Variable speed conveyor using belts

Claim 1

A variable speed conveyor having in the direction of conveyance successive rows of transversely imbricated parallel belts and a transverse driving shaft for each of said rows driving respectively the belts at speeds successively variable from row to row, at least at the beginning and end of the conveyor, the combination comprising, in each of said rows, vertical rolling support elements of non-cylindrical shape parallel to the direction of conveyance, a rolling path plane on the upper surface of each of said elements, rolling elements rolling on said rolling paths of said support elements, flexible belts respectively resting on said rolling elements on each of said support elements, drive means secured on each of said driving shafts and drivingly engaging said belts, said driving shaft for each of said support elements being disposed opposite from the associated one of said plane rolling paths and spacers having a plane upper surface below that of said flexible belts and secured between said rolling support elements filling the gaps between said rolling support elements of the preceding and following rows of belts, whereby each row of belts may be withdrawn for repair without dismantling the preceding and following rows of belts.