Apparatus for and method of servicing conveyor belt return rollers during belt operation

A conveyor belt system comprising:

• a belt, the belt forming a continuous loop having an upper transfer run and a lower return run;
• a return roller assembly, the return roller assembly comprising a return roller and a support assembly, the return roller being rotationally mounted about a roller axis relative to the support assembly, the support assembly comprising a fixed portion and pivot portion, the fixed portion being fixed in position relative to the upper transfer run and the lower return run, the pivot portion being pivotally mounted to the fixed portion about a pivot axis, the return roller being removably attached to the fixed portion via the pivot portion in a manner such that the return roller is pivotal with the pivot portion relative to the fixed portion between engaged and disengaged positions, the return roller being engaged with the belt from beneath the return run when the return roller is in the engaged position, the return roller being spaced below the belt when the return roller is in the disengaged position, the return roller being slidably attached to the pivot portion in a manner such that the return roller can be slid out from under the belt and from the support assembly.