Conveying apparatus with minimalist frame
AssigneeSpan Tech LLC
InventorsJames L. Layne, Stephen C. Fye, Scott Dayton Barbour
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus includes a movable conveyor belt adapted for conveying articles supported by a conveying surface in a conveying direction, the conveyor belt including guide links. Guides in the form of at least two stationary rods elongated in the conveying direction engage the guide links of the conveyor belt during conveyance. The guides may form part of a conveyor frame including connectors spaced in the conveying direction connecting to at least one upper guide and at least one lower guide without projecting between them. An elongated support may be provided for supporting the connectors, and may include at least portion curved in the conveying direction and a vertical direction.
Claims22
An apparatus, comprising:
- a movable conveyor belt adapted for conveying articles supported by a conveying surface in a conveying direction, the conveyor belt including guide links;
- and
- at least two elongated stationary rods elongated in the conveying direction for engaging the guide links of the conveyor belt during conveyance;
- wherein the guide links each include a receiver for receiving the elongated rod.
A frame for supporting a conveyor belt, comprising:
- spaced upper and lower guides for guiding the conveyor belt along a forward run and a return run of the conveyor;
- and
- connectors spaced in the conveying direction connecting to at least one upper guide and at least one lower guide;
- wherein each guide extends spirally in the conveying direction for causing the conveyor belt to tilt in a direction transverse to a conveying direction.
A frame for supporting a conveyor belt adapted for conveying articles supported by a conveying surface in a conveying direction, comprising:
- at least two laterally spaced guides for guiding the conveyor belt;
- a plurality of connectors for connecting the guides;
- and
- a support elongated in the conveying direction for supporting the plurality of connectors, the elongated support including at least a portion curved in a vertical direction;
- wherein each guide includes at least a portion extending spirally for causing the conveyor belt to tilt in a direction transverse to the conveying direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.