US Patent:
20090101475, Apr 23, 2009
Inventors:
Thanh V. Nguyen - Wyoming MI, US
Dennis J. Schuitema - Ada MI, US
Mark S. Harkema - Grand Rapids MI, US
Wayne A. Moshauer - Rockford MI, US
Assignee:
DEMATIC CORP. - Grand Rapids MI
International Classification:
B65G 23/44
B65G 47/00
Abstract:
A roller transport conveyor and method provides a device for conveying items along a plurality of rollers, in which the device may be set up and operated and serviced by manually raising and lowering one or more contact members that transmit force from a spring to urge a drive belt into contact with an underside of the rollers. The contact member is adjustable by raising and lowering the contact member to expand and contract the spring, or by raising and lowering a base on which the spring is supported, so that the drive belt may be engaged with and disengaged from the rollers. A gravity take-up includes a mass suspended from a cable that is routed to a pulley having the drive belt reeved thereon. The cable is wound upon a winch that compensates for belt stretch, or for belts of various lengths.