Note : Les revendications sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt, comprising:
(a) a drive drum having an outer surface;
(b) a securement means, said outer surface of said drive drum adapted to
engage
said securement means;
(c) a contoured collar having an inner surface and an outer surface and
adapted
to receive said securement means, said contoured collar adapted to engage
said outer surface of said drive drum at predetermined positions, said
contoured collar providing defined gaps between said inner surface of said
contoured collar and said outer surface of said drive drum; and
(d) a sprocket member having a generally annular configuration with externally
facing teeth-like protrusions at spaced intervals, said sprocket member
adapted to receive said securement means;
wherein said securement means engages said sprocket member and said contoured
collar to secure said sprocket member and said contoured collar to said drive
drum,
and said teeth-like protrusions engage said conveyor belt.
2. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 1,
wherein
said securement means is a single key system.
3. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 2,
wherein
said key system is at least two set screws engaging a drive pin that engages
an axial
groove along said outer surface of said drive drum.
4. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 3,
wherein
said set screws are threaded through openings in said sprocket member and said
contoured collar to engage said drive pin.
5. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 4,
wherein
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said drive pin is cylindrical in shape and has at least two openings adapted
to receive
said set screws.
6. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 5,
wherein
said inner surface of said contoured collar further comprises a groove for
positioning
said drive pin.
7. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim in
claim 6,
wherein said securement means are a plurality of key systems.
8. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 1,
wherein
said teeth-like protrusions are U-shaped teeth having two arms and a partition
running between each arm.
9. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 8,
wherein
said sprocket member is a plurality of sprockets.
10. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 9,
wherein
said sprockets are plastic.
11. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 1,
wherein
said contoured collar is made of metal.
1 2. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 11,
wherein
said defined gaps allow for changes in the expansion coefficients of said
contoured
collar and said drive drum when said key sprocket drive system is in
operation.
13. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 12,
wherein
said drive drum is cylindrical in shape.
14. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 13,
wherein
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said drive drum is metal.
15. A key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt, comprising:
(a) a drive drum having an outer surface;
(b) a key system having at least two set screws adapted to engage a drive pin
that is positioned in an axial groove along said outer surface of said drive
drum;
(c) a metal contoured collar having an inner surface and an outer surface and
adapted to receive said set screws, said metal contoured collar adapted to
engage said outer surface of said drive drum at predetermined positions, said
metal contoured collar providing defined gaps between said inner surface of
said metal contoured collar and said outer surface of said drive drum; and
(d) a plastic sprocket having a generally annular configuration with
externally
facing teeth at spaced intervals, said plastic sprocket adapted to receive
said
set screws;
wherein said set screws engage said drive pin thereby securing said plastic
sprocket
and said metal contoured collar to said drive drum, and said teeth engage said
conveyor belt.
16. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 15,
wherein
said teeth are U-shaped having two arms and a partition running between each
arm.
17. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 16,
wherein
said defined gaps allow for differences in the expansion coefficients of said
contoured collar and said drive drum when said key sprocket drive system is in
operation.
18. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 17,
wherein
said drive drum is cylindrical in shape and metal.
19. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 18,
further
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comprising multiple key systems and sprockets.
20. A method of assembling a key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt,
comprising
(a) positioning on a drive drum having an outer surface, a contoured collar
having an inner surface and an outer surface;
(b) positioning a sprocket member having a generally annular configuration
with externally facing teeth-like protrusions at spaced intervals, around said
contoured collar;
(c) securing said sprocket member and said contoured collar to said drive drum
by a securement means adapted to engage said sprocket member and said
contoured collar thereby engaging said outer surface of said drive drum;
(d) defining gaps between said inner surface of said contoured collar and said
outer surface of said drive drum upon the engagement of said contoured
collar to said outer surface of said drive drum at predetermined positions;
and
(e) engaging said conveyor belt with said teeth-like protrusions engage for
driving said conveyor belt.
21. A key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt, comprising:
(a) a drive drum having an outer surface;
(b) a securement means, said outer surface of said drive drum adapted to
engage
said securement means;
(c) a contoured collar having an inner surface and an outer surface and
adapted
to receive said securement means, said contoured collar adapted to engage
said outer surface of said drive drum at predetermined positions, said
contoured collar providing defined gaps between said inner surface of said
contoured collar and said outer surface of said drive drum; and
(d) a sprocket member having a generally annular configuration with externally
facing teeth at spaced intervals, said sprocket member adapted to receive
said securement means;
wherein said contoured collar is separate from said sprocket member;
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wherein said securement means engages said sprocket member and said contoured
collar to secure said sprocket member and said contoured collar to said drive
drum,
and said teeth engage said conveyor belt; and
wherein said securement means is a single key system.
22. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 21,
wherein
said teeth-like protrusions are U-shaped teeth having two arms and a partition
running between each arm.
23. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 22,
wherein
said sprocket member comprises a plurality of sprockets.
24. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 23,
wherein
said sprockets are plastic.
25. The key sprocket drive system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said
contoured collar
presents a thickness between said inner and outer surfaces at said selected
positions
which is greater than a thickness between said inner and outer surfaces at
said
defined gaps.
26. The key sprocket drive system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said inner
surface
contacts said outer surface of said drive drum at said selected positions.
27. The key sprocket drive system as claimed in claim 26, wherein gaps are
disposed
between said selected positions.
28. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 21,
wherein
said contoured collar is made of metal.
29. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 28,
wherein
said contoured collar and said drive drum have different coefficients of
expansion.
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30. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 29,
wherein
said drive drum is cylindrical in shape.
31. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 30,
wherein
said drive drum is metal.
32. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 21,
wherein
said key system is at least two set screws engaging a drive pin that engages
an axial
groove along said outer surface of said drive drum.
33. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 32,
wherein
said set screws are threaded through openings in said sprocket member and said
contoured collar to engage said drive pin.
34. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 33,
wherein
said drive pin is cylindrical in shape and has at least two openings adapted
to receive
said set screws.
35. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor bolt as claimed in claim 34,
wherein
said inner surface of said contoured collar further comprises a groove for
positioning
said drive pin.
36. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 35,
wherein
said securement means are a plurality of key systems.
37. A key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt, comprising:
(a) a drive drum having a generally circular outer surface for rotation about
an
axis;
(b) a key system having at least two set screws adapted to engage a drive pin
that is positioned in an axial groove along said outer surface of said drive
drum;
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(c) a metal contoured collar having an inner surface and an outer surface
presenting pin receiving body portions between said inner and outer surfaces
at selected positions about said inner surface, said pin receiving body
portions adapted to receive said set screws, and contact said outer surface of
said drive drum at said selected positions, and defining gaps between said
inner surface of said metal contoured collar and said outer surface of said
drive drum between said pin receiving body portions; and
(d) a plastic sprocket having a generally annular configuration with
externally
facing teeth at spaced intervals, said plastic sprocket adapted to receive
said
set screws;
wherein said set screws engage said drive pin thereby securing said plastic
sprocket
and said metal contoured collar to said drive drum, and said teeth engage said
conveyor belt.
38. The key sprocket drive system as claimed in claim 37, wherein said collar
is
co-axially disposed about said drum, and wherein said inner surface of said
collar
is disposed at a first radios spaced from said outer surface of said drum, and
an inner
surface of said pin receiving body portions contact said outer surface of said
drum.
39. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 37,
wherein
said teeth are U-shaped having two arms and a partition running between each
arm.
40. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 39,
wherein
said defined gaps allow for differences in the expansion coefficients of said
contoured collar and said drive drum when said key sprocket drive system is in
operation.
41. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 40,
wherein
said drive drum is cylindrical in shape and metal.
42. The key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt as claimed in claim 41,
further
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comprising multiple key systems and sprockets.
43. A method of assembling a key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt,
comprising
(a) positioning on a drive drum having an outer surface, a contoured collar
having an inner surface and an outer surface said inner surface of said collar
sized presenting pin receiving body portions at selected positions to contact
said outer surface of said drum;
(b) positioning a sprocket member having a generally annular configuration
with externally facing teeth at spaced intervals, around said contoured
collar;
(c) securing said sprocket member and said contoured collar to said drive drum
by a securement means adapted to engage said sprocket member and said
contoured collar thereby engaging said outer surface of said drive drum;
(d) defining gaps between said pin receiving body portions and said inner
surface of said contoured collar and said outer surface of said drive drum
when said pin receiving body portions contact to said outer surface of said
drive drum at said selected positions; and
(e) engaging said conveyor belt with said teeth engage for driving said
conveyor
belt.
44. A key sprocket drive system comprising:
(a) a drive roller having a generally cylindrical outer surface for rotation
about
an axis;
(b) a collar co-axially mounted to said drive roller, said collar having:
(0 an outer surface;
(ii) an inner surface
(A) for contact with said outer surface of said drive roller at
selected radial positions;
(B) spaced from said outer surface of said drive roller between
said selected radial positions to define a gap between said
outer surface of said drive roller and said inner surface of
said collar;
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(c) a sprocket separate from said collar having a generally annular
configuration
co-axially mounted to said collar, said sprocket having teeth extending
radially outwardly; and
(d) securement means to releaseably secure said sprocket, collar, and roller
at
said selected radial positions.
45. The key sprocket drive system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said
sprocket has an
inner surface that contacts said outer surface of said collar.
46. A key sprocket drive system comprising:
(a) a drive roller having an inner surface and an outer surface;
(b) a contoured collar co-axially mounted to said drive roller, said collar
comprising:
(i) an outer surface; and
(ii) an inner surface having a point of engagement extending therefrom;
wherein said point of engagement is in contact with said outer surface of said
drive
roller and positions said inner surface of said contoured collar away from
said outer
surface of said drive roller to form a spaced apart region wherein the spaced
apart
region allows for cleaning of debris that may become entrapped between said
outer
surface of said drive roller and said inner surface of said contoured collar.
47. A key sprocket drive system comprising:
(a) a drive drum having a generally circular outer surface for rotation about
an
axis;
(b) a key system having at least one set screw adapted to engage at least one
drive pin, said at least one drive pin being positioned in an axial groove
along said outer surface of said drive drum;
(c) a contoured collar having an inner surface and an outer surface presenting
at least one pin receiving body portion between said inner and outer surfaces
at a selected position about said inner surface of said contoured collar, said
at least one pin receiving body portion being adapted to receive said at least
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one set screw and contact said outer surface of said drive drum at a selected
position, said at least one pin receiving body portion positioning said inner
surface of said contour collar away from said outer surface of said drive
drum, said positioning defining at least one gap between said inner surface
of said contoured collar and said outer surface of said drive drum between
said at least one pin receiving body portion wherein the gap allows for
cleaning of debris that may become entrapped between said outer surface of
said drive drum and said inner surface of said contoured collar; and
(d) a sprocket having a generally annular configuration with externally facing
teeth at spaced intervals, said sprocket adapted to receive said at least one
set screw.
48. The key sprocket drive system according to claim 47, wherein said key
system has
at least two set screws adapted to engage each said at least one drive pin.
49. The key sprocket drive system according to claim 47, wherein said at least
one pin
receiving body portion is adapted to receive at least two set screws.
50. The key sprocket drive system according to claim 47, wherein said
contoured collar
has an outer surface presenting at least two said pin receiving body portions
between
said inner and outer surfaces at selected positions about said inner surface,
said pin
receiving body portions are adapted to contact said outer surface of said
drive drum
at selected positions and gaps are defined between said inner surface of said
contoured collar and said outer surface of said drive drum between said pin
receiving body portions.
51. The key sprocket drive system according to claim 47, wherein said sprocket
is
adapted to receive at least two said set screws.
52. A key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt comprising:
(a) a drive drum having a generally circular outer surface for rotation about
an
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axis;
(b) a key system having at least one set screw adapted to engage at least one
drive pin, said drive pin being positioned in an axial groove along said outer
surface of said drive drum;
(c) a contoured collar having an inner surface and an outer surface presenting
at least one pin receiving body portion between said inner and outer surfaces
at a selected position about said inner surface, said at least one pin
receiving
body portion being adapted to receive said at least one set screw and contact
said outer surface of said drive drum at a selected position, said at least
one
pin receiving body portion positioning said inner surface of said contoured
collar away from said outer surface of said drive drum, said positioning
defining at least one gap between said inner surface of said contoured collar
and said outer surface of said drive drum between said at least one pin
receiving body portion wherein the gap allows for cleaning of debris that
may become entrapped between said outer surface of said drive drum and
said inner surface of said contour collar; and
(d) a sprocket having a generally annular configuration with externally facing
teeth at spaced intervals, said sprocket adapted to receive said at least one
set screw;
wherein said pin is capable of moving axially within said axial groove during
operation.
53. The key sprocket drive system according to claim 52, wherein said key
system has
at least two set screws adapted to engage each said at least one drive pin.
54. The key sprocket drive system according to claim 52, wherein said at least
one pin
receiving body portion is adapted to receive at least two set screws.
55. The key sprocket drive system according to claim 52, wherein said
contoured collar
has an outer surface presenting at least two said pin receiving body portions
between
said inner and outer surfaces at selected positions about said inner surface,
said pin
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receiving body portions are adapted to contact said outer surface of said
drive drum
at selected positions and gaps are defined between said inner surface of said
contoured collar and said outer surface of said drive drum between said pin
receiving body portions.
56. The key sprocket drive system according to claim 52, wherein said sprocket
is
adapted to receive at least two said set screws.