Back to results
US 6,059,097 AGranted
Smooth-driving conveyor chain with non-cylindrical pin
AssigneeTekno, Inc.
InventorRobert T. Clopton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A conveyor chain is made up of carrier links and connector links connected together by non-cylindrical pins. The non-cylindrical pins abut corresponding non-arcuate surfaces of the connector links, which prevents rotation of the pins relative to the connector links. Also, the non-cylindrical pins fit into non-cylindrical holes defined by the carrier links, which limit rotation of the pins relative to the carrier links.
Claims15
A conveyor chain, comprising:
- a plurality of alternating carrier links and connector links;
- each of said carrier links comprising
- a link body, defining a forward portion, a rear portion, and left and right sides;
- a forward knuckle and a rear knuckle on said link body;
- said link body defining forward and rear holes for receiving chain pins;
- each of said connector links being received by the forward portion of one carrier link and by the rear portion of another carrier link;
- and
- a plurality of pins holding said respective carrier and connector links together to form said chain;
- wherein each of said carrier links in the assembled chain provides a forward drive surface and a rear drive surface for receiving sprocket teeth to drive the chain from below the chain;
- and
- wherein said chain pins have a non-circular cross-section;
- and said connector links define forward and rear internal surfaces which are shaped to receive the chain pins and to restrict relative motion between said chain pins and said connector links.
9 more elements
A conveyor chain, comprising:
- a plurality of alternating carrier links and connector links;
- each of said carrier links comprising
- a link body, defining a forward portion, a rear portion, and left and right sides;
- a forward knuckle and a rear knuckle on said link body;
- said link body defining forward and rear non-cylindrical holes for receiving chain pins;
- each of said connector links being received by the forward portion of one carrier link and by the rear portion of another carrier link;
- and
- a plurality of pins holding said respective carrier and connector links together to form said chain;
- wherein each of said carrier links in the assembled chain provides a forward drive surface and a rear drive surface for receiving sprocket teeth to drive the chain from below the chain;
- and
- wherein said chain pins have a non-circular cross-section;
- and said connector links define forward and rear internal surfaces which receive the chain pins and restrict relative motion between said chain pins and said connector links, and
- wherein each of said non-cylindrical holes in said carrier links includes a substantially arcuate side and a V-shaped side, defining two flat surfaces and a pivot line at the intersection of said two flat surfaces;
- and
- wherein said chain pins have a substantially D-shaped cross-section, including a flat side and an arcuate side, and wherein the flat side of each chain pin abuts one of the flat surfaces of one of the non-cylindrical holes and can pivot about said pivot line, so as to allow for restricted relative motion between said chain pins and said carrier links.
12 more elements
A conveyor chain, comprising:
- a plurality of alternating carrier links and connector links;
- each of said carrier links comprising
- a link body, defining a forward portion, a rear portion, and left and right sides;
- a forward knuckle and a rear knuckle on said link body;
- said link body defining forward and rear non-cylindrical holes for receiving chain pins;
- each of said connector links being received by the forward portion of one carrier link and by the rear portion of another carrier link;
- and
- a plurality of non-circular cross-section pins holding said respective carrier and connector links together to form said chain;
- each of said non-circular cross-section pins being received in one of said non-cylindrical holes of said link body with the pins and holes cooperating to permit restricted rotation of the pins in the holes;
- wherein each of said carrier links in the assembled chain provides a forward drive surface and a rear drive surface for receiving sprocket teeth to drive the chain from below the chain.
7 more elements
A conveyor chain, comprising:
- a plurality of alternating carrier links and connector links;
- each of said carrier links comprising
- a link body, defining a forward portion, a rear portion, and left and right sides;
- a forward knuckle and a rear knuckle on said link body;
- said link body defining forward and rear non-cylindrical holes for receiving chain pins;
- each of said connector links being received by the forward portion of one carrier link and by the rear portion of another carrier link;
- and
- a plurality of D-shaped cross-section pins holding said respective carrier and connector links together to form said chain;
- wherein each of said carrier links in the assembled chain provides a forward drive surface and a rear drive surface for receiving sprocket teeth to drive the chain from below the chain;
- and
- wherein the holes of the carrier links include an arcuate portion and a V-shaped portion defining a pivot line, so that the pin received in each respective hole can rock about the pivot line.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.