US 6,782,996 B1 · Axle cartridge for conveyor roller

Abstract

A conveyor roller includes at least one axle cartridge and is mounted at opposite sidewalls of a conveyor. The axle cartridge includes a bearing assembly at an outer end and an inner support at an inner end. The bearing assembly provides rotational support of a roller portion about the axle portion, while the inner support is spaced from an inner end of the axle portion during normal use of the roller. The inner support may provide contact support at the inner axle portion in response to loading induced deflection of the roller, whereby the inner support limits flexing or bending of the roller portion and may limit binding of the bearing assembly during such loading conditions. The axle portion may include one or more guide members arranged along a generally tapered or conical-shaped axle end for guiding the axle portion into a correspondingly formed opening in the conveyor sidewall.

Claims53

Dependent claims

An axle bearing cartridge configured to be received within an end of a roller portion of a conveyor roller, said axle bearing cartridge comprising:

a housing adapted to be inserted at least partially into an end of the cylindrical roller portion, said housing comprising an inner end and an outer end, said inner end comprising an inner support;
a stub axle positioned partially within said housing, said stub axle having a longitudinal axis, said stub axle extending at least partially through said inner support such that said inner support defines a gap circumferentially around said stub axle;
and
a bearing assembly positioned generally at said outer end of said housing and between said stub axle and said housing to provide rotational support of said housing about said stub axle, wherein a portion of said inner support of said housing closes said gap and provides contact support for said stub axle in response to loading induced deflection at said roller portion in a direction generally normal to said longitudinal axis of said stub axle.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Axle cartridge for conveyor roller

Life of this patent

Axle cartridge for conveyor roller

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims53