Importance

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Abstract

A guide system or rollerway in a gravity type conveyor which includes a plurality of first and second cylindrical rollers journalled for rotation about axes extending transversely between a pair of elongated rails and disposed at spaced intervals along the rail lengths. The first rollers are load bearing and each includes a resiliently compressible load bearing surface around the outer circumference thereof. The nature of the load bearing surfaces is such that they act as speed control devices for a load. The second rollers are in general alignment with each other along the rail lengths and each includes a generally radial outwardly extending guide flange adapted for engagement by a load conveyed therepassed. The second rollers are smaller in diameter than the first rollers and are normally non-load bearing. When loading of the first rollers reaches some predetermined maximum level, the load bearing surfaces thereof are radially compressed to such an extent that the second rollers become load bearing. The second rollers thus aid in preventing further compression of the load bearing surfaces before any permanent damage is imparted thereto. In the preferred arrangement, the resilient load bearing surfaces and guide flanges are defined by or included on ring-like members closely disposed about the first and second rollers themselves. The new live guide arrangement may be used in conjunction with or as a part of conventional roller type conveyors or it may be used by itself to accommodate load guiding and/or speed control in a wide variety of material handling environments.

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First Claim