GB2095193A

GB2095193A - Mounting rollers on rollerways

Info

Publication number: GB2095193A
Application number: GB8107552A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Handling Design & Construction
Current assignee: Handling Design & Construction
Priority date: 1981-03-10
Filing date: 1981-03-10
Publication date: 1982-09-29
Also published as: GB2095193B

Abstract

A conveyor, more especially on inclined gravity feed conveyor, wherein spindles (20) rotatably carrying wheels (18) or rollers (16) are mounted in parallel relationship between side rolls in the form of channel members (12) facing inwardly towards one another and having inboard flanges (14) apertured to receive the spindle ends, a biassing means (32 or 40) housed in one channel member serving to urge the spindle longitudinally into tight engagement with the aperture in the other opposed channel member, thereby to locate the spindle against longitudinal and rotational movement. No parts of the spindles or associated mounting parts project outside the side rails to spoil the clean external edge face thereof. A special purpose tool enables the removal of a spindle from between the side rails. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to conveyors This invention relates to a conveyor and more especially to a gravity conveyor on which articles are conveyed under gravity as a result of a slight incline of the conveyor.

Conventionally, such conveyors have side rails between which spaced parallel spindles are retained by means of wires or bolts or like mounting means, each spindle supporting one or more rotable wheels or rollers. In addition to the fact that such wires, bolts and spindles tend to protrude from the sides of the conveyor, such mounting means often makes it difficult or arduous to replace a spindle or any component thereon when this becomes necessary or to effect such displacement without disturbing any spindles and components.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved conveyor which minimises or avoids the disadvantages of the above-described conventional conveyors.

According to the invention there is provided a conveyor comprising side rails supporting spaced parallel spindles on each of which one of more rollers or wheels are mounted for rotation, wherein the side rails comprise channel section members having opposed channels facing inwardly and being formed with inboard flanges apertured to receive the opposite ends of the spindles, at least one end of each spindle being held in the aperture against rotation and resilient means within the channel of one side rail normally acting on one end of each spindle to urge the opposite end of the spindle into its receiving aperture as far as permitted by a limiting location but permitting said opposite end of the spindle to be released from its receiving aperture by compression of said resilient means.

In a preferred arrangement, springs or blocks or resilient material are located within the channel of one side rail behind its inboard flange. At the other side rail, the apertures each receive the tapered end of a spindle, whereby the spring or resilient block acting on the spindle urges the tapered spindle end into tight frictional engagement in the aperture, such aperture may be tapered to match the spindle thereby both defining the limiting location of the spindle against further longitudinal movement and locking the spindle against rotation. In the preferred arrangement, a single long roller or two or three short rollers or wheels may be rotatably mounted on each spindle by suitable bearings.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention a special tool is provided to facilitate removal of a spindle from between the side rails.

This tool comprises a handle portion, an intermediate portion, and an end portion, arranged such that the end portion can be engaged with the one end of the spindle behind its receiving aperture in the side rail remote from that accommodating the spring or like resilient means acting on said spindle and, with the intermediate portion bearing on the side rail in a manner to pivot thereon, the handle serves as a lever which is movable to press the one end of the spindle out of its receiving aperture against the action of the spring.

A practical arrangement of conveyor in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows one arrangement of conveyor in perspective; Figure 2 is a similar view of a modified arrangement; Figure 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view embodying a conveyor arrangement of the kind shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a scrap view showing a modification.

The conveyor generally designated 10 in Figure 1 comprises a pair of parallel side rails in the form of channel section members 12 with facing channels partially enclosed by inboard flanges 14 depending from the top webs of said members.

These flanges 14 are apertured to receive the opposite ends of spindles which are thereby held against rotation, the spindles having respective rollers 1 6 rotatable thereon by suitable low friction end bearings. The manner of mounting of the spindles will subsequently by described with reference to Figure 3.

Figure 2 shows a similar arrangement, wherein the long rollers 1 6 are replaced by spaced short rollers or wheels 18, two or three on each spindle 20, preferably in transversely staggered relationship from one spindle to the next. The wheels 1 8 will be carried on low friction bearings and appropriately located along the length of the spindle as by the use of spacers.

For use, the conveyor 10 will usually be mounted on a slight incline for the gravity feed or articles such as cartons therealong. The ends of the rollers 1 6 or the circumferential faces of the wheels 1 8 may be reduced to minimise risk of damage to the articles being conveyed. It will be noted that no part of the mounting means for the spindles projects outwardly of the side rails 12 to create a possible obstruction. The conveyor can be produced in a range of lengths and a range of widths between side rails to suit various applications, with spacings between adjacent roller-carrying or wheel-carrying spindles selected according to the nature and size of the articles to be conveyed.The conveyor 10 is usable, in a generally conventional manner, in conjunction with adjustable stands, separators, gates, transfer units and unloading units, and may be of portable nature, for example to enable its positioning as an auxiliary to belt conveyors or the like.

Turning now to Figure 3, the referenees 22 and 24 denote stands for supporting the conveyor 10.

For convenience, one light duty stand 22 for a low level conveyor and one heavy duty stand 24 for a high level conveyor are shown. Reference 26 denotes a stiffening section bridging the stands between the points at which the side rails 12 are connected to the stands by angle elements 28.

At the left-hankl rail 12 as shown in Figure 3, the spindle 20 is received through the aperture in the flange 14 and behind the aperture has a section 30 of reduced diameter serving for location of a helical spring 32 which is located between the base 34 of the side rail 12 and the step in the spindle at the inner end of its reduced section. The spring 32 normally acts to urge the spindle 20 outwardly of the aperture in the flange 14, i.e. towards the opposite side rail 12. At said opposite side rail, on the right-hand side as shown in Figure 3, the spindle 20 has a slightly tapering end section 36, and the corresponding aperture in the flange 14 is similarly tapered. The action of the spring 32 is thereby to urge the tapering spindle section 36 tightly into the tapered aperture, causing it to bind therein by frictional engagement.This binding condition limits longitudinal displacement of the spindle 20 under the action of the spring 32, and also effectively locks the spindle against rotation. The engagement of the tapering spindle section 36 within the tapered aperture also provides a selfcentring for spindle location.

End bearings for the roller 16 on the spindle 20 are diagrammatically indicated at 38. These end bearings 38 may be a friction force fit on the spindle 20, and will be of a low friction type to facilitate easy running of the conveyor.

A similar arrangement to that of Figure 3 can be employed for a conveyor of the kind shown in Figure 2, the roller 16 and its end bearings 38 being replaced by short rollers or wheels carried by bearings appropriately located along the length of the spindle as by means of spacers or the like.

In a typical case, the conveyor width C.W. in Figure 3 may be within a range of sizes from 30 cm up to 67.5 cm, the roller width R.W being 8.3 cm less. A typical roller diameter d may be 5.1 cm, on 1 cm spindles for a medium width conveyor. Roller pitch P spacings may be in the range 7.5 cm up to 15 cm. Depth D of the conveyor will typically be about 7.6 cm.

Figure 4 shows a modification in which the spring 32 of Figure 3 is replaced by a resilient block 40 of rubber or the like, preferably protected by a load-distribution plate 42. Such a block 40 can be fixed as by glueing to the side rail 12, thus relieving the spindle 20 of the requirement to hold the resilient biassing means in position. Thus, the reduced diameter section 30 of the spindle 20 is not required.

Various other modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, separate means can be employed to limit the action of the resilient biassing means and to lock the spindles against rotation, such as a square or like cross sectioned extension at least at one end of the spindle and a step in the spindle at the same or opposite end thereof which under the action of the spring or other resilient means is urged into engagement with the depending flange on the side rail.

A further aspect of the invention concerns a tool which is provided to enable removal of a spindle 20 from between the side rails 12, as when maintenance or replacement is necessary.

This tool, generally designated 50 at the right hand side of Figure 3, has an end portion 52, an angled intermediate portion 54 and a handle portion 56 generally forming a shallow S shape.

In use, the tool is positioned generally as shown, with the end portion 52 against the end of the spindle 20 behind the flange 14 of the side rail 12 and the angled intermediate portion 54 bearing against the base web of the side rail to be able to pivot thereon. The handle portion 56 then acts as a lever when moved in the direction of the arrow 58, pressing the end portion 52 against the spindle 20 in order to press the tapering end section 36 out of the tapered aperture in the flange 14, compressing the spring 32 or resilient block 40 at the other end of the spindle in the process. The tool may be used in a converse manner to facilitate insertion of a spindle between the side rails.

Claims (Filed on 7/12/81) 1. A conveyor comprising side rails supporting spaced parallel spindles on each of which one or more rollers or wheels are mounted for rotation, wherein the side rails comprise channel section members having opposed channels facing inwardly and being formed with inboard flanges apertured to receive the opposite ends of the spindles, at least one end of each spindle being held in the aperture against rotation and resilient means within the channel of one side rail normally acting on one end of each spindle to urge the opposite end of the spindle into its receiving aperture as far as permitted by a limiting leeation but permitting said opposite end of the spindle to be released from its receiving aperture by compression of said resilient means.

2. A conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the said opposite end of the spindle and its receiving aperture are formed in a complementary manner to define said limiting location and at the same time to hold the spindle against rotation.

3. A conveyor according to claim 2, wherein said opposite end of the spindle and its receiving aperture have complementary, matching tapers.

4. A conveyor according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the resilient means comprises a spring.

5. A conveyor according to claim 4, wherein said spring is a helical spring located by a reduced end section on the spindle and acting under compression between the base of the channel section member and the step in the spindle at the end of the reduced end section.

6. A conveyor according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the resilient means is a resilient block of rubber or the like fixed to the channel member and acting on the spindle through a load distribution plate.

7. A conveyor according to any of claims 1 to 6, having the one or more rollers or wheels

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. between the points at which the side rails 12 are connected to the stands by angle elements 28. At the left-hankl rail 12 as shown in Figure 3, the spindle 20 is received through the aperture in the flange 14 and behind the aperture has a section 30 of reduced diameter serving for location of a helical spring 32 which is located between the base 34 of the side rail 12 and the step in the spindle at the inner end of its reduced section. The spring 32 normally acts to urge the spindle 20 outwardly of the aperture in the flange 14, i.e. towards the opposite side rail 12. At said opposite side rail, on the right-hand side as shown in Figure 3, the spindle 20 has a slightly tapering end section 36, and the corresponding aperture in the flange 14 is similarly tapered. The action of the spring 32 is thereby to urge the tapering spindle section 36 tightly into the tapered aperture, causing it to bind therein by frictional engagement.This binding condition limits longitudinal displacement of the spindle 20 under the action of the spring 32, and also effectively locks the spindle against rotation. The engagement of the tapering spindle section 36 within the tapered aperture also provides a selfcentring for spindle location. End bearings for the roller 16 on the spindle 20 are diagrammatically indicated at 38. These end bearings 38 may be a friction force fit on the spindle 20, and will be of a low friction type to facilitate easy running of the conveyor. A similar arrangement to that of Figure 3 can be employed for a conveyor of the kind shown in Figure 2, the roller 16 and its end bearings 38 being replaced by short rollers or wheels carried by bearings appropriately located along the length of the spindle as by means of spacers or the like. In a typical case, the conveyor width C.W. in Figure 3 may be within a range of sizes from 30 cm up to 67.5 cm, the roller width R.W being 8.3 cm less. A typical roller diameter d may be 5.1 cm, on 1 cm spindles for a medium width conveyor. Roller pitch P spacings may be in the range 7.5 cm up to 15 cm. Depth D of the conveyor will typically be about 7.6 cm. Figure 4 shows a modification in which the spring 32 of Figure 3 is replaced by a resilient block 40 of rubber or the like, preferably protected by a load-distribution plate 42. Such a block 40 can be fixed as by glueing to the side rail 12, thus relieving the spindle 20 of the requirement to hold the resilient biassing means in position. Thus, the reduced diameter section 30 of the spindle 20 is not required. Various other modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, separate means can be employed to limit the action of the resilient biassing means and to lock the spindles against rotation, such as a square or like cross sectioned extension at least at one end of the spindle and a step in the spindle at the same or opposite end thereof which under the action of the spring or other resilient means is urged into engagement with the depending flange on the side rail. A further aspect of the invention concerns a tool which is provided to enable removal of a spindle 20 from between the side rails 12, as when maintenance or replacement is necessary. This tool, generally designated 50 at the right hand side of Figure 3, has an end portion 52, an angled intermediate portion 54 and a handle portion 56 generally forming a shallow S shape. In use, the tool is positioned generally as shown, with the end portion 52 against the end of the spindle 20 behind the flange 14 of the side rail 12 and the angled intermediate portion 54 bearing against the base web of the side rail to be able to pivot thereon. The handle portion 56 then acts as a lever when moved in the direction of the arrow 58, pressing the end portion 52 against the spindle 20 in order to press the tapering end section 36 out of the tapered aperture in the flange 14, compressing the spring 32 or resilient block 40 at the other end of the spindle in the process. The tool may be used in a converse manner to facilitate insertion of a spindle between the side rails. Claims (Filed on 7/12/81)

1. A conveyor comprising side rails supporting spaced parallel spindles on each of which one or more rollers or wheels are mounted for rotation, wherein the side rails comprise channel section members having opposed channels facing inwardly and being formed with inboard flanges apertured to receive the opposite ends of the spindles, at least one end of each spindle being held in the aperture against rotation and resilient means within the channel of one side rail normally acting on one end of each spindle to urge the opposite end of the spindle into its receiving aperture as far as permitted by a limiting leeation but permitting said opposite end of the spindle to be released from its receiving aperture by compression of said resilient means.

mounted on each spindle by means which include end bearings which are a friction force fit on the spindle.

8. A conveyor according to any of claims 1to 7, having a plurality of wheels on each spindle, spaced thereon by means of spacers.

9. A conveyor according to any of claims 1 to 8 in combination with a tool for enabling removal of a spindle from between the side rails, said tool comprising a handle portion, an intermediate portion, and an end portion, arranged such that the end portion can be engaged with the one end of the spindle behind its receiving aperture in the side rail remote from that accommodating the spring or like resilient means acting on said spindle and, with the intermediate portion bearing on the side rail in a manner to pivot thereon, the handle serves as a lever which is movable to press the one end of the spindle out of its receiving aperture against the action of the spring.

10. A conveyor according to any of claims 1 to 10, supported on an incline for the conveyance of articles under gravity.

11. A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.