# US 5,348,140 A · Conveyor roller system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,348,140 A - Document ID: US5348140A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/062,048 - Filed: 1993-05-12 - Granted: 1994-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 1992-06-01 - Assignees: TKF, Inc. - Inventors: Jeffrey P. Clos - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348140A ## CPC - B65G 13/07: having endless driving elements - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract The present invention relates to a conveyor roller, system and method. The roller has a cylindrical barrel portion and a plurality of radially-disposed, recessed splines that are integrally-formed into at least one end or intermediate the ends of the barrel portion. The recessed splines are configured to receive a drive belt which imparts rotational motion to the roller. The disclosed conveyor roller system employs a plurality of these rollers disposed in spaced-apart, parallel adjacency between a pair of parallel frame members. Each pair of adjacent rollers is coupled by a belt, preferably having a succession of parallel, lateral projections (e.g. ribbed) on an inner surface for engaging the recessed splines of the rollers which it couples. Alternatively, the rollers may be coupled by a single, continuous belt. Power to drive the rollers may be supplied by coupling a drive motor to one of the rollers with another ribbed drive belt for engaging the recessed splines of the roller to which it is coupled. The drive motor may have a shaft with a plurality of parallel, radially disposed recessed splines integrally-formed therein and configured to receive the ribs of the drive belt. Alternatively, a standard gear pulley may be mounted onto the drive shaft for powering the drive belt. A method using the instant invention for driving a conveyor roller system for transporting articles across a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart rollers connected axially between a pair of parallel frame members is also disclosed. The rollers are provided with a plurality of parallel, radially-disposed recessed splines integrally-formed about a portion thereof. These recessed splines are engaged with a belt to thereby couple the rollers. The coupled rollers are then rotated with a drive that is coupled to at least one of the rollers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A roller comprising: (a) a cylindrical barrel portion of a given lengthwise extent; and (b) a plurality of parallel, radially-disposed recessed splines integrally-formed about said barrel portion intermediate the ends of said barrel portion, said splines configured to receive a drive belt for imparting rotational motion to said roller. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The roller of claim 1 wherein said splines are integrally-formed about said barrel portion by crimping. ### Claim 3 A conveyor roller system comprising: (a) a pair of parallel frame members; (b) a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart rollers extending between and axially connected with said parallel frame members, each of said rollers having integrally-formed about a portion thereof intermediate its ends a plurality of parallel, radially-disposed recessed splines; (c) a belt engaging said recessed splines of said rollers for coupling said rollers; (d) at least one drive coupled to at least one said roller for imparting rotational motion thereto. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The conveyor roller system of claim 3 wherein said belt has a ribbed inner surface for engaging said recessed splines of said rollers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The conveyor roller system claim 3 wherein said drive is coupled to at least one of said rollers by a drive belt having an inner ribbed surface for engaging said recessed splines of said rollers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The conveyor roller system of claim 5 wherein said drive is a drive motor having a drive shaft connected to said drive belt. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The conveyor roller system of claim 6 wherein said drive shaft has integrally-formed about a portion thereof a plurality of parallel, radially-disposed recessed splines configured to receive said ribs of said drive belt. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The conveyor roller system of claim 6 wherein a gearbelt pulley is mounted onto said drive shaft for driving said drive belt. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The conveyor roller system of claim 3 which includes a series of belts, each said belt coupling a successive pair of adjacent rollers. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The conveyor roller system of claim 3 wherein a single belt couples each of said rollers. ### Claim 11 A method for driving a conveyor roller system having a plurality of parallel spaced-apart rollers connected axially between a pair of parallel frame members and which transport articles thereacross when said rollers are rotated, comprising: (a) providing said rollers with a plurality of parallel, radially-disposed recessed splines integrally-formed about a portion thereof intermediate the ends of said rollers; (b) engaging said recessed splines of said rollers with a belt having an inner and an outer surface to couple said rollers; and (c) rotating the coupled rollers with a drive coupled to at least one of said rollers. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein said inner surface of said belt is provided with ribs for engaging said recessed splines of said rollers. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein said drive is coupled to at least one of said rollers by a drive belt having an inner ribbed surface for engaging said recessed splines of said rollers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein said drive is provided to be a drive motor having a drive shaft connected to said drive belt. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein a plurality of parallel, radially-disposed recessed splines configured to receive said ribs of said drive belt are integrally-formed about a portion of said drive shaft. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein a gearbelt pulley is mounted onto said drive shaft for driving said drive belt. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein a series of belts each coupling a successive pair of adjacent rollers are provided. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein a single belt coupling each of said rollers is provided. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein said parallel frame members are provided with upstanding walls for retaining articles being conveyed thereon. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein articles having a U-shaped cross-section are conveyed across said rollers. ### Claim 21 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 wherein articles are conveyed directly on said outer surface of said belt.