Conveyor belt with sliding body and module

Abstract

A modular belt composed of belt edge modules comprising a sliding body that slides along a recess in a base module body. A sliding cam surface on a hinge element of the sliding body interacts with a base cam surface on a hinge element of an adjacent belt row base module body to cause the sliding body to move laterally as the belt is articulated and de-articulated at its hinge joints. Optional jaws on the base module body and the sliding body are opened and closed by the sliding action. Belts with jaws can be used as cover belts for conveyor belts with side guards.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] The present invention generally relates to powered conveyors, and more specifically to modular articulated conveyor belts with lateral sliding bodies.

[0002] Modular plastic conveyor belts consist of rows of belt modules connected together at hinged joints. These belts are used to transport various types of items from one location to another. In some cases, modular conveyor belts transport items up or down along inclined conveyor paths. On steep paths, conveyor belts with slats spaced along the length of the belt are used to prevent the transported items from sliding off the belt as they descend. Typically, a wraparound belt or cover belt is used to cover the conveyor belt on vertical or near-vertical conveyor paths to prevent items from falling off. However, if the cover belt detaches from the conveyor belt on particularly steep conveyor paths, items may fall off the conveyor belt. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One type of module embodying the features of the present invention includes a base module body and a slider. The base module body extends lengthwise from a first end to a second end, laterally from a first side to a second side in width, and from a top to a bottom in thickness. The base module body includes first hinge elements and second hinge elements, as well as a recess. The first hinge elements extend along the first end, the second hinge elements extend along the second end, and the recess extends from the second end into the base module body to a rear wall and has a first width. The slider has a second width less than the first width and is received in the recess for lateral sliding along the recess.

[0004] In one embodiment, the slider has an inner end and an opposite outer end, as well as sliding hinge elements that slide along the rear wall of the recess and that align with a second hinge element of the base module body along the outer end when the slider is received in the recess.

[0005] In one embodiment, the rear wall has a laterally extending rib, and the inner end of the slider has a mating lateral groove that receives the laterally extending rib to slidably support the inner end of the slider in the groove.

[0006] In one embodiment, the rear wall has a laterally extending groove, and the inner end of the slider has a mating lateral rib that is received in the laterally extending groove to slidably support the inner end of the slider in the groove.

[0007] In one embodiment, the sliding hinge elements include a first sliding hinge element and a second sliding hinge element, wherein the first sliding hinge element has a first protrusion having an inner sliding cam surface and an outer sliding cam surface extending toward the second sliding hinge element, and wherein the second sliding hinge element has a second protrusion having an upper sliding cam surface and a lower sliding cam surface extending toward the first sliding hinge element.

[0008] In one embodiment, the inner sliding cam surface and the outer sliding cam surface extend obliquely relative to each other, such that the inner sliding cam surface and the outer sliding cam surface intersect at the apex of the first protrusion.

[0009] In one embodiment, the inner sliding cam surface, the outer sliding cam surface, the upper sliding cam surface, and the lower sliding cam surface are twisted surfaces.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first sliding hinge element and the second sliding hinge element have lateral holes defined by hole walls, and wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion have inner surfaces that circumferentially form partial lateral extensions of these hole walls.

[0011] In one embodiment, one of the first hinge elements of the base module body has two laterally opposite sides and includes a first protrusion that obliquely protrudes from one of the laterally opposite sides and a second protrusion that protrudes from the other of the laterally opposite sides. The first protrusion has an inner base cam surface and an outer base cam surface, and the second protrusion has an upper base cam surface and a lower base cam surface.

[0012] In one embodiment, the inner base cam surface and the outer base cam surface extend obliquely relative to each other, such that the inner base cam surface and the outer base cam surface intersect at the apex of the first protrusion.

[0013] In one embodiment, the inner base cam surface, the outer base cam surface, the upper base cam surface, and the lower base cam surface are twisted surfaces.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first hinge element of the base module body has a lateral hole defined by a hole wall, and wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion have internal surfaces that circumferentially form partial lateral extensions of these hole walls.

[0015] In one embodiment, the base module body includes a base gripper that extends from the top of the base module body, and wherein the slider includes a sliding gripper that extends from the top of the slider.

[0016] One type of modular belt embodying the features of the invention comprises a series of belt rows consisting of one or more belt modules, each belt row extending lengthwise from a first end to a second end. The first end of a belt row is hingedly connected to the second end of an adjacent belt row at a hinged connection. At least some of the belt rows consisting of one or more belt modules include at least one sliding belt module, the at least one sliding belt module comprising: a recess recessed from the second end into the sliding belt module to a rear wall and having a first width; and a slider having a second width less than the first width and received in the recess for laterally sliding along the recess and the hinged connection.

[0017] In one embodiment, each strip extends laterally from a first side to a second side in width and from top to bottom in thickness, and has first hinge elements spaced laterally along the first end and second hinge elements spaced laterally along the second end; these first hinge elements and these second hinge elements have holes, and the first hinge elements of the strip strip are staggered with the second hinge elements of the adjacent strip strip such that the holes through the staggered first hinge elements and these second hinge elements are aligned to form lateral passages; the modular strip includes hinge bars received in these aligned passages to connect adjacent strip strips together at these hinge engagements; the slider strip module includes one or more of the first hinge elements and one or more of the second hinge elements; the slider has one or more of the second hinge elements and slides laterally along the recess and the hinge bars.

[0018] In one embodiment, the rear wall of the recess has a laterally extending rib, and the inner end of the slider has a mating lateral groove that receives the laterally extending rib to slidably support the inner end of the slider in the recess.

[0019] In one embodiment, the rear wall of the recess has a lateral groove, and the inner end of the slider has a mating laterally extending rib that is received in the lateral groove to slidably support the inner end of the slider in the recess.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first second hinge element of the second hinge element of the slider includes a first lateral protrusion, and the second second hinge element of the second hinge element of the slider includes a second lateral protrusion, wherein the first lateral protrusion and the second lateral protrusion extend toward each other; and the first first hinge element of the first hinge element of the slider belt module in the adjacent belt row is disposed between the first lateral protrusion and the second lateral protrusion of the slider, and has a first lateral protrusion extending toward the first lateral protrusion of the slider and a second lateral protrusion extending toward the second lateral protrusion of the slider.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first lateral protrusion of the slider includes two first sliding cam surfaces that converge from the first of the second hinge elements and intersect at a vertex above the hole; the first lateral protrusion of the first hinge element of the first hinge element of the slider belt module in the adjacent belt row includes two first cam surfaces that converge from the first of the first hinge elements and intersect at a vertex above the hole, wherein, when the belts are not hinged at the hinge bar, the vertices of the first sliding cam surfaces are opposite to the vertices of the first cam surfaces of the slider belt module in the adjacent belt row. The second lateral protrusion of the slider includes two second sliding cam surfaces that extend obliquely away from the second end, starting from the second hinge element and extending from a position above and below the hole of the second hinge element; and the second lateral protrusion of the first hinge element of the adjacent first hinge element includes two second cam surfaces that extend obliquely away from the first end, starting from the first hinge element and extending from a position above and below the hole of the first hinge element.

[0022] In one embodiment, the modular band includes a hinge rod retainer comprising: a stop at a first end; a hinge eye at the opposite second end, the hinge eye having a first lateral protrusion; and a shank between the first and second ends. The hinge eye is located between two of the second hinge elements and receives a first hinge rod at a first hinge engagement, and the first lateral protrusion extends circumferentially around the hinge rod. One of the second hinge elements has a second lateral protrusion extending toward the first lateral protrusion, the second lateral protrusion extending circumferentially around the hinge rod. The first hinge engagement is achieved when the first hinge engagement is at an angle smaller than the maximum angle at which the modular band can hinge in standard operation. When the first lateral protrusion and the second lateral protrusion overlap and contact each other to position the stop in a blocking position, thereby covering the lateral passage formed by the continuous hinged joints to prevent the hinge rod from leaving the lateral passage; and wherein, when the first hinged joint is hinged at an angle greater than the maximum angle at which the modular belt can be hinged in standard operation, the first lateral protrusion and the second lateral protrusion do not overlap and contact each other to allow the hinge rod retainer to move laterally and rotate to remove the stop from the blocking position.

[0023] In one embodiment, at least one slider belt module in the first belt row of these belt rows has one or more cam surfaces, and the slider in the adjacent belt row has one or more corresponding sliding cam surfaces. When the pitch line of the first belt row of these belt rows is not coplanar with the pitch line of the adjacent belt row, the one or more corresponding sliding cam surfaces push against the corresponding cam surfaces in the first belt row of these belt rows to make the slider slide laterally.

[0024] Another type of modular belt includes a series of belt rows consisting of one or more belt modules, each belt row extending lengthwise from a first end to a second end and having first hinge elements and second hinge elements along the first ends and the second hinge elements along the second ends. The first hinge elements of the belt rows are interleaved with the second hinge elements of adjacent belt rows. Hinge bars extending through the interleaved first and second hinge elements connect the belt rows together at a hinge engagement. At least some of the belt rows consisting of one or more belt modules include a slider forming one or more of the second hinge elements. The one or more second hinge elements of the slider have sliding cam surfaces. One or more first hinge elements that are interleaved with the one or more second hinge elements of the slider have corresponding cam surfaces that, when the modular belt is hinged at the hinge engagement, press against the corresponding sliding cam surfaces of the one or more second hinge elements of the slider to allow the slider to slide laterally.

[0025] In one embodiment, the sliding cam surfaces and the cam surfaces are arranged such that no more than one pair of corresponding sliding cam surfaces and cam surfaces are in pushing contact at a time.

[0026] In one embodiment, the modular belt includes four pairs of sliding cam surfaces and corresponding cam surfaces, wherein when the belt rows are forward-hinged, the first pair abuts against each other, wherein when the belt rows are retracted from the forward hinge, the second pair abuts against each other, wherein when the belt rows are bent backward, the third pair abuts against each other, and wherein when the belt rows are bent backward, the fourth pair abuts against each other.

[0027] In one embodiment, the modular belt includes four pairs of sliding cam surfaces and corresponding cam surfaces, wherein the first and second pairs are arranged to allow the slider to slide in a first lateral direction when the first or second pair abuts against each other, and the third and fourth pairs are arranged to allow the slider to slide in an opposite second lateral direction when the third or fourth pair abuts against each other.

[0028] Another type of modular belt includes a series of belt rows, each belt row extending lengthwise from a first end to a second end and having first hinge elements and second hinge elements along the first ends and the second hinge elements along the second ends. The first hinge elements of the belt rows are staggered with the second hinge elements of adjacent belt rows. Hinge rods extending through the staggered first and second hinge elements connect the belt rows together at a hinge engagement. The laterally outermost first hinge element in each belt row has a first protrusion that extends laterally inward toward the other first hinge elements. A hinge rod retainer in each row includes a hinge eyelet at one end and a stop at the opposite second end. The hinge eyelet is disposed in a gap extending inward from the laterally outermost first hinge element and receives the hinge rod at the first end of the belt row. The hinge eyelet has a second protrusion that extends laterally outward toward the laterally outermost first hinge element. The first and second protrusions extend circumferentially around the hinge rod. When the hinged joint at the first end of the strip is hinged at an angle smaller than the maximum angle at which the modular strip can be hinged in the forward direction during standard operation, the first and second protrusions overlap and contact each other to position the stop in the blocking position and align it with the hinge element at the second end of the strip to prevent the hinge rod from disengaging. Furthermore, when the hinged joint at the first end of the strip is hinged at an angle greater than the maximum angle at which the modular strip can be hinged during standard operation, the first and second protrusions do not overlap and contact each other, allowing the hinge rod retainer to move laterally and rotate around the hinge rod at the first end of the strip to remove the stop from the blocking position.

[0029] One type of conveyor embodying the features of the present invention includes a conveyor belt and a modular cover belt. The conveyor belt advances along a conveyor path having one or more conveyor path segments. The conveyor belt includes a conveyor surface and side guards extending laterally from a first side to a second side, the side guards being erected from the conveyor surface along the first and second sides. The modular cover belt advances along a belt path parallel to the conveyor path along at least one of the one or more belt path segments. The modular cover belt includes a series of belt rows consisting of one or more belt modules, each belt row extending laterally from a first side to a second side and extending lengthwise from a first end to a second end. The first end of a belt row is hingedly connected at a hinged connection to the second end of an adjacent belt row. The modular cover belt also includes slider belt modules at the first and second sides. The slider belt module includes a first cam surface along the first end and a second cam surface along the second end, as well as an outer surface on each slider belt module. A recess in each slider belt module leads to the second end of each slider belt module. A slider located in each recess along the first or second side has a gripper and a second sliding cam surface along the second end. A fixed clamp in each module body along the first or second side forms a clamping portion along the first and second sides with a clamp on the adjacent belt row of the slider. To close the clamping portion when adjacent belt rows articulate into a belt path segment parallel to one of the conveyor path segments, some of the first cam surfaces of the slider belt module abut against the corresponding second sliding cam surfaces in the adjacent belt rows to allow the slider to slide laterally in a first direction, at which point the clamping portion clamps the side guard plate of the conveyor belt. To open the clamping portion when adjacent belt rows articulate away from a belt path segment parallel to that conveyor path segment, other first cam surfaces of the slider belt module abut against the corresponding second sliding cam surfaces in the adjacent belt rows to allow the slider to slide laterally in the opposite second direction, at which point the clamping portion releases the side guard plate of the conveyor belt. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of the edge portion of a modular conveyor belt used as a cover belt, which has a sliding body with grippers.

[0031] Figures 2A to 2D Is it like this? Figure 1 The top plan, isometric view, side view, and front elevation view of the basic edge module of the conveyor belt.

[0032] Figures 3A to 3D Is it like this? Figure 1 The top view, axonometric view, side view, and front elevation view of the sliding body of the conveyor belt.

[0033] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Is it like this? Figure 1The top and bottom views of the two edge modules and the slider are shown, with no grippers and the slider positioned facing outwards from the module.

[0034] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Is it like this? Figure 4A and Figure 4B The top and bottom views of the two edge modules, with the slider further away from the outer edge of the module.

[0035] Figure 6A and Figure 6B Is it like this? Figure 4A and Figure 4B The top and bottom views of the two edge modules, with the slider located at its maximum distance from the outside of the module.

[0036] Figure 7 Is it used as Figure 1 An isometric view of a conveyor with a cover belt that covers the conveyor belt with side guards along the vertical conveying path.

[0037] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 An enlarged view of a portion of the conveyor shows the engagement and disengagement of the grippers in the shroud with the side guards of the conveyor belt.

[0038] Figure 9 Is it possible to be like Figure 1 The isometric view of the edge module used together with the conveyor belt and housing the hinge rod retainer.

[0039] Figure 10 It can be used Figure 9 Axonometric view of the hinge rod retainer in the edge module.

[0040] Figures 11A to 11C Is it like this? Figure 9 A sequential view of the edge modules in the diagram, showing Figure 10 The hinge rod retainer slides from the rod locked position to the removed position. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Figure 1 The diagram shows a side edge of a modular belt, embodying the features of the invention and used as a type of cover belt. The belt 20 is composed of a series of rows 22 of belt modules, such as edge modules 24, inner belt modules, and opposite side edge modules, which are connected end-to-end at a hinged engagement 26 by hinge rods 28. The belt can be hinged at the hinged engagement 26 when the belt 20 reverses direction around a drive sprocket or roller or a driven sprocket or roller.

[0042] Edge module 24 extends lengthwise from first end 30 to second end 32, laterally from first side 34 to second side 36 in width, and in thickness from top 38 or outer band surface to bottom 40 or inner band surface. First hinge elements 41 are laterally spaced along first end 30, and second hinge elements 43 are laterally spaced along second end 32. Hinge elements 41, 43 have lateral holes 45 defined by internal surfaces forming hole walls 47. Aligned holes 45 of staggered first hinge elements 41 and second hinge elements 43 of adjacent band rows 22 form lateral passages for hinge rods 28 at each hinge engagement 26. Edge module 24 is a sliding module, each sliding module including a base module body 42 and a slider 44, the slider being received in a recess 46 within the base module body. Recess 46 extends from second end 32 into the base module body 42 to the rear wall 48. The recess 46 is wider than the slider 44 to provide lateral travel range for the slider. In this configuration, the base module 42 has a base gripper 50 rising from the top 38. The slider 44 also has a sliding gripper 52 rising from the top 38. These two grippers 50 and 52 are offset and partially overlapping. In the clamping portion, the base gripper 50 is a fixed gripper, and the sliding gripper 52 is a movable gripper. The base gripper 50 is closer to the first side edge 34 of the module 24 than the sliding gripper 52. Furthermore, the opposing surfaces 54 and 55 of the grippers 50 and 52 can be textured, such as serrated, to achieve good clamping.

[0043] Figures 2A to 2D Four views of the base module body 42 are shown. The base module body 42 extends lengthwise from its first end 30 to its second end 32. A first hinge element 41 of the base module body is laterally spaced along the first end 30, and a second hinge element 43 of the base module body is laterally spaced along the second end 32. A fixed base gripper 50 extends upward from the top 38 of the base module body 42. A recess 46 opens from the rear wall 48 to the second end 32. A drive rod 58 extending downward from the bottom 40 of the base module body 42 engages a drive sprocket and a driven sprocket, and a belt composed of such modules is driven around the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket.

[0044] The central first hinge element 41' has protrusions 60, 62 extending outward from opposite sides of the first hinge element. The beak-shaped first protrusion 60 extends from the top side of the hinge element 41' to a apex 64. The beak-shaped protrusion 60 has a curved bottom that forms a circumferentially decreasing lateral extension of the upper boundary of the bore wall 47. The outer and inner sides of the protrusion 60 serve as the outer base cam surface 66 and the inner base cam surface 68. The base cam surfaces 66, 68 converge toward the apex 64 away from the hinge element 41'. The base cam surfaces 66, 68 may be flat, but are shown as twisted surfaces to accommodate the hinge of adjacent rows of modules. A twisted surface can be considered as a flat surface twisted about its main axis.

[0045] Another protrusion 62 extends from the other side of the hinge element 41' to the blunt end 70. The upper base cam surface 72 and the lower base cam surface 74 on the protrusion 62 extend from the inside of the hinge element 41' to the blunt end 70. The upper base cam surface 72 and the lower base cam surface 74 are twisted surfaces. The protrusion 62 forms a lateral extension of the bore wall 47 away from the hinge element 41', with a reduced circumferential coverage.

[0046] Figures 3A to 3D The slider 44 shown has two first sliding hinge elements 43', 43'" spaced apart by a gap 76 along its first end 30. Lateral holes 45 of the first sliding hinge elements 43', 43'" are defined by hole walls 47. The laterally outward sliding hinge element 43' has a beak-shaped protrusion 60 similar to that of the base module body 42. Figures 2A to 2B The beak-shaped protrusion 78 extends from the top of the laterally outward sliding hinge element 43' toward the laterally inward sliding hinge element 43' and has two converging cam surfaces: an outer sliding cam surface 80 and an inner sliding cam surface 82 that intersect at a vertex 83. The sliding cam surfaces 80 and 82 are twisted like the cam surfaces 66 and 68 on the base module body 42.

[0047] The inner sliding hinge element 43” has a protrusion 84 extending toward the blunt end 86 towards the outer sliding hinge element 43'. The shape of the protrusion 84 is similar to that of the protrusion 62 on the base module body 42. Figures 2A to 2D The shapes of the sliding cam surfaces 88 and 90 are identical. The upper sliding cam surface 88 and the lower sliding cam surface 90 are formed on the protrusion 84, extending outward from one side of the protrusion to the blunt end 86. Both sliding protrusions 78 and 84 have curved inner surfaces 91, which form a portion of the circumferential extension of the bore wall 47. Ribs 92 extend laterally along the inner end 94 of the slider 44. Ribs 92 are received in lateral grooves 93 in the rear wall of the base module body. Figure 9The slide body 44 is supported in this way. Alternatively, ribs may be formed on the rear wall of the base module body, and corresponding lateral grooves may be formed on the inner end 94 of the slide body 44.

[0048] A sliding jaw 52 extends upward from the upper surface of the slider 44. The jaw 52 has a hook-shaped portion 96 at its upper end, which protrudes towards the laterally outward sliding hinge element 43'. The outer edge 98 and inner edge 99 of the sliding jaw 52, ​​which extend from the upper surface of the slider 44 to the hook-shaped portion 96 at the upper end of the jaw, give the sliding jaw 52 a trapezoidal shape that is longer along its upper end. Although in this embodiment the sliding jaw 52 is shown with the hook-shaped portion 96, a jaw without the hook-shaped portion may also be used.

[0049] The interaction between the cam surfaces as they pivot on the hinge rod and slide against each other causes the slider to move along the recess, as... Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 6A and Figure 6B As shown. In Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the middle, there are no grippers, but in other aspects they are similar to... Figures 3A to 3D The same slider 44 as slider 100 is shown in the outermost position (rightmost position in the figure) in a portion of the modular belt. As the belt runs along the transport path, the flat tops 102 of modules 104 in adjacent belt rows are coplanar because the nodal lines (103, ...) of adjacent belt rows are... Figure 2C The alignment is correct. (The nodal line of the module is an imaginary line extending along each end of the module through the center line of the rod hole.) The second sliding hinge elements 43', 43" of the slider 100 are located on both sides of the first hinge element 41' of the adjacent base module body 106, which is aligned with it. The apexes 64, 83 of the beak-shaped protrusions 60, 80 face each other, the upper base cam surface 72 faces the upper sliding cam surface 88 but without strong contact, and the lower base cam surface 74 faces the lower sliding cam surface 90.

[0050] When two stripes are 108 and 109, as... Figure 5A and Figure 5B When hinged around the sprocket as shown in the figure, the lower sliding cam surface 90 in the belt row 108 slides along the lower base cam surface 74 of the adjacent belt row 109, thereby causing the slider 100 to slide along the recess 46 away from the outside of the recess 46 (towards the left side in the figure). Figure 5A and Figure 5B The diagram shows the position of all cam surfaces 66, 68, 72, 74, 80, 82, 88, and 90 when the slider 108 begins to pivot on the hinge rod 28. The pitch lines of the two rows 108 and 109 are no longer aligned.

[0051] When the slider 100 is in this intermediate position, the outer base cam surface 66 faces the outer sliding cam surface 80, while the lower sliding cam surface 90 engages with the lower base cam surface 74 to continue moving towards... Figure 5A and Figure 5B The upper base cam surface 72 and the upper sliding cam surface 88 are separate. When the slider 100 has been pushed to the innermost laterally within the recess 46 due to the interaction between the lower base cam surface 74 and the lower sliding cam surface 90 (e.g. Figure 6A and Figure 6B As shown, the outer base cam surface 66 and the outer sliding cam surface 80 face each other, the upper base cam surface 72 and the upper sliding cam surface 88 face each other, and the lower base cam surface 74 passes through the lower sliding cam surface 90. Therefore, when the module is hinged in the forward direction around the sprocket at the hinge joint, the interaction between the lower base cam surface 74 and the lower sliding cam surface 90 forces the slider 100 from... Figure 4A and Figure 4B The outermost position on the side Figure 6A and Figure 6B The innermost position on the side.

[0052] The other base cam surfaces 60, 68, 72 and the corresponding sliding cam surfaces 80, 82, 88 interact to cause the slider 100 to move along the recess under different conditions. When the belt containing the slider 100 leaves the sprocket after returning to the transport path, the interaction between the outer base cam surface 66 and the outer sliding cam surface 80 forces the slider towards... Figure 4A and Figure 4B The slider is in its outermost lateral position. When the belt row containing the slider 100 bends back or reverses hinges around the return roller or guide plate during belt return or entry tilt, the interaction between the upper base cam surface 72 and the upper sliding cam surface 88 pushes the slider toward its innermost lateral position. Moreover, when the belt row containing the slider 100 exits its bend or tilt, the interaction between the inner base cam surface 68 and the inner sliding cam surface 82 returns the slider to its outermost lateral position. Therefore, the slider is only in its outermost position when the pitch lines of its own row and the adjacent row are aligned. All cam surfaces 66, 68, 72, 74, 80, 82, 88, and 90 extend obliquely from both sides of the hinge element. Moreover, the base cam surfaces 66, 68, 72, and 74 are parallel to the corresponding sliding cam surfaces 80, 82, 88, and 90 with which these base cam surfaces interact. Only when two adjacent belt rows are hinged while passing around the sprocket or bending back, and the pitch lines of the adjacent rows are not coplanar, will the corresponding base cam surface and sliding cam surface press against each other to allow the slider to slide laterally.

[0053] Figure 7 A conveyor system is shown in which a conveyor is used by, for example Figure 1 A cover belt 110, composed of modules, covers a portion of the conveyor belt 112 along its conveying path. The conveyor belt 112 is driven in the conveying direction 116 by a drive unit 114, which includes a motor, gear train, drive shaft, bearings, and sprockets. The conveying path of the conveyor belt on the return trip includes: a steep downward section 118 (e.g., a vertical section) after the drive unit 114; a lower overhead chain section 120 between two driven sprocket sets 122, 123; and an upward vertical section 124 leading to driven sprocket set 126. Leaving driven sprocket 126, the conveyor belt 112 follows a short upper horizontal path section 128, then enters a downward vertical section 130 after another driven sprocket set 132. The conveyor belt then reverses its path around the lower driven roller 134 onto the upward vertical section 136. After passing another driven sprocket set 140, the conveyor belt 112 continues along another horizontal path segment 138 to complete the loop at the drive unit 114.

[0054] The cover belt 110 is driven by the drive unit 142 along a parallel path segment in the same direction as the conveyor belt 112, at the same speed as the conveyor belt, but along a different path. After passing a redirecting element (such as the driven sprocket set 144), the cover belt 110 engages the conveyor belt 112 on a first upper horizontal path segment 128. The cover belt's grippers 50, 52 clamp the side guards 152 on both sides of the conveyor belt. The cover belt 110 covers the conveyor belt 112 from this point on the conveyor belt's path until it reaches the drive units 114, 142, at which point the grippers open and the cover belt releases as it hinges around another redirecting element 145. The cover belt then returns along the upper overhead chain segment 146 to the driven sprocket set 144.

[0055] Figure 8 The diagram illustrates the engagement or disengagement of the cover belt 110 from the conveyor belt 112. This occurs when the cover belt 110 disengages from its driven sprocket assembly 144. Figure 7 When the conveyor belt 112 enters a straight path segment, initial engagement occurs, in which the travel directions of the two belts are indicated by arrow 150. The conveyor belt 112 has side guards 152 along each side, extending outward from the outer conveying surface 156 of the conveyor belt. The cover belt 110 is formed by sliding modules 24 on each side. When the sliding modules 24 surround the driven sprocket assembly 144 (… Figure 7When the conveyor belt 110 is hinged to any redirecting element, the slider 44 is pushed to its laterally innermost position, thereby opening the grippers. In the clamping open position, the grippers 50, 52 are maximally separated to easily receive the side guards 152 of the conveyor belt 112 into the clamping opening 154. As the cover belt 110 leaves the driven sprocket assembly 144, the slider 44 moves to its laterally outermost position and is in the clamping closed position, thereby closing the grippers 50, 52 around the side guards 152. The cover belt 110, together with the side guards 152, restrains the articles conveyed by the conveyor belt 112 on the conveyor belt. Although not shown, when the conveyor belt 112 is used in a configuration with a vertical conveying section or a steeply inclined or downward-sloping conveying section, the conveyor belt will typically have laterally extending slats erected from the article conveying surface 156 to capture articles that fall on steep sections of the path.

[0056] Through observation Figure 8 This indicates the disengagement of the cover belt 110 from the conveyor belt 112, as if the belt were driven in the direction of arrow 151. This occurs when the cover belt begins to travel around the drive sprocket assembly of its drive mechanism 142. Figure 7 The grippers 50 and 52 of the cover belt abut against the side guard plate 152 of the conveyor belt 112 and clamp it. When the cover belt 110 is hinged around the drive sprocket assembly, the sliding body 44 moves from the closed position of the clamping part to the open position of the clamping part, thereby releasing the side guard plate 152.

[0057] Figure 9 Another type of base module body 160 is shown. This type of base module body is similar to... Figure 2B The basic module body 42 is the same, except that it has an additional structure at its outer edge 162. The additional structure is characterized by an additional first hinge element 241”, which has an inwardly protruding portion 164 at the distal end of the hinge element. The protruding portion 164 has an abrupt end 166 at the top and an inclined end 168 at the bottom. The protruding portion 164 forms a circumferential extension of the hole 170.

[0058] Figure 10 A hinge lever retainer 172 is shown, having a hinge eyelet 174 at one end and a stop 176 at the other end. The stop 176 extends from a handle 178 attached to the base 180. The hinge eyelet 174 also extends from the base 180. Similar to the outermost hinge element 241” of the base module body, the hinge eyelet 174 has a similar protrusion 182 with an abrupt end 184 and a sloping end 186. Figure 9 The shape of the recess 188 in the bottom edge of the base module 160 is determined such that when the hinge rod retainer 172 is in the position as described above... Figures 11A to 11C The described blocking position is the base 180 that receives the retainer.

[0059] Hinge rod retainer 172 Figure 11A The image is shown in the blocking position. The stop 176 aligns with the hole 45 to block the lateral passage of the hinge rod away from the second end 32 of the belt row. When the belt is running in a straight path, the retainer 172 is held in the blocking position because the lateral protrusions 164, 182 at least partially overlap and hold the hinge eye 174 in the innermost position within a gap 190 recessed between the two outermost first hinge elements 41, 241” of the base module body 42 of the adjacent belt rows. The retainer 172 can rotate about the hinge rod received in the hinge eye 174, moving from its blocking position to its non-blocking position by manually hinged the two belt rows at a release angle greater than the maximum angle the belt can hinge during standard operation. The release angle 191 shown in this example is approximately 90°, as in... Figure 11C The optimal viewing angle is 191, set by the circumferential range of protrusions 164 and 182. When two adjacent belts pivot sufficiently to allow protrusions 164 and 182 to... Figure 11B When the retainer no longer overlaps, it can be manually slid outward as indicated by arrow 192. Then, it can be manually rotated (as shown in the image). Figure 11C (Indicated by arrow 194) to the non-blocking position, in which the stop 176 is no longer aligned with the lateral passage of the hinge rod. When the hinge rod retainer 172 is in the non-blocking position, the hinge rod can be removed or inserted. By reversing this process, the hinge rod retainer 172 returns to the blocking position. The inclined ends 168 and 186 of the protrusions 164 and 182 facilitate the smooth return of the retainer 172 to the blocking position. Therefore, the hinge rod retainer is another type of slider in the modular belt.

Claims

1. A module comprising: A basic module body extending from a first end to a second end in length, laterally extending from a first side to a second side in width, and extending from top to bottom in thickness, and the basic module body includes: - First hinge element and second hinge element, the first hinge element along the first end, and the second hinge element along the second end; - A recess that extends from the second end into the base module body to the rear wall and has a first width; A slider having a second width less than the first width and being received in the recess to slide laterally along the recess.

2. The module as described in claim 1, wherein, The slider has an inner end and an opposite outer end, as well as sliding hinge elements. The inner end slides along the rear wall of the recess, and the sliding hinge elements are aligned with the second hinge element of the base module body along the outer end when the slider is received in the recess.

3. The module as described in claim 2, wherein, The rear wall has laterally extending ribs, and the inner end of the slider has a mating lateral groove that receives the laterally extending ribs to slidably support the inner end of the slider in the groove.

4. The module as described in claim 2, wherein, The rear wall has a laterally extending groove, and the inner end of the slider has a mating lateral rib that is received in the laterally extending groove to slidably support the inner end of the slider in the groove.

5. The module as described in claim 2, wherein, These sliding hinge elements include a first sliding hinge element and a second sliding hinge element, wherein the first sliding hinge element has a first protrusion having an inner sliding cam surface and an outer sliding cam surface extending toward the second sliding hinge element, and wherein the second sliding hinge element has a second protrusion having an upper sliding cam surface and a lower sliding cam surface extending toward the first sliding hinge element.

6. The module as described in claim 5, wherein, The inner sliding cam surface and the outer sliding cam surface extend at an angle relative to each other, such that the inner sliding cam surface and the outer sliding cam surface intersect at the apex of the first protrusion.

7. The module as described in claim 5, wherein, The inner sliding cam surface, the outer sliding cam surface, the upper sliding cam surface, and the lower sliding cam surface are twisted surfaces.

8. The module as described in claim 5, wherein, The first sliding hinge element and the second sliding hinge element have lateral holes defined by hole walls, and wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion have internal surfaces that circumferentially form partial lateral extensions of these hole walls.

9. The module as claimed in claim 1, wherein, One of the first hinge elements of the basic module has two sides facing opposite sides and includes a first protrusion that protrudes obliquely from one of the two sides facing opposite sides and a second protrusion that protrudes from the other side of the two sides facing opposite sides. The first protrusion has an inner base cam surface and an outer base cam surface, and the second protrusion has an upper base cam surface and a lower base cam surface.

10. The module as claimed in claim 9, wherein, The inner base cam surface and the outer base cam surface extend at an angle relative to each other, such that the inner base cam surface and the outer base cam surface intersect at the apex of the first protrusion.

11. The module as claimed in claim 9, wherein, The inner base cam surface, the outer base cam surface, the upper base cam surface, and the lower base cam surface are twisted surfaces.

12. The module as claimed in claim 9, wherein, The first hinge element of the basic module has a lateral hole defined by a hole wall, and wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion have an inner surface that circumferentially forms a portion of the lateral extension of these hole walls.

13. The module as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The base module includes a base gripper that rises from the top of the base module, and the slider includes a sliding gripper that rises from the top of the slider.

14. A modular belt, comprising: A series of belt rows consisting of one or more belt modules, each belt row extending from a first end to a second end in length, wherein the first end of the belt row is hingedly connected to the second end of the adjacent belt row at a hinged joint. Wherein, at least some of the belt rows composed of the one or more belt modules include at least one slider belt module, the at least one slider belt module comprising: - A recess that extends from the second end into the sliding strip module to the rear wall and has a first width; - A slider having a second width less than the first width and being received in the recess to slide laterally along the recess and the hinge connection.

15. The modular strip as described in claim 14, wherein: Each strip extends laterally from a first side to a second side in width and from top to bottom in thickness, and has a first hinge element spaced laterally along the first end and a second hinge element spaced laterally along the second end; These first hinge elements and these second hinge elements have holes, and the first hinge elements in a row are staggered with the second hinge elements in an adjacent row, such that the holes through the staggered first hinge elements and these second hinge elements are aligned to form a lateral passage. The modular belt includes hinge rods that are received in these aligned passages to connect adjacent belt rows together at these hinge joints. The sliding belt module includes one or more of these first hinge elements and one or more of these second hinge elements; The slider has one or more of these second hinge elements and slides laterally along the recess and the hinge rod.

16. The modular strip as described in claim 15, wherein, The rear wall of the recess has a laterally extending rib, and the inner end of the slider has a mating lateral groove that receives the laterally extending rib to slidably support the inner end of the slider in the recess.

17. The modular strip as described in claim 15, wherein, The rear wall of the recess has a lateral groove, and the inner end of the slider has a mating laterally extending rib that is received in the lateral groove to slidably support the inner end of the slider in the recess.

18. The modular strip as claimed in claim 15, wherein: The first second hinge element of the second hinge element of the slider includes a first lateral protrusion, and the second second hinge element of the second hinge element of the slider includes a second lateral protrusion, wherein the first lateral protrusion and the second lateral protrusion extend toward each other; and The first hinge element of the first hinge element of the sliding element module in the adjacent belt row is disposed between the first lateral protrusion and the second lateral protrusion of the sliding body, and has a first lateral protrusion extending toward the first lateral protrusion of the sliding body and a second lateral protrusion extending toward the second lateral protrusion of the sliding body.

19. The modular strip as claimed in claim 18, wherein: The first lateral protrusion of the slider includes two first sliding cam surfaces that converge from the first of the second hinge elements and intersect at the apex above the hole; The first lateral protrusion of the first hinge element of the first hinge element of the sliding belt module in the adjacent belt row includes two first cam surfaces that converge from the first hinge element of the first hinge elements and intersect at a vertex above the hole, wherein when the belt rows are not hinged at the hinge bar, the vertices of the first sliding cam surfaces are opposite to the vertices of the first cam surfaces of the sliding belt module in the adjacent belt row; The second lateral protrusion of the slider includes two second sliding cam surfaces, which extend obliquely away from the second end, starting from the second hinge element and extending from positions above and below the hole of the second hinge element. The second lateral protrusion of the first hinge element in the adjacent first hinge element includes two second cam surfaces that extend obliquely away from the first end, starting from the first hinge element and extending from a position above and below the hole passing through the first hinge element.

20. The modular belt of claim 15, wherein the modular belt includes a hinge rod retainer, the hinge rod retainer comprising: A stop at the first end; At the opposite second end, there is a hinge eyelet having a first lateral protrusion; The handle portion between the first end and the second end; The hinge eyelet is located between two of the second hinge elements and receives the hinge rod at the first hinge engagement portion, and the first lateral protrusion extends circumferentially around the hinge rod. One of these second hinge elements has a second lateral protrusion extending toward the first lateral protrusion, the second lateral protrusion extending circumferentially around the hinge rod in part; Specifically, when the first hinge joint is hinged at an angle smaller than the maximum angle at which the modular belt can hinge during standard operation, the first lateral protrusion and the second lateral protrusion overlap and contact each other to position the stop in a blocking position, thereby covering the lateral passage formed by the continuous hinge joints to prevent the hinge rod from leaving the lateral passage; and When the first hinge engagement portion is hinged at an angle greater than the maximum angle at which the modular belt can be hinged in standard operation, the first lateral protrusion and the second lateral protrusion do not overlap or contact each other, so as to allow the hinge rod retainer to move laterally and rotate, so that the stop member is removed from the blocking position.

21. The modular strip as described in claim 14, wherein, At least one slider module in the first belt row of these belt rows has one or more cam surfaces, and the slider in the adjacent belt row has one or more corresponding sliding cam surfaces. When the pitch line of the first belt row of these belt rows is not coplanar with the pitch line of the adjacent belt row, the one or more corresponding sliding cam surfaces push against the corresponding cam surfaces in the first belt row of these belt rows to make the slider slide laterally.

22. A modular belt, comprising: A series of belt rows consisting of one or more belt modules, each belt row extending from a first end to a second end in length and having a first hinge element and a second hinge element, the first hinge elements being along the first ends and the second hinge elements being along the second ends, wherein the first hinge elements of the belt rows are interleaved with the second hinge elements of adjacent belt rows. Hinge rods that extend through the interlaced first and second hinge elements to connect the belts together at the hinge joint. Wherein, at least some of the belt rows composed of the one or more belt modules include a slider forming one or more of the second hinge elements; One or more of the second hinge elements of the slider have a sliding cam surface; Among these first hinge elements, one or more first hinge elements that intersect with one or more second hinge elements of the slider have corresponding cam surfaces. When the modular belt is hinged at the hinge joint, these corresponding cam surfaces abut against the corresponding sliding cam surfaces on one or more second hinge elements of the slider to cause the slider to slide laterally.

23. The modular strip as described in claim 22, wherein, These sliding cam surfaces and these cam surfaces are arranged such that no more than one pair of corresponding sliding cam surfaces and cam surfaces are in pushing contact at a time.

24. The modular belt of claim 22, wherein the modular belt comprises four pairs of sliding cam surfaces and corresponding cam surfaces, and wherein, When these belts are hinged in the forward direction, the first pair presses against each other, and when these belts are hinged back from the forward hinge, the second pair presses against each other, and when these belts are bent back, the third pair presses against each other, and when these belts are bent back, the fourth pair presses against each other.

25. The modular belt of claim 22, wherein the modular belt comprises four pairs of sliding cam surfaces and corresponding cam surfaces, and wherein, The first and second pairs are arranged such that when the first or second pair is pressed against each other, the slider slides in a first lateral direction, and the third and fourth pairs are arranged such that when the third or fourth pair is pressed against each other, the slider slides in the opposite second lateral direction.

26. A modular belt, comprising: A series of belts, each belt extending from a first end to a second end in length and having a first hinge element and a second hinge element, the first hinge elements along the first ends and the second hinge elements along the second ends, wherein the first hinge elements of the belts are interleaved with the second hinge elements of adjacent belts. Hinge rods that extend through the interlaced first and second hinge elements to connect the belts together at the hinge joint. In each belt row, the outermost first hinge element has a first protrusion that extends laterally inward toward the other first hinge elements; Each belt row contains a hinge rod retainer, which includes: - A hinge eyelet at one end, which is disposed in the gap from the outermost first hinge element of the side, receives the hinge rod at the first end of the belt row, and has a second protrusion that extends laterally outward toward the outermost first hinge element of the side; - A stop at the opposite second end of the hinge rod retainer; - Wherein, the first protrusion and the second protrusion extend circumferentially around the hinge rod; - Wherein, when the hinged engagement portion at the first end of the belt row is hinged at an angle smaller than the maximum angle at which the modular belt can be hinged in a forward direction during standard operation, the first protrusion and the second protrusion overlap and contact each other to position the stop in a blocking position and align it with the hinge elements at the second end of the belt row to prevent the hinge rod from disengaging; and - Wherein, when the hinged engagement at the first end of the belt row is hinged at an angle greater than the maximum angle at which the modular belt can be hinged in standard operation, the first protrusion and the second protrusion do not overlap and contact each other, so as to allow the hinge rod retainer to move laterally and rotate around the hinge rod at the first end of the belt row, so as to remove the stop from the blocking position.

27. A conveyor, comprising: A conveyor belt that advances along a conveyor path having one or more conveyor path segments, wherein the conveyor belt comprises: - A conveying surface that extends laterally from a first side to a second side; - Side guards, which stand upright from the conveying surface along the first and second sides; A modular cover belt that advances along a belt path parallel to the conveyor path along at least one of one or more belt path segments, wherein the modular cover belt comprises: - A series of belt rows consisting of one or more belt modules, each belt row extending laterally from a first side to a second side and extending in length from a first end to a second end, wherein the first end of the belt row is hingedly connected to the second end of the adjacent belt row at a hinged connection. - Sliding strip modules, which are located on the first side and the second side and include: -- Along the first cam surface at these first ends and along the second cam surface at these second ends; -- The outer surface of each sliding element module; -- Recess, which leads to the second end of each sliding belt module; -- A slider located in each recess along the first side or the second side and having a gripper and a second sliding cam surface along the second end; -- Fixed gripper, which is located in each module body along the first side or the second side to form a clamping portion along the first side and the second side with the gripper on the adjacent strip of the slider; Specifically, in order to close the clamping portion when adjacent belt rows articulate into a belt path segment parallel to one of these conveyor path segments, some of the first cam surfaces of the sliding belt module abut against the corresponding second sliding cam surfaces in the adjacent belt rows to allow the slider to slide laterally in a first direction. At this time, these clamping portions clamp the side guard plate of the conveyor belt. In order to open the clamping portion when adjacent belt rows articulate away from the belt path segment parallel to the conveyor path segment, other first cam surfaces of the sliding belt module abut against the corresponding second sliding cam surfaces in the adjacent belt rows to allow the slider to slide laterally in the opposite second direction. At this time, these clamping portions release the side guard plate of the conveyor belt.

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