The present invention relates generally to drive rollers for flat belts. More particularly, the present invention relates to such drive rollers used to drive flat belts in agricultural equipment such as round or cylindrical balers. Specifically, the present invention relates to such rollers which have improved characteristics for maintaining traction of belts such as lagging applied to the roller.
A problem exists when driving a flat belt with a drive roller when contamination is present. Water, dust, or mud-like material can reduce the coefficient of friction between the drive roller and the flat belt. Particularly, problematic with agricultural balers is an accumulation of wet organic material (wet silage) which creates a ‘slime’ layer between the drive roller and the flat belt that can lead to extensive slipping. This problem is aggravated by the fact that the wet organic material also has a tendency to adhere to the belts and rollers.
In the past it has been recognized that it is necessary to take actions in order to reduce or eliminate such accumulations of extraneous material to maintain a positive drive. It has, for example, been known to use lagging on drive rollers in order to increase the friction between the flat belt and the lagging surface. Known lagging types used for round agricultural baler applications are smooth or finely grooved circumferentially so as to allow a path for water or other accumulations to be displaced during operation, thus preventing large decreases in the friction coefficient during operation. However, these designs are only partially effective, as measured decreases are apparent between clean and contaminated samples.
Accordingly, there is a clear need in the art for an improved drive roller, particularly for agricultural balers, that is effective to remove extraneous material from the drive roller-belt interface so as to consistently maintain the coefficient of friction necessary to maintain a positive drive.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide a drive roller for flat belts.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a drive roller that is effective to remove and/or prevent the accumulation of extraneous material between the drive roller and the belt.
An additional object of the invention is the provision of a drive roller that maintains a requisite coefficient of friction to maintain a positive drive.
A further object of the invention is to provide a drive roller that is compatible with existing equipment such as round or cylindrical agricultural balers.
The foregoing and other objects of the invention together with the advantages thereof over the known art which will become apparent from the detailed specification which follows are attained by a drive roller for driving at least one flat belt, the drive roller having a roller body with lagging applied thereto the lagging having a plurality of first grooves in a surface thereof that are substantially non-parallel to the direction of travel.
In general, drive roller for flat belts is provided in various embodiments wherein the roller has improved characteristics for maintaining traction of belts, such as lagging applied to the roller.
To acquaint persons skilled in the art most closely related to the present invention, one preferred embodiment of the invention that illustrates the best mode now contemplated for putting the invention into practice is described herein by and with reference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary embodiment is described in detail without attempting to show all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied. As such, the embodiment shown and described herein is illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the art, can be modified in numerous ways within the spirit and scope of the invention—the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification.
For a complete understanding of the objects, techniques, and structure of the invention reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:
With reference now to the drawings and more particularly to
With reference now to
Referring now to
In
During operation of the drive roller 10 the raised ribs 30 provide a wiping action relative to the belt 12 thereby further enhancing the removal of extraneous material. As shown in
Thus it can be seen that the objects of the invention have been satisfied by the structure presented above. While in accordance with the patent statutes, only the best mode and preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented and described in detail, it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly and legally entitled.
Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.
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