Method and apparatus for attaching cleats

An apparatus for attaching cleats having a horizontal base and upwardly extending stem to conveyor belts extending a longitudinally direction and having lateral sides which are extending longitudinally, comprising:

• a frame;
• a carriage movable on said frame transversely across the conveyor belt;
• a carriage support means on the frame on which said carriage traverses between said conveyor belt lateral sides;
• wheel means on said carriage for applying pressure to said cleat horizontal base;
• blower means on said carriage for impinging hot air upon both said conveyor belt and said cleat base to heat the cleat and conveyor belt to a fusible temperature that causes the cleat and belt fuse together upon imposition of said wheel means pressure;
• mounting means for mounting said wheel means to turn and to run along the belt and cleat in the longitudinal direction with attached cleat extending longitudinally;
• means for advancing the conveyor belt continuously in the longitudinal direction beneath the wheel means and the blower means to move the cleats in the longitudinal direction while the carriage is stationary;
• said mounting means allowing the wheel means to turn and run in a transverse direction with the cleat extending transversely across the belt with the conveyor belt being stationary while the carriage travels transversely across the conveyor belt, thereby allowing attachment of cleats either longitudinally along the length of said belt or transversely between said lateral sides;
• said means for advancing the conveyor belt advances the conveyor belt intermittently between successively applied, transversely extending cleats.