Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
' 2061686
REPLACEABLE SNAP-ON MODULAR OVERLAY FOR
ROD AND LINK TURN-CURVE CONVEYOR BELTS
F~LD OF THE INVENl~ON
This invention relates to conveyor belts and, more particularly,
to ware~upporting attachments releasably attached to and extending
between spaced rod members which extend transversely of the direc-
tion of travel of a collapsible-link conveyor belt and a method of
assembly and retention of the individual attachments to the conveyor
belt. The ware-supporting attachments impart only minimal tensile
loads to the supported ware and moreover do not allow ware of small
size to become trapped in the attachment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conveyor apparatus are widely used in a great variety of indus-
trial fields as part of automated machinery for transporting products
or work pieces from one location to another automatically and repet-
itively with minim~l operator control or observation. It is thus impor-
tant that the conveyor construction be durable and reliable, and if
damaged, easily and quickly repairable with readily available parts.
Such conveyors in the past have employed chains or coll~rsible rod
and link conveyor belts to which individual ware-supporting attach-
ments are attached. The collapsible rod and link conveyor belt has a
conveying surface of open-frame construction formed by spaced rods
in generally parallel relationship and extending transversely to the
direction of motion of the belt. Typically, the rods are intercon-
nected by two parallel rows of links at the extreme edges of the belt
and thus at the opposite ends of the rods.
The present invention is particularly adapted for use in such
coll~psihle rod and linlc conveyor belts. An example of such a con-
veyor belt is shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,225,898 to Gerald C.
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Roinestad, entitled l'Coll~psihle Conveyor Belt." The conveyor belt of
the Roinestad Patent 3,225,898 includes a supporting surface compris-
ing a plurality of transverse rods and a link construction which
enables the conveyor belt to travel through an edgewise arcuate path
in the plane of the belt as well as an arcuate path about an axis paral-
lel to the plane of the belt. Chain conveyors typically do not lend
themselves tO situations requiring the conveyor belt to travel through
an edgewise arcuate path in the plane of the belt, for example, a long
helical path which requires the inner portion of the belt to collapse
upon itself and/or the outer portion of the belt to expand as the belt
travels such a path.
Numerous attachments have been used on conveyor apparatus
to provide a supporting surface for the wares carried thereon. Non-
collapsing attachments are disclosed for conveyors utilizing rods in
U.S. Patent Nos. 1,376,449 (grated support surface); 3,~99,328 (grated
support surface); 3,97~,514 (continuous support surface); and 4,469,221
(grated support surface); and for conveyors utilizing chains in U.S.
Patent No. 4,582,193 (continuous support surface). Co~ cing attach-
ments are disclosed for col~ c~ e rod and link-type conveyors in U.S.
Patent Nos. Re. 2~,690 (grated support surface); 2,872,023 (grated
support surface); 3,261,451 (grated support surface); 3,333,6i8 (contin-
uous support surface); 3,416,6~5 (continuous support surface); and
4,394,901 (continuous support surface).
The prior art attachments which provide a coll~psihle continu-
ous support surface rli~cl~se attachments which meet one another
along lines generally perpendicular to the direction of relative motion
between co~ n~ attachments when travelling the straight portion
of the conveyor. Su~sequent expansion and co~ sing of the various
portions of the respective attachments relative to one another when
the conveyor belt travels through an edgewise arcuate path in the
plane of the belt imparts tensile forces across a similar line in an arti-
cle resting u~on at least two of such attachments. If the article is
pliable or lacks sufficient cohesive strength, for example, a ham-
burger pattie, undesirable distortion or disassociation of the article
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may occur resulting in a non-acceptable product for market. Such
attachments are considered herein to be tensioning attachments.
The prior art attachments which provide a collapsible grated
support noted above are all of a flattened helix of wire. In such con-
veyor systems, when the belt coll~pses, the loops of one helix nest
between the loops of the next helix. Subsequent expansion of two
collapsed attachments under a common article imparts a series of
minute shear forces across the article. The likelihood of distortion in
the article is lesis as compared with prior art attachments providing a
coll~sible continuous support surface. Such attachments are consid-
ered herein to be non-tensioning attachments.
Problems associated with the use of flat helical mesh woven
onto coll~sihle rod and link conveyor belts (grid belts) frequently
have centered upon the inherent existence of a cavity or hole within
each helix, formed by the opposing flat faces of the helix and the
connective members extending through the end portions of such flat
helixes. In belt structures having such cavities within the helix, it is
possible for a relatively small diameter elongated item, e.g., a green
bean or a threaded fastener, to slip into such a cavity and become
trapped, thus presenting an unsanitary condition or possibly damaging
the belt. One technique for avoiding this problem has been the use of
a more tightly wound helix to provide a finer mesh. This approach,
however, con.c~lmP-s much greater amounts of wire for a belt of given
dimensions and renders such a belt both more costly and heavier than
desirable, requiring heavier components to support the belt and more
power to operate it.
U.S. Patent No. 3,920,11~ issued to Roinestad discloses an
attachment which is trap-free as compared to a flat heLix, but the
attachment is not coll~sihle. Other trap-free, non-coll~psing attach-
ments are disclosed in U .S. Patent Nos. 3,799,328; 4,469,221; and
4,582,193. Though these are trap-free attachments, they are also
te~cionine attachments.
A further problem associated with the non-tensioning attach-
ments of the prior art is repair andJor replacement of a damaged or
broken flat helix wire. Such a repair or replacement is not easily or
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read~y accomplished. Considerable time and ef f ort is required,
resulting in an extended down-time period of the conveyor belt. The
foregoing problem stems from the requirement that the flat heli~
wire be installed onto the rods of the belt prior to assembly of the belt
in a given system.
Thus, there exists a need to provide a non-tensioning, trap-free
ware~upport attachment which can be used in conjunction with com-
mercially available coll~s-ble rod and link conveyor belts, and which
is easily attachable and removable from an ~cse~bled belt without
requiring complete Aic~csembly of the conveyor belt system, the ~sq
of special tooling, nor specially skilled labor, while at the same time
remaining securely fastened to the rods of the belt while in operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a broad aspect of the invention, there is provided an overlay
which is a non-tensioning, trap-free ware-support attachment for a
co!l~pfiible rod and link conveyor system having a belt of spaced rod
members extending transversely of the direction of travel of the belt
and having at least one ware transport section. The conveyor system
is made up of a succession of such overlays for transporting articles.
Each overlay includes an upper overlay surface having leading and
trailing portions with le~Aing and trailing edges, respectively, and
upon which the articles are supported. The overlay is provided with
first support means which are removably attached to a first rod mem-
ber and second support means which are removably attached to a sec-
ond rod member of the belt. To accommodate belt travel through an
arcuate path at least one of the first and second support means, pref-
erably both, have an opening for receiving the representative rod
member which is elongated in the direction of travel of the belt to
allow ~Xp~n~ion and coll~pcing of various portions of the respective
overlays relative to one another while travelling through such an
arcuate path.
More particularly, there is provided an overlay for use in a
conveyor system having at least one ware transport section and made
up of a sUcc~-ccior of overlays for transporting articles, each overlay
being supported and moved along by a belt of spaced rod members
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extending transversely of the direction of travel of said belt, said
overlay comprising:
a plurality of laterally spaced su~stantially longitudinally
dispo~sed longitudinal members;
a plurality of transversely disposed connecting means
each connecting adjacent ones of said longitudinal members, adjacent
ones of said connecting means connecting opposite end portions of
said longitudinal members so that the longitudinal members and con-
necting means form a plurality of alternating oppositely opening
nestable segments to allow nesting thereof with overlays immediately
ahead and behind said overlay on said belt;
each of said longitudinal members having a first support
means and a second support means which are opposed and longitudi-
nally spaced from each other,
said first support means including a first rod member
engaging means operable to receive a first rod member when said
overlay is moved relatively toward said first rod member in a direc-
tion normal to the plane of said belt,
said first rod member engaging means being provided
with a first do~nwardly directed opening for receiving said first rod
m~mher, and
said second support means including a second rod mem-
ber engaging means operable to receive a second rod member when
said overlay is moved relatively toward said second rod member in a
direction normal to the plane of said belt,
said second rod member engaging means being provided
with a second downwardly directed opening for receiving said second
rod member,
said second downwardly directed opening extending lon-
gitu~in~lly of said longitudinal member and parallel to the plane of
said belt so as to allow said belt to exp~nd or collapse while said belt
travels through an arcuate path about an axis parallel to the plane of
said belt;
a plurality of said first rod member engaging means hav-
ing a first rod memher retaining means, each of said first rod member
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retaining means having a first jaw means which defines a mouth into
one of said first downwardly directed openings by way of which said
plurality of said f irst rod member engaging means are releasably
clipped onto said first rod member by movement normal to the plane
of said belt; and
a plurality of said second rod member engaging means
having a second rod member retaining means, each of said second rod
member retaining means having a second jaw means which defines a
mouth into one of said second downwardly directed opening by way of
which said plurality of said second rod member engaging means are
rele~cably clipped onto said second rod member by movement normal
to the plane of said belt.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided in a con-
veyor system having at least one ware transport section and made up
of a succession of overlays for transporting articles, each overlay
having an overlay body providing an upper overlay surface with lead-
ing and trailing edges and upon which said articles are supported,
each overlay being supported and moved along by a belt of spaced rod
members extending transversely of the direction of travel of said belt
which slides upon at least one rail, the improvement comprising in
combination: ~
said overlay comprising;
a plurality of laterally spaced substantially longitudinally
disp~sed longitudinal members;
a plurality of transversely di-~posed connecting means
each connecting adjacent ones of said longitudinal members, adjacent
ones of said connecting means connecting opposite end portions of
said longitudinal members so that the longitudinal members and con-
necting means form a plurality of alternating oppositely opening
nestable segments to allow nesting thereof with overlays immediately
ahead and behind said overlay on said belt;
each of said longitudinal members having a first support
means and a second support means which are opposed and longitudi-
nally spaced from each other,
t. '.p~'~
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said first support means including a first rod member
engaging means operable to receive a first rod member when said
overlay is moved relatively toward said first rod member in a direc-
tion normal to the plane of said belt,
said first rod member engaging means being provided
with a first downwardly directed opening for receiving said first rod
member, and
said second support means including a second rod mem-
ber engaging means operable to receive a second rod member when
said overlay is moved relatively toward said second rod member in a
direction normal to the plane of said belt,
said second rod member engaging means being provided
with a second downwardly directed opening for receiving said second
rod member,
said second downwardly directed opening extending lon-
ginl~lin~lly of said longitudinal member and parallel to the plane of
said belt so as to allow said belt to expand or collapse while said belt
travels through an arcuate path about an ax~s parallel to the plane of
said belt;
a plurality of said first rod member engaging means hav-
ing a first rod member retaining means, each of said first rod mem~er
retaining means having a first jaw means which defines a mouth into
one of said first downwardly directed op~nings by way of which said
plurality of said first rod member engaging means are rele~.c~hly
clipped onto said first rod member by movement normal to the plane
of said belt; and
a plurality of said second rod member engaging means
having a second rod member retaining means, each of said second rod
member retaining means having a second jaw means which defines a
mouth into one of said second downwardly directed opening by way of
which said plurality of said second rod memher engaging means are
rele~s~hly clipped onto said second rod member by movement normal
to the plane of said belt.
The overlays may further comprise a reinforcing means located
within each of the segments formed by the connecting pairs of
20$1~
longitudinal members, each corresponding pair of connecting longitu-
dinal members for inhibiting compression or expansion of the overlay
in a direction parallel to the first and second rod members to which
the overlay is attached. The reinforcing means may be a reinforcing
member located within each of the segments formed by said connect-
ing means connecting associated longitudinal members between each
corresponding pair of connected longitudinal members for inhibiting
compression or e~p~ncion of the overlay in a direction parallel to the
first and second rod members. Alternatively, the reinforcing mem~er
may be connected to and integral to said connecting means and to
opposing sides of the associated pair of connected longitudinal mem-
bers adjacent to the connecting means. ln this embodiment, reinforc-
ing member is a solid mass which has a bottom surface defining a por-
tion of the corresponding downwardly directed opening of the first or
second support means.
The connecting means would be an apex member or a connect-
ing member. The apex member comprises a direct connection of the
opposing end portions of two longitudinal members wherein the seg-
ments thereby are angular in shape. Alternatively, connecting means
may be a connecting member connected to and imposed between the
opposing end portions of two longitudinal members, preferably and
parallel orientation relative to the rod mem~erS.
The first downward directed openings may optionally extend
longitudinally of the respective longitudinal member and parallel to
the plane of the belt so as to allow the belt to expand or collapse
while the belt travels through an arcuate path about an axis parallel
to the plane of the belt.
The first and second jaw means may comprise jaw parts having
mutually inclined surfaces at the entry way of the mouth thereof
which assist in positioning the first and second rod member retaining
means relative to first and second rod memhprs~ respectively, prior to
attachment thereto and which cause corresponding jaw parts to be
urged apart resiliently to permit rod members to enter into their
respective rod memher engaging ~neans upon application of downward
pressure to the overlay.
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As a result, a plurality of these cooperating overlays provides a
grated horizontal surface formed by the nesting of the segments of
the overlays. Such a surface is non-tensioning and trap-free. The
first and second support means of each overlay having rod member
engaging means are secured to its corresponding rod member and the
longitudinally elongated openings of at least one of the first and sec-
ond support means, preferably both, of each overlay do not hinder
travel of the belt through an arcuate path in the plane of the belt
which includes an arcuate path that is helical, through an arcuate
path about an axis parallel to the plane of the belt or through a verti-
cal path.
Additionally, the reinforcing member may protrude past the
last longitudinal member on either end of the overlay. The length of
the protrusion may be varied to assist in positioning the overlays in a
staggered position to promote nesting of the segments thereof. The
protrusions may be utilized to effect end to end connections of a plu-
rality of overlays in a transverse direction to the belt along a particu-
lar pair of rod members. The end connections may be male and
female correspondingly.
The longitudinal member, connecting means and optional rein-
forcing member can be easily severed so as to yield several shorter
overlays from a single long overlay module. The bottom surface of
the longitudinal, connective and reinforcing members are preferably
coplanar to prevent rocking or binding of overlays when traveling the
path of the belt having at least one rail.
.~
- - 9a - 2061 686
Other aspects of this invention are as follows: -
In a conveyor system having at least one ware
transport section and made up of a succession of
overlays for transporting articles, each overlay
providing an upper overlay surface upon which said
articles are supported, each overlay being supported and
moved along by a belt of spaced rod members extending
transversely of the direction of travel of said belt,
the improvement comprising in combination:
said overlay comprising
a plurality of laterally spaced substantially
longitudinally disposed longitudinal members;
a plurality of transversely disposed connecting
means each connecting adjacent ones of said longitudinal
members, adjacent ones of said connecting means
connecting opposite end portions of said Iongitudinal
members so that the longitudinal members and connecting
means form a plurality of alternating oppositely opening
nestable segments to allow nesting thereof with overlays
immediately ahead and behind said overlay on said belt;
each of said longitudinal members having a first
support means and a second support means which are
opposed and longitudinally spaced from each other,
said first support means including a first rod
member engaging means operable to receive a first rod
member when said overlay is moved relatively toward said
first rod member in a direction normal to the plane of
said belt,
said first rod member engaging means being provided
with a first downwardly directed opening for receiving
said first rod member, and
said second support means including a second rod
member engaging means operable to receive a second rod
member when said overlay is moved relatively toward said
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-- - 9b -
second rod member in a direction normal to the plane of
said belt,
said second rod engaging means being provided with
a second downwardly directed opening for receiving said
second rod member,
said second downwardly directed opening extending
longitudinally of said longitudinal member and parallel
to the plane of said belt so as to allow said belt to
expand or collapse while said belt travels through an
arcuate path about an axis parallel to the plane of said
belt; and
a plurality of first rod member retaining means,
wherein each of said first rod member retaining means is
releasably clippable onto said first rod member by
movement normal to the plane of said belt.
~ A ware transport overlay for use on a conveyor belt
having a plurality of spaced transverse rods, said
overlay comprising:
an elongated zig-zag member forming alternating
oppositely opening nestable portions to allow nesting
thereof with similar overlays immediately ahead and
behind said overlay on said belt, said zig-zag member
having a lower surface;
a plurality of downwardly opening.snap-on retaining
means on said lower surface for releasably snapping said
overlay down onto at least one of the rods of said
conveyor belt; and
reinforcing means transversely disposed within each
of said nestable portions, each of said nestable
portions having a pair of opposing, interior sides which
are connected to each other at one end thereof by
connecting means, wherein said reinforcing means is
connected to said opposing, interior sides.
A ware transport overlay for use on a conveyor belt
having a plurality of spaced transverse rods, said
overlay comprising:
, ,~ ~
.~,
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- 9c -
an elongated zig-zag member forming alternating
oppositely opening nestable portions to allow nesting
thereof with similar overlays immediately ahead and
behind said overlay on said belt, said zig-zag member
having a lower surface;
a plurality of downwardly opening snap-on retaining
means on said lower surface for releasably snapping said
overlay down onto at least one of the rods of said
conveyor belt; and
said zig-zag member further comprises means for
allowing said belt to expand or collapse while said belt
travels through an arcuate path in the plane of said
belt.
In a conveyor system having at least one ware
transport section and made up of a succession of
overlays for transporting articles, each overlay
providing an upper overlay surface upon which said
articles are supported, each overlay being supported and
moved along by a belt of spaced rod members extending
transversely of the direction of travel of said belt,
the improvement comprising in combination:
said overlay comprising
an elongated zig-zag member forming alternating
oppositely opening nestable portions to allow nesting
thereof with similar overlays immediately ahead and
behind said overlay on said belt, said zig-zag member
having a lower surface;
a plurality of downwardly opening snap-on retaining
means on said lower surface for releasably snapping said
overlay down onto at least one of the rods of said
conveyor belt; and
reinforcing means transversely disposed within each
of said nestable portions, each of said nestable
portions having a pair of opposing, interior sides which
are connected to each other at one end thereof by
., .
- 9d - ~ 0~
connecting means, wherein said reinforcing means is
connected to said opposing, interior sides.
In a conveyor system having at least one ware
transport section and made up of a succession of
overlays for transporting articles, each overlay
providing an upper overlay surface upon which said
articles are supported, each overlay being supported and
moved along by a belt of spaced rod members extending
transversely of the direction of travel of said belt,
the improvement comprising in combination:
said overlay comprising
an elongated zig-zag member forming alternating
oppositely opening nestable portions to allow nesting
thereof with similar overlays immediately ahead and
behind said overlay on said belt, said zig-zag member
having a lower surface;
a plurality of downwardly opening snap-on retaining
means on said lower surface for releasably snapping said
overlay down onto at least one of the rods of said
conveyor belt; and
said zig-zag member further comprises means for
allowing said belt to expand or collapse while said belt
travels through an arcuate path in the plane of said
belt.
Accordingly, these and other objects, features, and
advantages of the present invention will become apparent
to those skilled in the art, from a consideration of the
following detailed description of preferred embodiment,
wherein reference is made to the figures in the
accompanying drawings.
IN THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of a conveyor belt of the
spaced, transverse rod construction of a conveyor
system.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the conveyor belt
shown in FIG. 1.
,, . ~
. ~ .
. ~
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FIG. 3 is a perspective view of embodiment of an overlay of
the present invention prior to installation.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the overlay of FIG. 3 taken
along line 4-4 thereof.
FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are views similar to FIG. 4 but shown slight
modif ications.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an over-
lay of the present invention prior to installation.
FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the overlay of FIG. 8 taken
along line 9-9 thereof.
FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are views similar to FIG. 9 but showing
slight modifications.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view another embodiment of an over-
lay of the present invention prior to installation.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an
overlay of the present invention prior to installation.
FIG. 15 is a side sectional view of the overlay of FIG. 14 taken
along line 15-15 thereof.
FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are similar views to FIG. 15 but showing
slight modifications.
FIG. 19 is a top view of a portion of the conveyor belts shown
in FIG. 1 with overlays of FIG. 13 negotiating an arcuate path in the
plane of the conveyor belt.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an
overlay of the present invention prior to installation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBOD~MENTS
In referring herein below to the various figures of the draw-
ings, like reference numerals will be utilized to refer to identical
parts and features of the devices shown therein.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS.
1 and 2, there is shown by way of illustration, but not of limitation, a
conveyor belt 10 of the spaced, transverse rod construction. The con-
veyor belt 10 depicted is according to U.S. Patent No. 3,325,898 to
Roinestad, which is hereby incorporated by reference. As disclosed in
pertinent part therein, the conveyor belt 10 includes a plurality of
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transverse rods 14 shown in FIG. 1 in their normally parallel, equally
longitudinally spaced relationship extending transversely to the
straight longitudinal direction of motion of the conveyor belt 10, as
indicated by the arrow 12 in FIG. 1. For convenience of description,
the orientation of the conveyor belt 10 as shown in FIG. 1 will be
defined as lying in a horizontal plane and moving in a straight line
path therein, although it will be appreciated that the plane of the belt
10 may be inclined at an angle relatively to a normally horizontal
plane. The rods 14 are slidably and pivotally interconnected at each
of their ends by a plurality of generally U-shaped, stepped connecting
links 16.
Each of the links 16 includes a straight base portion 18 having a
pair of legs 20 rigidly connected to its outer ends. Each of the legs 20
has a plurality of stepped portions 22 to provide a spacing 24 within
each of the links 16 which is relatively narrow at the base portion 18
and which becomes pro~res~ively wider at the opposite end thereof.
The stepped portions 22 of each link are constructed substantially
parallel to each other and to the direction of movement of the belt.
Each of the links 16 includes, in the legs 20 thereof, a pair of aligned,
elongated rod openings 26 adjacent the base 18 and a pair of generally
circular, aligned rod openings 28 near their outer ends.
The connecting links 16 are arranged in partially nested or
telescoped relationship with the inner, reduced width end 18 of each
link 16 received between the wider end of the legs 20 of the respec-
tively next succee~ling link 16. Thus, the outer, more widely spaced
ends of the legs 20 of each connecting link 16 overlap the base or
inner end 18 of the adjoining link so that the rod openings 28 are
aligned with the rod openings 26 of the preceding link. A rod 14 is
received, at each of its opposite ends, through the aligned ope~in~s 26
and 28 of two adjoining links 16 and secured against withdrawal, such
as by welding a shoulder 32 at the ends 30 of the rod 14 at each of the
circular aligned rod openings 28. The shoulders 32 of each rod 14
secure the underlying leg 20 of its associated link 16 at each end 30 of
the rod 14 to maintain the links 16 in fixed, spaced relationship. The
rods 1~ remain free tO slide and to rotate within the slot 26 of the
206168S
- 12
next preceding link 16. The links 16 therefore serve to pivotally and
slidably interconnect the rods 14. The openings 24 within each link 16
provide a space between each rod 14 and the base 18 of an adjoining
link 16 for receiving sprockets to permit the belt 10 to be driven.
The interconnecting link construction of the belt 10 permits
the belt to be dri~en. through an arcuate path in the plane of the belt,
for example, as shown in FIG. 19. The arcuate path may also be
defined as arcuate about an axis parallel to the plane of the belt 10.
The elongated slots 26 permit the links 16 to nest more closely,
thereby enabling one edge of the belt 10 to collapse. The rods 14
move from their normally parallel, evenly spaced relationship to an
angular or diverging relationship when one edge of the belt 10 is col-
lapsed, as shown in FIG. 19.
It is here again noted that the present invention is not limited
to the foregoing type of coll~pcible rod and link conveyor system. For
that member, the overlay of the present invention rnay be utilized on
any conveyor system which utilizes parallel rod construction. The
parallel rods may be fixed such that they are not coll~p.cihle or they
may be interconnected at at least one of their ends to allow only one
end to exp~nd or coll~pse. Alternately, the overlays of the present
invention may be utilized on a Small Radius Omni-Grid~ belt available
from Ashworth Bros., Inc., Winchester, Virginia. In such a belt, there
are three rows of links on each of the rod members. The inside and
outside links are stepped links such as those described above; how-
ever, the outside links are larger because they negotiate a larger
radius turn than the inside links through an edgewise arcuate path.
This middle link on each rod is a straight sided link with circular holes
therethrough to accommodate the rod members and acts as a pivot
point for the rod members as the edgewise arcuate paths are negoti-
ated by the belt.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown an overlay 100
which is a non-tensioning, trap-free ware-support attachment for a
co~ sihle rod and link conveyor system (not shown) having a belt 10
of spaced rods 14 extending transversely of the direction of travel of
the belt 10. The conveyor system is made up of a succession of such
206168~
- 13 -
overlays 100 for transporting articles. The overlay 100 has a plurality
of laterally spaced substantially longitudinally disposed longitudinal
member 102 and a plurality of transversely disposed apex members
104. The apex members 104 each are formed by directly connecting
the opposing end portions of two longitudinal members 102. Adjacent
ones of the apex members 104, for example, apex members 104a and
104b, connect opposite end portions of the associates longitudinal
members 102 so that the longitudinal member 102 and apex members
104 form a plurality of alternating oppositely opening nestable seg-
ments to allow nesting thereof with overlaps 100 immediately ahead
and behind this overlay 100 on the conveyor belt 10.
Each longitudinal member 102 has a first support means 106
and a second support means 108 which are opposed and longitudinally
spread from each other. The first support means 106 has a first aper-
ture 110 and a first open access slots 112 extending from the first
aperture 110 to the bottom surface 114 of the longitudinal member
102 to permit lateral access to the first aperture 110, thereby forming
a first downwardly directed opening for receiving a rod 14. The first
support means 106 has a first jaw means having first jaw parts 116
having mutually inclined surfaces 118 at the entry way of the mouth
of the first jaw parts 116 and which define the first open access
slot 112.
The second support means 108 has a second aperture 120 and a
second open access slot 122 extending from the second aperture 120
to the bottom surface 114 of the longitudinal member 102 to permit
lateral access to the second aperture 120, thereby forming a second
downwardly directed opening for receiving a rod 14. The second su~
port means 108 has a second jaw means having second jaw parts 124
having mutually inclined surface 126 at the entry way of the mouth of
the second jaw parts 124 and which define the second open access
slot 122.
In this embodiment of the overlay 100, the first aperture 110
and second aperture 120 are elongated slots extending longitudinally
of the respective longitudinal member 102 and parallel to the plane of
the conveyor belt 10 so as to allow the belt 10 to expand or collapse
2061686
- 14-
while the belt 10 travels through an arcuate path about an axis paral-
lel to the plane of the belt 10.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the first aperture 110 may be
substantially circular, rather than an elongated slot, with a diameter
slightly greater than the diameter of rod 14 so that cle~nability may
be maintained and rod 14 is allowed to rotate freely therein.
In another variation of overlay 100, a plurality of the longitudi-
nal members 102, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 have a first jaw parts 116
and second support means 108. Referring now to FIGS. 6 and ~, the
remaining longitudinal members 102 would not have jaw parts associ-
ated with the first support means 106 and second support means 108
thereof. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the rem~ ing longitudi-
nal members 102 would have a first access slot 112 and a second
access slot 122 having a longitudinal ~~ime~ion substantially equal to
that of the first aperture 110 and second aperture 120, respectively.
Another modification to overlay of the present invention for
ex~mple referencing overlay 100 of FIG. 3, the longitudinal members
102 may be progressively larger from one end of the overlay to the
other with the first and second apertures 110 and 120, respectively,
being positioned and sized on the respective longitudinal members 102
so that the conveyor belt 10 undergoes only longitudinal expansion at
the transition point between a straight-line section and an arcuate
path section such as a lateral curve or helical path in a manner simi-
lar to U.S. Patent No. 4,8~8,362. In particular, the longitudinal
Pxp~n.~ion is experienced only at the outer edge of the conveyor belt
10 as the conveyor belt 10 goes through this transition point. The
longitudinal dimensions of the first and/or aperture 110 and 120,
respectively, increases elongation from the inner to the outer ends of
the conveyor belt 10. As the conveyor belt 10 enters the arcuate path
section, the rods 14 are angularly displaced-spreading upward just
short of the outer most longitudinal surfaces of apertures 110 and 120.
~ Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown an overlay 200
which is like the overlay 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and ~ in all respects
except that overlay 200 also includes a reinforcing member 250. The
reinforcing member 250 is substantially parallel to the axis of the rods
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14. The ends of each of the reinforcing members 250 are connected
to opposing sides of a pair of longitudinal members 102 the reinforcing
members 250 are located with the segments formed by a pair of said
longitudinal members 102 connected to their corresponding apex
member 104. The ends of each of the reinforcing members 250 are
connected to the opposing side of its corresponding pair of said longi-
tudinal members 102 at a point intermediate of the first support
means 106 and the second support means 108 of the respective longi-
tudinal members 102.
The longitudinal members 102 shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are
like those shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, respectively, in all respects
except that the attached reinforcing member 250 is shown. FIG. 13
shows overlay 300 which is like overlay 200 of FIG. 8, but has a com-
bination of a plurality of longitudinal members 102 according to FIG. 9
and a plurality of longitudinal members 102 according to FIG. 11,
which do not include jaw parts 116 and 124.
Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, there is shown an overlay
400 which is like the overlay 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in all
respects except that overlay 400 also include a reinforcing member
250. The reinforcing member 250 herein is a solid mass. The rein-
forcing member 250 connects to and is integral to the apex member
104 and the opposing sides of the associated pair of connected longitu-
dinal memher 102 wherein the solid mass has a bottom surface which
defines a portion of the corresponding aperture 110 or 120. In
essence, the reinforcing member 250 constitutes an apex member 104
which has been enlarged by increasing the size thereof there~y filling
more of the segment formed by the apex member 104 connecting its
associated pair of longitudinal members 102 as is apparent when com-
paring the longitudinal members 102 shown in FIGS. 4 and 15. Longi-
tudinal members 102 like these shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 having such
a reinforcing meml~er 250 are shown in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18,
respectively.
Reierring now to FIG. 19, there is shown a section of a con-
veyor belt 10 having a succ~ior- of overlays 200, and showing the
transition point between, a straight-line path and an arcuate path in
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the plane of the belt 10. The inner edge of the belt 10 shows overlays
200 coll~pfiing on each other.
Referring now to FIG. 20, there is shown an overlay 500 which
is like the overlay 100 shown in FIG. 3 in all respects except that
overlay 500 has connecting members 504 instead of apex members 104
to connect the opposing end portions of respective pairs of longitudi-
nal members 102. These connecting members 504 are substantially
parallel to the main axis of rods 14. Though a conveyor belt 10 made
up of a succession of such overlays 500 is non-tensioning, it may not
be entirely trap-f ree.
AS readily apparent from the foregoing, the overlays of the
present invention are adapted to be snapped on to two adjacent rods
by applying pressure to a top surface of the overlays thereby pushing
the jaw parts down onto the rods to snap them resiliently over the
rods and held securely but detachably clipped to the rods. The open
access slots or throats of the mouths of the respective jaw parts are
narrower than the diameters of the rods, but the entries of the
mouths are wider to enable the mouth to receive the rods readily for
attaching the first and second support means to the rods. The inter-
action of the mutually inclined surfaces of the flared mouths where
the cylindrical surf aces of the rods causes the jaw parts of the
respective rod retaining means to be urged apart resiliently to permit
the rods to enter into the rod engaging means of the respective first
and second support means.
By virtue of the elongated slotted apertures 120 and optionally
110, the belt 10 is adapted to follow a path which is substantially hori-
zontally or transversely curved in the plane of travel of the belt. The
belt may travel not only in a circular path but in elliptical, sinuous,
helical and many other belt paths. When the belt rounds a curve in
the plane of the belt, the elongated slotted apertures allow the belt to
e~rr~n~ or colla~se in response to traveling through such a curve. In
this m~nnPr, the belt adjusts itself freely to follow the curved path.
The overlays of the present invention can be molded from plas-
tic into various shapes and sizes as is readily apparent from the Fig-
ures hereof. By employing a plastic material, it is p~s~ihle to provide
20616~
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an overlay having resilient jaw parts to permit the overlay to be eas-
ily clipped onto a rod. However, the overlays of the present invention
can be made of materials other than plastics, if desired, and can be
made from steel, ~ minllm, or other molds. The principal factors
influencing material selection include costs, ease of ~sembly and
replacement, compatibility with the materiaLs carried by the con-
veyor belt, and the environmental conditions to which the conveyor
belt is subjected. Although metals can be used to form the overlays of
the present invention, plastics are preferred because of the relatively
light weight of such materials, the ease of manufacture (such as injec-
tion molding) resulting in lowering manufacturing costs, the ability to
provide the overlays in virtually any shape desired, the resistance to
corrosion, and the ability to incorporate suitable additives to provide
the desired lubricity, anti-static properties, heat conduction proper-
ties, moisture absortivity, bioresistence, and the like. Examples of
suitable plastics include, but are not limited to, polyolefins,
polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, acrylics, polyurethanes, and
phenolics.
It is understood that the disclosed apparatus is merely illustra-
tive of the principles of the present invention. Other advantages of
the overlays of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled
in the art. The overlays are simple and inexpensive to manufacture,
and would be made of any desired sllell~,lh and size. The overlays are
quickly and easily installed without the use of special tools or equip-
ment, and without the use of any additional hardware such as clips
and the like. Further, one or more overlays may be quickly replaced,
as where one becomes damaged, or where all the overlays from the
conveyor belt are worn to the extent that it re~uires replacement.
It also will be understood that the overlay of this invention may
be employed with various belt structures which may be designed to
travel straight or curved paths or both. The invention is not restric-
tive to this specific belt structure shown in the drawings. Accord-
ingly, the scope of the present invention is to be determined in acco~
dance with the appqnded claims.
