US Patent 9227788 Chain wheel for apron conveyor

A chain wheel for driving or diverting a conveyor of an apron conveyor including transport plates is disclosed. The transport plates may be releasably connectable via a chain connecting parts to the conveyor chain. The chain wheel may have a chain wheel body including a lateral face. The chain wheel may also have teeth arranged peripherally offset over the lateral face. In addition, the chain wheel may have bearing faces. The bearing faces may be arranged peripherally offset over the lateral face between two adjacently situated teeth. The bearing faces may also be configured to support the chain connecting parts.