An apparatus and method for an automatically pivoting return side idler trainer for returning a drifting conveyor belt back to a central position during operation. The trainer includes a non-collinear shaft having ends fixed to the conveyor structure while a non-collinear tube is pivotally mounted to the shaft. A tapered roller element is rotatably mounted to the tube on each side of the pivotal mounting. The shaft and tube include an offset angle that is determined by the taper angle of the tapered roller elements such that when the trainer is installed, the profile of the roller elements form a level surface along the trainer, parallel to the belt return side, regardless if the belt has a straight or cupped profile. A second embodiment uses a non-collinear shaft to which the tapered roller elements are rotatably mounted and whereby the shaft itself is pivotally mounted to an external conveyor structure.

An apparatus and method for an automatically pivoting return side idler trainer for returning a drifting conveyor belt back to a central position during operation. The trainer includes a non-collinear shaft having ends fixed to the conveyor structure while a non-collinear tube is pivotally mounted to the shaft. A tapered roller element is rotatably mounted to the tube on each side of the pivotal mounting. The shaft and tube include an offset angle that is determined by the taper angle of the tapered roller elements such that when the trainer is installed, the profile of the roller elements form a level surface along the trainer, parallel to the belt return side, regardless if the belt has a straight or cupped profile. A second embodiment uses a non-collinear shaft to which the tapered roller elements are rotatably mounted and whereby the shaft itself is pivotally mounted to an external conveyor structure.

A draper belt assembly may include a roller and a web. The roller may include a first groove having a first interior side surface facing in a first direction and a second groove having a second interior side surface facing in the first direction. The draper belt may include a web, and first and second elastomeric belt guides received within the first groove and the second groove, respectively. The first belt guide may have a first exterior side surface facing in a second direction opposite the first direction and axially spaced from the first interior side surface by first distance. The second belt guide may have a second exterior side surface facing in the second direction, axially spaced from the second interior side surface by second distance greater than the first distance in absence of axial loads to the draper belt.

An apparatus and method for an automatically pivoting return side idler trainer for returning a drifting conveyor belt back to a central position during operation. The trainer includes a non-collinear shaft having ends fixed to the conveyor structure while a non-collinear tube is pivotally mounted to the shaft. A tapered roller element is rotatably mounted to the tube on each side of the pivotal mounting. The shaft and tube include an offset angle that is determined by the taper angle of the tapered roller elements such that when the trainer is installed, the profile of the roller elements form a level surface along the trainer, parallel to the belt return side, regardless if the belt has a straight or cupped profile. A second embodiment uses a non-collinear shaft to which the tapered roller elements are rotatably mounted and whereby the shaft itself is pivotally mounted to an external conveyor structure.

An apparatus and method for an automatically pivoting return side idler trainer for returning a drifting conveyor belt back to a central position during operation. The trainer includes a non-collinear shaft having ends fixed to the conveyor structure while a non-collinear tube is pivotally mounted to the shaft. A tapered roller element is rotatably mounted to the tube on each side of the pivotal mounting. The shaft and tube include an offset angle that is determined by the taper angle of the tapered roller elements such that when the trainer is installed, the profile of the roller elements form a level surface along the trainer, parallel to the belt return side, regardless if the belt has a straight or cupped profile. A second embodiment uses a non-collinear shaft to which the tapered roller elements are rotatably mounted and whereby the shaft itself is pivotally mounted to an external conveyor structure.

A draper belt assembly may include a roller and a web. The roller may include a first groove having a first interior side surface facing in a first direction and a second groove having a second interior side surface facing in the first direction. The draper belt may include a web, and first and second elastomeric belt guides received within the first groove and the second groove, respectively. The first belt guide may have a first exterior side surface facing in a second direction opposite the first direction and axially spaced from the first interior side surface by first distance. The second belt guide may have a second exterior side surface facing in the second direction, axially spaced from the second interior side surface by second distance greater than the first distance in absence of axial loads to the draper belt.

According to the present invention, a conveyor pulley for use in a belt conveyor is provided, comprising: a roller tube (1); wherein the roller tube (1) is formed by plastically deforming a central portion of a substantially cylindrical metal tube (2) radially outwardly so as to form a crowned portion (4) having an enlarged outer diameter (OD.sub.ENL) with respect to remaining portions (6) of the metal tube (2).

A conveyor for use with panel-shaped workpieces which can be fed to a machining such as a profile machining is disclosed. The workpieces to be machined are components used in the furniture and structural element industry, such as floor panels, doors, tabletops, or the like. The conveyor belt of the conveyor has a profiling element in a direction of extension, which profiling element is in engagement with a guide element.

A conveyor for use with panel-shaped workpieces which can be fed to a machining such as a profile machining is disclosed. The workpieces to be machined are components used in the furniture and structural element industry, such as floor panels, doors, tabletops, or the like. The conveyor belt of the conveyor has a profiling element in a direction of extension, which profiling element is in engagement with a guide element.

An apparatus and method for an automatically pivoting return side idler trainer for returning a drifting conveyor belt back to a central position during operation. The trainer includes a non-collinear shaft having ends fixed to the conveyor structure while a non-collinear tube is pivotally mounted to the shaft. A tapered roller element is rotatably mounted to the tube on each side of the pivotal mounting. The shaft and tube include an offset angle that is determined by the taper angle of the tapered roller elements such that when the trainer is installed, the profile of the roller elements form a level surface along the trainer, parallel to the belt return side, regardless if the belt has a straight or cupped profile. A second embodiment uses a non-collinear shaft to which the tapered roller elements are rotatably mounted and whereby the shaft itself is pivotally mounted to an external conveyor structure.