Patent ID: 8210344

Claim:
A frame adapter assembly for use in connection with a belt conveyor, the frame adapter assembly comprising: a frame adapter body having a top surface and a bottom bearing surface configured to engage an existing belt conveyor frame with a plurality of existing brackets supporting at least one roller, which directly or indirectly support a belt member; at least one bracket extending from the top surface of the frame adapter body and configured to operatively engage at least a portion of a shaft of the at least one roller of the belt conveyor assembly, the bracket including a first side surface and a second side surface spaced apart from the first side surface, each of the first side surface and the second side surface being directly connected to and extending from the top surface of the frame adapter body; and at least one attachment arrangement configured to connect the frame adapter assembly to at least a portion of the existing belt conveyor frame, wherein the frame adapter body is configured to be positioned over the existing conveyor belt frame, such that the bottom bearing surface of the adapter frame contacts a surface of the existing belt conveyor frame, wherein the frame adapter body includes an opening extending through the frame adapter body from the bottom bearing surface to the top surface and disposed between the first side surface and the second side surface of the at least one bracket, wherein the opening is configured to receive a portion of one of the plurality of existing brackets when the bottom bearing surface of the frame adapter body engages the surface of the existing belt conveyor frame, wherein the first side surface and the second side surface of the at least one bracket are configured to receive the portion of the one of the plurality of existing brackets therebetween, and wherein the at least one bracket extending from the top surface of the frame adapter body is configured to engage at least a portion of a shaft of the at least one roller of the belt conveyor assembly.