초록 ▼

A drive sprocket retention system is provided for use in a belt conveyor in which a plurality of drive sprockets are mounted on a rotatable element having an axial keyway formation. The retention system is defined by a key arrangement disposed in the keyway formation of the rotatable element, wherei

A drive sprocket retention system is provided for use in a belt conveyor in which a plurality of drive sprockets are mounted on a rotatable element having an axial keyway formation. The retention system is defined by a key arrangement disposed in the keyway formation of the rotatable element, wherein a recessed portion of a key is received and retained between each drive sprocket and the rotatable element without the need for threaded fasteners. The retention system is movable between a locked position and a release position, wherein the spacing between the drive sprockets is substantially fixed when the retention system is in the locked position, and the drive sprockets are independently movable along the longitudinal length of the rotatable element when the retention system is in the release position.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A drive arrangement for use with a conveyor assembly having a continuous conveyor belt supported by a conveyor frame having a pair of spaced side members, the drive arrangement comprising:a driven rotatable element extending between the pair of spaced side members and located at one end

I claim: 1. A drive arrangement for use with a conveyor assembly having a continuous conveyor belt supported by a conveyor frame having a pair of spaced side members, the drive arrangement comprising:a driven rotatable element extending between the pair of spaced side members and located at one end of the conveyor frame, the rotatable element including an axial keyway;a plurality of drive sprockets positioned along the rotatable element for engaging the conveyor belt to transmit a drive force between the rotatable element and the conveyor belt, each of the drive sprockets being freely movable along a longitudinal length of the rotatable element; anda drive sprocket retention system disposed between the drive sprockets and the rotatable element to substantially maintain a desired spacing between the drive sprockets, wherein the retention system includes a plurality of keys arranged in an end-to-end relationship in the axial keyway, each key having a recessed portion received and retained between a slot formed in one of the drive sprockets and the driven rotatable element without threaded fasteners, wherein the plurality of keys create the desired spacing between the plurality of drive sprockets.