Tracker support bracket

Abstract

A support bracket (10) for a tracker (12) of the known kind. The support bracket (10) comprises a main body (30) which operatively fixes the support bracket (10) relative to a structure (13). A sleeve (34) defining a bore (36) which operatively receives a shaft (16) of the tracker (12) is pivotably supported relative to the main body (30). The bracket (10) further includes a pivot limiting arrangement (40) which limits permissible pivoting of the sleeve (34) to within a predetermined range defined between a first and second extremity (42, 44).

Description

[0001] TRACKER SUPPORT BRACKET

[0002] BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a tracker support bracket. More particularly, the present invention relates to a support bracket with which a tilt angle and a vertical displacement of a belt tracker, typically supporting a return portion of an endless conveyor belt, may be varied.

[0004] Belt trackers perform a “tracking” or “steering” function on a belt, in that the tracker reacts to, and corrects, misalignment of the belt, in use. The belt tracker achieves this automatically, by being pivotable in a plane substantially parallel to the travel direction of the belt. As the belt becomes misaligned and runs towards one side of the tracker, unbalanced forces causes the tracker to pivot slightly, thereby steering the belt back to a central position where forces are in equilibrium.

[0005] The effectiveness of the tracking of the belt is impacted by the force exerted by the belt on the tracker. Therefore, in cases where the belt tension varies or the belt moves upwards and downwards, and therefore where the force exerted by the belt on the tracker is not constant or controlled, tracking may be compromised.

[0006] It is known that tilting the belt tracker, such that the plane in which the tracker pivots is slightly out of parallel with the direction of travel of the belt, improves the tracking function of the belt. The tilt angle of the tracker is typically meticulously set up and locked in place. Over-tilting of the tracker may lead to over-correcting during tracking, which could cause damage to the belt or the tracker, or in worst case scenarios, may lead to the belt becoming dislodged from the roller. Also, in cases where the tilt angle of the tracker is fixed, tracking when the belt is displaced in an opposite than normal direction is not possible.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a support bracket for a belt tracker, as well as a belt tracker assembly incorporating such support brackets, that will, at least partially, address the above disadvantages.

[0008] It is also an object of the invention to provide a support bracket for a belt tracker, as well as a belt tracker assembly incorporating such support brackets which will be a useful alternative to existing brackets and assemblies. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a support bracket for a tracker of the known kind, the support bracket comprising: a main body operatively fixing the support bracket relative to a structure; a sleeve defining a bore for operatively receiving a shaft of the tracker, the sleeve pivotably supported relative to the main body; and a pivot limiting arrangement for limiting pivoting of the sleeve to within a predetermined range defined between a first and second extremity.

[0010] The sleeve may be received and supported by an inner ring of a bearing or may be formed by an inner ring of a bearing.

[0011] The sleeve may be supported relative to a support body portion which may comprise a part of the main body or a body separate from the main body which is supported relative to the main body.

[0012] The pivot limiting arrangement may comprise stopper members, which may, in some examples, take the form of limit screws, which are fixed relative to the support body portion. The stopper members may define the first and second extremities of the predetermined range. The sleeve may comprise an extension which may interfere with the stopper members when the sleeve is pivoted to the extremities of the predetermined range.

[0013] The pivot limiting arrangement may allow pivoting of the sleeve in a forwards and rearwards direction from a neutral position.

[0014] The predetermined range may be between 10 degrees and 30 degrees. Typically, the predetermined range may be about 20 degrees.

[0015] The support bracket may further include an actuating arrangement for pivoting the sleeve towards one of the first and second extremities. Said actuating arrangement may operatively pivot the sleeve to one of the first and second extremities based on a rotational direction of the tracker.

[0016] The actuating arrangement may automatically and magnetically be activated to pivot the sleeve to one of the first and second extremities based on a rotational direction of the tracker. Alternatively, the actuating arrangement may include a measuring device for measuring a rotational direction of the roller or a travel direction of a belt supported on the roller. In such cases, the actuating arrangement may further include an actuator configured to be actuated based on an input from the measuring device, thereby to cause the shaft to be rotated relative to the main body.

[0017] The support body portion may comprise a body separate from the main body which may be displaceably supported relative to the main body. The support body portion may be received on first and second slides which allow linear displacement of the support body portion relative to the main body. The support bracket may further include biasing means for biasing the support body portion towards a predetermined position. The first and second slides may be carried by an intermediate body which is slidably fixed to the main body. A locking arrangement may operatively lock the intermediate body relative to the main body.

[0018] An adjustment mechanism may extend between the main body and intermediate body for adjusting a position of the intermediate body relative to the main body.

[0019] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a support bracket for a tracker of the known kind, the support bracket comprising: a main body operatively fixing the support bracket relative to a structure; a sleeve defining a bore for operatively receiving a shaft of the tracker, the sleeve supported relative to a support body portion which is separate from the main body which is displaceably supported relative to the main body.

[0020] The support body portion may be received on first and second slides which allow linear displacement of the support body portion relative to the main body.

[0021] The support bracket may include biasing means for biasing the support body portion towards a predetermined position.

[0022] The first and second slides may be carried by an intermediate body which may be slidably fixed to the main body. A locking arrangement may operatively lock the intermediate body relative to the main body.

[0023] An adjustment mechanism may extend between the main body and the intermediate body for adjusting a position of the intermediate body relative to the main body. Further to either the first or second aspect of the invention, or as a standalone aspect of the invention, the support bracket may include a mount made up of an inner and outer portion which are angularly adjustable relative to each other. The outer portion may be supported relative to the main body while the inner portion may support the sleeve. In cases where the mount forms part of the first aspect of the invention, the inner portion may support the sleeve in pivotable fashion.

[0024] The inner portion may comprise external splines, ridges or teeth, while the outer portion may comprise mating grooves which may be configured to interact with the splines, ridges or teeth. Interaction between the splines, ridges or teeth and the grooves may result in incremental and discrete relative angular displacement or adjustment between the inner and outer portions.

[0025] Alternatively, the inner and outer portions may be concentrically arranged and lockable relative to each other.

[0026] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a tracker assembly, comprising: a first and second support bracket according to any one of the first and second aspects of the invention for operatively fixing the tracker assembly relative to a structure; a tracker of the known kind including a main shaft opposite ends of which are received by the first and second support brackets respectively.

[0027] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a conveyor comprising, an endless belt supported by a plurality of rollers, wherein at least one roller supporting a return portion of the belt comprises a tracker assembly according to the third aspect of the invention.

[0028] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0030] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a support bracket according to the invention;

[0031] Figure 2 shows a front view of the support bracket of Figure 1 ;

[0032] Figure 3 shows a top view of the support bracket of Figure 1 ; Figure 4 shows a side view of the support bracket of Figure 1 ;

[0033] Figure 5 shows a sectioned front view of a tracker of the known kind;

[0034] Figure 6 shows a sectioned side view of the tracker of the known kind of Figure 5;

[0035] Figure 7 shows a front view of a tracker assembly, comprising a tracker of the known kind as shown in Figure 5 fitted to a structure by two support brackets as shown in Figure 1 ; and

[0036] Figure 8 shows a partial detailed view of an alternative embodiment of the support bracket in which a sleeve thereof is supported by a mount which has an inner and outer portion which are angularly adjustable relative to each other.

[0037] DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted", "connected", "engaged" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings and are thus intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members interposed therebetween and indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. Further, "connected" and "engaged" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Additionally, the words "lower", "upper", "upward", "down" and "downward" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words or similar import. It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," and any singular use of any word, include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

[0039] Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like features, a non-limiting example of a support bracket in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0040] Generally, the support bracket 10 is used to support a tracker or tracker roller 12 of the known kind. More particularly, the tracker 12 is a return tracker, which means the tracker 12 supports a return portion of a conveyor belt.

[0041] The tracker 12 performs a tracking function, in that the tracker reacts to, and corrects, misalignment of the belt, in use. The tracker 12 achieves this automatically, by being pivotable in a plane substantially parallel to the travel direction of the belt. As the belt becomes misaligned and runs towards one side of the tracker 12, unbalanced forces causes the tracker 12 to pivot slightly, thereby steering the belt back to a central position where forces are in equilibrium.

[0042] The tracker 12 is shown in figures 5 to 7. In use, the tracker 12 forms part of a tracker assembly 11 which is shown in figure 7. The tracker assembly 11 includes support brackets 10, with which the tracker assembly 11 is fixed relative to a structure 13, such as a main frame of a conveyor. The tracker 12 comprises a roller or barrel 14 covered with a rubber lining or lagging. The roller 14 is supported by a main shaft 16, which is, in use, stationary. The shaft 16 therefore does not rotate in use. The shaft 16 extends across a whole width of the roller 14. The shaft is received within a main tube 18. A pin 20 extends across the main tube 18 and is fixed to the main tube 18. In use, the pin 20 extends substantially vertically, or rather, perpendicularly to the plane within which the tracker 12 is pivotable. The shaft 16 is pivotably fixed to the pin 20 by means of a pivot or bush 22. In use, the main tube 18 therefore also does not rotate. Bearings 24 support the roller 14 on the main tube 18, allowing the roller 14 to rotate relative to the main tube 18 and the shaft 16. A permissible amount of pivoting of the roller 14 relative to the shaft 16 is defined by interaction between outer ends of the main tube 18 and the shaft 16.

[0043] Throughout this disclosure, when reference is made to “tilting” of the tracker 12 or the roller 14, it will be appreciated that reference is made to slight pivoting of the shaft 16 about its longitudinal axis, such that the pin 20 tilts or pivots in a direction of the arrow 26. The pin 20 therefore pivots slightly away from a purely vertical position (in cases where the belt extends purely horizontally) or rather, the pin 20 pivots slightly away from a purely perpendicular orientation relative to the belt, such that the plane in which the roller 14 pivots about the pin, is slightly inclined relative to the horizontal (again, in cases where the belt extends purely horizontally), or rather, slightly inclined relative to or out of parallel with the belt (horizontal here is with reference to a surface on which the conveyor is supported and therefore substantially parallel to the direction in which the belt travels). Tilting of the tracker 12 and therefore pivoting the roller 14 in a plane which is out of parallel with the belt, improves the tracking ability of the tracker 12.

[0044] Figures 1 to 4 show the support bracket 10 in more detail. The support bracket 10 comprises a main body 30, which is a structural body, with which the support bracket 10 is fixed relative to the structure 13. Elongate slits 32 allow fine adjustments of the support bracket 10 relative to the frame 13.

[0045] The support bracket 10 also comprises a sleeve 34 defining a bore 36 for receiving and supporting the main shaft 16 of the tracker 12. As mentioned before, the main shaft 16 does not rotate, and therefore, the main shaft 16 does not rotate within the sleeve 34. The main shaft 16 is fixed relative to the sleeve 34, typically by means of a set screw (not shown) received through a fixing hole 38. In use, the set screw may locate on a flattened portion of the shaft 16.

[0046] The sleeve 34 is (typically indirectly, as discussed more fully below) pivotably supported relative to the main body 30.

[0047] A pivot limiting arrangement 40 is provided for limiting the pivoting of the sleeve 34 relative to the main body 30 to within a predetermined range defined between a first extremity 42 and second extremity 44. Because of the pivot limiting arrangement 40, the sleeve 34 is not permitted to make a full rotation relative to the main body 30.

[0048] The sleeve 34 is received within an inner ring of a bearing (not shown). In some cases, the sleeve 34 may directly be formed by the inner ring of the bearing.

[0049] The sleeve is supported by a support body portion 46. In the example shown in the figures, the support body portion 46 takes the form of a body, separate from the main body 30, and which is supported relative to the main body 30, as discussed more fully below. In some cases which are not shown, however, the support body portion 46 may be integrally formed with the main body 30. The pivot limiting arrangement 40 comprises limit screws or pins (not shown) which are fixed relative to the support body portion 46, and more particularly, at the first and second extremities (42, 44). The first and second extremities (42, 44) may therefore take the form of holes extending through the support body portion 46. The sleeve 34, on the other hand, comprises an extension 48 which interferes with the pivot limiting arrangement 40 (set screws or pins in this example) when the sleeve 34 is pivoted towards the extremities (42, 44). The pins or screws therefore interact with the extension 48 to inhibit pivoting of the sleeve 34 beyond the extremities (42, 44) and therefore outside of the predetermined range.

[0050] The pivot limiting arrangement 40 is set up in such a way that the sleeve 34 is allowed to pivot (within the predetermined range) in a forwards and rearwards direction (relative to a neutral position). The neutral position is associated with a configuration in which the pin 20 is substantially perpendicular to the belt supported on the roller, such that the plane within which the tracker 12 is pivotable coincides with a plane in which the belt extends. Forward pivoting of the sleeve 34 is associated with the pin 20 pivoting forwards and rearward pivoting of the sleeve is associated with the pin pivoting rearwards. This is important, to allow a belt supported by the tracker 12 to be operable in both a forward and reverse direction. By allowing the sleeve 34 to pivot in a forward and rearward direction, the tracker 12 is capable of tracking or steering the belt effectively while travelling forwards and in reverse.

[0051] Typically, the overall predetermined range is between 10 degrees and 30 degrees, though predetermined ranges outside of this would be feasible. In the example shown in the figures, the overall predetermined range is about 20 degrees, such that the pivot limiting arrangement 40 allows pivoting of the sleeve 34 of about 10 degrees in each direction (forwards and rearwards).

[0052] In some cases, pivoting of the sleeve 34 is done manually. In such a case, the sleeve 34 is typically pivoted to an optimal setting (depending on a prevailing travel direction of the belt) and locked in place.

[0053] However, in preferred embodiments, the pivoting of the sleeve 34 occurs automatically, in real time, based on the travel direction of the belt, and therefore, based on a rotational direction of the tracker 12. For this purpose, an actuating arrangement (not shown) is included for automatically (in other words, not manually by hand) and selectively pivoting the sleeve 34 towards or between the extremities (42, 44).

[0054] The actuating arrangement may be magnetically activated. The support body portion 46 (being a body which is separate from the main body 30) is displaceable relative to the main body 30. The displaceability of the support body portion 46 relative to the main body 30 has two components.

[0055] Firstly, the support body portion 46 is spring-loaded or biased towards a predetermined position. The bias typically operates in an upward direction, or a direction substantially towards the belt. Displacement under the bias allows the tracker 12 to be displaced in reaction to tension or upward and downward movement in the belt, allowing contact between the roller 14 and the belt to be kept relatively constant.

[0056] For this purpose, the support body portion 46 includes sleeves or openings through tabs 50 which receive first and second linear slides or tracks 52. When the sleeves or openings slide along the linear slides or tracks 52, the support body portion 46 is therefore displaced linearly relative to the main body portion 30.

[0057] Springs 55 bias the support body portion 46 in an upward direction, or substantially towards the belt.

[0058] The springs 55 may be replaced with alternative biasing means, such as rubber bands and the like.

[0059] Secondly, provision is made for adjustment of a neutral position of the support body portion 46 (therefore not impacted by displacement under the bias of the spring).

[0060] For this purpose, the slides 52 are carried by an intermediate body 54 which is slidable relative to the main body 30. The intermediate body 54 has linearly extending slots 56 through which bolts 58 which are fixed to the main body 30 project. When nuts 60 associated with the bolts 58 are loosened, the intermediate body 54 can slide along the slots 56 to a desired position, where the bolts 60 can be tightened to lock the intermediate body 54 in place relative to the main body 30.

[0061] Due to the weight of the tracker 12 (potentially with an additional load caused by the belt received thereon) an adjustment mechanism 62, in the form of a threaded rod 64 with an adjustment bolt 66 extends between the main body 30 and the intermediate body 54. Provided the nuts 60 are loosened, the adjustment mechanism 62 may be used to jack or controllably lower the intermediate body 54 up or down, by rotating the adjustment bolt 66. It is believed that a support bracket 10 which provides a means for pivoting the sleeve 34 within the bounds of a pivot limiting arrangement 40, and therefore within the predetermined range, together with a support body portion 46 which is displaceable relative to the main body 30, provides a number of advantages over the prior art.

[0062] It will be appreciated, however, that some of these advantages may be realised by a support bracket which provides a means for pivoting the sleeve 34 within the bounds of a pivot limiting arrangement 40, and therefore within the predetermined range, without the support body portion 46 being displaceable relative to the main body 30, or a support bracket 10 with a support body portion 46 which is displaceable relative to the main body 30 but which does not provide a means for pivoting the sleeve 34. Such variations of the support body are therefore provided for and forms part of the present disclosure.

[0063] In scenarios where the tracker 12 is installed in a section of the conveyor that is inclined or declined, the belt does not extend horizontally and therefore also not strictly perpendicular relative to support structures 13 and the main body 30 (which are still generally installed vertically). In such cases, provision may be made for pivotable adjustment of the neutral position. By allowing the neutral position to be adjusted, the pin 20 may therefore again be substantially perpendicular to the belt when the shaft is in the neutral position.

[0064] This may be achieved by mounting the sleeve 34 by means of a mount which has an inner and outer portion (shown by reference numerals 100 and 102 in figure 8) which are angularly adjustable relative to each other. In some cases, the inner portion has splines, ridges or teeth while the outer portion has matching grooves to create an interlocking interface, to allow for incremental and discrete angular adjustment (the inner and outer portions are displaced axially out of engagement, pivoted by a predetermined amount, and again provided into engagement with one another). Alternative mechanisms for angular adjustment of the neutral position of the shaft relative to the main body 30 may be feasible, such as providing two concentrically received sleeves or bushes which are displaceable relative to each other, and lockable in position (such as, by way of a set screw or the like).

[0065] It will be appreciated that the above description only provides example embodiments of the invention and that there may be many variations without departing from the spirit and / or the scope of the invention. For example, in some cases, the limit screws may be replaced by alternative stopper members, such as shoulders or other structures formed on the support body portion 46.

[0066] Also, in some cases, the actuating arrangement may include a measuring device for measuring a rotational direction of the roller or a travel direction of the belt. In such cases, the actuating arrangement may include an actuator configured to be actuated based on an input from the measuring device. Such actuator may comprise a linear actuator, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic ram arrangement linked to the shaft by means of an arm arrangement, or a rotational actuator.

[0067] It will be easily understood from the present description that the particular features of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged and designed according to a wide variety of different configurations. In this way, the description of the present invention and the related figures are not provided to limit the scope of the invention but simply represent selected embodiments.

[0068] The skilled person will understand that the technical characteristics of a given embodiment can in fact be combined with characteristics of another embodiment, unless otherwise expressed or it is evident that these characteristics are incompatible. Also, the technical characteristics described one embodiment can be isolated from the other characteristics of this embodiment unless otherwise expressed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A support bracket for a tracker of the known kind, the support bracket comprising: a main body operatively fixing the support bracket relative to a structure; a sleeve defining a bore for operatively receiving a shaft of the tracker, the sleeve pivotably supported relative to the main body; and a pivot limiting arrangement for limiting pivoting of the sleeve to within a predetermined range defined between a first and second extremity.

2. The support bracket according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is one of: i) received and supported by an inner ring of a bearing; and ii) formed by an inner ring of a bearing.

3. The support bracket according to claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is supported relative to a support body portion which comprises one of: i) a part of the main body; and ii) a body separate from the main body which is supported relative to the main body.

4. The support bracket according to claim 3, wherein the pivot limiting arrangement comprises stopper members fixed relative to the support body portion, wherein the stopper members define the first and second extremities of the predetermined range and wherein the sleeve comprises an extension which interferes with the stopper members when the sleeve is pivoted to the extremities of the predetermined range.

5. The support bracket according to claim 4, wherein the stopper members comprise limit screws fixed relative to the support body portion.

6. The support bracket according to claim 1 , wherein the pivot limiting arrangement allows pivoting of the sleeve in a forwards and rearwards direction from a neutral position.

7. The support bracket according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined range is between 10 degrees and 30 degrees.

8. The support bracket according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined range is about 20 degrees.

9. The support bracket according to claim 1, further including an actuating arrangement for pivoting the sleeve towards one of the first and second extremities.

10. The support bracket according to claim 9, wherein the actuating arrangement operatively pivots the sleeve to one of the first and second extremities based on a rotational direction of the tracker.

11. The support bracket according to claim 10, wherein the actuating arrangement is automatically and magnetically activated to pivot the sleeve to one of the first and second extremities based on a rotational direction of the tracker.

12. The support bracket according to claim 10, wherein the actuating arrangement includes a measuring device for measuring one of a rotational direction of the roller and a travel direction of a belt supported on the roller, and wherein the actuating arrangement further includes an actuator configured to be actuated based on an input from the measuring device.

13. The support bracket according to claim 3, wherein the support body portion comprises a body separate from the main body which is displaceably supported relative to the main body.

14. The support bracket according to claim 13, wherein the support body portion is received on first and second slides which allow linear displacement of the support body portion relative to the main body.

15. The support bracket according to claim 14, including biasing means for biasing the support body portion towards a predetermined position.

16. The support bracket according to claim 14, wherein the first and second slides are carried by an intermediate body which is slidably fixed to the main body, wherein a locking arrangement operatively locks the intermediate body relative to the main body.

17. The support bracket according to claim 16, wherein an adjustment mechanism extends between the main body and intermediate body for adjusting a position of the intermediate body relative to the main body.

18. A support bracket according to claim 1 , further comprising a mount made up of an inner and outer portion which are angularly adjustable relative to each other, wherein the outer portionis supported relative to the main body and wherein the inner portion pivotably supports the sleeve.

19. The support bracket according to claim 18, wherein the inner portion comprises one of splines, ridges and teeth and wherein the outer portion comprise mating grooves, such that incremental and discrete relative angular displacement between the inner and outer portions is facilitated.

20. The support bracket according to claim 18, wherein the inner and outer portion are concentrically arranged and lockable relative to each other.

21. A support bracket for a tracker of the known kind, the support bracket comprising: a main body operatively fixing the support bracket relative to a structure; a sleeve defining a bore for operatively receiving a shaft of the tracker, the sleeve supported relative to a support body portion which is separate from the main body and which is displaceably supported relative to the main body.

22. The support bracket according to claim 21 , wherein the support body portion is received on first and second slides which allow linear displacement of the support body portion relative to the main body.

23. The support bracket according to claim 22, including biasing means for biasing the support body portion towards a predetermined position.

24. The support bracket according to claim 22, wherein the first and second slides are carried by an intermediate body which is slidably fixed to the main body, wherein a locking arrangement operatively locks the intermediate body relative to the main body.

25. The support bracket according to claim 24, wherein an adjustment mechanism extends between the main body and intermediate body for adjusting a position of the intermediate body relative to the main body.

26. The support bracket according to claim 21 , further comprising a mount made up of an inner and outer portion which are angularly adjustable relative to each other, wherein the outer portion is supported relative to the main body and wherein the inner portion supports the sleeve.

27. The support bracket according to claim 26, wherein the inner portion comprises one of splines, ridges and teeth and wherein the outer portion comprise mating grooves, such that incremental and discrete relative angular displacement between the inner and outer portions is facilitated.

28. The support bracket according to claim 26, wherein the inner and outer portion are concentrically arranged and lockable relative to each other.

29. A tracker assembly, comprising: a first and second support bracket according to claim 1 or claim 21 for operatively fixing the tracker assembly relative to a structure; a tracker of the known kind including a main shaft, opposite ends of which are received by the first and second support brackets respectively.

30. A conveyor comprising, an endless belt supported by a plurality of rollers, wherein at least one roller supporting a return portion of the belt comprises a tracker assembly according to claim 29.

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