Automatic slip coupling assembly

Abstract

An automatic slip coupling assembly is disclosed for driving a conveyor roller from a power drive and which automatically disengages the conveyor roller from the power drive when a jam-up or blockage occurs of the parts being transported by the conveyor. The coupling assembly is operable when being driven either clockwise or counter-clockwise, and it is adjustable for varying loads and operating conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the automatic slip coupling assembly includes a plurality of radially spaced apart ball rollers which are rotatably secured in a retainer ring and which are sandwiched between a pair of resilient donut-shaped rings. One of the resilient rings is mounted to a sprocket, and the other resilient ring is mounted to a clutch plate. The entire coupling assembly is mounted onto the end of a shaft extending from the conveyor roller. The powered rotative movement to the sprocket is transmitted through the resilient donut-like rings and ball rollers to the clutch plate which is fixed to and drives the conveyor roll. If a jam-up occurs, the sprocket unit continues to rotate and slip occurs between the ball rollers and the clutch plate resilient ring thereby preventing damage to the parts on the conveyor system or to the conveyor system itself. In another form of the coupling assembly, the sprocket includes an annular groove or cam race and the clutch plate includes a channel for holding an O-ring resilient tube. In still another form of the coupling assembly, the sprocket and clutch plate include hardened metal cam details or races. Another aspect of the present invention resides in a roller mounted device which provides a quick attachment of the roller onto its rotative shaft and also provides absorption of potentially damaging blows received when heavy parts are thrown onto the conveyor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.