Accumulation conveyor

• US 6,889,822 B1
• Filed: 04/08/2003
• Issued: 05/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intelligrated Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intelligrated Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Wagner, Ronald G., Trice, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): DILLON JR, JOSEPH A
• Application Number:
  US10/409,771
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 198/781.09, 198/790
• US Class Current: 198/790
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/261 Accumulating articles

Abstract

A accumulation conveyor has discrete zones which may be selectively actuated by pressurizing an interior cavity, urging diaphragms against spreaders which carry two spaced apart frame members. The frame members carry respective axle retainers which support the ends of axles on which pressure rollers are rotatably disposed. The pressure rollers urge the drive belt against the conveyor rollers.

Claims

1. An accumulator actuator for an accumulation conveyor, said conveyor having two spaced apart conveyor frame members, a plurality of spaced apart conveyor rollers carried by said frame members and defining an upper conveying surface, an endless drive belt underlying said drive rollers, said accumulator actuator comprising:

a) a pair of spaced apart frame members, each of said frame members carrying a respective axle retainer, each said axle retainer comprising a plurality of openings configured to receive a respective axle end, each of said openings of a respective axle retainer being spaced apart a predetermined distance, each of said openings being generally aligned with a respective opening of said axle retainer carried by the other of the pair of frame members;

b) at least one spreader member connected to each of said frame members, said at least one member maintaining said frame members in said spaced apart relationship;

c) a plurality of pressure rollers rotatably carried on a respective axle, each end of said respective axle being supported by a respective axle retainer;

d) at least one support carried by one of said conveyor frame members, each said at least one support including a flexible diaphragm defining an interior cavity, said interior cavity being selectively connectable to a source of fluid pressure;

each of said one spreader member being supported and guided for generally vertical linear movement by a respective one of said at least one support, said diaphragm of said respective one of said at least one support being in operable contact with said spreader member such that when said diaphragm is actuated by connecting it to a source of fluid pressure, said spaced apart frame members urge said pressure rollers against said drive belt, thereby urging said drive belt against said conveyor rollers.