# US 10,696,484 B2 · Conveyor system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,696,484 B2 - Document ID: US10696484B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/541,357 - Filed: 2019-08-15 - Published: 2020-02-20 - Granted: 2020-06-30 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-16 - Applicants: George W. Massey, Jr. - Inventors: George W. Massey, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10696484B2 ## CPC - B65G 21/06: constructed to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling - B65G 21/08: Protective roofs or arch supports therefor - B65G 21/20: Means incorporated in, or attached to, framework or housings for guiding load-carriers, traction elements or loads supported on moving surfaces (arrangements for supporting belts B65G15/60; rollers or roller arrangements B65G39/00) - B65G 23/44: Belt or chain tensioning arrangements - B65G 2207/40: Safety features of loads, equipment or persons - B65G 2812/02108: Protection means - 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 Conveyor systems and assemblies for use in conveyor systems are provided. In some embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a mechanical chain and a chain adjustment assembly. In other embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a panel mount assembly, and in still other embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a support structure and a leveling assembly. In yet other embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a conveyor track assembly and a conveyor top protection assembly. Any embodiment of the conveyor system may also comprise a blocking bar configured to be positioned under a lower conveyor track assembly and/or a cap positioned between an end of a conveyor track assembly and a sprocket. Further, a cover assembly for a conveyor system may comprise a shield positioned over a sprocket assembly and/or an idler assembly of the conveyor system. A guard for positioning at an end of the conveyor system also may be provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A conveyor system, comprising: a mechanical chain; a drive end, a sprocket assembly positioned at the drive end for driving the mechanical chain; a return end, an idler assembly positioned at the return end; a guard positioned adjacent at least one of the drive end and the return end, the guard including a first guard and a second guard, the first guard and the second guard defining a gap therebetween; and a locking pin extending through the guard and into a support, the locking pin securing the guard in place, wherein the mechanical chain is disposed between the first guard and the second guard such that the first guard is positioned on a first side of the mechanical chain and the second guard is positioned on a second side of the mechanical chain. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the guard comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the guard ramps up in height from a minimum height hguard at the proximal end to a maximum height hguard between the proximal end and the distal end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the guard comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the distal end is rounded. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The conveyor system of claim 3, wherein the distal end is disposed farther from a center of the conveyor system than the proximal end. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the first guard and the second guard each extend a height hguard above the mechanical chain. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The conveyor system of claim 1, further comprising: a shield positioned outward from the guard such that the guard is disposed between the shield and the mechanical chain, wherein the shield is positioned over at least one of the sprocket assembly and the idler assembly such that the at least one of the sprocket assembly and the idler assembly is not accessible by a user. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The conveyor system of claim 6, wherein the shield is attached to a stationary component of the conveyor system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The conveyor system of claim 6, wherein the shield comprises a planar surface facing a user side of the conveyor system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The conveyor system of claim 6, wherein an end of the shield farthest from a center of the conveyor system is rounded. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The conveyor system of claim 1, further comprising: a cap mounted at an end section of a conveyor track assembly of the conveyor system, the end section defining an end of the conveyor track assembly, wherein the cap is configured to cover the end section and a space between the end of the conveyor track assembly and the sprocket assembly. ### Claim 11 A conveyor system, comprising: at least one mechanical chain having a plurality of links, the at least one mechanical chain configured for conveying items thereon; an upper profile for receipt of a portion of the at least one mechanical chain; a lower profile for receipt of another portion of the at least one mechanical chain; a support structure for supporting the at least one chain, the upper profile, and the lower profile; a drive end, a sprocket assembly positioned at the drive end for driving the mechanical chain; a guard positioned adjacent the drive end, the guard including a first guard and a second guard, the first guard and the second guard defining a gap therebetween; a shield positioned over the sprocket assembly, the shield including a first shield and a second shield; and a chain adjustment assembly including a ram that translates horizontally in and out of a housing, wherein the first guard is disposed between the mechanical chain and the first shield and the second guard is disposed between the mechanical chain and the second shield, and wherein the mechanical chain is disposed between the first guard and the second guard such that the first guard is positioned on a first side of the mechanical chain and the second guard is positioned on a second side of the mechanical chain. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The conveyor system of claim 11, further comprising: a blocking bar configured to be positioned under a lower conveyor track assembly, the lower conveyor track assembly supporting the lower profile. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The conveyor system of claim 11, further comprising: a panel mount assembly including a support member, an attachment block, and a panel attached to the support member using the attachment block, wherein the panel mount assembly is configured to block an area below the upper profile on the first side of the mechanical chain, and wherein the first side is a user side of the conveyor system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The conveyor system of claim 11, further comprising: a leveling assembly for leveling the mechanical chain, the leveling assembly including a leveling nut, a leveling screw, a sealing nut, a jam nut, a leveling pad, and a fastener. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The conveyor system of claim 11, further comprising: a conveyor top protection assembly including one or more hanger structures for hanging one or more panels thereon, wherein each panel is configured to be disposed in a space between lengths of conveyor track sections. ### Claim 16 A conveyor system, comprising: a mechanical chain; a drive end, a sprocket assembly positioned at the drive end for driving the mechanical chain; a return end, an idler assembly positioned at the return end; a guard positioned adjacent at least one of the drive end and the return end, the guard including a first guard and a second guard, the first guard and the second guard defining a gap therebetween; and a panel mount assembly including a support member, an attachment block, and a panel attached to the support member using the attachment block, wherein the mechanical chain is disposed between the first guard and the second guard such that the first guard is positioned on a first side of the mechanical chain and the second guard is positioned on a second side of the mechanical chain, wherein the panel mount assembly is configured to block an area below the upper profile on the first side of the mechanical chain, and wherein the first side is a user side of the conveyor system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The conveyor system of claim 16, further comprising: a first shield positioned outward from the guard such that the guard is disposed between the first shield and the mechanical chain, wherein the first shield is positioned over at least one of the sprocket assembly and the idler assembly such that the at least one of the sprocket assembly and the idler assembly is not accessible by a user. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The conveyor system of claim 17, further comprising: a second shield, wherein the first shield is positioned on a user side of the conveyor system, and wherein the second shield is positioned on an inner side of the conveyor system, the inner side opposite the user side. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The conveyor system of claim 16, further comprising: a chain adjustment assembly including a ram that translates horizontally in and out of a housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The conveyor system of claim 16, a conveyor top protection assembly including one or more hanger structures for hanging one or more panels thereon, wherein each panel is configured to be disposed in a space between lengths of conveyor track sections.