Rapid release mechanism for a curved belt conveyor and a method of using the rapid release mechanism thereof

A frame pillar assembly for a curved belt conveyor, the frame pillar assembly comprising:

• a C-shaped pillar couplable to the frame of a curved conveyor;
• and
• a pair of opposed roller assemblies positioned on the C-shaped pillar to cooperatively engage a conveyor belt bead and resist inward tension from the conveyor belt, wherein each roller assembly is pivotably coupled to the C-shaped pillar for movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position, each roller assembly including:
• a holder having a pair of opposed pins defining a pivot axis;
• and
• a roller rotatably mounted on the holder;
• wherein the roller is oriented at a first acute angle with respect to the conveyor belt when the roller assembly is in the engaged position and the roller is oriented at a second acute angle, smaller than the first acute angle, with respect to the conveyor belt when the roller assembly is in the disengaged position.

A roller assembly for a curved belt conveyor, the roller assembly comprising:

• a holder, including:
• a pair of opposed pins defining a pivot axis;
• a pair of latches positioned for engagement with a conveyor frame assembly;
• and
• a pair of arcuate grooves each centered on a corresponding one of the pair of opposed pins;
• and
• a roller rotatably mounted on the holder, wherein the pivot axis is substantially centered on the roller.

A method of using a frame pillar assembly for a curved belt conveyor, the method comprising:

• pivoting a roller assembly, with respect to a frame pillar, from an engaged position to a disengaged position;
• wherein a roller of the roller assembly is oriented at a first acute angle with respect to a conveyor belt associated with the curved belt conveyor when the roller assembly is in the engaged position and the roller is oriented at a second acute angle, smaller than the first acute angle, with respect to the conveyor belt when the roller assembly is in the disengaged position;
• removing the conveyor belt from the curved belt conveyor while the roller assembly is in the disengaged position;
• installing a second conveyor belt onto the curved belt conveyor while the roller assembly is in the disengaged position;
• and
• pivoting the roller assembly, with respect to a frame pillar, from the disengaged position to the engaged position.