9).
Whether youre looking for flange bearings, pillow block bearings, or beyond, our bearings can take the punishment of daily use and are virtually maintenance free. Preferably, the tubular rollers 22 are formed from a corrosion-resistant, organic, polymeric, thermoplastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) typically having a thickness of approximately 0.20 inches and a specific gravity of 1.3 to 1.58. Other previously known conveyor rollers have been made exclusively or predominantly from metal. Use of a separate bearing insert formed from wear-resistant, corrosive-resistant, preferably organic, polymeric plastic enables lower assembly cost, greater durability and longer life than certain prior roller assemblies without external lubrication inasmuch as the self-lubricating insert is engaged by a stainless steel shaft which itself is wear and corrosion-resistant. The roller assembly of claims 1, 6, 7 or 8 wherein said roller has an opening at each end; a pair of plug ends, one plug end received in and closing each end of said roller, each plug end including one of said central openings receiving one of said bearing inserts. The rollers' smooth plastic covering won't damage these products, and it also reduces noise and provides more traction than rollers with a smooth metal surface. 1 and 2 illustrate a typical conveyor application of the roller assemblies 20, 60 and/or 70 of the present invention wherein the rollers are secured parallel to one another at spaced positions along end supports to form a gravity roller conveyor 10. These rollers can be used to replace or upgrade the existing rollers on compatible conveyors or stands. 3. (See FIG. Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIGS. Plug ends 28 are preferably formed from the same PVC used for the preferred roller 22. The insert 40 is inserted with the apexes of tapered fins 44 pointing inwardly so that the wedge shape facilitates insertion. Also, the roller, bearing inserts and bottom walls are formed from corrosion-resistant materials and enable ease in cleaning of the roller. This invention relates to roller assemblies for gravity and power roller conveyors and, more particularly, to a low-friction, self-lubricating, corrosion-resistant and contamination-resistant roller assembly especially useful in sanitary roller conveyor applications. The rollers let loads roll from one place to another, reducing the effort it takes to move the loads. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a gravity roller conveyor utilizing roller assemblies of the present invention; FIG. The rollers let loads roll from one place to another, reducing the effort it takes to move the loads in warehousing, package handling, manufacturing, and distribution tasks. These ribs also engage the sides of the opening to prevent rotation. Also known as chain-drive live rollers, they are ideal for moving heavy items such as pallets, drums, and bulk containers. The softer, less rigid PVC plug ends facilitate accommodation of deflection when the rollers are loaded, as explained below, yet suitably retain the inserts 40 to maintain proper bearing support. Whether your requirements are large or small, we have the capabilities to meet your needs. They are suitable for conveying applications in facilities that process food, chemicals, or pharmaceuticals. We are open and happy to help you with all of your Roller and Conveyor Service needs. The rollers have standard ball bearings that roll smoothly at slow speeds and start rolling more easily than precision bearings. The standard ball bearings in these conveyor rollers roll smoothly at slow speeds and start rolling more easily than precision bearings. Take up assemblies allow easy tensioning of conveyors. A roller assembly for roller conveyors comprising; a roller having a central axis and opposite ends, each end having a central opening having an interior surface and being coaxial with said roller; bearing insert means for receiving and being supported by an axle received in each of said central openings, each bearing insert means including an opening coaxial with said roller and retaining means on its outer periphery for preventing axial and rotational movement of said bearing insert means in said central opening, said retaining means including a plurality of projections having sharp edges spaced outwardly of said outer periphery of said bearing insert means, said sharp edges engaging and being embedded in said interior surfaces of said central roller openings and resisting axial withdrawal and movement of said bearing insert means; a bottom wall in at least one of said roller central opening and said opening of said bearing insert means at each end of said roller for closing the roller assembly. In addition, the curved surfaces enable cleaning fluids and steam to penetrate the bell-mouth opening 42 to the bottom wall of the plug end, roller or bearing insert or thrust disc 66, as explained below, and clean out any undesired contaminants. In this case, the solid disc 66 is inserted against a shoulder 37" and abutted by insert 40 to hold disc 66 in position.
513-821-7259, Toll Free: 6) which is closely matched to the inner diameter of the central opening 34 in plug end 28.
The roller assembly utilizes corrosion-resistant materials, preferably organic, polymeric plastics in combination with stainless steel. Below, learn more about how to recognize signs of wear and tear in your [], Local:
Alternately, plug ends 28 could be molded in one piece with a roller 22' such that both roller ends include closed, blind openings 34 with bottom walls 36 for receipt of inserts 40 as explained below.
5 is a side elevation of the bearing insert of the present invention; FIG. 
6 at the center of the insert opening 42, for example 0.325 inches. The rollers contain standard ball bearings that roll smoothly at slow speeds and start rolling more easily than precision bearings. Tapered fins 44a gradually increase in height toward the center of the insert and include flat, radial faces 44b which lie in a common plane at the center of the insert. Since the end 53 of shaft 50 is smoothly curved, rotation of the rollers even when thrust forces are exerted along the axes of the rollers, as often occurs in operation, does not unduly wear the bottom wall 36. Access My Account, Order History, Lists and more here. The extreme, inner end surface 53 of shaft 50 is convexly outwardly curved, preferably in a spherical shape, and engages the bottom wall 36 of plug end 28 to resist axially exerted forces or "thrust" forces along the roller. Sanitary & Anti-Corrosion Conveyor Specialists. The retaining means on the bearing insert preferably include spaced, tapered fins which include sharp edges for engaging the sides of the central opening to retain the inserts against axial and rotational movement. There are Blind-Bore Ball-n-Sokit, Thru-Bore, Extended Pin and Spring Retained axle styles. We have a comprehensive range of roller sizes that will fit most of the popular conveyor manufacturers or we can custom design and build a roller to your unique specifications. The assembly provides high load-bearing capabilities while keeping drag and rotational torque at a minimum because the axially and rotationally retained bearing inserts have curved support surfaces forming bell-mouth openings which enable low-friction rotation even when the roller is deflected during operation. Projections 44 include rounded, tapered, wedge-like fins 44a, which are actually in the shape of halves of cones, the apexes of which extend in a direction parallel to the axis of the insert. 10 is a sectional view of a modified form of the bearing insert including a bottom wall integral and in one piece therewith; and.
These rollers can be used to replace or upgrade the existing rollers on compatible conveyors or stands. Conveyor 10 includes a pair of roller support rails 12, 14 which are parallel to one another and extend along and adjacent to the ends of the rollers which traverse the space therebetween. Further, as explained below, the central openings in the roller end (FIG. 6), which diameter gradually increases and becomes larger progressively outwardly toward either end surface 43, 45 of the insert. Sign In to access your account information.
The invention eliminates contamination by food retention in the roller and supporting structure and enables frequent and repetitive washing and steam cleaning without corrosion or degradation to maintain the roller in a highly sanitary condition. These rollers can be used to replace or upgrade the existing rollers on compatible conveyors or stands. In order to provide more value and convenience to our customers we also offer conveyor sections and complimentary products such as conveyor roller chain, sprockets and bearing assemblies. Plug end 28 thus fits tightly within and completely closes and seals the end of roller 22 leaving no cracks or crevices into which contaminants can enter and buildup. 15. The closed nature of the present invention prevents contaminants from building up within the roller assembly and enables ease in cleaning of the roller and the bearing-support areas. Such supports do not adequately prevent wear, especially when the rollers are operated under load, and do not prevent or reduce contamination for sanitary purposes. 3, a rigid, threaded, cylindrical support shaft or axle 50 having a cylindrical bearing or support surface 52 at its inner end is secured through a suitable aperture 54 in the vertical portion of each side support rail 12, 14 to support the roller assembly. 19. 9. 3 and 4, plugs ends 28 also preferably include blind central openings 34 which are cylindrical openings extending only partially through the plug end to maintain closure and sealing of the roller interior. Chain size is determined by the chain pitch. 9), where like numerals indicate like parts, is similar to embodiment 60 except for the inclusion of a slightly modified plug end 28" which includes a tapered, annular recess 72 extending inwardly of the plug end from the inner side of the roller assembly. 6 is a sectional view taken along a diameter of the bearing insert; FIG. Founded on innovation, Rolcon was the first roller manufacturer to spring load both ends of the conveyor roller as standard and was the first to develop the patented frame saving cartridge bearing assembly. 16. With heavier loads, plastic deformation of the side surfaces of opening 42 provides somewhat greater surface contact but higher load capacity. 9) or the closed end of roller 22' (FIG. In order to prevent such contamination, the roller conveyors are frequently washed or steam cleaned which subjects them often to caustic and corrosion-inducing fluids and materials. Moreover, the metal-plastic combination of stainless steel supporting and around which a Delrin 500 CL plastic journal bearing rotates is a low-friction combination requiring little or no lubrication having along life and producing minimal wear. 11) if it is formed in one piece with the roller. The root diameter of the threads of the shaft 50 is slightly larger than the diameter of bearing surface 52 to enable insertion of the shafts through openings 54 in rails 12, 14 and nut 56 on the inside of the rail when the rails are fixed. Straight and Tapered rollers are available in the Blind-Bore Ball-n-Sokit, Thru-Bore, Extended Pin and Spring Retained axle styles. Cushioned-ride high-performance steel conveyor rollers can be used for high-speed conveying tasks. [], One way to maximize the productivity of a conveyor system is lagging. The edges 44c between the rounded top surface of projecting fins 44a and faces 44b are sharp and deform and engage or dig into the sides of the opening 34 in plug end 28 to both prevent axial movement or "walking" of the insert out of the opening as well as rotation of the insert around in the opening. 7; FIG. drive rollers, or arrangements thereof incorporated in roller-ways or other types of mechanical conveyors, Adaptations of individual rollers and supports therefor, West Virginia University Research Corporation, Plastic conveyor roller and method of making same, Conveyor roller and bearing assembly with external support, Roller assembly and method for manufacturing the same, Fastening structure and mounting structure, Supporting roller for an open conveyor belt and the use thereof, Bearing life extender for conveyor type rollers, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) feed roller device and method of making the same, Apparatus for treating flat brittle substrates, Chain transmission device for driving camshaft, Chain guide and chain transmission device, Chain transmission device for driving camshafts, Horizontal maneuver dynamical system for pallet carrying shelf, Cartridge bearing assembly for roller conveyors, Roller assembly of a cargo loading system, Roller conveyor for transporting individual articles such as loaded pallets, or container boxes, Conveyor roller mounting device with curved surfaces, Horizontal motorized dynamic system for pallet-carrier racks, Automatically tiltable small roller structure of slide bearing type, Caster with a fouling-resistant bearing cup feature, Rotary seal with relief angle for controlled tipping, Self-aligning bearing for high temperature applications, Self-adjusting angular contact spherical bearing, Two-piece thrust washer for universal joint, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING A ROTARY MOVEMENT IN A LINEAR MOVEMENT. Again, with plug end 28", more normal bearing contact between insert 40 and bearing surface 52 of shaft 50 is maintained even though the roller assembly is loaded. The roller assembly prevents contaminants from entrapment within the roller or associated parts and may be repeatedly washed or steam cleaned without corrosion or degradation. This provides high strength, low friction and an excellent load rating versus its cost of manufacture and corrosion-resistance capability when compared with prior known structures. These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the invention will become more apparent from a study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. Accordingly, the present invention provides a roller assembly for gravity and power roller conveyors, especially those used in sanitary applications such as for food processing and the like. These conveyor rollers are installed in roller conveyors to support and move items on the conveyor. As mentioned above, further reduction in friction and drag and prevention of wear at bottom wall 36' can be accomplished by including a solid, circular disc 66 formed from a wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, organic, polymeric plastic such as Teflon (Trademark of E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.), Delrin 500 CL (the same material from which insert 40 is formed) or ultra-high molecular weight polymeric plastic. The rear surfaces within the rollers of all three plug ends 28, 28' and 28" are recessed for weight reduction and material saving purposes. Maximum amount of digits: 6.
However, if desired, an additional anti-friction, wear-reducing disc can be inserted therebetween as shown in FIGS. Most rollers ship within one week as standard and we offer expedited shipping for rush orders.
17. In one form, the invention provides a roller assembly including a roller having a central axis and opposite ends. Bottom wall 46', like disc 66 or bottom wall 36 in the other embodiments, closes the interior of the roller and provides a thrust resisting surface for shaft end 53. While several forms of the invention have been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. F.E.I. Disc 66 provides longer and more durable thrust bearing capabilities for the roller assembly. Like embodiments 20 and 60, however, the curved engaging surfaces 42 of insert 40 facilitate proper rotational movement even under load by allowing pivotal movement of plug end 28" should the deflection be more than can be accommodated by the reduced thickness area 74 of the plug ends.
3-6, a generally cylindrical bearing insert 40 has an outside diameter (denoted by "A" in FIG. 22. Central portion 36 of the plug end forms a bottom wall, the thickness of which is typically about 0.187 inches. As will be described more fully below, these curved, annular surfaces of opening 42 enable low-friction, low-drag rotational support of the roller assembly even when deflected under load in operation. Fluids, such as water, used during any processing carried on with the conveyor, and any residual water left from cleaning the assembly, in fact, serve as lubricants for such materials. Contact between the minimum diameter portion shown at B in FIG. Alternately, a modified form 40' of insert 40 could be used with plug ends 28" or roller 22' including through openings 34a". 
Sprocket-ed rollers are commonly used on pallet conveyors and driven conveyors. 
F.E.I., Inc offers many styles of rollers for Wash-Down and traditional warehouse applications.
6, and the bearing support portion 52 of shaft 50 closely approximates a planar contact thereby reducing rotational drag and friction to a minimum. The diameter of the shaft is closely matched to that of the minimum diameter of the insert opening and the shaft includes a convex, curved end which engages the bottom wall to resist thrust along the roller axis. Multiple styles, bearings and mounting exist.
Only digits are allowed. Conveyors manufactures many styles of powered conveyors for Wash-Down and traditional warehouse applications. 8. Lightweight aluminum conveyor rollers weigh less than steel rollers and are commonly used in unpowered (gravity-flow) conveying applications where the conveyor will be disassembled, moved, or reconfigured frequently. The roller assembly of claim 17 wherein said roller has an opening at each end; a pair of plug ends, one plug end received in and closing each end of said roller; each plug end including one of said central openings receiving one of said bearing inserts; said roller is formed from polyvinyl chloride thermoplastic material, said bearing insert being formed from an acetal resinous plastic and said shafts are formed from a corrosive-resistant metal such as stainless steel, said plug ends being secured in said roller with a suitable solvent adhesive such as that containing cyclohexanone. 