Conveyor belt trainer

Abstract

An apparatus and method for training a troughing conveyor belt are provided. The apparatus includes a training roller enclosing a concentric shaft. The training roller is rotatably connected to the shaft. In addition, the training roller is pivotable relative to the shaft about a pivot axis that is transverse the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The training roller engages the conveyor belt so that the conveyor belt rotates the training roller. When the conveyor belt is properly aligned, the force of the belt against the training roller is equally distributed on both sides of the pivot axis of the training roller. When the belt becomes misaligned, the training roller pivots in response to the unequal force of the conveyor belt on opposite sides of the pivot axis. The belt then travels down the pivoted roller, thereby realigning the belt. The shaft is rotatable between two positions. Rotating the shaft also rotates the pivot axis of the training roller. A pair of friction rings frictionally couples the training roller with the shaft so that reversing the direction of the conveyor belt that is in contact with the training roller rotates the shaft between the first and second positions, thereby rotating the pivot axis. Accordingly, reversing the direction of the conveyor belt rotates the pivot axis of the device so that the device continues to train the conveyor belt while the belt travels in the reverse direction.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A conveyor assembly, comprising: 
 a conveyor belt operable in a forward direction and a reverse direction;    a plurality of rollers supporting the conveyor belt;    means for aligning the conveyor belt on the rollers; and    means for automatically reversing the aligning means so that the aligning means is operable to align the belt in both the forward and reverse directions.    
     
     
         2 . The device of    claim 1    wherein the aligning means comprises a generally cylindrical element having ends that flare outwardly forming frustoconically-shaped ends.  
     
     
         3 . The device of    claim 1    wherein the aligning means comprises first and second coaxial generally cylindrical elements.  
     
     
         4 . Th e device of    claim 3    wherein the first cylindrical element is pivotable relative to the second cylindrical element.  
     
     
         5 . A device operable in connection with a conveyor operable in a forward direction and a reverse direction, comprising: 
 an alignment mechanism for aligning the belt; and    a reversing element for automatically reversing the alignment mechanism so that the alignment mechanism is operable to align the belt in both the forward and reverse directions.    
     
     
         6 . The device of    claim 5    wherein the alignment mechanism comprises a generally cylindrical element having ends that flare outwardly forming frustoconically-shaped ends.  
     
     
         7 . The device of    claim 1    wherein the alignment mechanism comprises first and second coaxial generally cylindrical elements.  
     
     
         8 . The device of    claim 7    wherein the first cylindrical element is pivotable relative to the second cylindrical element.  
     
     
         9 . A method for aligning a conveyor belt operable in a forward direction and a reverse direction, comprising the steps of: 
 conveying a conveyor belt in a forward direction along a conveyor path;    depositing material on the belt;    aligning the conveyor belt with a trainer as the conveyor belt travels in the forward direction;    discharging the deposited material from the belt;    reversing the direction of the conveyor belt so that the conveyor belt travels in a reverse direction; and    aligning the conveyor belt with the trainer as the conveyor belt travels in the reverse direction.    
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 9    comprising the step of tensioning the belt into engagement with the training device.  
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 9    comprising the step of automatically reversing the trainer in response to reversing the direction of the conveyor so that the trainer is operable to automatically train the belt in the forward and reverse directions.