Low profile transfer conveyor for bridging gaps in multi segment conveyors

摘要

The low profile transfer conveyor bridges gaps between terminal ends of contiguous multi segment conveyors and provides a driven belt bridge with a length that approximately bridges the space between conveyor belt segments of the multi segment conveyors and has a low profile which minimizes any unsupported distance across which articles must cross between conveyor belt segments by providing a small continuous section of driven conveyor belt traversing a surface bounded on two sides by small radius edges so the horizontal length of the transfer conveyor extends almost to the horizontal surface of the belt segments on opposite sides of the gap that it bridges. At its ends, the transfer conveyor is stretched between a pair of pulleys having a larger diameter than the small diameter edges of the transfer conveyor which are adjacent the beginning of the curvilinear portion of the conveyor belt segment as defined by its terminal roller.

主权项

1. A transfer conveyor for bridging the gap between the terminal ends of contiguous multi segment, large conveyors that loop a conveyor belt segment over at least one end roller to transport articles on said conveyors, said transfer conveyor comprising: two belt tensioners spaced apart from each other in a parallel arrangement by a distance comprising a transport distance and located on opposite sides of the transfer conveyor with each tensioner having an outermost edge over its transverse length and the outermost edge having an edge thickness that is less than the radius of the end roller; a transfer belt suspended between the belt tensioners with an upwardly facing belt surface that provides a conveying surface, said transfer belt having a width greater than the transverse length of the belt tensioners to provide a drive section of the transfer belt located to at least one side of the belt tensioners; a pair of pulleys having a diameter greater than the edge thickness and less than the diameter of the end roller that are in contact with the interior of the transfer belt at the drive section to impart tension thereon and at least one of the pulleys comprising a drive pulley capable of moving the transfer belt continually over the outermost edges to impart linear motion to the transfer belt and convey articles between the multi segment large conveyors.