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:
Dec. 22, 1998
Filed:
Apr. 08, 1997
Timothy J Hicks, Ponchatoula, LA (US);
David W Bogle, River Ridge, LA (US);
Scott J Sirgo, Covington, LA (US);
Christopher G Greve, Covington, LA (US);
The Laitram Corporation, Harahan, LA (US);
Abstract
This invention provides improvements in modular links and conveyor belt systems for transferring moving articles from one conveyor belt to another disposed at ninety degrees. Thus a transferring belt has specially constructed links with two integrally formed portions across the width, one for pivotable connection in a moving belt configuration and the other specially constructed with features for more effective transfer of articles from the edge of a transfer belt to a moving belt disposed at ninety degrees which excludes inter-link pivoting structure. Thus with specially formed belt edge transfer modular links, a planar edge transfer platform is formed by the upper surfaces of a series of link end and belt edge planar conveyance surfaces located on the respective belt links. The lower link edge surfaces are tapered to reside in non-contact position over the ramp of the receptacle belt formed typically by a sprocket wheel at a position where the planar conveyance surfaces on the two belts are contiguous and co-planar. The link ends are constructed for encountering the dynamic movement conditions and loading stresses encountered when the belt edge is transversed by moving articles traveling from one belt to the other. The underside surfaces at the link end are contoured typically as a circular chord feathered out at the transfer end, and having a set of ridges parallel with the pivot rods. Interdigitatable fingers extending integrally from the upper planar link end surface mate with leading and trailing links for sharing planar and vertical stresses in the cantilevered integral link end-belt edge structure.