Patent ID: 6186732
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: B60P,B65G

Abstract:
A conveyor system comprising in combination:a support structure,a power driven chain drive carried by the support structure and including a plurality of drive chains tensioned around a pair of transition rollers to define upper chain flights and lower chain flights joined at the transition rollers,a load-carrying endless belt disposed around the chains and having an upper run overlying and supported by the upper chain flights, and a lower run underlying the lower chain flights,guide rollers for the belt positioned outboard of the chain transition rollers for transitioning the belt between the upper run and the lower run, the belt guide rollers being positioned outboard of the chain transition rollers so that the belt is out of contact with the chains during the transition from the upper run to the lower run,a plurality of rigid guide tracks one for each drive chain, the guide tracks being fixed to the support structure and positioned to guide and support the upper flights of the chains, whereby a load placed on the belt is driven by frictional contact between the belt and chains,the plurality of guide tracks and chains being sufficient in number to support the endless belt when carrying loads distributed on the belt,the endless belt having at least one guide ridge formed on the inner surface thereof opposite the outer surface which carries the load, andthe guide rollers each having at least one circumferentially grooved section engaging the at least one guide ridge on the belt for opposing lateral mistracking of the belt as it is driven by frictional contact between the belt and chains.