Gap stopper for roller conveyor, conveying system and retainer for conveyor gap stopper

Abstract

The utility model provides a gap stopper for a roller conveyor, a conveying system and a retainer for the gap stopper of the conveyor. In one aspect, a gap stopper of a roller conveyor is provided that includes a body configured to be supported in a gap by an upstream roller and a downstream roller. The body has a plurality of laterally spaced upstream lower members with laterally aligned upstream lower free end portions. At least one upstream lower free end portion has an upstream recessed portion that is higher than the lowermost end of one of the other laterally aligned upstream lower free end portions to provide clearance for the drive member. The body has a plurality of laterally spaced downstream lower members of the body with laterally aligned downstream lower free end portions. At least one downstream lower free end portion has a downstream recessed portion that is higher than the lowermost end of one of the other laterally aligned downstream lower free end portions to provide clearance for the drive member.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 528,572, filed on Jul. 24, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to conveyors, and more particularly, to gap blockers that block gaps between the conveying surfaces of a conveyor. Background Art

[0004] Conveyors have conveying surfaces to support objects and convey the objects in a downstream direction along the conveyor. Conveyors typically have gaps between the conveying surfaces of the conveyor that allow relative movement of the conveying surfaces. As some examples, the conveying surfaces can be outer surface portions of adjacent belts, outer surface portions of a single belt (e.g., a knot in the belt), or outer surfaces of adjacent rollers.

[0005] One type of conveyor system is a roller conveyor. Roller conveyors are used to transfer objects (such as packages in a package distribution center or products in a manufacturing environment) from one location to another. Roller conveyors typically have rollers rotatably supported by a conveyor frame at fixed positions along the conveyor frame. The rollers support the objects on the roller conveyor and rotate to convey the objects in the downstream direction.

[0006] Roller conveyors include passive roller conveyors and active conveyors. Passive roller conveyors use the gravity or momentum of the objects to move the objects across the rollers of the roller conveyor. Active roller conveyors use a drive (such as an electric motor coupled to a rotatable drive member) to rotate the rollers of the roller conveyor and push the objects in the downstream direction along the rollers. For example, a roller conveyor can have rollers, a drive (such as a drive belt) in contact with the rollers, and the rotatable drive member is a drive roller that engages the drive belt and moves the drive belt to cause the corresponding rotation of the rollers. As another example, a roller conveyor can include rollers having sprockets, a chain that engages the sprockets, and the rotatable drive member is a drive sprocket that moves the chain to cause the rotation of the rollers.

[0007] Some other roller conveyors have rollers and a drive member such as an O - ring that engages in a groove of the roller to transfer rotation from one roller to an adjacent roller. The O - ring extends around the roller in the groove of the roller and has an upper section and a lower section that extend across the gap between adjacent rollers. The area where the O - ring of the roller conveyor enters the groove of the roller creates a potential pinch point, which can be dangerous to workers. For example, when a worker attempts to remove an object stuck on the roller conveyor, the worker's glove may get caught between the O - ring and the roller.

[0008] In addition, an article may fall through one of the gaps between the rollers and into the area below. An object falling through the gap between the rollers may damage the underlying structure, such as the drive pulley that drives the rollers. As another example, a part of an object (such as a corner of a box) may become stuck in the gap between the rollers. These situations may have an adverse effect on the operation of the roller conveyor and nearby machinery. SUMMARY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gap blocker for a roller conveyor having an upstream roller and a downstream roller for conveying an object in a downstream longitudinal direction, and a gap between the upstream roller and the downstream roller. The gap blocker includes a body configured to be supported in the gap by the upstream roller and the downstream roller as the upstream roller and the downstream roller rotate during operation of the roller conveyor. The body has an upper blocking portion to prevent an object from falling through the gap. The body includes a plurality of laterally spaced apart upstream lower members having laterally aligned upstream lower free end portions located below the narrowest portion of the gap for holding the body in the gap. At least one of the upstream lower free end portions has an upstream recess portion that is higher than the lowermost end of one of the other laterally aligned upstream lower free end portions to provide clearance for a drive member. The body also includes a plurality of laterally spaced apart downstream lower members having laterally aligned downstream lower free end portions located below the narrowest portion of the gap for holding the body in the gap. At least one of the downstream lower free end portions has a downstream recess portion that is higher than the lowermost end of one of the other laterally aligned downstream lower free end portions to provide clearance for a drive member. In this way, the upstream recess portions and the downstream recess portions of the upstream free end portions and the downstream free end portions provide clearance for the drive member while allowing the upstream lower members and the downstream lower members to hold the gap blocker in the gap.

[0010] Further, during installation of the gap blocker in the gap, the laterally aligned upstream free end portions and the laterally aligned downstream free end portions allow the gap blocker to slide or otherwise move laterally between multiple lateral positions along the upstream roller and the downstream roller. Thus, the laterally aligned upstream free end portions and the laterally aligned downstream free end portions can slide along or be spaced apart from the upstream roller and the downstream roller to facilitate positioning the gap blocker at a desired lateral position along the upstream roller and the downstream roller, rather than being restricted to installation at a single lateral position along the upstream roller and the downstream roller.

[0011] The present disclosure also provides a gap blocker for a roller conveyor. The gap blocker of the roller conveyor has a body that is configured to be supported in a gap between an upstream roller and a downstream roller when the upstream roller and the downstream roller rotate during operation of the roller conveyor. The body includes an upper blocking portion of the body that is located above the narrowest portion of the gap and prevents objects from falling through the gap. The body also includes an upstream lower member and a downstream lower member having an upstream lower end portion and a downstream lower end portion that are located below the narrowest portion of the gap for holding the body in the gap. The body further includes a laterally offset member that depends from the upper blocking portion and has a lower free end portion. The laterally offset member also includes a removable portion that extends laterally from the lower free end portion for contacting a member of the roller conveyor that extends longitudinally between the rollers. If the laterally offset member of the gap blocker is to be positioned near a member of the roller conveyor, an installer can leave the removable portion connected to the lower free end portion of the laterally offset member. Alternatively, if the laterally offset member of the gap blocker is to be positioned near another gap blocker, the installer can remove the removable portion.

[0012] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a retainer for a gap blocker of a roller conveyor having an upstream roller and a downstream roller that are rotatable to convey an object across a gap between the upstream roller and the downstream roller in a downstream longitudinal direction. The retainer includes a mounting portion located laterally outside of the gap and an engagement member that extends laterally from the mounting portion into the gap. The retainer also includes a stop portion of the engagement member that is configured to extend longitudinally into a laterally extending space between legs of the gap blocker and limit lateral movement of the gap blocker in the gap. In this way, the retainer engages a lateral spacing between the legs of the gap blocker to hold the gap blocker in a desired lateral position in the gap. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a roller conveyor having rollers, O-rings facilitating rotation of the rollers, and a gap blocker in a gap between the rollers;

[0014] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a front perspective view of one of the gap blockers in

[0015] Figure 3 is along Figure 1A sectional view taken along line 3-3 in [FIGURE REFERENCE] shows the upper and lower segments of the O-ring extending above and below the gap blocker of the roller conveyor;

[0016] Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along Figure 1 line 4-4 in [FIGURE REFERENCE], showing the central short leg portion of the gap blocker for forming a clearance area for the lower segment of the O-ring;

[0017] Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along Figure 1 line 5-5 in [FIGURE REFERENCE], showing the upstream leg portion of the gap blocker that is fully spaced apart from the upstream roller;

[0018] Figure 6 is Figure 2 a rear view of the gap blocker of [FIGURE REFERENCE];

[0019] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a bottom perspective view of the gap blocker of [FIGURE REFERENCE], showing the longitudinal support wall connecting the pair of longitudinally aligned upstream and downstream leg portions of the gap blocker;

[0020] Figure 8 is Figure 2 a bottom plan view of the gap blocker of [FIGURE REFERENCE], showing the narrow portion of the upper blocking part of the gap blocker, which provides a barbell-shaped profile of the outer periphery of the blocking part;

[0021] Figure 9 is Figure 2 an end view of the gap blocker of [FIGURE REFERENCE], showing the shorter end support end wall and the adjacent higher middle support wall;

[0022] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the gap blocker having notched legs and upper recesses for providing clearance for the upper and lower segments of the O-ring;

[0023] Figure 11 is an end perspective view of another gap blocker having a removable part for initially spacing the gap blocker from the conveyor structure by a predetermined lateral distance;

[0024] Figure 12 is Figure 11 a front view of the gap blocker of [FIGURE REFERENCE], showing the removable part laterally protruding from the elastic arm of the gap blocker;

[0025] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a roller conveyor having rollers, a gap blocker in the gap between the rollers, and a retainer for holding the gap blocker in a predetermined lateral position along the rollers;

[0026] Figure 14 is similar toFigure 13 Perspective view showing the downstream roller and the gap blocker removed to show the pair of resilient arms of the retainer that engage the upstream and downstream legs of the gap blocker;

[0027] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 in Figure 13 showing one of the resilient arms of the retainer that maintains a predetermined lateral distance between the gap blocker and the skirt of the roller;

[0028] Figure 16 is Figure 13 a perspective view of the retainer in

[0029] Figure 17 - 19 showing the pair of resilient arms for engaging the gap blocker and the saddle portion of the retainer for seating on the shaft of the roller; Figure 13 is a series of bottom views of a portion of the roller conveyor in showing one of the gap blockers being laterally moved to snap the arms of the retainer into engagement with the upstream leg and downstream foot of the gap blocker. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] With respect to Figure 1 , the roller conveyor 10 has a stationary conveyor frame 12 including longitudinally extending side frame members 14, 16, and laterally extending rollers 18 rotatably mounted thereon. Each roller 18 is rotatable about its respective axis 20A in the rotational direction 20 to convey an object 17 in the downstream longitudinal direction 22 while the side frame members 14, 16 remain stationary. The roller conveyor 10 includes one or more drive members (such as an O-ring 24) that interconnect the rollers 18 to transfer rotation between the rollers 18.

[0031] The roller conveyor 10 includes a gap blocker 59 sized to fit the gap 27 between the rollers 18. The gap blocker 59 is supported in the gap 27 by the rollers 18. When the rollers 18 rotate, the gap blocker 59 is in sliding contact with the rollers 18. When the gap blocker 59 is supported in the gap 27, the gap blocker 59 each has an upstream outer portion 23 and a downstream outer portion 25, the upstream outer portion 23 and the downstream outer portion 25 being disposed near the respective upstream roller 18 and downstream roller 18 to prevent an object (such as a worker's glove) from entering the pinch point between the roller 18 and the O-ring 24 extending around the upstream roller 18 and downstream roller 18. In addition, when the gap blocker 59 is supported in the gap 27, the gap blocker 59 is sized and configured such that the upper surface 21 of the gap blocker 59 is positioned to limit the distance that the conveyed object extends downward into the gap 27. Thus, the gap blocker 59 can prevent an object from wedging between the rollers 18 or falling from the gap 27. Figure 1The roller conveyor 10 therein shows that each gap 27 has a gap blocker 59, but two or more gap blockers 59 can be installed in each gap 27 (such as in a side-by-side direction).

[0032] The roller 18 includes the roller 41 and the adjacent downstream roller 49 at the upstream end of the roller conveyor 10. The drive motor can be connected to an O-ring that engages with the groove 39 of the roller 41, such that the operation of the motor causes the roller 41 to rotate in the rotational direction 20. The O-ring 24 includes an O-ring 45 that engages in the groove 43 of the roller 41 and engages in the groove 47 of the roller 49. The rotation of the roller 41 in the direction 20 causes the movement of the O-ring 45, which in turn causes the roller 49 to rotate in the direction 20. Thus, during the operation of the roller conveyor 10, the roller 18 rotates and the O-ring 24 travels between the grooves of the roller 18, while the conveyor frame 12 including the side frame members 14, 16 remains stationary. The O-ring can be made of a polymeric material, such as rubber or an elastic material.

[0033] Now referring to Figure 1 the downstream end of the roller conveyor 10 therein, the roller 18 includes the rollers 30, 32, 34, and the gap 27 includes the gaps 36, 38 between the rollers 30, 32, 34. The O-ring 24 includes the O-rings 40, 42, 44, which engage in the grooves 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 of the respective rollers 30, 32, 34. The gap blocker 59 includes a gap blocker 60 in the gap 38 between the rollers 32, 34. The gap blocker 60 will be discussed below, but the remaining gap blockers 59 of the roller conveyor 10 are similar to the gap blocker 60.

[0034] Regarding Figure 2 , the gap blocker 60 has a body 62, the upper portion 280 of which includes an upper blocking portion 64. The body 62 has a lower portion 284, which includes an upstream leg 66 and a downstream leg 68. The body 62 also includes a laterally offset member, such as elastic arms 70, 71. In some embodiments, the upstream leg 66 and the downstream leg 68 are elastic to allow one or more of the upstream leg 66 and the downstream leg 68 to deflect to facilitate the advancement of the upstream leg 66 and the downstream leg 68 into the gap 38. The gap blocker 60 is in some respects similar to the gap blocker described in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 117,076, filed on March 3, 2023, the entire text of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0035] The upper part 280 and the lower part 284 of the body respectively include an upper recess 72 and a lower recess 112. The recesses 72, 112 are configured to provide clearance for the O-ring 24. The gap blocker 60 can be installed in one of the gaps 27 such that the upper recess 72 and the lower recess 112 are located above and below the upper and lower segments of the O-ring 24 respectively. In this way, the gap blocker 60 provides clearance for the O-ring 24 and operates to block the gap 27 and limit the pinch point between the upper segment of the relevant O-ring 24 and the roller 18.

[0036] More specifically, the upper blocking portion 64 includes a wide upper channel or recess 72 that provides clearance for the upper segment of one of the plurality of O-rings 24, and the upper blocking portion 64 includes raised portions 74, 76 on either side of the upper recess 72. The upper surface 21 has a stepped profile that includes upper surface portions 84, 86 of the raised portions 74, 76; a lowered recessed surface portion 80; and transitional surface portions 88, 90 that connect the recessed surface portion 80 and the upper surface portions 84, 86. The gap blocker 60 is symmetric about a central longitudinal plane that extends through the axis 89 and is orthogonal to the recessed surface portion 80 such that the upper recess 72 is located at the center of the gap blocker 60. The centered upper recess 72 improves the installation convenience of the gap blocker 60 because regardless of which outer portions 23, 25 are positioned adjacent to the roller 32 (see Figure 1 ), the wide upper recess 72 can align with the upper segment 170 of the O-ring 44 (see Figure 4 ) and maintain clearance.

[0037] Regarding Figure 2 , the upstream leg 66 includes upstream end legs 100, 102, upstream intermediate legs 104, 106, and upstream transition legs 108, 110. The upstream intermediate legs 104, 106 and the upstream transition legs 108, 110 form a recess 112 for receiving the lower segment 174 of the O-ring 44 (see Figure 4 ). The widths of the upper recess 72 and the lower recess 112 are sufficient to accommodate some lateral deviation between the gap blocker 60 and the upper segment 170 and the lower segment 174 of the O-ring 24 while maintaining the ability of the gap blocker 60 to obstruct the pinch point between the upper segment 170 and the groove 58 of the roller 34 (see Figure 4 ).

[0038] As Figure 5 shown, the distal portions 120, 122 of the upstream end legs 100, 102 have downwardly extending feet 124, 126. Returning to Figure 2, each of the upstream transition legs 108, 106 has a notch profile 130 with cut-off portions 132, 134 and recessed portions 136, 138. The recessed portions 136, 138 have surface portions 140, 142 that can contact the roller 32 to limit the movement of the gap blocker 60 in the gap 38 (e.g., the wobbling or lifting of the outer portion 23), while the notch profile 130 provides additional clearance for the lower segment 174 of the O-ring 44. The recessed portions 136, 138 are recessed above the lowermost ends of the other upstream legs 66.

[0039] Regarding Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the upstream intermediate legs 104, 106 have surface portions 150, 152 that occasionally contact the roller 32 to limit the movement of the gap blocker 60 and are normally spaced from the roller 32 during the operation of the roller conveyor 10. The intermediate legs 104, 106 are shorter than the upstream end legs 100, 102 to provide additional clearance for the lower segment 174 of the O-ring 44.

[0040] Regarding Figure 3 , the upper segment 170 of the O-ring 44 is spaced a distance 172 above the recessed surface portion 80, and the lower segment 174 is spaced a distance 176 below the distal portions 180, 188 of the upstream intermediate legs 104, 106. The upper recess 72 has a width 186 that is wider than the maximum groove width 188D of the grooves 54, 56 along the roller 32. The maximum groove width 188D is the distance between the side surface portion 188A of the groove 54 closest to the side frame member 14 and the side surface portion 188B of the groove 56 farthest from the side frame member 14. The maximum groove width 188D encompasses the maximum width that the O-rings 44, 42 can occupy along the roller 32. Each of the grooves 54, 56 includes an annular concave surface 189 whose curvature is configured to position the O-rings 44, 46 at the center of the grooves 54, 56. As Figure 3 shown, the O-ring 44 has an upper surface portion 153 and a lower surface portion 155 that are substantially flush with the cylindrical outer surface 242 of the roller 32.

[0041] The clearance region or lower recess 112 also has a width 200 located between the side surface portions 202, 204 of the truncated portions 124, 134, which width is wider than the maximum groove width 188. In this way, the widths of the upper channel or recess 72 and the lower clearance region or recess 112 are sufficient to provide clearance for the O-rings in either groove 54, 56. The aligned wide upper recess 72 and lower recess 112 improve the ease of installation because the clearance blocker 60 can be positioned in the clearance 38 while the O-ring 44 engages in the grooves 54, 58, or positioned in the clearance 36 while the O-ring 42 engages in the grooves 52, 56, and the grooves 52, 56 are laterally offset from the grooves 43, 56 by a lateral spacing 188C. Additionally, the intermediate legs 106, 104 respectively overlap laterally with the grooves 54, 56 to provide a vertical spacing 208 between the distal portion 180 and the lower section 174, as Figure 3 shown. The recessed portions 136, 138 of the upstream transition legs 108, 110 are similarly configured to provide substantially the same vertical spacing between the recessed portions 136, 138 and the lower section of the O-ring in the case where the clearance blocker 60 moves laterally far enough during operation (or installation), such that either upstream transition leg 108, 110 is aligned with the lower section of the O-ring.

[0042] Regarding Figure 3 , the roller conveyor 10 shown includes a retainer 191 that is configured to interfere with the resilient arm 70 of the clearance blocker 60, so the retainer 191 can contact the resilient arm 70 and limit the lateral movement of the clearance blocker 60 in the clearance 38 in the direction 195. The side frame member 14 is positioned to contact the clearance blocker 60 and limit the lateral movement of the clearance blocker 60 in the direction 193. In this way, the clearance blocker 60 is held in a predetermined lateral position or region along the rollers 32, 34 such that the upper recess 72 is aligned with the upper section 170 of the O-ring 44 and the lower recess 112 is aligned with the lower section 174 of the O-ring 44. In another embodiment, the retainer 191 has surfaces on either side of the resilient arm 70 to contact the resilient arm 70 and limit the lateral movement of the clearance blocker 60 in the directions 193, 195.

[0043] In other embodiments, the retainer 191 may not be used. For example, the roller conveyor 10 may have such a lateral width that three gap blockers 60 fit tightly side by side in the gap 38. In this case, the gap blockers 60 and the side frame members 14, 16 limit the lateral movement of each gap blocker 60 in the gap 38. The resilient arms 70, 71 of the gap blocker 60 in the gap 38 are deflected by the respective resilient arms 70, 71 of the adjacent gap blockers 60 and the side frame member 14. The deflected resilient arms 70, 71 react to this deflection by elastically pushing the gap blockers 60 away from each other and away from the side frame member 14 to provide a similar lateral spacing between each gap blocker 60 in the gap 38. As another example, a single gap blocker 60 may be installed in the gap 38, where the gap blocker 60 includes protrusions that engage in one or more grooves of the rollers 32, 34 to limit the lateral movement of the gap blocker along the rollers 32, 34. In yet another example, a single gap blocker 60 may be provided in the gap 38, and the cylindrical outer surfaces 242, 240 (see Figure 4 ) of the rollers 32, 34 are accurate enough and free of defects such that the sliding contact between the cylindrical outer surfaces 242, 240 holds the gap blocker 60 in a predetermined lateral position along the rollers 32, 34, such as Figure 1 the position of the gap blocker 60 in

[0044] Regarding Figure 9 , in one embodiment, the gap blocker 60 is symmetric about a plane that extends vertically and centrally laterally as indicated by the axis 230. Regarding Figure 6 , the downstream leg 68 is the same as the corresponding upstream leg 66 and includes downstream end legs 100A, 102A, transition legs 108A, 110A, and downstream intermediate legs 104A, 106A. The downstream leg 68 is similar to the upstream leg 66 to facilitate positioning either the upstream leg 66 or the downstream leg 68 near the roller 32, which improves the convenience of installing the gap blocker 60 in the gap 38, as described above.

[0045] Regarding Figure 4 , the upstream intermediate leg 106 has a distal portion 180 that is spaced from the cylindrical outer surface 242 of the roller 32 during the operation of the roller conveyor 10. However, during the operation of the roller conveyor 10, the outer surface portion 150 of the distal portion 180 may occasionally contact the roller 32 to cause the gap blocker 60 to move upward or clockwise (when in Figure 4When observed in the middle), the movement is stopped or otherwise restricted. The downstream intermediate leg 106A has a distal portion 180A that can contact the cylindrical outer surface 240 of the roller 34 during the operation of the roller conveyor 10. This is because during the operation of the conveyor, the rotational force on the gap blocker 60 (especially the outer portions 23, 25) tends to cause a slight inclination of the gap blocker 60 in the gap.

[0046] The short upstream intermediate leg 104 and the short downstream intermediate leg 104A form vertical clearance intervals 248, 249 with a spacing of 250, 252 between the distal portions 180, 180A and the lower segment 174 of the O-ring 44. The upstream intermediate leg 106 and the downstream intermediate leg 106A, as well as the recessed portions 136, 138 of the legs 108, 108A, 110, 110A form similar vertical clearance intervals.

[0047] During the operation of the roller conveyor 10, due to the inclination of the gap blocker 60 in the gap 38, the spacing 250 may be greater than the spacing 252. However, the two distal portions 180, 180A have sufficient spacing from the lower segment 174 of the O-ring 44 to accommodate the movement of the gap blocker 60 (e.g., the change in inclination of the gap blocker 60) and / or the movement of the O-ring 44 (e.g., the up-and-down movement of the lower segment 174 due to vibration) during the operation of the roller conveyor 10.

[0048] Continue to refer to Figure 4 , the short upstream intermediate legs 106, 108 and the short downstream intermediate legs 106A, 108B and the recessed portions 136, 138 of the legs 108, 108A, 110, 110A form the upper plane 251 of the lower recess 112. The lower recess 112 has an upper boundary located at the upper plane 251 and is laterally bounded by the side surface portions 202, 204 of the legs 110, 110A and 108, 108A (see Figure 3 ). In this way, the gap blocker 60 has an upper channel formed in the material of the upper blocking portion 64 through the recess 72 (see Figure 2 ), while the gap blocker 60 has a lower channel formed in the material of the lower portion 284 through the distal ends of the legs 104, 104A, 106, 106A, 108, 108A, 110, 110A. The vertically matching channels or recesses 72, 112 facilitate the longitudinal travel of an elongate object (such as a chain or a segment of an O-ring) relative to the gap blocker 60.

[0049] Regarding Figure 5, the upper portion 280 of the gap blocker 60 is located above the narrowest portion 282 of the gap 38, the lower portion 284 is located below the narrowest portion of the gap 38, and the middle portion 286 extends within the narrowest portion 282 of the gap 38. In one embodiment, the upstream leg 66 and the downstream leg 68 are elastic and allow an installer to deflect one or more of the upstream leg 66 and the downstream leg 68 to temporarily reduce the longitudinal spacing between the legs 66, 88 and facilitate the downward advancement of the gap blocker 60 in the direction 290 into the gap 38. Once the lower end portions 295, 297 of the legs 66, 68 have been advanced downward below the narrowest portion 282 of the gap 38, the installer releases the deflected one or more legs 66, 68, and the deflected one or more legs 66, 68 elastically return to their undeflected configuration.

[0050] During typical operation of the roller conveyor 10, the upstream leg 66, which includes the upstream intermediate legs 104, 106, will not deflect, and the lower end portion 295 is spaced from the cylindrical outer surface 242 of the roller 32, as Figure 5 shown. The downstream leg 68, which includes the intermediate legs 104A, 106A, will not deflect or will deflect slightly or minimally, and the lower end portion 297 of the downstream leg 68 is in occasional or continuous sliding contact with the cylindrical outer surface 242 of the roller 32, depending on the condition of the cylindrical outer surface 242 of the roller 32. For example, the cylindrical outer surface 242 may have a local defect that contacts one or more of the downstream legs 68 with each rotation of the roller 32.

[0051] As Figure 5 shown, when the gap blocker 60 is installed in the gap 38, the lower end portions 295, 297 have a maximum width 300 (see Figure 9 ), which is greater than the minimum width 302 of the gap 38 at the narrowest portion 282 of the gap 38. When the lower end portions 295, 297 have the maximum width 300, the lower end portions 295, 297 have a longitudinal spacing 301 therebetween. Regarding Figure 9 , the upstream leg 66 and the downstream leg 68 have outer surfaces 310, 312, and the longitudinal spacing 314 between the outer surfaces 310, 312 is less than the minimum longitudinal gap spacing or width 302 of the gap 38. In this way, the gap blocker 60 has an upstream recessed region 311 and a downstream recessed region 313, between which portions of the rollers 32, 34 are received, more specifically, generally below the suspended outer portions 23, 25 and generally above the outwardly extending lower end portions 295, 297. The upper portion 280 and the lower portion 284 can contact the rollers 32, 34 to hold the gap blocker 60 in the gap 38.

[0052] RegardingFigure 6 , the gap blocker has a lateral spacing between laterally adjacent upstream legs 66 and between downstream legs 68, such as the formed closed-end slots 330. Each closed-end slot 330 is defined between the side surfaces 332, 334 of adjacent legs 102A, 110A and the flat surface 336, which terminates the slot 330 at its upper end while the lower end of the slot is open. Regarding Figure 8 , the gap blocker has longitudinally aligned pairs of legs 66, 68, including legs 102, 102A, 110, 110A, 106, 106A, 104, 104A, 108, 108A, and 100, 100A. There are longitudinal spacings 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360 between the longitudinally aligned pairs of legs 66, 68. In this way, each downstream leg 68 is laterally spaced from other adjacent downstream legs 68 and longitudinally spaced from the longitudinally aligned upstream legs 66. The spacing between the upstream legs 66 and the downstream legs 68 allows each upstream leg 66 and downstream leg 68 to bend independently to accommodate deviations in the cylindrical outer surfaces 240, 242 of the rollers 32, 34 and to deflect individually during installation of the gap blocker 60 in the gap 38.

[0053] Regarding Figure 9 , the upper blocking portion 64 includes an upper upstream contact portion 400 for sliding contact with the roller 32 and a downstream contact portion 402 for sliding contact with the roller 34 when the rollers 32, 34 rotate. The upper upstream contact portion 400 includes an upper inclined surface portion 404, a lower inclined surface portion 406, and a junction 408 therebetween. Similarly, the downstream portion 402 includes an upper inclined surface portion 410, a lower inclined surface portion 412, and a junction 414 therebetween. As Figure 5 shown, the lower inclined surface portions 406, 412 are configured such that they can closely lean against either roller 32, 34, depending on which roller 32, 34 the inclined surface portions 406, 412 are positioned against. The junctions 408, 414 are adjacent to the cylindrical outer surfaces 240, 242 of the rollers 32, 34 to limit objects from wedging under the upper blocking portion 64 of the gap blocker 60. Since the lower inclined surface portions 406, 412 extend inwardly away from the junctions 408, 414, the lower inclined surface portions 406, 412 minimize the contact area between the upper upstream contact portion 400 and the downstream contact portion 402 and the rollers 32, 34 by providing a slightly undercut that forms a gap spacing between the lower inclined surface portions 406, 412.

[0054] Regarding Figure 7, the upper upstream contact portions 400 include upper upstream contact portions 400A, 400B on either side of the upper recess 72. The upper blocking portion 64 has a recessed inclined surface portion 431 which is located between the upstream contact portions 400A, 400B and is recessed inwardly from the upstream contact portions 400A, 400B, and when the gap blocker 60 is located in the gap 38, the recessed inclined surface portion 431 is lower than the lower surface portion 406 (see Figure 4 ). When the gap blocker 60 is located in the gap 38, the upper blocking portion 64 similarly has a recessed inclined surface portion 430 which is located below the lower surface portion 412. The recessed inclined surface portions 431, 430 are positioned lower than the lower surface portions 406, 412 to maintain a clearance with the rollers 32, 34, so that the recessed inclined lower surface portions 431, 430 can extend across the grooves 54, 56, 58, 59A below the upper section 170 of the O-ring 44 and prevent access to the pinch point between the upper end 170 and the groove 58, or prohibit access to the pinch point between the upper section 170 and the groove 54 if the roller 18 rotates in the direction 20B. During the rotation of the rollers 32, 34, the recessed inclined surface portion 430 is spaced apart from or intermittently in sliding contact with the cylindrical outer surface 240 of the roller 34, which prevents the recessed inclined surface portion 430 from drilling into the cylindrical outer surface 242.

[0055] Regarding Figure 7 , the upper upstream contact portions 400 and the upper and downstream contact portions 402 may each have a crenellated profile for contacting the rollers 32, 34, including recesses 460, 462 on either side of the associated longitudinal rib 464 on the bottom side of the upper blocking portion 64 of the gap blocker 60. The crenellated profile reduces the surface area of the upper upstream contact portions 400 and the upper and downstream contact portions 402 in contact with the rollers 32, 34, thereby reducing the frictional resistance of the gap blocker 60 to the rotation of the rollers 32, 34. The upstream contact portion 400 and the downstream contact portion 402 are located at the upstream end and the downstream end of the gap blocker 60, to the small contact areas between the gap blocker 60 and the rollers 34, 34, while the upper blocking portion 64 spans between the small contact areas to block the gap 38.

[0056] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the gap blocker 60 includes longitudinal support walls 480, 482, 484 for connecting the base portions 486 of the longitudinally aligned pairs of upstream legs 66 and downstream legs 68 to each other. The walls 480, 482, 484 strengthen the upper part or half of the gap blocker 60 while being short enough so that the upstream legs 66 and the downstream legs 68 can still deflect, especially at their lower parts, as described above.

[0057] In one embodiment, the gap blocker 60 has a single integral structure and can be made of a polymeric material such as ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene or other plastics, which have a low coefficient of friction to achieve low friction contact with the roller 18. The gap blocker 60 can be formed using, for example, injection molding, extrusion, roll forming, subtractive manufacturing processes, or additive manufacturing processes. The gap blocker 60 can be made of two or more components. For example, a gap blocker according to the present disclosure can be formed by bending a metal sheet into a body and using a plastic pad on the metal sheet. The plastic pad is used to provide a reduced coefficient of friction between the gap blocker 60 and the roller 18.

[0058] Regarding Figure 10 , the provided gap blocker 500 is similar to the gap blocker 60 discussed above in many respects. One difference is that the gap blocker 500 is asymmetric about the central longitudinal axis 502 of the gap blocker 500. More specifically, the gap blocker 500 has a body 508 with an upstream leg 504 and a downstream leg 506. The gap blocker 500 has a first half 510 and a second half 512 located on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis 502. The upstream leg 504 and the downstream leg 506 of the half 512 include a longer leg 520, a shorter leg 522, and an intermediate leg 524 having a notched profile 526. The half 512 has an upper recess 530 formed in the upper blocking portion 531 of the body 508 and a lower recess 532 formed by the intermediate leg 524 and the shorter leg 522. The upper recess 530 and the lower recess 532 provide clearance for the upper and lower portions (e.g., the upper and lower portions of an O-ring) of one or more drive members.

[0059] Regarding Figure 11 , the illustrated gap blocker 600 is similar to the gap blocker 60 discussed above in many respects. The gap blocker 600 includes a body 602 having an upper blocking portion 604, an upstream leg 606, a downstream leg 608, and an elastic arm 610. The gap blocker 600 has a removable portion 612 with a stop surface 614 for contacting one of the roller conveyor structures (such as the frame side members 14 and 16 (see Figure 1 )) to maintain a predetermined lateral distance 660 (see Figure 12 ) between the lateral side portion 616 of the gap blocker 600 and the roller conveyor structure. The removable portion 612 projects a lateral distance 650 from the contact surface 642 of the lower free end portion 630 of the elastic arm 610 such that there is a distance 660 between the lateral side portion 616 of the upper blocking portion 604 and the roller conveyor structure contacting the stop surface 614. The predetermined distance 660 prevents the formation of a narrow gap between the lateral side portion 616 of the gap blocker 600 and the roller conveyor structure that could jam an object being conveyed by the roller conveyor.

[0060] In one embodiment, the gap blocker 600 has a second resilient arm at a lateral side portion of the gap blocker 600 that is opposite the lateral side portion 616. The second resilient arm has a removable portion that is vertically offset from the removable portion 612 such that if the removable portion of the gap blocker is not removed prior to the gap blocker being installed in the roller conveyor gap, the same adjacent gap blocker has a small lateral spacing from the gap blocker 600. More specifically, referring to Figure 12 , it is shown that the resilient arm 643 of an adjacent identical gap blocker has a removable portion 645 that is located above the removable portion 612 of the gap blocker 600. The removable portion 645 abuts against the upper surface 647 of the resilient arm 610, while the removable portion 612 abuts against the lower surface 649 of the resilient arm 643.

[0061] Referring to Figure 12 , the removable portion 612 has a base portion 620 that is connected to the contact surface 642 of the resilient arm 610. The base portion 620 can be cut (such as using wire cutters) to separate the removable portion 612 from the free end portion 630 of the resilient arm 610. The removable portion 612 projects perpendicularly from the flat contact surface 642 of the resilient arm 610. The flat contact surface 642 can include portions above and below the removable portion 612.

[0062] To separate the removable portion 612, an installer can place the cutting portion of the wire cutters against the contact surface 642 to position the cutting edge of the wire cutters above and below the base portion 620. The installer then squeezes the handles of the wire cutters together to cut the base portion 620.

[0063] In one embodiment, the base portion 620 includes a frangible portion (such as a score line, a reduced thickness portion, and / or one or more through holes) to facilitate separation of the removable portion 612 from the resilient arm 610.

[0064] Once the removable portion 612 is separated from the resilient arm 610, the contact surface 642 is ready to contact the resilient arm of an adjacent gap blocker. In this way, if the gap blocker 600 is to be positioned such that the resilient arm 610 contacts the resilient arm of an adjacent gap blocker from which the corresponding removable portion has been removed, the installer can remove the removable portion 612. The engagement between the contact surface 642 of the resilient arm 610 and the corresponding contact surfaces of the other gap blockers allows the upper blocking portions 604 of the gap blockers to be closely adjacent to each other with a minimum lateral spacing therebetween.

[0065] Regarding Figure 13, the provided roller conveyor 700 is similar in many respects to the roller conveyor 10 discussed above. The roller conveyor 700 includes rollers 702, 704, 706, 708 rotatably mounted to a structure such as a longitudinally extending side frame member 710 of the roller conveyor 700. The roller conveyor 700 includes gaps 720, 722, 724 between the rollers 702, 704, 706 and gap blockers 725 (such as gap blockers 726, 728, 730) in the gaps 720, 722, 724. The rollers 702, 704, 706 are rotatable in the direction 736 to convey an object in the downstream longitudinal direction 738.

[0066] Regarding Figure 14 , a roller conveyor 700 is shown, in which the roller 708 and the gap blocker 730 are removed to show a retainer 740 of the roller conveyor 700. The retainer 740 includes a mounting portion 742 configured to be mounted to one or more stationary portions of the roller conveyor 700; and an engagement member 744 to space the gap blocker 730 from the side frame member 710 by a predetermined lateral distance and to prevent movement of the gap blocker 730 in the directions 750, 752, as Figure 13 shown. In one embodiment, the engagement member 744 includes arm portions 760, 762 having recesses 764, 766 (see Figure 4 ) for receiving an upstream leg 770 and a downstream leg 772 of the gap blocker 730 (see Figure 17 - Figure 19 ).

[0067] Regarding Figure 15, when the upstream leg 770 and the downstream leg 772 of the gap blocker 730 engage with the arm portions 760, 762, there is a lateral spacing 780 between the lateral side portion 782 of the gap blocker 730 and the lateral inner surface 784 of the side frame member 710. In one example, the lateral side portion 782 includes an elastic arm 790 having a lateral side surface 792 that is spaced from the skirt surface 784 by a distance 796. The roller 706 has a lateral side surface 800 that is spaced from the skirt surface 784 by a distance 802 that is a distance 804. The distance 796 is greater than the distance 804. Due to the larger lateral spacing between the gap blocker 730 and the side frame member 710, the exposed surface portion 810 of the cylindrical outer surface 812 of the roller 706 extends laterally between the lateral side portion 782 of the gap blocker 730 and the side frame member 710. Thus, any object entering the lateral spacing 780 between the gap blocker 730 and the side frame member 710 will contact the surface portion 810 of the rotating roller 706 and be guided upwardly out of the lateral spacing 780. In this way, the retainer 740 prevents the gap blocker 730 from being positioned too close to the side frame member 710 and forming a narrow gap therebetween that could provide a pinch point for an object traveling along the roller conveyor 700.

[0068] Regarding Figure 16 , the retainer 740 includes similar engaging members 744, 740A, 740B that project laterally from the mounting portion 742 of the retainer 740 into the gaps 724, 722, 720. The following discussion will describe the engaging member 744, but is also applicable to the engaging members 744A, 744B.

[0069] The engaging member 744 includes elastic arm portions 760, 762 that are spaced apart by a longitudinal spacing 830. The arm portions 760, 762 include protrusions 832, 834 and 836, 838 that define a part of the recesses 764, 766. The mounting portion 742 includes a flat plate portion 850 having a thickness less than the distance 804 (see Figure 15 ), such that the flat plate portion 850 can be fitted into the spacing 802 between the side frame member 710 and the lateral side surfaces 800 of the rollers 704, 706. The retainer 740 has saddles 859, 861, such as curved portions 860, 862 that rest on the shafts 864 of the rollers 704, 706 (see Figure 15 ).

[0070] To install the retainer 740, before positioning the gap blockers 726, 728, 730 in the gaps 720, 722, 724, the retainer 740 is first lowered in the direction 890 (see Figure 14) The bent portions 860, 862 are mounted on the shaft 864. The retainer 740 is restricted from lateral movement by a portion of the shaft 864, such as an enlarged diameter portion of the shaft 864, and the side frame member 710. One or more fasteners, snap connections, or other methods may be used to further secure the retainer 740 to the side frame member 710.

[0071] Regarding Figure 17 - Figure 19 , the process of connecting the gap blocker 730 to the retainer 740 will be described, but a similar method can also be used for the other gap blockers 726, 728. Initially, once the retainer 740 has been positioned on the shaft 864, the gap blocker 730 is positioned in the gap 706 offset laterally from the retainer 740 in the direction 752 (see Figure 13 ).

[0072] Next, the gap blocker 730 is moved towards the retainer 740 in the lateral direction 750. The protrusions 834, 838 have tapered surfaces 902, 904 (see Figure 18 ), which engage the side surfaces 906, 908 of the legs 772, 770, as Figure 18 shown. The installer continues to advance the gap blocker 730 in the direction 750 and causes a cam - like engagement between the tapered surfaces 902, 904 and the side surfaces 906, 908, which will push or deflect the arm portions 760, 762 together in the directions 910, 912 and narrow the distance 914 between the arm portions 760, 762.

[0073] Regarding Figure 19 , the gap blocker 730 has been pushed in the direction 750 until the protrusions 834, 838 snap or elastically return apart in the directions 920, 922 and enter the recesses 924, 926 between the legs 772, 772A and the legs 770, 770A. When the legs 770, 772 are received in the recesses 764, 766, the side surfaces 906, 908 are positioned to contact the stop surfaces 940, 942 of the protrusions 832, 836 to limit further movement of the gap blocker 730 in the direction 750. Conversely, the legs 770, 772 have side surfaces 950, 952, which are positioned to contact the stop surfaces 954, 956 of the protrusions 834, 838 and limit the movement of the gap blocker 730 in the direction 752. In this way, the retainer 740 holds the gap blocker 730 in the proper position along the rollers 706, 708.

[0074] Unless otherwise specified herein or clearly contradicted by the context, the use of singular terms such as "a" and "an" is intended to cover both the singular and the plural. The terms "comprising", "having", "including", and "containing" shall be construed as open-ended terms. The phrase "at least one" as used herein is intended to be construed in a disjunctive sense. For example, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to cover A, B, or both A and B.

[0075] Although specific embodiments of the present utility model have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that those skilled in the art will envision many variations and modifications, and the present utility model is intended to cover all those variations and modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gap blocker for a roller conveyor, the roller conveyor having upstream rollers and downstream rollers for conveying an object in a downstream longitudinal direction, and a gap between the upstream rollers and the downstream rollers, the gap blocker comprising: a body configured to be supported in the gap by the upstream rollers and the downstream rollers when the upstream rollers and the downstream rollers rotate during operation of the roller conveyor; an upper blocking portion of the body for preventing an object from falling out of the gap; a plurality of laterally spaced upstream lower members of the body having laterally aligned upstream lower free end portions located below the narrowest portion of the gap for holding the body in the gap; wherein at least one of the upstream lower free end portions has an upstream recessed portion recessed above the lowermost end of one of the other laterally aligned upstream lower free end portions to provide clearance for a drive member; a plurality of laterally spaced downstream lower members of the body having laterally aligned downstream lower free end portions located below the narrowest portion of the gap for holding the body in the gap; and wherein at least one of the downstream lower free end portions has a downstream recessed portion recessed above the lowermost end of one of the other laterally aligned downstream lower free end portions to provide clearance for a drive member.

2. The gap blocker according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one upstream lower free end portion includes a plurality of upstream lower free end portions, and the upstream recessed portions of the plurality of upstream lower free end portions cooperate to form an upstream lower recessed portion of the upstream lower member to provide clearance for a lower portion of the drive member; and wherein the at least one downstream lower free end portion includes a plurality of downstream lower free end portions, and the downstream recessed portions of the plurality of downstream lower free end portions cooperate to form a downstream lower recessed portion of the downstream lower member to provide clearance for a lower portion of the drive member.

3. The clearance blocker according to claim 2, wherein, The upper blocking portion includes an upper recess to provide clearance for an upper portion of the drive member; the upper recess is located above and longitudinally aligned with the lower recesses of the upstream lower member and the downstream lower member.

4. The clearance blocker according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one upstream lower free end portion includes an upstream protrusion extending below the upstream recessed portion, the upstream protrusion having an upstream lowermost end flush with the lowermost end of one of the other laterally aligned upstream lower free end portions; and wherein the at least one downstream lower free end portion includes a downstream protrusion extending below the downstream recessed portion, the downstream protrusion having a downstream lowermost end flush with the lowermost end of one of the other laterally aligned downstream lower free end portions.

5. The gap blocker according to claim 1, wherein, The upstream recessed portion extends across the entire lateral width of the at least one upstream lower free end; and wherein the downstream recessed portion extends across the entire lateral width of at least one downstream lower free end.

6. The clearance blocker according to claim 1, wherein The at least one upstream lower free end portion has a notched profile; and wherein the at least one downstream lower free end portion has a notched profile.

7. The gap blocker according to claim 1, wherein The upstream lower member includes a pair of upstream lower members and an intermediate upstream lower member located between the pair of upstream lower members; and Wherein, the middle upstream lower member includes at least one upstream lower free end portion, and the upstream lower free end portion has an upstream recessed portion located above the lowermost end of the upstream lower free end portions of the pair of upstream lower members.

8. The clearance blocker according to claim 7, wherein, The downstream lower member includes a pair of downstream lower members and a middle downstream lower member located between the pair of upstream lower members; And Wherein, the middle downstream lower member includes at least one downstream lower free end portion, and the downstream lower free end portion has a downstream recessed portion located above the lowermost end of the downstream lower free end portions of the pair of downstream lower members.

9. The clearance blocker according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one upstream lower free end portion includes the upstream lower free end portions of a plurality of upstream lower members; and Wherein, the at least one downstream lower free end portion includes the downstream lower free end portions of a plurality of downstream lower members.

10. The gap blocker according to claim 1, wherein, The upstream lower member includes an upstream longer lower member, an upstream shorter lower member, and an upstream transitional lower member between the upstream longer lower member and the upstream shorter lower member; And Wherein, the at least one upstream lower free end portion includes the upstream lower free end portions of the upstream shorter lower member and the upstream transitional lower member; and Wherein, the upstream recessed portion of the upstream lower free end portions of the upstream shorter lower member and the upstream transitional lower member is located above the lowermost end of the upstream lower free end portion of the upstream longer lower member.

11. The clearance blocker according to claim 10, wherein, The downstream lower member includes a downstream longer lower member, a downstream shorter lower member, and a downstream transitional lower member between the downstream longer lower member and the downstream shorter lower member; And Wherein, the at least one downstream lower free end portion includes the downstream lower free end portions of the downstream shorter lower member and the downstream transitional lower member; and Wherein, the downstream recessed portion of the downstream lower free end portions of the downstream shorter lower member and the downstream transitional lower member is located above the lowermost end of the downstream lower free end portion of the downstream longer lower member.

12. The gap blocker according to claim 1, wherein the at least one upstream lower free end portion extends radially inwards relative to the upstream roller by no more than the upstream lower free end portion of another upstream lower member; and Among them, The at least one downstream lower free end portion extends radially inwards relative to the downstream roller by no more than the downstream lower free end portion of another downstream lower member.

13. The clearance blocker according to claim 1, wherein, The main body has a single integral structure.

14. The gap blocker according to claim 1, wherein, The upper blocking portion includes an upstream outer portion and a downstream outer portion, which are configured to slidably contact the upstream roller and the downstream roller when the upstream roller and the downstream roller rotate during the operation of the roller conveyor.

15. A conveying system, which includes the gap blocker according to claim 1 combined with a roller conveyor; Among them, The upstream roller includes an upstream outer cylindrical surface and an upstream groove located therein; Wherein, the downstream roller includes a downstream outer cylindrical surface and a downstream groove located therein; and Wherein, the driving member engages in the upstream groove and the downstream groove.

16. The conveying system according to claim 15, wherein, The gap blocker is located radially outside the upstream groove of the upstream roller and radially outside the downstream groove of the downstream roller.

17. A gap blocker for a roller conveyor, the roller conveyor having an upstream roller and a downstream roller for conveying an object in a downstream longitudinal direction, and a gap between the upstream roller and the downstream roller, the gap blocker comprising: a body configured to be supported in the gap by the upstream roller and the downstream roller when the upstream roller and the downstream roller rotate during operation of the roller conveyor; an upper blocking portion of the body positioned above the narrowest part of the gap and preventing an object from falling through the gap; an upstream lower member of the body having an upstream lower end portion positioned below the narrowest part of the gap to hold the body in the gap; a downstream lower member of the body having a downstream lower end portion positioned below the narrowest part of the gap to hold the body in the gap; a lateral biasing member of the body that overhangs from the upper blocking portion; a lower free end portion of the lateral biasing member; and a removable portion of the lateral biasing member that extends laterally from the lower free end portion of the lateral biasing member for contacting a member of the roller conveyor that extends longitudinally between the upstream roller and the downstream roller.

18. The clearance blocker according to claim 17, wherein The removable portion has a first surface portion for contacting the member of the roller conveyor; and wherein the lateral biasing member is configured to have a second surface portion for contacting an adjacent gap blocker when the removable portion is removed.

19. The gap blocker according to claim 17, wherein, The lateral biasing member includes an elastic arm; and wherein the removable portion includes a lug protruding from the elastic arm.

20. The clearance blocker according to claim 17, wherein The lower free end portion has a lower end below the removable portion.

21. The clearance blocker according to claim 17, wherein, The lower free end portion of the lateral biasing member includes at least one flat surface portion for positioning a cutting tool to cut the removable portion at a base portion of the removable portion.

22. The clearance blocker according to claim 17, wherein, The free end portion of the lateral biasing member includes a straight wall portion, and the removable portion extends perpendicular to and away from the straight wall portion.

23. The clearance blocker according to claim 17, wherein, The body has a single integral structure.

24. A retainer for a gap blocker of a roller conveyor, the roller conveyor having a rotatable upstream roller and a downstream roller for conveying an object across a gap between the upstream roller and the downstream roller in a downstream longitudinal direction, the retainer comprising: a mounting portion positioned laterally outside the gap; an engaging member for extending laterally from the mounting portion into the gap; and a stop portion of the engaging member configured to extend longitudinally into a laterally extending space between legs of the gap blocker and restrict lateral movement of the gap blocker in the gap.

25. The retainer according to claim 24, wherein, The engaging member includes longitudinally spaced engaging members, and the stop portion includes stop portions configured to extend into different laterally extending spaces between legs of the gap blocker.

26. The retainer according to claim 25, wherein the engaging member is configured to form a snap connection with the legs of the gap blocker.

27. The retainer according to claim 24, wherein the engaging member includes an elastic engaging member configured to form a snap connection with the legs of the gap blocker; and Among them, the elastic engaging member has a surface configured to cam-engage with the surface of the legs of the gap blocker and move the engaging member as the gap blocker moves laterally towards the mounting portion.

28. The retainer according to claim 24, wherein, The engaging member includes an upstream engaging member and a downstream engaging member; and wherein the stop portion includes: an upstream stop portion configured to longitudinally extend into a laterally extending space between the upstream legs of the gap blocker; and a downstream stop portion configured to longitudinally extend into a laterally extending space between the downstream legs of the gap blocker.

29. The retainer according to claim 24, wherein, The engaging member includes a pair of engaging members; and wherein the stop portion includes barbs of the engaging member for extending into a laterally extending space between the legs of the gap blocker.

30. The retainer according to claim 24, wherein the stop portion includes: a first stop configured to contact the gap blocker and prevent lateral movement of the gap blocker towards the mounting portion; and a second stop configured to contact the gap blocker and prevent lateral movement of the gap blocker away from the mounting portion.

31. The retainer according to claim 24, wherein, The mounting portion includes a surface configured to support on the shaft of one of the upstream roller and the downstream roller.

32. The retainer according to claim 31, wherein, The surface includes a pair of surfaces configured to support on the shafts of the upstream roller and the downstream roller.

33. The retainer according to claim 24, wherein, The mounting portion includes a flat portion positioned between the upstream roller and the downstream roller, and a member of the roller conveyor longitudinally extending between the upstream roller and the downstream roller.

Images