Pneumatic actuator assemblies as well as conveyor assemblies and conveying systems including same

A conveying system comprising:

• a frame structure extending heightwise between a first frame side and a second frame side with a support surface disposed along said first frame side;
• and,
• a pneumatic actuator assembly disposed along said support surface of said frame structure, said pneumatic actuator assembly including:
• a mounting base including a mounting base wall with a base surface portion disposed along said support surface of said frame structure and a bearing support surface portion facing away from said support surface of said frame structure;
• a flex member including a flex member wall at least partially formed from a flexible polymeric material, said flex member wall including an engagement wall portion and being operatively secured to said mounting base such that an actuator chamber is at least partially defined therebetween;
• and,
• a bearing element including a bearing element surface, said bearing element supported on said mounting base such that a first portion of said bearing element surface is disposed in facing relation to said bearing support surface portion and a second portion of said bearing element surface disposed outwardly of said mounting base;
• said pneumatic actuator displaceable between a first condition in which said second portion of said bearing element surface is spaced a greater distance from said support surface of said frame structure than said engagement wall portion of said flexible wall and a second condition in which said engagement wall portion is spaced a greater distance from said support surface than said second portion of said bearing element surface.

A method of assembling a pneumatic actuator, said method comprising:

• providing a mounting base having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said mounting base including a mounting base wall with a base surface portion disposed along said first side and a bearing support surface portion disposed along said second side and facing away from said base surface portion;
• providing a flex member that includes a flex member wall at least partially formed from a flexible polymeric material, said flex member wall including an engagement wall portion;
• securing said flex member to said mounting base such that an actuator chamber is at least partially defined therebetween;
• and,
• providing a bearing element that includes a bearing element surface;
• and,
• supporting said bearing element on said mounting base such that a first portion of said bearing element surface is disposed in facing relation to said bearing support surface portion and a second portion of said bearing element surface disposed outwardly of said mounting base such that said pneumatic actuator is displaceable between a first condition in which said second portion of said bearing element surface is spaced a greater distance from said base surface portion than said engagement wall portion and a second condition in which said engagement wall portion is spaced a greater distance from said base surface portion than said second portion of said bearing element surface.