Axle and bearing for conveyor chain link
AssigneeAmf Automation Technologies, LLC
InventorsWilliam Watson LAVIGNO, IV, Kristopher Jon SODERSTROM
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to an axle and bearing for a conveyor chain link, such as those used in commercial bakery equipment. The conveyor chain link generally includes at least one roller bearing wheel with a central hole, an axle pin, and a link component with a bore. The axle pin is configured to extend through the hole in the roller bearing wheel and the bore in the link component to attach the at least one roller bearing wheel to the link component. The axle pin includes a medial portion having at least one surface engagement feature configured for anti-spin engagement with the link component. The roller bearing wheel includes at least one engagement feature for anti-spin engagement with the distal end of the axle pin.
Claims25
A conveyor chain link comprising:
- a link component;
- an axle pin comprising an elongated generally cylindrical axle pin body having a medial portion and two distal ends, wherein the medial portion comprises at least one surface engagement feature configured for anti-spin engagement with the link component;
- and
- at least one roller bearing wheel comprising at least one engagement feature configured for anti-spin engagement with one of the distal ends of the axle pin.
A method of assembling a conveyor chain link, the method comprising:
- positioning two roller bearing wheels on each side of a link component, wherein each roller bearing wheel comprises a central hole and the link component comprises a bore extending through a width of the link component, wherein the hole of each roller bearing wheel aligns with the bore of the link component;
- push fitting an axle pin having an elongated generally cylindrical axle pin body and two distal ends through the holes in the roller bearing wheels and the bore in the link component, wherein the axle pin further comprises a medial portion with at least one surface engagement feature;
- positioning the axle pin such that the at least one surface engagement feature is at least partially positioned within the bore of the link component and the distal ends of the axle pin extend beyond the holes of the roller bearing wheels;
- and
- deforming the distal ends of the axle pin to attach the roller bearing wheels to the link component.
A conveyor chain link comprising:
- at least one roller bearing wheel comprising a female receiver opening having a cross-section, wherein the female receiver opening cross-section comprises at least one flat surface;
- an axle pin comprising first and second axial ends, at least one of the axial ends defining a male engagement profile, wherein the male engagement profile is configured to match the female receiver opening cross-section of the roller bearing wheel;
- and
- a link component.
A conveyor chain for a commercial baking conveyor comprising a plurality of conveyor chain links coupled to one another to form an elongate assembly allowing relative pivotal movement between adjacent links, wherein at least one link comprises:
- a link component comprising first and second ends, each configured to attach to an adjacent link in the conveyor chain, and a medial section therebetween, wherein the medial section includes a bore;
- an axle pin comprising first and second axle ends and a medial section therebetween, wherein the medial portion comprises at least one surface engagement feature, wherein the at least one surface engagement feature is configured for anti-spin engagement with the bore of the link component;
- and
- at least one roller bearing wheel, wherein an inner circumference of the roller bearing wheel comprises at least one engagement feature configured for anti-spin engagement with one of the first or second axle ends of the axle pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.