초록 ▼

A modular conveyor belt (20) constructed of a series of rows (24, 25) of belt modules hingedly interlined by tapered oblong hinge pins (22) and suitable for following straight or curved conveyor paths. Aligned slots (30) formed in one set of hinge elements between successive rows are elongated in th

A modular conveyor belt (20) constructed of a series of rows (24, 25) of belt modules hingedly interlined by tapered oblong hinge pins (22) and suitable for following straight or curved conveyor paths. Aligned slots (30) formed in one set of hinge elements between successive rows are elongated in the direction of belt travel to allow the belt to fan out in turns. Fan-shaped apertures (38) formed in interleaved hinge elements of an adjacent row and aligned axially with the slots to admit a hinge pin (22) allow the belt to pivot at the hinge to articulate about a sprocket (181) or idler (186) or to enter and exit an incline. The oblong hinge pin has a first region at a first end (88) with a constant long axis to share the belt load among hinge elements encompassing the first region on straight runs. A second region of the hinge pin at an opposite second end (89) has a tapered oblong cross section, the long axis of which increases with distance from the second end to define a variable pitch and to spread the belt tension among the hinge elements at the outside of a turn encompassing the second region. Each belt row can be constructed of individual links stacked together on a support element (45) and retained by fasteners (52) or of integrally molded modules each comprising a transverse connecting member from which leading and trailing hinge elements extend. Accessory attachments, such as teeth (160) or sideguards (150), can be added to the belt. The belt can be driven by a cog, a roller chain, or other driving means driving lugs (172) extending from the bottom of the belt. The drive surfaces of the lugs can be obliquely arranged for better load sharing.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A modular conveyor belt suitable for conveying product in a direction of travel that may include a curved path, comprising:a plurality of successive rows of belt modules, each row extending in the direction of travel from a first end to a second end and extending across the width of the belt from

1. A modular conveyor belt suitable for conveying product in a direction of travel that may include a curved path, comprising:a plurality of successive rows of belt modules, each row extending in the direction of travel from a first end to a second end and extending across the width of the belt from a first side edge to a second side edge, each row including hinge elements at the first end and the second end of the row, the hinge elements at the first end of one row being interleaved with the hinge elements at the second end of a successive row and forming openings axially aligned to provide a passageway for a hinge pin through the hinge elements across the width of the rows to form a hinge between successive rows, wherein at each hinge the hinge elements of one of the rows circumscribe slots therethrough elongated in the direction of belt travel and the interleaved hinge elements of the successive row form fan-shaped apertures extending from a vertex at the distal ends of the hinge elements to a proximal surface at the proximal ends of the hinge elements; and a plurality of oblong hinge pins extending through the aligned slots and fan-shaped apertures of interleaved hinge elements at each hinge to hingedly line successive rows into a conveyor belt; wherein each oblong hinge pin comprises a first region and a second region and has an oblong cross section with a long axis in the direction of belt travel, the first region extending from the first end toward the second end and characterized by a generally constant oblong cross section, the second region extending from the second end toward the first end and characterized by a tapered oblong cross section, the long axis of the cross section of the tapered second region in the direction of belt travel increasing with distance from the second end of the pin toward the first region to share belt tension among hinge elements encompassing the second region of the hinge pin near the second side edge of the belt at the outside of a turn and among hinge elements encompassing the first region of the hinge pin at the first side edge of the belt in straight conveyor paths.