Patent ID: 6935486
Filing Date: 2005-08-30
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A live roller assembly for transporting loads comprising: a drive shaft driven at a first speed; at least three roller members for contacting and supporting the loads, each of the at least three roller members being mounted on and concentrically with the drive shaft and having a first and a second end; each of the at least three roller members having a first bushing mounted to the respective first end thereof and a second bushing mounted to the respective second end thereof, the first and second bushings each being provided between an inner surface of the respective roller member and an outer surface of the drive shaft; wherein the at least three roller members are each driven through friction by the drive shaft, the drive shaft transferring torque through friction to the respective roller member to propel the loads, and each of the at least three roller members can slip relative to the drive shaft when the respective roller member is supporting a load and turn at a speed different from the first speed of the drive shaft wherein the remaining roller members that are not supporting loads are driven by the drive shaft at the first speed; wherein the at least three roller members are mounted on the drive shaft such that one of the first bushing or the second bushing of a respective roller member can come in contact with one of the first bushing or the second bushing of each adjacent roller member on the drive shaft; and wherein a roller member located closest to an end of the drive shaft is shorter than at least one of the remaining roller members.