The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 03, 2004
Filed:
May. 15, 2003
Michael A. Hosch, Oconomowoc, WI (US);
Scott M. Hall, Sussex, WI (US);
Daniel E. Ertel, Oconomowoc, WI (US);
Dorner Mfg. Corp., Hartland, WI (US);
Abstract
A conveyor construction includes a frame having a pair of side members, a belt and a tensioning section mounted for longitudinal extendable and retractable movement relative to the frame for establishing a desired tension on the belt. The tensioning section includes a spindle engaged with the belt and a pair of side plate structures connected to the spindle and located one adjacent each frame side member. A drive member is rotatably mounted relative to the frame and is drivingly engaged with the tensioning section for imparting longitudinal extendable and retractable movement relative to the frame upon rotation of the drive member. A locking device inserts a frictional locking force on the side plate structures relative to the frame side members for selectively fixing the position of the tensioning section relative to the frame. A restraining arrangement is incorporated in the side plate structures for limiting the retractable movement of the tensioning section upon the imposition of a random force applied to the spindle and overcoming the frictional locking force of the locking device so as to substantially retain the desired tension on the belt and preserve operability of the drive member.