Scraper-chain conveyors

A scraper-chain conveyor with a scraper-chain assembly extending between drive and reversing stations, each station comprising:

• a. a solid, continuous shaft with hollow end portions,
• b. said shaft extending over substantially the entire width of the station,
• c. a chain wheel carried by the shaft and drivably engaging said assembly,
• d. two substantially identical bearing units having inwardly projecting parts extending towards the center of the shaft into which the hollow end portions of the shaft are received and are supported for rotation,
• e. the bearing units being arranged symmetrically of the station,
• f. means for supporting the bearing units and spline or key means within the hollow end portions of the shaft, and
• g. journal coupling means having external locating means engageable with said spline or key means enabling the shaft to be selectively coupled to drive means from either side.

A frame assembly for use with a scraper-chain conveyor;

• said assembly comprising:
• a. a solid, continuous shaft with hollow end portions;
• b. a chain wheel carried by the shaft for rotation therewith,
• c. bearing units disposed at each end portion of the shaft and each bearing unit having a projecting part into which an end portion of the shaft extends and is supported for rotation,
• d. means for supporting the bearing units, and
• e. internal locating means within the hollow end portions of the shaft and journal coupling means having external locating means engageable with the internal locating means enabling the shaft to be selectively coupled to drive means whereby the shaft can be driven,
• f. said projecting parts of the bearing units taper inwardly towards one another and form spaces leading to the end portions of the shaft and accessible from the outside of the units,
• g. said spaces formed by the bearing units serve for locating part of a gearing unit forming at least part of the drive means,
• h. the dimensions of said spaces can be altered to accommodate various gearing units by introducing one or more spacing rings therein.

A frame assembly for use with a scraper-chain conveyor;

• said assembly comprising:
• a. a solid, continuous shaft with hollow end portions,
• b. a chain wheel carried by the shaft for rotation therewith,
• c. bearing units having projecting parts into which the end portions of the shaft extend and are supported for rotation,
• d. said projecting parts including ends, compartments which accommodate roller bearings and lubricating chambers disposed at the ends of said projecting parts,
• e. covers for sealing off the lubricating chambers adjacent the roller bearings,
• f. means for supporting the bearing units,
• g. internal locating means within the hollow end portions of the shaft, and
• h. journal coupling means having external locating means engageable with said internal locating means enabling the shaft to be selectively coupled to drive means whereby the shaft can be driven.

A frame assembly for use with a scraper-chain conveyor;

• said assembly comprising:
• a. a solid, continuous shaft with hollow end portions,
• b. a chain wheel carried by the shaft for rotation therewith,
• c. bearing units disposed at each end portion of the shaft and each bearing unit having a projecting part into which an end portion of the shaft extends and is supported for rotation,
• d. means for supporting the bearing units, and
• e. internal locating means within the hollow end portions of the shaft and journal coupling means having external locating means engageable with the internal locating means enabling the shaft to be selectively coupled to drive means whereby the shaft can be driven,
• f. said projecting parts of the bearing units taper inwardly towards one another and form spaces leading to the end portions of the shaft and accessible from the outside of the units,
• g. said spaces formed by the bearing units serve for locating part of a gearing unit forming at least part of the drive means,
• h. either of said spaces can be sealed off with a cover plate when not used to locate part of a gearing unit.

An assembly for use with a conveyor;

• said assembly comprising:
• a. a solid, continuous shaft extending over substantially the entire width of the assembly and having hollow end portions,
• b. conveyor operating means carried by the shaft for rotation therewith,
• c. said conveyor operating means including a chain wheel and chain-engaging means,
• d. said chain wheel being composed of separate components keyed to said shaft,
• e. said chain-engaging means being disposed at the center of said shaft,
• f. bearing units mounted to a frame at each end of the shaft for rotation therewith,
• g. coupling means including an internally splined, axial bore being disposed within each said hollow end portion, and
• h. drive means including a coupling piece having an externally splined outer surface portion at one end thereof to selectively engage said internally splined axial bores of said coupling means to drive the shaft from either of said end portions,
• i. said coupling piece having a larger diameter portion at the other end thereof,
• j. said larger diameter portion being adapted for connection to a drive gear unit.