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A low back pressure belt module for forming an endless belt for use with a conveyor. The modular conveyor belt is formed of rows of belt modules pivotally interlinked by transverse pivot rods. The belt modules have a plurality of first link ends disposed in the direction of belt travel and a plurali

A low back pressure belt module for forming an endless belt for use with a conveyor. The modular conveyor belt is formed of rows of belt modules pivotally interlinked by transverse pivot rods. The belt modules have a plurality of first link ends disposed in the direction of belt travel and a plurality of second link ends disposed in the opposite direction. Transverse holes in the link ends are aligned to accommodate a pivot rod. When the link ends of the consecutive rows of side-by-side modules are intercalated, the pivot rod serves as a hinge pin in a hinged joint between consecutive interlinked rows. The low back pressure belt modules include shafts supported above the top surface of the module. The shafts carry a plurality of rollers to form a low back pressure conveying surface. A pair of intermediate supports may be provided for each shaft. The intermediate supports are L-shaped and disposed in mirror relation such that one support engages one side of the shaft and the other support engages the other side of the shaft in complementary fashion. The intermediate supports are offset in the transverse direction such that the shaft is disposed in an open configuration with access to the shaft for cleaning and without a narrow slot for debris to accumulate.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A belt module comprising: a base portion having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate section extending in a transverse direction from the first end to the second end; a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a direction of belt trave

What is claimed is: 1. A belt module comprising: a base portion having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate section extending in a transverse direction from the first end to the second end; a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a direction of belt travel substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction, the first plurality of link ends each having first openings defined therein, the first openings aligned in the transverse direction; a second plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a direction opposite to the first link ends, the second plurality of link ends each having second openings defined therein, the second openings aligned in the transverse direction; and, at least one first intermediate support disposed in spaced apart relation to the first end of the base portion, the first intermediate support having a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall having a length greater than the second side wall, the at least one first intermediate support having a shaft support surface disposed between the first side wall and the second side wall. 2. The belt module of claim 1, further comprising: at least one second intermediate support having a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall having a length greater than the second side wall, the at least one second intermediate support having a shaft support surface disposed between the first side wall and the second-side wall, the at least one second intermediate support offset from the first intermediate support in the transverse direction and disposed in facing relation to the first intermediate support. 3. The belt module of claim 2, wherein the second intermediate support is disposed in mirror image relation to the first intermediate support. 4. The belt module of claim 1, wherein the shaft support surface comprises an arcuate portion. 5. The belt module of claim 2, wherein the at least one shaft is disposed between the at least one first intermediate support and the at least one second intermediate support. 6. The belt module of claim 1, wherein the at least one first intermediate support further comprises a top surface disposed substantially parallel to the upper surface of the intermediate section. 7. The belt module of claim 1, wherein the first and second side walls of the at least one first intermediate support member are substantially parallel. 8. The belt module of claim 1, wherein the first and second side walls of the at least one first intermediate support member are disposed substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the intermediate section. 9. A belt module comprising: a base portion having an intermediate section with an upper surface; a first plurality of link ends each having opposed side walls providing the first link ends with a first transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a first proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction of belt travel to a first distal portion at the link ends, wherein the first link ends each have a first opening through the thickness between and to the opposed side walls; a second plurality of link ends each having opposed side walls providing the second link ends with a second transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a second proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction opposite to the first link ends to a second distal portion at the link ends, wherein the second link ends each have a second opening through the thickness between and to the opposed side walls; first and second shaft support members extending upward from the base portion and having openings for receiving a shaft; at least one shaft extending between the first and second shaft support members and supported thereon; a plurality of rollers mounted for rotation on each of the shafts; at least one first intermediate support having a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall having a length greater than the second side wall, the at least one first intermediate support having a shaft support surface disposed between the first and second side wall; and, at least one second intermediate support having a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall having a length greater than the second side wall, the at last one second intermediate support having a shaft support surface disposed between the first and second side wall, the at least one second intermediate support offset from the first intermediate support in a direction transverse to the direction of belt travel and disposed in facing relation to the first intermediate support. 10. The belt module of claim 9, wherein the second intermediate support is disposed in mirror image relation to the first intermediate support. 11. The belt module of claim 9, wherein the shaft support surface comprises an arcuate portion. 12. The belt module of claim 9, wherein the at least one shaft is disposed between the at least one first intermediate support and the at least one second intermediate support. 13. The belt module of claim 9, wherein the at least one first intermediate support further comprises a top surface disposed substantially parallel to the upper surface of the intermediate section. 14. The belt module of claim 9, wherein the first and second side walls of the at least one first intermediate support member are substantially parallel. 15. The belt module of claim 1, wherein the first and second side walls of the at least one first intermediate support member are disposed substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the intermediate section. 16. A method of forming a low back pressure belt module comprising: providing a base portion having an intermediate section with an upper surface; providing a first plurality of link ends each having opposed side walls providing the first link ends with a first transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a first proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction of belt travel to a first distal portion at the link ends, wherein the first link ends each have a first opening through the thickness between and to the opposed side walls; providing a second plurality of link ends each having opposed side walls providing the second link ends with a second transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a second proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction opposite to the first link ends to a second distal portion at the link ends, wherein the second link ends each have a second opening through the thickness between and to the opposed side walls; providing first and second shaft support members extending upward from the base portion and having openings for receiving a shaft; providing at least one shaft extending between the first and second shaft support members and supported thereon; providing a plurality of rollers mounted for rotation on each of the shafts; providing at least one first intermediate support having a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall having a length greater than the second side wall, the at least one first intermediate support having a shaft support surface disposed between the first and second side wall; and, providing at least one second intermediate support having a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall having a length greater than the second side wall, the at last one second intermediate support having a shaft support surface disposed between the first and second side wall, the at least one second intermediate support offset from the first intermediate support in a direction transverse to the direction of belt travel and disposed in facing relation to the first intermediate support.