# US 2009/0260957 A1 · Low friction roller belt > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260957 A1 - Document ID: US20090260957A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/148,592 - Filed: 2008-04-21 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-21 - Assignees: Habasit AG - Inventors: Michal Krisl - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260957A1 ## CPC - B65G 17/08: the surface being formed by the traction element - B65G 17/24: comprising a series of rollers which are moved {, e.g. over a supporting surface, by the traction element to effect conveyance of loads or load-carriers} - B65G 21/22: Rails or the like engaging sliding elements or rollers attached to load-carriers or traction elements - B65G 39/20: attached to moving belts or chains - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract A modular conveyor belt having longitudinal grooves on the top and bottom of the belt. Pairs of rollers are installed between the links within these grooves such that the rollers do not project over the surface of the belt but are completely integrated into the body. The rollers may be installed directly onto the pivot rods. The belts are supported by rails that enter into the longitudinal grooves to engage with the rollers to carry the belt as it moves. The grooves on the bottom side of the single modules are curved in such a way that the slots form a circle when the belt moves around a sprocket. This configuration allows for steel disks to be installed between the sprockets on the driving and idling shaft. The disks help to support the belt and to improve smooth running of the belts around the sprocket under a high load by taking the radial forces acting when the belt is under high tension. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A conveyor belt module, comprising: an intermediate section having a top surface and a bottom surface; a first plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings, the first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction; a second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings, the second plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a second direction opposite the first direction; wherein at least one of the first link ends and one of the second link ends has a reduced width; at least one roller capable of being mounted on a pivot rod adjacent to the at least one reduced width link end; wherein the bottom of the module has at least one longitudinal groove extending between the first and second reduced width link ends. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the module has a longitudinal groove extending between the first and second reduced width link ends. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein the groove on the bottom of the module is curved. ### Claim 4 A conveyor belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having intercalated link ends connected by a transverse pivot rod; wherein at least two intercalated link ends from adjacent modules have a reduced width and are disposed in facing relation; at least one roller disposed on the pivot rod between the facing reduced width link ends; and, wherein a bottom surface of the belt has a longitudinal groove defining a recessed area containing the at least one roller. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The conveyor belt of claim 4, wherein a top surface of the belt has a longitudinal groove defined therein, the groove defining a recessed area containing the at least one roller. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The conveyor belt of claim 4, wherein the groove in the bottom surface is curved. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The conveyor belt of claim 4, wherein the at least one roller is a pair of rollers disposed on the pivot rod between the facing reduced width link ends. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The conveyor belt of claim 4, wherein the rollers are integrated into the belt such that they do not extend over the top or bottom surfaces of the belt. ### Claim 9 A conveying system, comprising: a conveyor belt with a plurality of modules having intercalated link ends connected by a transverse pivot rod; wherein at least two intercalated link ends from adjacent modules have a reduced width and are disposed in facing relation; at least one roller disposed on the pivot rod between the facing reduced width link ends; wherein a top and a bottom surface of the belt each have a longitudinal groove defining a recessed area, the recessed areas containing the at least one roller, and wherein the belt has a conveying side and a return side; a first rail disposed between the conveying side of the belt and the return side of the belt such that the rail engages with the rollers on the conveying side of the belt and the rollers on the return side of the belt. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The conveying system of claim 9, further comprising a second rail disposed under the return side of the belt. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The conveying system of claim 10, wherein the at least one roller is a pair of rollers disposed on the pivot rod between the facing reduced width link ends. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The conveying system of claim 11, wherein the first rail engages one of the pair of rollers on the return side of the belt and the second rail engages the other of the pair of rollers on the return side of the belt. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The conveying system of claim 9, wherein the rollers are integrated into the belt such that they do not extend over the top or bottom surfaces of the belt. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The conveying system of claim 9, wherein the first rail has a bottom surface having a recessed portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The conveying system of claim 9, wherein the second rail has a top surface having a recessed portion.