Patent ID: 6360879
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A low profile belt conveyor comprising:an elongate frame including a pair of spaced apart, side stringers, each of which has a top edge portion along its length; an endless conveyor belt having an upper substantially horizontal travel and a lower return travel spaced below said upper travel and forming an endless loop therewith; pulleys on opposite ends of said elongate frame supporting said belt and permitting travel of the belt in said loop, at least one of said pulleys being a drive pulley for driving said belt in said loop; at least one trough-shaped upper idler assembly under said upper travel of said conveyor belt for supporting said belt in said upper travel, said idler assembly comprising a metal support plate between said side stringers and secured to top edge portions of the stringers and with most of the support plate disposed below said top edge portions of the stringers and at least three slider pads made of low friction material on the support plate for supporting said upper travel of the belt in said trough, with one of said pads disposed centrally in said trough below the top edge portions of said side stringers; and at least one return idler assembly secured to lower portions of said side stringers for supporting said return travel of said belt above the bottom of said side stringers and said at least one return idler has at least one slider pad made of low friction material for supporting the return travel of said belt.