Chain conveyor and link for same
AssigneeJoy Global Underground Mining LLC
InventorsAaron Philip Walker, Christopher George Stewart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A link for a conveyor chain includes a first portion and a second portion laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin protrude laterally away from one another. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin may each have an oblong cross-section. At least one retainer can secure a connecting pin against movement relative to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, and each retainer can be positioned substantially within one of the first portion and the second portion.
Claims26
A link for a chain conveyor, the link comprising:
- a first portion including a first sprocket-engaging pin;
- a second portion oriented parallel to and laterally spaced apart from the first portion, the second portion including a second sprocket-engaging pin, the first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin aligned with one another along an axis that is transverse to a direction of travel of the link, the first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin protruding in a direction laterally away from a centerline axis;
- and
- an intermediate portion extending between the first portion and the second portion and integrally formed with the first portion and the second portion,
- wherein a pair of first apertures are oriented at least partially through the first portion and a pair of second apertures are oriented at least partially through the second portion, wherein the second apertures are aligned with the first apertures, wherein the first sprocket-engaging pin is positioned between the pair of first apertures, and wherein the second sprocket-engaging pin is positioned between the pair of second apertures.
A conveyor chain comprising:
- a first link portion including a first inner surface defining a first aperture, the first link portion including a first slot formed in the first inner surface;
- a second link portion;
- a connecting pin coupled between the first and second link portions, the connecting pin including an outer surface and a groove formed in the outer surface, the connecting pin received within the first aperture of the first link portion such that the groove aligns with the first slot;
- and
- a retainer positioned between the groove and the first slot to secure the connecting pin against movement relative to the first link portion.
A conveyor chain comprising:
- a first link portion including a first outer surface and a first opening formed in the first outer surface, the first link portion including a first inner surface defining a first aperture, the first opening in communication with the first aperture;
- a second link portion;
- a connecting pin coupled between the first and second link portions, the connecting pin received within the first aperture of the first link portion;
- and
- a retainer insertable into the first opening to be positioned between the first link portion and the connecting pin to secure the connecting pin against movement relative to the first link portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.