Motorized pulley with internal mounts

A drive pulley assembly comprising:

• (a) a generally cylindrical drum having two open ends;
• (b) a pair of end caps disposed inside the drum a predetermined distance from the open ends, said end caps defining a closed central compartment and a pair of recessed end cavities at each end of the drum;
• (c) a stationary shaft extending axially through the drum, said drum being rotatably mounted on the stationary shaft;
• (d) drive means connected to the stationary shaft and disposed within the central compartment of the drum for rotating the drum around the stationary shaft;
• and
• (e) a pair of mounting brackets contained substantially entirely within the recessed end cavities of the drum for engaging the ends of the stationary shaft and supporting the drum.

A conveyor assembly comprising:

• (a) a frame having two generally parallel frame members;
• (b) a drive pulley assembly including:
• (1) a generally cylindrical drum having two open ends;
• (2) a stationary shaft extending axially through the drum, said drum being rotatably mounted on the shaft;
• and
• (3) drive means connected to the shaft and disposed inside the drum for rotating the drum around the shaft;
• (c) a pair of mounting brackets for mounting the drive pulley assembly between the frame members at one end of the conveyor frame, said mounting brackets being secured to the inside of the frame members and extending therefrom into the open ends of the drum such that substantially the entirety of the mounting brackets are disposed within the drum;
• (d) an idler pulley mounted between the frame members at the end of the frame opposite the drive pulley assembly;
• and
• (e) a conveyor belt entrained around the drive pulley and idler pulley.