# US 10,246,263 B2 · Cleanable conveyor frame assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,263 B2 - Document ID: US10246263B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/676,007 - Filed: 2017-08-14 - Published: 2018-01-18 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-20 - Assignees: Laitram, L.L.C. - Applicants: Laitram, L.L.C. - Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey; John F. Landrum; Mark T. Drapanas; Manoj Thomas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246263B2 ## CPC - B65G 21/06: constructed to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling - B65G 15/60: Arrangements for supporting or guiding belts, e.g. by fluid jets - B65G 21/02: consisting essentially of struts, ties, or like structural elements - B65G 2207/26: Hygienic features, e.g. easy to sanitize - B65G 2207/30: Modular constructions - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract A cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor having a simplified frame design. One version of such a conveyor comprises a frame and an insertable conveyor belt support. Another version comprises a modular frame formed by a plurality of shafts connected using connectors. Another version comprises a unitary frame and carryway structure, whereby the carryway for supporting a conveyor belt constitutes support structure for the frame. Another version comprises a carryway support rail including an integral curved reversing element. Another version comprises components connected through curvaceous connecting members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A conveyor frame comprising a plurality of modular frame components assembled to form a plurality of legs and a plurality of longitudinally-extending rails connecting the legs and defining a carryway, the plurality of modular frame components comprising: a first longitudinal rail; a first t-shaped connector having a first end connected to a first end of the first longitudinal rail, a first vertical rail forming a first leg connected to a second, downward-extending end of the t-shaped connector; a second longitudinal rail connected to a third end of the t-shaped connector opposite the first end; a third longitudinal rail; a second t-shaped connector having a first end connected to a first end of the third longitudinal rail; a second vertical rail forming a second leg connected to a second, downward-extending end of the second t-shaped connector; a fourth longitudinal rail connected to a third end of the second t-shaped connector opposite the first end; and a lateral rail extending between the first leg and second leg below the first longitudinal rail, the second longitudinal rail, the third longitudinal rail, the fourth longitudinal rail, the first t-shaped connector, and the second t-shaped connector, the lateral rail including a returnway support. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The conveyor frame of claim 1, further comprising a first curved end rail connected to a second end of the first longitudinal rail. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The conveyor frame of claim 1, further comprising a second curved end rail connected to a second end of third longitudinal rail opposite the first curved end rail, forming reversing element for a conveyor belt. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The conveyor frame of claim 1, wherein the returnway support comprises a curved rail extending longitudinally from the lateral rail. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The conveyor frame of claim 1, wherein the t-shaped connectors include protrusions and the longitudinal rails include openings for receiving the protrusions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The conveyor frame of claim 1, further comprising a fifth longitudinal rail defining a central portion of the carryway between the first and third longitudinal rails. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The conveyor frame of claim 1, wherein a longitudinally-extending portion of the first t-shaped connector forms part of the carryway. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The conveyor frame of claim 1, further comprising third and fourth vertical legs connected to the carryway. ### Claim 9 A conveyor frame comprising a plurality of modular frame components assembled to form a plurality of legs and a plurality of longitudinally-extending rails connecting the legs to define a carryway, the plurality of modular frame components comprising: a first longitudinal rail having a curved end and a non-curved end; a first t-shaped connector having a first end connected to the non-curved end of the first longitudinal rail, a first vertical rail forming a first leg connected to a second, downward extending end of the first t-shaped connector; a second longitudinal rail connected to a third end of the first t-shaped connector; and a third longitudinal rail with a curved end opposite the curved end of the first longitudinal rail and a non-curved end; a second t-shaped connector having a first end connected to an end of the third longitudinal rail opposite the curved end, a second vertical rail forming a second leg connected to a second, downward-extending end of the second t-shaped connector; and a fourth longitudinal rail connected to a third end of the second t-shaped connector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The conveyor frame of claim 9, further comprising: a lateral rail extending between the first leg and second leg below the first longitudinal rail, second longitudinal rail, third longitudinal rail, fourth longitudinal rail, first t-shaped connector, and second t-shaped connector, the lateral rail including a returnway support. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The conveyor frame of claim 9, further comprising third and fourth vertical legs connected to the carryway. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The conveyor frame of claim 9, further comprising a fifth longitudinal rail defining a central portion of the carryway between the first and third longitudinal rails. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The conveyor frame of claim 9, wherein each of the t-shaped connectors include a protrusion and each of the longitudinal rails includes an opening for receiving a protrusion of a t-shaped connector. ### Claim 14 A conveyor frame comprising a plurality of modular frame components assembled to form a plurality of legs and a plurality of longitudinally-extending rails connecting the legs to define a carryway, the plurality of modular frame components comprising: a first longitudinal rail having a curved end, a non-curved end and a downward extending shaft; a first vertical rail forming a first leg connected to the downward extending shaft; a second longitudinal rail connected in series to the non-curved end of the first longitudinal rail; a first t-shaped connector having a first end connected to an end of the second longitudinal rail, a second vertical rail forming a second leg connected to a second, downward-extending end of the second t-shaped connector; and a third longitudinal rail connected to a third end of the second t-shaped connector.