Powered roller conveyor systems

Abstract

A power roller conveyor system includes a section having a slide mechanism that engages a loop that is driven by an external motor. The loop slides along a surface of the slide mechanism. The slide mechanism maintains the loop in frictional engagement with surfaces of rollers of the conveyor, whereby the rollers are directly driven by the loop. A wheel may bridge a directly driven roller and another roller that is not driven. The other roller and driven roller bridged by the wheel may be separated by an intermediate roller. The section may be a straight section, a 90 degree curved section, or a 180 degree curved section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A section of a power roller conveyor, comprising:
 (a) a plurality of rollers;   (b) an endless loop driven either directly or indirectly by a motor and traveling along the section and in engagement with at least a subset of the plurality of rollers; and   (c) a slide mechanism defining a groove within which the endless loop slides while traveling in engagement with the subset of rollers.   
     
     
         2 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein the groove is defined in the top surface of the slide mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein the loop is maintained in frictional engagement with surfaces of the rollers of the subset, whereby the rollers are directly driven by the loop. 
     
     
         4 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein a low coefficient of friction exists between the surface of the slide mechanism against which the loop slides and the loop. 
     
     
         5 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the subset of rollers includes a sleeve extending over the surface thereof adjacent an end thereof, the sleeve engaging the loop for traction and driving of the roller. 
     
     
         6 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 5 , wherein a high coefficient of friction exists between the surface of the loop and the sleeve of the roller. 
     
     
         7 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein the slide mechanism includes a material that is self lubricating, whereby frictional stress exerted on the loop by the slide mechanism is greatly reduced. 
     
     
         8 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein the slide mechanism comprises a curved slide mechanism that generally tracks a curve in a side rail of the section of the powered conveyor system. 
     
     
         9 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein the slide mechanism comprises a straight slide mechanism that generally extends linearly along a length of the section of the powered conveyor system. 
     
     
         10 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein the slide mechanism is made from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (“UHMW-PE”). 
     
     
         11 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein the loop is composed of polyurethane or related polymers. 
     
     
         12 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein the loop comprises a belt formed from tanned leather. 
     
     
         13 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein sides of the slide mechanism that at least partially define the groove are scalloped, and wherein the subset of rollers extend within the recessed areas of the scalloped sides for contacting of the loop. 
     
     
         14 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein the sides of the slide mechanism exhibit a wavy profile, and wherein the subset of rollers extend within the troughs of the wavy sides to contact the loop. 
     
     
         15 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein the loop includes a flat, smooth surface that is exposed when traveling in engagement with the subset of rollers, and a non-exposed curved surface that slides against the slide mechanism in a conforming fit within the groove. 
     
     
         16 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein the section is a straight section. 
     
     
         17 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein the section is a 90 degree section. 
     
     
         18 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 17 , wherein the slide mechanism is curved. 
     
     
         19 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 17 , wherein the slide mechanism is generally linear. 
     
     
         20 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , wherein the section is a 180 degree section. 
     
     
         21 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 1 , further comprising a wheel arranged to engage a roller of the subset of rollers driven by the loop and to engage a roller not in engagement with the loop, whereby the roller not in engagement with the loop is indirectly driven by the loop. 
     
     
         22 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 21 , wherein the roller not in engagement with the loop that is indirectly driven by the loop is an end roller of the section. 
     
     
         23 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 22 , further comprising a second wheel arranged to engage a roller of the subset of rollers driven by the loop and to engage a second roller not in engagement with the loop, whereby the second roller not in engagement with the loop is indirectly driven by the loop, and wherein the second roller not in engagement with the loop that is indirectly driven by the loop is another end roller of the section located at an opposite end of the section to the first said roller not in engagement with the loop that is indirectly driven by the loop. 
     
     
         24 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 23 , wherein each of the wheels is coated with a silicone material. 
     
     
         25 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 22 , wherein an intermediate, concentrated roller extends between the roller of the subset engaged with the wheel and the end roller driven by the wheel. 
     
     
         26 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 22 , wherein the concentrated roller is approximately half as long as each of the roller of the subset engaged with the wheel and the end roller driven by the wheel. 
     
     
         27 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 25 , wherein the concentrated roller is mounted to a side rail of the conveyor and is a member of the subset of rollers arranged in engagement with and driven by the loop. 
     
     
         28 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 27 , wherein the concentrated roller is mounted to a side rail of the conveyor and is a member of the subset of rollers arranged in engagement with and driven by the loop. 
     
     
         29 . The section of a power roller conveyor according to  claim 27 , wherein the concentrated roller is mounted to and supported by an intermediate support that extends generally longitudinally along the section approximately half way between the side rails of the section. 
     
     
         30 . A section of a power roller conveyor system as disclosed herein. 
     
     
         31 . A method of making a section of a power roller conveyor system as disclosed herein. 
     
     
         32 . A method of using a section of a power roller conveyor system as disclosed herein.