US3787925A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plastic wheel assembly for overhead conveyors
Assignee: FEI Co
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Filing: 1972-12-07
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-12-07
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a wheel assembly for attachment to an overhead conveyor bracket which includes a bolt having an outwardly conical head for being received at one end by the conveyor bracket. The assembly includes a ferrule comprising a cylindrical portion through which the bolt extends and an outwardly flared conical end portion for receiving the flared bolt head. A conveyor wheel having a generally cylindrical exterior and a central opening therethrough is dimensioned to receive the ferrule. The central opening through the wheel communicates with a conical portion for receiving the conical end portion of the ferrule. The conveyor wheel is constructed from a self-lubricating plastic having high abrasion resistance and a low coefficient of sliding friction. In the preferred embodiment, the wheel is comprised of an ultra-high molecular weight polymer having a coefficient of friction of about 0.11 and a specific gravity of about 0.945.
Inventors
- 👤 C Dawson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:42
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G9/00; B65G9/002; A; A47; A47H; A47H15/00; F; F16; F16C; F16C13/00; F16C13/006; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a shaft having a threaded end portion and a conical head, a ferrule having a hollow cylindrical section for receiving said shaft and having a conical outwardly flared end section for receiving said conical head of said shaft, and a wheel constructed from a self-lubricating thermoplastic material and including a central opening for receiving said ferrule, said central opening having at one end a conical portion for generally mating with said flared end section of said ferrule, wherein said ferrule acts as a bearing between said shaft and said wheel and also tends to reduce binding of said wheel on said shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a shaft having a threaded end portion and a conical head, a ferrule having a hollow cylindrical section for receiving said shaft and having a conical outwardly flared end section for receiving said conical head of said shaft, and a wheel constructed from a self-lubricating thermoplastic material and including a central opening for receiving said ferrule, said central opening having at one end a conical portion for generally mating with said flared end section of said ferrule, wherein said ferrule acts as a bearing between said shaft and said wheel and also tends to reduce binding of said wheel on said shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The wheel assembly of claim 1 wherein said wheel is comprised of ultra-high molecular weight polymer having high abrasion resistance and a low coefficient of friction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The wheel assembly of claim 2 wherein said thermoplastic material has a coefficient of friction of about 0.11 and a specific gravity of about 0.945.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
127 words
A wheel assembly for attachment to an overhead conveyor bracket comprising: a bolt having a threaded end for being received at one end by the conveyor bracket, said bolt including an outwardly flared conical head; a ferrule including a cylindrical portion through which said bolt extends and including an outwardly flared conical end portion for receiving said flared bolt head; a conveyor wheel having a generally cylindrical exterior and having a central opening therethrough dimensioned for receiving said ferrule, said central opening communicating with a conical portion for receiving said conical end portion of said ferrule, wherein said ferrule acts as a bearing between said bolt and said wheel; said wheel being constructed from self-lubricating plastic having high abrasion resistance and a low coefficient of sliding friction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
A wheel assembly for attachment to an overhead conveyor bracket comprising: a bolt having a threaded end for being received at one end by the conveyor bracket, said bolt including an outwardly flared conical head; a ferrule including a cylindrical portion through which said bolt extends and including an outwardly flared conical end portion for receiving said flared bolt head; a conveyor wheel having a generally cylindrical exterior and having a central opening therethrough dimensioned for receiving said ferrule, said central opening communicating with a conical portion for receiving said conical end portion of said ferrule, wherein said ferrule acts as a bearing between said bolt and said wheel; said wheel being constructed from self-lubricating plastic having high abrasion resistance and a low coefficient of sliding friction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The wheel assembly of claim 4 wherein said plastic comprises an ultra-high molecular weight polymer and wherein said ferrule is comprised of metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The wheel assembly of claim 5 wherein said plastic has a coefficient of friction of about 0.11 and a specific gravity of about 0.945.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The wheel assembly of claim 4 wherein the end of the head of said bolt has a hex opening therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The wheel assembly of claim 4 and further comprising: a nut for connecting said bolt to the conveyor bracket, and a washer fitting between said wheel and said nut.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |