Conveyor belt with improved rod to link attachment
US6195868A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/4994
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A conveyor belt with rods and connective links that engage one another so as to resist lateral and rotational movement about the rods during conveyor operation. The links are affixed on the rods by resistance welding the rod to the link apertures. In addition to the resistance weld, the rods include diametrically enlarged protrusions or swells that are placed proximate the link apertures to constrain the links from lateral movement on the rod. At the ends of the rod, this protrusion is in the form of an upset or button head. Alternative embodiments also include rotational constraints of the links relative to the rod. The additional fixation steps such as manual welding used in conventional belt manufacture are thus eliminated. By affixing the links and rods together in the manner disclosed, repeated movements of the link legs relative to the rods are eliminated thereby significantly reducing the chances of fatigue failure of the links.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.