IE50942B1 - A conveyor roller assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A conveyor roller assembly comprises a base member (5), a centre roller (9) mounted on the base member (5) and a pair of wing rollers (11) preferably offset longitudinally from and flanking the centre roller (9). A mounting bracket (18) welded to the base member (5) and having an elongate arcuate locating slot (20) with recesses and a pivot slot for reception of a complementary locating pin (14) and pivot pin (15) on the spindle of each wing roller (11) is provided for each wing roller (11). To change the angle of inclination of a wing roller (11) the locating pin (14) is drawn out of its recess by pulling the roller (11) in the direction of the arrow A. The roller (11) is then pivoted about the pivot pin (15) and relocated in the desired recess in the locating slot (20).

Description

The invention relates to a conveyor roller assembly and in particular a conveyor roller assembly for a troughed conveyor Roller assemblies for troughed conveyors are known. Such assemblies generally comprise a support member formed from a base framework for a centre roller and a pair of spacedapart inclined wing rollers extending from each end of the centre roller. Usually each wing roller is rotatably mounted on a spindle and the free end of the spindle is mounted on the support member by means of U-bolts which engage the support member in any set of a number of holes so that the wing roller may be mounted at the desired angle of inclination to the axis of rotation of the centre roller. When it is desired to vary the angle of a wing roller it is necessary to disconnect the U-bolts and re-locate them in other mounting holes which may be provided in the support member.

It will be appreciated that in the case of long runs of conveyor assemblies there will be a large number of wing rollers whose angle of inclination must be altered.

S0S43 -3There are two disadvantages associated with this arrangement. Firstly because of the large number of wing rollers the task of changing the angle of inclination of all the rollers even where appropriate holes are available is very time consuming. Further, the angle of inclination must be reasonably accurately set up and accordingly the services of a skilled fitter are required. Particularly, in the case of troughed be!tconveyors where the sides of the belt are supported on the wing rollers it is a very laborious, skilful and time consuming task to change the angle of the sides of the conveyor belt.

One object of the invention is to provide a conveyor assembly which will overcome these difficulties.

According to the invention there is provided a conveyor roller assembly comprising a support member, a pair of spaced-apart wing rollers mounted on the support member by a plate member and flanking a centre roller, each wing roller being mounted on a spindle having an end portion extending away from the roller, the end portion having a locating pin and a spaced-apart adjustment pin, the plate member having a complementary adjustment slot for engaging the adjustment pin, and spaced-apart locating recesses for reception of the locating pin, the adjustment slot and pin being shaped for axial movement along the axis of the wing -4roller, and pivotal movement of the pin in the slot, the adjustment pin being moved axially through the slot for disengagement and engagement of the locating pin in a recess and being pivotted in the slot to move the locating pin radially from one recess to another to vary the angle of inclination of the wing rollers relative the axis of rotation of the centre roller to form therewith a troughing assembly.

In one embodiment of the invention the plate member includes 10 an elongate locating slot having lugs extending into the slot to define the recesses for reception of the locating pin.

In another embodiment of the invention the locating pin lies adjacent the free end of the spindle and the adjustment pin is intermediate the locating pin and the wing roller.

Typically the slot is arcuate, having a radius substantially equal to the spacing of the pins.

Preferably, the plate member is mounted on the support member.

In one embodiment of the invention the support member comprises a top base member, the centre roller and wing -5rollers being rotatably mounted on the base member.

In another embodiment the wing rollers are offset longitudinally from the axis of rotation of the centre roller.

The invention also provides a roller element for a conveyor assembly comprising a wing roller mounted on a central spindle having an end portion extending away from the roller, the end portion having a sideways extending locating pin and a spaced-apart sideways extending adjustment pin for engagement in a complementary adjustment hole and locating recesses in a support member for varying the angle of inclination of the wing roller relative the horizontal.

The invention further provides a conveyor incorporating such a roller assembly.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a conveyor incorporating a roller conveyor assembly -6according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of one roller assembly of Fig. 1, Fig Fig is an end view of the roller assembly of 2, and Fig. 4 is a side view of a wing roller forming portion of the roller assembly of Fig. 2 and 3.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a portion, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, of a conveyor, in this case a belt conveyor with the belt removed for clarity. The portion 1 of the conveyor comprises three roller assemblies indicated generally by the reference numeral 2 mounted on a base support framework indicated generally by the reference numeral 3. The base support framework 3 comprises a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally extending side members 4 of inverted channel section. Three support members, in this case top base members 5 bridge the side members 4. Holes 6 in the base members 5 are provided to receive screws (not shown) for securing the base members 5 to the side support members 4. Each base member 5 has a pair of spaced apart support brackets 7 projecting upwardly therefrom and -7spaced-apart to receive a centre roller 9 therebetween.

Each support bracket 7 is formed with an upper bearing slot 8 for mounting a spindle 10 of the centre roller 9 (see Fig. 3).

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 each roller assembly 2 includes a pair of spaced-apart wing rollers 11 mounted on a base member 5 and flanking the centre roller 9. In this case the wing rollers 11 are offset longitudinally from the axis of rotation, defined by the spindle 10, of the centre roller 9. The wing rollers 11 are inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the centre roller 9 to form therewith a troughing assembly. Each wing roller 11 is rotatably mounted on a spindle 12 including an end portion extending away from the roller 11. The end portion of the spindle 12 includes a sideways extending locating pin 14 and a spaced-apart sideways extending adjustment pin 15 each provided with a retaining head 16 (see Fig. 4). Means, indicated generally by the reference numeral 17, are provided for varying the angle of inclination of the wing rollers 11 relative to the axis of rotation of the centre roller 9. In this case the means 17 comprises a plate member 18 mounted on, and upstanding from the base member 5. The plate member 18 includes an adjustment slot 19 for reception of the adjustment pin 15 on the spindle 12 of a wing roller 11 and an arcuate elongate -8slot 20 for reception of the locating pin 14 on the spindle 12. The plate member 18 is formed with three lugs 21 projecting into the slot 20 to define four recesses 22 defining operative locations for the locating pin 14 on the spindle 12 of each wing roller 11.

It will be appreciated that because the adjustment pin 15 is located in the adjustment slot 19 arcuate movement of the spindle 12 is accommodated so that the locating pin 14 can engage and disengage the recesses 22. The heads 16 on the pins 14, 15 retain the pins in position in their respective slots 20, 19.

The radius of the arcuate slot 20 is substantially equal to the spacing between the locating pin 14 and the adjustment pin 15 to facilitate ease of insertion and withdrawal of the pins 14, 15. During assembly, the pins 14 and 15 are first passed through the slots 19 and 20 in the mounting bracket 18 and then secured to the spindle 12, for example, each of the pins may be threaded into tapped holes in the spindle 12 or they may be pressed into drilled holes and welded at the back of the spindle 12.

Many other forms of suitable mounting may be employed and these will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. -9In use, to vary the angle of inclination of a wing roller relative the axis of rotation of the centre roller 9, the roller 11 and spindle 12 are moved axially in the direction of the arrow A so that the locating pin 14 disengages from a recess 22. The roller 11 and spindle are then pivoted about the adjustment pin 15 and adjustment slot 19 until the locating pin 14 is aligned with the desired recess 22. The roller 11 and spindle 12 are then moved axially inwardly until the locating pin 14 engages in the desired recess 22. It will be appreciated that as the wing roller 11 and spindle 12 are moved axially, the adjustment pin 15 slides in the adjustment slot 19. A typical new inclined position of a wing roller 11 is illustrated by broken lines in Fig. 2.

One advantage of the invention is that the angle of inclination of each wing roller can readily easily be altered without the need for dismantling and re-assembling U-bolts as has been the case heretofore in known conveyor assemblies.

It is envisaged that while the invention has been described with reference to a conveyor roller assembly it may also be practised by providing a roller element for an existing conveyor assembly. Such a roller element -10would comprise a wing roller just described and means for varying the angle of inclination of the wing roller relative the horizontal, for example the combination of the adjustment pins and locating pins on the spindle of the wing roller and the complementary adjustment and locating slots on a support bracket.

It is also envisaged that the roller assembly just described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4 may be incorporated in a troughed belt conveyor. In this case the conveyor belt would be mounted on the rollers.

It will be appreciated that although the mounting means has been described as being a plate having a locating slot with a plurality of lugs extending into the slot to define recesses for reception of a locating pin any other suitable means for receiving the locating pin may be used. For example, it is envisaged that the plate could include a plurality of spaced-apart locating holes to receive the locating pin. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the adjustment slot, if desired, could be formed from a hole of any suitable cross-section, for example, a circular hole.

It will also be appreciated that the mounting bracket could be incorporated in the base member, for example, it may be provided by a side web of the base. Further, it will be -11appreciated that the bracket could be mounted directly on to the conveyor framework, for example, on the side members 4.

It will further be appreciated that while the wing rollers 5 have been described as offset longitudinally from the axis of rotation of the centre roller it is envisaged that the invention may also be applied to conveyor roller assemblies comprising a centre roller and a pair of wing rollers connected to the free ends of the spindle of the centre roller through common support brackets and the other end of each wing roller being supported on a support member. In this case, or indeed in the arrangement described with reference to the drawings, the support member may comprise a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally extending flexible side frames such as side ropes. For example, the support member may comprise a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally extending flexible ropes into which the rollers are clamped.

It will be appreciated that an auxiliary support member may be provided for the wing rollers. For example, the spindle of a wing roller may extend beyond the free end of the roller for mounting on an auxiliary support member. For example, the auxiliary support member may comprise an angle iron bracket having holes for mounting the spindle, the bracket being releasably secured to the base framework. 50042 -12It is still further envisaged that the wing rollers may be cantingly mounted to facilitate a training effect on a conveyor belt mounted on the rollers. Such an arrangement will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Claims (11)

1. A conveyor roller assembly comprising a support member, a pair of spaced-apart wing rollers mounted on the support member by a plate member and flanking a 5 centre roller, each wing roller being mounted on a spindle having an end portion extending away from the roller, the end portion having a locating pin and a spaced-apart adjustment pin, the plate member having a complementary adjustment slot for engaging the adjustment 10 pin, and spaced-apart locating recesses for reception of the locating pin, the adjustment slot and pin being shaped for axial movement along the axis of the wing rollers and pivotal movement of the pin in the slot, the adjustment pin being moved axially through the slot 15 for disengagement and engagement of the locating pin in a recess and being pivoted in the slot to move the locating pin radially from one recess to another to vary the angle of inclination of the wing rollers relative the axis of rotation of the centre roller to form therewith a 20 troughing assembly.

2. A conveyor assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the plate member includes an elongate locating slot having lugs extending into the slot to define the recesses -1450942 for reception of the locating pin.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the locating pin lies adjacent the free end of the spindle and the adjustment pin is intermediate the locating pin 5 and the wing roller.

4. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the locating slot is arcuate, having a radius substantially equal to the spacing of the pins.

5. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in 10 which the plate member is mounted on the support member.

6. A conveyor roller assembly claimed in any preceding claim in which the support member comprises a top base member, the centre roller and wing rollers being rotatably mounted on the base member. 15

7. A conveyor roller assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the wing rollers are offset longitudinally from the axis of rotation of the centre roller.

8. A roller element for a conveyor assembly comprising a wing roller mounted on a central spindle having an end 20 portion extending away from the roller, the end portion 50842 -15having a sideways extending locating pin and a spacedapart sideways extending adjustment pin for engagement in a complementary adjustment hole and locating recesses in a support member for varying the angle of inclination 5 of the wing roller relative the horizontal.

9. A conveyor incorporating a roller assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A conveyor roller assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 10 of the accompanying drawings. Dated this 5th day of April, 1982. CRUICKSHANK & CO. Agents for the Applicants Youghal House,

11. 13, Trinity Street,