Abstract: A section of chain for conveying product along a material handling system includes a pin connecting a center link between two side links. The pin may be dialable or selectably positioned at the side links to control and adjust the wear surface of the pin relative to the chain links. The pin may have a rotationally non-symmetrical shaft portion to provide different wear surfaces that engage a center link of the section of chain. The different wear surfaces may be sized and shaped to accommodate wear at the wear surface of the center link. The shaft portion may include a rotationally non-symmetrical ball member or portion on the shaft portion to enhance flexibility of the section of chain. The pin may be dialed to the next position or wear surface in response to an output of a wear measurement device or system.

Abstract: A chain pin or pin element for connecting chain links together to form a section of a chain for conveying products along a conveyor line or path of a material handling system includes a shaft portion and a head portion at at least one end of the shaft portion. The shaft portion is received through respective chain links to define a joint of the section of chain, while the head portion or head portions retain the pin at the links. At least one head portion of at least some of the pins includes a reservoir and a channel formed therein. The reservoir is configured to receive a lubricating fluid, such as from a lubricating device of the material handling system, while the channel functions to distribute the lubricant from the reservoir and toward and onto the shaft portion of the pin to lubricate the joint of the chain.

Abstract: A pin assembly for a chain of a material handling system includes a pin element and an attachment element. The pin element includes a shaft portion, a head portion at an end of the shaft portion, and an attachment portion at an end of the shaft portion opposite the head portion. The attachment element is configured to attach to the attachment portion of the pin element, and is positionable at the attachment portion and is retainable thereto. The attachment element may comprise a second head portion to define an I-type pin assembly or may comprise a side link and pusher member construction or other element or member. A mounting extension may extend from the attachment portion for mounting an object to the pin assembly after the attachment is attached to the pin element.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor line, a conveyor chain movable along the conveyor line, and an electronic device located at a movable component that moves with the chain along the conveyor line. The electronic device may comprise a locating device operable to generate a locating output indicative of a location of the movable component along the conveyor line. Optionally, the electronic device may comprise a sensing device operable to sense a chain characteristic at the component and to generate a sensor output indicative of the chain characteristic. Data collected by the electronic device may be stored at the device and/or transmitted to a controller of the conveyor line. The controller may be operable to determine the chain characteristic at a particular location of the transmitting device in response to the device output.

Abstract: A section of chain for conveying product along a material handling system includes a pin connecting a center link between two side links. The pin may be dialable or selectably positioned at the side links to control and adjust the wear surface of the pin relative to the chain links. The pin may have a rotationally non-symmetrical shaft portion to provide different wear surfaces that engage a center link of the section of chain. The different wear surfaces may be sized and shaped to accommodate wear at the wear surface of the center link. The shaft portion may include a rotationally non-symmetrical ball member or portion on the shaft portion to enhance flexibility of the section of chain. The pin may be dialed to the next position or wear surface in response to an output of a wear measurement device or system.