Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A drive module for a conveyor having a plurality of load carrying rollers arranged in generally parallel, side-by-side relationship and mounted for rotation on transversely extending shafts supported by parallel side rails, and power means comprising an endless powered force transmitting member disposed below said load carrying rollers, said drive module comprising: (a) a generally vertically extending supporting device mounted to one of said side rails, (b) guide means supported by said supporting device for supporting said powered endless force transmitting member; (c) an endless belt rotationally supported in part by said supporting device below said load carrying rollers, said belt being in frictional driving engagement with a plurality of said rollers; (d) a rotatable friction wheel operatively connected to said belt so that when said friction wheel is rotated it will cause said belt and load carrying rollers to rotate; (e) a rotatable pressure roller movable between a first position out of engagement with said friction wheel and a second position in which it drivingly engages said friction wheel, said pressure roller being in driving engagement with said force transmitting member; (f) support means on said supporting device for supporting said pressure roller for movement between said first and second positions, said second position being said driving position; and (g) actuating means for moving said support means from said first position to said second positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A drive module for a conveyor having a plurality of load carrying rollers arranged in generally parallel, side-by-side relationship and mounted for rotation on transversely extending shafts supported by parallel side rails, and power means comprising an endless powered force transmitting member disposed below said load carrying rollers, said drive module comprising: (a) a generally vertically extending supporting device mounted to one of said side rails, (b) guide means supported by said supporting device for supporting said powered endless force transmitting member; (c) an endless belt rotationally supported in part by said supporting device below said load carrying rollers, said belt being in frictional driving engagement with a plurality of said rollers; (d) a rotatable friction wheel operatively connected to said belt so that when said friction wheel is rotated it will cause said belt and load carrying rollers to rotate; (e) a rotatable pressure roller movable between a first position out of engagement with said friction wheel and a second position in which it drivingly engages said friction wheel, said pressure roller being in driving engagement with said force transmitting member; (f) support means on said supporting device for supporting said pressure roller for movement between said first and second positions, said second position being said driving position; and (g) actuating means for moving said support means from said first position to said second positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A drive module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said force transmitting member rotates said pressure roller on a continuous basis when in both said first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
A drive module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means rotatably supports said pressure roller for pivotal movement between said first and second positions, the pivotal axis of said support means being generally parallel to and spaced from the axis of rotation of said rotatable friction wheel, said support means and pressure roller being so arranged that when said pressure roller moves to said second position a tangent to the path of movement of said pressure roller about said pivotal axis and passing through said point is disposed at an oblique angle less than approximately 35° with respect to a tangent to the periphery of said friction wheel also passing through said points.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A drive module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising bracket means pivotally mounted to said supporting device, said friction wheel being rotatively mounted on said bracket, and said actuating means including a fluid motor mounted between said bracket and said supporting device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A drive module as claimed in claim 4, wherein said force transmitting member guide is mounted to said supporting device and has surfaces for guiding the upper and lower courses of said force transmitting member, said force transmitting member guide being centered about the pivotal axis of said bracket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A drive module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive module has a clearance space in longitudinal alignment with said belt so the latter can be longitudinally extended for applications requiring longer drive zones.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A drive module as claimed in claim 1, in combination with a load sensing roller pivotally mounted between said side rails and an actuatable control device supported on said supporting device, said control device being mechanically actuatable by said load sensing roller.