The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 07, 1992
Filed:
May. 22, 1989
James M Lapeyre, New Orleans, LA (US);
The Laitram Corporation, New Orleans, LA (US);
Abstract
A module for forming by a simple two-piece mold, a conveyor belt of integral plastic molded construction and having a conveying surface of selected cross-sections is disclosed. The module includes a first plurality (22) of pivot ends joined to a second plurality (24) of pivot ends by an intermediate section (34). Each of the first and second pluralities of pivot ends define apertures (26, 30) suitable for receiving a pivot rod (16, 18, 20). The intermediate section (34) joins and connects the first and second pluralities of pivot ends (22, 24) such that the pivot axis (26, 28, 32) formed by aligning the first pluralities and second pluralities of apertures respectively are maintained parallel to each other and define a common plane (36). Each of the modules receives a driving force such as a tooth (40) for moving the module orthogonal to the pivot axis (28, 32) and substantially parallel to the common plane (36). Each of the modules are designed and formed such that every surface on the module except the surface defining the pivot apertures (26, 30) may be observed by viewing along first and second pluralities of lines of sight as indicated by lines of sight arrows (52 and 54). The first and second pluralities of lines of sight are each perpendicular to pivot axis (26, 30) and are parallel to the common plane (36). Partially hexagon shaped channels (184, 186, 188) are integrally formed with the elongated portions of the module to form channels for carrying tubular items (206, 208).