WO2000055075A1

WO2000055075A1 - Roller conveyor and isolator bushing

Info

Publication number: WO2000055075A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/006804
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tony Howard
Original assignee: The Buschmann Company
Priority date: 1999-03-16
Filing date: 2000-03-16
Publication date: 2000-09-21
Also published as: WO2000055075A9; AU3628400A

Abstract

A roller isolator bushing has a plurality of openings into which the shaft of a roller is inserted. The bushing is disposed in complementary shaped openings formed in the conveyor frame sides and aligned with a preferably identical bushing disposed on the opposite frame side. The conveyor roller may then easily be skewed by locating the shafts on the opposite ends of the roller in non-aligned openings of the roller isolator bushing. The bushing prevents or reduces wear in the frame and/or roller shaft.

Description

ROLLER CONVEYOR AND ISOLATOR BUSHING

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to a device that facilitates skewing of axes relative to a predetermined direction, and is particularly directed to a bushing, which includes multiple openings for receiving a longitudinal axis. The invention will be specifically disclosed in connection with a bushing, which is mounted in an opening formed through the frame of a roller conveyor that allows the roller to be easily skewed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Under certain conditions, it is desirable to skew rollers in a roller conveyor, such as in order to direct cartons to one side of the conveyor. The longitudinal axis (or axis of rotation) of a skewed roller is disposed non-perpendicular to direction of travel of the conveyor. In order to skew a roller, the ends of the roller must locate the roller's axis of rotation non- perpendicularly to the conveyor's direction of travel. This is accomplished by offsetting the ends of the roller relative to a line, which is perpendicular to the conveyor's direction of travel.

Conveyor rollers typically have a hexagonal shaft or axle extending from each end, defining the roller's axis of rotation. The shaft may be solid, or merely a stub shaft. In some cases, the hexagonal shaft may be tapered. The conveyor frame includes two spaced apart sides, which are generally parallel to the direction of travel. Each frame side includes a plurality of openings for receiving the roller shafts. Each opening is aligned with a "perpendicularly" corresponding opening in the other frame side such that a line between the two respective openings is perpendicular to the conveyor's direction of travel. Typically, the center distance spacing between these openings is less than the center distance on which the rollers are located, leaving "empty" openings between the openings that hold the roller shafts.

For example, rollers may be located on three-inch centers with the openings having one-inch centers.

Rollers may be skewed by disposing one of the roller's shafts in a non- "perpendicularly" corresponding opening.

In order to prevent wear in the frame and/or hexagonal shaft, replaceable bushings or inserts can be located between the hexagonal shaft and the frame opening. In such a case, the frame opening only needs a shape which matches the outside of the bushing or insert, which is not restricted to a hexagonal shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a roller isolator bushing which has a plurality of openings into which the shaft of a roller is inserted. The bushings are disposed in complementary shaped openings formed in the frame sides, and aligned with an identical bushings disposed on the opposite frame side. The roller may then easily be skewed by locating the shafts on the opposite ends of the roller in non-aligned openings of the roller isolator bushing.

Additional objects, advantages and other novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front plan view of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a rear plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a portion of the embodiment of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a portion of the embodiment of Fig. 1. Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate the same elements throughout the views, Fig. 1 is a front plan view of an embodiment of the present invention showing bushing 2 having a plurality of openings 4 configured to receive a roller shaft. Openings, or bores, 4 are shown as hexagonal, but may be any shape which is complementary to the shape of the roller shaft. Openings 4 are sized to provide a few thousands of an inch clearance to the roller shafts, so as to hold them tightly, yet provide enough room to allow the rollers to be installed in the conveyor.

As shown, openings 4 are equally spaced from each other. Of course, unequal spacing may be used. In the event that unequal spacing is used, it is advantageous to have a center opening which is centrally located so that identical bushings 2 may be used on either frame side yielding one set of perpendicularly corresponding openings.

As can be seen in Figs. 1-6, bushing 2 includes body 6 with flange 8 extending therefrom at inner end 10 of bushing 2. Bushing 2 includes outer end 12. As can best be seen in Fig. 5, body 6 has an obround periphery 14, although body 6 may have any suitable peripheral shape.

Returning to Fig. 1, flange 8 does not extend around the entire periphery of bushing 2. Adjacent openings 4, flange 8 is omitted, with a rib 16 being respectively disposed between each opening. Ribs 16 have the same general profile as flange 8. The omission of flange 8 above openings 4 leaves respective recesses 18 between openings 4.

Outer end 12 of body 6 includes chamfer 20 around the periphery of body 6 to aid in the installation of bushing 2 into a frame side.

Referring to Fig. 6, which is a cross section of bushing 2 taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 1, each opening 4 is tapered to aid in the installation of the roller shaft. Each opening includes an axis generally indicated at 20. The top of openings 4 include tapered surfaces 4a adjacent inner end 10, which are inclined as shown relative to axis 20, and flat surfaces 4b which are generally parallel to axis 20. The bottom of openings 4 include flat surfaces 4c which are generally parallel to axis 20, and tapered surfaces 4d which are inclined as shown relative to axis 20. Tapered or inclined surfaces 4a and 4d accommodate the installation of the shaft of the roller, allowing them to be inserted at an angle from the top and lowered into a generally horizontal position which is horizontally parallel to axis 22. Flat surfaces 4b and 4c function to retain the roller shafts in place.

Body 6 includes a plurality of retaining ribs 24, which extend outwardly from periphery 14. Ribs 24 may included as appropriate in location and number to assist in retaining bushing 2 in an opening in the frame side. As can be seen in Fig. 4, two ribs 24 extend from the bottom of body 6, aligned with the outer openings 4. Although only one rib 24 is shown in Fig. 2 as extending from the top of body 6, three ribs aligned with respective openings 4 have been used with desired results. Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of rib 24 along the bottom of body 6 and Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of rib 24 along the top of body 6. Although ribs 24 may have a variety of shapes configured to achieve the desired retention function, as depicted in Figs. 7 and 8, rib 24 includes an inclined surface 24a which ramps along the frame side opening as bushing 2 is installed. Ribs 24 also include a flat or even oppositely inclined surface 24b. Referring to Figs. 1 and 8, recess 18 includes surface 18a, which preferably is not aligned with the rear surface 8a of flange 8, but in one embodiment is recessed .025 inches. When bushing 2 is installed in the frame side opening, surface 18a is recessed within the frame opening. Fig. 8 illustrates a fragment of frame side 26 having inner surface 26a. As illustrated, surface 18a is recessed about .025 inches relative to surface 26a. This keeps the end of the roller shaft from catching on the periphery of body 6 as the shaft is inserted into openings 4.

To use bushing 2, a plurality of aligned pairs openings shaped complementary to bushing 2 are formed through the frame sides of the conveyor. A busing 2 is disposed within each frame opening, with flange 3 oriented to the area between the frame sides so as to resist outward force. As a result of the alignment of the frame openings, openings 4 of a bushing 2, as depicted in the figures, on one frame sides are perpendicularly aligned with corresponding openings 4 of a bushing 2 on the other frame side. The rollers are inserted from the top by tilting the roller at an angle and inserting one end first. Recesses 18, in conjunction with ribs 16, help to guide the roller shaft into the selected opening 4. Surfaces 4a and 4d accommodate the angle of the roller shaft as it is inserted and the change in the angle as the opposite end of the roller is lowered and inserted into the corresponding bushing 2 disposed in the other frame side. In the installed position, surfaces 4b and 4c help to retain the roller shafts in place.

Bushing 2 may be formed of any suitable material which provides the necessary rigidity and wear characteristics. In one embodiment, black nylon 66, 30% glass fiber with no conductive material. Another suitable material is STAT-CON RCF-1006, which is 10% carbon fiber and 20% glass fiber, and is available from LNP Engineering Plastics, Incorporated located in Santa Ana, California.

Each end of the roller may be disposed in any of openings 4. As will be easily appreciated, for the three opening bushing illustrated in the figures, there are 9 combinations. If the roller shafts are disposed in openings 4, which are perpendicularly corresponding, the rollers will not be skewed. By disposing the roller shafts in non-perpendicularly corresponding openings, the rollers will be skewed. The maximum amount of skew occurs when using the openings 4, which have the greatest offset from each other. The rollers may be easily skewed in either direction. In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result form employing the concepts of the invention. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A conveyor including a plurality of rollers, said rollers including respective ends, each respective end having a roller shaft extending therefrom, said roller conveyor being configured to transport packages in a first direction, said conveyor comprising: a) a pair of spaced apart frame sides b) a plurality of pairs of roller frame openings, one frame opening of each of said pairs being formed in one of said frame sides, the other of said frame opening of each of said pairs being formed in the other frame side, said frame openings of each of said pairs being generally aligned with each other; c) a respective bushing disposed in each frame opening, said bushing comprising: i) a body; and ii) a plurality of spaced apart bushing openings formed in said body, said openings being configured to receive said roller shaft.

2. The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the bushing openings of one bushing disposed in one of said frame openings of one of said pairs are generally aligned with corresponding bushing openings of another bushing disposed in the other of said frame opening of said pair, whereby a respective roller may be skewed by disposing its respective roller shafts in non-aligned bushing openings of the bushings disposed in said pair of said frame openings.

3. The conveyor of claim 1 , wherein one bushing opening of each of said bushings has one respective roller shaft disposed therein.

4. The conveyor of claim 1 , wherein said body is shaped complementarily to said frame opening.

5. The conveyor of claim 1, wherein said each respective roller shaft is disposed in a respective bushing opening.

6. A bushing for use with a rollers of a roller conveyor, said rollers having respective ends, each respective end having a roller shaft extending therefrom, said bushing comprising: a) a body, said body have an inner end and an outer end; b) a plurality of spaced apart openings formed in said body, said openings being shaped complementarily to said roller shaft.