Conveyor belt edge module
AssigneeLaitram, L.L.C.
InventorDavid W. Bogle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An edge module for a modular conveyor belt. The edge module includes a rod-retention plug that is pivotably mounted in a socket that opens onto the module's bottom. The plug has a bore that receives an axle in the socket on which the plug can be rotated. An arm attached to a main body of the plug by a living hinge allows the arm to flex from a relaxed state occluding a hinge-rod passageway at the belt's hinge joints to a flexed state allowing a hinge rod to be inserted into or removed from the passageway. Locking structure on the plug and in the socket engage to lock the plug in place. A sideguard mounted in the edge module is locked in place by locking structure in the edge module. Locking structure on both the sideguard and the plug engage to lock the sideguard and the plug in place.
Claims20
A conveyor belt edge module comprising:
- a module body extending in length from a first end to a second end, laterally in width from a first side edge to a second side edge, and in thickness from a top to a bottom;
- a first set of hinge elements having rod holes aligned along the first end and a second set of hinge elements having rod holes aligned along the second end;
- a socket formed in the module body laterally inward of the first side edge;
- a rod-retention plug positioned in the socket to occlude the rod holes aligned along the first end of the module body;
- a sideguard standing up from the top of the module body at the first side edge and having locking structure that engages the rod-retention plug to lock the rod-retention plug in position in the socket.
A conveyor belt edge module comprising:
- a module body extending in length from a first end to a second end, laterally in width from a first side edge to a second side edge, and in thickness from a top to a bottom;
- a first set of hinge elements having rod holes aligned along the first end and a second set of hinge elements having rod holes aligned along the second end;
- a laterally elongated hinge element at the first end and the first side edge having a rod hole aligned with the rod holes of the first set of hinge elements;
- a socket opening onto the bottom of the module body and dividing the rod hole of the laterally enlarged hinge element into an outer rod-hole portion that opens onto the first side edge and an inner rod-hole portion;
- an axle and socket locking structure in the socket;
- a rod-retention plug mounted in the socket and having plug locking structure and an axial bore receiving the axle;
- wherein the rod-retention plug is rotatable from an unlocked position in which the plug locking structure and the socket locking structure are disengaged to a locked position in which the plug locking structure and the socket locking structure are engaged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.