Hinge rod retention in modular conveyor belt edges by means of resilient blocking elements

An edge module for a modular plastic conveyor belt, the edge module comprising:

• a module body extending longitudinally from a first module end to a second module end and laterally from an outside first edge inward to a second edge and including:
• an aperture at the second module end extending laterally from the first edge toward the second edge for axially receiving a hinge rod, and
• a recess formed between an outer wall and an inner wall and intersecting the aperture, wherein the aperture outward of the outer wall forms an acute angle with the outer wall toward the first module end;
• and
• a resilient blocking element retained in the recess and having an outwardly convex face self-biased against the outer wall and occluding the aperture in a normal first position and bendable away from the outer wall toward the inner wall to a second position by the force of a hinge rod being inserted into the aperture from the outside first edge of the module body against the outwardly convex face of the blocking element.

An edge module for a modular plastic conveyor belt, the edge module comprising:

• a module body extending longitudinally from a first module end to a second module end and laterally from an outside first edge inward to a second edge and including:
• an aperture extending laterally from the first edge toward the second edge for axially receiving a hinge rod, and
• a recess defined on an outer side by a curving wall sweeping inward to a second end laterally inward of and longitudinally offset from an opposite first end, wherein the aperture extends through the curved wall at the second module end;
• and
• a resilient blocking element retained in the recess and self-biased against the curving wall in a normal first position occluding the aperture, wherein the blocking element is elastically deformable to a second non-occluding position away from the curving wall by the inwardly directed insertion force of a hinge rod against the blocking element.

An edge module for a modular plastic conveyor belt, the edge module comprising:

• an edge portion extending laterally inward from an outside first edge of the edge module and including:
• an aperture extending laterally inward from the outside first edge for axially accepting a hinge rod;
• and
• first and second interior walls bounding a recess extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the aperture opens into the recess obliquely through the first interior wall at the second end of the recess;
• and
• a resilient blocking element retained in the recess at the first end and self-biased against the first interior wall in a normal first position occluding the aperture, wherein the blocking element is elastically deformable to a second non-occluding position between the first interior wall and the second interior wall by the inwardly directed insertion force of a hinge rod against the blocking element.