| abstract |
An apparatus useful for passively steering an endless belt toward a lateral target belt position while the endless belt is transported by a transporting mechanism. A steering roller contacts the belt inner surface, the steering roller being rotatable about a roller axis and being pivotable about a steering axis, and the steering roller having a first roller end. A carriage supports the steering roller and is pivotable about a steering axis such that the steering roller is pivotable about the steering axis. A first member is positioned adjacent to the first roller end and functionally connected to the carriage. The first member contacts the belt inner surface when the first belt edge extends sufficiently beyond the first roller end. The first member applies greater friction to the endless belt than the steering roller when the belt contacts the first member. The first member is positioned relative to the steering axis such that contact between the first member and the belt causes the first member to apply a first torque to the carriage means about the steering axis. |