Multi-drive conveyor systems and methods of using same
AssigneeFedex Corporation
InventorsRandy Dixon, C. Todd McDaniel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a conveyor system and method for advancing an item relative to a transport axis. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt and a modular drive assembly having at least one drive module and at least one take-up module. Each drive module and each take-up module has a housing and a pulley assembly positioned within the housing. The respective positions of the housings of the at least one drive module and the at least one take-up module relative to the transport axis are selectively adjustable to modify the conveyor movement pathway. Moreover, the drive module can also include a drive pulley removal apparatus that is detachably secured within the housing for selective removal and replacement of a drive pulley.
Claims18
A conveyor system for advancing an item relative to a transport axis, the conveyor system comprising:
- a conveyor belt;
- and
- a modular drive assembly comprising:
- at least one drive module, each drive module having a housing and a pulley assembly positioned within the housing, wherein the pulley assembly of each drive module is configured to engage the conveyor belt and drive movement of the conveyor belt along a conveyor movement pathway;
- and
- at least one take-up module, each take-up module having a housing and a pulley assembly positioned within the housing, wherein the pulley assembly of each take-up module is configured to engage the conveyor belt and provide tension to the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt moves along the conveyor movement pathway,
- wherein respective positions of the housings of the at least one drive module and the at least one take-up module relative to the transport axis are selectively adjustable to modify the conveyor movement pathway.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.