusting said first and said second bed rail assembly to an P:\OPER\SAS\Jaa.J] 05\2235970 2.spdocw.0910205 Q -21- L angle of inclination matching that of the inclined sides of said conveyor belt; and at least one center carry idler coupled to said support rail beneath said conveyor belt to support a lower horizontal surface of said conveyor belt to prevent oo belt sag.
S23. A conveyor belt system including a plurality of standard carry idlers, a Sconveyor belt and further including a roller bed assembly apparatus according to 0 any one of claims 1 to 22 adapted to be inserted between said carry idlers.
24. A roller bed assembly apparatus, substantially as described with reference to the drawings. DATED this 9 th day of February, 2005 Solid Systems Engineering Company by its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE
AU2002225778A 2000-11-29 2001-11-29 Roller bed for a conveyor belt system Ceased AU2002225778B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
USNOTGIVEN 2000-10-27
US09/725,551 US6634490B2 (en) 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Roller bed for a conveyor belt system
US09/725,551 2000-11-29
US09/996,109 US6543607B2 (en) 2000-11-29 2001-11-28 Roller bed for a conveyor belt system
PCT/US2001/044761 WO2002044059A1 (en) 2000-11-29 2001-11-29 Roller bed for a conveyor belt system

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CN108216746A (en) * 2018-01-04 2018-06-29 重庆市荣记三民斋桃片有限公司 Tao Pian attitude reference devices
JP7354128B2 (en) * 2018-03-22 2023-10-02 レイトラム,エル.エル.シー. Position limiting device for conveyor belts with flights
JP6823833B2 (en) * 2018-04-27 2021-02-03 株式会社ダイフク Transport sorting device
CN111539889B (en) * 2020-04-24 2023-05-30 南京理工大学 Image rain removing method based on multiple convolution lower-definition oscillation generalized total variation
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CZ20031457A3 (en) 2003-10-15
EP1345825A1 (en) 2003-09-24
WO2002044059A8 (en) 2003-10-02
MXPA03004674A (en) 2004-10-14
CN1213926C (en) 2005-08-10
AU2577802A (en) 2002-06-11
WO2002044059A1 (en) 2002-06-06
PL361768A1 (en) 2004-10-04

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