Laitram, LLC

James O Gundlach

James M Lapeyre, Iii

Christopher G Greve

Robert S Lapeyre

Brent A Ledet

Christopher J Verdigets

John J Carbone

A conveyor belt and a belt module having airflow passages that direct air exiting the module in different directions to agitate conveyed products. The airflow passages of injection-molded belt modules are formed with no undercut regions to accommodate the clean parting of the mold halves.

Conveyor belt and module with skewed air-flow passages

A flat belt conveyor that is flexible along its length and has a chevron drive and a matching drive drum with helical drive surfaces on its periphery to drive and track the belt. The flat belt may comprise a series of flexible modules, or belt segments, of one or more lengths joined end to end to form an endless belt of desired length.

Positively driven, tracking flat belt and conveyor

A modular plastic conveyor belt formed by rows of belt modules connected together at hinge joints by non-circular hinge rods. Each hinge rod has an arcuate outer face that forms a portion of a cylinder and extends circumferentially over a first angle preferably between 90&#xb0; and 180&#xb0;. An axial groove is formed in the hinge rod opposite its arcuate outer face. Openings in hinge eyes at opposite ends of the belt rows are sector-shaped. The openings along a leading edge of a row are shaped to receive a hinge rod snugly with little clearance. The openings along a trailing edge of an adjacent row have similar radial dimensions, but extend circumferentially over a second angle greater than the first angle. The hinge eyes of adjacent rows are interleaved and aligned to receive a hinge rod and give the hinge joint a range of articulation. Protrusions extending into the openings are received in the grooves in the hinge rod to register the hinge rod in the joint to limit vertical motion of the rod in the extended openings.

Abrasion-resistant hinge rods in modular plastic conveyor belts

A modular plastic conveyor belt constructed of flexible belt modules molded out of a material such as a flexible elastomeric compound that enables the belt to wrap closely around drive sprockets. Drive elements in the bottom of the belt are uniformly spaced in the direction of belt travel. The distance between consecutive drive elements is the drive pitch, which is less than the pitch, roughly the length, of each module. A belt constructed of these modules has fewer joints between modules than a typical modular conveyor belt of the same length.

Long, flexible conveyor belt modules in modular plastic conveyor belts

A modular conveyor belt forming a hinge between consecutive belt rows (A&#x2013;C) hingedly connected by a noncircular hinge pin (). Hinge eyes () along the forward and rearward ends of each row (A&#x2013;C) of belt modules include aligned openings for the hinge pins (). The belt rows (A&#x2013;C) are arranged end-to-end with the hinge eyes () of adjacent rows interleaved. In one version, the hinge pins () are inserted in the passageway formed by the aligned openings of the interleaved hinge eyes. The hinge pins () include first () and second () hinge pin members, such as flat strips. The openings in the hinge eyes () are characterized by a narrow slotted portion () for restraining the first hinge pin member () against rotation within the slotted portion and a wider sector-shaped portion () that allows the second hinge pin member () to rotate relative to the first hinge pin member (). In another version, a single non-circular hinge pin having a convex rocker face along one side is received in aligned openings in the interleaved sets of hinge eyes of consecutive rows. The convex rocker faces rock on convex rocker surfaces bounding the second aligned openings as the belt articulates at the hinge formed at the hinge pin.

Modular conveyor belt with non-circular hinge pin

A modular conveyor belt forming a hinge between consecutive belt rows hingedly connected by a two-part hinge pin. Hinge eyes along the forward and rearward ends of each row of belt modules include aligned openings for the hinge pins. The belt rows are arranged end-to-end with the hinge eyes of adjacent rows interleaved. The hinge pins are inserted in the passageway formed by the aligned openings of the interleaved hinge eyes. The hinge pins include first and second hinge pin members, such as flat strips. The openings in the hinge eyes are characterized by a narrow slotted portion for restraining the first hinge pin member against rotation within the slotted portion and a wider sector-shaped portion that allows the second hinge pin member to rotate relative to the first hinge pin member.

Modular conveyor belt with two-part hinge pin

A modular link of a conveyor belt is provided with belt edge structure for retaining in the belt so that it may not escape or protrude from a belt edge a headless pivot rod journalled in apertures in interdigitated link ends interconnecting adjacent links. The retention structure provides a shuttling plug movable into two bistable positions within a mating shuttle cavity having an open end and a blind end. The cavity extends transversely in the link between two link end pivot rod journalling apertures to intersect only one journalling aperture. The two bistable states for the shuttle plug respectively (1) lock the headless pivot rod in place in a stable pivot rod occluding position extending into said journalling aperture, and (2) permits the headless pivot rod to enter or leave the journalled position by movement of the shuttle plug out of the occluding position into a second stable position. The belt edge structure provides an adjoining link with a cavity closure surface which confines the open end of the mating shuttle cavity to occlude movement of the plug out of the mating shuttle cavity when the conveyor belt is operating.

Shuttle plugs for retaining headless pivot rods in conveyor belts

Split sprocket wheels having interlocking tabs for forming a sprocket wheel assembly that is easy to install on and remove from a drive or idler shaft of a belt or chain conveyor. The invention provides thin, durable sprocket wheels split into at least two sectorial sections along seams extending from a central bore to an outer engagement surface. Mating tabs and receptacles at the edges of adjacent sectorial sections interlock the adjacent sections radially and circumferentially. Holes in the vicinity of the mating tabs and receptacles of adjacent interlocked sections admit locking means for holding the sectorial sections together in axial compression. The sprocket wheels can be ganged together at selected positions along a shaft with their bores in coaxial alignment by means of spacers interconnecting consecutive sprocket wheels along the shaft. Sprocket wheels can be disengaged for removal from the shaft by loosening the locking means and sliding one section axially with respect to the other section by a distance as little as the thickness of the thin sprocket wheel.

Axially-engaged, abrasion-resistant split sprocket assembly

Sprocket wheels for modular plastic link belts are made in two mating halves for expediting removal perpendicularly away from a coaxial drive shaft about which they are supported without disassembly of the shaft. To assure axial alignment and stability of the mating parts overlap joints between the parts are formed by securing together in surface contact laminar flange extensions from respective sprocket wheel halves joined in driving relationship about an inner shaft to form a completed sprocket wheel assembly. For critical use in food and chemical environments, the entire sprocket assembly is made of plastic, including binding clamps for holding the two mated flange surfaces of different halves together.

Replaceable sprocket wheel assembly for modular link belt systems

A sprocket arrangement for driving conveyor belts is disclosed which provides improved operation in the presence of abrasives, corrosives and contaminants. The metal sprocket is used with modular plastic belts to produce long wear and improved performance. The sprocket is formed by aligning a multiplicity of thin substantially disk shaped metal sprocket lamina across the width of the belt. Groups of aligned lamina may be formed into a rigid sprocket unit by simply bolting or welding. Each of the sprocket lamina includes a non-circular central aperture for fitting onto a drive shaft. Driving surfaces are formed around the perimeter of each driving lamina. The lamina may be stacked in contact with each other, or for some applications may use spacers to separate selected ones of the stacked lamina so as to cooperate with the structure of the belt being driven.

Laminated metal sprocket for plastic modular conveyor belts and methods

A closed-hinge conveyor belt constructed of interconnected modules in which the tracking of drive sprockets is achieved by belt link end structure forming tracking recesses that mate with the tracking teeth of drive sprockets. In conventional open-hinge belts in which tracking is so achieved, tracking recesses are formed in link end structure that forms pivot rod bearing holes only partly surrounded by the link end structure, thereby exposing the pivot rod directly to contamination in such an open-hinge construction. According to this invention, shallow tracking recesses are formed in link end structure that forms pivot rod bearing holes to ensure that no part of the pivot rod across the width of the belt is left openly exposed, but rather is surrounded by link end structure. Thus, the access of grit and grime to the pivot rod in such a closed-hinge belt is restricted, thereby affording longer belt operating life, particularly in abrasive environments.

Closed hinge belt with unique tracking suitable for abrasive environments

A sprocket arrangement which provides increased contact surface area for driving conveyor belts is disclosed. The sprocket is particularly suitable for abrasive applications and/or use with modular plastic belts. The sprocket is formed by stacking and aligning a multiplicity of thin substantially disk shaped sprocket lamina together and then joining the stacked and aligned lamina by simply bolting or welding. Each of the sprocket lamina includes a central aperture for fitting onto a drive shaft. Teeth or other driving surfaces are also formed around the perimeter of each of the lamina. The lamina may be stacked in contact with each other, or for some applications may use spaces to separate selected ones of the stacked lamina so as to cooperate with the structure of the belt being driven.

Laminated sprocket

An integrally molded module for forming a conveyor belt which receives a driving force from an intermeshed sprocket is disclosed. Each of the modules is suitable for being pivotally assembled and disassembled with a multiplicity of similar modules by pivot rods to construct the conveyor belt. More specifically, the pivot rods can be removed in a non-destructive manner such that they are suitable for re-use. Each of the modules includes first and second pluralities of link ends, each of which define a pivot hole and are aligned to form first and second pivot axes. The link ends of each of the modules are joined by an integrally molded connecting structure which maintains and joins the relative position of the elongated links with respect to each other. An edge portion is integrally molded to at least one side of the module, and includes a resilient stop member which when positioned in an operating position partially obstructs the insertion of a pivot rod into the apertures defined in one of the pluralities of link ends. Consequently, to insert a pivot rod into the aligned link ends of two intermeshed modules, the stop member must be moved out of the way. Once the pivot rod is fully in place, the stop member will prevent the pivot rod from coming out during normal belt operation. However, by moving the stop member to an assembly position, the pivot rod can be removed in a non-destructive manner to allow for the repair or replacement of modules, and the re-use of the pivot rod.

Apparatus and methods to allow non-destructive removal of pivot rods in

A desk top CRT visual display system for eliminating reflections and glare with respect to an observer having a selected eyepoint is disclosed. The system includes a CRT 18 having a viewing plane 30. The CRT 18 is oriented with respect to a nomimal eyepoint 22 of an observer such that the viewing plane 30 is at a selected angle of between 70.degree. and 30.degree. with respect to a line of sight extending from the selected nominal eyepoint 22. The system is supported by a desk top 26 which also typically supports keyboard 28 at a viewing position juxtaposed to the visual display CRT 18. The system also includes a light obstructing top shield 16 having a front edge 44 and a light absorbing under surface 46. The front edge 44 of light obstructing shield 16, and the display angle of the viewing plane 30 of CRT 18 are selected such that a light path extending from the eyepoint 22 to any point on the viewing plane 30 is reflected into the light absorbing surface 46 of light obstructing top shield 16. This thereby substantially eliminates all glare and reflections originating from an ambient light source when the screen is viewed from the nominal eyepoint 22.

Desk top computer terminal and cabinet which eliminates reflection and

A cabinet for use with a visual display for eliminating reflections and glare with respect to an observer having a selected eyepoint is disclosed. The cabinet includes a housing 9 having means mounted to housing 9 for adjustably positioning a visual display having a viewing plane 30. The viewing plane 30 is oriented with respect to a nominal eyepoint 28 of an observer such that the viewing plane 30 is at a selected angle between 65.degree. and 30.degree. with respect to a line of sight extending from the selected nominal eyepoint 28. A support shelf 22 secured to housing 9 supports and locates a keyboard 24 at a viewing position juxtaposed to the visual display CRT 18 such that minimal eye motion is required for an observer to view both visual display 18 and keyboard 24. Also included is an adjustable light obstructing shield 16 having a front edge 26 and a light absorbing inside surface 44. The front edge 26 of light obstructing shield 16, and the display angle of the viewing display 30 are selected such that a light path extending from the eyepoint 28 to any point on the viewing plane 30 is reflected into the light absorbing surface 44 of light obstructing shield 16. This thereby substantially eliminates all glare and reflections originating from an ambient light source.

Growing community of inventors

New Orleans, LA, United States of America

James O Gundlach