Joining plates for two ends of a conveyor belt, a joining device comprising at least one such joining plate, and an associated strip of the joining plate

Abstract

The present invention relates to a joining plate (4) for a joining device (1) for a conveyor belt (2) intended to join two ends (21, 22) of at least one conveyor belt (2). The joining plate (4) has an outer surface (S1) intended to be flush with the effective surface of the conveyor belt (2) at the joining position, and an inner surface (S2) on the opposite side of the outer surface (S1), intended to at least partially cover the two ends (21, 22) of the conveyor belt (2) at the joining position. The joining plate comprises a body (45) made of a flexible material having an outer surface forming the outer surface (S1) of the joining plate (4); a reinforcing plate (11) rigidly connected to the body and having fastening through-holes; and a plurality of inserts (6), each having a fastening opening associated with one of the fastening holes, at least partially embedded in the body (45) and surrounding the periphery of the associated fastening hole on one side of the reinforcing plate (11), for adapting the fastening means (5) of the joining device (1) to the ends (21, 22). The body (45) is characterized by at least partially covering the fastening openings of the inserts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of conveyor belt joining devices intended to join the ends of conveyor belts. For the sake of simplicity, the term conveyor belt, which is customarily used in this specification, means conveyor belt and belt alike.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates in particular to a joining plate for joining two ends of a conveyor belt provided with a fiber reinforcement, a joining device for a conveyor belt provided with at least one such joining plate, and an associated strip of the joining plate.

Background Art

[0003] Conveyor belts are known and are used to transport or convey various materials or various products such as coal, ore, industrial products or agricultural products. These conveyor belts are composed of belts made of reinforced elastomers or reinforced synthetic materials having an appropriate length and width, and their ends need to be joined together on a support device and a drive device provided with return rollers and idler rollers before or after assembly. Also, these devices often include a tension component, the purpose of which is to apply an appropriate tension to the conveyor belt.

[0004] To date, various means have been used to join the ends of conveyor belts.

[0005] Originally and even today, vulcanization is used when the belt is made of a vulcanizable reinforced elastomer. As is well known, vulcanization is carried out by applying heat and pressure after a preparatory operation intended to create on each end a conforming profile to which pressure is applied when the ends are brought together. An alternative to vulcanization is cold joining.

[0006] Another known joining means involves using staples cut from a metal strip in a substantially U - shape, the staples having an upper plate and a lower plate joined by a knuckle, these staples being fastened in two rows straddling each end of the conveyor belt to be joined, the knuckles being protruding and the knuckles of one row being able to be sandwiched between the knuckles of the other row, and then the joining and articulating rods are passed inside the sandwiched knuckles so as to join the two ends by forming a kind of hinge. Known means used to fasten the staples on the ends of the conveyor belt consist of rod fastening means such as studs, rivets, and screws.

[0007] In recent years, joining devices have been proposed which are generally made of reinforced elastomers or reinforced synthetic materials and use flat joining elements arranged on both sides of each end of the conveyor belt and fastened on the ends to be joined. Examples of such joining devices are described in European Patent No. 0827575 and European Patent No. 1163459. These devices optionally comprise an upper joining plate and a lower joining plate joined by a central part. These lower and upper joining plates are designed to engage therewith by bringing the respective ends of the conveyor belt into approximate contact with a spacer provided for this purpose during assembly and then removed. In other words, these joining devices have two pairs of fastening wings facing each other and the ends of the conveyor belt are each introduced between the two wings of the same pair. The fastening of the lower and upper elements forming the joining plate on the ends of the conveyor belt is generally carried out by means of rivets, spikes, studs, screw - nut systems, or by room - temperature joining, or by flat vulcanization of the wings against the flat outer surface of the conveyor belt engaged between the wings.

[0008] The joining device is generally made of a flexible and elastic material, such as a synthetic material like vulcanized rubber or polyurethane, in which a reinforcing material having extensibility in the longitudinal reference direction of the conveyor belt, generally a fiber reinforcing material, is embedded.

[0009] The extensibility of the reinforcing material for this type of joining device in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt is intended to enable the joining device mounted on the conveyor belt to repeatedly cross the curved portions of the conveyor belt path, i.e., the curved portions of the drive roller, return roller, and tension roller, without excessive wear or fatigue that could lead to rapid deterioration. In fact, during this operation, the upper part of the joining device is subjected to a tensile force, while the lower part (i.e., the part facing the outer surface of the roller) is subjected to a compressive force, which is due to the difference in the paths of these parts, and these paths are directly proportional to the radius of curvature that changes due to the thickness of the joining device.

[0010] Since the stresses are quite different between the lower and upper parts, and to further improve the wear resistance of these joining devices, the applicant has in the past improved its products to give the upper part a greater extensibility than the lower part. In this type of conveyor belt joint, the central part has evolved to be separated from the lower plate and the upper plate to leave a space for using an independent spacer. The spacer is used during assembly. With respect to this spacer, the first end of the end of the conveyor belt arranged at the joint abuts between the lower plate and the upper plate, and then these spacers are removed before the second end of the end of the conveyor belt is incorporated. In fact, the joining device is manufactured by molding or injection and has an H-shaped structure, and its lower plate, upper plate, and central part are formed as an integral molded product. To manufacture these, the same number of molds as the thickness of the conveyor belt encountered on site is required. As a result, these joining devices need to be manufactured in small production runs, increasing the costs of manufacturing, storage, and distribution.

[0011] This problem, namely the problem of the numerous molds and molded products required for the various thicknesses of the conveyor belt, is solved, in particular, as described above, by manufacturing the joining device in three separate parts, namely the parts forming the upper left and right wings that form the one-piece molded product, the parts forming the lower left and right wings that form the integral part, and the intermediate part corresponding to the central bar of the H-profile, i.e., the intermediate part forming the spacer. In such a configuration, it is then possible to manufacture the two lower plates and the upper plate separately, each being configured to conform to the forces (compressive / tensile forces) and related stresses that the plate receives. For example, the lower plate is arranged to pass over the drive roller, return roller, and tension roller without being damaged, and the said rollers drive or return the conveyor belt to which the joining device under consideration is attached at the ends, and the lower plate is in direct contact with these components for driving the belt. On the other hand, the upper plate is in direct contact with the various materials or products conveyed on the belt conveyor. Furthermore, the upper plate is usually swept by a wiper.

[0012] In any case, from the perspective of obtaining a joining device that is flexible and elastic enough to pass over the drive roller and return roller without being damaged, and further has a tensile strength that enables it to withstand all forces without being damaged, extensibility is a major characteristic in the design of such joining plates. Such characteristics of extensibility and resistance to forces of the joining plate are provided by both the flexible and elastic material (synthetic materials such as vulcanized rubber, polyurethane, etc.) forming the joining plate and the reinforcing material incorporated in the joining plate that provides both the longitudinal extensibility of the conveyor belt and the resistance suitable for withstanding greater tensile forces received by the conveyor belt.

[0013] Despite the progress made regarding the extensibility of such joint plates, the applicant has always continued product development in order to increase the flexibility of the joint device and improve its dynamic behavior. It has been found that the fastening means (such as screws or rivets) for fixing the joint plate significantly affect the rigidity of the joint plate and, more generally, the rigidity of the joint device. This constraint is even more important in some applications, such as conveyor belts called highly durable coated conveyor belts. In fact, in known configurations of conveyor belts, in order to improve wear resistance and extend the service life of the conveyor belt, a layer of flexible and elastic material covering the upper part of the reinforcement includes, for example, a thicker fiber reinforcement than a layer of flexible and elastic material located below the reinforcement. In other words, the reinforcement is not located at the center of the belt thickness but is offset towards the surface of the conveyor belt that is in direct contact with the drive component of the conveyor belt. In this type of application, each of the means for fixing the joint plate of a particular joint device passes through one of the joint plates, one of the ends of the conveyor belt, and then the other joint plate. The length of the fastening element is limited by the thickness and ends of the joint plate, and in particular, it is ensured that the fastening means is correctly accommodated in an insert body that is at least partially incorporated into the upper and lower plates. As a result of such limitations, there are the same number of fastening interfaces on the outer surface of the associated joint plate as there are fastening elements, and the interfaces represent regions that promote the occurrence of defects, such as cracks, in the material of the joint plate. Furthermore, when the fastening means moves during the passage of the return component of the conveyor belt, the mechanical stress on the material of the upper joint plate, which is also a source of premature wear, increases.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0014]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0015] The present invention aims to overcome all or some of the drawbacks of the prior art by particularly proposing a solution that improves the operating duration of the joining device, and thus further limits any maintenance work, while simultaneously improving the structural strength and the flexibility of the joining device.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0016] For this purpose, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a joining plate is proposed for a joining device for a conveyor belt intended to join two ends of at least one conveyor belt. The joining plate has an outer surface that is flush with, i.e., at the same height as, the effective surface of the conveyor belt at the joining position, and an inner surface on the opposite side of the outer surface that is intended to at least partially cover the two ends of the conveyor belt at the joining position. The joining plate - a body made of a flexible material having an outer surface forming the outer surface of the joining plate, - a reinforcing plate rigidly coupled to the body and having fastening through-holes, - a plurality of inserts each having a fastening opening associated with one of the fastening holes, at least partially embedded in the body and surrounding the periphery of the associated fastening hole on one side of the reinforcing plate, for adapting the fastening means of the joining device to the ends, and is provided with The joining plate is characterized in that the body at least partially covers the fastening openings of the inserts.

[0017] Due to such a combination of features, the joining plate, as a result, does not have insert bodies and / or fastening elements in the upper part formed only from the body of the joining plate, whereby, in particular, for the passage of drive components and return components such as conveyor trolleys or rollers of a conveyor, the joining plate is provided with great flexibility and improved dynamic behavior. In this way, regardless of the total thickness of the joining plate adapted to the determined joining operation, the influence exerted by the fastening elements on the flexibility of the joint can be limited. Therefore, since the length of the fastening elements of the joining device comprising such a joining plate is independent of the thickness of the joining plate, the rigidity of the joining plate can be limited.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the body has a minimum thickness measured between the outer surface and the insert body, and the minimum thickness exceeds or is equal to a distance equal to the height of the associated insert body. Preferably, this minimum thickness is at least a few millimeters.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the joining plate has an outer surface formed by the outer surface of the body and an inner surface formed by the inner surface of the body and / or the reinforcing plate on the opposite side of the outer surface, and the outer surface and the inner surface are equidistant from each other on both sides of the intermediate plane of the joining plate, and the reinforcing material and the insert body are arranged, for example, between the intermediate plane and the inner surface, inside the joining plate with respect to the intermediate plane.

[0020] The intermediate plane of the joining plate defines the boundary of the upper half of the joining plate located on the outer surface side of the joining plate with respect to the intermediate plane of the lower half of the joining plate located on the inner surface side of the joining plate with respect to the intermediate plane, and the distance separating the outer surface and the inner surface of the body defines the range of the thickness of the joining plate.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the reinforcing plate and the insert body are at least partially or completely accommodated on the side of the lower half of the joining plate with respect to the intermediate plane, on the inner surface side of the lower half of the joining plate with respect to the thickness of the joining plate.

[0022] Therefore, the thickness of the joining plate is defined by the distance between the outer and inner surfaces of the plate. In this case, the lower half of the thickness refers to the "lower half" of the associated joining plate, specifically the joining plate body. In contrast, the upper half of the joining plate, specifically the joining plate body, is located above the lower half.

[0023] Due to such a combination of features, the joining plate does not have insertion bodies and / or fastening elements in its upper half as a result, and the extensibility in this region where the most stress is applied during the passage of the drive component and the return component is further improved.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the reinforcing plate is received in the body and extends at a certain distance from the outer surface. The reinforcing plate can be integrally received in the body, and the inner surface of the joining plate is simply formed by the inner surface of the body itself. Alternatively, the reinforcing plate can be arranged flush with the inner surface of the joining plate, and as a result, it is formed by the inner surface of the joining plate or the inner surface of the body.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the reinforcing plate is a fabric, that is, it is preferably composed of fibers formed by at least one layer or multiple layers. Therefore, the reinforcing plate or the reinforcing material forms a fabric reinforcing material that improves the resistance of the joining plate to tensile forces.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the body is formed from an elastomeric material, preferably made of rubber, and has an extensibility in the range between 15% and 40%, preferably between 20% and 30%.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the body of the joining plate has holes extending from the inner surface of the body in the lower half of the joining plate, and the holes are configured to partially accommodate the fastening means. Each of these holes corresponding to each insert appears at least on the inner surface side of the joining plate, but can remain located in the lower half of the plate. In this configuration, the upper part of the joining plate that supports the outer surface, preferably its upper half, may not have holes. This reduces the number of regions that promote the appearance of defects, such as cracks. Therefore, the dynamic behavior of the joining plate and the entire device is improved.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the body of the joining plate is provided with through-holes extending from the outer surface of the body of the joining plate towards the inner surface of the joining plate, and each of the through-holes is configured such that one of the fastening means crosses it. Preferably, the through-holes are cylindrical. Such through-holes are arranged in correspondence with each of the inserts, and thus each provides a lane function for passing the fastening means towards the associated insert.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the diameter of each through-hole is configured to be strictly smaller than the diameter of the fastening opening of the associated insert such that the body partially covers the fastening opening of the insert. Due to the elasticity of the material forming the body of the joining plate, each hole seems to be configured to elastically deform when one of the fastening elements passes through or is introduced, and when the plate and the device are assembled in the joined position and each fastening element cooperates with the associated insert, the associated hole is bounded by the body of the joining plate and then returns to its initial shape when the fastening element is removed. In practice, contrary to the generally accepted opinion, it has been found by endurance tests that the fastening members do not cause premature wear due to friction with the body of the joining plate.

[0030] According to one embodiment, each of the through-holes is coaxial with one of the fastening openings of the associated insert of the joining plate. Preferably, each through-hole is also coaxial with the associated fastening hole of the reinforcing plate.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention relates to a joining device for a conveyor belt intended to join two ends of at least one conveyor belt, the joining device being characterized by comprising at least one joining plate as described above.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the joining device for a conveyor belt comprises a first joining plate according to any of the above embodiments and a second plate comprising a plurality of inserts, each of the two plates being configured to cover a separate side of the end of the conveyor belt such that the conveyor belt is disposed between the two joining plates in a joining position, and the first and second joining plates are fastened together by fastening means arranged to at least partially penetrate through the joining plate of the first and second joining plates, one of the ends of the conveyor belt, and then the other joining plate of the first and second plates, respectively.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the thickness of the first joining plate is equal to or greater than the thickness of the second joining plate of the joining device, preferably strictly greater than its thickness, preferably at least twice its thickness, more preferably at least three times its thickness. In the terminology of the art, such a configuration is referred to as a "high durability coating" plate. In such a configuration, the high durability coating is supported on the upper joining plate of the joining device.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the fastening means preferably comprise screw-type rod-shaped fastening means, each of the fastening means preferably comprising a head configured to cooperate with a part of the insert and a locking section configured to cooperate with another part of the insert and preferably comprising a thread. In alternative and / or additional configurations, the fastening means can comprise rivets.

[0035] According to one embodiment, each of the inserts, each configured to cooperate with the head of the fastening means, comprises a washer pierced by a relevant fastening opening surrounded by a cup capable of receiving the head of the fastening means.

[0036] According to one embodiment, each of the inserts, each configured to cooperate with the locking section of the fastening means, comprises a cylindrical tubular portion whose inner cylindrical surface defines the boundary of a relevant fastening opening capable of cooperating with the locking section of the fastening means, and the inner cylindrical surface preferably comprises a threading.

[0037] According to one embodiment, only the first plate comprises a threaded insert configured to cooperate with the threaded locking section of the fastening means. Alternatively, only the first joining plate comprises an insert configured to cooperate with the head of the fastening means.

[0038] According to one embodiment, when the first joining plate and the second joining plate are in the joining position, each of the through-holes is coaxial, at the joining position, with the relevant fastening openings of each pair of inserts of the first plate and the second plate. Such a configuration enables the vertical alignment of the inserts of each pair of inserts related to a specific fastening means in order to enable the locking of the specific fastening means.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the diameter of the through-hole is strictly smaller than the diameter of the fastening opening of the relevant insert, preferably strictly less than the outer diameter of the head of the relevant fastening element, preferably strictly less than the nominal diameter of the locking section of the relevant fastening element, and more preferably substantially equal to the thread valley diameter of the thread of the locking section of the relevant fastening element.

[0040] According to another aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a joining plate according to any of the above-described embodiments, the method comprising - manufacturing a continuous series of a plurality of joining plates in strip form, - From the strip manufactured as described above, cutting the bonding plate according to a predetermined dimension, and includes at least.

[0041] Such a manufacturing method is particularly advantageous in that a plurality of continuous bonding plates can be continuously manufactured. Each of the first bonding plate and the second bonding plate intended to form the lower bonding plate and the upper bonding plate of the bonding device is then cut from the associated strip or strip portion manufactured in this way and adapted to the desired application.

[0042] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of joining the first end and the second end of a conveyor belt using a joining device for a conveyor belt as described above, comprising at least the first joining plate and the second joining plate according to the present invention. The method includes at least: - Involving the first bonding plate and the second bonding plate, each covering a separate side of the end of the conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belt is arranged vertically between the two bonding plates, and the first bonding plate and the second bonding plate are adapted to form a first pair of wings for clamping the first end of the conveyor belt and a second pair of wings for clamping the second end of the conveyor belt, steps; - Inserting the second end of the conveyor belt between the two wings of the second pair of wings; - Fastening the second end of the conveyor belt with the two wings of the second pair of wings between which the second end is arranged; - Inserting the first end of the conveyor belt between the two wings of the first pair of wings; - Fastening the first end of the conveyor belt with the two wings of the first pair of wings between which the first end is arranged; includes.

[0043] Further features and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0044]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3a

Figure 3b

Figure 3c

Figure 4a

Figure 4b

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0045] For clarity, all identical or similar elements are identified throughout the drawings by the same reference numerals.

[0046] In this specification and the claims, for the purpose of clarifying this specification and the claims, the terms longitudinal, lateral, and vertical are employed non - limitatively with reference to the three - dimensional X, Y, Z shown in the drawings.

[0047] Furthermore, the terms "upper", "lower", and their derivatives refer to the position or orientation of an element or component, and this position or this orientation is considered when the joining plate is in a service configuration and extends in a horizontal plane.

[0048] Figure 1 is a plan view from above of the joining device 1 according to the prior art, showing the upper joining plate 4 of the joining device 1. Also visible is the head 5a of the screw 5 that forms an example of a means for assembling the joining device.

[0049] The cutouts 11a, 11b show two types of fiber-type reinforcements, which are woven. In the reinforcement 11a, the fabric is arranged such that its weft or its warp is at least approximately oriented in the longitudinal direction of the joining device 1, while in the reinforcement 11b, the fabric has its weft and warp arranged obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the joining device 1.

[0050] As a precaution, by convention, the longitudinal direction X of the joining device 1 corresponds in this specification to the longitudinal direction X of the conveyor belt 2, and the joining device 1 is attached onto the end 3 of the conveyor belt 2 to which the joining device 1 is coupled. The transverse direction Y of the joining device 1 is, by the same convention, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. This convention applies regardless of the effective dimensions of the joining device 1 in these two directions.

[0051] The joining device in Figure 1 consists of three elements, namely, the element forming the upper joining plate 4, the intermediate element 9 (located under the intermediate part of the joining plate 4, and not visible in Figure 1 except for two dashed lines on both sides of the two intermediate screws 5 that define the limits of the edge of the end of the conveyor belt 2 that is joined below the upper joining plate 4), and the element forming the lower joining plate 4 (located under the intermediate element 9 and under the element forming the upper joining plate 4, not shown in Figure 1).

[0052] The exploded cross-section of Figure 2 successively shows the assembly screw 51 forming the fastening means 5, the upper joining plate 4a, the insert 6 incorporated into the upper joining plate 4, the intermediate element 9 composed of the incorporated through-bushing, and the lower plate 3 vertically arranged along the vertical axis Z and provided with a threaded insert 7.

[0053] The insert 6 arranged to accommodate the head 5a of the screw 51 is generally in the form of a perforated washer 61, which comprises a cup capable of accommodating the head 5a of the screw 5 intended to pass through its hole. The central insert 6’ is generally in the form of the insert 6, but comprises a central tubular portion, the inner cylindrical surface of which can pass the corresponding screw 5 with substantially no clearance, and thus this screw is not screwed into the insert 6’. The central tubular portion of the insert 6’ projects from the lower surface of the upper joining plate 4.

[0054] Each of the inserts 7 comprises a central tubular portion, the inner cylindrical surface of which is threaded and can accommodate the screw 51 screwed into the tapping, and the central tubular portion projects from the upper surface of the lower joining plate 4 of the joining device 1. The intermediate insert 7’ of the lower plate is in the form of the insert 7.

[0055] Figs. 3a, 3b, and 3c show the joining device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The joining device 1 comprises a first joining plate 4. In this embodiment, the joining device 1 also comprises a second joining plate 4’. Each of the first and second joining plates 4, 4’ has a body 45 made of a flexible and elastic material, such as a synthetic material like vulcanized rubber or polyurethane, and comprises a reinforcing plate 11, and the reinforcing plate 11 is rigidly connected to the body 45 of the associated joining plate 4, 4’. The reinforcing plate 11 is composed of one or more fiber layers so as to form a fabric reinforcement. This material forms the body of each of these two joining plates 4, 4’. The reinforcing plate 11 has, at the joining position, through-holes for fastening, each of which surrounds at least the fastening means 5, or specific inserts.

[0056] Each of the joining plates 4, 4' is configured to cover separate sides of the ends 21, 22 of the conveyor belt 2, and the conveyor belt 2 is arranged to be vertically disposed between the first and second joining plates 4, 4'. The first and second joining plates 4, 4' together form a first pair of wings 40 that clamp the first end 21 of the conveyor belt 2, and a second pair of wings 42 that clamp the second end 22 of the conveyor belt 2 at the joining position. The two joining plates 4, 4' are fastened together with the ends 21, 22 of the conveyor belt 2 by fastening means 5 arranged to at least partially penetrate the first upper joining plate 4, the ends 21, 22, and then the second lower joining plate 4'.

[0057] The first joining plate 4 comprises a body 45 made of a flexible and elastic material such as rubber. The first joining plate 4 has an outer surface S1 which is intended to be flush with, i.e., at the same height as, the effective surface of the conveyor belt 2 at the joining position. In this case, the outer surface S1 is formed by the outer surface of the body. The effective surface of the conveyor belt 2 corresponds to the surface of the conveyor belt 2 on which various conveyed materials or products are placed. Also, the first joining plate 4 has an inner surface S2 on the opposite side of the outer surface S1, and in this case, is formed by the inner surfaces of the body and the reinforcing plate 11. The inner surface S2 is intended to cover the separate sides of the two ends 21, 22 of the conveyor belt 2 at the joining position and extends across these two ends 21, 22. The inner and outer surfaces S1, S2 define the extent of the thickness E of the associated joining plate 4.

[0058] The thickness E of the first joining plate 4 is greater than the thickness of the second joining plate 4', preferably at least twice the thickness of the second joining plate 4', more preferably at least three times the thickness of the second joining plate 4'. Such a joining plate 4 is called a "high durability coating" plate. The reinforcing plate 11 of the joining plate 4 is housed inside the joining plate body 45 and extends parallel to the outer surface S1. In this case, the thickness of the second lower joining plate 4' is defined and thus measured between its outer and inner surfaces in the region without the insert, and the outer surface is flush with the inner surface of the conveyor belt 2 at the joining position intended to contact the return component and the drive component of the conveyor belt 2 on the opposite side of the effective surface of the conveyor belt 2.

[0059] The first joining plate 4 forming the upper joining plate of the joining device further comprises a plurality of inserts 6 for at least partially adapting the fastening means 5 of the joining device 1 to at least the ends 21, 22. These inserts 6 are at least partially embedded in the body 45 in order to adapt the fastening means 5 of the joining device 1 to at least the ends 21, 22, and each has a fastening opening associated with one of the fastening holes of the reinforcing plate 11 so as to surround the periphery of the associated fastening hole on one side of the reinforcing plate 11.

[0060] The reinforcing member 11 and the insert 6 are preferably joined, by means of a vulcanization method, in the lower half of the joining plate 4 with respect to the thickness E adjacent to the inner face S2. It is understood that the term "lower half" means the portion of the joining plate 4 that extends from the inner face S2 to an intermediate limit that is equidistant from the inner and outer faces S1, S2, this intermediate limit forming the joining face P of the joining plate 4. The lower half is on the opposite side of the joining plate 4 with respect to this intermediate face P, and this upper half overlaps the lower half. Thus, the upper half of the joining plate 4 is formed of a single constituent material of the body 45 and does not strictly have an insert or fastening element 5, which gives the first joining plate 4 great flexibility and good dynamic behavior, especially when in contact with the drive and return components. Also, this upper portion is the part that experiences the greatest elastic deformation when a part of the conveyor belt passes over the return component, thereby obtaining both significant extensibility in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt and suitable wear resistance, the reason being that the thickness of the material of the body 45 located above the reinforcing plate 11 and the insert 6 is relatively large due to being a highly durable covering plate. Specifically, the body 45 has a minimum thickness measured between the outer face S1 and the insert 6 that is equal to or greater than the height of the associated insert 6. This results in a good compromise between elasticity and resistance.

[0061] In the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c, the body 45 includes through-holes 47 that extend in alignment with each insert 6 from the inner surface S1 of the body where the inserts appear toward the inner surface S2 of the body 45. These through-holes 47 of the joining plate 4 have a cylindrical shape and stand upright in a substantially vertical direction. The through-holes 47 are configured such that the fastening means 5 of the joining plate 4 crosses in the longitudinal direction. The elongation rate of the body 45 is in the range between 15% and 40%, preferably between 20% and 30%, and the through-holes 47 are adapted to elastically deform when the fastening element 5 crosses. In this case, each through-hole 47 is oriented to be coaxial with the opening for fastening the associated insert 6 of the first joining plate 4 and the associated fastening hole of the reinforcement plate 11. Each through-hole 47 extends continuously to the fastening opening of the associated insert 6 itself that surrounds the associated fastening hole of the reinforcement plate 11. In such a configuration, each of the through-holes 47 defined by the body 45 provides a lane function for passing the fastening means 5 with which it cooperates for the associated insert 6 of the joining plate 4.

[0062] Similar to the first joining plate 4, the associated second joining plate 4' preferably comprises a plurality of vulcanized inserts 7.

[0063] Each of the fastening means 5 of the joining device 1 comprises a head 5a and a locking section 5b configured to cooperate with a part of the inserts 6, 7, which is adapted to cooperate with the other part of the inserts 6, 7.

[0064] Generally, each joining plate 4, 4' of the joining device 1 comprises a first contact surface that cooperates with the head 5a of the fastening means 5 and a second contact surface that cooperates with the locking section 5b of the fastening means 5, the second contact surface being separate from the first contact surface and comprising inserts that are at least partially incorporated into the associated joining plates 4, 4'. In the embodiment described, the locking section 5b comprises a thread.

[0065] Therefore, each fastening means 5 locally fastens one of the first and second joining plates 4, 4' together with the other of the first and second joining plates 4, 4' while passing through one of the end portions 21, 22 of the conveyor belt 2 interposed between the first and second joining plates 4, 4' at the joining position. By a pair of the first type of insert 6, 7 and the second type of insert 6, 7 of the specific fastening means 5, the fastening can maintain a locked state.

[0066] In this embodiment, the insert 6 of the first joining plate 4 forms the first part of the insert of the first interface surface. These include a perforated washer 61 having a cup 62 capable of accommodating the head 5a of the fastening means 5. When joining the first end and the second end of the conveyor belt 2 together, each screw 5 is inserted through one of the corresponding holes 47 of the first joining plate 4 until its head 5a is accommodated in the cup 62 of the washer 61 forming the insert 6. This type of insert is completely embedded in the main body 45 of the joining plate.

[0067] The insert 7 of the second joining plate 4' forms the second part of the insert of the second interface surface. These include a cylindrical tubular portion 73, the inner cylindrical surface 74 of which can cooperate with the locking section 5b of the fastening means 5. In the described embodiment, the inner cylindrical surface 74 has a threaded portion. When joining the first and second ends of the conveyor belt 2 together, each screw 5 has its head 5a accommodated in the cup 62 of the washer 61 forming the insert 6, and at the same time, the threaded locking section 5b passes through the corresponding end of the conveyor belt 2 and then is screwed into the threaded portion 74 of the insert 7 through one of the corresponding holes 47 of the first joining plate 4. This type of insert is partially embedded in the main body 45 of the joining plate, and at least a part of the cylindrical tubular portion 73 protrudes from the inner surface of the associated joining plate.

[0068] In the joining device 1, each of the through-holes 47 of the joining plate 4 is coaxial with the associated pair of inserts 6, 7 of the first joining plate 4 and the second joining plate 4'. In the embodiment described, the diameter of the through-hole 47 is strictly less than the outer diameter of the head 5a of the associated fastening element, and in this case, strictly less than the diameter of the fastening opening of the associated insert 6, and the body 45 is adapted to partially cover the fastening opening of the insert while ensuring the passage of the rod of the associated fastening element 5. Specifically, in this case, the diameter of the through-hole 47 is equal to the root diameter of the thread of the locking section 5b of the associated fastening element 5. In this way, the screw can be inserted into the insert 6 by screwing into the material of the body 45 that partially covers the fastening opening of the insert 6 after passing through the through-hole 47. In other words, this enables the fastening element 5 to be screwed into the body 45 and defines the boundary of the associated hole 47. Accordingly, the through-hole 47 elastically deforms when the fastening element 5 is introduced and then returns to its initial diameter, at least on the screw head, fulfilling the function of ensuring the passage of the screw by screwing. Also, this makes it possible to keep the screw pre-positioned within the body 4 of the joining plate. The outer surface S1 actually has a larger effective area than that of the prior art where the screw head is at the same height as this surface of the conveyor belt. Further, the size of the hole 47 reduces the risk of crack appearance, thereby extending the service life of the associated joining plate 4. In fact, it is also noted that the passage of the screw does not cause premature wear of the joining plate.

[0069] This embodiment allows the joining device 1 to be mounted on the conveyor from above with as few cavities and roughnesses as possible in order to suppress wear-induced degradation as a result. The covering of the joint can wear in the same way as the covering of the conveyor belt without affecting the fastening element and the insert. Since the threaded fastener is short, good dynamic operation is provided on the highly durable covering belt.

[0070] Figures 4a and 4b show a joining device 1 according to another embodiment of the invention, which is basically different from the above embodiment in that the insert 6 of the first upper joining plate 4 forms in this case an insert of part of the second interface surface, and the body 45 of the first upper joining plate completely covers the fastening opening of the insert 6 rather than partially. They comprise a cylindrical tubular part 63 having an inner cylindrical surface 64 which defines the boundary of the fastening opening and can cooperate with the locking section 5b of the fastening means. The insert 7 of the second lower joining plate 4' forms in this case an insert of part of the first interface surface. They comprise a perforated washer 71 having a cup 72 which can accommodate the head 5a of the fastening means 5 and defines the boundary of the fastening opening. In the embodiment described, the inner cylindrical surface 74 has a thread.

[0071] In this case, the hole 47 is not a through hole but extends from the inner surface S2 of the body 45 to the lower half of the first joining plate 4. In other words, the body 45 completely covers the fastening opening of the insert 6. Thus, the outer surface S1 does not have any interface surface which would represent a region promoting the occurrence of structural defects such as cracks.

[0072] This embodiment allows the joining device to be mounted from below on a conveyor and allows a joining coating without holes to be provided on the surface in contact with the material being conveyed. This has the advantage that the coating is smooth like the coating of a belt and is thus less susceptible to wear. The thickness of the coating can vary as a function of the thickness of the coating of the belt. In this case, the length of the screw is no longer affected by the thickness of the coating. Since the screw is short, good dynamic operation is ensured.

[0073] Of course, the present invention has been exemplarily described above. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternative embodiments of the present invention can be created without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0074] All features that will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present specification, drawings and appended claims, even if strictly speaking they are described in relation to other specific features, should be noted that they can be combined both individually and in any combination with other features or groups of features disclosed in this specification, unless explicitly excluded or such a combination is impossible or meaningless due to technical circumstances.

Claims

1. A joining plate (4) for a joining device (1) for a conveyor belt (2) intended to join two ends (21, 22) of at least one conveyor belt (2), wherein the joining plate (4) has an outer surface (S1) intended to be flush with the effective surface of the conveyor belt (2) at the joining position, and an inner surface (S2) on the opposite side of the outer surface (S1) intended to at least partially cover the two ends (21, 22) of the conveyor belt (2) at the joining position. - A body (45) made of a flexible material having an outer surface that forms the outer surface (S1) of the joining plate (4), - A reinforcing plate (11) having fastening through holes is rigidly connected to the main body, - To fit the fastening means (5) of the joining device (1) to the ends (21, 22), a plurality of inserts (6) are provided, each having a fastening opening associated with one of the fastening holes, at least partially embedded within the main body (45) and surrounding the periphery of the relevant fastening holes on one side of the reinforcing plate (11), Equipped with, The joining plate (4) is characterized in that the main body (45) covers at least partially the fastening opening of the insert.

2. The bonding plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein the main body (45) has a minimum thickness measured between the outer surface (S1) and the insert (6), and the minimum thickness is greater than or equal to a distance equal to the height of the associated insert.

3. The joining plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein the joining plate (4) has an outer surface (S1) formed by the outer surface of the main body (45) and an inner surface (S2) formed by the inner surface of the main body (45) and / or the reinforcing plate (11) on the opposite side of the outer surface (S1), the outer surface (S1) and the inner surface (S2) are equidistant from each other on both sides of the intermediate surface (P) of the joining plate (4), and the reinforcing material (11) and the insert (6) are preferably positioned between the intermediate surface and the inner surface (S2), on the inside of the joining plate with respect to the intermediate surface (P).

4. The reinforcing plate (11) is housed in the main body (45) and extends at a certain distance from the outer surface (S1), the joining plate (4) according to claim 1.

5. The bonding plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein the main body (45) is formed from an elastomer material, preferably made of rubber, and has an extensibility in the range of 15% to 40%, preferably between 20% and 30%.

6. The joining plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein the main body (45) of the joining plate (4) includes a hole (47) extending from the inner surface (S2) of the main body (45) in the lower half of the joining plate (4), and the hole (47) is configured to partially accommodate the fastening means (5).

7. The joining plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein the main body (45) includes through holes (47) extending from the outer surface (S1) to the inner surface (S2) of the main body (45) of the joining plate (4), and each of the holes (47) is configured such that one of the fastening means (5) passes through it.

8. The joining plate (4) according to claim 7, wherein each of the through holes (47) is coaxial with one of the fastening openings of one of the associated inserts (6) of the joining plate (4).

9. A conveyor belt joining device (1) intended to join two ends (21, 22) of at least one conveyor belt (2), comprising at least one joining plate (4) as described in claim 1.

10. A joining device (1) for a conveyor belt (2) according to claim 9, comprising a first joining plate (4) as described in claim 1 and a second plate (4') including a plurality of inserts (7), each of the two plates (4, 4') being configured to cover separate sides of the end of the conveyor belt (2) such that the conveyor belt (2) is positioned between the two joining plates at the joining position, and the first and second joining plates (4, 4') are fastened together by fastening means (5) arranged to at least partially penetrate one of the joining plates of the first and second joining plates (4, 4'), one of the ends (21, 22) of the conveyor belt (2), and then the other joining plate of the first and second joining plates (4, 4'), respectively.

11. The bonding device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the thickness (E) of the first bonding plate (4) is equal to or greater than the thickness of the second bonding plate (4') of the bonding device (1), preferably more precisely greater than the aforementioned thickness, preferably at least twice the thickness of the second bonding plate (4'), and more preferably at least three times the thickness of the second bonding plate (4').

12. The fastening means (5) preferably comprises a screw-type rod-shaped fastening means, each of which preferably comprises a head (5a) configured to cooperate with a part of the insert (6, 7) and a locking section (5b) preferably having a screw thread configured to cooperate with another part of the insert (6, 7), the conveyor belt (2) joining device (1) according to claim 11.

13. Each of the inserts (6, 7) configured to cooperate with the head (5a) of the fastening means (5) comprises a washer (61, 71) perforated by the associated fastening opening surrounded by a cup (62, 72) capable of accommodating the head (5a) of the fastening means (5), and each of the inserts (6, 7) configured to cooperate with the locking section (5b) of the fastening means (5) comprises a cylindrical tubular portion (63, 73) whose inner cylindrical surface (64, 74) defines the boundary of the associated fastening opening in which it can cooperate with the locking section (5b) of the fastening means (5), and the inner cylindrical surface (64, 74) preferably comprises a threaded portion, the conveyor belt (2) joining device (1) according to claim 12.

14. The joining device (1) according to claim 13, wherein only the first joining plate (4) comprises a threaded insert (6) configured to cooperate with the threaded locking section (5b) of the fastening means (5).

15. The joining device (1) according to claim 13, wherein only the first joining plate (4) comprises an insert (6) configured to cooperate with the head (5a) of the fastening means (5).

16. The joining device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the body (45) includes through holes (47) extending from the outer surface (S1) to the inner surface (S2) of the body (45) of the joining plate (4), each of the holes (47) is configured such that one of the fastening means (5) passes through it, and each of the through holes (47) is coaxial with the fastening openings of the respective pairs of inserts (6, 7) of the first joining plate (4) and the second joining plate (4') at the joining position.

17. The joining device (1) according to claim 13, wherein the body (45) includes through holes (47) extending from the outer surface (S1) to the inner surface (S2) of the body (45) of the joining plate (4), each of the holes (47) being configured such that one of the fastening means (5) passes through it, and the diameter of the through holes (47) is, strictly speaking, smaller than the diameter of the fastening opening of the associated insert (6), preferably, strictly speaking, less than the outer diameter of the head (5a) of the associated fastening element (5), preferably, strictly speaking, less than the nominal diameter of the associated locking section (5b), and more preferably substantially equal to the thread root diameter of the threads of the locking section (5b) of the associated fastening element (15).

18. A method for manufacturing a bonding plate (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, - A step of manufacturing a series of multiple bonding plates (4) in a strip form, - A step of cutting a joining plate (4) from the strip manufactured in this manner according to a predetermined dimension, A method that includes at least the following.

19. A method for joining a first end and a second end of a conveyor belt (2) using a conveyor belt (2) joining device (1) as described in claim 1, the device being intended to join two ends (21, 22) of at least one conveyor belt (2), wherein at least, - A step involving the first joining plate (4) and the second joining plate (4'), each covering separate sides of the ends (21, 22) of the conveyor belt (2), wherein the conveyor belt is positioned perpendicularly between the two joining plates (4, 4'), and the first and second joining plates (4, 4') are configured to form a first pair of wings (40) that grips the first end portion (21) of the conveyor belt (2) and a second pair of wings (42) that grips the second end portion (22) of the conveyor belt (2), - The step of inserting the second end of the conveyor belt (2) between the two wings of the second wing pair (42), - A step of fastening the second end (22) of the conveyor belt (2) with the two wings of the second wing pair (42) in which the second end is positioned, - The step of inserting the first end (21) of the conveyor belt (2) between the two wings of the first pair of wings (40), - A step of fastening the first end (21) of the conveyor belt (2) with the two wings of the first pair of wings (40) in which the first end is positioned between them, A method that includes this.

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