Conveyor apparatus, systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10377571-B2
Application number	US-201715710224-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 20, 2017
Priority date	Sep 20, 2016
Publication date	Aug 13, 2019
Grant date	Aug 13, 2019

Abstract

Conveyor apparatus, systems and methods are provided. In some embodiments a rail is supported in spaced-apart relation from an idler assembly of the conveyor by a bracket mounted to the conveyor. In some embodiments the bracket is mounted (e.g., removably mounted such as by a clamp) to an idler assembly of the conveyor (e.g., an end stand thereof). In some embodiments a retractable idler support is slidably mounted to a base frame and advanced between a first and second position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A conveyor guard removably supportable on a belt conveyor idler assembly having a base frame, an end stand supported by and extending from the base frame and at least one idler roll supported on the end stand, the conveyor guard comprising:
a longitudinally extending rail;
a bracket configured to support said rail, said bracket comprising:
an arm;
a rail support positioned at a first end of said arm;
an arm mount positioned at a second end of said arm; and

a clamp configured to removably secure said arm mount to the end stand, wherein said first and second ends of said arm are spaced apart such that said arm is configured to extend generally upwardly and outwardly away from the idler roll such that said rail is positioned above said clamp when said clamp is secured to the end stand.

2. The conveyor guard of claim 1 , wherein said arm mount is configured to engage an outer surface of the end stand, and wherein said clamp comprises:
an inner mount configured to engage an inner surface of the end stand; and
at least a first fastener operably coupled to said inner mount and said arm mount, wherein tightening of said at least first fastener secures said clamp to the end stand.

3. The conveyor guard of claim 2 , wherein said clamp further comprises:
a second fastener operably coupled to said inner mount and said arm mount, wherein tightening of said second fastener secures said clamp to the end stand, wherein the end stand is disposed between said first and second fasteners.

4. The conveyor guard of claim 2 , wherein said first fastener comprises a U-bolt.

5. The conveyor guard of claim 1 , wherein said clamp is configured to engage a lower vertically extending portion of the end stand that is located between the base frame and connection of the end stand with the idler roll.

6. The conveyor guard of claim 1 , wherein said rail has a circular cross-section, and wherein said rail support comprises a circular opening configured to receive said rail therethrough.

7. The conveyor guard of claim 1 , wherein said rail support comprises a rail fastener, wherein adjustment of said rail fastener secures said rail in position relative to said rail support, and wherein said rail support opens upwardly to receive said rail from above said rail support.

8. The conveyor guard of claim 7 , wherein said rail fastener comprises a set screw disposed to contact said rail when said rail is supported in said rail support.

9. A conveyor guard supportable on longitudinally spaced-apart first and second end stands of a belt conveyor having a base frame, each end stand supported by and extending from the base frame and supporting at least one idler roll, the conveyor guard comprising:
a rail, the rail sized to extend at least from the first end stand to the second end stand;
a first bracket comprising:
a first rail support configured to support a first portion of said rail;
a first arm, wherein said first arm is configured to extend generally upwardly and outwardly away from the idler roll such that said rail is positioned above said rail support when said rail support is secured to the end stand; and
a first mounting end configured to be mounted to the first end stand; and

a second bracket comprising:
a second rail support configured to support a second portion of said rail;
a second arm; and
a second mounting end configured to be mounted to the second end stand.

10. The conveyor guard of claim 9 , wherein said first mounting end is configured to engage a lower vertically extending portion of the first end stand, and wherein said second mounting end is configured to engage a lower vertically extending portion of the second end stand.

11. The conveyor guard of claim 9 , wherein said rail has a circular cross-section, and wherein each of said first and second rail supports comprise a circular opening configured to receive said rail therethrough.

12. The conveyor guard of claim 9 , wherein said first rail support comprises a rail fastener, wherein adjustment of said rail fastener secures said rail in position relative to said first rail support.

13. The conveyor guard of claim 12 , wherein said rail fastener comprises a set screw disposed to contact said rail when said rail is supported in said first rail support, and wherein said first rail support is upwardly open.

14. The conveyor guard of claim 9 , wherein said first mounting end comprises a clamp configured to removably secure said first arm to the end stand.

15. The conveyor guard of claim 9 , wherein said first bracket further comprises a first clamp configured be removably mounted to the first end stand, and wherein said second bracket further comprises a second clamp configured be removably mounted to the second end stand.

16. The conveyor guard of claim 9 , wherein connection of the arm mount and the first end stand is positioned below connection of the first end stand with the idler roll.

17. A conveyor idler assembly, comprising:
a base frame;
an end stand supported by and extending from said base frame;
at least one idler roll supported on said end stand;
a longitudinally extending rail;
a bracket configured to support said rail, said bracket comprising:
an arm;
a rail support positioned at a first end of said arm; and
an arm mount positioned at a second end of said arm; and

a clamp configured to removably secure said arm to said end stand, wherein said first and second end of said arm are spaced apart such that said arm is configured to extend generally upwardly and outwardly away from the idler roll such that said rail is positioned above said clamp when said clamp is secured to the end stand.

18. The conveyor idler assembly of claim 17 , wherein connection of the arm mount and the end stand is positioned below connection of the end stand with the idler roll and above connection of the end stand with the base frame.

19. The conveyor idler assembly of claim 17 , wherein said clamp is configured to engage an outer surface of said end stand, and wherein said clamp comprises:
an inner mount configured to engage an inner surface of the end stand; and
at least a first fastener operably coupled to said inner mount and said arm mount, wherein tightening of said second fastener secures said clamp to said end stand.

20. The conveyor idler assembly of claim 17 , further comprising:
a retractable idler support slidably mounted to said base frame, the retractable idler support having a first position and a second position, wherein in said first position vertical movement of said retractable idler support relative to said base frame is restricted, wherein in said second position vertical movement of said retractable idler support relative to said base frame is not restricted;
at least one idler rollingly supported by said retractable idler support;
a threaded rod rotatably supported by said retractable idler support; and
a nut, said nut engaged with said threaded rod such that rotation of said threaded rod causes advancement of said threaded rod relative to said nut, wherein rotation of said threaded rod causes movement of said retractable idler support between said first position and second position, wherein in said second position vertical movement of said nut relative to said base frame is not restricted.

Assignees

• Superior Industries

Inventors

• Grimm Lafe
• Denzer David

Classifications

• B65G21/00 Primary

  Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors · CPC title

• B65G15/08

  the load-carrying surface being formed by a concave or tubular belt, e.g. a belt forming a trough · CPC title

• B65G13/11 Primary

  Roller frames · CPC title

• B65G39/12

  mounted on framework · CPC title

• B65G2207/40

  Safety features of loads, equipment or persons · CPC title