Conveyors – chutes – skids – guides – and ways – Rollerways – Rollers
Patent
1999-08-09
2000-11-21
Bidwell, James R.
Conveyors, chutes, skids, guides, and ways
Rollerways
Rollers
B65G 1300
Patent
active
061489867
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an idler roller, a method of constructing an idler roller and to an end cap for an idler roller.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an idler roller comprising an idler shell, a stub axle at each end of the idler shell and at least one bearing located on each stub axle rotatably supporting the idler shell.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided an idler roller, comprising an end cap at each end of the idler shell, each of said end caps having a first component which is engageable with the idler shell, an inner cover and an outer cover for the first component, an inwardly extending stub axle made integral with the outer cover, an outwardly extending mounting pin also integral with the outer cover, and at least one bearing mounted on the stub axle rotatably supporting the first component.
Preferably, this invention relates to an end cap for an idler roller which is moulded from a polymer material.
The polymer material may be of any appropriate kind and a suitable material is glass-filled nylon.
The end cap may include two or more components. In one embodiment of the invention the end cap includes a first component which is engageable with an idler shell, an inner cover and an outer cover.
The inner cover and the first component may form a seal of any appropriate kind. Similarly the outer cover and the first component may form a seal of any appropriate kind. In each case the seal may comprise a labyrinth seal, a spiral seal or, if necessary, a lip seal.
The spiral seal may include a tongue formation which spirals outwardly from a central position, in a direction which, due to rotation of the end cap which occurs in use, assists in directing a particle contained in the spiral radially outwardly and hence away from the end cap. The tongue formation may be in a stationary part, but preferably is in a rotating part, of the end cap.
The labyrinth seals may be formed by means of interengaging tongue and groove formations.
The tongue and groove formations may be moulded directly into the first component and into the inner and outer covers.
The outer cover may include a mounting pin which may be notched or formed with flats or any other formations to anchor the mounting pin to a suitable support. The mounting pin and stub axle may be co-axial.
The outer cover may include an inwardly extending stub axle on which one or more bearings are mounted and which receive the first component.
If two bearings are used then these are preferably spaced from one another along the inner stub axle to provide a balanced support structure. Alternatively a double bearing may be used to provide a similar function.
The first component may have an outer rim which is engageable with the idler shell, preferably with friction fit, an inner hub in which the bearing or bearings are located, and ribs between the hub and the rum which deform in a controlled manner, when the rim is radially compressed, to maintain the rim centrally and symmetrically positioned relatively to the hub. The ribs may be of any appropriate shape or orientation and may for example be sinuous or V-shaped, or have one or more hollow formations.
The invention also extends to an idler roller which includes a shell and two end caps, each of the aforementioned kind, engaged with opposing ends of the shell.
The shell may be covered with an injection moulded plastics coating of any appropriate kind which is corrosion and wear resistant. The shell may for example be made from metal or plastic.
The shell may contain longitudinal stiffening ribs on it s inside.
The invention further extends to a method of assembling an idler roller which includes the steps of engaging two end caps having stub axles with opposing respective ends of an idler shell, placing the assembly in an injection moulding machine, and injection moulding a plastic coating over at least the shell.
The invention also provides an idler roller which includes a shell, end caps engaged with opposed ends of the shell,
REFERENCES:
patent: 3559782 (1971-02-01), Lesley
patent: 3765070 (1973-10-01), Stumpf
patent: 4344218 (1982-08-01), Hooper et al.
patent: 4681215 (1987-07-01), Martin
patent: 5025917 (1991-06-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5642800 (1997-07-01), East
Brink Arend Jacobus
Habberley Alan
Bidwell James R.
Flow Handling (Proprietary) Limited
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