Guide pin receiving device for a conveyor belt cleaner system and conveyor belt cleaner system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a guide pin receiving device for a conveyor belt cleaner system for facilitating installation and removal of a removable shoe cleaner from a support member of the conveyor belt cleaner system. The guide pin receiving device includes a retention slot for receiving a guide pin of one of the shoe and the support member therein. The retention slot is formed by an upper arm portion and a lower spring arm portion that is allowed to elastically displace when engaged with the guide pin. The upper arm portion and the spring arm portion include opposing guide surfaces for guiding the guide pin into a seated position within the retention slot. The retention slot can have a tapered configuration extending from a larger opening end for receiving the guide pin to a narrower inner end at which the guide pin is seated in the seated position with the shoe in an installed configuration. A conveyor belt cleaner system is also disclosed.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 667,549, filed July 3, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to conveyor belts, and more particularly to components for securing cleaner box holders. Background Technology

[0004] Conveyor belt systems are used to transport materials (such as coal or aggregates) from one location to another and include various components such as conveyor belts, chutes, and rollers. Material that is not discharged by the conveyor belt may remain on the belt along the return side. This material return is generally undesirable, often requires additional on-site maintenance, and can cause problems with the conveyor system. Therefore, conveyor belt cleaners are typically used to remove residual material from the conveyor belt.

[0005] A conveyor belt cleaner may include one or more scraper blades operatively mounted to an elongated support member (e.g., a support shaft) extending laterally across the belt, wherein the scraper blades are biased to engage with the surface of the conveyor belt. As the conveyor belt moves past the belt cleaner, the scraper blades scrape off residual material. Installation and removal of a cartridge holder having scraper blades attached thereto may include sliding the cartridge holder along the elongated support member between a fully engaged position and a fully disengaged position. An example conveyor belt cleaning assembly is described in U.S. Patent No. 11,878,874, entitled “Conveyor Belt Cleaning System,” which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. Utility Model Content

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a guide pin receiving device for a conveyor belt cleaner system is provided, which allows for faster and easier installation of removable cassette cleaners onto the slender support members of the conveyor belt cleaner system and improves the operation of the belt cleaner system. In existing methods, the guide pin retaining member for receiving guide pins of removable cassette cleaners has a rigid body, such that the guide pin retaining groove of the retaining member is also rigid. In such methods, the cassette must be installed so that the guide pin is inserted into the guide pin retaining groove with relatively high precision to ensure that the guide pin is correctly positioned in the groove, both vertically in the Z direction and laterally across the belt and along the slender support axis in the Y direction. During installation, correctly inserting and positioning the guide pin in the retaining groove usually requires manual intervention, such as hammering the guide pin into place. Furthermore, such rigid guide pin retaining members cannot accommodate changes in guide pin size, which may also change over time due to the accumulation of foreign matter (such as rust or debris), resulting in an increase in the external dimensions of the guide pin.

[0007] As will be understood, the pin receiving device (also known as a pin catcher) described herein allows for increased flexibility in mounting the cassette cleaner onto a support shaft. The pin receiving device includes a resilient spring arm portion that is allowed to shift or deflect when a pin is received in a retaining groove within the pin receiving device, thereby increasing tolerances related to the pin's positioning and dimensions, as well as tolerances related to the pin receiving device's own positioning on the support shaft or cassette. The spring arm portion and the upper arm portion of the pin receiving device for receiving the pin define a retaining groove. This retaining groove includes an opening between the outer free end portion of the upper arm portion and the spring arm portion to allow the pin to be received in the retaining groove and to allow the received pin to be biased into engagement with the upper arm portion. The pin receiving device advantageously self-adjusts to different relative positions and / or dimensions of the pin and the pin receiving device, thereby suppressing movement of the cassette relative to the support shaft due to contact between the scraper blades and the conveyor belt during conveyor belt cleaning operations, thus improving the stability of the conveyor belt cleaner system and reducing noise and wear.

[0008] In another aspect of this invention, a conveyor belt cleaner system includes an elongated support member extending longitudinally across a conveyor belt and a cassette for supporting at least one scraper blade thereon, the cassette being slidable on the elongated support member. The cassette includes a pair of sidewalls that hang from opposite sides of an upper wall to space the sidewalls apart for receiving the elongated support member therebetween. At least one guide pin receiving device is attached to an inwardly facing surface of one of the sidewalls of the cassette and one of the elongated support members. The guide pin receiving device includes a body having an upper arm portion extending between an outer free end portion and an inner end portion, a lower arm portion of the body extending to its outer free end portion, and a spring arm portion of the body between the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion. The spring arm portion and the upper arm portion form a retaining groove therebetween, the retaining groove including an opening between the outer free end portion of the upper arm portion and the spring arm portion to allow a guide pin to be received in the retaining groove and to allow the received guide pin to be biased to engage with the upper arm portion. The guide pin, which is received in the retaining groove, is attached to the inward-facing surface of one of the sidewalls of the box holder and the other of the elongated support members, and is positioned to be received in the retaining groove of at least one guide pin receiving device, wherein the box holder is supported on the elongated support members in the mounting configuration of the box holder.

[0009] At least one of the guide pin receiving devices includes a first guide pin receiving device and a second guide pin receiving device, wherein the first guide pin receiving device and the second guide pin receiving device are attached adjacent to each other to the elongated support member, wherein their respective opening faces face opposite ends of the elongated support member.

[0010] At least one of the guide pin receiving devices includes a first guide pin receiving device and a second guide pin receiving device, wherein the first guide pin receiving device and the second guide pin receiving device are respectively attached to two opposing inner surfaces of the opposite sidewalls of the box holder. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a part of a conveyor system, showing a conveyor belt passing over pulleys and a cleaning assembly adjacent to the conveyor belt, where scraper blades are biased away from engagement with the conveyor belt.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the cleaning assembly, showing a cartridge that carries a scraper blade and is fixed to a support shaft in its operating position, with the support shaft mounted to tensioners at both ends.

[0013] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the box frame and support assembly, showing the main slender shaft portion of the support assembly with a square cross-section and the blade-bearing member of the box frame with a generally inverted U-shaped structure.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a side view of two center retaining members, which are fixed to the support rails of the box frame in opposite orientations to receive the corresponding box frame protrusions.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the center retaining member, showing the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion, the flexible spring arm portion extending therebetween to form a retaining groove with the upper arm portion, and the stop surface of the lower arm portion for limiting the deflection of the spring arm portion.

[0016] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of a box frame mounted on a support rail, wherein the support rail has a central retaining member fixed to the outward-facing surface of the support rail and a protrusion fixed to the inward-facing surface of the support rail.

[0017] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of a box frame mounted on a support rail, wherein the box frame has a center retaining member fixed to the inward-facing surface of the box frame and a protrusion fixed to the outward-facing surface of the support rail. Detailed Implementation

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the conveyor belt system 10 includes a continuous conveyor belt 12. The conveyor belt 12 travels along a travel path 14 on a rotatable pulley 20 at the end portion 22 of the conveyor belt system 10. The pulley 20 may be a head pulley connected to a power source (e.g., a motor driving the pulley 20), which in turn acts on the conveyor belt 12, causing the conveyor belt 12 to travel around the pulley 20. As the belt 12 travels around the pulley 20, the material carried by the belt 12 can be discharged at the head pulley 20.

[0019] The conveyor belt system 10 includes one or more belt cleaners positioned such that their scraper blades can be displaced to engage the conveyor belt 12 to remove material from the conveyor belt 12 as it moves along path 14. The belt cleaners may include one or more pre-cleaners or main belt cleaners 30 positioned at pulleys 20 to aid in material discharge from the conveyor belt 12. Using more than one main belt cleaner 30 at pulleys 20 reduces the amount of return material carried along the return stroke of the conveyor belt 12. The conveyor belt system 10 may also include, or alternatively, one or more auxiliary belt cleaners positioned along the lower return stroke of the conveyor belt 12 to provide additional cleaning of the conveyor belt 12.

[0020] refer to Figure 2An example of a cassette-type belt cleaner 30 is provided. The cassette-type cleaner 30 is similar to the belt cleaner disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,878,874B2, which is incorporated herein by reference as if its entire contents were reproduced herein. The cassette-type belt cleaner 30 may be a primary cleaner positioned adjacent to the drive pulley. The belt cleaner 30 includes: an elongated support member, such as a support shaft 40, extending between two opposing tensioners 42; and a scraper assembly 50 supported by the support shaft 40. The tensioners 42 may be configured to both support and bias the support shaft 40 and the scraper assembly 50 to maintain the scraper blades in resilient engagement with the belt while allowing them to temporarily disengage from the belt when encountering an obstacle, such as when the belt joint travels past the scraper blades.

[0021] The scraper assembly 50 is preferably sized to include two housings 200 for mounting on the support shaft 40 from both ends. The housings 200 may be mirror images of each other having substantially the same characteristics. Each housing 200 includes a scraper blade support member, such as a support rail 210. The scraper blade 250 is fixed to the flat upper web or wall 212 of the support rail 210.

[0022] refer to Figure 3 The image shows a support assembly 60 with a cleaner 30, wherein the scraper assembly 50 is removed from the support assembly 60. The support assembly 60 includes a support shaft 40 having a main elongated shaft portion, the cross-section of which is preferably generally square or rectangular so as to have flat walls extending therearound and corresponding surfaces thereto.

[0023] The support rail 210 also includes a pair of flat sidewalls or side legs 214 that hang vertically downward from the upper wall 212 along its length. The side legs 214 are generally spaced symmetrically from the center of the upper wall 212. The upper wall 212 and the side legs 214 cooperate to form an elongated channel 216 therebetween, sized to receive a portion of the support shaft 40 therebetween, such that the side legs 214 extend downward along the support shaft 40 when in the operational mounting position on the support shaft 40 to hold the support rail 210 on the support shaft 40. The side legs 214 hang vertically downward along a height less than the entire height of the support shaft 40 to a bottom end 214B above the bottom end 40C of the support shaft 40, and each side leg 214 is spaced apart from a corresponding facing sidewall 72A of the support shaft 40. In this way, debris that may accumulate between the support rail 210 and the support shaft 40 can fall freely into the space or gap between the side leg 214 and the support shaft 40 and drop out from the bottom of that space or gap.

[0024] The support assembly 60 includes at least one slider 70 fixed to the outward-facing surface of the sidewall 72 of the main shaft portion of the support shaft 40. For example, the support assembly 60 may include one or more guide members or side sliders 70A fixed to two opposing outer surfaces of the transverse sidewall 72A of the main portion of the support shaft 40. The side sliders 70A space the side legs 214 of the support rail 210 of the box holder 200 from the outer sidewall of the surface 40A of the support shaft 40 and guide the side legs 214 to slide along the support shaft 40 during the mounting of the box holder 200 onto the support shaft 40.

[0025] Additionally or alternatively, the support assembly 60 includes one or more upper sliders 70B, which are fixed to the outer surface of the upper wall 72B of the main portion of the support shaft 40. The upper sliders 70B space the upper wall 212 of the support track 210 of the holder 200 from the upper wall or surface 40B of the support shaft 40 and support the weight of the holder 200 on the support shaft 40. The sliders 70 are formed of a low-friction material to facilitate sliding of the holder 200 of the scraper assembly 50 relative to the support shaft 40 during installation and removal of the holder 200. During installation of the holder 200, the holder 200 slides along sliders 70A, 70B, pushing any debris away from sliders 70A, 70B. Because the holder 200 forms a generally inverted U-shaped configuration without a bottom portion extending below the support shaft 40, debris pushed away from the side sliders 70A falls freely through the gaps between the side sliders 70A and onto the floor surface below the cleaner 30.

[0026] With the box frame 200 properly aligned with the support assembly 60, fasteners such as bolts 232 can secure the outer end portion 210A of the support rail 210 to the support shaft 40 to restrict movement of the outer end portion 210A. Therefore, the support rail 210 can be securely anchored at the outer end portion 210A.

[0027] The support rail 210 can also be secured to the support shaft 40 at its inner end portion 210B by a protrusion in the form of a guide boss or guide pin 220 extending approximately perpendicular to the length of the support rail 210 in an inward direction toward the support shaft 40. The support assembly 60 includes a central retaining member 300, such as a pin catcher 300, centrally secured to the side wall 72A of the support shaft 40 along its length. As shown, the support shaft 40 includes two pin catchers 300 having opposing retaining grooves 310 for retaining and supporting the inner portion 210B of the support rail 210 of the box holder 200. More specifically, the pin catcher 300 receives and retains a pin 220 in its groove 310, wherein the pin 220 is secured to the inner surface 214A of the side leg 214 of the support rail 210, as discussed in more detail herein. Pins 220 are secured to the inner surface 214A, for example, by welding or mechanical fasteners. Thus, pins 220 are received by pin catchers 300 in a covered space or gap between the side legs 214 of the support rail 210 and the support shaft 40 to minimize any buildup of dirt or debris on these components, which could alter their tolerances and make installation more difficult. Alternatively, pin catchers 300 can still be advantageously used with belt cleaners where they will be exposed, such as in the case-and-cartridge belt cleaner disclosed in the applicant's U.S. Patent No. 7,987,966 B2, which is incorporated herein by reference as if its entire contents were reproduced herein. In these belt cleaners, the case-and-cartridge legs ride on top of the support shaft, so pin catchers 300 will be provided with a greater height dimension, so that their slots 310 will be substantially aligned with the guide pins of the case-and-cartridge.

[0028] As described above, in existing methods, the central retaining member for receiving the guide pin is a rigid body, such that the guide slot of the central retaining member has no or very limited degrees of freedom of movement. In such methods, a housing must be installed so that the guide pin is inserted into the guide slot with relatively high precision to ensure the correct positioning of the guide pin within the slot—both vertically in the Z direction and laterally across the belt in the Y direction and along the slender support axis (e.g., see...). Figure 3 The difficulty in correctly inserting the guide pins often requires manual intervention during installation (e.g., hammering the guide pins into place). Furthermore, such rigid bodies do not account for variations in guide pin dimensions. These rigid bodies also do not account for changes in guide pin dimensions over time. For example, in some conveyor belt environments, guide pins may accumulate foreign matter (e.g., rust or debris), causing an increase in the external dimensions of the guide pins. As will be understood, the center-holding member described herein has a flexible spring arm portion that allows deflection, thereby increasing tolerances during the mounting of the box holder onto the support shaft.

[0029] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The pin receiving device or pin catcher 300 includes a body comprising a laterally extending upper arm portion 302, a laterally extending lower arm portion 304, a transverse or vertical arm portion 306 extending at one transverse end of the pin catcher 300 between the inner ends of the upper arm portion 302 and the lower arm portion 304, and a spring arm portion 308 extending in the extending direction along the lower arm portion 304 and between the upper arm portion 302 and the lower arm portion 304, such that the spring arm portion and the upper arm portion 302 form or define a retaining groove 310 therebetween. The retaining groove 310 has a receiving portion or opening 330 between the outer free end portion of the upper arm portion 302 and the spring arm portion 308 to allow a pin to be received in the retaining groove 310 and to allow the received pin to be biased to engage with the upper arm portion 302. The opening 330 is located at the outer transverse end of the pin catcher 300 opposite the transverse or vertical arm portion 306. Although referred to herein as the “upper” arm portion and the “lower” arm portion, it is conceivable that the pin catch 300 can rotate 180 degrees so that the depicted “upper” arm portion is below the “lower” arm portion.

[0030] The pin catcher 300 also includes a stop portion 320 that extends upward from the lower arm portion 304 (e.g., approximately 6.5 mm) into a gap 322 formed between the lower arm portion 304 and the spring arm portion 308a toward the free end portion of the spring arm portion 308. The pin catcher 300 may be an integral, one-piece plate structure made of steel (e.g., A36 or other low-carbon steel, or stainless steel), plastic, or other suitable materials to provide sufficient rigidity while also allowing deflection of the spring arm portion 308, as will be discussed below.

[0031] The pin catcher 300 also includes one or more (e.g., three) attachment interfaces 312 for securing the pin catcher 300 to the sidewall 72A of the support shaft 40. The attachment interfaces 312 shown are in the form of through holes for receiving fasteners. In other methods, the attachment interfaces 312 may be welded locations or may also include welded locations.

[0032] The upper arm portion 302 includes a downward-facing guide surface 324 that extends inwardly along the retaining groove 310, i.e., tapers downward toward the spring arm portion 308 from its free end at the opening leading to the retaining groove 310, for guiding the guide pin 220 along it within the retaining groove. In this way, when one of the pins 220 in the cartridge holder 200 is laterally displaced along the downward-facing surface 324, the taper of the upper arm portion 302 is used to drive the cartridge holder downward or via a cam, ensuring a consistent and tight fit of the cartridge holder 200 on the support shaft 40, and specifically against the upper slider 70B.

[0033] In the relaxed state, the spring arm portion 308 extends within or along the retaining groove 310 at an angle laterally inclined relative to the upper arm portion 302. In this way, the downward-facing guide surface 324 of the upper arm portion 302 and the upward-facing opposing guide surface 326 of the spring arm portion 308 form or define the upper and lower portions of the tapered retaining groove 310 therebetween (e.g., forming an angle of approximately 12 degrees therebetween), wherein the opposing guide surfaces 324 and 326 gradually taper toward each other as they extend toward the lateral or vertical arm portion 306 at the inner end of the retaining groove 310. The receiving portion or opening 330 of the retaining slot 310 is larger than the pin 220 in size and larger than the inner end of the slot 310, so that during the installation of the box holder 200, it is easier to receive the pin 220 of the box holder 200 between the downward-facing surface 324 of the upper arm portion 302 and the upward-facing surface 326 of the spring arm portion 308.

[0034] The spring arm portion 302 includes a flexible joint portion 340 adjacent to and below the slot opening 330, wherein the joint portion 340 extends generally vertically from the lower arm portion 304; and a main arm body portion 342 that extends laterally from the flexible joint portion 340 in a generally oblique manner. In the relaxed state, the main arm body portion 342, and more particularly its inner free end portion, is spaced apart from the stop portion 320 to form a tolerance gap 344 with the stop portion 320. The tolerance gap 344 may be, for example, approximately 2 mm. The flexible joint portion 340 allows the main arm body portion 342 of the spring arm portion 302 to deflect or elastically displace in a direction laterally to its extension direction, i.e., downward toward the stop portion 320 into the tolerance gap 344. The deflection distance of the body portion 342 is limited by the height of the stop portion 320. In this way, the height of the stop portion 320 is selected such that the bending of the spring arm portion 302 does not exceed the yield strength of the material of the pin catch 300 at the flexible joint 340.

[0035] During the installation of the box holder 200, the box holder 200 slides along the support shaft 40, so that the pin protrusion 220 of the box holder 200 is guided along the inner inclined surface 352 of the lateral or vertical arm portion 306 toward the target positioning position 350 into the receiving portion 330 of the retaining groove 310 of the pin capture member 300.

[0036] When the protrusion 220 is vertically inserted above the target positioning position 350, the protrusion 220 can engage the downward-facing inclined surface 324 of the upper arm portion 302. As discussed, the engagement of the downward-facing surface 324 of the upper arm portion 302 pushes downward the inner portion 210B of the support track 210 of the box frame 200. This downward push causes the upper wall 212 of the support track 210 to engage firmly and tightly with or abut against the respective upper sliders 70B of the upper sliders 70B of the support shaft 40.

[0037] When the pin protrusion 220 is vertically inserted below the target positioning position 350, the protrusion 220 engages the upward-facing inclined surface 326 of the spring arm portion 308. Due to the structure of the spring arm portion 308, the spring arm portion 308 can remain straight upon initial contact and can push upward the inner portion 210B of the support track 210 of the box frame 200.

[0038] As the box holder 200 slides further toward the lateral or vertical arm portion 306, the pin protrusion 220 engages the upper arm portion 302 and the spring arm portion 308. This engagement with both the upper arm portion 302 and the spring arm portion 308 desiccates click noise. As discussed, to ensure proper positioning of the protrusion 220 within the target positioning position 350 of the retaining groove 310, the main arm body portion 342 of the spring arm portion 308 can be bent downwards around the flexible joint portion 340, biasing the guide pin or protrusion 220 to engage with the upper arm portion 302.

[0039] The cassette holder 200 slides along the support shaft 40 until the protrusion 220 abuts (or "bottoms out") the inner surface 352 of the lateral or vertical arm portion 306, preventing further axial or longitudinal sliding of the cassette holder 200 along the Y-axis. The upper arm portion 302 and the spring arm portion 308 engage with the lateral or vertical arm portion 306 to firmly hold the protrusion 220 therebetween, preventing vertical movement (e.g., along the Z-axis) of the inner end portion 210B of the support rail 210, and any tilting of the cassette holder 200 during conveyor belt cleaning operations. In this way, the pin catch 300 engages with the protrusion 220 to anchor the inner end portion 210B to the support assembly 60. As discussed, bolts 232 can then be used to secure the outer end portion 210A of the support rail 210 to the support shaft 40 to limit movement of the outer end portion 210A.

[0040] refer to Figure 6 As discussed herein, protrusion 220 is secured to the sidewall of support rail 210 or the inner surface 214A of side leg 214, and pin catch 300 is secured to the sidewall 72A of support shaft 40. In another method, such as Figure 7As shown, the protrusion 220 can be secured to the side wall 72A of the support shaft 40, and the pin catcher 300 can be secured to the inner surface 214A of the side leg 214 of the support rail 210, while providing the features and benefits described herein.

[0041] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications, alterations and combinations can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, and such modifications, alterations and combinations should be considered within the scope of the inventive concept.

Claims

1. A guide pin receiving device for a conveyor belt cleaner system, comprising: main body; The upper arm portion of the main body extends to the outer free end portion of the upper arm portion; The lower spring arm portion of the main body; A retaining groove is located between the upper arm portion and the lower spring arm portion; and The opening of the retaining groove is located between the outer free end portion of the upper arm portion and the spring arm portion to allow the guide pin to be received in the retaining groove and to allow the received guide pin to be biased to engage with the upper arm portion.

2. The guide pin receiving device according to claim 1, wherein, The subject includes: The lower arm portion, which extends to the outer free end portion; and A stop portion extends laterally from the lower arm portion into a gap formed between the lower arm portion and the spring arm portion. The stop portion is adjacent to and spaced apart from the inner free end portion of the spring arm portion, and is used to restrict elastic movement of the inner free end portion in a direction laterally to the extension direction of the spring arm portion.

3. The guide pin receiving device according to claim 1, wherein, The subject includes: The lower arm portion extends between the inner end portion and the outer free end portion; and A lateral arm portion extending between the inner end portion of the upper arm portion and the inner end portion of the lower arm portion, wherein the lateral arm portion includes an inner surface defining the inner end of the retaining groove for engaging with a received guide pin.

4. The guide pin receiving device according to claim 1, wherein, The upper arm portion includes a guide surface that extends inwardly from the outer free end portion of the upper arm portion along the retaining groove toward the spring arm portion for guiding the guide pin along it within the retaining groove.

5. The guide pin receiving device according to claim 4, wherein, The spring arm portion includes opposing guide surfaces that, when the spring arm portion is in a relaxed state, extend inwardly along the retaining groove toward the guide surface of the upper arm portion, wherein the opposing guide surfaces of the spring arm portion and the guide surfaces of the upper arm portion define a lower and upper extent of the retaining groove, such that the retaining groove has a tapered structure, wherein the opening of the retaining groove is larger than the inner end of the retaining groove.

6. The guide pin receiving device according to claim 5, wherein, The retaining groove forms a 12-degree angle between the guide surface of the upper arm portion and the opposing guide surface of the spring arm portion.

7. The guide pin receiving device according to claim 1, wherein, The main body includes a lower arm portion extending to its outer free end portion; and The spring arm portion is connected to the outer free end portion of the lower arm portion via a flexible outer connector portion, which allows the spring arm portion to elastically shift in a direction laterally to the extension direction of the spring arm portion.

8. The guide pin receiving device according to claim 1, wherein, The body includes at least one attachment interface for securing the body to the wall.

9. The guide pin receiving device according to claim 8, wherein, At least one of the attachment interfaces includes a through hole for receiving fasteners.

10. The guide pin receiving device according to claim 1, wherein, The main body is a single-piece plate structure.

11. A conveyor belt cleaner system, comprising: Slender support members, which are used to extend longitudinally across the conveyor belt; A box holder for supporting at least one scraper blade thereon, the box holder being slidable on the elongated support member; The box frame includes a pair of sidewalls that hang from both sides of the upper wall to separate the sidewalls so as to receive the elongated support member during this period. At least one guide pin receiving device is attached to an in-face surface of one of the opposite sidewalls of the box holder and one of the elongated support members, wherein at least one of the guide pin receiving devices comprises: main body; The upper arm portion of the main body extends between the outer free end portion and the inner end portion of the upper arm portion; The lower arm portion of the main body extends to its outer free end portion; The spring arm portion of the main body between the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion; The retaining groove between the spring arm portion and the upper arm portion; and The retaining groove has an opening between the outer free end portion of the upper arm portion and the spring arm portion to allow the guide pin to be received in the retaining groove and to allow the received guide pin to be biased to engage with the upper arm portion; and A guide pin, which is attached to the in-face surface of one of the opposite sidewalls of the box holder and the other of the elongated support members, is positioned to be received in a retaining groove of at least one of the guide pin receiving devices, wherein the box holder is supported on the elongated support member in the mounting configuration of the box holder.

12. The conveyor belt cleaner system according to claim 11, wherein, When the box frame is in the mounting configuration, the guide pin engages the upper arm portion and the spring arm portion.

13. The conveyor belt cleaner system according to claim 11, wherein, When the guide pin is received in the retaining groove and the box holder is in the mounting configuration, the spring arm portion is elastically biased by the guide pin toward the lower arm portion.

14. The conveyor belt cleaner system according to claim 11, wherein, The body of at least one of the guide pin receiving devices includes a lateral arm portion extending between the inner end portion of the upper arm portion and the inner end portion of the lower arm portion, wherein the lateral arm portion includes an inner surface defining the inner end of the retaining groove for engaging with the guide pin when the box holder is in the mounting configuration.

15. The conveyor belt cleaner system according to claim 11, wherein, At least one of the guide pin receiving devices includes a first guide pin receiving device and a second guide pin receiving device, wherein the first guide pin receiving device and the second guide pin receiving device are attached adjacent to each other to the elongated support member, wherein their respective opening faces face opposite ends of the elongated support member.

16. The conveyor belt cleaner system according to claim 11, wherein, At least one of the guide pin receiving devices includes a first guide pin receiving device and a second guide pin receiving device, wherein the first guide pin receiving device and the second guide pin receiving device are respectively attached to two opposing inner surfaces of the opposite sidewalls of the box holder.

17. The conveyor belt cleaner system according to claim 11, wherein, The main body of at least one of the guide pin receiving devices further includes a stop portion extending laterally from the lower arm portion into a gap formed between the lower arm portion and the spring arm portion, the stop portion being adjacent to and spaced apart from the free end portion of the spring arm portion for limiting elastic movement of the free end portion in a direction laterally to the extension direction of the spring arm portion.

18. The conveyor belt cleaner system according to claim 11, wherein, The elongated support member includes a plurality of sliders attached to its upward-facing surface, wherein at least one upper arm portion of the guide pin receiving device includes a guide surface that extends inwardly from the outer free end portion of the upper arm portion along the retaining groove toward the spring arm portion for guiding the guide pin along the retaining groove to push the upper wall of the box holder against each of the plurality of sliders.

19. The conveyor belt cleaner system according to claim 18, wherein, The spring arm portion includes opposing guide surfaces that, when the spring arm portion is in a relaxed state, extend inwardly along the retaining groove toward the guide surface of the upper arm portion, wherein the opposing guide surfaces of the spring arm portion and the guide surfaces of the upper arm portion define a lower and upper extent of the retaining groove, such that the retaining groove has a tapered structure, wherein the opening of the retaining groove is larger than the inner end of the retaining groove.

20. The conveyor belt cleaner system according to claim 11, wherein, The spring arm portion is connected to the outer free end portion of the lower arm portion via a flexible outer connector portion of the main body, the flexible outer connector portion allowing the spring arm portion to elastically shift toward the lower arm portion.

Images