FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to idler assemblies for conveyor belt installations. In particular, the invention relates to a mounting assembly for facilitating displacement of an idler roller support which extends, in use, generally transversely across a travelling path of a conveyor belt. The invention also relates to a method for facilitating movement of an idler roller support which extends, in use, generally transversely relative to a travelling path of a conveyor belt. The invention extends to a self-training idler assembly, and a conveyor installation which incorporates the self-training idler assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Idler assemblies for supporting conveyor belts are well known. Broadly, an idler assembly typically includes an idler roller support which extends generally transversely across a travelling path of the conveyor belt, and one or more idler rollers mounted onto the idler roller support.

It is important that a conveyor belt runs true, in other words that a lengthwise centre line of the conveyor belt aligns with a conceptual centre line of the conveyor travelling path when the conveyor belt runs. In addition to supporting the conveyor belt, the idler assemblies also affects the travelling direction of the conveyor belt. It follows that the idler assemblies have to be positioned essentially square relative to the centre line for urging the conveyor belt to run true. Adjustment of idler assemblies for such purpose is generally referred to as training of the conveyor belt. Idler assemblies are typically manually adjusted and then fixed in its appropriate position relative to the centre line.

However, even when the idler assemblies are appropriately aligned and positioned square relative to the centre line, a conveyor belt may still drift laterally caused by other influences, such as uneven loading of the conveyor belt. One way to mitigate such drifting of the conveyor belt is to employ self- training idler assemblies which automatically adjust their position relative to the centre line when the conveyor belt drifts laterally to urge the conveyor belt towards its true running position. One type of self-training idler assembly includes a central pivot support and outer servo rollers against which an edge of the conveyor belt abuts when the conveyor belt drifts laterally, which causes the idler assembly to pivot in a direction that trains the conveyor belt. Repetitive contact between the conveyor belt edges and the servo rollers may damage the edges of the conveyor belt which may damage the integrity of the conveyor belt. Moreover, the pivot or pivoting arrangement of these idlers is prone to damage in harsh environments, such as underground mines.

Clearly therefore, there is an ongoing need for developing alternative self-training idler assemblies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention provides a mounting assembly for facilitating displacement of an idler roller support extending, in use, generally transversely across a travelling path of a conveyor belt, the mounting assembly including: at least two end mounting arrangements, the two end mounting arrangements being for mounting the idler roller support towards opposite ends of the idler roller support respectively, in which the end mounting arrangements are arranged for permitting displacement of the idler roller support relative to the travelling path of the conveyor belt.

The end mounting arrangements may be arranged for permitting yawing of the idler roller support relative to the travelling path of the conveyor belt.

Each mounting arrangement may include at least two members that are displaceable relative to each other for supporting the idler roller support on a support in a manner that permits yawing of the idler assembly relative to the conveyor travelling path.

The at least two members of each end mounting arrangement may include a guide member for fixedly mounting to the support, the guide member defining a guide path that extends, in use, generally in the direction of the travelling path of the conveyor, and a follower member that cooperates with the guide member in a manner in which the follower member is displaceable along the guide path generally in the direction of the travelling path of the conveyor.

The guide member and the follower member may include a hinge in which the guide member includes a bracket mount for mounting onto the support and a hinge pin extending between two spaced apart hinge pin mountings, and the follower member may include a hinge sleeve that cooperates with the hinge pin in a manner in which the sleeve is axially displaceable along the hinge pin between the hinge pin mountings. It follows that when one hinge sleeve is displaced into one direction, the opposite hinge sleeve is displaced towards the other direction, so as to facilitate the yawing displacement of the idler roller support.

The hinge pin and the hinge sleeve may be dimensioned so that the hinge sleeve is axially displaceable over a stroke length which is sufficient to urge the conveyor towards the central line when the conveyor belt drifts laterally.

The follower member may include an idler roller support attachment arrangement for attaching an associated end of the idler roller support detachably to the follower member. The idler roller support attachment arrangement may include a catch or latch arrangement for cooperating with an end formation of the idler roller support.

The mounting assembly may include an actuating arrangement operatively connected to both end mounting arrangements, which actuating arrangement is arranged for actuating the end mounting arrangements in a manner that facilitates the yawing movement of the idler assembly caused by lateral drift of the conveyor belt travelling along the travelling path.

The actuating arrangement may include a push-pull cable having an outer cable sleeve and an inner cable core which extend between the end mounting arrangements, ends of the outer cable sleeve being attached to associated follower members and ends of the cable core being attached to associated guide members, or vice-versa, so that displacement of one follower member of one end attachment arrangement in one direction corresponds with displacement of the other follower member of the other end attachment arrangement in an opposite direction, thereby to actuate the end mounting arrangements in a manner that facilitates the yawing movement of the idler roller support.

In another embodiment, the actuating arrangement may include a lever arrangement which cooperates with both end mounting arrangements in a manner in which displacement of one follower member of one end attachment arrangement in one direction corresponds with displacement of the other follower member of the other end attachment arrangement in an opposite direction, thereby to actuate the end mounting arrangements in a manner that facilitates the yawing movement of the idler roller support.

In still another embodiment, the actuating arrangement may include a rack-and-pinion arrangement which cooperates with both end mounting arrangements in a manner in which displacement of one follower member of one end attachment arrangement in one direction corresponds with displacement of the other follower member of the other end attachment arrangement in an opposite direction, thereby to actuate the end mounting arrangements in a manner that facilitates the yawing movement of the idler roller support.

In yet a further embodiment, the actuating arrangement may include a hydraulic arrangement which cooperates with both end mounting arrangements in a manner in which displacement of one follower member of one end attachment arrangement in one direction corresponds with displacement of the other follower member of the other end attachment arrangement in an opposite direction, thereby to actuate the end mounting arrangements in a manner that facilitates the yawing movement of the idler roller support.

The actuating arrangements may include any one of magnetic stepper actuators, recirculating ball actuators, chain and worm gearing actuators, or any counter-acting mechanical actuator. Instead, the actuating assembly may include an actuator that is operatively triggered by a controller that is interfaced with a transducer, such as a proximity sensor for detecting displacement of the conveyor belt to actuate the actuator.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for mounting an idler roller support extending, in use, generally transversely across a travelling path of a conveyor belt, the method including mounting the idler roller support towards its opposite ends with two end mounting arrangements respectively, the two end mounting arrangements being arranged for permitting yawing of the idler roller support relative to the travelling path of the conveyor belt.

The method may include mounting the idler roller support with two end mounting arrangements in which each end mounting arrangement includes at least two members that are displaceable relative to each other for supporting the idler roller support in a manner that permits yawing of the idler roller support relative to the conveyor travelling path.

The method may include actuating the end mounting arrangements with an actuating arrangement that is actuated by induced yawing movement of the idler roller support caused by lateral drift of the conveyor belt travelling along the travelling path.

The method may include mounting a guide member fixedly to the support, the guide member defining a guide path that extends, when mounted, generally in the direction of the travelling path of the conveyor, and providing a follower member that cooperates with the guide member in a manner so that the follower member is displaceable along the guide path generally in the direction of the travelling path of the conveyor.

Actuating the end mounting arrangement with an actuating arrangement may include employing a push-pull cable having an outer cable sleeve and an inner cable core, and attaching ends of the outer cable sleeve to associated follower members and ends of the cable core to associated guide members, so that displacement of one follower member of one end attachment arrangement in one direction corresponds with displacement of the other follower member of the other end attachment arrangement in an opposite direction, thereby to actuate the end mounting arrangements in a manner that facilitates the yawing movement of the idler roller support.

In another embodiment, actuating the end mounting arrangements with an actuating arrangement may include employing an actuating arrangement which includes a lever arrangement which cooperates with both end mounting arrangements in a manner in which displacement of one follower member of one end attachment arrangement in one direction corresponds with displacement of the other follower member of the other end attachment arrangement in an opposite direction, thereby to actuate the end mounting arrangements in a manner that facilitates the yawing movement of the idler roller support.

In still another embodiment, actuating the end mounting arrangements with an actuating arrangement may include employing a rack-and-pinion arrangement which includes a hydraulic arrangement which cooperates with both end mounting arrangements in a manner in which displacement of one follower member of one end attachment arrangement in one direction corresponds with displacement of the other follower member of the other end attachment arrangement in an opposite direction, thereby to actuate the end mounting arrangements in a manner that facilitates the yawing movement of the idler roller support.

In a further embodiment, actuating of the end mounting arrangements with an actuating arrangement may include employing a hydraulic arrangement which cooperates with both end mounting arrangements in a manner in which displacement of one follower member of one end attachment arrangement in one direction corresponds with displacement of the other follower member of the other end attachment arrangement in an opposite direction, thereby to actuate the end mounting arrangements in a manner that facilitates the yawing movement of the idler roller support.

Actuating the end mounting arrangements with an actuating arrangement may include employing any one of magnetic stepper actuators, recirculating ball actuators, chain and worm gearing actuators, or any counteracting mechanical actuator. Instead, the actuating assembly may include an actuator that is operative ly triggered by a controller that is interfaced with a transducer, such as a proximity sensor for detecting displacement of the conveyor belt to actuate the actuator.

The mounting arrangements may be arranged so that the idler roller support may yaw in a way in which one end is displaced forwards into a position that is lower than the opposite end that is displaced backwards.

According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided an idler assembly for, in use, extending generally transversely across a travelling path of a conveyor, the idler assembly including: a mounting assembly in accordance with the above aspect of the invention.

The mounting assembly may include any one or more of the optional features of the actuating assembly as herein defined, described, and illustrated.

The idler assembly may include an actuating assembly in accordance with the above aspects of the invention.

The actuating assembly may include any one or more of the optional features of the actuating assembly as herein defined, described, and illustrated. According to yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a self- training idler assembly for, in use, extending generally transversely across a travelling path of a conveyor, the self-training idler assembly including: at least one idler roll; an elongated idler roller support for supporting the at least one idler roll; a mounting assembly for mounting the idler support toward its opposite ends respectively in a manner that permits yawing of the idler roller support relative to the conveyor travelling path; and an actuating arrangement operatively connected to both end mounting arrangements, which actuating arrangement is arranged for actuating the end mounting arrangements in a manner that facilitates yawing movement of the idler assembly caused by laterally drift of the conveyor travelling along the travelling path.

The idler roller support may include a support frame having at least one elongated longitudinally curved support beam, and at least one idler cassette, each idler cassette including a cradle and an idler roller supported on the cradle, the cradle being mounted to the support beam for slidable movement therealong.

Each cradle may include longitudinally spaced beam engagement arrangements for capturing said cradle to said beam and permitting longitudinal sliding movement of the cradle relative to the beam, so that the cradles may be installed endwise onto, or removed endwise from, an end of the support beam.

The at least two members of each end mounting arrangement may include a guide member for fixedly mounting to the support, the guide member defining a guide path that extends generally in the direction of the travelling path of the conveyor, and a follower member that cooperates with the guide member in a manner so that the follower member is displaceable along the guide path generally in the direction of the travelling path of the conveyor.

The guide member and the follower member may be in the form of a hinge in which the guide member includes a bracket mount for mounting onto the support and a hinge pin extending between two spaced apart hinge pin mountings, and the follower member may include a hinge sleeve that cooperates with ^' the hinge pin in a manner in which the sleeve is axially displaceable along the hinge pin between the hinge pin mountings.

The follower member may include an idler roller support attachment arrangement for attaching an associated end of the idler roller support detachably to the follower member, so that the idler support beam is detachable at one end and operatively able to hinge at an opposite end between an operative position in which the idler cassettes support the conveyor belt and an inoperative position in which the support beam is moved away from the conveyor belt in which position the cassettes may be moved longitudinally along the support beam.

The self-training idler assembly may include a retainer member for limiting displacement of the idler support beam beyond the inoperative position when detached.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a conveyor installation which includes: a support; and an idler assembly mounted on the support.

The idler assembly may include any one or more of the optional features as herein defined, described, and illustrated.

The conveyor installation may include a plurality of idler assemblies that are mounted spaced apart along the travelling path of the conveyor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to narrow the scope of the preceding paragraphs.

Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of an idler assembly, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the idler assembly in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a front elevation view of the idler assembly in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a side elevation view of the idler assembly in Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 shows a three dimensional view of part of an end mounting arrangement of an actuating assembly, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 6 shows a front elevation view of the part in Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a side elevation view of the part in Figure 5, and a section view of the part in Figure 5 taken along line A-A in Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows a three-dimensional view of a pin that forms part of the end mounting arrangement;

Figure 9 shows a front elevation view of the pin in Figure 8;

Figure 10 shows a side elevation view of the pin in Figure 8; Figure 1 1 shows a three-dimensional view of ahother part of the end mounting arrangement;

Figure 12 shows a cross section front elevation view of the part in Figure 11 taken along a line B-B;

Figure 13 shows a cross section front elevation view of the part in Figure 1 taken along line C-C;

Figure 14 shows a three dimensional view of the part in Figure 11 together with additional parts;

Figure 15 shows another part of the end mounting arrangement;

Figure 16 shows a cross section front elevation view of the parts in

Figure 14 taken along line D-D;

Figure 17 shows a side elevation view of the parts in Figure 14;

Figure 18 shows a blown up view of an end of the idler assembly in Figure 1 ;

Figure 19 shows a front elevation view of another embodiment of an idler assembly, in accordance with the invention, having one embodiment of an actuating assembly;

Figure 20 shows a side elevation view of the idler assembly in Figure 9; Figure 21 shows a top plan view of the idler assembly in Figure 19;

Figure 22 shows the idler assembly in Figure 19, in use;

Figure 23 shows a blown up view of an end portion of the idler assembly in Figure 22;

Figure 24 shows another embodiment of an idler assembly having an actuating arrangement essentially similar to the one actuating assembly in Figure 19;

Figure 25 shows another idler assembly having another embodiment of an actuating assembly;

Figure 26 shows an idler assembly having still another embodiment of an actuating assembly; and

Figure 27 shows an idler assembly having yet another embodiment of an actuating assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers to an idler assembly in accordance with the invention for, in use, extending generally transversely across a travelling path of a conveyor belt 12 (see Figure 21 ). Broadly, the idler assembly 10 is a self-training idler assembly for training a conveyor belt 12. That is, an idler assembly that operatively urges the conveyor belt 12 towards its true running position when the conveyor belt 12 drifts laterally sideways.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, the idler assembly 10 includes a mounting assembly having two end mounting arrangements, generally indicated by reference numeral 14. Each end mounting arrangement 14 includes at least two members 16, 18 that are displaceable relative to each other for supporting the idler assembly 10 on a support 20 in a manner that permits yawing (see arrow 22 in Figure 21 ) of the idler assembly 10 relative to a conceptual centre line of the conveyor travelling path.

The idler assembly 10 further includes an actuating arrangement of which four different embodiments 24, 26, 28, and 30 are shown. The actuating arrangements 24, 26, 28, and 30, as the case may be, are operatively connected to both end mounting arrangements 14 and are arranged for actuating the end mounting arrangements 14 in a manner that facilitates yawing movement of the idler assembly 10 caused by lateral drift of the conveyor belt 12 travelling along the travelling path.

The at least two members 16, 8 of each end mounting arrangement 14 include a guide member 16 for fixedly mounting to the support 20. The guide member 16 defines a guide path (see arrow 32) that extends, in use, generally in the direction of the travelling path of the conveyor 12. The follower member 18 cooperates with the guide member 16 in a manner so that the follower member 18 is displaceable along the guide path 32 generally in the direction of the travelling path of the conveyor.

In this embodiment, the guide member 16 and the follower member 18 includes a hinge. In particular, the guide member 16 includes a bracket mount 34 for mounting onto the support 20 and a hinge pin 36 extending between two spaced apart hinge pin mountings 37. The bracket mount 34 is in the form of a generally rectangular mounting plate that defines a plurality of mounting holes or slots 38 for bolting the mounting plate onto the support 20.

The hinge pin mountings 37 are in the form of spaced apart circular lugs or sockets fixed towards corners of a major side edge of the bracket mount 34, and axially aligned so that the hinge pin 36 is axially aligned with the lugs 37. The lugs 37 also define a plurality of spaced apart radiating threaded holes 40, the purpose of which is explained below. The follower member 18 includes a generally rectangular shaped portion

41 that is inverted U-shaped in cross section and open ended. A hinge sleeve

42 is fixed centrally on a closed edge of the rectangular shaped portion 41 for cooperating with the hinge pin 36. The hinge sleeve 42 is axially shorter than the distance between the lugs 37, so that the hinge sleeve 42, and hence the follower member 18, is axially displaceable along the hinge pin 36 between the lugs 37. The hinge pin 36 and the hinge sleeve 42 are dimensioned so that the hinge sleeve 42 is axially displaceable along the hinge pin 36 over a sufficient distance that affects training of the conveyor belt 12 towards its central travelling line when the conveyor belt 12 drifts laterally.

The rectangular shaped portion 41 also defines a plurality of hole pairs 46, 48, and 50, that pass transversely through sidewalls of the rectangular shaped portion 41 , the significance of which is explained below.

The follower member 18 further includes a lug 44 that projects radially away from the hinge sleeve 42 intermediate its ends.

The follower member 18 includes an idler roller support attachment arrangement, generally indicated by reference numeral 52, which is best illustrated in Figures 14, 16, and 17, for attaching an associated end of the idler roller support 69 detachably to the follower member 18. The idler roller support 69 includes a J-shaped plate 62 of which one end is attached to an idler support beam, 66 the other being shaped for being snugly received inside a cavity 58 defined by the follower member 18.

The idler roller support attachment arrangement 52 further includes two opposing catch members 54 housed inside the rectangular shaped portion 41 of the follower member 18, and cooperates with notches in the J-shaped plate for retaining the associated end of the J-shaped plate 62 within the cavity 58.

The idler roller support attachment arrangement 52 further includes lever arms 56 associated with the catch members, which when displaced (see arrow 62 pulls the catch members 54 apart for releasing the J-shaped plate 62 from the cavity 58 of the follower member 18. Cotter pins 64 is used with holes 50 for retaining the lever arms 56 in place to prevent inadvertent release of the J- shaped plate 62 from the cavity 58.

The idler assembly 10 includes the idler roller support 69 having the elongated longitudinally curved idler support beam 66, a plurality of idler cassettes 68 each having a cradle for supporting an idler roller 70. In this embodiment, the cradle is mounted to the idler support beam 66 for slidable movement therealong. It follows that each cradle includes longitudinally spaced beam engagement arrangements for capturing the cradles to the beam and permitting longitudinal sliding movement of the cradles relative to the idler support beam 66.

Embodiments of an idler roller support that includes cradles that are operatively able to slide along the idler support beam 66 is disclosed in US Patent document no. 7762387 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

To this end, the idler roller support 69 can be released from the follower member 14 by way of releasing the J-plate as described before, and then a stopper arrangement is removed so that the cradles can be installed endwise onto, or removed endwise from, an end of the idler support beam 66.

The actuating arrangement 24 includes a push-pull cable 75. The push- pull cable 75 includes an outer cable sleeve 72 and an inner cable core 74 which extends between the end mounting arrangements 14.

Ends of the outer cable sleeve 72 are attached to associated follower members 18 and ends of the cable core 74 are attached to associated guide members 16. It follows that displacement of one follower member 18 in one direction (see arrow 76) corresponds with displacement of the other follower member 18 in the other direction (see arrow 78), thereby to actuate the end mounting arrangements 14 in a manner that facilitates the yawing movement (see arrow 22) of the idler assembly 10.

The end of the cable sleeve 72 is attached to the lug 44, and also includes an adjuster for adjusting tension in the cable core 74. The cable core 74 includes an eye at its end for bolting the cable core 74 to one of the holes 40 of the hinge pin mountings 37. It will be appreciated that in another embodiment the outer sleeve (72) can be mounted to the fixed guide member 16 and the inner core 74 can be mounted to the displaceable guide follower member 18.

The idler assembly 10 is particularly for hanging support of a conveyor belt 12, however, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that end mounting arrangements can be adapted for use with an idler assembly for standing support of a conveyor belt, such as idler assembly 80 (see Figure 24).

In another embodiment, with reference to Figure 25, the actuating arrangement 26 includes a rack-and-pinion arrangement 84 that cooperates with both end mounting arrangements in a manner in which displacement of one follower member in one direction corresponds with displacement of the other follower member in the other direction, thereby to actuate the end mounting arrangements in a manner that facilitates the yawing movement.

Figure 26 shows another embodiment of an actuating arrangement 28 which includes a hydraulic arrangement which cooperates with both end mounting arrangements in a manner in which displacement of one follower member in one direction corresponds with displacement of the other follower member in the other direction, thereby to actuate the end mounting arrangements in a manner that facilitates the yawing movement.

Figure 27 shows another actuating arrangement 30 which includes a lever arrangement which cooperates with both end mounting arrangements in a manner in which displacement of one follower member in one direction corresponds with displacement of the other follower member in the other direction, thereby to actuate the end mounting arrangements in a manner that facilitates the yawing movement.

The end mounting arrangement 14 also includes a cover 43 that is complementary shaped to fit snugly over the sleeve 42 and adjacent parts of the end mounting arrangement 14 for resisting ingress of debris.

In another embodiment of the invention (not shown), the end mounting arrangements can be arranged so that the idler roller support is displaced in a way in which one end is displaced in one direction into a position in which the end is lowered and in which the other end is displaced onto the other direction and in which the other end is raised. For example, see Figure 20 in which line 71 is shown at an angle at which the hinge pins can be mounted so that when the idler roller support yaws, the one end is lowered and the opposite end is raised.

In yet other embodiment (not shown), the end mounting arrangements can be arranged to permit rocking and/or pitching of the idler support assembly. It follows that that the end mounting arrangements can be arranged to permit movement in three degrees of freedom.

In use, when a conveyor belt 12 travels over the rollers 70 in contact therewith and the conveyor belt 12 drifts towards a lateral side, then a drag force imparted by the conveyor belt 12 onto the rollers 70 induces a yawing motion into the idler roller support relative to the conveyor travelling path.

It follows that the actuating arrangement, for example the push-pull cable 75, is consequently actuated in such way that the yawing displacement of the idler roller support by the conveyor belt 12 causes the follower member 18 to be displaced relative to its associated guide member 16 which displaces the cable sleeve and cable core relative to each other which causes the opposite follower member also to be displaced relative to its guide member. Therefore, both end mounting arrangements 1 are actuated by yawing displacement induced into the idler roller support by drifting of the conveyor belt 12. This embodiment is particularly suitable for reversing conveyor belt applications.

Also, when a user wishes to replace one of the idler rollers 70, then the cotter pins 64 are removed and the lever arms 56 displaced to release the end of the J-shaped plate 62. This permits that end of the idler roller support to be displaced towards its inoperative position. Subsequently, the stopper arrangement is disassembled to permit removal and replacement of the cradles. Thereafter, the idler assembly support is displaced towards its operative position in which the J-plate is attached to the follower member as before.

The idler assembly 10, in accordance with the invention, is useful for facilitating yawing movement of the idler roller support 69 relative to the centre line of the conveyor travelling path. The actuating arrangements are particularly useful to transfer or encourage movement in one end mounting arrangement when the induced movement is more dominant in the other end mounting arrangement, towards which the conveyor belt drifts, thereby to facilitate yawing movement of the idler roller support relative to the centre line of the conveyor travelling path.

In addition, the idler assembly 10 is useful to facilitate easy replacement of the roller. · Still further, the actuating assembly is relatively easy to construct, cost effective, and less prone to damage than a pivoting arrangement of conventional self-training idlers.

In this specification, the term yawing is meant to include angular displacement in any direction relative to the centre line of the conveyor belt. It follows that the invention incorporates for example embodiments in which the idler roller support can yaw in a way in which one end is lower and the opposite end raised. Moreover, it follows that the invention enables embodiments in which the idler roller support is displaceable between positions that coincide with a conceptual outer surface of a bi-conical shape.

In this specification, idler roller support is meant to include idler roller supports that are assembled or unitary in construction.

In this specification, idler assembly is meant to include an idler roller support that is assembled or unitary in construction, and at least one idler roller mounted onto the idler roller support.

Throughout the specification, where the context permits, the term "comprising" and variants thereof such as "comprise" or "comprises" are to be interpreted as including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers.

It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practiced with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.