Weldless conveyor belt systems and methods
AssigneeCambridge International, Inc.
InventorsPrahlad N. Sagar, Amit Prabhu, Thomas O. Perdue
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A conveyor belt is provided that includes a first lateral end, a second lateral end, a plurality of rods, and a plurality of links. The plurality of rods are spaced apart from one another and each extends from the first lateral end to the second lateral end. The plurality of links interconnect the plurality of rods and include a first link coupled to two adjacent rods of the plurality of rods at the first lateral end. The first link includes a tail that extends laterally outward past an outermost portion of the plurality of rods.
Claims19
A conveyor belt comprising:
- a first lateral end;
- a second lateral end;
- a plurality of rods spaced apart from one another and each extending from the first lateral end to the second lateral end;
- and
- a plurality of links interconnecting the plurality of rods, the plurality of links including a first link coupled to two adjacent rods of the plurality of rods at the first lateral end, the first link including a tail that extends laterally outward past an outermost portion of the plurality of rods,
- wherein a first rod of the two adjacent rods terminates with a hook, the hook extending through a slot of the tail in a manner that prevents rotation of the first rod.
A conveyor belt comprising:
- a plurality of rods spaced apart from one another, each of the plurality of rods including a first lateral end portion with a first hook that terminates at a tip;
- and
- a plurality of links interconnecting the plurality of rods, each of the plurality of links including:
- a middle portion,
- an inner leg extending from the middle portion,
- an outer leg extending from the middle portion,
- a first set of holes extending through the inner leg and the outer leg, and
- a tail extending from the outer leg, the tail including a slot,
- wherein a first rod of the plurality of rods engages a first link of the plurality of links such that the first hook extends through the first set of holes and the slot and the tip faces an outer surface of the outer leg of the first link.
A method of forming a conveyor belt, the method comprising:
- sliding a rod through a first set of holes of a first link and a second set of holes of a second link so that a tip of the rod extends past an outer leg of the first link;
- bending the tip of the rod to form a hook;
- and
- bending a tail of the first link that extends from the outer leg back toward the outer leg until ends of the tail close around either side of the hook.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.