GB2096561A - A conveyor roller assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A conveyor roller assembly comprises a base member (5), a centre roller (9) mounted on the base member (5) and a pair of wing rollers (11) preferably offset longitudinally from and flanking the centre roller (9). A mounting bracket (18) welded to the base member (5) and having an elongate arcuate locating slot (20) with recesses and a pivot slot for reception of a complementary locating pin (14) and pivot pin (15) on the spindle of each wing roller (11) is provided for each wing roller (11). To change the angle of inclination of a wing roller (11) the locating pin (14) is drawn out of its recess by pulling the roller (11) in the direction of the arrow A. The roller (11) is then pivoted about the pivot pin (15) and relocated in the desired recess in the locating slot (20). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A conveyor roller assembly The invention relates to a conveyor roller assembly and in particular a conveyor roller assembly for a troughed conveyor.

Roller assembliesfortroughed conveyors are known. Such assemblies generally comprise a support member formed from a base framework for a centre roller and a pair of spaced-apart inclined wing rollers extending from each end of the centre roller.

Usually each wing roller is rotatably mounted on a spindle and the free end of the spindle is mounted on the support member by means of U-bolts which engage the support member in any set of a number of holes so that the wing roller may be mounted at the desired angle of inclination to the axis of rotation of the centre roller. When it is desired to vary the angle of a wing roller it is necessary to disconnect the U-bolts and re-locate them in other mounting holes which may be provided in the support member.

It will be appreciated that in the case of long runs of conveyor assemblies there will be a large number of wing rollers whose angle of inclination must be altered.

There are two disadvantages associated with this arrangement. Firstly because of the large number of wing rollers the task of changing the angle of inclination of all the rollers even where appropriate holes are available is very time consuming. Further, the angle of inclination must be reasonbly accurately set up and accordingly the services of a skilled fitter are required. Particularly in the case of troughed belt conveyors where the sides of the belt are supported on the wing rollers it is a very laborious, skilful and time consuming task to change the angle of the sides of the conveyor belt.

One object of the invention is to provide a conveyor assembly which will overcome these difficulties.

According to the invention there is provided a conveyer roller assembly comprising a support member, a centre roller mounted on the support member, and a pair of spaced-apart wing rollers on the support member and flanking the centre roller, in which means are provided for varying the angle of inclination of the wing rollers relative the axis of rotation of the centre to form therewith a troughing assembly.

In one embodiment of the invention the wing rollers are offset longitudinally from the axis of rotation fo the centre roller.

In another embodiment of the invention the means includes at least two operative locations to engage a wing roller.

Advantageously, the means comprise a plate member mounted on the support member.

Preferably, each wing roller is mounted on a central spindle having an end portion extending away from the roller, the end portion having a sideways extending locating pin and a spaced-apart sideways extending pivot pin, the plate member having a complementary pivot hole for engaging the pivot pin and an elongated location slot, the plate having extended into the slot to fine recesses forming the operative locations for reception of the locating pin.

Typically the locating pin is adjacent the free end of the spindle and the pivot pin is intermediate the locating pin and the roller.

In one embodiment the locating slot is arcuate, having a radius substantially equal to the spacing of the pins, the pivot hole comprising a slot to permit axial movement of the spindle for engagement and disengagement of the locating pin in the recesses.

Advantageously, the support member comprises the base framework, the centre roller and wing roller being rotatably mounted on the framework.

The invention also provides a roller element for a conveyor assembly comprising the wing roller and means for varying the angle of inclination of the wing roller relative to the horizontal.

The invention further provides a conveyor incorporating such a roller assembly.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a conveyor incorporating a roller conveyor assembly according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of one roller assembly of Figure 1, Figure 3 is an end view of the roller assembly of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a side view of a wing roller forming portion of the roller assembly of Figure 2 and 3.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is illustrated a portion, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, of a conveyor, in this case a belt conveyor with the belt removed for clarity. The portion 1 of the conveyor comprises three roller assemblies indicated generally by the reference numeral 2 mounted on a base support framework indicated generally by the reference numeral 3. The base support framework 3 comprises a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally extending side members 4 of inverted channel section. Three support members, in this case top base members 5 bridge the side members 4. Holes 6 in the base members 5 are provided to receive screws (not shown) for securing the base members 5 to the side support members 4.

Each base member 5 has a pair of spaced-apart support brackets 7 projecting upwardly therefrom and spaced apart to receive a centre roller 9 therebetween. Each support bracket 7 is formed with an upper bearing slot 8 for mounting a spindle 10 of the centre roller 9 (see Figure 3.).

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 3 each roller assembly 2 includes a pair of spaced-apart wing rollers 11 mounted on a base member 5 and flanking the centre roller 9. In this case the wing rollers 11 are offset longitudinaly from the axis of rotation, defined by the spindle 10, of the centre rollerS. The wing rollers 11 are inclined with respctto the axis of rotation of the centre roller 9 to form therewith a troughing assembly. Each wing roller 11 is rotatably mounted on a spindle 12 including an end portion extending away from the roller 11. The end portion of the spindle 12 includes a sideways extending locating pin 14 and a spaced-apart sideways extending pivot pin 15 each provied with a retaining head 16 (see Figure 4).Means, indicated generally by the reference numeral 17, are provided for varying the angle of inclination of the wing rollers 11 relative to the axis of rotation of the centre rollerS. In this case the means 17 comprises a plate member 18 mounted on, and upstanding from the base member 5. The plate member 18 includes a pivot hole, in this case a pivot slot 19 for reception of the pivot pin 15 on the spindle 12 of a wing roller 11 and an arcuate elongated slot 20 for reception ofthe locating pin 14 on the spindle 12. The plate member 18 is formed with three lugs 21 projecting into the slot 20 to define four recesses 22 defining operative locations for the locating pin 14 on the spindle 12 of each wing roller 11.

It will be appreciated that because the pivot pin 15 is located in the pivot slot 19 arcuate movement of the spindle 12 is accommodated so that the locating pin 14 can engage and disengage the recesses 22.

The heads 16 on the pins 14, 15 retain the pins in position in their respective slots 20, 19.

The radius of the arcuate slot 20 is substantially equal to the spacing between the locating pin 14 and the pivot pins 15 to facilitate ease of insertion and withdrawal of the pins 14,15. During assembly, the pins 14 and 15 are first passed through the slot 19 and 20 in the mounting bracket 18 and then secured to the spindle 12, for example each of the pins may be threaded into tapped holes in the spindle 12 or they may be pressed into drilled holes and welded at the back ofthe spindle 12. Many other forms of suitable mounting may be employed and these will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In use, to vary the angle of inclination of a wing roller 11 relative the axis of rotation of the centre roller 9, the roller 11 and spindle 12 are moved axially in the direction of the arrow A so that the locating pin 14 disengages from a recess 22. The roller 11 and spindle 12 are then pivoted about the pivot pin 15 and pivot slot 19 until the locating pin 14 is aligned with the desired recess 22. The roller 11 and spindle 12 are then moved axially inwardly until the locating pin 14 engages in the desired recess 22.

It will be appreciated that as the wing roller 11 and spindle 12 are moved axially, the pivot pin 15 slides in the pivot slot 19. A typical new inclined position of a wing roller 11 is illustrated by broken lines in Figure 2.

One advantage of the invention is that the angle of inclination of each wing roller can readily easily be altered without the need for dismantling and reassembling U-bolts as has been the case heretofore in known conveyor assemblies.

It is envisaged that while the invention has been described with reference to a conveyor roller assembly it may also be practised by providing a roller element for an existing conveyer. Such a roller element would comprise a wing roller just described and means for varying the angle of inclination of the wing roller relative the horizontal, for example the combination of the pivot pins and locating pins on the spindle of the wing roller and the complementary pivot and locating slots on a support bracket.

It is also envisaged that the roller assembly just described with reference to Figures 2 to 4 may be incorporated in a troughed belt conveyor. In this case the conveyor belt would be mounted on the rollers.

It will be appreciated that although the mounting means has been described as being a plate having a locating slot with a plurality of lugs extending into the slot to define recesses for reception of a locating pin any other suitable means for receiving the locating pin may be used. For example, it is envisaged that the plate could include a plurality of spaced-apart locating holes to receive the locating pin. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the pivot slot, if desired, could be formed from a hole of any suitable cross section, for example, a circular hole.

It will also be appreciated that the means for varying the angle of inclination of the wing rollers relative the axis of rotation of the centre roller could be incorporated in the base member, for example it may be provided by a side web of the base. Further, it will be appreciated that the means could be mounted directly on to the conveyor framework, for example, on the side members 4.

It will further be appreciated that while the wing rollers have been described as offset longitudinally from the axis of rotation of the centre roller it is envisaged that the invention may also be applied to conveyor roller assemblies comprising a centre roller and a pair of wing rollers connected to the free ends of the spindle of the centre roller through common support brackets and the other end of each wing roller being supported on a support member.

In this case, or indeed in the arrangement described with reference to the drawings, the support member may comprise a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally extending flexible side frames such as side ropes.

For example, the support member may comprise a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally extending flexible ropes into which the rollers are clamped.

It will be appreciated that an auxiliary support member may be provided for the wing rollers. For example, the spindle of a wing roller may extend beyond the free end ofthe roller for mounting on an auxiliary support member. For example, the auxiliary support member may comprise an angle iron bracket having holes for mounting the spindle, the bracket being releasably secured to the base framework.

It is still further envisaged that the wing rollers may be cantingly mounted to facilitate a training effect on a conveyor belt mounted on the rollers.

Such an arrangement will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Claims (12)

1. A conveyor roller assembly comprising a support member, a centre roller mounted on the support member, and a pair of spaced-apartwing rollers on the support member and flanking the centre roller, in which means are provided for varying the angle of inclination of the wing rollers relative the axis of rotation of the centre roller to form therewith a troughing assembly.

2. A conveyor roller assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the wing rollers are offset longitudinally from the axis of rotation of the centre roller.

3. A conveyor roller assembly as claimed in claims 1 or 2 in which the means includes at least two operative locations to engage a wing roller.

4. A conveyor roller assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the means comprises a plate member mounted on the support member.

5. A conveyor roller assembly as claimed in claim 4 in which each wing roller is mounted on a central spindle having an end portion extending away from the roller, the end portion having a sideways extending locating pin and a spaced-apart sideways extending pivot pin, the plate member having a complementary pivot hole for engaging the pivot pin and an elongate locating slot, the plate having lugs extending into the slot to define recesses forming the operative locations for reception of the locating pin.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 in which the locating pin is adjacent the free end of the spindle and the pivot pin is intermediate the locating pin and the roller.

7. An assembly as claimed in claims 4 or 5 in which the locating slot is arcuate, having a radius substantially equal to the spacing of the pins, the pivot hole comprising a slot to permit axial movement of the spindle for engagement and disengagement of the locating pin in the recesses.

8. A conveyor roller assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the support member comprises a top base member, the centre roller and wing rollers being rotatably mounted on the base member.

9. A roller element for a conveyor assembly comprising a wing roller and means for varying the angle of inclination of the wing roller relative the horizontal.

10. A conveyor incorporating a roller assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A conveyor roller assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 substantially as hereinbefore de scribedwith reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A conveyor roller assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accom panying drawings.