SPACER JUNCTION DEVICE FOR CONNECTING THE TWO ENDS OF A CONVEYOR BELT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a joining device for connecting the two ends of a longitudinal conveyor belt.

[0002] For the sake of simplicity, the term conveyor belt will, by convention, in this description have the meaning of both conveyor belt and belt.

[0003] We are familiar with conveyor belts, also called conveyor belts, used to transport different materials or products, such as coal, ores, industrial or agricultural products.

[0004] These conveyor belts consist of belts made of reinforced elastomer or reinforced synthetic material, of appropriate length and width, whose ends must be joined together, either before or after assembly, on support and drive devices comprising idler and back rollers. Often, these devices also include tensioning mechanisms to ensure proper tension of the conveyor belt.

[0005] We know of a joining device which includes staples in the general shape of U, cut from metal strip, which staples have upper plates and lower plates connected by hinges.

[0006] The staples are fixed in two series straddling each end of the conveyor belt to be joined, in such a way that the prongs protrude and those of one series can be interlocked between the prongs of the other series.

[0007] A connecting and articulating rod is passed inside the interlocking hinges so as to connect the two ends, forming a kind of hinge.

[0008] Fastening devices for attaching staples to conveyor belt ends consist of rod fasteners such as spikes, rivets, and screws.

[0009] Joining devices using joining plates, generally made of reinforced elastomer or reinforced synthetic material, are also known. These plates are positioned on one side and the other side of the conveyor belt ends and attached to the ends to be joined. Examples of such joining plate devices are given in patents EP-0827575-B1 and EP-1163459-B1.

[0010] Document EP1163459 B1 discloses the joining device for connecting two ends of at least one longitudinal conveyor belt according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0011] These devices include an upper plate and a lower plate which define a suitable gap for engaging the respective end of a conveyor belt.

[0012] We know of joining devices which are made by molding or injection and have an "H" structure in which the lower and upper plates are connected by a central part, the plates being formed in one piece.

[0013] This type of "H" structure requires as many molds for its manufacture as there are conveyor belt thicknesses encountered in the field, and must therefore be manufactured in very small series, which increases the cost price for manufacturing, storage and distribution.

[0014] This problem, namely that of the multiplicity of molds and molded products having to cope with the varied thicknesses of conveyor belts, was solved in particular by producing joining devices in three distinct parts: a first plate constituting upper left and right wings forming a single piece, a second plate constituting lower left and right wings forming a single piece, and an intermediate part, corresponding to the middle bar of the "H" profile, this intermediate part forming a spacer.

[0015] In such a configuration, it becomes possible to manufacture the two lower and upper isolation plates and each is configured so as to be adapted to the forces they undergo (compression / tension forces) and the associated stresses.

[0016] The fixing of the lower and upper plates to the ends of the conveyor belt is generally done by means of fixing devices of the rivet type, by spikes, by cleats, or by screws and nuts.

[0017] Document EP-1163459-B1 describes a three-part splicing device of the type described above, which includes a first splicing plate and a second splicing plate that are configured to each cover a distinct side of the ends of the conveyor belt so that the conveyor belt is interposed vertically between the two splicing plates.

[0018] The two joining plates form a first pair of wings which is adapted to pinch one end of the conveyor belt and a second pair of wings which is adapted to pinch a second end of the conveyor belt, the first pair of wings and the second pair of wings being arranged on either side of a joining plane.

[0019] In addition, the joining device includes devices for fixing the plates together, and a removable spacer which is interposed vertically between the first joining plate and the second joining plate to separate the plates.

[0020] According to document EP-1163459-B1, the spacer is fixed by one of the fixing devices, in the center of the assembly formed by the two joining plates, along a longitudinal direction.

[0021] The fixing of the conveyor belt by the joining device is carried out, for example, in the manner described below chronologically.

[0022] The two wings of the second pair of wings formed by the joining plates are separated by elastic deformations of the joining plates while the second end of the conveyor belt is inserted between the two wings of the second pair of wings.

[0023] The second end of the conveyor belt is fixed to the two wings of the second pair of wings formed by the joining plates by fastening devices.

[0024] The spacer is removed from between the wings of the first pair of wings formed by the joining plates.

[0025] Finally, the first end of the conveyor belt is inserted between the two wings of the first pair of wings formed by the joining plates, before being fixed onto the two wings of the first pair of wings.

[0026] It is understood that the second end of the conveyor belt must be inserted as far as possible longitudinally towards the center of the joining device, that is to say as close as possible to the spacer which is arranged in the center of the joining device.

[0027] This insertion step simultaneously requires a significant effort to separate the two wings of the second pair of wings which are held together by the fixing device which secures the spacer, making the operation difficult.

[0028] The present invention aims in particular to overcome this drawback and relates to a joining device for connecting two ends of at least one longitudinal conveyor belt, the joining device comprising at least: a first joining plate and a second joining plate, each configured to cover a distinct side of the ends of the conveyor belt such that said conveyor belt is interposed vertically between the two joining plates, said joining plates forming a first pair of wings adapted to pinch a first end of the conveyor belt and a second pair of wings adapted to pinch a second end of the conveyor belt, the first pair of wings and the second pair of wings being arranged on either side of a joining plane, a device for fixing said joining plates together, a removable spacer configured to be interposed vertically between the first joining plate and the second joining plate, in an assembled position of the spacer, to separate said plates,and which defines a centering hole arranged to be traversed by a connecting element that fixes the spacer to the joining plates, characterized in that the spacer is adapted to be interposed between the wings of the first pair of wings, so that the centering hole of the spacer is offset from the joining plane, to free up the space defined between the second pair of wings.

[0029] The off-center position of the spacer, beyond the second pair of wings, facilitates the insertion of the second end of the conveyor belt between the second pair of wings.

[0030] Indeed, such a position of the spacer promotes the spreading of the wings of the second pair of wings, by elastic deformation.

[0031] According to another characteristic, the joining plane extends transversely to the center of the assembly formed by the first joining plate and the second joining plate.

[0032] This characteristic makes it possible in particular to improve the resistance of the conveyor belt joint by the joining device.

[0033] According to another feature, the spacer is adapted to be arranged entirely between the wings of the first pair of wings.

[0034] This feature allows the spacer to completely free up the space delimited between the second pair of wings.

[0035] According to another feature, the fastening device includes at least a first fastening element which is mounted on the first junction plate, a second associated fastening element which is mounted on the second junction plate, a linking element which connects the first fastening element to the second fastening element, and the first fastening element including a centering portion which projects vertically from the first junction plate and which is configured to cooperate with the centering hole of the spacer to position the spacer.

[0036] Thus, the fixing device can fulfill a dual function of centering the spacer and fixing the two joining plates.

[0037] According to another feature, the spacer has a stop face which is arranged opposite the second pair of wings, and which extends at least partly along the joining plane, to form a stop for the conveyor belt along the joining plane, when the spacer is in the assembled position.

[0038] This feature allows the second end of the conveyor belt to be inserted into the center of the assembly formed by the first joining plate and the second joining plate.

[0039] According to another characteristic, the stop face of the spacer has the shape of an angular portion of a cylinder which extends around the centering hole of the spacer and which is globally tangent to the joining plane.

[0040] This characteristic allows the angular portion to remain tangent to the junction plane even in the event of slight pivoting.

[0041] According to another feature, the joining device includes at least one second fastening device which is adjacent to the first fastening device, and the spacer defines at least one first bearing face which is arranged opposite at least a part of the second fastening device, to lock the spacer in pivoting around the centering hole of the spacer, when the spacer is in the assembled position.

[0042] According to another characteristic, the connecting element includes a head which is adapted to cooperate with said second fastening element, and an anchoring section which is adapted to cooperate with said first fastening element of the associated fastening device.

[0043] According to another characteristic, the first junction plate and the second junction plate are identical and complementary.

[0044] The invention also relates to a spacer for a joining device for two ends of a longitudinal conveyor belt, the joining device being of the type comprising at least: a first joining plate and a second joining plate which are configured to each cover a distinct side of the ends of the conveyor belt such that said conveyor belt is interposed vertically between the two joining plates, said joining plates forming a first pair of wings which is adapted to pinch a first end of the conveyor belt and a second pair of wings which is adapted to pinch a second end of the conveyor belt, the first pair of wings and the second pair of wings being arranged on either side of a joining plane, a first fastening device comprising a centering portion which projects vertically, and a second fastening device which is adjacent to the first fastening device, the spacer being adapted to be interposed vertically between the first joining plate and the second joining plate to separate said plates, and the spacer delimiting at least: a centering hole which is adapted to cooperate with said centering portion to position the spacer, a first bearing face which extends globally in an axial plane along the axis of the centering hole and which is adapted to bear on at least a part of the second fixing device, to lock the spacer in pivoting around the centering hole of the spacer, and a stop face which is adapted to form a stop for the conveyor belt along the junction plane.

[0045] According to another characteristic, the stop face has the shape of an angular portion of a cylinder which extends along the axis of the centering hole of the spacer.

[0046] The invention also relates to a method for implementing a joining device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the joining device comprising a conveyor belt having a first end and a second end, characterized in that it comprises at least: a step of inserting the second end of the conveyor belt between the two wings of the second pair of wings formed by the joining plates, in a joining position in which the second end of the conveyor belt is supported by the spacer, a step of fixing the second end of the conveyor belt on the two wings of the second pair of wings, a step of removing the spacer which consists of removing the spacer from between the wings of the first pair of wings formed by the joining plates, a step of inserting the first end of the conveyor belt between the two wings of the first pair of wings formed by the joining plates, in a joining position, and a step of fixing the first end of the conveyor belt on the two wings of the first pair of wings.

[0047] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which: there figure 1 is a perspective overview illustrating a joining device according to the invention that connects the two ends of a conveyor belt; the figure 2 is a truncated top view illustrating the first connecting plate and two spacers of the connecting device according to the invention in the assembled position; the figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of the figure 2 , which illustrates the first plate and the second joining plate and the spacer interposed between the two plates; the figure 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the first and second joining plates and the spacer interposed between the two plates; the figure 5 is a detailed perspective view illustrating the spacer of the figure 2 ; THE figures 6 à 11 illustrate steps in the process for implementing the joining device according to the invention.

[0048] In the description and claims, to clarify the description and claims, the longitudinal, vertical and transverse terminology will be adopted without limitation with reference to the L, V, T trihedron indicated in the figures.

[0049] In all of these figures, identical or analogous references represent identical or analogous organs or sets of organs.

[0050] Furthermore, the terms "upper", "lower", "vertical" and their derivatives refer to the position or orientation of an element or component, this position or orientation being considered when the terminal plates are in service configuration and extend in a horizontal plane.

[0051] We represented at the figure 1 a joining device 10 for connecting a first end 12 and a second end 14 of a conveyor belt 16 which extends longitudinally.

[0052] The junction device 10 includes a first lower junction plate 18a visible at the figure 2 , and a second upper 18b junction plate.

[0053] These junction plates 18a, 18b are made of a flexible and elastic material, for example vulcanized rubber, or of a synthetic material such as polyurethane and they generally have an incorporated reinforcement, usually of a textile type.

[0054] The joining plates 18a, 18b are configured to each cover a distinct side of the ends of the conveyor belt 16 so that the conveyor belt 16 is interposed vertically between the two joining plates 18a, 18b, as can be seen in the figure 1 .

[0055] The joining plates 18a, 18b form a first pair of wings 20 which pinch the first end 12 of the conveyor belt 16 and a second pair of wings 22 which pinch the second end 14 of the conveyor belt 16.

[0056] As can be seen on the figures 3 et 4 , the first pair of wings 20 and the second pair of wings 22 are arranged on either side of a junction plane P which extends perpendicularly to the junction plates 18a, 18b, that is to say in a vertical and transverse plane according to the example described here.

[0057] The junction plane P extends transversely to the center of the assembly formed by the first junction plate 18a and the second junction plate 18b.

[0058] In this way, once assembled with the ends 12, 14 of the conveyor belt 16, the longitudinal distance of the first end 12 covered by the first pair of wings 20 is equivalent to the longitudinal distance of the second end 14 covered by the second pair of wings 22 of the joining plates 18a, 18b.

[0059] This characteristic helps to improve the strength of the junction device.

[0060] Furthermore, the joining device 10 includes a first set of fastening devices 24 which are intended to fix the first pair of wings 20 on the first end 12 of the conveyor belt 16 and a second set of fastening devices 24 which are intended to fix the second pair of wings 22 on the second end 14 of the conveyor belt 16.

[0061] The first and second series of fastening devices 24 each comprise three rows of fastening devices 24, each row containing a plurality of fastening devices 24 which are aligned transversely and spaced at regular intervals. Of course, this number of rows may vary.

[0062] The fastening devices 24 of the first series each comprise a first fastening element 26, a second fastening element 28 and a vertical connecting element 30 which connects the first fastening element 26 to the second fastening element 28, through the conveyor belt 16.

[0063] The connecting element 30 consists of a screw which extends vertically from a head 32 to a body forming a threaded anchoring section 34.

[0064] The first fixing element 26 has the shape of a socket which is at least partly embedded in the first junction plate 18a.

[0065] The first fixing element 26 includes an annular collar 36 which is axially supported on a lower face 38 of the first lower joining plate 18a.

[0066] Furthermore, the first fixing element 26 includes a tubular part 40 which defines a vertical tapped hole 42 and which projects vertically from the upper face 44 of the first joining plate 18a, between the two joining plates 18a, 18b. This vertical projection is also covered with the vulcanized material forming the joining plate so that each tubular part 40 which projects vertically from the lower face of a joining plate is covered with vulcanized rubber and thus embedded in the associated joining plate.

[0067] The tapped hole 42 cooperates with the anchoring section 34 of the connecting element 30.

[0068] The second fixing element 28 has the shape of a washer which is embedded in the second upper junction plate 18b and which defines a passage hole for the connecting element 30 and a seat 46 which houses the head 32 of the connecting element 30.

[0069] Thus, the fastening devices 24 of the first series allow the first pair of wings 20 to be tightened on the first end 12 of the conveyor belt 16.

[0070] Similarly, the fastening devices 24 of the second series are identical to the fastening devices 24 described above, but are reversed in their arrangement.

[0071] Indeed, in reference to the figure 3 , the first fixing element 26 of each fixing device 24 of the second series is mounted on the second upper junction plate 18b and the second fixing element 28 is mounted on the first lower junction plate 18a.

[0072] The first junction plate 18a and the second junction plate 18b are identical, and they are angularly offset by half a turn around a vertical axis.

[0073] This reversal of the fastening devices 24 is particularly advantageous because it greatly simplifies the installation of the connecting plate by an operator. By attaching the connecting plate to one end of the conveyor belt, the fastening devices 24, especially the connecting elements 30, have a similar orientation for that same end of the belt, and the operator does not need to change the orientation to install these connecting elements on that same end. Indeed, the vertical alignment of the first and second fastening elements 26, 28 determines the orientation of the connecting means 30, particularly the screws that extend vertically from the head 32 to the threaded anchoring section 34.

[0074] It should also be noted that the first and second sets of fasteners 24 are spaced longitudinally apart by a median zone approximately aligned with the junction plane P, which is free of fasteners 24. In other words, the junction device 10 does not have any fasteners 24 in this zone. This improves the elasticity of the junction device 10 at this point and enhances its mechanical strength. Indeed, a row of fasteners 24 in the center of the junction device 10 could, to a lesser extent, promote the initiation of a fracture.

[0075] According to the invention, the joining device 10 comprises two removable spacers 48 which are each interposed vertically between the first joining plate 18a and the second joining plate 18b to separate the plates.

[0076] As can be seen at the figure 3 , each spacer 48 is configured to be interposed between the wings of the first pair of wings 20 and is offset from the junction plane P, to free up the delimited space between the second pair of wings 22.

[0077] The expression "offset from the junction plane P" means that the junction plane P is not intersecting the spacers 48.

[0078] In other words, each spacer 48 is offset longitudinally from the center of the assembly formed by the two connecting plates 18a, 18b, and each spacer 48 is clear of the space which is delimited between the second pair of wings 22.

[0079] To that end, with reference to the figure 3 , each spacer 48 delimits a centering hole 50 which extends along a vertical axis A and which is adapted to cooperate with the protruding tubular part 40 of a first fixing element 26 forming centering portion 52, to position the spacer 48.

[0080] Also, each spacer 48 is delimited vertically by an upper face 54 and a lower face 56 which are in vertical support on the lower face 58 of the second junction plate 18b and on the upper face 44 of the first junction plate 18a respectively.

[0081] According to the figures 2 à 5 , each spacer 48 has a stop face 60 which is arranged opposite the second pair of wings 22, and which extends partly along the junction plane P, to form a stop for the second end 14 of the conveyor belt 16 along the junction plane P, when the spacer is in the assembled position, i.e. a stop against which the second end 14 of the conveyor belt 16 comes into contact and abuts along this junction plane P.

[0082] More specifically, the abutment face 60 of each spacer 48 has the shape of an angular portion of a cylinder extending around the axis A of the centering hole 50 of the associated spacer 48 and which is globally tangent to the joining plane P, as can be seen on the figure 2 .

[0083] In addition, each spacer 48 delimits a first bearing face 62 and a second bearing face 64 which each extend axially along the axis A of the associated centering hole 50.

[0084] With reference to the figure 2 , the first bearing face 62 and the second bearing face 64 are each arranged opposite at least a part of a first fixing device 24 and a second fixing device 24 respectively which are transversely opposed and transversely adjacent to the fixing devices 24 which carry the spacer 48, to lock the spacer 48 in pivoting around the centering hole 50 of the spacer 48, when the spacer is in the assembled position.

[0085] The first bearing face 62 and the second bearing face 64 of each spacer 48 are in contact with the protruding tubular part 40 of the first associated fixing elements 26, which is here covered with vulcanized material.

[0086] In addition to locking each spacer 48 in pivoting, the bearing faces 62, 64 allow the longitudinal thrust forces applied to the spacer 48 associated by the end of the conveyor belt 16 to be distributed.

[0087] By way of non-limitation, each bearing face 62, 64 of the spacer can delimit a gap (not shown) which promotes the placement of each spacer 48 and which is filled by elastic deformation when the end of the conveyor belt presses longitudinally against the spacers 48.

[0088] It should be noted that, in a complementary or alternative manner, the spacer 48 may have a bearing face, also extending in an axial plane along the axis of the centering hole 50, and which is adapted to bear on at least part of an adjacent fixing device to lock the spacer 48 in pivoting around the centering hole 50 of the spacer 48, the fixing device which is adjacent to the first fixing device being located on another row of fixing devices and not necessarily transversely.

[0089] The invention also relates to a method for implementing the junction device 10 according to the invention described above.

[0090] The process includes a preliminary step of installing each spacer 48, illustrated in the figure 6 , which consists of making the centering hole 50 of each spacer 48 cooperate with the centering portion 52 of the fixing device 24 associated with each spacer 48, so that the stop face 60 of each spacer is tangent to the transverse junction plane P.

[0091] After installing the spacers 48 on the first junction plate 18a, the second junction plate 18b is fitted onto the first junction plate 18a, as can be seen in the figure 7 , then the connecting element 30 of the two fixing devices 24 which are associated with a spacer 48 is screwed onto the first fixing element 26 associated to pinch the wings of the first pair of wings 20 onto the spacers 48.

[0092] The process also includes a step of inserting the second end 14 of the conveyor belt 16 between the two wings of the second pair of wings 22 formed by the joining plates 18a, 18b, illustrated in the figure 8 , in a junction position in which the second end 14 of the conveyor belt 16 is in longitudinal support on each spacer 48.

[0093] The insertion of the second end 14 of the conveyor belt 16 is achieved by spreading the wings of the second pair of wings 22 which deform elastically.

[0094] It is observed that the offset position, relative to the junction plane P, of the centering hole 50 of each spacer 48 and of the connecting elements 30 which fix the spacers 48, favors the spreading of the wings of the second pair of wings 22 and therefore favors the insertion of the second end 14 of the conveyor belt 16 up to the junction plane P, that is to say substantially up to the center of the assembly formed by the two junction plates 18a, 18b.

[0095] The insertion step of the second end 14 of the conveyor belt 16 is followed by a step of fixing the second end 14 of the conveyor belt 16 onto the two wings of the second pair of wings 22, by means of the second set of fixing device 24, as can be seen in the figure 9 .

[0096] After fixing all or part of the second end 14 of the conveyor belt 16, the process includes a step of removing the spacers 48, illustrated in the figure 10 , which consists of unscrewing the connecting elements 30 which hold the two spacers 48 and removing the spacers from between the wings of the first pair 20 of wings formed by the joining plates 18a, 18b.

[0097] The withdrawal step is followed by an insertion step of the first end 12 of the conveyor belt 16 between the two wings of the first pair of wings 20 formed by the joining plates 18a, 18b, in a joining position in which the first end 12 of the conveyor belt 16 can reach the joining plane P.

[0098] Finally, with reference to the figure 11 , the process includes a step of fixing the first end 12 of the conveyor belt 16 onto the two wings of the first pair of wings 20.

[0099] The invention is described above by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different embodiments of the invention without departing from its scope.

Claims

1. Joining device (10) for connecting two ends (12, 14) of at least one longitudinal conveyor belt (16), the joining device (10) comprising at least: - a first joining plate (18a) and a second joining plate (18b) which are each configured to cover a different side of the ends of the conveyor belt (16) such that said conveyor belt (16) is interposed vertically between the two joining plates (18a, 18b), said joining plates (18a, 18b) forming a first pair of wings (20) which is suitable for clamping a first end (12) of the conveyor belt (16) and a second pair of wings (22) which is suitable for clamping a second end (14) of the conveyor belt (16), the first pair of wings (20) and the second pair of wings (22) being arranged on either side of a joining plane (P), the joining plane (P) extending transversely to the center of the assembly formed by the first joining plate (18a) and the second joining plate (18b), - a device (24) for securing said joining plates (18a, 18b) together, - a removable spacer (48) which is configured to be interposed vertically between the first joining plate (18a) and the second joining plate (18b) in order to space said plates apart, and which defines a centering hole (50) that is arranged such that a connecting element (30) which secures the spacer (48) to the joining plates (18a, 18b) can pass through said hole, characterized in that the spacer (48) is suitable for being interposed between the wings of the first pair of wings (20) such that the centering hole (50) of the spacer (48) is offset from the joining plane (P), in order to free the space defined between the second pair of wings (22), the spacer (48) having an abutment face (60) which is arranged so as to face the second pair of wings (22), and which extends at least in part along the joining plane (P), in order to form a stop for the conveyor belt (16) along the joining plane (P) when the spacer (48) is in the assembled position.

2. Joining device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer (48) is suitable for being arranged entirely between the wings of the first pair of wings (20).

3. Joining device (10) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the securing device (24) includes at least a first securing element (26) which is mounted on the first joining plate (18a), a second associated securing element (28) which is mounted on the second joining plate (18b), and a connecting element (30) which connects the first securing element (26) to the second securing element (28), the first securing element (26) comprising a centering portion (52) which protrudes vertically from the first joining plate (18a) and which is configured to interact with the centering hole (50) of the spacer (48) in order to position the spacer (48).

4. Joining device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the abutment face (60) of the spacer (48) has the shape of an angular portion of a cylinder which extends around the centering hole (50) of the spacer and which is generally tangent to the joining plane (P).

5. Joining device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a second securing device (24) which is adjacent to the first securing device (24), and in that the spacer (48) defines at least a first bearing face (62) which is arranged so as to face at least part of the second securing device (24), in order to block the spacer (48) from pivoting about the centering hole (50) of the spacer when the spacer (48) is in the assembled position.

6. Joining device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting element (30) includes a head (32) which is suitable for interacting with said second securing element (28), and an anchoring part (34) which is suitable for interacting with said first securing element (26) of the associated securing device (24).

7. Joining device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first joining plate (18a) and the second joining plate (18b) are identical and complementary.

8. Spacer (48) for a device (10) for joining two ends of a longitudinal conveyor belt (16), the joining device (10) being of the type comprising at least: - a first joining plate (18a) and a second joining plate (18b) which are each configured to cover a different side of the ends of the conveyor belt (16) such that said conveyor belt (16) is interposed vertically between the two joining plates (18a, 18b), said joining plates (18a, 18b) forming a first pair of wings (20) which is suitable for clamping a first end (12) of the conveyor belt (16) and a second pair of wings (22) which is suitable for clamping a second end (14) of the conveyor belt (16), the first pair of wings (20) and the second pair of wings (22) being arranged on either side of a joining plane (P), - a first securing device (24) including a centering portion (52) which protrudes vertically, and a second securing device (24) which is adjacent to the first securing device (24), the spacer (48) being suitable for being interposed vertically between the first joining plate (18a) and the second joining plate (18b) in order to separate said plates, and the spacer (48) defining at least: - a centering hole (50) which is suitable for interacting with said centering portion (52) in order to position the spacer (48), - a first bearing face (62) which extends generally in an axial plane along the axis of the centering hole (50) and which is suitable for bearing on at least part of the second securing device (24), in order to block the spacer (48) from pivoting about the centering hole (50) of the spacer (48), and - an abutment face (60) which is suitable for forming a stop for the conveyor belt (16) along the joining plane (P).

9. Spacer (48) according to claim 8, characterized in that the stop face (60) has the shape of an angular portion of a cylinder which extends along the axis of the centering hole (50) of the spacer (48).

10. Method for implementing a joining device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7, the joining device (10) comprising a conveyor belt (16) which has a first end (12) and a second end (14), characterized in that said method comprises at least: - a step of inserting the second end (14) of the conveyor belt (16) between the two wings of the second pair of wings (22) formed by the joining plates (18a, 18b), in a joining position in which the second end (14) of the conveyor belt (16) bears on the spacer (48), - a step of securing the second end (14) of the conveyor belt (16) to the two wings of the second pair of wings (22), - a step of removing the spacer (48) consisting in removing the spacer (48) from between the wings of the first pair of wings (20) formed by the joining plates (18a, 18b), - a step of inserting the first end (12) of the conveyor belt (16) between the two wings of the first pair of wings (20) formed by the joining plates (18a, 18b), in a joining position, and - a step of securing the first end (12) of the conveyor belt (16) to the two wings of the first pair of wings (20).