Drive roller for moving heavy structures

Abstract

A drive roller for moving heavy structures includes a body having a load bearing surface and a roller engaging surface. Rollers supported by endless link chains are moveable about the roller engaging surface of the body. A shaft is rotatably mounted on the body. A worm wheel is non-rotatably secured to and rotatable with the shaft. A worm gear engages the worm wheel. Rotation of the worm gear imparts a rotary motion to the worm wheel thereby rotating the shaft. A sprocket is non-rotatably secured to and rotatable with the shaft. The sprocket engages the endless link chains. Rotation of the shaft results in the sprocket driving the endless link chains and rollers about the body.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A drive roller for moving heavy structures, comprising: 
 a body having a load bearing surface and a roller engaging surface;    rollers supported by endless link chains moveable about the roller engaging surface of the body;    a shaft rotatably mounted on the body;    a worm wheel non-rotatably secured to and rotatable with the shaft;    a worm gear engaging the worm wheel, such that rotation of the worm gear imparts a rotary motion to the worm wheel thereby rotating the shaft; and    a sprocket non-rotatably secured to and rotatable with the shaft, the sprocket engaging the endless link chains, such that rotation of the shaft results in the sprocket driving the endless link chains and rollers about the body.    
     
     
         2 . The drive roller as defined in  claim 1 , wherein rail engaging tracking guides are positioned on each side of the body.  
     
     
         3 . The drive roller as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the rail engaging tracking guides are spring biased into an engaging position.  
     
     
         4 . The drive roller as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the spacing between the rail engaging tracking guides is adjustable.  
     
     
         5 . The drive roller as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the body has a handle.  
     
     
         6 . The drive roller as defined in  claim 1 , wherein chain tensioners engage the chains.  
     
     
         7 . The drive roller as defined in  claim 1 , wherein rollers are positioned on either side of the endless link chains.  
     
     
         8 . The drive roller as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the shaft can be driven from either end.  
     
     
         9 . The drive roller as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the body has peripheral chain guides.