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:
Jan. 21, 1997
Filed:
Feb. 10, 1995
Larry E Whetsel, Stow, OH (US);
Axia Incorporated, Oak Brook, IL (US);
Abstract
A modularly constructed, flexible, expandable conveyor comprises a pair of flexible, expandable X-shaped link assemblies, preferably in the form of a plurality of links pivotally connected to each other in order to form an X-shaped chain. Each X-shaped chain terminates in an end plate having mating bolt holes therein so that successive chains may be joined by passing bolts through the mating bolt holes in overlapped end plates. Then, knurled hand knobs are turned onto the bolts to clamp together the overlapped end plates. The end plates enable the X-shaped chain in any given module to expand or collapse independently of the X-shaped chains in other modules. The conveyor surface preferably includes a field of skate wheels mounted on rods extending between the link assemblies, at spaced locations along the length of the conveyor. The conveyor is sufficiently flexible to be able to form a curved conveyor surface.