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:
Feb. 04, 1997
Filed:
Dec. 07, 1994
Paul L Horton, Metairie, LA (US);
Christopher J Verdigets, Metairie, LA (US);
The Laitram Corporation, , LA (US);
Abstract
Modular conveyor belt links have edge structure for occluding exit of pivot rods from the edge of the belt during operation of conveyor belts formed from pivotably connected end-to-end links. The links feature belt edge structure with an outer pivot rod entry aperture offset from the axis of aligned link end pivot rod holes in one set of link ends thereby forming a pivot joint axis. When the pivot rod is forced from the belt edge into the offset aperture and headed toward the pivot joint the plastic link is elastically deformed enough to permit entry of the rod. For example, an occlusion barrier wall disposed near the belt edge retains the rod in the pivot joint. A matrixing nest for the end of the pivot rod resident in its axial joint site is formed in the link material. From this nest the rod can be removed only by forced distortion of a rod end by a force greater than those forces encountered in the course of normal belt operation. Various embodiments are permitted by offset aperture and nesting structure that afford functional advantages in belt performance.