Chain conveyor
AssigneeSystem Plast S.p.A.
InventorsSergio Marsetti, Rodolfo Reatti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A chain conveyor formed from a plurality of modules or links (1a, b, c) connected together by pins (2a, b) which are inserted through holes (4, 4A) present in said modules or links (1a, b, c) and are prevented from escaping by axially counteracting elements (5) mounted in seats (6) also present in said modules or links (1a, b, c), in which said axially counteracting elements (5) present a flexible tang (5c) which, when the axially counteracting element is mounted in the seat (6), intersects an end portion (4A) of the holes (4, 4A) through which the pin (2a, b, c) is inserted, to thus prevent said pin withdrawing from said holes (4, 4A), such withdrawal however being enabled by deflecting the flexible tang (5)
Claims15
A chain conveyor formed from a plurality of modules or links (1a, b, c;
- 101a) connected together by pins (2a, b) which are inserted through holes (4, 4A;
- 104, 104A) present in said modules or links (1a, b, c;
- 101a) and are prevented from escaping by axially counteracting elements (5, 105) mounted in seats (6, 106) also present in said modules or links (1a, b, c;
- 101a), characterised in that said axially counteracting elements (5, 105) present a flexible tang (5c;
- 105c) which, when the axially counteracting element is mounted in the seat (6;
- 106), intersects an end portion (4A, 104A) of the holes (4, 4A;
- 104, 104A) through which the pin (2a, b, c) is inserted, to thus prevent said pin withdrawing from said holes (4, 4A;
- 104, 104A), such withdrawal however being enabled by deflecting the flexible tang (5).
A chain conveyor as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein at least one comb conformation presents an end projecting part (3A, 103A) in which the seat (6, 106) for the axially counteracting element (5, 105) is present.
A chain conveyor as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein the axially counteracting element (5, 105) presents a head (5a, 105a) which matches the seat (6, 106) with which it engages.
A chain conveyor as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein the seat (6, 106) communicates with the end hole (4A, 104A) for the passage of the flexible tang (5c, 105c) into said hole, this communication enabling the flexible tang (5c, 105c) to be deflected when the pin (2a, b, c) is to be withdrawn from the holes (4, 4A, 104, 104A).
A chain conveyor as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein at least one end (R) of the pins (2a, b, c) is tapered.
A chain conveyor as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein the length of the pin (2a, b, c) does not exceed the distance between the inner sides of those flexible tangs (5c, 105c) which prevent the escape of the pin from opposite sides.
A chain conveyor as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the seat (106) for receiving the axially counteracting element (105) presents a housing (10) enabling an appendix (11) forming part of said axially counteracting element (105) to be coupled by snap-engagement or by force.
For a conveyor, a chain module of the type for forming chain conveyors comprising a plurality of modules (1a, b;
- 101a, b . . . ) connected together by engaging projecting parts (3, 3A, 103, 103A) by a pin (2a, 2b) extending through coaxial holes (4, 4A, 104, 104A) provided in said projecting parts, said module comprising means for maintaining the pin within the chain by locking the holes (4A, 104A) of at least one of the end projecting parts, said locking means comprising at least one end projecting part (3A, 103A) presenting a seat (6, 106) and a pin locking element (5, 105) to be connected to said seat, characterised in that said locking element (5, 105) comprises at least one elastic counteracting element (5c, 105c) normally interfering with one end (R) of said pin (2a, 2b) but able to be moved into a position of non-interference with said pin end (R).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.