Connecting rods for net conveyors

Abstract

To provide a coupling rod for a net conveyor allowing easy attachment / detachment work to / from a conveying belt, and causing no inadvertent falling of components.SOLUTION: A coupling rod for a net conveyor comprises: a rod body 14 having a large diameter part 14a having an outer diameter D1 larger than an inner diameter of a through-hole 10c, and a pair of small diameter parts 14b, 14c arranged at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the large diameter part 14a, coinciding with a center axis of the large diameter part 14a, and having an outer diameter D2 and length insertable into the through-hole 10c, with one small diameter part 14b being longer than the other small diameter part 14c; and a cylindrical stopping member 15 having a cylindrical hole 15a allowing insertion of the large diameter part 14a and axial length L3 with one small diameter part 14b length being less than L1 and the other small diameter part 14c length being L2 or more. The small diameter parts 14b, 14c are formed to be pulled out and insertable in a state of the large diameter part 14a inserted into the stopping member 15, and the stopping member 15 is positioned between a step 14d and a roller chain 6 to thereby restrict movement of the rod body 14 in the axial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0003] ,

[0001] This invention relates to a connecting rod for a net conveyor that is passed between a pair of roller chains to form a net conveyor.

Background Art

[0002] Net conveyors have been used, for example, in food factories and other places, in water removal devices that blow off water droplets adhering to the surface of products after washing (Patent Document 1). Although not shown in the drawings, the water removal device is provided with a net conveyor between a pair of frames. An object to be dewatered is placed and conveyed on this net conveyor, and compressed air is blown from the surroundings during the conveyance process to blow off the water droplets adhering to the object to be dewatered.

[0003] As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 9, the net conveyor has a drive shaft 1 and a driven shaft 2 that are parallel and spaced apart. Sprockets 3 and 4 are provided at both ends of the drive shaft 1 and the driven shaft 2, respectively. The net conveyor includes an endless conveyor belt 5 spanned between these sprockets 3 and 4. The conveyor belt 5 is composed of a pair of roller chains 6 and 7 spanned and opposed between the sprockets 3 and 4, a plurality of connecting rods 8 whose both ends are connected to the roller chains 6 and 7, and a belt-shaped net 9. The drive shaft 1 and the driven shaft 2 are supported at both ends by a frame (not shown), and the drive shaft 1 is rotated by a motor (not shown) to circulate the conveyor belt 5.

[0004] FIG. 10 is a partial plan view of the conveyor belt 5. At the widthwise end of the conveyor belt 5, as shown in the drawing, the connecting rod 8 penetrates the inner link 10 and the outer link 11 of the roller chain 6, and a snap ring 12 is attached to the protruding end. The inner link 10 is a combination of a pair of inner plates 10a, two rollers 10b, and a bush 10c inserted into the roller 10b, and the outer link 11 is a combination of a pair of outer plates 11a and pins 11b press-fitted into these and caulked at both ends.

[0005] The roller chain 6 is formed by continuously connecting the inner links 10 with the outer links 11. In order to form an endless conveying belt 5, the connecting rods 8 are passed through the outer links 11 instead of the pins 11b, and a strip-shaped net 9 is connected to the roller chain 6. The reason a snap ring 12 is used as a means to prevent the connecting rod 8 from coming loose is to allow the connecting rod 8 to be removed from the strip-shaped net 9 and the conveying belt 5 to be deployed as needed.

[0006] The strip-shaped net 9 is constructed by connecting a pair of spiral members 9a and 9b, which are wound in opposite directions, with a connecting rod 8. Therefore, by removing the snap ring 12 and pulling out the connecting rod 8, the spiral members 9a and 9b can be separated. Furthermore, by removing the connecting rod 8 that passes through the roller chains 6 and 7 in place of the pin 11b, the connection at both ends can be released, allowing the conveying belt 5 to be deployed.

[0007] Figure 10 shows the state in which the roller chain 6 is connected to one end of the strip-shaped net 9 in the width direction. On the other end, a roller chain 7 having the same structure as the roller chain 6 is connected to the strip-shaped net 9 by a connecting rod 8 in the same manner as above, and a snap ring 12 is attached to the through end of the connecting rod 8 that passes through the bush 10c inside the roller 10b. Note that the symbol 9c in the figure represents a welded joint.

[0008] When deploying the conveying belt 5 of such a net conveyor, do the following: First, the drive shaft 1 or driven shaft 2 is moved so that the distance between the two shafts is shortened, and the tension of the conveyor belt 5 is loosened and it is in a relaxed state. Once the conveyor belt 5 is loosened, it can be lifted up from the sprockets 3,3 and 4,4, and in that state, the snap rings 12 at both ends of any of the connecting rods 8 are removed and the connecting rod 8 is pulled out, which separates the conveyor belt 5 at that point. If the conveyor belt 5 is separated, it can be unfolded and pulled out from inside the frame. Once the conveyor belt 5 is pulled out, it can be cleaned, and the inside of the frame can also be easily cleaned.

[0009] The water removal equipment described above is often installed in food manufacturing facilities and other places where it is necessary to completely remove water from washed products. If cleaning is neglected in such facilities, dust and other debris can adhere to the blown-away water droplets, and limescale crystals from tap water can accumulate on various parts of the equipment. It is unacceptable for dust hardened by water droplets or limescale crystals to enter the product, but even if they only adhere to the outside of the product packaging, the product's value will decrease. Sometimes, it can even result in a defective product. Therefore, the connecting rod 8 can be removed to facilitate cleaning of the conveying belt 5 and the inside of the device. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-151663 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6872240 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] In the net conveyor described above, snap rings 12, 12 are attached to both ends of the connecting rods 8 that make up the conveying belt 5, and these can be removed to unfold the conveying belt 5. However, snap rings 12,12 are small, and attaching and detaching them is not easy. Furthermore, when removing the snap ring 12, it is necessary to keep track of it so that it is not lost. In addition, a snap ring that has been repeatedly attached and detached may lose its spring force and may fall off during operation of the device. If a detached snap ring 12 gets mixed into the product, it would be a major problem.

[0012] The objective of this invention is to provide a connecting rod for a net conveyor that is easy to attach and detach from the conveyor belt and prevents parts from accidentally falling off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The first invention is a connecting rod for a net conveyor that is stretched between sprockets and stretched between a pair of roller chains that are positioned opposite each other at a predetermined distance apart, and whose ends are inserted through through holes formed in each of the roller chains so as to be perpendicular to the direction of travel of the roller chains, thereby endlessly connecting each of the roller chains and forming a conveying belt having an endless pair of roller chains, comprising a rod-shaped rod body stretched between the pair of roller chains and a cylindrical stopper attached to the rod body, wherein the rod body has a large diameter portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the through hole, and a pair of small diameter portions having an outer diameter and length that can be inserted into the through hole, with the central axis of the large diameter portion coinciding with the central axis of the large diameter portion and positioned at each of the longitudinal ends of the large diameter portion, and one small diameter portion being longer than the other small diameter portion, and the stopper The member has a cylindrical hole through which the large diameter portion can be inserted, and an axial length less than the length of one small diameter portion and greater than or equal to the length of the other small diameter portion. With the large diameter portion inserted into the stopper member, each of the small diameter portions is inserted into the respective through holes of the roller chain, and then the stopper member is moved to the one small diameter portion. By positioning the stopper member between the step formed at the boundary between the end of the large diameter portion and the one small diameter portion and the roller chain through which the one small diameter portion is inserted, the axial movement of the rod body is restricted. By moving the stopper member to the large diameter portion, the rod body is moved axially toward the one roller chain, allowing the other small diameter portion to be removed from the through hole of the other roller chain, and then the one small diameter portion can be removed from the through hole of the one roller chain.

[0014] The second invention is that the stopper member has a non-circular cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical hole.

[0015] The third invention is that the stopper member consists of a cylindrical body with uneven wall thickness on its side walls.

[0016] The fourth invention is a compression spring in which the stopper member is made of a coil-shaped compression spring, the compression spring having an inner diameter of a cylindrical hole which is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion when the compression spring is at its natural length and larger than the large diameter portion when compressed, and a natural length which is less than the length of one small diameter portion and greater than the length of the other small diameter portion, the large diameter portion is inserted into the compression spring in the compressed state, the two small diameter portions are inserted into the through holes of opposing roller chains, and then the compression spring is moved onto one of the small diameter portions, and the other By positioning the compression spring in its natural length between one step continuous with the small diameter portion and one roller chain opposite this step, the axial movement of the rod body is restricted. By compressing the compression spring and moving it to the large diameter portion, the rod body is moved axially toward the one roller chain, allowing the other small diameter portion to be removed from the through-hole of the other roller chain. Subsequently, the one small diameter portion can be removed from the through-hole of the one roller chain. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the first invention, by positioning the cylindrical stopper at the small diameter portion, the axial movement of the rod body can be restricted, and by moving the stopper towards the large diameter portion, the small diameter portion can be inserted into and removed from the through-hole of the roller chain. Since moving the aforementioned retaining member is easier than attaching and detaching a snap ring, the ease of removing the connecting rod is improved. In addition, since the connecting rod can be attached and detached while the retaining member is still attached to the large-diameter section, the possibility of losing the retaining member is reduced.

[0018] According to the second invention, the stopper positioned at the small diameter portion is less likely to move, so the stopper will not inadvertently move to the large diameter portion during the operation of the net conveyor, and the axial movement of the rod body can be restricted more reliably.

[0019] According to the third invention, due to gravity, the thick-walled portion of the cylindrical body constituting the stop member is located downward, and the stop member becomes difficult to rotate around the small-diameter portion. If the stop member is stable at the small-diameter portion, the stop member will not inadvertently move toward the large-diameter portion side during the operation of the net conveyor, and the axial movement of the rod body can be more reliably restricted. If the stop member inadvertently moves to the large-diameter portion, the connecting rod may fall off from the roller chain. However, in the second and third inventions, such a situation is particularly unlikely to occur.

[0020] According to the fourth invention, a coiled compression spring functions as a stop member, and the connecting rod can be attached and detached by moving the compression spring on the rod body. The movement of the compression spring has better workability compared to the attachment and detachment operation of a small snap ring. Particularly, when no external force is applied to the compression spring, the inner diameter of its cylindrical hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion, so the compression spring will not move toward the large-diameter portion side during the normal operation of the net conveyor. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the connecting member from inadvertently falling off.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of the connecting rod of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view when the connecting rod of the first embodiment constitutes a conveyor belt. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Figure 8 is a side view of the retaining member of the fifth embodiment, showing the compressed state of the coil spring. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a net conveyor. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a partial plan view of a conventional net conveyor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a side view of the connecting rod of the first embodiment, Figure 2 is a side view of the connecting rod of the first embodiment when it constitutes a conveying belt, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the connecting rod 13 of the first embodiment consists of a rod body 14 and a cylindrical stopper member 15. The rod body 14 is made of a metal cylinder and is used to form the conveying belt of the net conveyor. It replaces one of the conventional connecting rods 8 shown in Figure 10 and is used by being placed between a pair of roller chains 6 and 7. In the following, one of the roller chains 6 will be referred to as the first roller chain 6, and the other roller chain 7 as the second roller chain 7. In this first embodiment, the configuration other than the connecting rod 13 is the same as in the conventional example described above. Therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals as in Figures 9 and 10 will be used for the same components as in the conventional example.

[0024] The rod body 14 consists of a large-diameter portion 14a in the central part and a pair of first and second small-diameter portions 14b and 14c, which are smaller in diameter than the large-diameter portion 14a and are provided at both ends thereof. The central axes of these first and second small-diameter portions 14b and 14c are provided coaxially with the central axis of the large-diameter portion 14a, and are provided continuously with the large-diameter portion 14a via first and second steps 14d and 14e that serve as boundaries. The first small-diameter portion 14b is one of the small-diameter portions, and the second small-diameter portion 14c is the other small-diameter portion.

[0025] The large-diameter portion 14a has an outer diameter D1 that is larger than the inner diameter of the bush 10c that penetrates the rollers 10b of the first and second roller chains 6 and 7, while the first and second small-diameter portions 14b and 14c have an outer diameter D2 that is smaller than the inner diameter of the bush 10c, i.e., they are able to be inserted into the bush 10c. In this embodiment, the two bushes 10c, 10c constitute through holes formed in each of the pair of roller chains 6, 7.

[0026] Furthermore, the axial length L1 of the first small-diameter section 14b is longer than the axial length L2 of the second small-diameter section 14c, and is equal to or close to the sum of the axial length L3 of the cylindrical body 15 and the width L4 of the first roller chain 6. The axial length L4 of the second small diameter section 14c is set to be equal to or close to the width L4 of the second roller chain 7. The total length of the large-diameter section 14a and the first and second small-diameter sections 14b and 14c corresponds to the distance between the first roller chain 6 and the second roller chain 7 when the net conveyor is constructed.

[0027] On the other hand, the cylindrical body 15, which is the stopper member, is a cylinder made of the same material as the rod body 14, and has a cylindrical hole 15a concentric with the axis of the cylindrical body 15. In other words, the cylindrical body 15 is a cylinder with a uniform wall thickness. The inner diameter D3 of this cylindrical hole 15a is made larger than the outer diameter D1 of the large diameter portion 14a of the rod body 14, so that the large diameter portion 14a can be inserted into the cylindrical hole 15a. Furthermore, the axial length L3 of the cylindrical body 15 is less than the length L1 of the first small diameter portion 14b and greater than or equal to the length L2 of the second small diameter portion 14c.

[0028] [Effects, etc.] The procedure for attaching the above-mentioned connecting rod 13 between the first and second roller chains 6 and 7 is as follows. Insert the rod body 14 through the cylindrical hole 15a of the cylindrical body 15, positioning the cylindrical body 15 at the large diameter portion 14a. For example, after maintaining the cylindrical body 15 at the position shown by the dashed line in Figure 1, insert the first and second small diameter portions 14b and 14c through the bushings 10c and 10c of the first and second roller chains 6 and 7. At this time, first insert the first small diameter portion 14b through the bushing 10c of the first roller chain 6.

[0029] After inserting the first small-diameter portion 14b into one of the bushings 10c, the rod body 14 is moved toward the first roller chain 6 until the first step 14d facing the first roller chain 6 contacts the first roller chain 6. Once the rod body 14 has been moved toward the first roller chain 6, the second small-diameter portion 14c is inserted into the bushing 10c of the second roller chain 7, and the rod body 14 is moved until the second step 14e facing the second roller chain 7 contacts the second roller chain 7. When the second small-diameter portion 14c is inserted through the bush 10c of the second roller chain 7 and the rod body 14 is moved toward the second roller chain 7, a part of the first small-diameter portion 14b is exposed between the first roller chain 6 and the first step 14d.

[0030] Next, the cylindrical body 15 is moved from the large-diameter portion 14a to the exposed portion of the first small-diameter portion 14b, and positioned between the first step 14d and the first roller chain 6, as shown in Figure 2. Since the inner diameter D3 of the cylindrical bore 15a of the cylindrical body 15 is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter D2 of the first small-diameter portion 14b, the cylindrical body 15 hangs from the first small-diameter portion 14b as shown in Figures 2 and 3, resulting in an eccentric state relative to the rod body 14. Therefore, when the rod body 14 attempts to move toward the first roller chain 6, the first step 14d abuts against the end face of the cylindrical body 15, restricting the axial movement of the rod body 14. Furthermore, the movement of the rod body 14 toward the second roller chain 7 is restricted by the contact between the second step 14e and the second roller chain 7.

[0031] In contrast, when deploying the first and second roller chains 6 and 7, the procedure is reversed from the above. First, the cylindrical body 15, which is eccentric with respect to the first small-diameter portion 14b, is shifted in the diametrical direction (upward) to become concentric with the rod body 14, and then the cylindrical body 15 is moved to the large-diameter portion 14a. Once the cylindrical body 15 is positioned at the large-diameter portion 14a, the first small-diameter portion 14b is exposed, and the rod body 14 can be moved toward the first roller chain 6 by that amount.

[0032] By moving the rod body 14 toward the first roller chain 6, the second small-diameter portion 14c can be removed from the bush 10c of the second roller chain 7. After removing the second small-diameter portion 14c from the bush 10c of the second roller chain 7, the rod body 14 can be returned toward the second roller chain 7, allowing the first small-diameter portion 14b to be removed from the bush 10c of the first roller chain 6, and the first and second roller chains 6 and 7 to be deployed.

[0033] As described above, in the first embodiment, the connecting rod 13 is restricted from axial movement when installed and does not fall off. When deploying the conveying belt 5, the cylindrical body 15, which is a stopper, can be moved to the large-diameter portion 14a of the rod body 14, allowing the rod body 14 to be easily removed. Because the cylindrical body 15 has a certain length and is easy to hold, moving the cylindrical body 15 is easier compared to attaching and detaching the small snap ring 12 as in the conventional method. Also, when the rod body 14 is removed, the cylindrical body 15 can be fitted onto the large diameter section 14a, so there is no need to worry about losing the cylindrical body 15. Furthermore, since the snap ring 12 is not attached or detached, the problem of the snap ring 12 deteriorating due to repeated attachment and detachment does not occur.

[0034] [Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, a coil spring 16 is used as the cylindrical retaining member instead of the cylindrical body 15 of the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a side view of the coil spring 16. In this second embodiment, the connecting rod 13 is composed of the rod body 14 shown in Figure 1 and the coil spring 16 shown in Figure 4.

[0035] The coil spring 16 described above is a coil-shaped compression spring, and its natural length L5 is the axial length of the retaining member. This natural length L5 is set to be equal to or slightly longer than the axial length L3 of the cylindrical body 15 shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, the inner diameter portion 16a of the coil spring 16 corresponds to a cylindrical hole, and the inner diameter of the coil at its natural length L5 is made equal to the inner diameter D3 of the cylindrical body 15, which is larger than the outer diameter D1 of the large diameter portion 14a. Therefore, the large diameter portion 14a can be inserted through the inner diameter portion 16a of the coil spring 16 when it is at its natural length.

[0036] [Effects, etc.] In this second embodiment as well, with the large-diameter portion 14a inserted through the coil spring 16 which is the retaining member, the first and second small-diameter portions 14b and 14c of the rod body 14 can be removed from the bushings 10c and 10c of the first and second roller chains 6 and 7. Furthermore, if the coil spring 16 is positioned between the first step 14d on the first small diameter portion 14b and the first roller chain 6, with the first and second small diameter portions 14b and 14c inserted through the bushings 10c and 10c of the first and second roller chains 6 and 7, the axial movement of the rod body 14 can be restricted in the same way as in the first embodiment.

[0037] In this second embodiment, when the coil spring 16 is positioned between the first step 14d and the first roller chain 6, hanging from the first small-diameter portion 14b, it slightly bends and exerts elastic force, pressing the second step 14e on the second small-diameter portion 14c side against the second roller chain 7, and both end faces of the coil spring 16 are pressed against the first step 14d and the first roller chain 6, thereby restricting the axial movement of the rod body 14. Furthermore, the coil spring 16 is designed with an elasticity that ensures the aforementioned pressing condition is maintained even when subjected to normal vibrations caused by the operation of the net conveyor.

[0038] Moving the coil spring 16 is easier than attaching and detaching the conventional snap ring 12, and in this second embodiment as well, the workability of deploying the conveying belt 5 is improved compared to the conventional method. Furthermore, by constructing the cylindrical stopper with a coil spring 16, it becomes possible to slightly change the axial length of the stopper. Therefore, even if the axial length control of the stopper and the small diameter sections 14b and 14c is not strictly controlled and is somewhat rough, the axial movement of the rod body 14 can be reliably restricted.

[0039] [Third Embodiment] The third embodiment shown in Figure 5 uses a cylindrical body 17 as the fastening member instead of the cylindrical body 15 of the first embodiment. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical body 17, which is the fastening member of the third embodiment, through which the first small-diameter portion 14b is inserted. The connecting rod 13 of the third embodiment is composed of a rod body 14 shown in Figure 1 and a cylindrical body 17 shown in Figure 5.

[0040] In the third embodiment, the cylindrical body 17, which is the stopper member, has a cylindrical appearance, but as shown in Figure 5, the cylindrical hole 17a is eccentric with respect to the outer circle. As a result, the side walls of the cylindrical body 17 have uneven thickness, forming thick-walled and thin-walled sections. Furthermore, the axial length of the cylindrical body 17 is the same length L3 as the cylindrical body 15 of the first embodiment. Also, the inner diameter D3 of the cylindrical hole 17a is the same as the inner diameter D3 of the cylindrical hole 15a of the first embodiment, allowing the large diameter portion 14a to be inserted.

[0041] [Effects, etc.] In this third embodiment as well, with the large-diameter portion 14a of the rod body 14 inserted through the cylindrical hole 17a of the cylindrical body 17, the first and second small-diameter portions 14b and 14c can be inserted into and removed from the bushings 10c and 10c of the first and second roller chains 6 and 7. Furthermore, with the first and second small-diameter sections 14b and 14c inserted through the bushings 10c and 10c of the first and second roller chains 6 and 7, the cylindrical body 17, which has been moved to the first small-diameter section 14b, can be fitted between the first step 14d and the first roller chain 6 to restrict the axial movement of the rod body 14. Moving the cylindrical body 17 is easier than attaching and detaching the conventional snap ring 12, improving the workability of deploying the conveying belt 5.

[0042] Furthermore, when the cylindrical body 17 is positioned between the first step 14d and the first roller chain 6 at the first small-diameter section 14b, gravity tends to cause the thickened portion of the side wall to be positioned downwards, as shown in Figure 5. Therefore, the position of the cylindrical body 17 relative to the first small-diameter section 14b is stabilized. For example, rotation of the cylindrical body 17 relative to the first small-diameter section 14b is suppressed, and vertical movement is also suppressed. As a result, even if an external impact is received, the cylindrical body 17 will not inadvertently move toward the large-diameter section 14a. Therefore, the axial movement of the rod body 14 can be restricted more stably.

[0043] [Fourth Embodiment] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening member according to the fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it uses the cylindrical body 18 shown in Figure 6 as a stopper member instead of the cylindrical body 15, but the other configurations are the same as the first embodiment. The connecting rod 13 of the fourth embodiment is composed of the rod body 14 and the cylindrical body 18 shown in Figure 6.

[0044] The cylindrical body 18 is an oval cylindrical member whose outer shape and the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical hole 18a are not circular. The axial length of the cylindrical body 18 is the same as the length L3 of the cylindrical body 15. Furthermore, the cross-section of the cylindrical hole 18a is an oval in which two semicircles, each with the same diameter as the inner diameter D3 of the cylindrical body 15 and slightly larger than the outer diameter D1 of the large diameter portion 14a, are arranged opposite each other at a distance from one another, allowing the large diameter portion 14a with an outer diameter D1 to pass through.

[0045] [Effects, etc.] In this fourth embodiment as well, with the large-diameter portion 14a of the rod body 14 inserted through the cylindrical hole 18a of the cylindrical body 18, the small-diameter portions 14b and 14c at both ends can be inserted into or removed from the bushings 10c, 10c of the first and second roller chains 6 and 7. Furthermore, with the first and second small-diameter sections 14b and 14c inserted through the bushings 10c and 10c of the first and second roller chains 6 and 7, the cylindrical body 18, which has been moved to the first small-diameter section 14b, can be fitted between the first step 14d and the first roller chain 6 to restrict the axial movement of the rod body 14. Moving the cylindrical body 18 is easier than attaching and detaching the conventional snap ring 12, and the workability of deploying the conveying belt 5 is improved.

[0046] Furthermore, when the cylindrical body 18 is positioned between the first step 14d and the first roller chain 6 in the first small-diameter section 14b, as shown in Figure 6, the major axis of the ellipse tends to coincide with the direction of gravity, thus stabilizing the position of the cylindrical body 18 relative to the first small-diameter section 14b. Therefore, the cylindrical body 18 is not inadvertently moved toward the large-diameter section 14a, and the axial movement of the rod body 14 can be restricted more stably.

[0047] In the fourth embodiment, the outer shape of the retaining member and the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical hole are oval, but they are not limited to ovals as long as the orientation of the retaining member is stable when the first small-diameter portion 14b is inserted through it. For example, the cross-sectional shape can be a polygon or other non-circular shape. Furthermore, by combining the outer shape of the cylindrical body, the shape of the cylindrical hole, and the position of the cylindrical hole, the wall thickness of the side wall can be made uneven, thereby realizing a configuration that makes the cylindrical body even less prone to misalignment.

[0048] [Fifth Embodiment] Figures 7 and 8 are side views of the fastening member according to the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the coil spring 19 shown in Figure 7 is replaced with a cylindrical retaining member. The other configurations are the same as those in the other embodiments described above. The connecting rod 13 of the fifth embodiment is formed by this coil spring 19 and the rod body 14 shown in Figure 1.

[0049] The coil spring 19 of the fifth embodiment is a coil-shaped compression spring, and its natural length, which is its axial length, is the same as that of the coil spring 16 of the second embodiment, L5. However, the diameter of the coil differs from that of the coil spring 16 described above. The inner diameter D4 of the inner diameter portion 19a, which is a cylindrical hole, is set to be larger than the outer diameter D2 of the first small diameter portion 14b and smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the large diameter portion 14a. In other words, the first small diameter portion 14b can be inserted into the inner diameter portion 19a of the coil spring 19 at its natural length, but the large diameter portion 14a cannot.

[0050] However, when the coil spring 19 is compressed axially from its natural length to a compressed state as shown in Figure 8, the inner diameter portion 19a of the coil expands, resulting in an inner diameter D3 that is larger than the outer diameter D1 of the large diameter portion 14a of the rod body 14.

[0051] [Effects, etc.] In this fifth embodiment, the coil spring 19 is pinched and compressed to the compressed state shown in Figure 8, and the inner diameter portion 19a is made to the inner diameter D3, and then the large diameter portion 14a of the rod body 14 is inserted through the inner diameter portion 19a. In that state, the first small diameter portion 14b is inserted through the bush 10c of the first roller chain 6, and then the second small diameter portion 14c is inserted through the bush 10c of the second roller chain 7. Subsequently, the coil spring 19 is moved from the large-diameter section 14a to the first small-diameter section 14b. At this time, the coil spring 19 must be compressed to maintain the inner diameter D3.

[0052] When the coil spring 19 is moved to the first small-diameter portion 14b and the compressive force is released, the axial length of the coil spring 19 recovers to its natural length L5, and it exerts an elastic force between the first step 14d and the first roller chain 6. The coil spring 19 then functions as a stopper that restricts the axial movement of the rod body 14.

[0053] Furthermore, when the coil spring 19 is inserted through the large-diameter portion 14a and the compressive force is released, it deforms in the direction of returning to its natural length L5, that is, in the direction of reduction in diameter. Therefore, the coil spring 19 can tighten around the large-diameter portion 14a, preventing it from falling out of the rod body 14. Furthermore, in the first small-diameter portion 14b, since the inner diameter D4 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the large-diameter portion 14a, the coil spring 19 does not move toward the large-diameter portion 14a, and the coil spring 19 maintains its function as a retaining member.

[0054] In this fifth embodiment as well, the conveying belt 5 can be deployed and connected with better workability than attaching and detaching the conventional snap ring 12. Furthermore, the coil spring 19 can be reliably prevented from falling off the rod body 14 during the attachment and detachment process, and the coil spring 19 will not end up in the product.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the description of the strip-shaped net 9 that constitutes the conveying surface of the net conveyor has been omitted. However, if the strip-shaped net 9 is used, the strip-shaped net can be connected with the rod body 14, and then the rod body 14 can be inserted through the bushings 10c, 10c of the first and second roller chains 6, 7, or the rod body 14 can be removed to unfold the strip-shaped net 9 as described above. The strip-shaped net that constitutes the conveying surface can be any type that can be unfolded by pulling out the rod body 14, and is not limited to the illustrated configuration.

[0056] Alternatively, the conveying surface may be constructed using only connecting rods 13 arranged at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction, without the provision of a strip-shaped net. Furthermore, since conventional connecting rods 8 other than the connecting rod 13 mentioned above do not need to be inserted or removed, they may be fixed by welding or crimping instead of the snap ring 12. [Industrial applicability]

[0057] By applying this to conveying equipment used in food handling facilities, it becomes easier to keep net conveyors clean. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 5 Conveyor belt 6,7 First and second roller chains 10c (through-hole) bushing 13 Connecting rod 14. Main body of the rod 14a Large diameter section 14b, 14c First and second small diameter sections 14d, 14e First and second steps 15, 17, 18 (Stopping member) Cylindrical body 15a,17a,18a Cylindrical hole 16,19 (Stopping member) Coil spring 16a,19a (cylindrical hole) inner diameter part D1 Outer diameter of the large diameter section D2 Outer diameter of the small diameter section D3, D4 (inner diameter of the cylindrical hole) D4 (Inner diameter of coil spring) L1 Length of one of the smaller diameter sections L2 Length of the other small diameter section L3 (Axial length of the fastening member) L5 (natural length of the coil spring)

Claims

1. A connecting rod for a net conveyor, which is stretched between sprockets and stretched between a pair of roller chains that are positioned opposite each other at a predetermined distance apart, and whose ends are inserted through through holes formed in each of the roller chains so as to be perpendicular to the direction of travel of the roller chains, thereby endlessly connecting each of the roller chains and forming a conveying belt having an endless pair of roller chains, It consists of a rod-shaped rod body stretched between the pair of roller chains and a cylindrical stopper member attached to the rod body, The rod body described above is A large-diameter portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the above-mentioned through hole, Its central axis coincides with the central axis of the large-diameter portion and it comprises a pair of small-diameter portions positioned at each of the longitudinal ends of the large-diameter portion and having an outer diameter and length that can be inserted into the through hole, One small diameter section is longer than the other small diameter section. The above-mentioned fastening member is A cylindrical hole through which the above-mentioned large-diameter portion can be inserted, The axial length is less than the length of one of the small diameter portions and greater than or equal to the length of the other small diameter portion, With the large-diameter portion inserted through the stopper member, the small-diameter portions are inserted into the respective through-holes of the roller chain, and then the stopper member is moved to one of the small-diameter portions. By positioning the stopper member between the step formed at the boundary between the end of the large-diameter portion and the one small-diameter portion and the roller chain through which the one small-diameter portion is inserted, the axial movement of the rod body is restricted. A connecting rod for a net conveyor, wherein the stopper member is moved to the larger diameter portion, thereby moving the rod body axially toward one of the roller chains, allowing the other smaller diameter portion to be removed from the through-hole of the other roller chain, and then allowing the one smaller diameter portion to be removed from the through-hole of the one roller chain.

2. The above-mentioned stopping member is a connecting rod for a net conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical hole is non-circular.

3. The above-mentioned stopping member is a connecting rod for a net conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a cylindrical body with uneven wall thickness on its side walls.

4. The above-mentioned retaining member consists of a coil-shaped compression spring. The above compression spring is, The inner diameter of the coil, which is the cylindrical hole, is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion when the compression spring is at its natural length, and larger than the large diameter portion when compressed. It comprises a natural length less than the length of one of the small diameter portions and greater than or equal to the length of the other small diameter portion, With the large-diameter portion inserted through the compressed compression spring, the two small-diameter portions are inserted through the through-holes of the opposing roller chains, and then the compression spring is moved onto one of the small-diameter portions. By positioning the compression spring at its natural length between one step continuous with the small-diameter portion and the roller chain opposite this step, the axial movement of the rod body is restricted. The connecting rod for a net conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the above-mentioned compression spring is compressed and moved to the above-mentioned large-diameter portion, thereby moving the rod body axially toward the one roller chain side, thereby allowing the other small-diameter portion to be removed from the through-hole of the other roller chain, and thereafter, the one small-diameter portion can be removed from the through-hole of the one roller chain.

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