Drive assembly for conveyor

Abstract

To provide a drive end of a conveyor with a sanitary system to be easily set up, moved to a cleaning position, and / or removed away.SOLUTION: A drive assembly for a conveyor belt includes one pair of end plates opposed to each other for mounting a conveyor drive unit and a mount assembly for mounting at least one of a position limiter assembly, a scraper assembly, a combined limiter / scraper assembly, and a side guard. The scraper assembly and the combined limiter / scraper assembly includes a leaf spring to which a tension is selectively given by a tension imparting element on the end plate in order to urge a scraper blade of the scraper assembly toward an operation position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 850,171, entitled "Drive Assembly for a Conveyor," filed May 20, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 859,458, entitled "Drive Assembly for a Conveyor," filed June 10, 2019, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to power driven conveyors, and more particularly to a drive assembly for a conveyor for moving the conveyor belt through a circuit and for transferring conveyed articles off the conveyor. [Background technology]

[0003] Power driven conveyors are used to transport articles. An infeed assembly is used to transfer products onto the conveyor as the conveyor belt moves from the return path to a conveying path above the return path. An outfeed assembly is used to transfer products off the conveyor as the belt moves from the conveying path to the return path. A drive moves the conveyor belt through the conveying circuit. For example, a drive sprocket mounted on a rotatable shaft may engage the conveyor belt to drive it along the conveying circuit. The drive sprocket may be located at the outfeed of the conveyor or in the return path of the circuit. A scraper may be mounted at the outfeed to remove debris from the conveyor belt before it enters the return path. Hygiene issues with conveyors can arise as dust, debris, bacteria and other contaminants can become trapped within the different components. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A drive assembly for a conveyor includes opposed end plates for mounting a conveyor drive and a scraper assembly including a leaf spring for selectively biasing a scraper blade into an operative position when the scraper assembly is mounted between the opposed end plates.

[0005] According to one aspect, a drive assembly for a conveyor belt includes a pair of opposing end plates, a drive section attached to and extending between the pair of opposing end plates, and a limiter / scraper assembly attached to a pair of opposing side plates. The limiter / scraper assembly includes opposing assembly mounting arms for mounting a position limiter and a scraper assembly between the opposing assembly mounting arms. Each assembly mounting arm includes a lower mounting portion including an opening for a position limiter bearing, a front saddle for the scraper assembly, and a rearwardly directed finger terminating in an outward stop for latching the assembly mounting arm to the end plates.

[0006] According to another aspect, a drive assembly for a conveyor belt includes a pair of opposing end plates, a drive portion attached to and extending between the pair of opposing end plates, a first mounting assembly attached to the first end plate, and a second mounting assembly attached to the second end plate, each mounting assembly including a mounting portion for mounting at least one of a scraper assembly and a position limiter assembly to an associated end plate.

[0007] According to another aspect, a drive assembly for a conveyor belt includes a pair of opposing end plates, a drive mounted to and extending laterally between the pair of opposing end plates, a scraper assembly mounted to and extending between saddles on each end plate, and a tensioning device including a leaf spring mounted to each end plate for selectively moving the scraper assembly between an operating position and a cleaning position.

[0008] According to another aspect, a scraper assembly for a conveyor belt includes a pair of opposing scraper mounting plates, a generally cylindrical base extending laterally between the pair of opposing scraper mounting plates for mounting a scraper blade, and a leaf spring attached to a mounting portion connected to each scraper mounting plate and extending longitudinally inwardly from the mounting plates for selectively biasing the scraper blade into a scraping position relative to the conveyor belt. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drive assembly for a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a side view of an end plate of the drive assembly of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] 3 is a perspective view of a scraper assembly of the drive assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are side and side perspective views of the outer portion of the scraper assembly of FIG. 3 in a tensioned state. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are side and side perspective views of the outer portion of the scraper assembly of FIG. 3 in a relaxed state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the outer portion of the scraper assembly of FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a top view of the scraper base of the scraper assembly of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of the scraper base of FIG. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views of the outer portion of the scraper assembly of FIG. 4A when the scraper blade is inserted and when the scraper blade is inserted into the scraper base. [Figure 10]10 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of FIG. 1 in an operating position with the leaf spring of the scraper assembly in a tensioned state. [Figure 11] 11 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of FIG. 1 with the scraper assembly in a relaxed state. [Figure 12] 12 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of FIG. 1 with the side guards removed. [Figure 13] 13 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of FIG. 12 with the side guards removed. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a detailed view of the locking portion of the side guard according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the locking portion of FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a detailed front view of a side guard of a drive assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a drive assembly according to another embodiment prior to insertion of the scraper assembly. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of FIG. 17 upon insertion of the scraper assembly. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of FIG. 17 in an operational condition. [Figure 20] 20 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of FIG. 19 with side guards installed. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a drive assembly according to another embodiment prior to insertion of the scraper assembly. [Figure 22] 22 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of FIG. 21 fully assembled and tensioned. [Figure 23] 23 is a side partial rear view of the drive assembly of FIG. 22. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a drive assembly according to another embodiment. [Diagram 25] 25 is a side cross-sectional view of the drive assembly of FIG. 24 including a chute for receiving ejected product. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the limiter / scraper assembly of FIG. 25. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the limiter / scraper assembly of FIG. 26 without the scraper blade. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the roller limiter of FIG. [Figure 29] 29 is a front cross-sectional view of the limiter / scraper assembly of FIG. 26. [Diagram 30] 30 is a perspective view of an assembly mounting arm of the limiter / scraper assembly of FIG. 26. FIG. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is a side view of the drive assembly of FIG. 24 in an operating position. [Diagram 32] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a drive assembly with a molded operating handle according to an embodiment. [Diagram 33] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of FIG. 32 in a cleaning position. [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a molded handle for a drive assembly integrated with a spray bar according to an embodiment. [Diagram 35] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a drive assembly including a guard to protect the pinch point between the roller limiter and the conveyor belt. [Diagram 36] FIG. 36 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the drive assembly of FIG. 35 showing the guard. [Figure 37] 37 is a perspective view of a guard of the drive assembly of FIG. 35; [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a chute suitable for integration into a drive assembly according to an embodiment. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a drive assembly using the chute of FIG. [Diagram 40] FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing the attachment of the chute of FIG. 38 to an end plate of a drive assembly. [Diagram 41]FIG. 41 is a detailed view of a lower mounting portion of the chute of FIG. 38 that engages an assembly mounting arm according to an embodiment. [Diagram 42] FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a drive assembly including a chute above the scraper. [Diagram 43] FIG. 43 shows the limiter / scraper assembly of the drive assembly of FIG. 42, including the cover plate. [Diagram 44] FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a drive assembly including a pillow block bearing housing for receiving bearings for a roller limiter and including an integral scraper saddle, according to an embodiment. [Diagram 45] FIG. 45 is a detailed view of the bearing housing of FIG. [Figure 46] 46 is a perspective view of a first side of the bearing housing of FIG. 45. FIG. [Figure 47] 47 is a perspective view of a second side of the bearing housing of FIG. 46. FIG. [Figure 48] 48 is a side view of a bearing housing in the drive assembly of FIG. 44. FIG. [Figure 49] FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a drive assembly including a position limiter mounting plate attached to the outside of the end plate. [Figure 50] 50 is an inner perspective view of the position limiter mounting plate of the drive assembly of FIG. 49. FIG. [Figure 51] 51 is an outer perspective view of the position limiter mounting plate of FIG. 50. FIG. [Figure 52] 52 is a side view of the drive assembly of FIG. 49. FIG. [Diagram 53] FIG. 53 is a perspective view of a drive assembly according to another embodiment. [Figure 54] 54 is a side view of the drive assembly of FIG. 53. FIG. [Figure 55] 55 is a perspective view of a scraper assembly of the drive assembly of FIG. 53. [Figure 56] FIG. 56 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of FIG. 53 with the scraper assembly removed. [Figure 57] 57 is a bottom perspective view of the side portion of the drive assembly of FIG. 53. FIG. [Figure 58] 58 is a side cross-sectional view of the drive assembly of FIG. 53. FIG. [Figure 59] FIG. 59 is an outer perspective view of the bearing housing of FIG. 53. [Figure 60] FIG. 60 is an inner perspective view of the bearing housing of FIG. 59. [Figure 61] FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a drive assembly for a flighted conveyor belt according to another embodiment. [Figure 62] 62 is a front view of the drive assembly of FIG. 61. FIG. [Figure 63] 63 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of FIG. 61 with the position limiter mounting plate removed. [Figure 64] 64 is an outer perspective view of the limiter mounting plate of the drive assembly of FIG. 61. FIG. [Figure 65] FIG. 65 is a perspective view of the inside of the limiter mounting plate of FIG. 64. [Figure 66] 66 is a perspective view of a position limiter assembly of the drive assembly of FIG. 61. FIG. [Figure 67] FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a scraper assembly for a drive assembly including a leaf spring according to another embodiment. [Figure 68] FIG. 68 is a detailed side view of the scraper assembly of FIG. 67. [Figure 69] FIG. 69 is a detailed view of the leaf spring mounting portion of the scraper assembly of FIG. 67. [Figure 70] FIG. 70 is a side cross-sectional view of the scraper assembly of FIG. 67. [Figure 71] FIG. 71 is a side perspective view of a scraper assembly including a leaf spring according to another embodiment. [Figure 72] FIG. 72 is a side view of the scraper assembly of FIG. 71. [Figure 73] FIG. 73 is a bottom perspective side view of a scraper assembly including a leaf spring according to another embodiment. [Figure 74] FIG. 74 is a side perspective view of the scraper assembly of FIG. 73. [Figure 75] FIG. 75 is a side perspective view of a scraper assembly including a leaf spring according to another embodiment. [Figure 76] FIG. 76 is a perspective view of a drive assembly according to another embodiment. [Figure 77] FIG. 77 is a side view of the drive assembly of FIG. 76 in an operating position. [Figure 78] FIG. 78 is a side view of the drive assembly of FIG. 76 in a cleaning position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The present invention provides a sanitation system at the drive end of a conveyor that can be easily installed, moved to a cleaning position, and / or removed. The present invention is described below with reference to exemplary embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in many different applications and embodiments, and is not specifically limited in its application to the particular embodiments shown herein.

[0011] 1 is a perspective view of a drive assembly 10 for a conveyor forming an outfeed for the conveyor. The drive assembly 10 includes a pair of opposing end plates 20 extending therebetween for mounting a drive shaft 42 of a reversing element, such as a sprocket or other conveyor drive, for a conveyor belt 40 at the outfeed end of a transport path. The exemplary conveyor belt 40 is a forward drive, low tension conveyor belt. Examples of suitable forward drive, low tension conveyor belts include, but are not limited to, THERMODRIVE® belts available from Intralox, LLC of Harahan, LA, USA, Cleandrive belts available from Habasit AG, Gates Mectrol PosiClean® belts available from Gates Mectrol, Volta SuperDrive™ belts available from Volta Belting and other forward drive, low tension conveyor belts, and other forward drive, low tension conveyor belts known in the art. The exemplary conveyor belt 40 has a smooth outer surface substantially free of discontinuities and an inner surface with a plurality of teeth or other suitable drive elements at a given belt pitch. The conveyor belt 40 transports products along a transport path from an infeed to an outfeed and returns along a return path below the transport path. The conveyor belt 40 may include flights or other features and is not limited to the exemplary example. The end plates 20 also mount a scraper assembly 60 for cleaning the conveyor belt 40. Side guards 80 are mounted to the end plates 20 to protect the edges of the conveyor belt 40 at the outfeed area and / or contain products on the conveyor belt transport path. The exemplary side guards 80 also cover the turnaround elements.

[0012] 2, each end plate 20 has a body extending in height from top edge 21 to bottom edge 22 and in length from front edge 23 to rear edge 13, which is attached to rear mounting plate 12. A shaft opening, shown as a tapered inclined channel 24, extends from a wide opening between top edge 21 and front edge 23 and terminates in a seat 25 for a shaft 42 of a motorized sprocket or another reversing element. Alternatively, a bearing assembly may be provided within or integral with seat 25 to accommodate the shaft of a sprocket driven by an external motor or other reversing element. A scraper assembly 26 extends from the bottom of front edge 23. An exemplary scraper assembly seat 26 is an open seat including a curved protrusion, although the invention is not so limited. Rearward of the scraper assembly seat 26, a limiting groove 27 is formed in the bottom edge 22 to limit pivotal movement of the scraper assembly away from the belt, as described in more detail below. A tensioning lever 28, or other feature, is used to selectively tension and release a tensioning device in the scraper assembly, as described below. An exemplary tensioning lever 28 includes a rounded contact protrusion 120 at the end of a connecting leg 121 that is pivotally connected to a handle 122 via a pivot point 123. Each end plate 20 further includes a molded recess 29 between the top edge 21 and the rear edge 13 for receiving a corresponding molded pivot mounting portion of a side guard 80, as described below.

[0013] 3, the scraper assembly 60 includes a generally cylindrical base 61 extending between a pair of opposing scraper mounting plates 62. A scraper blade 63 extends upwardly from the base 61. The base includes a reduced diameter waisted portion configured to be received in a scraper assembly seat 26 for mounting the scraper assembly between two end plates 20. Each scraper mounting plate 62 includes a generally flat bottom wall 68 and a semicircular front wall 67 transitioning to a downwardly sloping top wall 69. A channel 72 extends inwardly between the flat bottom wall 68 and the downwardly sloping top wall 69 for mounting a leaf spring 90 or other tensioning element for the scraper assembly 60 and forming a pair of legs (upper leg 71 and lower leg 73). The upper leg 71 terminates in a downwardly extending projection 74 for guiding the leaf spring 90. A cylindrical pin 75 extends laterally at the end of the lower leg 73 to interact with the groove 27 in the end plate 20 to limit the movement of the scraper assembly 60 and to form a pivot point for the leaf spring 90. The scraper assembly 60 further includes a shaped protrusion 76 in the channel 72 at the outer end of the lower leg 73 for mounting the leaf spring 90 through an opening 92 at the outer end of the leaf spring 90. The top of the shaped protrusion 76 is larger than the opening to restrain the leaf spring 90, and the body of the shaped protrusion 76 tapers toward the lower leg 73 to allow the outer end of the leaf spring to slide over the shaped protrusion. The exemplary leaf spring 90 may require a tool to be deformed to mount the leaf spring 90 on the shaped protrusion 76 as well as to mount and / or remove the leaf spring from the scraper mounting plate 62. When attached to the scraper mounting plate 62, the elongated leaf springs 90 extend inwardly, away from the scraper blades 63. Thus, the leaf springs are easily replaceable, serviceable and adjustable, as well as providing a reliable, consistent and cleanable tensioning mechanism to ensure proper contact between the scraper blades and the conveyor belt.

[0014] 4A and 4B, in the tensioned position, the leaf spring 90 applies a torque to the scraper assembly 60. In the tensioned position, the inner end 91 of the leaf spring is depressed, causing the leaf spring 90 to pivot downward on the pin 75 and push up the outer end including the opening 92, lifting the scraper mounting plate 62. The molded protrusions 76 and downwardly extending projections 74 restrain the outer end of the leaf spring from moving upward.

[0015] 5A and 5B, in the untensioned position, for example when scraper 60 is removed, the outer end of leaf spring 90 can seat on the bottom of molded projection 76 that extends through aperture 92, the body of leaf spring 90 is spaced from downwardly extending lug 74, and the inner portion of the body rests on pin 75. With no pressure applied to the leaf spring, the spring is held loosely and can be moved away from each contact point with little force for easy cleaning.

[0016] 6-9B show the blade 63 and scraper base 61 of the scraper assembly 60. The blade 63 can be easily and removably attached to the scraper base 61 without tools. The blade 63 includes a tapered body 64 that terminates in a pointed tip 65 that, in an operating position, is biased against the conveyor belt 40 to remove debris from the conveyor belt surface. The exemplary scraper blade 63 also applies a continuous force to the conveyor belt to ensure proper engagement of the drive elements and the drive in the conveyor belt. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the exemplary blade body 64 has a slanted triangular shape. In another embodiment, the blade body 64 has a different shape, such as a tapered lower portion and a tapered upper portion that extends at an angle relative to the tapered lower portion. The blade body 63 can have a constant width or both the width and thickness can taper toward the edge 65. The blade 63 further includes a mounting tab 161 extending downward from the bottom of the tapered blade body 64. The corresponding scraper base 61 includes a series of openings, shown as channels 162, configured to receive the mounting tab 161 for mounting the blade 63 to the scraper base. The exemplary openings 162 include a central bend or curve 163, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, to facilitate a secure grip of the mounting tab 161 when inserted into the base opening 162. The central bend or curve 163 ensures three pressure contact points between the mounting tab 161 and the channel 162, while the dimensions of the channel 162 are configured to provide sufficient clearance to accommodate a wide range of tolerances for the scraper blade 63. The width of each exemplary channel 162 is wider than the thickest mounting tab 161, but the difference between the straight edge of the channel 162 and the end of the bend is less than the thinnest scraper mounting tab 162 within the tolerance. Alternatively, a single serpentine channel spanning the length of the base 61 may be used, or other configurations for the channel may be used.

[0017] 9A and 9B, each mounting tab 161 includes a rounded recess 164 between the blade body 64 and the mounting tab 161 to facilitate cleaning, although the rounded recess 164 may have other shapes, sizes and configurations or be omitted entirely. When inserted into the base 61, the bottom of the blade body 64 rests on the base 61, as shown in FIG. 9B.

[0018] 10, in the operating position, tensioning lever 28 is positioned so that contact lug 120 contacts inner end 91 of leaf spring 90, depressing inner end 91 and tensioning leaf spring 90. The downward force on inner end 91 of leaf spring 90 causes the outer end of leaf spring 90 to pivot upward relative to lug 76, causing scraper mounting plate 62 to pivot upward, resulting in blade tip 65 pressing against conveyor belt 40. Thus, tensioned leaf spring 90 presses scraper blade tip 65 against conveyor belt 40.

[0019] 11 shows the drive unit 10 upon release of the tensioning lever 28 to remove tension in the leaf spring 90. The tensioning lever 28 can pivot clockwise about pivot point 123, moving the contact lug 120 upward and outward, releasing tension from the leaf spring 90 and allowing the scraper blade tip 65 to pivot away from the conveyor belt 40. In an exemplary embodiment, rotation of the scraper assembly away from the conveyor belt is limited by interference between the pin 75 and the groove 27 in the end plate 20, as shown in FIG. 2. The amount of allowed movement can be adjusted by modifying the size, location, or configuration of the interfering components.

[0020] In another embodiment, the tensioning lever 28 may also serve to bias the scraper assembly out of engagement with the conveyor belt. For example, the scraper mounting plate 62 may include a protrusion or other feature designed to engage the tensioning lever 120, which is designed to contact the scraper mounting plate 62 when pivoted to both release tension and pivot the scraper mounting plate 62 within the saddle 26.

[0021] 12-16, the exemplary drive assembly 10 includes side guards 80 that can be easily integrated into the drive assembly 10 and removed for cleaning or other purposes. Each exemplary side guard 80 includes a molded block of UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) or another low friction material forming a main rail 81 disposed adjacent the transport path prior to the sprocket 14, a molded mounting portion 82 at an inner end of the main rail 81, and a front rail 83 that curves downwardly and forwardly from the front end of the main rail 81 and terminates in a locking portion 84. The molded mounting portion 82 is configured to be received in and pivot about a molded recess 29 in the end plate 20 to mount the side guard to the drive assembly 10. The front rail 83 covers the front wall 23 of the corresponding end plate 20 when the drive assembly 10 is assembled, as shown in FIG. A tapered inward protrusion 84 extends radially inward from a curve at the interface of the main rail 81 and front rail 83 and fits within the tapered channel 24 in the end plate 20 and over the seat 25 for the axle 42, terminating in a block 86 that covers the exposed portion of the sprocket 14. The side guard 80 can have any suitable size, shape, and configuration depending on the particular configuration of the end plate 20. In another embodiment, a separate pivot point for pivotally attaching the side guard 80 to the end plate 20 may be used, such as a pin extending from the end plate that is received in an opening in the side guard.

[0022] 14 and 15, the exemplary locking portion 84 includes an aperture 87 for receiving a locking portion 180, shown as a stud having a head 181, a shank 182, and an end threaded portion 183, received in an aperture in the wall 23. The threaded portion 183 is wider than the shank portion 182, and the aperture 87 varies in size to accommodate the different widths and capture the bolt within the locking portion 84. After the molded mounting portion 82 is inserted into the molded recess 29, the rail 81 is pivoted about the pivot point formed by the molded mounting portion 82 so that the rail 81 overlaps the top edge 21 of the end plate, the tapered inward projection 84 is inserted into the tapered channel 24, the front rail 83 overlaps the front wall 23, and the aperture 87 is aligned with the locking aperture in the front wall. The bolt is then turned to insert the threaded portion 183 of the bolt 180 into the capture aperture. In one embodiment, securing the side guard 80 in place also blocks the scraper assembly 60 to prevent it from moving out of the seat 26. The shank 182 may also include a threaded portion that mates with a threaded portion in the opening 87.

[0023] 16 is a cross-sectional view of the interface between the main rail 81 of the side guard 80 and the end plate 20. The exemplary main rail 81 includes a channel 184 that receives an inner flange 186 of the top edge 21 of the end plate 20 to restrain lateral movement of the side guard 80. The exemplary main rail 81 has a generally rectangular cross-section, with the inner end of the main rail 81 covering the edge of the conveyor belt. The channel 184 is formed in the bottom surface of the body of the rail, and a lower projection 187 extends along the inner wall of the end plate 20 between the end plate and the edge of the conveyor belt 40.

[0024] 17-20 show a drive assembly 210 for a conveyor according to another embodiment. The scraper assembly 60 is the same as the scraper assembly 60 of FIGS. 1-16, but with a different means for tensioning the leaf spring 90. The exemplary drive assembly 210 includes a tensioning post 228 extending from the end plate 220 near the intersection of the bottom edge and the trailing edge. As soon as the scraper assembly 60 is seated in the scraper assembly seat 226, FIG. 19, the spring leaf 90 is tensioned by the tensioning post 228 without the need for an additional step. As shown in FIG. 20, after the scraper assembly is seated, the side guards 80 can be attached to the drive assembly 210. The attached side guards 80 prevent removal of the scraper assembly 60 from the seat 226.

[0025] In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 21-23, the tensioning arrangement for the leaf spring 90 in the scraper assembly 60 for the drive assembly 310 can include a backing plate 328 extending upwardly and outwardly from a tensioning post 329 at an angle to guide the end of the leaf spring 90 into a tensioned position, shown in FIG. 22, when the scraper assembly 60 is inserted into the scraper assembly seat 326.

[0026] 24-25 show another embodiment of a drive assembly 410 for a conveyor including a position limiter for ensuring proper engagement of a drive element in a conveyor belt 440 with a conveyor drive, such as a sprocket 414. An exemplary position limiter is a roller limiter 470, but could alternatively be a non-roller full-width position limiter, a series of individual position limiters, or any other suitable type of position limiter. The drive assembly 410 includes a pair of opposing end plates 420 connected by a transverse mounting plate 412 for mounting or integrating a bearing 408 that rotatably houses a drive shaft 442 of a reversing element, such as a sprocket 414, for the conveyor belt 440 at the outfeed end of the transport path, extending between the pair of end plates 420. The end plates 420 also mount a limiter / scraper assembly 460 for mounting both the roller position limiter 470 and a scraper assembly for cleaning the conveyor belt 440. Figure 24 shows the drive assembly 410 with the scraper blade removed, and Figure 25 shows the scraper blade 463 mounted in the limiter / scraper assembly 460. Side guards 480 are attached to the end plates 420 to protect the edges of the conveyor belt 440 in the discharge area and / or contain product on the conveyor belt's transport path.

[0027] The drive assembly 410 may further include a chute 402, shown in FIG. 25, attached to the end plate 420 for receiving products discharged from the conveyor belt 440.

[0028] FIG. 26 shows the limiter / scraper assembly 460 of FIGS. 24 and 25 including a scraper blade 463 attached to a base 461 that extends between scraper mounting plates 459 attached to assembly mounting arms 462. The assembly mounting arms 462 are attached to the outside of the end plates 420 for mounting the scraper assembly, position limiter, and scraper assembly to the drive assembly 410. The scraper mounting plates 459 are similar to the scraper mounting plates 62 described above, with each scraper mounting plate 459 mounting a leaf spring 490 for biasing the scraper blade 463 into engagement with the conveyor belt. A roller limiter 470 extends between the assembly mounting arms 462 including an opening 471 for receiving a bearing 472, as shown in FIG. 27, to allow the roller limiter 470 to pivot relative to the assembly mounting arms 462. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the roller limiter 470 may include a tapered end 488 .

[0029] 30 is a detailed view of an assembly mounting arm 462 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly mounting arm 462 can precisely hold the roller limiter and / or scraper in an operating position relative to the conveyor drive and in a cleaning position, allowing for movement between these two positions as well as removal from the conveyor frame without tools. The exemplary assembly mounting plate 462 includes a lower mounting portion 473 including an opening 471 for receiving a bearing 472. One or more fingers 474 extend rearwardly from the lower mounting portion 473, with the upper finger 474 terminating in an outward stop 475, shown as an angular projection extending laterally outward from a connecting portion 476 that forms a recess. The lower mounting portion 473 further includes a saddle 477 at a front end for mounting the scraper assembly 460. The exemplary saddle 477 includes converging legs 478, 479 that form a shaped opening 487 for receiving the base 461 of the scraper. The shaped opening 487 includes an upper cylindrical portion that intersects a lower cylindrical portion, allowing the scraper base 461 to move within the opening 487 while preventing the base 461 from dislodging without deliberate effort. For example, as described below, when the assembly mounting arm 462 is inverted in a cleaning position, the scraper base 461 can drop from the first leg 478 to the second leg 479, allowing cleaning of the first leg 478 within which the scraper base 461 is normally held.

[0030] The shaped arm extends upwardly from the lower mounting portion 473 and includes a lower curved portion 481 and terminates in an upper latch 482. The lower curved portion 481 includes a narrow portion 483, which may include a hole, designed as a designated breaking point to allow the assembly mounting arm 462 to break, bend or otherwise deform out of the way before other components in the assembly to prevent catastrophic failure if excessive force is applied to the arm. A shaped nose 484 projects forward from the top of the narrow portion 483, and the pivot arm 429 extends laterally outward between the shaped nose and the narrow portion 483. The upper latch 482 defines a keyhole opening 485 having a narrow opening defined by a generally straight sidewall 486.

[0031] 24 and 31, the end plate 420 includes mounting features for mounting the limiter / scraper assembly 460. The exemplary end plate 420 includes an upper mounting protrusion 423 for receiving the upper latch 482 and a lower protrusion 424 forming a stop. The upper mounting protrusion includes a flat sliding portion and rounded top and bottom and is designed to be received in the upper latch 482 so that the mounting arm 462 can pivot about the upper protrusion without being removed from the assembly. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 31, when in the operating position, the stop 475 of the limiter / scraper assembly 460 abuts the lower protrusion 424 of the end plate 420 to properly position the roller limiter and scraper blade relative to the conveyor belt 440. The lower projection 424 of the end plate 420 may include a latch arm 427 designed to receive the stop 475 and latch onto the stop 475 to fit within a space formed between the stop 475 and the connecting portion 476. In one embodiment, the lower projection 424 may be pivoted to move the latch arm 427 into and out of engagement with the stop 475. A leaf spring 490 also rests on the stop 475 against the lower projection 424. An end of the leaf spring 490 bends downwards such that engagement with the lower projection 424 biases the scraper blade into engagement with the conveyor belt. Alternatively, the leaf spring 490 may extend below the projection 424 to bias the leaf spring. The limiter / scraper assembly 460 can be pivoted about the upper mounting projection 423 to place the assembly in a cleaning position with the scraper blade and roller limiter moved away from the conveyor belt.

[0032] In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the drive assembly 410 may include a molded handle 528 pivotally connected to the assembly mounting arm 462 at a pivot point 429 near the nose 484. The molded handle 528 is also pivotally connected to a lower projection 524 of the end plate 420. In the operating position, shown in FIG. 32, the handle 528 is depressed and the lower end of the handle exerts pressure on the leaf spring 490 to bias the scraper blade into position. The handle 528 also rotates the lower projection 524 into position so that the connected latch arm 527 latches onto the stop 475. The molded handle 528 may include a spring tab 530 for connecting the molded handle to the assembly mounting arm pivot point 429, shown as a pin extending from the assembly mounting arm 462. The spring tab 530 prevents the handle 528 from moving from the operating position without deliberate effort.

[0033] The handle 528 can be pulled back, as shown in FIG. 33, to release the stop 475 from the latch arm 527, pivoting it about the lower projection 524 and pivoting the limiter / scraper assembly 460 upward from the operating position to the cleaning position about the upper projection 423, and further releasing tension on the leaf spring 490. The handle 528 can be used to disengage the scraper from the belt without moving the arm assembly completely to the cleaning position. An exemplary handle is connected to both assembly mounting arms 462 through a torsion bar that extends between the end plates 420, so that the assembly can be moved between the operating position and the locked position from either side of the conveyor. The torsion bar, which terminates in a projection 524 extending from each end plate 420, can be laterally positioned in a saddle formed in the end plate and inserted through a slot. A bolt or other fastener can lock the torsion bar in place.

[0034] 34, in one embodiment, the handle 528 may be connected to or integral with a spray bar 540 for cleaning the conveyor belt. The spray bar 540 may extend between the mounting plates 520 to form a torsion bar as described above, and includes a nozzle 542 connected to a source of cleaning fluid for spraying the cleaning fluid onto the conveyor belt in the drive assembly 410.

[0035] 35-37, in one embodiment, the drive assembly 410 may include a guard 580 to protect the pinch point between the roller limiter 470 and the conveyor belt 440 to provide stability to the system while protecting the roller limiter 470. The exemplary guard 580 may extend between and be attached to the opposing assembly mounting arms 462. The exemplary guard includes a curved web 581 extending from a first side to a second side. On each side, an upper connection tab 582 includes an opening for receiving a fastener 584 to fasten the guard to an inner surface of the assembly mounting arm 462. Each side of the guard 580 further includes a bent lower connection tab 586 that includes an opening for receiving another fastener 588 to fasten the guard 580 to a lower edge of the assembly mounting arm 462.

[0036] As previously described, the drive assembly 410 may include a chute 402 for receiving product that is unloaded onto the drive end of the conveyor using the drive assembly 410. With reference to FIGS. 38-41, an exemplary chute 402 includes a planar sliding portion 610 having side walls 611 and a connecting arm 620 for attaching the chute to an end plate 420. When attached, the planar sliding portion 610 of the chute extends from the end plate 420 and rests below the scraper attachment bar 461 such that the limiter / scraper assembly can be rotated to a cleaning position while the chute remains attached to the end plate 420. Each connecting arm 610 includes an upper connecting portion 611 having two seats 612, 613, each configured to receive a connecting pin 428, 429 on the end plate 420. As shown in FIG. 41, the chute connecting arm 620 further includes a lower portion 614 including a flat portion 615 connected to the body of the chute connecting arm 620, the flat portion 615 terminating in an upwardly extending tab 616. The exemplary tab 616 forms a contact point with the limiter / scraper connecting arm 462. When the limiter / scraper assembly 460 is in the operating position, the limiter / scraper connecting arm 462 tensions the chute to lock it in place to reduce vibration. The chute 402 can have any suitable means of interfacing with the limiter / scraper assembly. The tab 616 can alternatively extend laterally from a portion of the chute 402 to contact an associated portion of the limiter / scraper assembly. The weight of the chute 402 holds the chute against the connecting pins 428, 429. Any suitable means for connecting the chute to a drive assembly in the conveyor can be used.

[0037] The chute for the drive assembly may be located in any suitable location. For example, the chute 402 in FIGS. 38-41 is located below the scraper assembly. Alternatively, the chute 402 may be located in any suitable location relative to the conveyor belt. For example, the chute 402 may be located above the scraper as shown in FIGS. 42-43. In an exemplary embodiment, the limiter / scraper assembly 460' may include a cover plate 630 for extending the sliding portion 610 of the chute 402 above the scraper. The exemplary cover plate 630 may be pivoted back or otherwise moved to allow the limiter / scraper assembly 460' to be moved to a cleaning position as needed.

[0038] 44-48 show another embodiment of a drive assembly 710 for a conveyor including a mounting assembly, shown as pillow block bearing housings 760, for receiving bearings for roller limiters, and including an integral scraper saddle. Each bearing housing 760 includes a mounting portion 761 for mounting the bearing housing to an end plate 720 of the drive assembly, a bearing opening 762 for receiving a bearing 772 for a roller limiter, and a front saddle 726 for receiving a base 61' of a scraper assembly 60', the components of which are the same as those of the scraper assembly 60 described above. The mounting portion 761 is attached to a bottom surface 721 of the mounting plate using fasteners, shown as bolts 780, but may alternatively be attached to another surface of the end plate. In one embodiment, the bolts 780 have two sets of threads, and an opening in the mounting portion 761 and bottom surface 721 are threaded to mate with each set of threads. In another embodiment, bolt 780 is a sealing bolt that includes one or more sealing washers to seal the interface between bolt 780 and the mounting assembly and end plate 720 .

[0039] In another embodiment, shown in FIGURE 49, a drive assembly 810 includes opposing end plates 820 connected by a transverse mounting plate 812 and including a mounting assembly, shown as a position limiter mounting plate 860, attached to an outer surface of the end plates 820. The exemplary position limiter mounting plate 860 extends below each end plate 820 for mounting one or more snap-on position limiters 870. The position limiters 870 ensure proper engagement of the drive structure on the conveyor belt with the drive structure on the sprocket 814 or other drive element. Each end plate 820 includes an opening 825 that receives a bearing 808 for rotatably receiving a drive shaft 842 of the sprocket 814 or other drive element.

[0040] Each exemplary limiter mounting plate 860 includes a flat plate that tapers over its length from a curved top surface 861 to a flat bottom surface 862 to accommodate the bearings 808 and drive shaft 842, as shown in FIGS. 50 and 51. The exemplary position limiter mounting plates 860 have a fixed width, although the invention is not so limited. The upper portion of the plate forms a connecting portion for attaching the limiter mounting plate 860 to the outer surface of the associated end plate 820. The exemplary connecting portion includes offset openings 871, 872 for receiving fasteners 873, 874 that can be inserted through the limiter mounting plate 860 and into corresponding openings in the end plate 820. The fasteners 873, 874 can include bolts with integral sealing washers. The connecting portion further includes offset pins 875, 876 that can be used to attach a chute or other additional features. As shown, the outer end of the connection portion includes a fastener opening 871 at the top and a pin 876 below the fastener opening 871, while the inner end of the connection portion includes a pin 875 at the top and a fastener opening 872 below the protrusion 875, although the invention is not so limited. A position limiter mounting bar 880 extends laterally inward from the plate below the connection portion. The exemplary position limiter mounting bar 880 includes a lateral channel 881 and an axial notch 882 for receiving a tip, and a locking tab on the position limiter 870 secures the position limiter both axially and laterally on the position limiter mounting bar 880 in the operating position, although any suitable means for securing the position limiter 870 to the mounting bar 880 may be used.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 52, when assembled, the leading edge of the position limiter 870 protrudes beyond the leading edge of the position limiter mounting plate 860 such that the limiting surface of the position limiter is adjacent the conveyor belt driven by the sprocket 814.

[0042] Additionally, a protrusion 890 may extend from the back plate 812 to prevent bowing of the conveyor belt.

[0043] The exemplary drive assembly 810 positions each position limiter 870 at a side edge of the conveyor belt with open space between the position limiters 870 to accommodate a conveyor belt with flights at a central portion of the conveyor belt, although alternatively, the mounting bar 880 may extend across the entire width of the drive assembly to accommodate a series of spaced apart snap-fit ​​position limiters 870 across the width of the drive assembly.

[0044] 53-60, another embodiment of a drive assembly 910 includes a mounting assembly, shown as a bearing housing 980 fastened to the exterior of end plates 920 for mounting a roller limiter 970 and a scraper assembly 960. The end plates 920 extend between laterally extending rear mounting plates 912. A sprocket 914 or other drive or reversing element is mounted between the end plates 920 using bearings in openings in the end plates 920, as described above.

[0045] A belt anti-wrap bar 913 may extend from the back plate 912 to prevent the belt teeth from catching on the frame members and being sucked back onto the drive sprocket, although the invention is not limited to the inclusion of a belt anti-wrap bar 913.

[0046] The exemplary scraper assembly 960 shown in FIG. 55 includes a generally cylindrical base 961 with tapered ends and a cylindrical mounting projection 966 extending between a pair of opposing scraper mounting plates 962. A scraper blade 963 extends upwardly from the base 961 in a manner similar to the scraper assembly embodiments described above. The scraper plates 962 each include an opening 967 for receiving a protrusion on the cylindrical mounting projection 966 to mount the cylindrical base 962 to the scraper plate. Each scraper mounting plate 962 includes a channel 972 between the upper and lower legs, as described above, for mounting a leaf spring 990 or other tensioning element for the scraper assembly 960. A cylindrical pin 977 extends laterally at the end of the lower leg to limit the movement of the scraper assembly 960 and form a pivot point for the leaf spring 990. The exemplary cylindrical base 962 is positioned below the leaf spring 990 in the embodiment of FIGS.

[0047] In the exemplary embodiment, a handle 964 extends upwardly from the scraper mounting plate 962 for manually moving the scraper assembly forward to perform some cleaning while keeping the leaf spring 990 within its elastic limits.

[0048] 56-58, each bearing plate 980 includes a mounting portion for mounting the bearing plate to the outer surface of the associated end plate 920, as described below, a bearing opening 982 for receiving a bearing of the roller limiter 970 to pivotally mount and position the roller limiter 970 relative to the sprocket 914, and a saddle 926 for receiving a cylindrical mounting projection 966 of the scraper assembly 960 to position the scraper blade 963 relative to the sprocket 914.

[0049] 59 and 60 show the bearing plate 980 in detail, showing the saddle 926 and the bearing opening 982. The connection portion includes offset openings 971, 972 for receiving fasteners (973, 974 in FIG. 56) that can be inserted through the bearing plate 980 and into corresponding openings in the end plate 920. The fasteners 973, 974 can include sealing bolts with sealing washers that seal the interface between the joined components and the fasteners. The exemplary connection portion further includes offset pins 975, 976 that can be used to attach a chute or another element, although the bearing plate 980 does not require offset pins 975, 976. The bearing plate 980 also includes a curved upper surface 861 for receiving the sprocket bearing or the opening in the end plate 920. The bearing openings 982 can include recesses 983 to facilitate the insertion and removal of bearings that hold the ends of the roller limiters 970. The bearing plate 980 further includes an outwardly extending tensioning post 928 for tensioning a scraper assembly leaf spring 990 to urge the scraper blade 963 into the proper position relative to the sprocket 914 and conveyor belt. When the scraper assembly 960 is inserted into the saddle 926, the leaf spring 990 extends under the tensioning post 928, which pulls up the opposite end of the leaf spring 990 and urges the scraper blade 963 into the operating position.

[0050] A channel 978 in the outer surface of the bearing plate 960 can receive a cylindrical pin 977 of the scraper assembly 960 to ensure that the scraper cannot be over-opened which would move the leaf spring 990 beyond its yield point when the scraper is in place.

[0051] 61-66 show another embodiment of a drive assembly 1010 suitable for a flighted conveyor belt including mounting assemblies, shown as position limiter plates 1060, attached to the outer surface of each end plate 1020 for mounting a position limiter assembly 1080 to a sprocket 1014 or other drive element. The exemplary position limiter assembly 1080 includes spaced apart snap-fit ​​position limiters 1081 to ensure proper engagement of drive structure on the conveyor belt with drive structure on the sprocket 1014 or other drive element.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 64 and 65, each position limiter plate 1060 includes a flat plate having a length from a concave top surface 1061 to a flat bottom surface 1062. The exemplary limiter mounting plate 1060 has a fixed width, although the invention is not so limited. The upper portion of the plate forms a connecting portion for attaching the limiter mounting plate 1060 to the outer surface of the associated end plate 1020. The exemplary connecting portion includes offset openings 1071, 1072 for receiving fasteners 1073, 1074 that can be inserted through the limiter mounting plate 1060 and into corresponding openings in the end plate 1020. The fasteners 1073, 1074 can be sealing bolts that include sealing washers to seal the interface between the joined components and the fasteners. The connecting portion further includes offset pins 1075, 1076 that can be used to attach chutes or other additional features. An opening 1080 for mounting the position limiter assembly 1068 extends through the position limiter plate 1060 below the connecting portion. The exemplary opening 1068 includes a generally square shaped upper portion with a chamfered edge and a lower portion in the form of a rounded slot that extends generally perpendicular to and intersects the upper portion.

[0053] 66, an exemplary position limiter assembly 1080 includes a lateral support bar 1082 including a vertical mounting bar 1083 topped with a cylindrical projection 1084 including an outwardly extending mounting tab 1085 configured to be received in a position limiter plate opening 1068. The lateral support bar 1082 further includes a series of spaced apart vertical limiter bars 1086 terminating in position limiter mounting projections 1087 including features for mounting position limiters 1081. Spaces between the position limiters 1081 can accommodate flights on a conveyor belt used with the drive assembly 1010. In one embodiment, each position limiter mounting projection 1087 includes a lateral channel and an intersecting axial notch for receiving the tip and locking tab of the position limiter 1081, although any suitable means for securing the position limiters to the limiter mounting projections 1087 may be used.

[0054] 67-70, an exemplary drive assembly is not limited to the scraper assemblies described above. FIGS. 67-70 show another embodiment of a scraper assembly 560 for a conveyor drive assembly including a pair of leaf springs 590 for biasing scraper blade tips 565 into contact with a conveyor belt. Each leaf spring 590 is attached to a mounting base 562 extending from mounting plates 564. A scraper base 561 with a narrow waisted portion 566 extends between mounting plates 564 to mount scraper blades 563. A seal bolt 576 attaches the front end of leaf spring 590 to base 562. A relatively wide portion of leaf spring 590 rests on a rounded lip 573 that forms a fulcrum for leaf spring 590. A rounded lip 573 is formed within a recess in the mounting base 562 to receive and seat a wide portion of the leaf spring 590 .

[0055] As shown in FIG. 70, the sealing bolt 576 includes an upper sealing washer 577 between the upper interface of the leaf spring and the bolt head, and a lower sealing washer 578 between the bottom of the leaf spring, the bolt shank, and the mounting base 562.

[0056] The scraper assembly 560 can be used with any drive assembly, such as those described above, using a biasing mechanism in the leaf spring 590 to selectively bias the scraper blade tip 565 into a predetermined position relative to a conveyor belt used with the drive assembly.

[0057] 71 and 72, in another embodiment, a scraper assembly 660 for a conveyor belt drive assembly, such as that described above, includes a leaf spring 690 attached to a molded mounting base 662 using a sealing bolt 676, as described above. The mounting base 662 includes an upper channel 674 that separates a rounded lip 673 that forms a fulcrum for the leaf spring 690 from an opening for the sealing bolt 676. In addition, a central projection 675 extends upward from the rounded lip 673, is aligned with the sealing bolt 676, and is received in a slot 691 in the leaf spring 690 to maintain the lateral position of the leaf spring on the mounting base 662. Other suitable means for restraining the leaf spring may also be used. Other components of the exemplary scraper assembly 660 are similar to those of the mounting spring 560.

[0058] 73 and 74, a scraper assembly 1260 for a drive assembly, such as the drive assembly described above, includes a dumbbell protrusion 1273 extending from the side of a mounting plate 1264. The dumbbell protrusion 1273 forms a fulcrum for a leaf spring 1290 used to bias the scraper blade into a stripping position against a conveyor belt driven by the drive assembly, and captures the leaf spring 1290 between two end overhangs. The molded mounting portion 1262 includes an opening for receiving a sealing bolt 1276, such as the sealing bolt 576 and sealing washer described above, to fasten the leaf spring 1290 to the scraper assembly 1260.

[0059] 75, a scraper assembly 1360 includes a dumbbell-shaped protrusion 1373 for seating and providing a fulcrum for a leaf spring 1390 and a sealing bolt 1376 in a molded mounting portion 1362, both extending from the side of a mounting plate 1364. The exemplary molded mounting portion 1362 extends downward to capture the end of the leaf spring between the dumbbell-shaped protrusion 1373 and the molded mounting portion 1362, with the sealing bolt 1376 below the molded mounting portion 1362.

[0060] According to yet another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 76-78, the drive assembly 1110 includes an air-operated tensioning device 1130 for the scraper assembly 1160. The tensioning device 1130 can move the scraper assembly 1160 between an operating position in which the scraper blade 1163 is biased into contact with the conveyor belt 1140 and a cleaning position in which the scraper blade 1163 is pressed out of contact with the conveyor belt 1140. The scraper assembly 1160 can be easily removed from the drive assembly 1110 without the need for tools. The tensioning device 1130 includes a leaf spring 1131 attached to the transverse mounting plate 1112 and an air cylinder 1132 attached to the end of the leaf spring 1131 and to the end plate 1120, the air cylinder having a piston 1133 connected to the eccentric scraper mounting plate 1162. To urge the scraper blade 1163 into contact with the conveyor belt, the air cylinder 1132 pushes the piston 1133 forward, rotating the eccentric scraper mount plate 1162 and forcing the blade 1163 into contact with the conveyor belt 1140. The piston 1133 retracts, pulling the scraper blade 1163 away from the conveyor belt.

[0061] The claims are not limited to the details of the described exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. 1. A drive assembly for a conveyor belt, comprising: a pair of opposing end plates; a drive portion attached to the pair of opposing end plates and extending between the pair of opposing end plates; a limiter / scraper assembly mounted to said pair of opposing side plates, said limiter / scraper assembly including opposing assembly mounting arms for mounting a position limiter and a scraper assembly therebetween, each assembly mounting arm including a lower mounting portion including an opening for a position limiter bearing, a front saddle for a scraper assembly, and a rearwardly directed finger terminating in an outwardly directed stop for hooking said assembly mounting arm to an end plate; a drive assembly including:

2. The drive assembly of claim 1 , wherein the assembly mounting arm comprises a contoured arm extending from the lower mounting portion, including a lower curved portion, and terminating in an upper catch.

3. The drive assembly of claim 2 , wherein the lower curved portion includes a narrowed portion designed as a designated breaking point.

4. The drive assembly of claim 2 , wherein the formed arm includes a pin for pivotally mounting a handle.

5. The drive assembly of claim 4 further comprising a handle attached to the pin at a first location.

6. The drive assembly of claim 5 , wherein said handle is attached to a torsion bar extending between said end plates at a second location, said torsion bar including a latch arm for engaging said outward stop.

7. The drive assembly of claim 6 , wherein the torsion bar includes a plurality of nozzles connected to a source of irrigation fluid.

8. The drive assembly of claim 1 , wherein one of the mounting plates includes a pivotable projection having a latch arm for engaging an outward stop.

9. 9. The drive assembly of claim 8, wherein the scraper / limiter assembly includes a leaf spring for biasing the scraper blade into contact with the conveyor belt, the leaf spring selectively engaging the pivotable projection to apply tension to the leaf spring.

10. 2. The drive assembly of claim 1, further comprising a guard extending between and attached to said opposing assembly mounting arms for protecting a pinch point between said position limiter and said conveyor belt.

11. The guard includes a curved sheet extending from a first side to a second side; upper connection tabs on each side for fastening the guard to an inner surface of an assembly mounting arm; a lower connection tab on each side for fastening the guard to the lower edge of the assembly mounting arm; The drive assembly of claim 10 including:

12. The drive assembly of claim 1 , wherein each end plate includes an upper connecting pin and a lower connecting pin for attaching a chute to the drive assembly.

13. 13. The drive assembly of claim 12, further comprising a chute attached to the end plates, the chute including a planar sliding portion, a first connecting arm on a first side of the planar sliding portion attached to a first end plate, and a second connecting arm on a second side of the planar sliding portion attached to a second end plate.

14. The drive assembly of claim 14 , wherein each connecting arm includes an upper connecting portion having two seats, each seat configured to receive a connecting pin on an end plate.

15. The drive assembly of claim 13 , wherein each connecting arm further includes a lower portion forming a tab that interfaces with a stop on the assembly mounting arm.

16. 1. A drive assembly for a conveyor belt, comprising: a pair of opposing end plates; a drive portion attached to the pair of opposing end plates and extending between the pair of opposing end plates; a first mounting assembly attached to the first end plate; second mounting assemblies attached to second end plates, each mounting assembly including a connector for connecting the mounting assembly to an associated end plate and a mounting portion for mounting at least one of a scraper assembly and a position limiter assembly to the associated end plate; a drive assembly including:

17. The drive assembly of claim 16 , wherein the first mounting assembly and the second mounting assembly are attached to the end plates using sealing bolts having sealing washers.

18. 17. The drive assembly of claim 16, wherein each mounting assembly includes a bearing opening for accommodating a bearing for a position limiter and a front saddle for receiving a base of a scraper assembly.

19. 19. The drive assembly of claim 18, further comprising a limiter / scraper assembly mounted to and extending between the mounting assemblies, the limiter / scraper assembly including a roller limiter having an end bearing mounted in the bearing opening and a scraper base received in the front saddle for mounting a scraper blade.

20. The drive assembly of claim 16 , wherein the mounting assembly is attached to a bottom edge of the end plate.

21. The drive assembly of claim 16 , wherein the mounting assembly is attached to an outer surface of the end plate.

22. The drive assembly of claim 16 , wherein the mounting assembly includes a position limiter mounting bar for mounting a snap-on position limiter.

23. 1. A drive assembly for a conveyor belt, comprising: a pair of opposing end plates; a drive portion attached to the pair of opposing end plates and extending laterally between the pair of opposing end plates; a scraper assembly attached to and extending between saddles on each end plate; a tensioning device including a leaf spring attached to each end plate for selectively moving the scraper assembly between an operating position and a cleaning position; a drive assembly including:

24. The drive assembly of claim 23 , wherein the tensioning device includes an air-actuated tensioning device mounted on an end plate.

25. 24. The drive assembly of claim 23, wherein the scraper assembly includes a pair of opposing scraper mounting plates, a scraper base for mounting a scraper tip extending laterally between each scraper mounting plate, and a leaf spring extending longitudinally inwardly from each scraper mounting plate.

26. 26. The drive assembly of claim 25, wherein the tensioning device further includes one of a post, a lever, and an arm for selectively urging downwardly an end of the leaf spring to bias the scraper assembly toward the operating position.

27. 1. A scraper assembly for a conveyor belt, comprising: a pair of opposing scraper mounting plates; a generally cylindrical base extending laterally between said pair of opposed scraper mounting plates for mounting a scraper blade; a leaf spring attached to a mounting portion connected to each scraper mounting plate, the leaf spring extending longitudinally inwardly from the mounting plate for selectively biasing the scraper blade into a scraping position relative to the conveyor belt; 2. A scraper assembly comprising:

28. 28. The scraper assembly of claim 27, wherein the mounting portion includes a molded protrusion extending upwardly from a channel extending longitudinally outwardly in an associated scraper mounting plate.

29. 28. The scraper assembly of claim 27, wherein the generally cylindrical base includes a reduced diameter waist portion configured to be received in a scraper assembly seat for mounting the scraper assembly between two end plates of a conveyor.

30. 28. The scraper assembly of claim 27, wherein each mounting plate further includes a cylindrical pin extending laterally from an end of the mounting plate to form a pivot point for the leaf spring.

31. 27. The scraper assembly of claim 26, further comprising a sealing bolt including a sealing washer for attaching the first end of the leaf spring to the mounting portion.

32. 32. The scraper assembly of claim 31, wherein the mounting portion further includes a formed fulcrum spaced from the sealing bolt forming a fulcrum for the leaf spring.

33. 33. The scraper assembly of claim 32, wherein the contoured fulcrum forms a seat to restrain lateral movement of the leaf spring.

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