QUICK RELEASE FOR CATENARY ROLLERS

摘要

QUICK RELEASE FOR CATENARY ROLLERS Each end of a catenary carrier for an endless conveyor belt is supported by a quick release mechanism operable to drop the catenary rollers out of operation. The quick release mechanism includes a link which has an elongated slot with an enlarged annular end portion. Supports at opposite ends of the catenary carrier carry a rotatable support pin for the link which has a head portion and a neck portion. The neck portion is annular except for two flats formed on radially opposite sides thereof. When the neck of the pin is disposed in the annular end portion of the slot, the link will be locked against movement relative to the pin in the direction toward the carrier if the flats are transverse to the slot. When the support pin is rotated ninety degrees to present the narrow width of the neck in alignment with the slot, the weight of the carrier will cause the link to move relative to the pin whereby the neck of the pin will be disposed in the opposite end of the slot from said annular portion. This action drops the catenary rollers from their supporting relationship with the conveyor belt. The opposite end of the slot is enlarged to permit the link to be removed from the head end of the pin.