Modular center drive conveyor belt

A conveyor belt comprised of a plurality of linked modules each of substantially identical pitch dimensions, and each of integral plastic molded construction, each module comprising:

• a first plurality of elongated parallel spaced link elements terminating in a first plurality of link ends;
• a second plurality of elongated parallel spaced link elements terminating in a second plurality of link ends;
• said link elements having upper edges defining a conveying surface;
• each link end being formed to circumscribe a pivot hole;
• the pivot holes at each end being aligned on respective pivot axes lying in a first plane;
• a grid structure integral with the first and second pluralities of link elements and disposed between the first and second pluralities of link ends, said grid structure having longitudinal members integral with the link elements and which are parallel to the link elements and offset therefrom along the width of the module, and having two cross members integral with the link elements and extending across the width of the module which separate and join the longitudinal members and the link elements;
• the grid structure having a first plurality of cross members extending across the width of the module which separate and join one end of the longitudinal members and the first plurality of link elements and a second plurality of cross members extending across the width of the module which separate and join the other end of the longitudinal members and the second plurality of link elements;
• the link elements and grid structure being of relatively thin and uniform wall thickness;
• the first and second pluralities of link elements lying across parallel spaced axes and offset from each other along the width of the module;
• the first plurality of cross members being angularly inclined from the conveying surface toward the first plurality of link ends, the second plurality of cross members being angularly inclined from the conveying surface toward the second plurality of link ends to provide sprocket recesses intermediate the pivot axes of the module and adapted to mate with corresponding sprocket teeth of a sprocket wheel;
• the sprocket recesses of linked modules beig colinear by reason of the offset link elements;
• the thickness of the link elements being less than the spacing between adjacent link elements of each plurality of link elements such that a pivot rod disposed in the pivot holes is substantially exposed between the link elements for visual inspection and cleaning;
• substantially all of said link ends each including a projection extending transversely of the module toward a confronting link end and terminating short of the confronting link end by an amount to accommodate the link end of a mated module, each of the projections having sufficient bearing surface to distribute the tensile forces of conveyor movement while providing substantial exposure of the pivot rod;
• the projections on a module being oppositely extending from the projections of linked modules to maintain linked modules in laterally fixed spaced position with portions of the pivot rod exposed for visual inspection and cleaning.