All-Aluminum Cross-Drive For Reciprocating Floor Slat Conveyor

Abstract

An all-aluminum cross-drive member for a drive unit assembly that is used to reciprocate floor slats back and forth in a conveyor system, The cross-drive member is extruded or milled from a single piece of aluminum, One side of the member carries connecting pieces for linking the member to floor slats, with the member driving the floor slats back and forth as the member is likewise moved lengthwise in back and forth movement, The other side of the member has stiffening ribs that extend lengthwise for giving the member sufficient stiffness to carry loading forces in lieu of the steel cross-drives used in the past.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cross-drive member for a drive assembly to be used in a reciprocating floor conveyor system, comprising an all-aluminum body that is elongated for extending cross-wise underneath a plurality of floor slats that are driven in reciprocating movement, the all-aluminum body having an upper surface for carrying drive shoes that are connectable to the floor slats, and a lower surface, with stiffening ribs running along opposite sides of the lower surface lengthwise of the body, with the stiffening ribs structurally integrated homogenously as part of the body.