# US 2009/0260958 A1 · Track frame assembly in conveyor system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260958 A1 - Document ID: US20090260958A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/374,496 - Filed: 2007-07-25 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2006-08-25 - Assignees: Tsubaki Yamakyu Chain Co.; Tsubakimoto Chain Co. - Inventors: Motoya Koeda; Kazuyuki Kobayashi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260958A1 ## CPC - B65G 21/22: Rails or the like engaging sliding elements or rollers attached to load-carriers or traction elements - B65G 21/06: constructed to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling - B65G 2207/30: Modular constructions - 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 track frame assembly is provided which includes a frame member formed from an elongated metallic channel, a pair of elongated synthetic resin-made track rail members each fixed in place on a predetermined surface of the frame member, and a plurality of rail fixtures with which the pair of track rail members can removably be fixed to the frame member. Each of the track rail members includes a retaining projection having a retaining recess formed therein, the pair of track rail members is disposed for the retaining recesses to be opposite to each other and each chain element of the conveyor chain has a pair of engaging projections which are formed to slide in contact in the respective retaining recesses in the track rail members in pair, thus the conveyor chain being smoothly movable without disengagement from the pair of track rail member. Thus, the track frame assembly can be formed from a reduced number of parts and designed lightweight because of its structural simplicity, is easy to assemble, can retain ample strength and precision, is easy to handle and maintain and inexpensive. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A track frame assembly compatible with various types of conveyor chains used in the field of conveyor systems to guide the conveyor chain stably, the assembly comprising: an elongated metallic frame member formed by extrusion molding; at least a pair of elongated synthetic resin-made track rail members each fixed in place on a predetermined surface of the frame member; and a plurality of rail fixtures with which the pair of track rail members can removably be fixed to the frame member, each of the track rail members including a retaining projection having a retaining recess formed therein; the pair of track rails being disposed for the retaining recesses to be opposite to each other; and each chain element of the conveyor chain having a pair of engaging projections which are formed to slide in contact in the respective retaining recesses in the track rail members in pair, thus the conveyor chain being smoothly movable without disengagement from the pair of track rail member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The track frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame member includes a body portion having at least a flat surface, a pair of outer projections formed on the flat surface, and at outer ends, of the body portion, and a pair of inner projections formed on the flat surface of the body portion and inside the outer projections, respectively; the track rail member includes a body portion, a wedging projection formed inside the base end of the base portion, an engaging projection formed outside the base end of the base portion, and a retaining projection formed outside the outer end of the base portion to have a generally C-shaped cross section; and the rail fixtures are to be provided between the pair track rail members to prevent the track rail members in pair from moving toward each other and each of them includes a fixing plate having a pair of slant faces which are in close contact with a slant face of the wedging projection; a bolt to be inserted in a bolt hole formed in the fixing plate; and a nut to be received in a nut receiving recess between the pair of inner projections and in which the end portion of the bolt is to be driven, when the fixing plate is moved to the body portion of the frame member by tightening the bolt, the pair of slant faces pressing the respective slant faces of the wedging projection of each of the track rail members and the pair of track rail members being pressed to the body portion and pair of outer projections, respectively, of the frame member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The track frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame member includes a body portion having at least a flat surface, a pair of outer projections formed on the flat surface, and at outer ends, of the body portion to have a generally L-shaped cross section and a pair of inner projections formed on the flat surface of the body portion and inside the outer projections, respectively, to have a generally T-shaped cross section; the track rail member includes a body portion that abuts a part of the outer projection of the frame member, a wedging projection formed inside the base end of the base portion to abut a part of the inner projection, an engaging projection formed outside the base end of the base portion to abut a part of the outer projection, a retaining projection formed outside the outer end of the base portion to have a generally C-shaped cross section and abut a part of the outer projection, and an engaging step which is in contact with and engaged on the corner, at the outer end, of the inner projection; and the rail fixtures are to be provided between the pair track rail members to prevent the track rail members in pair from moving toward each other and each of them includes a fixing plate having a pair of slant faces which are in close contact with a slant face of the wedging projection, a bolt to be inserted in a bolt hole formed in the fixing plate, and a nut to be received in a nut receiving recess between the pair of inner projections and in which the end portion of the bolt is to be driven, when the fixing plate is moved to the body portion of the frame member by tightening the bolt, the pair of slant faces pressing the respective slant faces of the wedging projection of each of the track rail members and the pair of track rail members being pressed to the body portion and pair of outer projections, respectively, of the frame member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The track frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame member has formed therein a fixing concavity in which an appropriate supporting means can be fixed and an appropriate lightening cavity. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The track frame assembly according to claim 2, wherein the frame member has formed therein a fixing concavity in which an appropriate supporting means can be fixed and an appropriate lightening cavity. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The track frame assembly according to claim 3, wherein the frame member has formed therein a fixing concavity in which an appropriate supporting means can be fixed and an appropriate lightening cavity.