Template for marking conveyor belt splices

#The present invention relates generally to the field of apparatus and methods for conveyor belt splice repair, and more particularly, to apparatus configured to mark the ends of a conveyor belt to be spliced along a bias angle by way of a multi-finger splice procedure.

#Numerous types of conveyor belt splicing and repair methods are known. When belts come apart or tear in the field, skilled belt splicers are called upon to artfully cut the ends of the belt and rejoin them in the strongest manner possible. The belt splicing methods employed are typically decided based upon the material from which the belt is made, e.g., vulcanized rubber, elastomers, fabrics, as well as the demands of the application. Belt splices and reconnections may be “square,” i.e., perpendicular to the long axis of the belt, or “bias,” which deviates obliquely from square.

#Biased vulcanized splices are most common. This is because bias vulcanized splices are resilient and outperform square splices in nearly every application. Also, studies show that a belt splice angled obliquely to the belt's long axis is able to more effectively displace torsional as well as both lateral and axial forces applied to the belt at the splice during operation. A bias splice is stronger and, therefore, more preferable than a square one. A bias splice is more difficult, however, since the splice is angled across the belt width while the cut splicing portions of the belt must remain parallel to the belt's long axis.

#FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of an apparatus for marking conveyor belt ends for bias angle finger splicing; and

#FIG. 2 schematically illustrates conveyor belt ends to be spliced that have been finger marked using the apparatus of FIG. 1.

#The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. It should be understood, however, that the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein. The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make, use and practice the invention.

#The apparatus and methods disclosed herein facilitate conveyor belt splicing, and in particular, bias angle multi-finger splicing of belt ends. As used herein, “bias angle” means deviating from square across the width of the belt, “square” meaning 90° perpendicular to the edge of the belt, across the width. In a specific embodiment, the angle may be 22° from square, although other angles are envisioned. As used herein, “centerline” means a line drawn along the middle of the belt (parallel to belt travel) used to align one belt end with another to ensure the splice will operate true and straight. As used herein, “finger gap” means the necessary space between a finger from one belt end and a finger from the other belt end allowing space for uncured rubber. In a specific embodiment, the finger gap may range between 1/16″ to ⅛″. Too large or too small of gaps can negatively affect the strength of the splice and lead to splice failure. Finger length may vary based on the tension rating of the belt. Finger length may range, for example, from 22″ to 63″ measured from finger base to fingertip.

#The term “measurement indicia” as used herein means units of measurement along a lateral edge of the apparatus for marking finger base points and fingertip points for drawings splice fingers. Measurement indicia may include equally spaced units. The apparatus may include one or more sets of equally spaced units corresponding to different belt widths. For example, for a 24″ belt width, units may be equally spaced in 2″ increments for a square splice, while bias angle increments may be equally spaced in 2 3/16″ increments.