# US 9,751,697 B2 · Split sprocket having a snap clamp > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,697 B2 - Document ID: US9751697B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/133,373 - Filed: 2016-04-20 - Published: 2016-10-27 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2015-04-23 - Assignees: Laitram, L.L.C. - Applicants: Laitram, L.L.C. - Inventors: Ruizhe Ma - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751697B2 ## CPC - B65G 23/06: with projections engaging abutments on belts or chains, e.g. sprocket wheels - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract A split sprocket for belts or chains comprising a first section and a second section that mates with the first section to form a sprocket with drive teeth distributed about the periphery and a central hub for retaining a shaft. The first section includes a snap clamp having a barbed tip for mounting the first section to a shaft. The second section includes mating elements complementary to mating elements in the first section to allow the second section to mate with the first section to form a complete sprocket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sprocket for a conveyor belt comprising: a first sprocket section having a curved peripheral portion defining driving elements; and a snap clamp radially inward of the peripheral portion for snapping the first sprocket section onto a shaft, the snap clamp comprising a central hub defining a central opening, a first leg having a slot extending therethrough and a second leg. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sprocket of claim 1, wherein the second leg has a barbed tip for mating with a channel on the shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The sprocket of claim 2, wherein the second leg further includes a tab extending between the inner surface of the central hub and the barbed tip for mating with an axial notch in the shaft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sprocket of claim 1, wherein the peripheral portion terminates in a first end and a second end, forming a space therebetween. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The sprocket of claim 4, further comprising a second sprocket section inserted in the space and coupled to the first end and second end to form a complete circumference. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The sprocket of claim 5, wherein the second sprocket section is rotationally symmetric. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The sprocket of claim 5, wherein the second sprocket section includes a curved peripheral portion and a stem extending inwards from the peripheral portion and terminating in a head. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sprocket of claim 1, further comprising a web connecting the peripheral portion and the snap clamp. ### Claim 9 A split sprocket comprising: a first sprocket section having a curved peripheral portion defining drive elements and forming a peripheral opening between a first end and a second end, the first sprocket section having a base protrusion at the first end and a base opening; a hub defining a central opening for receiving a shaft; and a cap having a peripheral portion inserted in the peripheral opening of the first sprocket section, a stem extending inwards from the peripheral portion and a head at the end of the stem extending within the hub for retaining the shaft within the hub, wherein the cap has a first channel for receiving the base protrusion on the first sprocket section and a cap protrusion configured to mate with the base opening in the first sprocket section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The split sprocket of claim 9, wherein the hub comprises a collar having a first leg and a second leg terminating in a barbed tip. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The split sprocket of claim 10, wherein second leg further comprises an axial tab extending between an inner surface of the first leg and the barb of the tip. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The split sprocket of claim 9, wherein the cap is axially symmetric about a longitudinal axis of the stem. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The split sprocket of claim 9, wherein the peripheral portion of the cap spans one belt pitch. ### Claim 14 A split sprocket comprising: a first sprocket section having a curved peripheral portion defining drive elements and forming a peripheral opening between a first end and a second end; a hub having a first leg and a second leg defining a central opening for receiving a shaft, the first leg having a slot; and a cap having an axially symmetric peripheral portion inserted in the peripheral opening of the first sprocket section to form a complete sprocket, the cap including a stem that is inserted in the slot. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The split sprocket of claim 14, wherein the second leg has a barbed tip for engaging a channel on the shaft. ### Claim 16 A sprocket comprising: a first sprocket section having a curved peripheral portion defining drive elements and forming a peripheral opening between a first end and a second end; a hub defining a central opening for receiving a shaft and a slot extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central opening, wherein the central opening is offset from the peripheral opening; and a cap portion inserted in the peripheral opening of the curved sprocket section to form a complete sprocket. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The sprocket of claim 16, wherein the cap portion includes a stem extending radially inwards from a peripheral portion and terminating in a head, wherein the stem slides through the slot to place the head within the central opening.