Patent ID: 7971705
Filing Date: 2011-07-05
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: accessing a conveyor belt system, the conveyor belt system comprising a belt, a return roller, and a return roller support assembly, the belt forming a continuous loop having an upper transfer run and a lower return run, the return roller having a weight that is supported by the return roller support assembly, the return roller being engaged with the belt from beneath the return run and being configured to revolve about a roller axis, the return roller support assembly comprising a pivot mechanism that is configured to selectively swing the return roller about a pivot axis that is spaced from the roller axis, the pivot mechanism comprising a threaded member; operating the return roller support assembly in a manner causing the return roller to lower relative to the belt to a position where the return roller is no longer engaged with the belt using the threaded member to cause the pivot mechanism to swing the return roller about the pivot axis, the operating occurring without requiring any person to reach beneath the belt; removing the return roller from the return roller support assembly by sliding the return roller out from under the belt after the return roller has been lowered as recited, the removing occurring without requiring any person to reach beneath the belt.