MATERIAL HANDLING UNIT WITH MULTIDIRECTIONAL HELICAL ROLLER ASSEMBLIES

摘要

A material handling unit includes a plurality of multidirectional helical roller assemblies (34) positioned transverse across and longitudinally along a planar platform. Each of the multidirectional helical roller assemblies includes an outer ring member (42) having an inner bearing race (48), and an inner ring member (50) freely rotatable relative to the outer support member . The inner ring member has an outer bearing race (56) that cooperates with th e inner bearing race of the outer ring member. The inner ring member forms a central opening and a roller (36) is rotatably mounted on the inner ring member and extends transverse across the central opening and is offset to a centerline defined by the central opening. The inner ring member supports th e roller and is free to turn in the direction of applied force as pallets and cargo containers are fed along the platform.