Idler roll for use in belt conveyor systems
AssigneeFMC Corporation
InventorsScott P. Lawrence, Charles F. East, Samuel Clark Richey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is provided an idler roll for use in belt conveyor systems comprising a shaft and at least two modular sections disposed adjacent to one another surrounding the shaft, the at least two modular sections varying in thickness as measured along an axis of the shaft. There is also provided an idler roll for use in belt conveyor systems comprising a shaft and a molded polymer coating disposed around the shaft, wherein the coating is at least partially tapered in cross section at each end of the idler roll. There is further provided a belt conveyor system for handling bulk material employing idler rolls.
Claims12
An idler roll for use in belt conveyor systems handling bulk material comprising:
- a shaft;
- two end sections surrounding said shaft;
- and
- at least two modular sections disposed adjacent to one another and between said two end sections, said at least two modular sections surrounding said shaft;
- said at least two modular sections being of different thickness as measured along an axis of said shaft, and said at least two modular sections having a substantially flat exterior surface;
- wherein there is an interference fit between said at least two modular sections and said shaft.
A belt conveyor system for handling bulk material comprising:
- a plurality of idler rolls arranged along a given direction;
- and
- a conveyor belt disposed on said plurality of idler rolls;
- wherein each of said plurality of idler rolls comprises a shaft, two end sections surrounding said shaft, and at least two modular sections formed of polymer material disposed adjacent to one another and between said two end sections, said at least two modular sections being of different thickness as measured along an axis of said shaft, said at least two modular sections having a substantially flat exterior surface, and said at least two modular sections surrounding said shaft and having an interference fit with said shaft.
The invention of claim 15 wherein each of said plurality of idler rolls comprises a first modular section disposed around one end of said shaft, a second modular section disposed around an opposing end of said shaft, and a third modular section disposed between said first modular section and said second modular section, said second modular section comprising a hub disposed on said shaft, a shell, and web disposed between said hub and said shell, said web being smaller in thickness than said shell and said hub as measured along an axis of said shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.