초록 ▼

An undriven gravity roller conveyor is disclosed in which a first plurality of idler conveyor rollers having a rigid outer annular wheel surface and an annular tire of an elastomeric material with an inner annular bearing surface of complementary shape, mounted on each rigid outer annular wheel surf

An undriven gravity roller conveyor is disclosed in which a first plurality of idler conveyor rollers having a rigid outer annular wheel surface and an annular tire of an elastomeric material with an inner annular bearing surface of complementary shape, mounted on each rigid outer annular wheel surface, are arranged in successive rows for conveying loads of cargo. The elastomeric tires, as mounted on the wheel surfaces, have substantially equal radial thicknesses providing outer annular bearing surfaces with a first radial dimension and a first circumferential surface area, and are made of a material having an elastic limit by which each of the tires acquires a permanent deformation known as compression set when radially depressed. Support structure having rigid outer annular bearing surfaces concentric with and rotatable about corresponding axes of rotation with the elastomeric tires, have rigid outer annular bearing surfaces characterized by a second and lesser radial dimension and a second circumferential surface area not less than one-half of the first circumferential surface area, receive and directly engage concurrently with one or more of the tires disposed about the corresponding axes a load being simultaneously supported and conveyed by one or more of the tires before the elastomeric material is subjected to an amount of radial deformation which will result in an undesirable amount of compression set.

대표청구항 ▼

A gravity undriven roller conveyor, comprising: a stationary rigid conveyor support; a plurality of idler conveyor rollers serially arranged in successive rows along a conveying direction extending along the length of said conveyor support; bearing means for freely rotatably mounting each of said co

A gravity undriven roller conveyor, comprising: a stationary rigid conveyor support; a plurality of idler conveyor rollers serially arranged in successive rows along a conveying direction extending along the length of said conveyor support; bearing means for freely rotatably mounting each of said conveyor rollers on said conveyor support with parallel axes of rotation, said axes being perpendicular to said conveying direction for supporting loads on said conveyor rollers and conveying loads along said conveying direction; a first plurality of said rollers along the length of said conveyor support having a rigid outer annular wheel surface, and an annular tire of an elastomeric material mounted on each rigid annular wheel surface and concentrically disposed about a corresponding one of said axes of said first plurality of rollers in each row; each of said tires having an inner annular bearing surface of complementary shape to said rigid outer annular wheel surface; said tires having substantially equal radial thicknesses providing a first outer annular bearing surface characterized by a first radial dimension and a first circumferential surface area; said elastomeric material of said tires having a deformation limit radial dimension at which each of said tires acquires excessive permanent set when radially depressed; and said rollers in each row providing support means having a rigid second outer annular bearing surface concentric with and rotatable about corresponding axes of rotation, said second outer annular bearing surface being characterized by a second and lesser radial dimension than said first radial dimension and a second circumferential surface area not less than one-half of said first circumferential surface area, for receiving and directly engaging concurrently with one or more of said tires disposed about said corresponding ones of said axes of load being simultaneously supported and conveyed by one or more of said tires before the deformation limit radial dimension of said elastomeric material is reached.