Modular conveyor belt with moveable hinge rod retainer
AssigneeLaitram, L.L.C.
InventorsGilbert J. MacLachlan, Abraham L Miller, Benson Hall, Krissie K. Zambrano, Matthew Vulpetti, Matthew A. Lignieres, Angela Longo Marshall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A conveyor belt module (20) includes a movable hinge rod retainer (220) that can be opened and closed without tools. The movable hinge rod retainer facilitates opening and rejoining of the conveyor belt (100) at one or more dedicated locations. In a first position, the hinge rod retainer locks a hinge rod (130) withing a hinge rod passageway. A user can easily move the hinge rod retainer to a second position in which the hinge rod passageway is open to allow removal of the hinge rod.
Claims6
A conveyor belt module comprising:
- a body extending in thickness from a top conveying surface to an opposite bottom surface, laterally from a first edge to a second edge and longitudinally from a first end to a second end, the body including a first set of hinge elements spaced apart along the first end and defining a first rod passageway, a second set of hinge elements spaced along the second end and defining a second rod passageway and a recess in the body between the top conveying surface and the opposite bottom surface, the recess intersecting the first rod passageway;
- and
- a pivotable hinge rod retainer for a hinge rod seated in the recess and mounted on a hinge rod extending through the second rod passageway, wherein the pivotable hinge rod retainer pivots between a closed position blocking the first rod passageway and an open position in which the first rod passageway is open.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.