Roller for side-by-side conveyor

• US 10,207,873 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2017
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AGCO Corporation
• Original Assignee: AGCO Corporation
• Inventors: Zimmerman, Jeffrey Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rushin, III, Lester
• Application Number:
  US15/624,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20180002112A1
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 198832, 198835, 193 37
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/006 Hoppers
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/04 using blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/122 with moving floor parts
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/18 with endless chains , i.e. side transporting elements, e.g. auger or screw conveyors, swash plates
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 19/00 Arrangements for driving working parts of fertilisers or seeders A01C17/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 21/005 Following a specific plan, e.g. pattern

Abstract

An apparatus includes a shaft, a first barrel, and a second barrel. The shaft has a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis of rotation. The first barrel surrounds a first portion of the shaft and is fixed to the shaft to rotate therewith. The second barrel surrounds a second portion of the shaft and is configured to rotate about the axis independent of a rotation of the shaft.

Claims

1. A roller apparatus in an agricultural spreader for use with spreading particulate material, the roller apparatus comprising:

a shaft having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis of rotation;

a first barrel surrounding a first portion of the shaft and fixed to the shaft to rotate therewith;

a second barrel surrounding a second portion of the shaft, and configured to rotate about the axis independent of a rotation of the shaft;

a spacer positioned to surround the shaft and positioned between the first barrel and the second barrel to provide a seal between the first barrel and the second barrel;

a first annular bearing positioned at least partially between the shaft and the spacer;

a second annular bearing positioned at least partially between the shaft and the second barrel;

a first conveyor belt configured to wrap at least partially around the first barrel; and

a second conveyor belt configured to wrap at least partially around the second barrel, the second conveyor belt being configured to move independently from the first conveyor belt, wherein a portion of the first conveyor belt and a portion of the second conveyor belt are aligned alongside each other in a common plane.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second barrel is spaced from the first barrel along the axis.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first external bearing through which the first end of the shaft extends.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a second external bearing through which the second end of the shaft extends.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a first mounting bracket in which the first external bearing is positioned.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

a first mounting bracket in which the first external bearing is positioned; and

a second mounting bracket in which the second external bearing is positioned.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first barrel is substantially hollow.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spacer is formed of a wear resistant polymer.