CONVEYOR SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor system with at least one belt body, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such conveyor systems are also used for the industrial manufacture of products, which are conveyed along a production line using one or more consecutive belt bodies. Each belt body comprises an endless belt, which is guided around deflection elements, in particular rollers or deflection edges, forming an upper run and a lower run below it (the term "endless belt" also refers to comparable transport elements, such as one or more belts, straps, chains, etc.). The rollers or deflection edges are supported by a frame. The at least one roller of the belt body can be driven, for example by means of a motor arranged below the belt body, which is coupled to the roller via a toothed belt.

[0003] Often, weighing systems are also included in the conveyor system along the production line, whereby a weighing belt carried by a load cell (hereinafter also referred to as weighing belt body) receives a product to be weighed from an upstream belt body and transfers it to a downstream belt body.

[0004] The belt units positioned one behind the other must be aligned in height, inclination, and spacing to ensure the smoothest possible transfer of products from one belt unit to the next. In particular, the transfer of a product to a weighing belt unit should be as smooth as possible, i.e., without subjecting the load cell to shocks or impacts.

[0005] It is known in the art to provide a subframe beneath the conveyor bodies, to which a chassis connected to each conveyor body can be attached. Using suitable adjusting screws or slotted holes, the conveyor bodies can be aligned relative to the subframe, and thus also relative to adjacent conveyor bodies. However, the subframe or chassis is often difficult to access, making alignment laborious and time-consuming.

[0006] A less suitable alternative are tubular mounting rods for attaching the belt bodies. Using clamps that grip the rod and engage the respective chassis of a belt body, the individual belt bodies could be positioned longitudinally in the conveying direction. However, the clamps are impractical to handle, and the mounting rods take up a comparatively large amount of space transverse to the conveying direction. Furthermore, the rigidity of such rods may be insufficient if the rod extends along the entire conveyor system and is bent by the weight of the belt bodies. Circular rod cross-sections also require additional measures to reliably prevent the clamps from pivoting around the rod axis.

[0007] EP 1 013 552 A1 discloses a conveyor system according to the preamble of claim 1, in which a belt body is mounted on a frame structure and secured by a bolted support plate. However, this type of fastening does not support the simplified alignment and space-saving arrangement of multiple belt bodies relative to one another or behind one another.

[0008] The object of the invention is therefore to offer a conveyor system which eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages and enables the quick and precise alignment of belt bodies to one another.

[0009] The object is achieved by a conveyor system according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0010] The invention is based on the discovery that belt bodies of a conveyor system can be positioned particularly easily and precisely, particularly vertically, using fastening rails that extend along the belt bodies in the conveying direction and feature a particularly easy-to-use clamping section for fastening the belt bodies. The belt bodies can be placed on the clamping sections of the rails using suitable fastening means and secured using simple clamping devices. In addition to fastening belt bodies, the rails also allow for the simple attachment of other components along the conveyor path (light barriers, containers, ejectors, etc.).The term "rails" used below is intended to clarify that these are supports that extend along the conveyor path and enable the placement and fastening of several conveyor bodies arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction on the same rail at essentially freely selectable positions along the conveyor path. In particular, the rails largely determine the height position of the component to be connected to them for all of these components. The arrangement of several conveyor bodies one behind the other in the conveying direction on the rails shared by the conveyor bodies results in the conveyor bodies already being well aligned vertically relative to one another at a height level that is already predetermined by the position of the clamping section or the upper edge of each rail along the conveyor path.Unlike the current state of the art, each conveyor unit does not need to be individually aligned via its chassis on the base frame to align with a neighboring conveyor unit. Instead, the conveyor units can be placed and secured onto the shared rails using suitable fasteners, which can be done quickly and with minimal effort.

[0011] A conveyor system according to the invention extends in a conveying direction X, a transverse direction Y orthogonal thereto, and a vertical direction Z orthogonal to both directions, usually perpendicular. The conveyor system comprises at least one belt body with an endless belt which is guided around one or more rollers. Preferably, the conveyor system comprises exactly two or more than two rollers around which the endless belt rotates. The endless belt forms an upper run, which essentially represents the upper side of the belt body, and a lower run, which usually runs parallel to it, with the upper run being intended to transport goods in the conveying direction X. As a rule, the upper run and lower run are largely parallel to a horizontal line, which can be defined, for example, by the hall floor at the installation site of the conveyor system. The height positions of the upper run and the lower run define a height section H between them.(In the event that the upper run and lower run are inclined to the horizontal, the vertical section should extend from the lowest point of the lower run to the highest point of the upper run.) According to the invention, at least two fastening rails (hereinafter also referred to simply as "rails") are provided, which extend in a longitudinal direction parallel to the conveying direction of the conveyor system. Each rail comprises, at its upper end region as seen in the vertical direction Z, a clamping section which serves to fasten the belt body. The clamping section is delimited in the transverse direction Y by two mutually parallel side surfaces, which each extend in the XZ direction and between them determine the thickness of the clamping section in the transverse direction. Preferably, the distance between the two side surfaces or the thickness of the clamping section is only a few millimeters, preferably less than 10 mm, most preferably less than 5 mm, for example 3 mm.As a result, the clamping section takes up little space in the transverse direction Y, unlike, for example, a tubular beam. The extension of the rail or its clamping section in the vertical direction Z is preferably significantly greater than its thickness in the transverse direction Y. This makes it particularly resistant to forces in the vertical direction Z, while at the same time being narrow in the transverse direction Y, so as to require little installation space in this direction.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping section is formed with or as part of a preferably metallic plate projecting in the Z direction, in particular as a leg of a rail with an L- or U-profile. The uppermost section of the plate or leg then corresponds to the clamping section, which is closed off at the top by an upper edge. The plate or rail can, for example, be angled at a right angle in the lower region in order to be attached to a base frame of the conveyor system. For this purpose, elongated holes or other fixing means known to those skilled in the art can be used to align the rail. A U-profile with its two legs could form both rails simultaneously, while the apex of the U-profile passes under the belt body in the transverse direction Y. The rail can, for example, be designed as a - preferably angled - sheet metal.

[0013] According to the invention, the clamping section is designed to accommodate suitable fastening means, which in turn are connected to the belt body. The fastening means can preferably be placed onto the clamping section from above in a vertical downward movement or detached therefrom in the opposite direction. The fastening means do not have to engage beneath the clamping section. Due to the parallel side surfaces, the clamping section forms a fastening profile that positively prevents pivoting movements of the fastening means about an imaginary axis of the clamping section in the conveying direction, unlike a rod with a round cross-section designed as a support.

[0014] The fastening means is preferably formed around an axis running in the transverse direction Y and has a rectangular or - preferably - round cross-section transverse to this axis. Such profiles are available inexpensively. According to the invention, a downwardly open slot is formed in the fastening means to accommodate the clamping section. For a particularly secure connection between the clamping section and the fastening means, the slot width is only slightly more than the Y-thickness of the clamping section. The fastening means (together with the strap body attached to it) can then be placed from above onto the upwardly projecting clamping section in a simple downward movement so that the clamping section engages in the slot (preferably down to the bottom of the slot, so that the fastening means rests on the upper edge of the rail).The slotted fastening means overlaps the clamping section on both sides and is thus stabilized against lateral movements in the transverse direction Y. Preferably, the belt body is equipped with several fastening means, for example two on each side, so that each of the two rails can engage with its clamping sections in two fastening means or their slots.

[0015] According to the invention, the fastening means are equipped with clamping means so that they can be fixed relative to the clamping section when placed on it. A particularly simple embodiment provides that the fastening means is provided with a clamping screw in the region of the slot, which, when placed on it, can be screwed against the clamping section arranged in the slot. Unlike, for example, with a two-part pipe clamp that is to be attached to a tubular support, here it is sufficient to tighten the clamping screw to securely fasten the fastening element to the rail. The fastening element is preferably formed as a single piece to reduce the number of parts.

[0016] To connect the fastening element to the belt body, the connecting means preferably comprises special fastening means with which the belt body can be connected to the fastening means directly or with the interposition of a height adjustment. The height adjustment can be spring-loaded and, for example, comprise two parts that are displaceable relative to one another in the height direction Z (preferably tensionable against one another in different displacement positions), with one of the parts being fastened to the fastening element and the other to the belt body. With the aid of the height adjustment, a belt body placed on the rails can be readjusted within a height range (preferably only a few millimeters) if necessary in order to precisely align the upper run of the belt body relative to the height of an adjacent upper run.

[0017] The alignment of a belt body using the rails is particularly effective when the conveyor system according to the invention comprises at least two belt bodies arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction and having the same overall height, which are to be positioned essentially at the same height. The upper edge of the rails, which extends along the conveying direction and preferably over the entire length of the two belt bodies arranged one behind the other, lies at a preferably constant upper edge height (already predetermined by the assembly of the rails). The rails serving several belt bodies together are formed continuously along the belt bodies in the sense that each rail is at least long enough in the conveying direction X that at least one, preferably all, fastening means connected to the belt bodies can engage thereon.

[0018] Both belt bodies can be placed on the rails and clamped there if necessary. Any remaining slight height differences between the two belt bodies can be compensated for by adjusting the height as described above. (At longitudinal positions of the rails where no fastening elements are to be installed, the clamping section can also be interrupted with its upper edge or be located at a higher or lower height. However, the rails are preferably designed with a straight, uninterrupted upper edge along the conveyor system.)

[0019] The conveyor system preferably comprises at least one positioning aid which is movable and fixed on the clamping section and with which the X-position of a fastening means interacting with the positioning aid can be easily and repeatedly determined. The positioning aid acts as a stop. The positioning aid preferably comprises a pocket which receives the fastening means and is open at the top. When the fastening means is placed on the rail, it simultaneously engages in the pocket, thereby positively preventing any longitudinal displacement of the fastening means in the conveying direction X. This allows a belt body which has been temporarily removed from the conveyor system (e.g. for cleaning purposes) to be reinserted exactly in its previous X-position, which is determined by the positioning aid remaining on the rail.

[0020] Similar to the fastener, the positioning aid can have a downwardly open slot so that it can be placed over the clamping section of the rail and then grips both sides of it. Using clamping means, such as a clamping screw acting against the rail, the positioning aid can be fixed in its respective X-position on the rail. The area of ​​the fastener that interacts with the pocket of the positioning aid can be designed to complement it to ensure largely play-free positioning of the fastener. A cylindrical fastener could accordingly engage in a matching pocket of the positioning aid.

[0021] A particularly compact design of the conveyor system according to the invention results when the frame of the belt body and / or a height adjustment and / or the fastening means and / or a positioning aid extends completely within the height section (H) determined by the upper run and lower run, so that the elements for fastening the belt body to the rails extend essentially horizontally or in the transverse direction Y from the belt body outwards. No such elements are arranged below the belt body and access to this area is not blocked. The fastening elements themselves are also easier to reach. Any forces that may occur between the rails and the belt body are - in addition to the weight of the belt bodies in the height direction Z - essentially easily controllable tensile or compressive forces in the transverse direction Y, without significant bending moments being generated in the belt body.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the fastening means extend substantially vertically upwards or downwards from the frame of the belt body, and then engage the rails below or above the height section H. When the fastening means are clamped against the rails, bending moments could occur in the belt body due to the vertical distance between the clamping position and the belt body, and access to the area below the belt body would be made more difficult by the closer-fitting rails. The installation or replacement of a weighing belt body would also be further complicated by the cramped conditions. On the other hand, this embodiment allows for an even narrower design of the conveyor system.

[0023] The conveyor system is particularly stable thanks to its inventive design, as the rails in particular are particularly stiff against a bending moment about an axis in the transverse direction Y. The belt bodies can also be used to stabilize the rails on both sides of the belt bodies against transverse forces. According to the invention, their clamping sections are supported against one another by a force flow in the transverse direction Y that is passed between the upper and lower runs. This can be achieved in particular via the frame of the belt body located between the upper and lower runs. The belt body itself therefore serves to transmit forces in the Y direction. Additional cross connections, which in the prior art are passed, for example, beneath the belt body in the transverse direction Y (to transmit transverse forces or to support the belt body itself in the vertical direction Z), can therefore advantageously be dispensed with.

[0024] The rails of the conveyor system are preferably designed to accommodate a mounting bracket that can be suspended from the rails. The mounting bracket enables the arrangement of various components (light barriers, containers, etc.) along the conveyor system. When suspended, the mounting bracket can overlap the rail in the area of ​​the clamping section without requiring additional fastening or clamping. For this purpose, the mounting bracket can have a slot in an upper area that complements the clamping section of the rails and has the same functionality as previously described for the fastening device.Alternatively, it is also conceivable to suspend the mounting bracket from a lower, preferably unwound section of the rail and connect it to a fastening element (in particular, screwed in place using a clamping screw) that is arranged on top of the clamping section of the rail, but preferably not simultaneously connected to a belt body. The mounting brackets can be moved and positioned as desired along the rails in the conveying direction X.

[0025] An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises one or more belt bodies and, in addition, a weighing belt body supported by a load cell. The load cell is not supported on the rails, but on a subframe of the conveyor system, wherein the weighing belt body adjoins one of the two belt bodies in the conveying direction X and is preferably arranged between two belt bodies supported on the rails. The weight of a product fed to the weighing belt body from one of the adjacent belt bodies is recorded via the load cell. The rails of the conveyor system according to the invention extend in the conveying direction X preferably along the entire arrangement of the belt bodies, so that the two belt bodies upstream and downstream of the weighing belt body can be placed on the clamping sections of the same rails.Using height adjustments on the belt bodies, which may be provided if necessary, these can be finely adjusted to the height of the weighing belt body in order to ensure a smooth and jerk-free transfer of the product onto and off the weighing belt.

[0026] Preferably, the weighing belt body can be releasably fastened to a load plate of the load cell using locking means (suitably operated without tools or manually). For this purpose, pins projecting laterally in the transverse direction Y are arranged on the frame of the weighing belt body. These pins can each be inserted into a groove of an associated groove element arranged on the load plate. Preferably, four groove elements arranged at the corners of a rectangle are provided on the load plate, with corresponding pins positioned on the weighing belt body. The insertion direction, in which the pins and with them the weighing belt body can be inserted into the grooves through a respective insertion opening, preferably runs vertically or downwards against the vertical direction Z (according to the invention, the belt bodies can also be placed on the rails in the same direction).

[0027] In one embodiment, the locking means for fixing the weighing belt body to the load plate are designed to pivot the groove relative to the insertion direction (preferably in an XZ plane) after insertion of a pin, so that movement of the pin in or against the insertion direction is no longer possible.

[0028] Alternatively, the locking means can be configured to selectively close or open the insertion opening with a pivoting element. For this purpose, the groove is preferably formed in a projection of the groove element, which has a cylindrical outer surface shaped around an axis extending in the transverse direction Y. The pivoting element is configured as a circular-arc-shaped clamp that partially encompasses the outer surface of the projection and is pivotable about the axis. Depending on the pivoting position, this clamp covers the insertion opening or exposes it with a gap in the clamp that is cut out of the full circle.

[0029] The rails of the conveyor system according to the invention advantageously allow for the provision of belt bodies with pre-mounted and pre-adjusted fastening devices for final assembly, so that they then only need to be placed on the rails to assume the correct height. This reduces the adjustment effort. The removal of individual belt bodies for maintenance or cleaning work and their subsequent insertion can also be carried out quickly and easily without the need for further adjustment.

[0030] The rails are suitable as a modular system for the easy attachment of a wide variety of components (belt bodies, light barriers, containers, ejectors, etc.) along the conveyor system, with the rails and their upper edge forming a reference height within the conveyor system. Knowing this reference height, if necessary with the interposition of a height adjustment device, the various components can be provided with suitable fastening devices before installation in the conveyor system and adjusted so that the intended target position is assumed when placed on the rails. Only a few identical, modularly combinable parts (in particular fastening devices, belt bodies, and rails) are required to manufacture a conveyor system according to the invention, which reduces storage costs.In particular, the functional principle of the fastening elements in interaction with the rails remains the same even for different components in the sense of a modular fastening system.

[0031] The modular system can be used in different widths, lengths and heights, whereby only the geometry and positioning of the rails needs to be adapted.

[0032] At the same time, the rails (preferably made of metal), if they extend laterally next to the belt bodies and essentially in the vertical direction Z, protect the belt bodies and / or a load cell arranged between the rails from environmental influences such as pollution, wind influences and electromagnetic radiation.

[0033] It is also possible to use the rails or their upper edge as a reference measurement for a method for arranging a weighing belt body. The weighing belt body is carried by a load cell, which in turn is preferably attached to a base frame rather than to the rails. Nevertheless, the weighing belt body (more precisely: its upper run) must also be aligned with the upper run of adjacent belt bodies to ensure a smooth product transfer. It would therefore be conceivable to first place a (preferably adjustable) height template on the rails, which aligns with the upper edge of the rails, before arranging the weighing belt body to be placed on the load cell. The template can form a height stop, which is adjusted to the later desired height position of the upper run, taking into account the height extension of the weighing belt body.Suitable mounting hardware on the load plate of the load cell mounted on the base frame is easily accessible (e.g., from above) and can then be adjusted to the height stop of the template. After removing the template, the weighing belt body can be directly placed and secured onto the pre-adjusted mounting hardware of the load plate, so that the upper run of the weighing belt body is automatically at the correct height.

[0034] In the following, an embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail using exemplary figures. Fig. 1 a simplified perspective view of the conveyor system of the invention; Fig. 2 an enlarged section of Figure 1; Fig. 3 a fastening means in side view; Fig. 4 a belt body placed on the rails in partial view; Fig. 5 a fastening means and height adjustment in perspective view; Fig. 6 a positioning aid; Fig. 7 a belt body fixed by means of a positioning aid; Fig. 8 a side view according to Figure 7 ; Fig. 9a-c locking means for a weighing belt body; Fig. 10 a weighing belt body on a load plate; Fig. 11a-c a fastening angle; Fig. 12a, b container suspended from a rail; and Fig. 13 a light barrier positioned by means of fastening means.

[0035] Figure 1shows a simplified perspective view of an embodiment of a conveyor system 1 according to the invention. The conveyor system 1 extends in a conveying direction X, a transverse direction Y orthogonal thereto and a vertical height direction Z orthogonal to both directions. The conveyor system comprises two belt bodies 2, 200 arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction X with a weighing belt body 20 arranged between them. Each belt body 2, 200, and also the weighing belt body 20, is equipped with an endless belt 4, which is deflected via two rollers and driven by a drive (not visible) in order to convey products P in the conveying direction X indicated by the arrow over the weighing belt body 20. The endless belt 4 of the belt body 2 and the belt body 200 each forms an upper run 5 and a lower run (not designated in more detail).Upper run 5 and lower run are located at different height positions in the height direction Z, and the area between the two height positions shall be referred to as height section H.

[0036] Two identical rails 7, 7' extend laterally next to the belt bodies 2, 200, parallel to the conveying direction X, opposite each other in the transverse direction Y on both sides of the belt bodies. The rails each have an L-shaped profile, one leg of which extends vertically Z and supports the belt bodies 2, 200. The lower leg of each rail is attached to a stationary base frame (not shown in detail).

[0037] An upper section of each rail is designed as a clamping section 8, 8' in order to be able to arrange and clamp suitable fastening means 9 there. The clamping section 8 is formed in the transverse direction Y by two mutually parallel side surfaces A 1 , A 2 (see Fig. 2). An upper edge 10 closes off the clamping section 8 in the height direction Z and extends without interruption in the conveying direction X at a constant upper edge height ZO .

[0038] As can be seen from the Figures 2 to 5As can be seen, the belt bodies 2, 200 are equipped with fastening means 9, by means of which the belt bodies are placed onto the upper edge 10 of the clamping sections 8, 8' of the two rails 7, 7'. Each fastening means 9 extends essentially in the transverse direction Y and is largely made from a round profile. The fastening means 9 is provided with a slot 13 which is open at the bottom and which receives the clamping section of a rail 7, 7' when the fastening means 9 is placed onto the rail 7, 7' from above. The clamping section 8 preferably projects into the slot 13 in the vertical direction Z over the entire depth of the slot 13, so that the fastening means 9 is positively supported by the upper edge 10 of the rail in the vertical direction Z. At the same time, the fastening means encompasses the clamping section on both sides.A clamping means 11 designed as a wing screw, which can be actuated without tools, serves to generate a clamping force in the transverse direction Y between the fastening means 9 and the rail 7, 7' in order to fix the fastening means 9 to the rail.

[0039] At an end facing away from the slot 13 in the transverse direction Y, the fastening means is attached to the frame 3 of the belt body 2, 200. As can be seen from Figure 1As can be seen, four such fastening means 9 are arranged on each of the two belt bodies 2, 200. In a positioning movement counter to the height direction Z, a belt body 2, 200 to be installed in the conveyor system 1 can be placed on the upper edge 10 of the rails in such a way that these each engage in the slots 13 of the fastening means 9. By actuating the clamping means 11, the belt body can be easily and quickly fixed or released again and simply lifted upwards. The upper edge 10 also specifies the height position of the belt body 2, 200 or the respective upper run 5. The two belt bodies 2, 200 placed on the rails (which in the present case have comparable height dimensions relative to their fastening means) are therefore at the same Z height.

[0040] For fine adjustment of the height position of each belt body, two-part height adjustments 12 are attached to the fastening means 9 (see Fig. 5) is mounted. Two spring-loaded elements, which are movable relative to one another in the vertical direction Z, can be adjusted with regard to their Z-distance via an easily accessible adjusting screw 12a, which can be operated vertically from above. One of the elements is arranged on the frame 3 of the conveyor body, while the other element is connected to the fastening means 9. Such a conveyor body placed on the rails, as for example in Figure 4 shown in partial view, can therefore be finely adjusted using the height adjustment 12 in order to precisely set the final height position of the upper run 5.

[0041] Figure 6shows a positioning aid 14, with which the position of a fastening means 9 along the rail 7, 7' or its upper edge 10 can be specified. The positioning aid is machined from a disc of a round profile and comprises a pocket 15 with a partially cylindrical wall. Furthermore, a downwardly open slot 130 is provided, so that the positioning aid 14 can be placed with this slot 130 onto the clamping section 8 of a rail 7, 7' and thereby encompasses the clamping section on both sides, similar to the Figure 3 illustrated fastening means 9. The positioning aid 14 can be fixed in a selected X-position along the rail 7, 7' using clamping means not shown in detail (e.g. two grub screws).

[0042] The Figures 7 and 8 illustrate that a belt body 2, 200 with fastening elements projecting from the sides, following the example of the Figures 2 to 5can be lowered onto the rails 7, 7' in such a way that at least one of the fastening means 9 engages with a cylindrical section 16 into the complementary pocket 15 of an associated positioning aid 14 previously positioned on the rail and simultaneously engages around the upper edge 10 of the clamping section 8. Even a single such positioning aid can be sufficient to adequately fix the X-position of the belt body 2, 200.

[0043] As in Figure 1 and 4As can be seen, the frame 3 of the conveyor body, the fastening means 9 and the height adjustment 12 (preferably also a positioning aid 14 not shown there) are arranged within the height section H. The fastening of the conveyor body 2, 200 to the rails 7, 7' therefore takes up little space in the height direction Z and is also easily accessible from above. The fastening means extend essentially in the transverse direction Y from the frame 3 of the conveyor body 2, 200 outwards, without projecting significantly above or below it in the height direction H. This also makes the fastening construction particularly simple and space-saving. The upper edge 10 with its upper edge height ZO is expediently also located within the height section H.

[0044] The Figure 1 and 10The weighing belt body 20 shown is seated on the load plate 22 of a load cell (not shown in detail), which in turn is carried by a base frame which is arranged below the belt bodies 2, 20, 200 in Figure 1 and is therefore not visible. A schematic side view of the attachment of the weighing belt body 20 to the load plate 22 is shown in Figure 10 can be seen. On the frame 30 of the weighing belt body 20 (initially not yet connected to the load plate), individual elements with pins 23 (see Fig. 9a) in such a way that the pins 23 protrude laterally from the frame 30 in the transverse direction Y. Associated groove elements 25 are attached to the load plate 22, each with a groove 26 open upwards in the vertical direction Z for receiving a respective pin 23. The weighing belt body 20 can be lowered with its pins 23 in an insertion direction ZE (in the present case opposite to the vertical direction Z) towards the load plate 22, so that each pin 23 is inserted through an insertion opening 24 into an associated groove 26 of a groove element 25 up to a stop (not shown in more detail).

[0045] Each groove element 25 fastened to the load plate 22 comprises a projection 28 which is cylindrical about an axis Y 25 and in which the respective groove 26 is formed (see Fig. 9b ). A Figure 9cA separately illustrated, essentially circular-arc-shaped pivot element 27 engages around the cylindrical projection 28 with an inner surface complementary thereto, such that it can pivot about the axis Y 25. Along the circular arc, a recess 29 is provided on the pivot element 27, which, depending on the pivot position, covers (closes) or exposes the insertion opening 24 on the groove element 25, such that by pivoting the pivot element 27, a pin inserted into the groove of the groove element 25 is fixed in its position (locking position) or released for removal (release position). Preferably, the pin 23 and pivot element 27 are designed such that, in the locking position, the pivot element 27 applies a clamping force to the pin 23 in order to fasten the weighing belt body 20 to the load plate 22 without play.

[0046] The Figures 11a to 11cshow a mounting bracket 17 for arrangement on a rail 7, 7'. Containers or other components, for example, can be attached to the mounting bracket 17 without the need for a separate holding structure. The mounting bracket 17 has an essentially L-shaped contour. On a lower, shorter leg of the mounting bracket 17, a notch 31 is provided for receiving a rail section 70, which is formed by a leg of a rail 7, which is also L-shaped. When mounted on the rail 7, the mounting bracket 17 engages around the rail section 70 with its notch 31 and can therefore absorb forces in the vertical direction Z. At the same time, the mounting bracket engages around the entire lower leg of the rail 7 in the transverse direction Y, so that transverse forces can also be introduced from the mounting bracket into the rail.At an upper end section of the fastening angle, this is attached to the upper edge 10 of the rail via a fastening device 9 (based on the model of the . Figure 3 , but without height adjustment 12) is clamped against the rail with a clamping device 11.

[0047] As an alternative to the lower notch 31, the mounting bracket can also have a downwardly open, slot-shaped notch on a projection of its upwardly projecting leg, allowing the slot to be pushed onto the clamping section of the rail from above. The mounting bracket can then hang from the rail.

[0048] Figure 12 shows a simplified side view of a container 40 suspended from a rail 7. The rail 7 is shown in cross-section (orthogonal to the conveying direction X). Figure 12bclarifies that for this purpose, a contour complementary to the rail 7 was introduced (for example, milled) into the container side, with an uppermost section of the contour overlapping the clamping section 8 of the rail 7. The container 40 can thereby be inserted in a pivoting insertion movement, as shown in Figure 12a from right to left, easily hook into the rail 7. Additional fastening means are advantageously not required, and the position of the container along the conveying direction X can be freely selected by moving the container 40 along the rail 7.

[0049] Figure 13 shows a further advantageous application of the rails of the conveyor system according to the invention.

[0050] A light barrier 50 is connected to a fastening means 9. The fastening means 9, with its slot formed therein, encompasses the upper edge 10 of the rail 7 in the manner described above. The light barrier (as well as other sensors, pushers, ejectors, or other components and operating devices) can be easily placed and positioned from above on the rail 7 in a modular manner using the fastening means 9. List of reference symbols

[0051] 1 conveyor system 24 Insertion opening 2, 200 Band body 25 Groove element 3, 30 Frame 26 Nut 4 endless belt 27 Swivel element 5 Upper drum 28 projection 7, 7' Mounting rail, rail 29 recess 8, 8' clamping section 31 incision 9 Fasteners 40 container 10 top edge 50 light barrier 11 clamping devices 70 rail section 12 Height adjustment 130 slot 12a Adjusting screw P product 13 slot Y 25 Axis of the groove element 25 14 Positioning aid ZE Insertion direction 15 Bag Zo Top edge height 16 Section A1, A2 side surface 17 Mounting bracket H Altitude section 20 Weighing belt body X Conveying direction 21 Locking device Y Transverse direction 22 load plate Z Altitude direction 23 cones

Claims

1. Conveyor system (1) comprising at least one belt frame (2, 200), a) wherein the conveyor system (1) extends in a conveying direction (X), a transverse direction (Y) orthogonal thereto and a vertical direction (Z) which is orthogonal to both directions (X, Y), and b) wherein the belt frame (2) comprises at least two deflection elements, preferably pulleys, which are supported by a frame (3) and which support an endless belt (4) guided around the deflection elements, wherein the endless belt forms an upper strand (5) and a lower strand in order to transport products (P) on the upper strand (5) in the conveying direction (X), and the respective vertical positions of the upper strand (5) and the lower strand define a height segment (H) between each other in the vertical direction (Z), and c) wherein the conveyor system (1) comprises two fastening rails (7, 7') which extend in a longitudinal direction parallel to the conveying direction (X) of the conveyor system (1), d) wherein each rail (7, 7') comprises at its upper end region a clamping segment (8) which extends in the longitudinal direction (X) and which is limited in the transverse direction (Y) by two mutually parallel side surfaces (A1, A2) extending in the X-Z direction, wherein a fastening means (9) of the conveyor system (1) which is placed on the clamping segment (8) and connected to the belt frame can be releasably connected to the clamping segment (8), characterized in that, the fastening means (9), which is preferably configured rectangularly or cylindrically around an axis extending in the transverse direction (Y), comprises: e) a notch (13) for placing the fastening means onto the clamping segment (8), and f) clamping means (11), in particular a screw or a clamping lever, which interact with the clamping segment (11), preferably in the notch (13), in order to be able to releasably clamp the fastening means (9) to the rail (7, 7').

2. Conveyor system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping segment (8) is formed out of a sheet, preferably a metal sheet, which projects in the Z direction, and which in particular has the shape of an L-profile or a U-profile leg of a rail (7, 7').

3. Conveyor system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least two belt frames (2, 200) placed on the rails (7, 7') directly one behind the other or spaced apart in the conveying direction, wherein the rails (7, 7') each comprise a preferably continuous upper edge (10) delimiting the clamping segments (8) upwards in the Z direction, and wherein the upper edges (10) of both rails (7, 7') lie in the conveying direction (X) at a constant upper edge height (ZO), which is preferably the same for both rails, and wherein each rail (7, 7') extends continuously in the conveying direction (X) along the at least two belt frames (2, 200).

4. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening means (9) comprises connecting means, via which the framework (3) of the belt frame (2) can be connected to the fastening means (9) directly or by means of an intermediate height adjustment (12).

5. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper edge (10) of the clamping segment (8) extends in the Z direction at a height within the height segment (H).

6. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one positioning aid (14) is provided which can be moved and fixed along the clamping segment (8) and which engages with the fastening means (9) placed on the clamping segment (8) in order to determine the position of the fastening means (9) and thus of the belt frame (2, 200) along the conveying direction (X).

7. Conveyor system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the positioning aid (14) comprises a pocket (15) open at the top and receiving the fastening means (9), the pocket being engaged by a segment (16) of the fastening means (9), wherein the segment (16) is preferably configured to complement the pocket.

8. Conveyor system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the positioning aid (14) comprises a slot (130) which is open at the bottom and which is placed on the clamping segment (8), the pocket (15) extending in the transverse direction (Y) at both sides of the clamping segment (8).

9. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the framework (3) of the belt frame (2, 200) and / or a height adjustment (12) and / or the fastening means (9) and / or a positioning aid (14) and / or the segment (16) thereof extends completely within the height segment (H).

10. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening means (9) basically extends from the framework (3) to a rail (7, 7') in the transverse direction (Y) and / or a) is fastened at the clamping segment (8) within the height segment (H) and / or b) rests on an upper edge (10) of the rail (7, 7') within the height segment (H).

11. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping segments (8, 8') of the two rails (7, 7') on both sides of the belt frame (2) are supportively connected to one another in the transverse direction (Y) via a force transmitted between the upper strand (5) and the lower strand, so that in particular that region between the rails (7, 7'), which lies below the lower strand can remain free of transverse connectors.

12. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one fastening bracket (17) which can be suspended in one of the rails and which overlaps the rail (7, 7') in the region of the clamping segment (8, 8') in the suspended state and / or underlaps it at a lower rail end which is opposite the clamping segment (8, 8') in the vertical direction (Z).

13. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a lower frame which supports the rails (7, 7'), wherein the lower frame basically extends below the at least one belt frame (2, 200) and which is configured to receive a load cell.

14. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a weighing belt frame (20) which is adjacent to a belt frame (2, 200) in the conveying direction (X) and which is supported by a load cell, wherein the load cell is not supported at the rails (7), but at a lower frame.

15. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims comprising a weighing belt frame (20) which can be releasably fastened to a load plate (22) of a load cell by locking means (21), in such a way that trunnions (23) projecting from the weighing belt frame (20) can be inserted into mating recessed elements (25) of the load plate (22).