Patent ID: 7341138
Filing Date: 2008-03-11
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. An idle roller assembly for supporting a trough conveyor belt and bulk cargo transported thereon, the roller assembly comprising: an elongated axial shaft having spaced apart opposed ends adapted to be mounted to a frame; a first roller bearing assembly having an inner race mounted about the elongate shaft adjacent a first end thereof, an outer race surrounding the inner race and a plurality of ball roller elements oriented there between and spaced about the shaft axis enabling the outer race to rotate concentrically about the inner race at a substantially fixed axial location; a second roller bearing assembly having an inner race mounted about the elongate shaft adjacent a second end thereof, an outer race surrounding the inner race and a plurality of cylindrical roller elements oriented there between and spaced about the shaft axis enabling the outer race to rotate concentrically about the inner race and move axially within a limited range; a first annular hub member securely bonded to and extending about the outer periphery of the first roller bearing outer race thereby forming a secure permanent bond there between, the first annular hub member generally concentric with the shaft axis; a second annular hub member securely bonded to and extending about the outer periphery of the second roller bearing outer race thereby forming a secure permanent bond there between, the second annular hub member generally concentric with the shaft axis; and a cylindrical tubular roller mounted to and spanning between the outer periphery of the first and second annular hub members wherein the roller and associated first and second annular hub members are free to rotate relative to the shaft; when in normal use, the cylindrical tubular roller can vary in length relative to the axial shaft due to thermal expansion, wherein the second roller bearing inner and outer race are able to move axially, a sufficient distance to accommodate relative movement between the tubular roller and the axial shaft due to thermal expansion.