US 6,267,228 B1 · Conveyor belt tracking and tensioning system

Abstract

A device to permit manual adjustment of the track or path of a conveyor belt (1) while providing constant, predetermined belt tension. A removable conveyor roller (23) is supported by a pivotable yoke (11), which is pivoted about a shaft (12) from a nonoperational position of no belt tension, at which point cleaning and regular maintenance take place, to the operating position of full belt tension. Conveyor belt tension is provided by at least one spring (10), the spring force increasing with deflection during the pivoting motion of the roller yoke (11) into the normal operating position. The spring force resists the motion of a pivoting plate (8) to slide in a plane relative to the fixed conveyor bed (18) along an adjustable axis. Force is transmitted through the pivoting shaft (12) to the yoke (11) which creates tension in the conveyor belt (1) without exceeding the load limitations of the conveyor belt (1) or the roller shaft (9) bearings. An adjustable axis between a sliding plate (39) and a pivotable plate (32) can be rotated about a spindle (37) on the conveyor bed (38) to control the orientation of the conveyor roller (23).

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method of controlling the path followed by a moving conveyor belt while providing a fixed tensile force to the conveyor belt, comprising the steps of:

(a) mounting the conveyor belt on a pivotable roller;
(b) mounting the pivotable roller on a pivotable yoke;
(c) mounting the pivotable yoke on a pivotable plate;
(d) mounting the pivotable plate on a fixed slider bed such that the pivotable plate is constrained to translational movement substantially parallel to the direction of belt travel and is constrained to rotational movement about a substantially vertical axis;
(e) biasing the pivotable plate in the direction of the conveyor roller, thereby providing a tensile force to the conveyor belt;
(f) rotating the pivotable plate in order to orient the conveyor belt along a desired path;
(g) affixing a block to the pivotable plate, manipulation of the block causing rotation of the pivotable plate;
(h) forming a first threaded bore within the block;
(i) forming a bearing within the slider bed that is a aligned with the first threaded bore;
(j)inserting a threaded fastener into the first threaded bore and through the bearing, rotation of the threaded fastener causing rotation of the pivotable plate;
(k) forming a substantially vertical spindle on the slider bed;
(l) forming a slot within the pivotable plate;
and
(m) inserting the vertical spindle through the slot, thereby permitting rotational movement and limited longitudinal movement of the pivotable plate about the spindle.

11 more elements

An apparatus for tensioning and directing the path of a moving conveyor belt, comprising:

(a) a slider bed, the slider bed serving as a rigid frame above which the moving conveyor belt travels;
(b) a spindle, the spindle being rigidly fixed to the slider bed, the spindle being substantially orthogonal to the slider bed;
(c) a pivotable plate, the pivotable plate being pivotably mounted on the spindle, the pivotable plate being rotatable within a plane substantially parallel to a plane occupied by the moving conveyor belt;
(d) a conveyor roller, the conveyor roller being mechanically interconnected to the pivotable plate, the conveyor belt travelling around the conveyor roller such that rotation of the pivotable plate reorients the conveyor roller and alters the path of the moving conveyor belt;
(e) a connector plate, the connector plate being slidably mounted to the pivotable plate, manipulation of the connector plate causing rotation of the pivotable plate;
(f) a control arm, the control arm being pivotably mounted to the connector plate, manipulation of the control arm causing rotation of the pivotable plate;
and
(g) at least one spring, the spring extending between the connector plate and the pivotable plate, the spring being anchored to the spindle affixed to the slider bed, the spring urging the pivotable plate toward the conveyor roller.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Conveyor belt tracking and tensioning system

Life of this patent

Conveyor belt tracking and tensioning system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11