Patent ID: 6915745

Claim:
A self lubricating, overhead conveyor system comprising: a. an overhead track comprising a central support and a plurality of flanges extending from the support; b. a plurality of trolley assemblies, each trolley assembly comprising a trolley bracket and a pair of trolley wheel assemblies removably secured to the bracket by a fastening means comprising a bolt and a bushing, with each trolley wheel assembly comprising a trolley wheel having a self-contained unitary ball bearing assembly comprising an inner race, an outer race, and a floor joining the inner race and the outer race to create a raceway, said inner race supported by said bushing, a plurality of balls situated in the raceway and a solid lubricating means encapsulating the balls and substantially filling the raceway, the fastening means coupling the trolley wheel assemblies to the bracket by contacting only the inner race of the ball bearing element such that the inner race is not subject to a pre-loading condition; c. a conveyor chain comprising a plurality of links, with each link having a central cavity, the links joined together by a central member, the central member configured to engage the trolley bracket; d. a lubricating turn wheel assembly comprising a plurality of tooth segments engaging the conveyor chain, said tooth segments being impregnated with a lubricant and providing constant lubrication to the conveyor chain; and e. a drive means to drive the conveyor system along the track.