Conveyor edge module

Abstract

An edge module for a modular conveyor. The edge module includes a bar retaining plug that is pivotably mounted in a socket that opens to the bottom of the module. The plug has a bore that receives a shaft in the socket about which the plug can rotate. An arm is attached to the body of the plug by a living hinge that allows the arm to flex from a relaxed state that blocks a hinge-bar passageway at an articulated joint of a conveyor to a flexed state that allows an articulated bar to be inserted into or removed from the passageway. Locking structures on the plug and in the socket engage to lock the plug in place. A side shield mounted in the edge module is locked in place by locking structures in the edge module. Locking structures on both the side shield and the plug engage to lock the side shield and the plug in place.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to power-driven conveyors, and more particularly to edge modules of modular articulated conveyor belts. Background Technology

[0002] Modular conveyor belts consist of a series of conveyor belt modules that are joined end-to-end at hinge joints by hinged rods inserted into a transverse passage formed by staggered hinged eyes of adjacent conveyor belt rows. Edge modules at the side edges of the conveyor belt typically include rod retaining structures to prevent the hinged rods from leaving the passage as the conveyor belt travels. Typically, the rod retaining structure is integrally formed as part of the edge module and is made of the same material. However, a material that works well for retaining rods may not be as effective as the main module material.

[0003] Some conveyor belts require side guards to prevent conveyed products from falling off the side edges of the conveyor belt. Many side guards are integrally formed as part of the edge module. However, side guards of different heights or other constructions require different molds or post-molding machining. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One type of conveyor belt edge module embodying the features of the present invention includes a module body extending lengthwise from a first end to a second end, laterally extending width from a first side edge to a second side edge, and extending thickness from a top to a bottom. A first set of hinge elements has rod holes aligned along the first end, and a second set of hinge elements has rod holes aligned along the second end. A socket is formed laterally inward in the module body from the first side edge. A rod retaining plug is positioned in the socket to block the rod holes aligned along the first end of the module body. A side guard plate erected from the top of the module body at the first side edge has a locking structure that engages the rod retaining plug to lock the rod retaining plug in place within the socket.

[0005] Another type of conveyor belt edge module includes a module body extending lengthwise from a first end to a second end, laterally extending width from a first side edge to a second side edge, and extending thickness from top to bottom. A first set of hinge elements has rod holes aligned along the first end, and a second set of hinge elements has rod holes aligned along the second end. Laterally elongated hinge elements at the first end and the first side edge have rod holes aligned with the rod holes of the first set of hinge elements. A socket opens to the bottom of the module body and divides the rod holes of the laterally enlarged hinge elements into an outer rod hole portion opening to the first side edge and an inner rod hole portion. A shaft and socket locking structure reside in the socket. A rod retaining plug mounted in the socket has a plug locking structure and an axial hole for the receiving shaft. The rod retaining plug is rotatable from an unlocked position to a locked position, in which the plug locking structure disengages from the socket locking structure, and in the locked position, the plug locking structure engages with the socket locking structure.

[0006] A modular conveyor belt includes a plurality of conveyor belt edge modules arranged end-to-end, interleaved by at least some hinge elements of a first group and at least some second hinge elements of a second group to form a lateral alignment passage through the interleaved hinge elements. A hinge rod, received in the lateral alignment passage, connects the continuous conveyor belt edge modules at a hinge joint. In a locked position, the rod retains a plug blocking the alignment passage to prevent the hinge rod from passing through the conveyor belt edge module and leaving the passage while the modular conveyor belt is traveling. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of a portion of a modular conveyor belt that embodies the features of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 It is just as Figure 1 An isometric view of the bottom side of the body of the edge module of the conveyor belt.

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An isometric view of the top side of the body of the edge module.

[0010] Figure 4 It is just as Figure 1 An enlarged isometric view of the rods holding plugs available in the conveyor belt.

[0011] Figure 5 It is from different perspectives Figure 4 The rod holds the plug in an enlarged isometric view.

[0012] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 An isometric view of the bottom edge portion of the module body, where Figure 4 and 5 The lever keeps the plug in the unlocked position.

[0013] Figure 7 It is just as Figure 6 An isometric view of the image, showing the side guards and rod retaining plugs in the locked position.

[0014] Figure 8 As seen from the inside Figure 1 An isometric view of the lower portion of the side guard plate.

[0015] Figure 9 Viewed from the outside Figure 8 An isometric view of the lower portion of the side guard plate.

[0016] Figure 10 From a top-down perspective Figure 1 An isometric view of the edge module of the conveyor belt.

[0017] Figure 11 From the bottom perspective Figure 10 An isometric view of the edge module. Detailed Implementation

[0018] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows a portion of a modular conveyor belt embodying the features of the invention. The conveyor belt 20 comprises one or more conveyor belt modules 22 arranged in a continuous series, such as inner modules 25 and edge modules 24 of varying widths, arranged in a brickwork pattern, with seams between side-by-side modules in each row to form a circular conveyor belt. Modules 24, 25 are molded from thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, acetal, and nylon. Hinges 26, 27 are staggered along the first and second ends of each row 22. Aligned rod holes 28 extend laterally through the hinges 26, 27 at the ends of each row. The staggered hinges 26, 27 of adjacent rows form a transverse passage. Hinges 30, received in the passage, connect adjacent rows 22 together at a hinge joint 32. Hinges 30 may be made of plastic or stainless steel for heavy loads or longer conveyor belt lengths. Stainless steel or carbon steel connecting rods 31, linking the continuous hinges, may be positioned in some or all of the seams to reinforce the conveyor belt by bearing some of the conveyor belt tension. Side guards 34 rise from the top 36 of the edge module 24 on the left and right sides of the conveyor belt 20. The side guards 34 are oriented at an angle relative to the direction of travel 38 of the conveyor belt so that they can overlap without interference, thereby confining the conveyed objects to the top of the conveyor belt 20 as the conveyor belt travels along the upper conveyor path.

[0019] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, each edge module has a module body 40, the length of which extends from a first end 42 to a second end 43, the width of which extends laterally from a first side edge 44 to a second side edge 45, and the thickness of which extends from a top 36 to a bottom 37. A first set of hinge elements 26 are spaced apart along the first end 42 across a gap, and a second set of hinge elements 27 are spaced apart along the second end 43. Rod holes 28 extending through the hinge elements 26, 27 are aligned along each end 42, 43. A hinge element 46 extending laterally along the first end 42 at the first side edge 44 has a rod hole 48, which is aligned with the rod hole 28 of the hinge element 26 along the first end 42. A socket 50 opening to the bottom 37 of the module body 40 divides the rod hole 48 of the extended hinge element 46 into an outer rod hole portion 52 and an inner rod hole portion 53 (farther from the first side edge 44). The socket 50 is defined by a peripheral wall 54 and a top layer 56, the top layer being the inner surface of a thin web, the outer surface of which is the top 36 of the module body 40. A shaft 58 extends from the top layer 56 through the socket 50 toward an opening in the socket toward the bottom 37 of the module body 40.

[0020] The laterally extending drive rod 60 at the bottom 37 of the module body 40 is designed to engage via a drive sprocket or roller (not shown) to drive as... Figure 1 The conveyor belt is used in the module body 40. However, other conveyor belts and drive structures can be used. Through-holes 62 of different sizes and orientations extend from the top 36 to the bottom 37 through the module body 40. The through-holes 62 allow airflow through the module body 40 or allow liquid drainage from the module body. Other through-holes 64 extend from the top 36 of the module body 40 and open into the socket 50 at the top layer 56. However, for applications where airflow or drainage is not required, a module body without through-holes 62 and 64 can be used.

[0021] The first and second slots 66 and 67 extend from the bottom 37 at the first side edge 44 toward the bracket 68 recessed below the top 36, passing through the thickness of the module body 40. Each slot 66 and 67 has a lug 70 on one side of the slot. An inner bracket 72 recessed below the bracket 68 partially defines the second slot 67.

[0022] Figure 4 and 5 Show installation to Figure 2 The plug 74 is held in the socket 50 of the module body. The plug 74 has a body 76 with a generally cylindrical outer side 86. A central axial hole 78 extends from a top surface 80 to a bottom surface 81 through the body 76 of the plug. An axially extending platform 82 and an axially extending groove 84 are formed on the outer side 86 of the body 76. First and second axial ribs 88, 89 protrude from the outer side 86 and extend from the top surface 80 to the bottom surface 81. The platform 82, groove 84, and ribs 88, 89 are circumferentially spaced around the outer side 86 of the body 76. A first post 90 extends radially outward from the outer side 86 of the body 76 at the top surface 80. A second post 91 extends outward from the second rib 89 at the top surface 80. An arm 92 having a fixed end 94 and a relatively free end 95 is attached to the second rib 89 by a movable hinge 96. A thin shoulder 98 extends away from the second rib 89, through the bend 99, to the fixed end 94 of the arm 92. The thickness of the arm 92 increases from the fixed end 94 at the movable hinge 96 towards the free end 95, which terminates in the enlarged flat-head stop surface 100. The shoulder 98, its bend 99, and the fixed end 94 of the arm 92 are thin enough to form the movable hinge 96, so that when a force is applied in the direction of arrow 102, the arm can flex from its relaxed state to a flexed state closer to the platform 82.

[0023] Figure 6The image shows the position of the retainer 74 after initial installation into the socket 50. The retainer 74 is installed such that the hole 78 is aligned with the shaft 58, the second rib 89 and the post 91 are aligned with the groove 104 in the socket wall, and the first rib 88 and the post 90 are aligned to protrude from their wall 54 into the interior of the socket 50 in the gap 106 between the two socket posts 108 and 109. The second socket post 109 acts as a stop, restricting the counterclockwise rotation of the retainer 74 about the shaft 58 by contacting the first rib 88. Figure 6 The degree of (medium). Figure 6 In the unlocked position of the plug, the blocking surface 100 at the free end of the arm 92 only covers a small portion of the inner rod hole portion 53.

[0024] Rod retainer plug 74 Figure 7 The image shows the plug 74 in the locked position. Figure 6 Rotate the unlock position clockwise to Figure 7 The locking position. An example of a convenient tool for locking the plug 74 is a wrench with two pins. One pin is fitted into the hook 107 of the arm, and the other pin is fitted against the side 111 of the first rib 88. The wrench is then rotated clockwise to lock the plug 74 in the locked position. The bottom surface 110 of the first plug post 90 ( Figure 4 The axial compression engagement locks the plug 74 between the first plug post 90 and the top surface of the first plug post 108. When the first plug post 90 is wedged under the first plug post 108, the protrusion 112 protruding from the top surface of the first plug post... Figure 4 ) Fitting in hole 114 ( Figure 2 The plug 74 is positioned appropriately within the module body 40, passing through the top 36 and entering the socket 50. The hole 114 is axially aligned with the first socket post 108, i.e., along a line parallel to the axis of shaft 58. The first plug post 90 and its protrusion 112 are components of the plug locking structure, and the first socket post 108 and the hole 114 constitute the socket locking structure. The plug 74 is locked by engaging the plug locking structure with the socket locking structure. When the plug is in... Figure 6 When in the unlocked position, the plug locking mechanism disengages from the socket locking mechanism. In the locked position of the plug 74, the arm 92 resides near the inclined portion 116 of the socket wall and blocks the outer rod hole portion 52. Furthermore, the blocking surface 100 of the arm 92 blocks most of the inner rod hole portion 53.

[0025] As the conveyor belt, composed of these modules, travels, the blocking surface 100 prevents the hinge rod in the aligned rod hole 28 from disengaging from the hinge joint. The lateral force of the hinge rod against the blocking surface 100 pushes the inclined wall portion 116 against the arm 92 and prevents further outward movement of the rod. During conveyor belt assembly, the hinge rod passes from the side edge 44 of the module body 40 through the outer rod hole portion 52 and abuts against the arm 92, inserting into the aligned rod hole 28 of the adjacent module. The force of the hinge rod against the inclined arm 92 causes the arm to flex toward the platform 82 on the plug 74 at the movable hinge 96. The hinge rod can then slide along the flexed arm 92 into the inner rod hole portion 53 and the aligned rod hole 28. Once the tail end of the hinge rod removes the arm 92, the arm latches back to its relaxed, deflexed state near the inclined wall portion 116. The platform 82 on the plug 74 limits the flex range of the arm 92 to prevent damage to the movable hinge 96. When the arm 92 is fully flexed against the platform 82, the groove 84 in the plug 74 ( Figure 5 This provides clearance for the increased blocking surface 100. Because the rod retainer plug 74 and the module body 40 are separate parts, they can be made of different materials. For example, the module body 40 can be molded from a rigid plastic material, and the plug 74 can be molded from a more flexible plastic material to allow the arm 92 to flex more easily.

[0026] During conveyor belt or module assembly, the actuator holds the plug 74 in place within the socket 50. Furthermore, during assembly, the plug 74 rotates from the unlocked position to the locked position after initial installation for temporary storage or shipment.

[0027] Figure 1 The conveyor belt 20 is shown as having side guards 34. For example... Figure 8 and 9 As shown, the side guard plate 34 has two legs 120, 121 extending downward from the base 122. The side guard plate 124 extends upward from the base 122 opposite to the legs 120, 121. The legs 120, 121 have lug recesses 126, which connect with grooves 66, 67 ( Figure 6 Complementary protrusions 70 in ) Figure 6 The side guard plate 34 is secured in place by a snap-fit ​​mechanism (as shown in the image). Figure 7 (Middle). When the side guard plate 34 is installed, its base 122 is located at the bracket 68 at the side edge 44 of the module body 40. Figure 2 The first leg 120 has a hook 128 extending downward from the base 122 on one side of the leg. When the side guard plate 34 is in place, the hook 128 is positioned within the inner bracket 72. Figure 3 Hook 128 is hooked onto the second plug post 91. Figure 4The second plug post 91 further locks the plug 74 into the locked position. The second plug post 91 also helps to lock the side guard 34 in place. The second plug post 91 is an additional component of the plug locking structure, and the hook 128 constitutes the side guard locking structure. The tapered reinforcement 129 extends upward from the base 122 along the outer side of the side guard 124 to support the side guard 34.

[0028] Because the side guard plate 34 and the module body 40 are separate parts, they can be made of different materials selected for the functions they perform. Furthermore, as long as the base 122 and supports 120, 121 of the side guard plate 34 remain the same, plates of different heights or designs can be used with the same module body 40. Additionally, the attachable side guard plate 34 can be shipped separately from the conveyor to reduce the size of the shipping container. Then, while the conveyor belt is being installed on the conveyor, the side guard plate 34 can be inserted into the edge module.

[0029] Figure 10 and 11 The completed conveyor belt edge module 24 with side guards is shown, as... Figure 1 In conveyor belt 20.

Claims

1. A conveyor belt edge module, comprising: The module body extends from the first end to the second end in length, extends laterally from the first side edge to the second side edge in width, and extends from the top to the bottom in thickness; A first set of hinge elements having a rod hole aligned along the first end, and a second set of hinge elements having a rod hole aligned along the second end; A socket is formed laterally inward from the first side edge in the module body; A separate rod retainer plug is positioned in the socket to block the rod hole aligned along the first end of the module body; A separate side panel, which is directly attached to the top of the module body at the first side edge to stand upright from the top of the module body, and has a locking structure that engages the rod retaining plug to lock the rod retaining plug in place in the socket.

2. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 1, wherein, The module body includes a shaft in the socket, and the rod retaining plug includes a hole for receiving the shaft.

3. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 1, wherein, The rod retaining plug includes an outer side and a locking post extending outward from the outer side, wherein the locking structure of the side guard plate engages the locking post to lock the rod retaining plug in the proper position within the socket.

4. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 1, wherein: The side guard plate includes: Base; A plate that stands upright from the base; Two legs, extending downward from the base, each leg having a lug or lug notch; and The main body of the module includes: Two slots located at the first side edge between the top and bottom of the module body receive the two legs, each slot having a complementary lug notch or complementary lug; The lug notch engages with the complementary lug to hold the side guard in place.

5. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 4, wherein, The module body includes a bracket recessed at the first side edge below the top, and the base of the side guard plate is located on the bracket.

6. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 4, wherein, One of the legs includes a hook that forms the locking structure, the hook engaging the rod retainer plug to lock the rod retainer plug in place in the socket.

7. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 1, wherein, The rod retaining plug includes a body and a post, the post extending outward from the body to engage with the locking structure of the side guard plate to lock the rod retaining plug in place in the socket.

8. A conveyor belt edge module, comprising: The module body extends from the first end to the second end in length, extends laterally from the first side edge to the second side edge in width, and extends from the top to the bottom in thickness; A first set of hinge elements having a rod hole aligned along the first end, and a second set of hinge elements having a rod hole aligned along the second end; The laterally elongated hinge element at the first end and the first side edge has a rod hole aligned with the rod hole of the first set of hinge elements; The connector opens to the bottom of the module body and is limited by the connector wall and a top layer opposite to the bottom of the module body, and divides the rod hole of the laterally elongated hinge element into an outer rod hole portion and an inner rod hole portion that open to the first side edge. The shaft and the socket locking structure in the socket, the shaft extending from the top layer through the socket toward the opening on the bottom of the module body; A rod retainer plug is mounted in the socket from the bottom of the module body and has a plug locking structure and an axial hole for receiving the shaft; The rod retains the plug, which can be rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position. In the unlocked position, the plug locking structure disengages from the socket locking structure, and in the locked position, the plug locking structure engages with the socket locking structure.

9. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 8, wherein, The socket locking structure includes a socket post extending from the socket wall into the socket, and the plug locking structure includes a plug post extending outward to make axial compression contact with the socket post to hold the rod retaining plug in the locked position.

10. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 9, wherein, The module body includes a hole axially spaced through the top layer and the plug post, wherein the plug post includes an axially extending protrusion received in the hole when the rod holds the plug in the locked position.

11. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 8, wherein, The plug locking structure includes a plug post extending outward into the socket, and wherein the module body includes a stop extending from the socket wall into the socket, and wherein the stop contacts the plug post to limit the extent to which the rod holds the plug in the unlocked position for rotation.

12. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 8, wherein, The rod retainer plug comprises a generally cylindrical body with an outer side having a platform, an axial groove, and circumferentially spaced first and second axial ribs.

13. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 12, wherein, The rod retainer plug includes an arm that extends from a free end to a fixed end and is connected to a first axial ridge via a movable hinge that allows the arm to flex toward and away from the platform on the outer side of the body.

14. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 13, wherein, The arm includes a blocking surface at the free end, the blocking surface blocking the inner rod hole portion when the arm is in a de-flexed state facing away from the platform, and wherein the blocking surface does not block the inner rod hole portion when the arm is in a de-flexed state against the platform.

15. The conveyor belt edge module of claim 8, comprising a side guard plate attached to the top of the module body at the first side edge and having a side guard plate locking structure, the side guard plate locking structure engaging the plug locking structure to lock the rod retaining plug in the locked position.

16. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 15, wherein: The side guard plate includes: Base; A plate that stands upright from the base; Two legs, which extend downward from the base; and The main body of the module includes: Two slots, located at the first side edge between the top and bottom of the module body, receive the two legs; The two legs engage with the two slots to hold the side guard plate to the module body.

17. The conveyor belt edge module according to claim 16, wherein, One of the legs includes a hook that forms a side guard locking structure, the hook engaging the plug locking structure to hold the rod in the locked position where the plug is locked in the socket.

18. A modular conveyor belt comprising: Multiple conveyor belt edge modules according to any one of claims 8 to 17, which are arranged in a first-end to second-end manner by interlacing at least some of the hinge elements of the first group with at least some of the second hinge elements of the second group to form a path of lateral alignment through the interlaced hinge elements. A hinge rod, which is received in the laterally aligned passage to connect the continuous conveyor belt edge module to the hinge joint. In the locked position, the rod retains the plug to block the aligned passage to prevent the articulated rod from leaving the passage through the edge module of the conveyor belt while the modular conveyor belt is traveling.

19. The modular conveyor belt of claim 18, comprising conveyor belt edge modules arranged along the left and right sides of the conveyor belt.

20. The modular conveyor belt according to claim 18, wherein, The edge modules of the continuous conveyor belt have different widths.

Images