Idler system for conveyor
AssigneeNorthwest Product Design, LLC.
InventorRobert A. Horne
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An idler system for conveyors, the system providing an idler which is released or propelled downwardly away from the conveyor belt, when a pre-determined condition is present, such as the tripping of an idler guard or the presence of a pre-determined amount of pressure on the idler. The idler itself may be releasably attached to a conveyor framework, or it may be provided with an idler bracket which is partially or wholly released with the idler.
Claims26
A belt conveyor apparatus comprising:
- a belt conveyor framework;
- an idler rotatably and releasably mounted to the belt conveyor framework via a quick release mechanism which dismounts the idler in response to a predetermined operational condition.
A belt conveyor apparatus comprising:
- a belt conveyor framework;
- an idler rotatably mounted to the belt conveyor framework and supported at two engagement areas by the belt conveyor framework;
- a disengagement trigger mounted to the belt conveyor framework and operatively attached to at least one of the two engagement areas and disposed to automatically disengage at least one of the two engagement areas when a predetermined operational occurs.
An idler system for belt conveyors, comprising:
- a idler bracket with a first bracket section and a second bracket section, the first bracket section configured to attach to a belt conveyor framework;
- an idler rotatably mounted to the second bracket section;
- and
- wherein the second bracket section is supported by the first bracket section at a first support area and a second support area, and wherein at least one of the first support area and the second support area are automatically disengageable to allow the second bracket section to move away from the first.
An idler system for mounting to a belt conveyor framework, the idler system comprising:
- an idler body with an outer surface and rotatably mounted on an idler axis, wherein the idler axis is configured for mounting to a belt conveyor framework;
- an idler disengagement system which automatically disengages the idler from the belt conveyor framework upon a predetermined operational condition occurring.
A method for providing a belt conveyor idler disengagement system, comprising the following:
- providing an idler configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis;
- mounting the idler to a belt conveyor framework to interact with a conveyor belt, the idler being mounted at a first support section and a second support section, the second support section being configured to automatically disengage upon the occurrence of a predetermined operational condition;
- disengaging the second support section upon the occurrence of the predetermined operational;
- and
- thereby causing the idler to move away from the belt conveyor framework.
A method for providing a belt conveyor idler disengagement system, comprising the following:
- providing an idler bracket with a first bracket section and a second bracket section, the second bracket having an idler rotatably mounted thereto;
- attaching the first bracket section to a belt conveyor framework;
- detachably mounting the second bracket section to the first bracket section at wherein the second bracket section is supported by the first bracket section at a first support area and a second support area, and wherein at least one of the first support area and the second support area are automatically disengageable to remove an area of support of the second bracket;
- and
- providing a disengagement trigger disposed to remove an area of support of the second bracket, which allows the idler to move away from the first support bracket portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.