Modular conveyor units and spiral conveyors constructed therefrom

Claim 2

A spiral conveyor assembly comprising a plurality of similar modular spiral conveyor units each including a frame having a longitudinal axis, two pairs of parallel tracks supported on said frame defining a spiral path around said axis, a pair of sprockets supported by said frame near the respective ends of the spiral path, and an endless conveyor constructed to follow said tracks and engaging said sprockets; said modular units being positioned along a common longitudinal axis with one end of the endless conveyor of one module adjacent one end of the endless conveyor of an adjacent module so as to form a continuous conveying path; a third sprocket supported on each modular unit, said third sprocket being adapted to drive one of said pair of sprockets; a power means mounted on one of said modular units; and a power chain driven by said power means and engaging each of said third sprockets whereby power may be delivered from said power means to each of said endless conveyors.

Claim 3

A spiral conveyor assembly comprising a plurality of similar modular spiral conveyor units each including a frame having a longitudinal axis, two pairs of parallel tracks supported on said frame defining a spiral path around said axis, a pair of sprockets supported by said frame near the respective ends of the spiral path, an endless conveyor constructed to follow said tracks and engaging said sprockets, and rods of a wear resistant material attached to the edges of said tracks; said modular units being positioned along a common longitudinal axis with one end of the endless conveyor of one module adjacent one end of the endless conveyor of an adjacent module so as to form a continuous conveying path.

Claim 4

A spiral conveyor assembly comprising a plurality of similar modular spiral conveyor units each including a frame having a longitudinal axis, two pairs of parallel tracks supported on said frame defining a spiral path around said axis, a pair of sprockets supported by said frame near the respective ends of the spiral path, an endless conveyor constructed to follow said tracks and engaging said sprockets, and rods of a wear resistant material attached to the edges of said tracks; said modular units being positioned along a common longitudinal axis with one end of the endless conveyor of one module adjacent one end of the endless conveyor of an adjacent module so as to form a continuous conveying path.

Claim 5

A spiral conveyor as claimed in claim 2 and further comprising flexible plastic covers adapted to snap over said rods.

Claim 6

A spiral conveyor assembly formed of a plurality of similar modular spiral conveyor units, each comprising: a frame having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of first brackets extending from said frame; upper and lower pairs of parallel tracks supported by said first brackets and defining a spiral path extending one or more full revolutions around said axis; said tracks including curved flat plastic segments with rods of a wear resistant material attached to the edges thereof; a first arm extending from said frame near the upper end of said track; a drive sprocket supported by said first arm; a second arm extending from said frame near the lower end of said track; an idler sprocket supported by said second arm; an endless conveyor including a chain with a plurality of flight attachments affixed thereto, said chain engaging said sprockets and said flight attachments having means to engage said tracks; adjustable spring biasing means between said second arm and said idler sprocket to maintain constant conveyor chain tension.

Claim 7

A spiral conveyor assembly formed of a plurality of similar modular spiral conveyor units, each comprising: a frame having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of first brackets extending from said frame; upper and lower pairs of parallel tracks supported by said first brackets and defining a spiral path extending one or more full revolutions around said axis; said tracks including curved flat plastic segments with rods of a wear resistant material attached to the edges thereof; a first arm extending from said frame near the upper end of said track; a drive sprocket supported by said first arm; a second arm extending from said frame near the lower end of said track; an idler sprocket supported by said second arm; an endless conveyor including a chain with a plurality of flight attachments affixed thereto, said chain engaging said sprockets and said flight attachments having means to engage said tracks; adjustable spring biasing means between said second arm and said idler sprocket to maintain constant conveyor chain tension.