A drive mechanism for a chain conveyor includes an elongated shaft that extends along an axis and is configured to be driven to rotate by a motor. A sprocket is integrally formed with the shaft. The sprocket includes a plurality of lobes that extend around a perimeter of the shaft. Each lobe is spaced apart from an adjacent lobe by a recessed portion. Each of the recessed portions is configured to receive a drive pin of the chain conveyor.

A drive mechanism for a chain conveyor includes an elongated shaft that extends along an axis and is configured to be driven to rotate by a motor. A sprocket is integrally formed with the shaft. The sprocket includes a plurality of lobes that extend around a perimeter of the shaft. Each lobe is spaced apart from an adjacent lobe by a recessed portion. Each of the recessed portions is configured to receive a drive pin of the chain conveyor.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a drive chain system (22, 24) for a spiral conveyor belt (34) includes inner (52) and outer (62) drive chains driving the spiral conveyor belt, the inner and outer drive chains each including a plurality of links (70) defined by a plurality of first (72) and second (74) pitches connected by linking pins (84, 86) extending through holes (80, 82) in the pitches, wherein at least a portion of the linking pins of at least one of the inner and outer drive chains are hardened and/or dissimilar linking pins which are harder on an outer surface than other components in the inner and outer drive chains.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a drive chain system (22, 24) for a spiral conveyor belt (34) includes inner (52) and outer (62) drive chains driving the spiral conveyor belt, the inner and outer drive chains each including a plurality of links (70) defined by a plurality of first (72) and second (74) pitches connected by linking pins (84, 86) extending through holes (80, 82) in the pitches, wherein at least a portion of the linking pins of at least one of the inner and outer drive chains are hardened and/or dissimilar linking pins which are harder on an outer surface than other components in the inner and outer drive chains.

In some aspects, a conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link coupled between the first link and the second link. The first link includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion oriented parallel to and laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally. The second link includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally. A flight bar is positioned adjacent an end of the first sprocket-engaging portion of the first link.

In some aspects, a conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link coupled between the first link and the second link. The first link includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion oriented parallel to and laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally. The second link includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally. A flight bar is positioned adjacent an end of the first sprocket-engaging portion of the first link.

A piece of chain for use in a metal-constructed chain is composed of pieces of chain made up of lengthwise parallel side plates and connectible successively to each other by link pins at pivot points included in linking portions present at what are the opposite ends in its longitudinal direction. The chain is operated by a drive assembly whereby in association with a bearing surface, present in a midsection of the chain-constructing piece of chain, is provided a notch substantially transverse relative to the chain traveling direction and including a recess comprising a leading edge and a trailing edge, and being, when the chain is being driven, in cooperation with substantially transverse mating surfaces included in the sprocket consistently with the successive notches of the chain. The piece of chain includes a back or edge member connecting its opposite side plates, and a supplementary arrangement coupled in connection therewith.

A piece of chain for use in a metal-constructed chain is composed of pieces of chain made up of lengthwise parallel side plates and connectible successively to each other by link pins at pivot points included in linking portions present at what are the opposite ends in its longitudinal direction. The chain is operated by a drive assembly whereby in association with a bearing surface, present in a midsection of the chain-constructing piece of chain, is provided a notch substantially transverse relative to the chain traveling direction and including a recess comprising a leading edge and a trailing edge, and being, when the chain is being driven, in cooperation with substantially transverse mating surfaces included in the sprocket consistently with the successive notches of the chain. The piece of chain includes a back or edge member connecting its opposite side plates, and a supplementary arrangement coupled in connection therewith.

A linked disc assembly for use in continuous chain tensioning assemblies in tubular chain drag conveyors, comprising link members and alternating double ear disc members. Each disc member comprises a disc plate and an ear member transversely projecting therefrom. Each ear member consists of an arcuate leg defining a channel extending parallel to the disc plate and hingedly engaged by a link member. Each open chain link member defines a spacing gap. Each ear member arcuate leg defines a transverse notch adjacent a corresponding disc plate, the notch sized and shaped complementarily to the link member gap so as to form a sliding ramp for manual guided quick release through passage of a link member.

A linked disc assembly for use in continuous chain tensioning assemblies in tubular chain drag conveyors, comprising link members and alternating double ear disc members. Each disc member comprises a disc plate and an ear member transversely projecting therefrom. Each ear member consists of an arcuate leg defining a channel extending parallel to the disc plate and hingedly engaged by a link member. Each open chain link member defines a spacing gap. Each ear member arcuate leg defines a transverse notch adjacent a corresponding disc plate, the notch sized and shaped complementarily to the link member gap so as to form a sliding ramp for manual guided quick release through passage of a link member.