US2592831A - Troughing roll - Google Patents

Description

April 15, 195 I 5. J. SPURGEON ETAL TROUGHING ROLL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 31, 1947 INVENTORS Sande/J Spocyeao F (lib/0n K 1706/0 April 15, 1952 5. J. SPURGEON ETAL 2,592,831

TROUGHING ROLL Filed Dec. 31, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TORS Jamar/J $pogyean y Pas/1: 00 0. Kim o April 15, 1952 s. J. SPURGEON ET AL 2,592,831

' TROUGHING ROLL Filed Dec. 31, 1947 4 Sheets-Shet 4 IN V EN TORS Jamut/ J 5,0 wyeaa Patented Apr. 15, 1 952 TROUGHING ROLL Samuel J. Spurgeon andR ushtoii 0. Kiinbi'o,

Birmingham, Ala.; said Kimbro assignor to said" Spurgeon Application December 31, 1947, Serial No. 795,070

6 Claims. 1 Our present invention relates to belt conveyor mechanisms, including idler assemblies and their associated parts, supporting and spacing members and belt protecting means therefor, and has for an object the provision of apparatus of the character designated which shall be simple of design, economical of manufacture, light in weight, and sufliciently rugged to withstand the hard usage to which such mechanism usually is put.

A more specific object of our invention is to provide apparatus of the character designated in which the belt supporting rolls are resiliently mounted so as to absorb shocks imposed by" the load on the belt, and simultaneously. to make the roll bearing assembly self-aligning, thereby to prolong the life of the roll bearings.

Another object of our invention is-to provide apparatus of the character described in which all the roll bearings of a series are positively lubricated from one end of the series of rolls and in which the bearings and lubricant passages. are so constructed and arranged that adequate lubrication is maintained. with a minimum of lubricant.

Another object is to mount the load carrying idlers in such a way that the bottom of the idlers project-beneath the supporting framework therefor, wherebythe return flight of the belt, when deflected'upwardly for any reason, strikes the lower'surface of the load carrying idler'instead of. the framework, thus preventing damage to the belt.

Other objects of our invention are to provide apparatus of the character describedembodying downwardly sloping spill plates disposed well beneath the outer edges of'the upper flight'of the conveyor belt and well beyond and belowthe edges'of the lower flight, thereby to deflect away from the lower flight any material spilled from the upper flight; to secure the spill plates to the idler support structures and idler frames in such 'a manner that the same serve as longitudinal frame and spacing members between adjacent idler support structures and their associated idlers, [and so connected as to permit individual adjustment of theidlers thereby to compensate for variations in elevation between adj acent'idlers and their supports; to provide'a conveyor assemblysuitable for permanent or temporary in stallation; to reduce the overall weight and cost of the idlersand framework through the general IISQOf fabricated rolls, light gauge stampings, shapes, and sheets; to utilize portions of the idler frame as scraper cleaning means to remove any 2 sticky material which may collect on the rolls, therebyv to maintain a concentric roll even though there some building up of conveyed material thereon; and to provide an improved lubricating system embodying means permitting the escape of air in the'lubricant spaces, thus assuringthe filling of such spaces with an adequate supply of lubricant.

Apparatus embodying the features of our invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this application in which:

Fig. 1 is aside elevational View of a pair of assemblies, each of which comprises a troughing idler roll, a return idler roll and an associated chair support connected together by. our improved spill plates;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly comprisinga troughing idler, a return idler, a chair support and associated spill plates with one of the spill plates removed and the other spill plates broken away and in section;

Fig. 3' is adetail sectional view through two of the rolls of the troughing idler;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a troughing ro-ll together with the roll bearing housing and mounting bracket assembly therefor;

Fig. 5 is an end view partly broken away'of the return idler and supporting framework therefor;

Fig. 6 'is a plan view partly broken away and in section showing one end of a typical roll mounted in its supporting. framework Fig. 7'is an end view, partly in section, of the roll and associated framework shown in Fig. 6 i.

Fig. 8'is a detail sectionalview taken along line VII'I--VIII of Fig. 1 illustrating the means provided for connecting one of the spil1 plates to the troughirig idler and chair support;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view taken along line IX'IX'of Fig. 8

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view partly broken away. showing a modified spill plate and adaptor plate for conneotingthe same to the troughing idler frame and to the chair supp ort;

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view taken along line XI-XI of Fig. 10; V

Fig. 12' is a fragmental perspective view partly in section showing the modified spil1 plate connected to one of the frame members of the troughing idler frame;

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view taken on line XIII-XIII of Fig. 1'; and; I

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmental sectional viewshowing. the lubricant passages in the bearing housing and resilient pads.

Referringnow to the drawing for a better understanding of our invention, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, our improved conveyor mechanism comprises a plurality of troughing idler frames indicated generally by the numeral Hl. Rotatably mounted in the troughing idler frame in a manner later to be described are a plurality of troughing rolls II for supporting the upper load carrying flight l2 of a conveyor belt, which together form the troughing idler. Mounted beneath the troughing idler rolls II is a single roll l3 for supporting the lower return flight 14 of the conveyor belt. Roll 13 with its associated parts and immediate framework constitute the return idler. Both the troughing and return idlers are mounted on chair supports ll which may be channels with the flanges l8 and I9 outturned. The webs of the channels H are cut as indicated at 21 and are turned in to provide inwardly projecting flanges 22. The chair supports are spaced apart by longitudinally extending spill plates i6 which are connected at one point on the ends in longitudinally fixed relation to the chair supports, at another point in adjustable relation to each troughing idler in a manner to be described later in detail. As is well understood, the conveying apparatus is provided with head and tail sections, not shown, by means of which the belt is driven and at which the return flight begins.

Mounted on the flanges 22 and secured thereto by means of bolts 23 and nuts 24 are L-shaped members 26 provided with elongated slots 21 for passing the bolts 23. For ease of fabrication the members 26 may be formed in halves and joined along the line 26a, though they may be made as an integral unit. Secured to the vertical leg 28 of the L-shaped member 26 in any suitable manner, as by welding, are a pair of channel frame members 29 and 3i which form transverse cross members for supporting the return idler roll I3. The return idler roll l3 of each stand is mounted between and supported by the cross members 29 and 3| in a manner identical with the mounting of the rolls 1 I of the troughing idlers and which will be described in connection with the latter rolls.

Mounted on the upper flanges 19 of the channels l! are idler end brackets 32 and 33 which together with channel members 49 and Si form the support members for all the troughing idler rolls. As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the members 32 and 33 comprise outwardly bent horizontal sections 34 provided with an elongated slot 36. A bolt 31 passes through the slot 36 and flange [9 of the channel H and is provided with a nut 38. .Bent upwardly from the sections 34 are vertical sections 39, and bent inwardly from each section 39 is a vertical section 4|. The sections 4! are bent outwardly along the line 42 to form a sloping flange 43, normal to the section M. The section 39 also is bent along the line 44 to provide gusset sections 46 which may be welded as at 41 to the horizontal flanges 34.

Connected to the brackets 32 and 33 at opposite sides of the troughing idler roll stands by welding at 48 are the upwardly sloping ends 53 and 54 of a pair of transverse channels49and each of which has av central, horizontally disposed section 52. The channels 49 and 5! form the immediate supports for the series of rolls 1 I of the troughing idler mounted thereon as will be described, and as upper transverse braces for the troughing idler frame.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 3 of the drawing it will be seen that each of the 4 troughing idler rolls H is formed of a shell 55. The ends of the shells are closed by means of dieformed heads 51. Each of the heads 51 has a boss 58 projecting outwardly toward the end of the roll to receive the inner race 59 of an antifriction bearing 6|. The inner race 59 preferably is pressed onto the boss 58 so that they rotate together as the roll turns. The outer race 62 of the anti-friction bearing is pressed into the open end of a die-formed bearing housing 63.

The outer end 64 of the bearing housing is reduced in diameter to provide an annular shoulder 66 disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the roll. The outer end wall 64 of each bearing housing is formed so that the plane of the surface thereof is at an angle with respect to the axis of the roll.

It is to be noted that with the bearing housing 63 assembled over the outer race of the bearing El and with the inner race 59 on the boss 58, the construction provides a cavity or space 51 which may be filled with lubricant, it being understood that the usual lubricant seal 68 is provided between the inner and outer races of the bearing. A lubricant tube 69 opens at each end to the spaces 61 whereby lubricant supplied to one of the spaces 61 at one end of a given roll may flow to the opposite space 61 at the other end of said roll. A pressure lubricant fitting 'Hl commonly known in the art and valved to allow the entrance of lubricant only inwardly toward space 61. is placed in the outer end wall 64 of one of the outer idler roll bearing housings. An outwardly vented fitting 10a is placed in the end wall 84 of the idler roll ll opposite the one carrying fitting 10, whereby air entrapped in the lubricant spaces of a series of rolls is permitted to escape when lubricating the rolls, as will be explained.

The troughing idler rolls II and the return idler roll l3 are each supported at either end by means of a roll mounting bracket indicated generally by the numeral II. These brackets are identical for the rolls I l and I3 and a description of one will suflice for all. As shown more clearly in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 the bracket H comprises a vertical centrally recessed portion 12 having an opening 13 therein. The bearing housings 63 are disposed to project through the openings 13 of the roll mounting brackets as shown more clearly in Fig. 3, and the parts are secured together by welding the recessed portion of the bracket to the annular shoulder 66 of the bearing housing. The roll mounting brackets are provided with opposed arms 74 and 16 which terminate in vertically disposed sockets 1'1 and 18. The sockets are adapted to fit between the horizontally disposed fianges of the transverse members 29-3! or 495l. The bearing housing 63 and bracket H may be formed integrally but preferably are formed separately for convenience of fabrication and later assembled together by welding to form the composite assembly as shown.

Within each of the sockets I1 and I8 is a bushing 19 formed of resilient material such as rubber. At the lower end of the socket and beneath the bushings i9 is a load distributing washer 8| formed of metal. Beneath the washer BI is a resilient washer 82 of rubber or other resilient material. A pin 83 passes through the bushing 19, washers 8i and 82, and the upper and lower horizontal flanges of the members 29--3l or 49-5l. The lower end of the pins 83 are provided with annular grooves 84 adapted to receive a snap lock washer 86. As shown more clearly in Fig. 7, the upper end of the bushing 19 may be slightly tapered as indicated at 81.

.trallly thereof.

outwardly disposed cylindrical projections 88a the spill plates I6.

angles to and spans the "slotted opening 98 of '5 Referring again :more particularly to .3 of the drawing, vit willcbe seen that theupper rolls .II iaremounted in .end to end relation to iorm aitrough for the upper flight I2 of the :conveyor belt. It is necessary, if .all1the rolls :of such a series are to be lubricated from the end .of an outer roll, to provide a passageway .for lubricant to flow from the end roll carrying fitting "Ill to the intermediate and opposite end rolls. We dnave found it desirable, when the ;rolls are supported resiliently as just described, that :a re- :silien't :axial support between the rolls likewise be provided. To this end, wemountfbetween the {parallel adjacent faces of the bearing housing :end wallsIi'4, a pad or cushion 88 of resilient .ma-.

terial. The pads 88 arerelatively thin over the area of :contact with the end walls 154, and are provided -with:anxa-nnular portion .89 thicker than the-central portion to hold the pads in position. The pad 88 and the end walls 64 of the inter- :mediate bearing housings areprovidedwith open- :ings-S-I and 92 respectively, thereby afiording a pasageway for lubricant to flow between the spaces 6-1 of adjacent bearing housin s. In or- :der to prevent the possibility of the pads 88 rotating, thus bringing its hole -9I out of alignment with the holes 92, we provide the end walls 64 Withslight depressions 93. The resilient mate- .rialof the pads fills these depressions and prevents the pads from rotating. The .openings 92, intheend wall 64 at the outer end of one roll of :a series is flttedwith the lubricant fitting I of the type previously mentioned. The opening 92 on the opposite end of the same series of rolls is provided with one of the vent fittings 10a.

As shown in Fig. 14, the outer wall .64 of the "bearing housing is provided with an in-formed depression 64a, and the .hole 92 is located cen- The pads 88 are provided with disposed to fit in the holes 92, opening 9| being disposed centrally of the projections. The walls of the projections are relatively thin so as to expand against the walls of the openings '92 when under pressure, thus to .form a lubricant seal, as V will be explained.

.Asbefore stated, the .chairsupports IT on which are mounted the troughing and return lidlers are held in fixed spaced relation by the spill plates I6. .In the type of .spill plate shown .in Figs. 1,2, 8 .and '9, the samecomprises aplate'bent to provide an upper, sloping section 94, and a .lower vertical section96. The sloping section 94 is disposed to'res't on the sloping flange 43 of the troughing idler end plate 32 or '33, and is connected thereto by means of bolts 91. .As best shown 'inFig. '2, the bolt 91 passes through an elongated opening 98 in the flange 43. Th'ever- 'tical 'sectionififi is provided with a vertically elongated slot 99 and is secured to the chair support I1 bymeans of a bolt IOI and nut I02 therefor. A half oval, elongated washer'l03 is welded to the'underside of .andin alignment with holes I04 formed near the ends of the sloping section of The washer 103 lies .at right the "spill plate is disposed well under the edge of .ging under load "from contacting the upper edge ?95.

The top .ofslopingsection 195 isformed over at a to form a rounded edge to prevent damage to the belt if it'sags excessively and to provide strength in the upper edge of spill shieldI 6.

Referring now to .Figs. .10, 11, and 12, we show va modified. form of spill plate I05 and means to connect the same to the 'frame members of the troughing. idlers. When the modification shown in thesefigures is used,'the flanges 43 of the idler end frames 32 :and 3.3 'areomitted entirely and the verticalsections 4| terminate. along the line -42. The spill plate 10.6 is provided at .eachend with aslotted opening .IIlI. An adaptor'plat' I08 carries a bolt I 09, having its head H0 welded in adepression I I I formed therein. Thebolt 189 projects through the slotted opening Ill! in the spill plate IIleso that the adaptor maybe moved longitudinally on the spill plate and clamped in any-desired position.

:As best shown LinFig. 12, the'adaptor plate is provided at its end with a notch [I2 adapted. tofit about the upwardly sloping ends of the transverse member 49 oru'l, the upper edge of the plate 162 being bent over as indicated at H3 to overlie the upper flange of themembers '49 and 5 I. The end of adaptor plate IilBa extends Well under the vertical section -41 of the end supports .32 and 33, which :asstated are cut off along the line 42, and under the transverse member 49 or .52. The spill plate is provided with a downwardly opening, elongated slot II4, similar to the slot $l9, and the lower end of the plate is secured to the channel I] by bolts as already described. The upper end of-the spill plate is notched out as indicated at H5 to provide clearance for the shoulder portion II'I resulting from the formation of the overhanging portion '3, as shown clearly in Fig. 12. The notch I I6 and the appreciable spacing between the end of the spill plate I136 and frame member 49 allows longitudinal adjustment of the cooperating troughing idler as heretofore described in connection with spill pla'te I6. At the same time, the space between the' end of spill plate I86 and the idler framework is closed to prevent spilled material from falling on the return flight I4 of th belt. With the arrangement shown, the plate I08 may be firmly pressed against channel member 49 or 5|, and the nut on bolt I09 tightened. The spill plate is thus fastened to the chair support by a bolt passing through slot 4, and to the idler framework by'the' notch I I2 in the adaptor plate I08. Transverse shifting of the chair support and idler assembly is prevented, since such movement places opposed spillplates on the sameside inendwise compression. l

The assembly of the troughing idler is accomplished by first constructing two sub-assemblies each composed of the channel supports 49 and SI, one righthand end bracket 32 and one left hand end bracket 33-assembled as in Fig. 2 and welded'together at 5. Prior to Welding the three troughing rolls II, including their associated parts and'brackets TI, resilientbushings l9, washers 8| and 82, and the pads 88 are assembled 'in place as shown in the drawings. The pins 83 ar then installed as indicated to secure the roll brackets to the transverse channels 49 and 5|, and are locked by the washers 86. A grease fitting "I0 is installed in one end of the outer bearing housing of each series of rolls II,

and a vent fitting 1 0a 'is'installed in the opposite bearing housingof the series.

The roll.l3 is assembled in a manner similar to the assembly of the troughing idler rolls previously described, the mounting brackets, resilient members and holding pins being the same. The roll I3 is assembled with channels 29 and 31 complete with their half sections of L-shaped brackets 28 fixed to the ends of the channels. The half sections of end brackets 25 are joined at 25a in a satisfactory manner as by welding. It is to be noted that the upper edges of channels 29 and 3| are mounted in close proximity to the roll I3, thereby serving to reject any large pieces of material inadvertently falling between the channels and roll. At the same time, the channels act as roll cleaners if the roll is built up due to accumulation of sticky material.

When assembling the complete conveyor, the required number of chair supports l1 carrying the return rolls 13 are distributed approximately the correct distance apart. The upper assemblies comprising end brackets 32 and 33 and the troughing rolls I I are placed on the upper flanges 19 of the chair supports and nuts 38 on bolts 31 are tightened. The upper and lower flights of the belt are threaded over their respective rolls. The spill plates are now attached, the fixed distance between the opening 99 or H4 serving to accurately space the chairs l1 apart. Bolts 91 are inserted through the slot 98 in the flange 43, together with the oval washer I03, permitting angular adjustment of the spill plates to accommodate any differences in elevation between adjacent assemblies. Finally, by loosening the nuts carried by bolts 23, 31 and 97, the upper and lower rolls may be shifted to accurately train the belt, and may then be tightened to maintain the alignment. The overall assembly of the chair supports, upper idler framework, and spill plates is thus rigidly connected to prevent either transverse or longitudinal movement of the component parts. Similar adjustability and rigidity are obtained when using the spill plate shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12. It will be apparent that any material spilled from the upper flight is positively deflected away from the lower flight of the belt throughout the entire length of the conveyor.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, lubricant is supplied to each series of rolls H and to each roll 13 by a suitable pressure gun through the fittings l0. As is customary, the rolls preferably are lubricated while rotating. Lubricant first enters the space 6'! adjacent fitting l0, and due to centrifugal force and spreading action of the rotating parts, fills the space 6! from the outside toward the center, thereby forcing air from the space 61 through the tube 69 into the space Bl at the opposite end of the roll. As rotation continues and more lubricant is supplied, all of the space 57 adjacent the fitting I is filled and lubricant is forced through the tube 69. Air is discharged ahead of the lubricant through vent a. As lubricant leaves the tube 69 of the first roll of the series, it impinges against the inner side of the wall 64 of the stationary housing 63, and fills the space 6'! at that point from the inside outwardly. Entrapped air is forced out through the aligned holes 9| and 92 into the next adjacent bearing housing and tube. Lubricant continues to fill the space B'l until it covers the opening 92. When this occurs, lubricant commences to flow to the next space 61 through holes 91 and 92. Entrapped air is not completely expelled from the space 61 being supplied with lubricant from the tube 69, but a sufficient amount thereof is removed to assure that adequate quantity of lubricant remains. As

the lubricant enters the next space 61, through holes 9| and 92, it is acted upon by the same forces as described in connection with space 61 adjacent fitting 10. As soon as the flow of lubricant through fitting l0 ceases, lubricant immediately adjacent spaces 61 between rolls equalizes, thus assuring adequate lubrication of all bearings.

It will be apparent that lubricant thus fllls all of the spaces 61 of a series of rolls regardless of the number of rolls in the series, the actions just described being repeated from roll to roll. The operator ceases supplying lubricant to the rolls when he observes the same coming out of the vent fitting Illa, and is assured that all bearings are adequately lubricated.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 14, the thin rings 88a cooperating with the openings 92 in the bearing housings act as seals to prevent lubricant from escaping during the time the lubricant is being forced in under pressure. During normal operation the pressure in all of the lubricant passageways and spaces is substantially atmospheric. The informed recesses 64a, cooperating with the surfaces of the pads 88 in contact therewith, form, in this condition, an effective seal to prevent leakage of lubricant.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that we have devised an improved conveyor mechanism in which the rolls are resiliently supported to absorb shock and in which the axially disposed tubes 69 permit lubricant to flow from one roll to the next. The arrangement shown permits the expelling of excess air and assures adequate lubrication. It will be apparent that the pads 88, being resilient, when used in combination with the resilient bushings l9 and resilient washers 82, permit the bearings of the rolls to completely align themselves. The pads also serve as efiective grease seals to prevent leakage of lubricant when passing between cavities 61 of adjacent rolls. The relatively thin resilient extensions 88a of the pads 88 compress against the surface of holes 92 to form a seal when pressure is applied during times when lubricant is being supplied to the bearings. The taper at the top of the resilient bushings 1!! permits a slight motion of the roller mounting brackets H relative to the channels 49 and 5|, although this same action may be obtained by using a cylindrical bushing 19 of very resilient material. Misalignment in the bearings 61 is thus corrected by the resilientmountings afforded by the pads 83 and bushings 19 andthese elements absorb shocks that may be imposed on the rolls during operation of the conveyor. -If in a special installation it is desired to omit the resilient bushings 19 it will be apparent that the pads 88 may be used solely as grease seals and to provide a passageway for lubricant between rolls.

It is to be noted that the upper legs of the cross channels 29--3l, 49--5I are disposed slightly below themaximum diameter of their associated rolls. This arrangement minimizes the possibility of foreign matter lodging between the channel supports and the rolls and also affords a scraper to clean the rolls if any sizable quantity of sticky material is deposited thereon. Likewise, the bottom surface of rolls II project below the lower legs of channels 49 and 5| as indicated clearly in Figs. 7 and 13. If the lower return flight of the belt is displaced upwardly for any reason, the same contacts the rolling surface of the upper rolls l I instead of a part of the framework, there by preventing damage to the belt.

a A further advantage of the resilient mounting disclosed herein lies in the fact that through its use rolls of small diameter may carry larger loads than has heretofore been the practice due to providing shock protection for the bearings, thus making the smaller bearings adequate to take the usual shock loads. Heretofore, in order for rolls to carry large loads, it has been the practice to increase the roll diameter, thereby to decrease the roll speed and to make available more room for larger bearings. It has likewise been the practice to provide oversize bearings for rolls and to operate them at a greatly reduced capacity in order to take care of overloading of the bearings due to misalignment. The resilient mounting of the roll mounting structure provides automatic alignment of the bearings thereby utilizing the entire capacity of the bearings for useful work, making oversize bearings unnecessary. We are therefore enabled to operate relative small bearings at high speed and at a greater percentage of their normal load rating than is the case withpresent apparatus.

While we have shown and described apparatus embodying a plurality of upper rolls II and a single roll I3, it will be apparent that single or multiple rolls may be used in either location without departing from the spirit of our invention Likewise, the upper flight may be supported on a plurality of rolls disposed to form a flat or nontroughed support for the belt, with but minor modifications in our improved mounting and supporting arrangement. The idler may be resiliently supported in conventional manner from other types of framework. As is customary, every other idler roll [3 may be omitted since the lower flight need not be supported at as many points as the load carrying flight.

The bearing housings 63 and brackets H may be formed integrally if desired, and a retaining ring provided to receive the resilient pads. All of the advantages of our resilient mounting are maintained in such an arrangement.

While we have shown our invention in but two forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and we desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In conveyor mechanism embodying a plurality of rotatably mounted belt supporting rolls disposed end to end, a bearing housing and roll supporting means at the ends of each roll, a resilient member disposed between and engaged by the ends of adjacent bearing housings, there being a passage through said resilient member permitting a fiow of lubricant from roll to roll, and means to supply lubricant to one of said rolls.

' 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the bearing housings are provided with passages aligned with the passage in said resilient member, and in which the resilient member is provided with outwardly disposed cylindrical projections having relatively thin walls disposed in the passages of the bearing housings, said passage in the resilient member being located centrally of the projections.

3. In conveyor mechanism embodying a plurality of belt supporting rolls disposed end to end, a bearing housing at the end of each roll relative to which the rolls are adapted to turn, a pad of resilient material disposed between and engaged by the ends of adjacent bearing housings, framework for supporting the bearing housings, and resilient members interposed between the supporting framework and bearing housings.

4. In a conveyor mechanism embodying a plu rality of belt supporting rolls disposed end to end, a bearing in each end of each roll, stationary bearing housings relative to which the rolls are adapted to turn, a member of resilient material between and engaged by the ends of adjacent bearing housings, means to supply lubricant to the bearings of said rolls embodying a lubricant passage connectin the bearing housings of each roll, there being a passage through said member of resilient material and bearing housings to permita flow of lubricant from one adjacent bearing housing to the next, a frame for supporting the bearing housings, and resilient members interposed between the housings and supporting frame.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which the plurality of rolls are disposed to form a trough-like support for the conveyor belt, and in which the bearing housings at adjacent ends of the rolls have substantially parallel outer surfaces between which said pad of resilient material is received.

In a conveyor mechanism embodying a series of rolls disposed end to end and angularly to form a trough-like support for a conveyor belt,

each of said belt rolls being formed of a shell, a

head at each end, a bearing boss on the heads, an anti-friction bearing having its inner race mounted on the boss for rotation therewith, a bearing housing for receiving the outer race of the bearing, an axially disposed lubricant tube for each roll having its ends communicating with the bearing housings, means to sup-ply lubricant to the outer bearing housing of the end roll of a series, a resilient member disposed between and contacting the ends of adjacent bearing housings, there being aligned openings in the bearing housings and associated resilient member to permit a flow of lubricant from one bearing housing to the next, a roll mounting bracket secured to the bearing housing, a frame for supporting the roll mounting bracket, and a second resilient member interposed between the mounting bracket and its supporting frame.

SAMUEL J. SPURGEON. RUSHTON O. KIMBRO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 981,471 Proal Jan. 10, 1911 1,422,662 Bylger July 11, 1922 1,499,832 Landahl July 1, 1924 1,516,083 Curtis Nov. 18, 1924 1,618,957 Hunter Feb. 22, 1927 1,678,997 Mellin July 31, 1928 2,066,383 Andrada Jan. 5, 1937 2,101,017 Bebinger Dec. 7, 1937

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