Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor frame or casing – Casing – cover – shield or load supporting surface
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-25
2001-11-20
Bidwell, James R. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor frame or casing
Casing, cover, shield or load supporting surface
C198S497000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318545
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is within the general field of conveyor belt transport systems. More specifically, to conveyor belt systems having an exposed return roller extending below the supporting conveyor frame. Most narrowly, the present invention relates to a guard for protecting workers from the hazards associated with exposed return rollers in a mining material production or distribution facility.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to conveyor belt systems used in a mining material production or distribution facility. More specifically, the present invention relates to overhead conveyor belt systems where, by elevation of the conveyor belt systems from the manufacturing or distribution facility floor, valuable floor space is reclaimed. While elevation of the conveyor belt system reclaims valuable floor space for the positioning of additional processing stations or movement of items between different locations in a facility, these elevated conveyor belt systems present operational hazards to workers on the facility floor.
Overhead conveyor belt systems are supported by a large frame member, with return roller assemblies supporting the conveyor belts along their return paths. These return rollers are often exposed and extend well below the support frame structures, posing various hazards to workers. The rollers create a pinch point hazard. These extended rollers pose a significant strike hazard to workers walking under the system. These rollers may also fall from the frame members and injure a worker. Additionally, the rollers may fall into other processing machinery causing machinery damage or manufacturing delays. Finally, the exposed rollers may pose a significant pinching hazard, wherein the rollers may draw loose materials or a worker's limbs between the roller and the belt. These hazards are more pronounced where the rollers extend in close proximity to a work station area where a worker's attention will be focused on performing a particular mining, manufacturing or distribution task.
In operations where the conveyors move significant amounts of loose material, the loose materials may adhere to the belts and accumulate in critical locations along the belt track, subjecting the system to additional wear and tear, and premature equipment failures.
Conventional roller guards can protect against many of these hazards. However, these guards often do not permit inspecting the return rollers while the conveyor system is in operation. Thus, the accumulation of debris in the rollers may not be detected until predetermined inspection intervals, which may not be scheduled until after significant damage to the rollers or belt has already been sustained.
Therefore, there is a need for a device that protects workers from the hazards of exposed rollers during operation of the conveyor belt system. The device should also prevent the accumulation of debris in the belt system while providing ready inspection means for detecting the accumulation of damaging debris therein. Similarly, the device should be easily removed to assist maintenance personnel with the removal of accumulated debris.
Similarly, since the guards are intended to improve the safety and reliability of existing conveyor systems, they should be readily adapted to fit a wide range of existing conveyor systems and configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a return roller guard satisfying all the needs described above. Accordingly, the exposed roller guard of the present invention prevents striking the conveyor system exposed roller by means of a rigid guard member substantially enclosing the exposed roller. This aspect of the guard also serves to contain a roller that has either partially or completely separated from the conveyor system. Additionally, by enclosing the exposed roller, the guard substantially reduces the pinch hazard by preventing the roller from guiding objects towards the pinch point at the junction between the roller and the belt.
According to the present invention, the rigid guard member is provided with a plurality of holes extending through the guard member. These holes permit visual inspection of the area between the roller and the guard member with the conveyor system operating. Moreover, small debris is permitted to fall through these holes thereby preventing their accumulation within the guard.
The roller guard of the present invention may further include a pair of wipers, the wipers cleaning debris from the belt surface before and after encountering the return roller. The wipers further reducing exposure to the pinch hazard of the roller by deflecting obstructions away from the translating conveyor belt.
The guard attachment means of the present invention permit adjustment of the guard relative the roller and further permits adjustment of the wipers against the belt surface. Moreover, the brackets of the present invention permit the guard to be readily hung from industry standard roller attachment brackets permitting easy installation of the guard on existing conveyor systems and facilitating maintenance of the rollers during scheduled and unscheduled maintenance procedures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3035683 (1962-05-01), Bishop
patent: 3269518 (1966-08-01), Steinmetz
patent: 3743078 (1973-07-01), Pittoreau
patent: 4763961 (1988-08-01), Parrott
patent: 1121540 (1962-01-01), None
Bidwell James R.
Burr & Forman LLP
Veal Robert J.
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