BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to a transfer tail assembly for a conveyor having a conveyor belt. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a transfer tail assembly that includes a spiral cam for adjusting the tension in the conveyor belt and can pivot upward to allow for the release of tension on the conveyor belt.

Presently, in food processing conveyor applications, conveyors must be manufactured such that the conveyor belt can be removed and the entire conveyor frame assembly sanitized. Following sanitation, the conveyor belt must be reinstalled for continued operation. Numerous guidelines exist to regulate the type of conveyor assembly that be used in a sanitary environment, such as in a food processing facility. Typically, these guidelines require that the conveyor frame assembly must be capable of being disassembled and sanitized on a regular, scheduled basis. Since the conveyor frame assembly must be sanitized regularly, the conveyor assembly must be capable of being quickly disassembled to allow complete cleaning. Preferably, the disassembly should require minimal tool to no tools.

After installation of the conveyor belt and after a period of operation, the conveyor belt can stretch such that the tension in the conveyor belt is reduced. In such situations, the position of the end roller is typically adjusted to increase the tension on the conveyor belt. Presently, tension adjusting solutions exist that include long screws and threaded nuts to support the end roller. When the tension in the conveyor belt needs to be adjusted, the position of the end roller is extended away from the conveyor frame to reintroduce the proper level of tension. Although this solution works to adjust the tension in the conveyor belt, the threads on the adjustment screws are difficult to clean and sanitize.

Current conveyor systems can also include a tip up tail assembly that allows the end roller to be pivoted upward to release tension on the conveyor belt such that the conveyor belt can be removed to allow the frame to be cleaned and sanitized. However, the pivoting movement in such tip up tail assemblies returns the end roller to a set position that cannot be adjusted.

The present inventors have recognized these drawback and limitations with current conveyor belt tensioning systems and have developed the system of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a transfer tail assembly for use with a conveyor having a conveyor belt to adjust the tension in the conveyor belt and to release the conveyor belt for removal and cleaning.

The transfer tail assembly is designed for use with a conveyor assembly that includes a conveyor frame having a pair of spaced side frame members, the conveyor frame extends along a conveyor axis and the conveyor belt includes upper and lower runs supported by the conveyor frame. The transfer tail assembly includes a pair of side brackets that are each mounted to the pair of side frame members. The side brackets are stationary relative to the conveyor axis.

A pair of adjustment brackets are supported along the pair of side brackets and are movable relative to the side brackets in a direction parallel to the conveyor axis. The adjustment brackets each support one end of an end roller such that the end roller is movable with the adjustment brackets.

A spiral cam is mounted to one of the pair of side brackets and is rotatable about a center axis of the spiral cam. The spiral cam is in contact with one of the adjustment brackets such that rotation of the spiral cam about the center axis causes movement of the adjustment bracket in a direction parallel to the conveyor axis. In this manner, rotation of the spiral cam changes the position of the end roller to either increase or decrease the tension in the conveyor belt.

In one exemplary embodiment, the spiral cam includes a spiral contact surface that engages a drive pin on the adjustment bracket. The spiral contact surface is designed such that the distance of the spiral contact surface from the center axis of the spiral cam increases from a first end to a second end. As the spiral cam is rotated, the drive pin moves along the spiral contact surface to move the drive pin toward or away from the center axis. Such movement causes corresponding movement of the end roller along the conveyor axis.

In one exemplary embodiment, the transfer tail assembly further includes a pivot rod that extends across the width of the conveyor frame. The pivot rod is connected at each end to one of the side brackets. The pivot rod allows the side brackets, and thus the end roller supported by the side brackets, to pivot relative to the side frame members. The pivot rod includes at least one pivot limiting arm that extends from the outer surface of the pivot rod. The pivot limiting arm contacts a pivot limiting bar to control the operating position of the transfer tail assembly.

The pivot limiting bar includes at least one receiving groove formed near one of the ends of the pivot limiting bar. The receiving groove is designed to have a contact surface that is recessed from an outer surface of the pivot limiting bar. The depth of the contact surface varies around the circumference of the pivot limiting bar. The pivot limiting bar can be rotated to a desired position and mounted between the side frame members to control the pivoted position of the transfer tail assembly and the end roller relative to the side frame members.

Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

