Curved belt conveyor Number:7,150,352 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent A curved belt conveyor includes at least two zones, each of which may be defined by a motorized roller and at least one idler roller which are positioned along and between opposite sidewalls of the conveyor, and a continuous belt reeved around the rollers. The conveyor includes a tracking means for tracking the belt on the rollers. The tracking means is substantially contained between the sidewalls of the conveyor and laterally inward of the outer and inner ends of the rollers. The tracking means may comprise a tracking roller positioned along a lower surface of one of the rollers and may engage the lower run of the belt with an upper surface of the tracking roller to maintain the belt in a proper position around the rollers.<H conveyor, Curved, Curved, belt, con, 7150352.html, Patent, pto, 7150352

Title: Curved belt conveyor

Abstract: A curved belt conveyor includes at least two zones, each of which may be defined by a motorized roller and at least one idler roller which are positioned along and between opposite sidewalls of the conveyor, and a continuous belt reeved around the rollers. The conveyor includes a tracking means for tracking the belt on the rollers. The tracking means is substantially contained between the sidewalls of the conveyor and laterally inward of the outer and inner ends of the rollers. The tracking means may comprise a tracking roller positioned along a lower surface of one of the rollers and may engage the lower run of the belt with an upper surface of the tracking roller to maintain the belt in a proper position around the rollers.

Patent Number: 7,150,352 Issued on 12/19/2006 to Cotter, et al.

Inventors: Cotter; David H (Coopersville, MI), Kooistra; Kenneth J (Byron Center, MI), Pelak; Thomas J (Grand Rapids, MI), Hoisington, II; Richard E (Farmington, MI)
Assignee: Dematic Corp. (Grand Rapids, MI)

Appl. No.: 11/186,053

Filed: July 21, 2005

Related U.S. Patent Documents


Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
10411757	Apr., 2003	6971510
60372075	Apr., 2002
60389030	Jun., 2002
60420847	Oct., 2002

Current U.S. Class: 198/831 ; 198/606; 198/806

Current International Class: B65G 15/02 (20060101)

Field of Search: 198/831,806,606

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Primary Examiner: Hess; Douglas
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP

Parent Case Text

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/411,757, filed Apr. 11, 2003 by Cotter et al., which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/372,075, filed Apr. 12, 2002; Ser. No. 60/389,030, filed Jun. 14, 2002; and Ser. No. 60/420,847, filed Oct. 24, 2002, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property right or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A curved belt conveyor comprising: at least two tapered rollers positioned along and between curved opposite sidewalls, each of said at least two tapered rollers defining an upper roller surface and a lower roller surface, said upper roller surface being generally horizontal and said lower roller surface being at an angle with respect to said upper roller surface, at least one of said at least two tapered rollers comprising a rotatably driven roller; a continuous belt reeved around said rollers and having an upper run and a lower run, said continuous belt being driven via frictional engagement between said continuous belt and said at least one rotatably drive roller; and a tracking roller positioned generally between two of said at least two tapered rollers, said tracking roller having an upper tracking surface that engages said lower run of said belt, said upper tracking surface being oriented at an angle that generally corresponds with said angle of said lower roller surface of said tapered roller, said tracking roller tracking said belt with said at least two rollers while said belt is driven around said at least two rollers, said tracking roller tracking said belt via surface engagement between said tracking roller and said lower run of said belt.

2. The curved belt conveyor of claim 1, wherein said tracking roller is positioned generally along one of said tapered rollers.

3. The curved belt conveyor of claim 1, wherein said at least one rotatably driven roller comprises a motorized roller.

4. The curved bolt conveyor of claim 1, wherein said trucking roller is adjustably mounted to said conveyor via an adjustment device at at least one end of said tracking roller.

5. The curved bolt conveyor of claim 1, wherein said lower run of said continuous belt is substantially taut between said tracking roller and said at least two tapered rollers.

6. The curved belt conveyor of claim 1, wherein said lower roller surfaces of said tapered roller define a lower plane, said upper tracking surface of said tracking roller being at least partially above said lower plane.

7. A curved belt conveyor comprising; at least two rollers positioned along and between curved opposite sidewalk, each of said at least two rollers having an upper roller surface and a lower roller surface, said lower roller surfaces defining a lower plane, at least one of said at least two rollers comprising a rotatably driven roller; a continuous belt reeved around said rollers and having an upper run and a lower run, said continuous belt being driven via frictional engagement between said continuous belt and said at least one rotatably drive roller, said continuous belt having an inner edge and an outer edge; and a tracking roller positioned generally between two of said rollers, said tracking roller having an upper tracking surface that engages said lower run of said belt, said upper tracking surface being at least partially above said lower plane such that a portion of said lower run of said continuous belt is above said lower plane, said tracking roller tracking said belt with said at least two rollers while said be is driven around said at least two rollers, said tracking roller tracking said belt via surface engagement between said tracking roller and said lower run of said belt and without tracking devices at either of said inner and outer edges of said belt.

8. The curved belt conveyor of claim 7, wherein said at least two rollers comprise at least two tapered rollers.

9. The curved belt conveyor of claim 8, wherein said upper tracking surface is generally parallel to said lower roller surface of one of said at least two tapered rollers.

10. The curved belt conveyor of claim 7, wherein said tracking roller is positioned generally along one of said at least two rollers.

11. The curved belt conveyor of claim 7, wherein said at least one rotatably driven rollers comprises a motorized roller.

12. The curved belt conveyor of claim 7, wherein said tracking roller is adjustably mounted to said conveyor via an adjustment device at at least one end of said tracking roller.

13. The curved belt conveyor of claim 7, wherein said lower run of said continuous belt is substantially taut between said tracking roller and said at least two rollers.

14. A curved belt conveyor comprising: at least two tapered rollers positioned along and between curved opposite sidewalls, each of said at least two tapered rollers defining an upper roller surface and a lower roller surface, said upper roller surface being generally horizontal and said lower roller surface being at an angle with respect to said generally horizontal upper surface, said lower roller surfaces defining a lower plane, at least one of said at least two tapered rollers comprising a rotatably driven roller; a continuous belt reeved around said rollers and having an upper run and a lower run, said continuous belt being driven via frictional engagement between said continuous belt and said at least one rotatably drive roller; and a tracking roller positioned generally between two of said at least two tapered rollers, said tracking roller having an upper tracking surface that engages said lower run of said belt, said upper tracking surface being at an angle that generally corresponds with said angle of said lower roller surface of said tapered rollers, said upper tracking surface of said tracking roller being at least partially above said lower plane, said tracking roller tracking said belt with said at least two tapered rollers while said belt is driven around said at least two tapered roller, said lower run of said continuous belt being substantially taut between said tracking roller and said lower roller surfaces of said at least two tapered rollers.

15. The curved belt conveyor of claim 14, wherein said tracking roller is positioned generally along one of said tapered rollers.

16. The curved belt conveyor of claim 14, wherein said at least one rotatably driven roller comprises a motorized roller.

17. The curved belt conveyor of claim 14, wherein said tracking roller is adjustably mounted to said conveyor via an adjustment device at at least one end of said tracking roller.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to conveyors and, more particularly, to a conveyor which conveys articles around a curve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide zones of rollers in a curved roller conveyor, where each zone includes a motorized roller and a plurality of idler or freely rotating rollers. The motorized roller may be operable to drive the idler rollers via a plurality of O-rings connecting each roller to an adjacent roller or rollers in the zone. Each zone may be independently operable to accumulate articles on a particular zone or zones or to generally continuously convey articles along the zones of the roller conveyor. However, such roller conveyors are not suitable for applications where belt conveyors are desired, such as for conveying small articles which may fall between the rollers, or for applications where a belt conveyor may be required or desired for other reasons. Also, due to the low friction between the rollers and the articles being conveyed thereon, such roller conveyors are typically not suitable for providing accumulation of articles along an inclined or declined section of the roller conveyor. The low friction between the rollers and the articles also may limit the speed at which the articles may be conveyed around a curve, because the articles tend to slide outwardly as they move along the curve.

Curved belt conveyors have been proposed which provide a belt conveyor through a curved section. However, such curved conveyors require tracking or guiding devices to maintain or track the belt in the proper position around the belt rollers. The tracking devices or guiding devices are positioned along the curve and either radially inwardly of the belt or radially outwardly of the curved belt, and are attached directly to the belt, such as along the edge of the belt. The tracking devices function to guide and hold the belt in the desired position around the belt rollers. This typically requires that the side channels of the conveyor sidewalls have a greater width to accommodate the additional tracking, guiding and/or take up devices, which results in the conveyor having a greater width through the curved sections. Additionally, the belt or one of the belt rollers is driven by a motor typically positioned beneath the belt and belt rollers or along the curve and radially inward of the belt or radially outward of the belt. Such roller conveyors are not suitable for providing accumulation of articles along the curve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a curved belt conveyor which is suitable for continuously conveying articles along curved zones or segments and/or accumulating articles on the individual curved zones or segments. The curved belt conveyor includes a plurality of curved segments or zones, each of which includes a continuous belt routed around a plurality of rollers and may be supported between a pair of spaced apart rollers by a slide plate or the like. Each of the curved zones may include a motorized roller and one or more idler rollers and may be independently operable to move articles along the curved belt conveyor or to accumulate articles on one or more of the curved zones of the curved belt conveyor.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a curved belt conveyor comprises at least one zone having a plurality of rollers and a continuous belt routed or reeved around at least two of the rollers. The rollers are positioned along and between curved opposite sidewalls of the conveyor. The belt is tracked with the rollers by surface contact with at least one of the rollers. Optionally, at least one of the rollers may comprise a motorized roller operable to drive the belt around the rollers.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a curved belt conveyor comprises at least two zones. Each of the zones has a plurality of rollers and a continuous belt routed or reeved around the rollers. The rollers are positioned along and between curved opposite sidewalls of the conveyor. The rollers of each of the zones comprise at least one motorized roller and at least one idler roller. The belts are tracked with the rollers. Each of the zones defines a curve of between approximately 10 degrees and approximately 30 degrees. Optionally, each of the zones may define a curve of approximately 15 degrees or approximately 22.5 degrees.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a curved belt conveyor includes at least one zone having at least two tapered rollers positioned along and between curved opposite sidewalls, a continuous belt routed or reeved around the tapered rollers, and a tracking roller positioned generally between a pair of the tapered rollers. The belt extends between the tapered rollers and contacts the tracking roller between the tapered rollers. The tracking roller engages the belt and is operable to track the belt with the tapered rollers while the belt moves around the tapered rollers of the zone.

The tracking roller may be adjustably mounted to the conveyor via an adjustment device at opposite ends of the tracking roller. The adjustment device may adjust the height of the respective end of the tracking roller via rotation of a threaded member which may be adjustable from a location generally above the curved belt conveyor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a curved belt conveyor includes a plurality of rollers, a continuous belt routed around the rollers and tracking means for tracking the belt on the rollers. The belt defines a conveying region between curved opposite sidewalls. The tracking means is substantially contained laterally inward of opposite sides of the conveying region. Optionally, the plurality of rollers may comprise a motorized roller and at least one idler roller positioned along and between the opposite curved sidewalls.

The tracking means maintains or tracks the belt in its proper position or orientation around the rollers, such that the external tracking devices and wider conveyor portions of conventional curved belt conveyors are not required in connection with the curved belt conveyor of the present invention. Because the separate tracking devices are not required to maintain the belt in place on the rollers, the curved belt conveyor of the present invention may be designed within the confines of standard width conveyor sidewalls and conveyors.

In one form, the plurality of rollers may comprise a plurality of tapered rollers. The tracking means may comprise a tracking roller positioned generally along a lower surface of one of the tapered rollers and between the tapered rollers. The belt may be routed around the tapered rollers and in contact with an upper portion of the tracking roller. The tracking roller may be angled to be generally along an adjacent surface of the plurality of tapered rollers. The tracking roller may be adjustably mounted at the conveyor and may be adjustable to adjust the angle or orientation of the tracking roller relative to the tapered rollers.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a curved belt conveyor includes at least two curved zones, each of which is defined by a motorized roller and at least one idler roller positioned along and between curved opposite sidewalls of the conveyor, and a continuous belt routed around the motorized roller and the idler roller or rollers of each zone. The motorized roller is operable to drive the belt around the rollers to move articles along the respective curved zone. The belt may have a low modulus characteristic and may have at least approximately a 0.75% initial stretch in its lengthwise direction when the belt is reeved or positioned around the rollers. The low modulus characteristic of the belt may provide approximately a 2% to 4% or more stretch capability or characteristic to the belt.

The low modulus characteristic of the belt may allow the belt to remain in its proper position or orientation or to remain tracked around the rollers, such that the tracking devices and wider conveyor portions of conventional curved belt conveyors are not required in the curved belt conveyor of the present invention. Because the separate tracking devices are not required to maintain the low modulus belt in place on the rollers, the curved belt conveyor of the present invention may be designed within the confines of standard width conveyors.

Each curved zone may be independently operable to allow for accumulation of articles at one or more of the curved zones along the curved belt conveyor. Each curved zone may further include an article sensor which is operable to detect articles on the belt of the respective zone, whereby each curved zone may be operable in response to the article sensor and the particular application of the curved belt conveyor. Optionally, the curved belt conveyor may be implemented at an incline or a decline, and may be operable to accumulate articles on the incline or decline.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a curved belt conveyor includes at least two curved zones, each of which is defined by a motorized roller and at least one idler roller positioned along and between curved opposite sidewalls of the curved belt conveyor and a continuous belt routed around the motorized roller and the idler roller or rollers of each zone. The motorized roller is operable to drive the belt around the rollers to move articles along the respective curved zone. At least one of the rollers has a surface characteristic at the outer surface of the roller, while the belt has a surface characteristic at the interior surface of the belt. The surface characteristics of the roller surface and interior belt surface engage one another and function to track the belt on the roller at the interface of the belt and roller.

In one form, the surface characteristic of at least one of the rollers may comprise a tracking means for tracking or maintaining the belt in the desired location on the rollers. The tracking means may be positioned at the interface of the generally cylindrical or conical roller surface and the interior surface of the conveyor belt. The tracking means may comprise a generally flat belt positioned around the roller and in a location between the roller surface and the interior surface of the belt. In another form, the tracking means may be a raised portion or crown protruding outwardly from the roller surface and into engagement with the interior surface of the belt. The tracking means may be thin or flat enough such that the outer surface of the belt remains substantially flat over the roller. The belt may have a low modulus characteristic and may have at least approximately a 0.75% initial stretch in its lengthwise direction when the belt is reeved or positioned around the rollers. The low modulus characteristic of the belt may provide approximately a 2% to 4% or more stretch capability or characteristic to the belt.

Therefore, the present invention provides a curved belt conveyor which may accumulate articles along one or more zones of the curved belt conveyor. The zones may be individually operable to convey or accumulate articles therealong or thereon, such as via a motorized roller which drives the belt around the rollers of the respective zone. Two or more curved zones may be combined or aligned with one another to achieve a desired overall curve of the curved belt conveyor. The curved belt conveyor may include a means or device for tracking a belt around at least two rollers of a curved segment or section of a conveyor. The tracking means may maintain or track the belt in its proper position or orientation around the rollers via surface contact between the belt and at least some of the rollers, such that the external tracking devices and wider conveyor portions of conventional curved belt conveyors are not required in connection with the curved belt conveyor of the present invention. Because the separate and external tracking devices are not required to maintain the belt in place on the rollers, the curved belt conveyor of the present invention may be designed within the confines of standard width conveyors and conveyor sidewalls.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a curved belt conveyor in accordance with the present invention, with the belt removed from an upstream zone to show additional details of the rollers and belt tracking device;

FIG. 2 is an upper plan view of the curved belt conveyor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the curved belt conveyor of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the curved belt conveyor taken along the line IV--IV in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the curved belt conveyor taken along the line V--V in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the curved belt conveyor taken along the line VI--VI in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6, showing a curved belt conveyor with a slider plate between the end rollers;

FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of another curved belt conveyor in accordance with the present invention, with the belt removed from a downstream zone to show additional details of the rollers and belt tracking device;

FIG. 8 is an upper plan view of the curved belt conveyor of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an end elevation of the curved belt conveyor of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken along the line X--X in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an upper plan view of another curved belt conveyor in accordance with the present invention, with the belts being reeved around generally cylindrical rollers;

FIG. 12 is an upper perspective view of two zones of another curved belt conveyor in accordance with the present invention, with the belt removed from a downstream zone;

FIG. 13 is an upper plan view of the curved belt conveyor of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an end elevation of the curved belt conveyor of FIGS. 12 and 13;

FIG. 15 is an upper perspective view of two zones of another curved belt conveyor in accordance with the present invention, with the belt removed from a downstream zone to show a tracking member positioned around the rollers;

FIG. 16 is an upper plan view of the curved belt conveyor of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view of the curved belt conveyor taken along the line XVII--XVII of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is the same view as FIG. 17 of an alternate embodiment of a curved belt conveyor in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a side elevation of a crowned tapered roller useful with the curved belt conveyor of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now specifically to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a curved belt conveyor 10 includes a plurality of curved portions, sections, zones or segments 12 positioned along and between an outer curved sidewall or side frame 14a and an inner curved sidewall or side frame 14b, and is operable to convey articles in a direction of conveyance A (FIGS. 1 and 2). Each curved segment or zone 12 includes at least two rollers 16 and a continuous belt 18 routed or reeved around the rollers 16. The rollers 16 are angularly oriented and positioned along each zone and may include a driven or motorized roller 20, such as at a downstream or discharge end of each zone, and at least one idler roller 22, such as at an upstream end of each segment or zone. Curved belt conveyor 10 includes a means for tracking the belt or a tracking device 24 which is operable to track belt 18 around rollers 16. Tracking device 24 is substantially contained within or between sidewalls 14a, 14b of curved belt conveyor 10 and laterally inward of the opposite ends of the rollers 16, such that little or no tracking components or tracking devices are positioned outward of the inner or outer ends of the rollers or outward of a conveying region defined by an upper run 18a of belt 18. The sidewalls or frames 14a, 14b of conveyor 10 thus do not have to extend outwardly from the ends of the rollers 16 to accommodate conventional tracking devices or systems.

Each belted segment or zone 12 of curved belt conveyor 10 may be independently operable to accumulate articles on the curved segment or to move articles in the direction A onto a next, adjacent curved segment or to a discharge area or onto another conveyor, such as another belt conveyor, or a roller conveyor, slider bed, or the like, or any other means for receiving articles from a discharge end of the last zone or segment of the curved belt conveyor 10. Curved belt conveyor 10 may, for example, convey articles onto an adjacent straight belted conveyor, such as the type disclosed in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/358,690, filed Feb. 5, 2003 by Cotter et al. for BELT CONVEYOR, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,018, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, or onto another curved belted conveyor, such as of the types discussed herein, or any other known or conventional straight or curved conveyor or conveying surface or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, each zone 12 includes a tapered motorized roller 20 and one or more tapered idler rollers 22 (such as the pair of tapered idler rollers in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 6), each of which has an outer end 16a which is wider or of a greater diameter than an inner end 16b. Motorized roller 20 may be the lead roller of the zone, and may thus be positioned at a downstream end of each curved segment 12, and thus may be operable to pull the belt 18 (and the articles supported thereon) along the respective segment 12.

Motorized roller 20 may comprise a self driven roller with an internal motor which is operable to rotate a roller portion relative to a shaft portion of the roller, such as a motorized roller of the types commercially available from various sources. For example, motorized roller 20 may comprise a DC motorized roller, such as a 12 volt DC motorized roller or the like, such as a roller of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,427, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Optionally, the motorized roller may comprise a 24 volt DC motorized roller or a 42 volt DC motorized roller or a 48 volt DC motorized roller or the like. It is further envisioned that the motorized roller may comprise other DC powered motorized rollers, or may comprise an AC powered motorized roller, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,248, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, without affecting the scope of the present invention. The motor of the motorized roller may drive the roller directly, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,427, or may drive the roller via a gear train or the like, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,248, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Because the rollers 16 of curved belt conveyor 10 may include such a motorized roller 20, curved belt conveyor 10 also may not include an external drive motor positioned beneath the belt and rollers or positioned along the curve and radially inwardly or outwardly of the conveyor sidewalls.

Motorized roller 20 thus is operable to drive belt 18, which moves along the idler rollers 22, which may generally freely rotate about their shaft portions to guide and support the belt 18 around the zone or segment 12. The idler rollers 22 may be any type of rollers, such as conventional, freely rotating rollers, such as the types also commercially available from various sources. Although shown in FIGS. 1 6 as having multiple idler rollers along each of the zones 12, one or more zones of the curved belt conveyor of the present invention may include a support plate or slider bed or support roller or rollers between the motorized roller 20 and an opposite end idler roller 22 to support the belt 18 between the ends of the zone 12, without affecting the scope of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, a curved slide plate 23 may be positioned between the tapered motorized roller 20 and tapered idler roller 22 to support the upper run 18a of belt 18 between the pair of rollers or end rollers of the zone. The rollers 16 may be able to accommodate a belt which has a sufficient width to cover substantially the entire width of the conveyor between the sidewalls of the conveyor, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, because the ends of the rollers for the curved belt conveyor of the present invention do not require O-ring guides and the like.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the rollers 16 may be mounted to the outer sidewall 14a of curved belt conveyor 10 via an inwardly positioned mounting bracket or support 21 mounted to or affixed to the inner surface of outer sidewall 14a (although an idler roller 22 is shown in FIG. 4, the motorized rollers may be mounted to conveyor 10 in a similar manner). Mounting bracket 21 may provide a mounting aperture for receiving an end of a shaft portion 16e of rollers 16 to non-rotatably support the outer end of shaft portion 16e of rollers 16. As shown in FIG. 4, shaft portion 16e of idler rollers 22 may be spring loaded or biased via a biasing member or spring 16f to allow shaft portion 16e to be moved inward at one end of the roller (such as at end 16a of roller 16) to facilitate alignment of the roller with the mounting bracket 21, whereby the shaft portion 16e may be released to extend into the corresponding opening in the mounting bracket 21 in response to biasing member 16f. The opposite end of shaft portion 16e (such as at end 16b of roller 16) may insert into a corresponding aperture in inner sidewall 14b.

Mounting bracket 21 thus provides a shaft support for the end of the roller shaft such that the end of the shaft is positioned at the inner side of outer sidewall 14a and does not extend through outer sidewall 14a, as the opposite end of the shaft 16e does through inner sidewall 14b, and as may typically occur with conventional rollers and sidewalls. Because the roller shafts do not extend through the sidewall 14a of conveyor 10, the shafts do not interfere with the area outside of sidewall 14a. The mounting bracket 21 thus may facilitate positioning a control box or other equipment or component (not shown in FIG. 4) at the outer area of outer sidewall 14a and generally or substantially within the C-channel defined by outer sidewall 14a. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the roller portion of roller 16 may extend outwardly beyond the bearing assembly 16g of the roller 16 to extend substantially toward outer sidewall 14a and around bracket 21 to provide a conveying region which may substantially span the area between sidewalls 14a, 14b.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 6, tracking device 24 comprises a tracking roller 24a, which may be positioned partially above a plane defined by the lower surface 16c of tapered rollers 16, as best shown in FIG. 5. Tracking roller 24a may comprise a segmented, generally cylindrical or non-tapered roller, and, as shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, may include three sections or rollers 24c (but may include more or less sections without affecting the scope of the present invention) rotatably mounted or positioned along a shaft or axle portion 24b. The different roller sections 24c may be generally freely rotatable about axle portion 24b and may rolling engage a lower run 18b (FIGS. 4 and 5) of the belt 18 when belt 18 is driven by motorized roller 20. The tracking roller 24a may include multiple sections to accommodate the different speed of the belt over the tracking roller due to the curve of the belt along the curved conveyor section or zone 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, tracking roller 24a may be positioned generally adjacent to or generally along the upstream idler roller 22 and may be positioned between a pair of idler rollers 22 at or near an opposite end of the zone from the motorized roller 20.

Tracking roller 24a may be mounted at or within or between sidewalls 14a, 14b with its shaft or axis 24b angled so as to generally correspond or align with an adjacent surface of the tapered rollers. For example, the tracking roller 24a may be angled vertically and horizontally to be generally parallel to the closest surface of the tapered roller or may be at a different angle with respect to lower surface 16c of the tapered rollers, as desired or required to maintain proper tracking of belt 18 around rollers 16. Belt 18 may be routed around the rollers 16 such that the upper run 18a of belt 18 is routed over and along the upper surface 16d of the rollers and the lower run 18b of belt 18 is routed under the end rollers and over the tracking roller 24a, as can be seen with reference to FIG. 5. Belt 18 may comprise a conventional belt or may comprise a stretchable belt having a low modulus or stretch characteristic, such as discussed below with respect to belt 118.

Tracking roller 24a functions to press or guide belt 18 upwardly between the rollers 16 to maintain belt 18 in position or tracked on rollers 16 while the belt is moved around the rollers 16 via driving rotation of motorized roller 20. Tracking roller 24a may be adjustably mounted to the sidewalls or to another frame portion of the conveyor, and may be vertically and/or horizontally adjusted as required or desired to maintain proper tracking of the belt 18 around rollers 16, as discussed below. Tracking roller 24a may have a small diameter relative to the diameter of the tapered rollers 16 and may be position able slightly below the tapered rollers 16.

As can also be seen in FIG. 5, the elevation of each end of the axle portion 24b may be adjustable relative to the conveyor sidewalls 14a, 14b, such as via an adjustment device 25. In the illustrated embodiment, each adjustment device 25 may include a threaded fastener or screw or bolt 25a, which is received at least partially within a mounting block 25b mounted to the respective sidewall 14a, 14b and at least partially within a threaded movable shaft support 25c, which receives the axle portion 24b of roller 24a. Rotation of threaded screw 25a, such as via a screwdriver or the like (not shown) engaging a slotted head portion 25d of threaded screw 25a, may thus cause generally vertical translation al movement of the respective shaft support 25c relative to mounting block 25b to vertically adjust the position of the end of the axle portion 24b relative to the sidewall 14a, 14b. The curved belt conveyor of the present invention thus may provide access to the adjustment devices 25 from a location generally above the conveyor section, such that the rollers 16 or conveyor sidewalls 14a, 14b may not have to be disassembled or moved to access and adjust the orientation of the tracking roller 24a. The tracking device 24 may thus be adjusted to adjust the tracking or engagement of the roller 24a with the belt 18 to maintain proper tracking of the belt 18 around rollers 16.

Tracking device 24 thus may be adjustable relative to the rollers 16 of the respective zone 12 to properly track belt 18 around the rollers 16. Tracking roller 24a, when properly positioned along rollers 16, may function to draw or track the belt radially outward along the curve and toward the outer ends 16a of rollers 16 in response to driving of the motorized roller in a forward direction (which drives the belt to convey articles in the direction of conveyance A) until the belt is properly positioned around the rollers. When properly positioned, the belt may be substantially taught or tight around the inner ends 16b of rollers 16 to limit further outward movement of the belt along the rollers during operation of the motorized roller in the forward direction. It is further envisioned that when the driving direction of the motorized roller is reversed, the roller and tracking roller arrangement of the present invention may function to move the belt radially inward along the rollers toward their inner ends 16b to loosen the belt around the rollers, thereby easing the disassembly process of the conveyor or maintenance of the conveyor.

Each curved zone 12 may provide approximately a 15 degree angle or curve. This angle may be selected because multiples of this angle may provide standard or desired curves, such as 15, 30, 45, 60 and/or 90 degree curves, which are often desired or required in conveyor layouts. Optionally, each curved zone 12 may provide any other curve or angle, such as a 10 degree curve, a 22.5 degree curve, a 30 degree curve or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention. By limiting the size of the angle of the curved zone, the belt 18 may also be limited to a relatively small size, which helps to maintain the belt in its proper position around the rollers, and may reduce the load on the motorized or powered roller 20.

Each curved zone or segment 12 may also include a photo-eye or article sensor or photosensor (such as photo-eyes 26 shown in FIG. 2) for detecting and/or monitoring articles or packages or the like on belt 18 of the respective zone. Curved belt conveyor 10 may further include a control 27 (FIG. 2) for independently operating the motorized roller 20 of the respective zone to move the articles along the segment 12 and/or to temporarily stop the movement of an article or articles, in order to accumulate articles on the segment 12, in response to the photo-eye or sensor 26 and depending on the particular application of curved belt conveyor 10. The control and photo-eyes may be operable to accumulate articles on the curved belt conveyor, and may be operable to individually or independently control operation of at least some of the zones, such as by utilizing the principles disclosed in U.S. provisional application, Ser. No. 60/412,396, filed Sep. 20, 2002 by Haan et al. for CONVEYOR SYSTEM REVERSE-SLUG ACCUMULATION ; and/or in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/358,690, filed Feb. 5, 2003 by Cotter et al. for BELT CONVEYOR, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,018, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The curved belt conveyor of the present invention may provide an increased coefficient of friction between the belted conveying surface and the products being conveyed therealong over the friction provided by rollers of conventional roller conveyors. The curved belt conveyor of the present invention thus may be operable at a greater speed than conventional roller conveyors, without causing the products to slide radially outwardly around the curved zone or segment. The curved belt conveyor of the present invention may also provide enhanced capability to move and accumulate articles along each zone individually.

Curved belt conveyor 10 thus may be operable to accumulate articles on one or more of the curved segments or zones of the conveyor. Optionally, the curved belt conveyor 10 may be operable on an incline or decline and may accumulate articles on the incline or decline. It is further envisioned that the curved belt conveyor 10 may be operable to move articles, such as upward along an incline, as the articles are required by a downstream device or system. It is envisioned that the curved sections or zones 12 of the conveyor may combine to form a generally spiral-shaped incline or decline.

Therefore, the curved belt conveyor of the present invention is operable to track or maintain the belt in its proper position on the rollers as the belt is driven around the rollers via the motorized roller. The tracking means or tracking roller may be contained substantially entirely between the sidewalls of the conveyor and laterally inwardly of the opposite ends of the tapered rollers and of the conveying region defined by the upper run of the belt, such that no additional tracking devices or components are necessary along the outer or inner sidewalls (and extending outwardly or inwardly therefrom) of the conveyor to maintain the belt in position around the rollers.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 10, a curved belt conveyor 10' includes a plurality of curved portions, zones or segments 12' positioned along and between an outer curved sidewall or side frame 14a' and an inner curved sidewall or side frame 14b', and is operable to convey articles in a direction of conveyance A. Each curved segment or zone 12' includes a tapered driven or motorized roller 20' and at least one tapered idler roller 22' angularly oriented and positioned at opposite ends of each segment or zone, and a continuous belt 18' routed or reeved around the rollers 20', 22', similar to curved belt conveyor 10, discussed above. Curved belt conveyor 10' may also include a middle support roller 17' positioned between motorized roller 20' and idler roller 22', and a tracking means or tracking device 24' which is operable to track the belt 18' around rollers 20', 22'. Motorized roller 20' and idler roller 22' may be substantially similar to motorized roller 20 and idler rollers 22, discussed above, such that a detailed discussion of the rollers and their mounting arrangement will not be repeated herein.

Each belted segment or zone 12' of curved belt conveyor 10' may be independently operable to accumulate articles on the curved segment or zone or to move articles in the direction A onto a next, adjacent curved segment or zone or to a discharge area or onto another conveyor, such as another belt conveyor, or a roller conveyor, slider bed, or the like, or any other means for receiving articles from a discharge end of the last zone or segment of the curved belt conveyor 10'. In the illustrated embodiment, motorized roller 20' is the lead roller of the zone, and is thus positioned at a downstream end of each curved segment 12', and is operable to pull the upper run 18a' of belt 18' (and the articles supported thereon) along the respective segment 12'.

As shown in FIGS. 7 10, the rollers 20', 22' may accommodate a belt which has a sufficient width to cover substantially the entire width of the conveyor between the sidewalls of the conveyor, because the ends of the rollers for the curved belt conveyor of the present invention do not require O-ring guides and the like. Optionally, curved belt conveyor 10'. may include a curved slider bed (not shown) and/or support roller 17' (FIGS. 7 and 8) between the motorized roller 20' and the opposite end idler roller 22' to support the belt 18' between the rollers of each zone 12'.

For example, curved belt conveyor 10' may further include support roller 17' positioned between motorized roller 20' and idler roller 22' and along the upper surfaces 16d' of the rollers. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, support roller 17' may comprise a segmented, non-tapered roller mounted between the sidewalls 14a', 14b' and having a plurality of roller segments or sections 17a', which may be freely rotatable about a shaft portion 17b' as belt 18' is moved over the upper or support surface of support roller 17'. Support roller 17' may include multiple sections or segments to accommodate different speeds of the belt over the support roller due to the curve of the belt along the curved conveyor section or zone. Support roller segments 17a' may have a small diameter relative to the tapered rollers, such that support roller 17' may be positioned along the upper portion of the rollers and below upper run 18a' of belt 18'. Support roller 17' thus may provide support of belt 18' between rollers 20', 22', but may not extend downward and interfere with tracking roller 24a' and belt 18'.

Similar to tracking device 24 discussed above, tracking device 24' may be substantially contained within or between sidewalls 14a', 14b' of the conveyor 10' and laterally inward of the opposite ends of the rollers, such that little or no tracking components or tracking devices are positioned outward of the inner or outer ends of the rollers. The sidewalls or frames 14a', 14b' of conveyor 10' thus do not have to extend outwardly from the ends of the rollers to accommodate conventional tracking devices or systems.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 7 10, tracking device 24' comprises a tracking roller 24a', which is positioned at least partially above a plane defined by the lower surface 16c' of the tapered rollers 20', 22', as is best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Tracking roller 24a' is substantially similar to tracking roller 24a, discussed above, and comprises a segmented, non-tapered roller having multiple segments or rollers 24c' (five or six such segments are shown in FIGS. 7 10, but roller 24a' may have more or less sections without affecting the scope of the present invention) with its shaft or axis 24b' angled so as to generally correspond or align with an adjacent surface of the tapered rollers. For example, the tracking roller 24a' may be angled vertically and horizontally to be generally parallel to the closest surface of the roller, or may be skewed relative to the surface of the tapered rollers, depending on the orientation selected or desired to effectively track the belt 18' around the rollers, similar to tracking roller 24a, discussed above. Optionally, tracking roller 24a' may be adjustably mounted to a frame portion, such as to sidewalls 14a', 14b' of conveyor 10' or to a base frame portion 14c' of conveyor 10', such as via an adjustment device similar to adjustment device 25 discussed above, or via another adjustment means or device, and may be vertically and/or horizontally adjusted as required or desired to maintain proper tracking of the belt 18' around rollers 20', 22'. Tracking roller 24a' may have a small diameter relative to the diameter of the tapered rollers and may be position able slightly below the tapered rollers between the frame portion or base 14c' and the rollers.

Belt 18' may be routed around the rollers 20', 22', such that upper