Importance

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Abstract

A conveyor installation includes an endless belt wound around head and tail pulleys which extends between an impact station wherein material is placed on the belt and a drop off zone wherein the material is removed from the belt. Shock absorbers are disposed beneath the belt at the impact station to dissipate energy imparted on the belt by the material. In one embodiment, the belt is formed of flexible, textile reinforced material and the shock absorbers are in the form of a plurality of rectangular elements having a generally planar upper surface for supporting substantially the entire undersurface of the belt in the impact station. In another embodiment, the belt is formed of rigid steel reinforced material and the shock absorbers are in the form of a plurality of closely spaced rollers. In both embodiments, downstream of the impact station are located idler rollers for supporting the belt at spaced locations. The idler rollers are mounted on a support frame via shock absorbing elements in the form of rings. Each of the shock absorbing elements is formed of elastomeric material and has at least one passage formed therein and configured so that the body wall surrounding the passage is generally K-shaped in section and functions as a buckling element.

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First Claim