Conveyor systems utilizing rollers, also known as idlers, are widely used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications to transport materials. In these environments rollers can be subjected to harsh conditions and considerable use which can cause the rollers to deteriorate rapidly and/or fail prematurely. This is particularly significant since roller failure can cause the shutdown of the conveyor as well as damage to the other components of the conveyor.
Conveyor rollers currently known in the art have problems with such things as establishing an effective seal against contaminants entering the bearings, bearing end play and preload adjustment, shaft and bearing alignment and bearing lubrication. They can also be awkward to handle, very expensive to manufacture and maintenance can often be difficult. There is, therefore, a need for improved conveyor rollers especially for use in industrial applications.
This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.