PLATE ELEMENT OF A CONVEYOR FOR FORMING AN ASSEMBLED CONVEYING SURFACE

Abstract

A plate element of a conveyor and a conveyor which comprises a plurality of these plate elements. The plate element comprises a fastening device to fasten the plate element on a conveying element. A first overlapping region with prongs is formed on the element at a first end section. A second overlapping region with a guide base and projections arranged thereon is formed at a second end section which lies opposite the first end section of the plate element. The first overlapping region is complementary to the second overlapping region. The first overlapping region and the second overlapping region form at least a part of the plate conveying surface The projections of the guide base and the prongs are curved. Optionally, the prongs have a trapezoidal cross section. The guide base comprises at least one opening passing through the guide base between the projections.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a plate element of a conveyor. Several plate elements form an assembled (put-together) conveying surface of the conveyor. A plate element comprises a fastening device, in order to fasten the plate element on a conveying element. A first overlapping region is formed at a first end section, on the plate element. A second overlapping region is formed at a second end section which lies opposite the first end section of the plate element. Thereby, the plate element forms a plate conveying surface. The first and the second overlapping region form at least a part of the plate conveying surface.

2. Description of Related Art

Plate elements which are fastened on conveying elements and form an assembled conveying surface are very widespread. Separately formed plate elements and conveying elements offer the advantage that in each case only individual parts of the conveyor must be repaired or replaced. This reduces the repair costs, shortens the maintenance and repair duration and permits a more flexible adaptation of the conveyor.

Conveyors which comprise such plate elements and conveying elements are for example applied in conveyors for moving baggage at airports or also in industry for conveying articles and products. To some extent such conveyors are also termed as chain conveyors or as plate chains. Conveyors are sometimes often termed conveying installations or however also transport means or conveying means, and serve for the flow of material, thus serve for moving goods. The assembled conveying surfaces of such conveyors can be applied in a versatile manner and are often movable in at least one direction, by way of adjacent plate elements being able to move relative to one another individually or in groups.

In many cases, friction occurs due to the movement of parts of the conveyor and in particular of the plate elements relative to themselves. Moreover, the moving parts of the conveyor and in particular the plate elements are guided, steered and/or driven in a manner such that they do not jam for instance, and follow the desired course of a conveying track. Various disadvantages for the plate elements or other components of the conveyor result on account of this, depending on the design and functioning manner of the components of the conveyor, the type of guidance and/or the type of drive. The disadvantages for example are a higher wear, high friction and on account of this, a higher force effort and greater heat development, a complicated design, high costs, higher maintenance effort and a height weight, wherein the mentioned factors can mutually influence one another and be dependent on one another.

In a known group of embodiments, such as e.g. with baggage transport at airports, the plate elements lie on one another in an overlapping manner. The overlap surfaces are displaced to one another and accordingly have a high friction on displacing the plate elements to one another. This results in a larger wearing of the plate elements, a greater force effort for driving the conveyor and accordingly a higher maintenance and repair effort as well as high costs. The plate elements are also very difficult to clean, and this requires quite some effort, in particular in the region of the overlapping surfaces.

Moreover, an edge of an overlapping surface which lies on the conveying surface can form a step in the assembled conveying surface. If the edge of an overlapping surface in contrast is let in flush, then intermediate spaces in the assembled conveying surface can open and close with the movement of the plate elements to one another. The assembled conveying surface thus in a conveying section, in which the conveying surface is applied for conveying goods, even has an unevenness if the goods are to be conveyed on a plane surface. Moreover, in a conveying section which is not plane, steps and/or intermediate spaces in or on the assembled conveying surface cause additional unevenness. Conveyed goods can (additionally) wedge, jam, be pressed, slip and/or get squashed due to such (further) unevenness of the assembled conveying surface. Moreover, such unevenness represents a source of danger, since body parts or also hair, pieces of clothing or other things can get jammed and/or snagged therein. The previously mentioned disadvantageous effects are amplified even more if these steps and/or intermediate spaces move and/or they change their shape.

In a further known group of embodiments such as e.g. described in DE 10 2006 026 743, the plate elements comprise corresponding toothings. In the typical case of the application mentioned above, the toothings are dimensioned with so much play, that adjacent plate elements do not contact one another despite all movement relative to one another. In this manner, although steps between adjacent plate elements are avoided in comparison to the overlapping plate elements, however instead, continuous intermediate spaces result between the adjacent plate elements and these intermediate spaces change in size as well as move in the conveying direction. Such continuous intermediate spaces represent a particularly large source of danger as described above, and the disadvantages already described above also result for the conveyed goods. Moreover, given the same design, the loading-bearing ability of plate elements which cannot mutually contact one another is not as great as plate elements which can support themselves on other plate elements, given the same design.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the invention, to provide a plate element of the type mentioned above, which at least partly overcomes or reduces at least one of the disadvantages mentioned above.

This object is achieved by a plate element with the features of patent claim 1 and the respective independent patent claims.

One embodiment of the invention is a plate element of a conveyor for forming an assembled conveying surface. The plate element thereby comprises a fastening device, in order to fasten the plate element on a conveying element and in particular on a conveying chain. A first overlapping region is formed on the plate element, on a first end section. A second overlapping region is formed on the second end section lying opposite the first end section. The plate element forms a plate conveying surface, wherein the first and the second overlapping region form at least a part of the plate conveying surface. Thereby, the first overlapping region comprises prongs. The second overlapping region comprises a guide base with projections. Thereby, the first overlapping region is designed complementarily to the second overlapping region.

The plate element in particular is applied in conveying technology.

The plate element is a two-dimensional conveying member which is formed on the plate conveying surface is a plane manner. The plate element is chiefly used for conveying goods and supporting the goods counter to a gravity direction.

The conveying element is driven in the conveyor in a conveying direction. A conveying element can for example be one or more chain links, a chain, but also a cable, a cord, a toothed belt and/or a steel belt for instance. Such conveying elements in particular are driven by way of pulling, i.e. are driven by a tensile force.

A conveying element can for example also be at least one individual carriage or slide. Such conveying elements can be guided by way of rails, rollers, wheels, rolling bodies and/or by way of magnets. Such conveying elements can for example be moved on rollers, rolling bodies, wheels, air cushions and magnets. Such conveying elements are driven in particular by way of compression, i.e. that the drive forces pushes or presses the conveying elements in the conveying direction. In particular, such conveying elements are temporarily driven exclusively by gravity.

The plate element comprises at least two different ends and in particular four ends. The conveying direction is directed from the first end section to the second end section of the plate element or vice versa (i.e. the conveying direction can also be directed from the second end section to the first end section of the plate element). The plate element is fastened at a drive side on the conveying element, and on the side lying opposite the drive side comprises the plate conveying surface. Thus the plate element lies between the conveyed goods and the conveying element. A region which bears on the plate conveying surface and which is therefore located on the side of the plate element which lies opposite the drive side is called the conveying region.

The assembled conveying surface is composed of several plate conveying surfaces of several plate elements. The plate conveying surface of a plate element can consist of only one surface connected to one another. The plate conveying surface of a plate element can however also consist of several individual part surfaces of the plate element. The plate conveying surface can thus consist of independent part surfaces of the plate element. The plate conveying surface is plane.

An essentially plane plate conveying surface in the present application is also indicated as being plane. This means that a plane plate conveying surface at least partly can have a texture, roughness and/or unevenness within a manufacturing tolerance, thus although essentially being plane, is not however geometrically exactly plane, but is indicated as being plane despite this.

The plate conveying surface is at least 50%, in particular at least 70% and particularly at least 85% of a projected surface of the plate element onto a plane which also encompasses the plate conveying surface.

The first overlapping region and the second overlapping region are designed complementarily. Overlapping region means regions of a plate element which are suitable for engaging with overlapping regions of other plate elements in an overlapping manner, thus that parts of one overlapping region at least partly encompasses parts of overlapping region of another plate element and vice versa.

Complementarily in the entire present document means that the first overlapping region and the second overlapping region of a plate element are shaped out such that two identically shaped out and accordingly arranged adjacent plate elements can engage into one another, and the overlapping regions engaging into one another essentially spatially mutually complement one another.

In particular, two plate elements engage complementarily into one another if, in a conveying section of the conveyor which runs linearly over these two plate elements, seen in the direction of the conveying surface and transversely to the conveying direction, an overlapping region of one plate elements in each case engages into an overlapping region of another plate element.

Two identically shaped out plate elements engage into one another in a complementary manner by way of the first overlapping region of a first plate element engaging into the second overlapping region of a second plate element and/or vice versa (i.e. that the second overlapping region of the second plate element likewise engages into the first overlapping region of the first plate element), wherein the two plate elements complementarily engaging into one another in a conveying section of the conveyor which runs linearly over these two plate elements, seen in the conveying direction, are arranged behind one another or in front of one another without offset perpendicular to the conveying direction.

The two plane conveying surfaces of these two plate elements which engage complementarily into one another, in the linearly running conveying section lie in the same plane and form an assembled plane conveying surface.

The two plate elements engaging complementarily into one another engage into one another in a manner such that the first overlapping region can lie on the second overlapping region and thus can be supported. In other words, the prongs of one plate element lie between the projections on the guide base of a complementarily engaging adjacent plate element. The guide base of one plate element due to this can support the prongs of a complementarily engaging, adjacent plate element.

Plate elements engaging complementarily into one another together can form a member body. Such a member body in particular can be a conveying member body with supporting characteristics.

A conveying member body with supporting characteristics is to be understood in that a plate element can support at least one adjacent plate element.

Examples of plate elements complementarily engaging into one another can roughly be certain shapes of plate elements engaging into one another in a toothed manner. Plate elements engaging into one another in a meshing manner can also comprise complementarily designed overlapping means.

Infinitely many plate elements can be arranged one after the other in the conveying direction or opposite to the conveying direction in the manner described above, by way of in each case a first or second overlapping region of a plate element engaging complementarily into the second and first overlapping region respectively of the correspondingly adjacently arranged plate element.

The fastening device which fastens the plate element on the conveying element can be designed in many different forms and functioning manners. The fastening device can for example consist only of one opening. The fastening device can also however be designed in a somewhat more complicated manner. In particular, the fastening device can be designed in a manner such that the fastening can be affected in a simple and rapid manner. In particular, the fastening device can be designed in a manner such that no tool is required for the fastening. The fastening device can in particular permit a repeatedly fastenable and repeatedly releasable assembly of the plate element on the conveying element.

In particular, the fastening device can be designed as a plug-in connection which in particularly comprises detent hooks. The detent hooks of the fastening device can for example be hooked into plug-in openings of the conveying element or hook on outer contours of the conveying element and snap therein and thereon respectively. The detent hooks are e.g. designed in a spring-elastic manner and on assembly are bent laterally away from one another or to one another, amid the application of force, so that these for example wedge in a clamping manner on snapping into the plug-in opening or on the outer contours. The detent hooks can be designed in a tab-like manner.

The detent hooks for example must be laterally bent away again, so that the detent lugs can release out of the detent position or from the outer contours, in the above described case for example, for releasing the fastening device from the conveying element. Only then can the plate element be released from the conveying element.

The plate element as a bodily feature forms the plate conveying surface. As a further bodily feature, the plate conveying surface in particular forms an end of the plate element which terminates towards the conveying region. This means that in particular no bodily part of the plate element projects beyond the plate conveying surface of the plate element, into the conveying region.

The first overlapping region of the plate element comprises prongs. Prongs are indicated as being prong-like projections which have an elongate shape and can also for example be called teeth, pins or serrations.

The first overlapping region can for example consist of a free-standing toothing. The first overlapping region comprises at least two prongs, in particular however three, four, five prongs or more.

The prongs can be designed in a multitude of shapes, cross sections and ends. The prongs of the first overlapping region can be designed in the same manner or differently amongst one another.

The prongs relative to the plate conveying surface can for example run in a straight line and/or curved manner, also in each case only in sections and/or in a manner combined with one another.

The second overlapping region comprises a guide base with projections. The projections can be arranged completely on the guide base or at least partly project beyond the guide base.

The guide base can be designed in a single-part manner or consist of several separately formed parts.

The guide base in particular is designed in a manner so that in the case plate elements engaging complementarily into one another, the prongs of the one plate element can lie on the guide base of the other plate element. In particular, the prongs can lie on the guide base exclusively under loading (e.g. if goods to be conveyed lie on the prongs).

The lying-on (supported) prongs are supported by the guide base, by which means a member body designed in such a manner has an increased load-bearing ability. Friction is avoided or prevented with movements between plate elements complementarily engaging into one another, if the prongs do not lie on, which is to say are not supported. A life duration or operation duration of the plate elements is longer without friction, and the conveyor must muster a lower drive force than the case with friction. The effort, time and/or costs for repair, overhaul and/or maintenance are reduced by way of this.

The guide base can be designed in a two-dimensional manner between the projections.

The projections of the guide base extend from the guide base in the direction of the conveying region and form at least partly a part of the plate conveying surface. In particular, parts of the projections can form narrow, finger-like parts of the plate conveying surface. Thereby, the parts of the projections which form parts of the plate conveying surface, in particular can have a shape which is similar or equal to that of the parts of the plate conveying surface which are formed by the prongs.

The projections have a shape which in the case of prongs lying on the guide base and interacting with the guide base, at least partly encompass the prongs.

For example, the prongs and the guide base with projections can behave like a three-dimensional positive mould and the corresponding negative mould.

The advantage of prongs which lie on a guide base, in the case of plate elements complementarily engaging into one another are a high stability and load capacity of the assembled conveying surface, in particular in a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface.

With a rotation and/or displacement of plate elements complementarily engaging into one another, to one another in a direction lying in the conveying surface, the first and the second overlapping region of the plate elements have no unevenness which displaces relative to the plate element and is perpendicular to the assembled conveying surface, in or on the assembled conveying surface.

With a rotation and/or displacement of plate elements complementarily engaging into one another, to one another in a direction lying in the conveying surface, the first and the second overlapping region have no undercut unevenness which displaces relative to a plate element, in or on the assembled conveying surface.

Such unevenness perpendicular to the assembled conveying surface and/or undercut unevenness, in or on the assembled conveying surface, can have a disadvantageous influence mentioned above, on the conveyed goods and/or objects or living beings located in the vicinity of the conveyor.

Conveyors which comprise conveying elements which themselves (thus without plate elements fastened on the conveying elements) form an assembled conveying surface are already known. This has the disadvantage that the drive force engages directly on the conveying surface. This can lead to an increased wearing. There is also the increased danger of injuries, if the drive force engages directly on the conveying surface. A drive force engaging directly on the conveying surface can also encompass an increased probability of damage to the conveyed goods.

As an optional feature, the projections of the guide base and the prongs are designed in a curved manner and with one side form a part of the plate conveying surface.

The prongs and projections can be designed in a curved manner, wherein the curvatures in particular lie within a plane encompassing the plate conveying surface.

The prongs can be designed in an arched manner.

The prongs of a plate element can thereby all curve about the same common middle point. If the curvatures of the prongs are at least partly circular sections, the common middle point can be the geometric circle middle point of the circle sections. The prongs have a greater radius of curvature with an increasing distance to the common middle point of the curvature of the prongs. The prongs of a plate element can be concentrically curved about a common middle point.

A virtual axis can run perpendicularly to the plate conveying surface and through the common middle point of the prongs. Adjacent plate elements engaging complementary into one another can rotate relative to one another about this virtual rotation axis.

The projections can be designed in an arched manner.

The projections of a plate element can thereby all curve about the same common middle point. If the curvatures of the projections are at least partly circular sections, the common middle point can be the geometric circle middle point of the circle sections. The projections have a greater radius of curvature with an increasing distance to the common middle point of the curvature of the projections. The projections of a plate element can be concentrically curved about a common middle point.

A virtual axis can run perpendicularly to the plate conveying surface and through the common middle point of the projections. Adjacent plate elements engaging complementary into one another can rotate relative to one another about this virtual rotation axis.

In particular, the common middle point of the curvatures of the prongs of a plate element can be identical to the common middle point of the curvatures of the projections, given prongs and projections complementarily engaging into one another. The common middle point of prongs and projections complementarily engaging into one another can however also lie distant to one another.

If different plate elements complementarily engage into one another and adjacent plate elements rotate mutually about a virtual rotation axis, then in particular the virtual rotation axis runs through a common middle point of the curvatures of all prongs of the one plate element which engage into one another, said middle point being identical to the common middle point of the curvatures of all projections of another plate element which engage into these prongs.

Curved prongs and/or projections have the advantage that the plate elements can be rotated or displaced along the curvature.

Alternatively, the prongs and/or projections can also be straight (thus linear), serrated, angled or irregularly bent or have any combination of all aforesaid shapes in a free succession.

The prongs have a trapezoidal cross section as a further optional feature.

The prongs can have a trapezoidal cross section, wherein in particular the plate conveying surface has a longer parallel side of the trapezoidal cross section. In particular, the plate conveying surface can encompass a shorter parallel side of the trapezoidal cross section of the prongs. A cross section is indicated as being a section transverse to a longitudinal axis of the prongs, wherein the longitudinal axis of the prongs can for example also be arcuate. In particular, all plane surfaces which are encompassed by prongs, are at an angle different to 90 degrees to the plate conveying surface.

In particular, the prongs at the end of a plate element comprise ends which are angled (bent) in the direction of the plate conveying surface. The prongs at the end of a plate element can optionally have ends angled in the direction of the plate conveying surface, wherein in particular the ends of the prongs end at an obtuse angle in the direction of the plate conveying surface.

A face side of one end of a prong, at the end of a plate element in particular has an essentially straight surface. In particular, the face side of one end of a prong at the end of a plate element has a trapezoidal shape. In particular, the face side of one end of a prong at the end of the plate element has a trapezoidal shape and is at an obtuse angle to the plate conveying surface.

The projections in particular have shapes which are complementary to the prongs. Optionally, the projections have shapes which are complementary to the prongs, thus have intermediate spaces with a trapezoidal cross section, between the projections.

For example, the prongs have a trapezoidal cross section with a longer parallel side on the plate conveying surface, and the projections a trapezoidal cross section with a longer parallel side on the guide base. This has the advantage of a greater plate conveying surface on the prongs and of small gaps or a small gap between prongs engaging into one another.

Thereby, the intermediate spaces of the projections can have an angled side on a face side directed in the direction of the geometric middle of the plate element. The angled face side of the intermediate spaces of the projections can thereby be designed complementarily to the angled ends of the prongs.

The angled face side of the intermediate spaces of the projections can be directed from a section edge lying on the plate conveying surface away from the plate conveying surface in the direction of the guide base and simultaneously in the direction of an end of the guide base which lies on an end of the plate element. The plate element thus in particular forms an obtuse angle between the angled face side of the intermediate spaces of the projections and the plate conveying surface.

In particular, all plane surfaces which are encompassed by projections are at an angle other than 90 degrees to the plate conveying surface.

In particular, the projections have no surfaces which are undercut relative to the plate conveying surface.

The advantage of prongs with a trapezoidal cross section and/or angled ends lies in the fact that the danger of jamming, canting, squeezing, snagging and/or injury is avoided. The angled sides of the prongs and of the intermediate spaces between the projections, with plate elements which complementarily engage into one another and which rotate or displace relative to one another along the prongs, permits objects or material which has been caught in the intermediate spaces to be pushed or sled out of the intermediate space.

The projections and the prongs can have cross sections of a similar shape and alignment. For example, the prongs have a trapezoidal cross section with a shorter parallel side on the plate conveying surface, and the projections a trapezoidal cross section with a longer parallel side on the guide base. This has the advantage that prongs and projections engaging into one another form bathtub-like intermediate spaces, and objects or material caught in these intermediate spaces can be pushed out or are to be pushed out, in a particularly simple manner.

In contrast to intermediate spaces of projections with sides which are perpendicular to the plate conveying surface or which are even undercut, it is much more difficult for objects to get stuck if the sides of the intermediate space of the projections taper in the direction of the guide base, similarly to the side walls of an interior of a bathtub tapering towards the bottom of the bath tub. The same advantages result from this as for prongs with a trapezoidal cross section and/or angled ends.

If the intermediate space between the projections reduces in size due to a prong moving between the projections in the intermediate space, any object which as the case may be is located in the intermediate space is not clamped in but is moved out or pushed out of the intermediate space via the angled sides of the intermediate space. This increases the safety on operation of a conveyor comprising corresponding plate elements. The intermediate spaces between the projections become wider towards the plate conveying surface, in particular departing from the guide base.

Alternatively, the cross section of the prongs can also have a shape other than being trapezoidal. For example, the cross section of the prongs can also be shaped in an irregular manner, have flattened and/or rounded sides and/or oval or arc-shaped parts. The ends of the prongs can likewise be shaped in an irregular manner, have flattened and/or rounded sides and/or have oval or arc-shaped parts.

The projections can be designed complementarily to the alternative shapes of prongs described above.

The projections on the plate conveying surface are in particular 6 mm wide or less, in particular 4 mm wide or less and in particular 3 mm wide or less.

The prongs on the conveying surface are in particular 20 mm wide or less, in particular 15 mm wide or less and in particular 10 mm wide or less.

Length is meant as a spatial extension along the conveying direction, thickness as a spatial extension perpendicular to the conveying surface and width a spatial extension perpendicular to the length and perpendicular to the width. To the top with regard to the plate element indicates a direction to the extent that the plate conveying surface terminates the plate element to the top.

The projections on the plate conveying surface in particular are distanced to one another by 20 mm or less, in particular distanced to one another by 15 mm or less and in particular distanced to one another by 10 mm or less.

The prongs on the plate conveying surface in particular are distanced to one another by 6 mm or less, in particular distanced to one another by 4 mm or less and in particular distanced to one another by 3 mm or less.

The above mentioned relatively small distance of the prongs has the advantage that the danger of a jamming, wedging, squeezing, snagging and/or injury is reduced on account of the small dimensions. The probability of objects or material getting into the intermediate spaces of the prongs is low on account of the relatively small distance of the prongs.

The intermediate space of the prongs in particular can represent a source of danger if with the mutual rotation and/or displacement of plate elements engaging in one another, the guide base of one plate element comes to lie below a part of the intermediate space of the prongs, said part being located at the end of the other plate element, but no guide base lies below another part of the intermediate space of the prongs. In this case, objects or material can get into the intermediate space of the prongs, below which no guide base lies, and the danger of a jamming, wedging, squeezing, snagging and/or injury can arise for the object or for the material due to the displacement of the guide base relative to the prongs.

The intermediate space of the projections, with regard to the danger of jamming, wedging, squeezing, snagging and/or injury is less dangerous than the intermediate spaces of prongs, if the projections are closed to the bottom by the guide base. In particular, object or material in the intermediate spaces of the projections can be simply and easily pushed or sled out of the intermediate spaces of the projections, given suitably inclined sides of the projections.

Alternatively, the projections or the distance of the prongs can be designed wider than described above.

As a further optional feature, the prongs on the plate conveying surface are designed wider than the intermediate spaces between the prongs on the plate conveying surface. In particular, the prongs on the plate conveying surface are designed 1.5 to 7 times wider than the intermediate spaces between the prongs on the plate conveying surface, in particular 2 to 5 times wider and in particular 3 to 4 times wider. These proportions permit a simple, stable, secure and inexpensive design of the plate element, in particular in combination with a thickness described above.

Alternatively, the prongs on the plate conveying surface can also be less than 1.5 times wider than the intermediate spaces of the prongs. For example, the prongs on the plate conveying surface can also be equally wide as the intermediate spaces of the prongs.

As a further optional feature, the guide base between the projections comprises at least one opening passing through the guide base.

The at least one opening passing through the guide base permits dust, dirt, cleaning fluid, wear and other material which is not to be conveyed, to fall through this opening. The assembled conveying surface can be easily cleaned in this manner. The assembled conveying surface also remains cleaner for longer. The conveyor therefore needs to undergo maintenance less often and is simpler to care for, which minimises costs and results in less and/or shorter working interruptions.

The at least one opening passing through the guide base is thereby dimensioned in a manner such that no goods to be transported can fall through. In particular, the at least one opening in the guide base is dimensioned in a manner such that no parts of the conveyed goods can be lodged in the openings. In particular, the at least one opening in the guide base is equally large or smaller than the intermediate spaces of the prongs on the plate conveying surface.

If the at least one opening in the guide base is equally large or smaller than the intermediate spaces of the prongs on the plate conveying surface, then due to the small size there is likewise the danger of lodging, jamming, squeezing, snagging and/or injury. A very small size of the opening in contrast can lead to a blockage of the opening. In particular, an opening in the guide base is therefore typically not smaller than about 1 mm, except with special circumstances if specific demands are made on the conveyor.

The at least one opening passing through the guide base can have different shapes, for example round, oval, angular (polygonal), drop-like or kidney-like, a combination of the aforesaid shapes or be shaped out in an irregular manner.

Also several openings can be shaped out in different arrangements, for example in groups.

The at least one opening in particular is arranged on an end of the intermediate space of the projections, said end lying close to the geometric middle of the plate element.

In other words, the at least one opening in particular can be formed on the face side of an intermediate space of the projections. In particular, at least one opening passing through the guide base can be formed in each intermediate space of the projections. Alternatively, one can also completely make do without the openings in the guide base.

As a further optional feature, the fastening device comprises an assembly orientation means.

The assembly orientation means permits a control as to whether the plate element is assembled on the conveying element in the preferred orientation. The assembly orientation means can for example be also designed in a manner such that an assembly of the plate element on the conveying means is only possible in the preferred orientation. The assembly orientation means can thus prevent an assembly of the plate element in an orientation which is not preferred and/or not envisaged. This is effected either by way of a control of the orientation and/or by way of rendering impossible an assembly in a non-preferred orientation.

The assembly orientation means serves for the simple and secure assembly, by way of the plate element being assembled in a preferred orientation, and possible technical, structural and/or functional problems being ruled out.

In particular, the fastening device comprises asymmetrically shaped parts which serve as assembly orientation means.

A preferred orientation with respect to the conveying element, on which the plate element is fastened, can be fixed by way of a suitably designed conveying element. The asymmetrically shaped part of the fastening device in particular can only be fastened on the conveying element in the preferred orientation, inasmuch as the conveying element is designed in an equal and opposite manner asymmetrically to the fastening device, at the location where the plate element is fastened on the conveying element. Such a design not only permits a control of the orientation of the assembly, but in particular rules out an assembly and/or starting operation in a non-preferred orientation.

The optionally asymmetrically shaped out fastening device for example on one side comprises a groove which amongst other things can serve as an assembly orientation means. The groove can be filled out by way of a fitting counter-piece, somewhat in the form of a cam, pin or a projection. If the fastening device can be assembled at a certain location of the conveying element and if the conveying element comprises a counter-piece matching the groove of the fastening device, then the orientation of the plate element with respect to the conveying element is fixed by way of this. In particular, the fastening device on one side can comprise a groove and on the other side can comprise two grooves, which amongst other things can serve as an assembly orientation means.

The assembly orientation means can be designed in a different manner, somewhat in the form of features such as arrows, colour points or other markings or reference points which indicate an orientation of the plate element, for example with respect to the conveying direction. The assembly orientation means can however also be designed by way of a suitable shaping such as by an infinite number of grooves, notches, recesses, cams, deepenings, projections, prominences, pins and abutments in an infinite combination and arrangement.

The assembly orientation means can be formed upon and/or on the fastening device or also at other locations of the plate element. In particular, the fastening device comprises parts which with respect to the conveying direction and/or perpendicularly to the conveying direction are arranged asymmetrically and serve as an assembly orientation means. Such asymmetrically arranged parts of the fastening device permit a rapid and simple identification as to whether a plate element is assembled in the envisaged orientation or not. An assembly orientation means can also be done away with.

The plate element as a further optional feature comprises at least one tool opening in the plate conveying surface.

The tool opening permits access to the fastening device through the plate conveying surface. By way of this, the tool opening permits a release of the fastening device by way of access from the plate conveying surface of the plate element.

Optionally, the fastening device is designed in a manner such that a release of the fastening device is possible in the assembled condition. The fastening device is released, in order to separate the plate element from the conveying element.

In particular, the release of the fastening device or the removal of the plate element from the conveying element can also be affected from the conveying region and in particular also in the operationally ready condition of the conveying device. For this, at least one tool opening can be provided in the region of the fastening devices, in the plate conveying surface. In the case that the fastening device is designed as a detent hook, at least one tool opening is provided in particular in the region of the detent hook. A tool, e.g. a pliers-like tool with clamping or spreading limbs and with which the detent hooks can be bent away laterally and thus the hooking can be released, can now be introduced through the tool opening. The detent hooks can thereby be attached on the conveying element and/or on the fastening device of the plate element. Another term for detent hook amongst others is snapper or snap closure.

The release of the fastening device from the conveying region here entails a simplification of the assembly, disassembly, maintenance, repair and control of the conveyor. This lowers costs and reduces the effort for maintenance, repair, assembly, modification and/or disassembly of the conveyor. The release of the plate elements from the conveying element in the operationally ready condition of the conveyor additionally simplifies this.

Alternatively, the plate element can also be designed in a manner such that the fastening device is also for example accessible from the sides of the plate element which run parallel to the conveying direction. Thereby, the access to the fastening device can be effected through openings and in particular tool openings or alternatively without openings, directly from the outer sides of the plate element. Alternatively, one can access the fastening elements also from the conveying region without tool openings, in order to release these fastening elements. However, one can also completely make do without providing possibilities of access to the fastening device. Fastening devices for the one-off assembly can also be envisaged. For example, such fastening devices which are assembled only once should be damaged or destroyed by way of the release. In particular fastening devices can also comprise predetermined breakage points.

As a further optional feature, the fastening device has a shape which is beveled at least partly in the direction of the first overlapping region and/or a correspondingly rounded shape.

A fastening device with a shape which is beveled at least partly in the direction of the first overlapping region and/or a correspondingly rounded shape simplifies the release of the plate element form the conveying element, in particular in an operationally ready condition of the conveyor.

In particular, the beveled or rounded shape of the fastening device permits a separation of the plate element from the conveying element by way of an angling of the plate conveying surface with respect to the conveying element, and at least one subsequent movement in a removal direction. The angling is affected by way of moving the first overlapping region away from the conveying element, wherein the second overlapping region essentially retains its position with respect to the conveying element. The beveled and rounded shape of the fastening device simplifies the angling, by way of the fastening device abutting on the conveying element to a reduced extent or even not at all. The removal direction lies in a removal direction plane which is perpendicular to the plate conveying surface and encompasses the conveying direction.

The release of the fastening device or the removal of the plate element from the conveying element in particular can also be effected from the conveying region and therefore also in the operationally ready condition of the conveying device. This means an additional simplification and facilitation of the assembly, disassembly, maintenance, repair and control of the conveyor, and the advantages which this entails.

Alternatively, the fastening device, by way of a different shaping than a beveled or rounded shape, can simplify or permit an angling with respect to the conveying element. In particular, the fastening device can also comprise a chamfer or an irregular shape or partly be dimensioned in a particularly compact manner. Parts of the fastening device can also be designed in a removable manner, for example be provided with breakage locations. One can also likewise provide flexibility and movability of the fastening device in a direction which is necessary for the angling. Alternatively one can forego such measures.

At least one fastening structure is shaped out on the plate element as a further optional feature, and this structure permits a fastening of auxiliary conveying elements.

Auxiliary conveying elements can be fastened on the fastening structure which is shaped out on the plate element. Auxiliary conveying elements are to be understood as elements which support the conveying and/or the positioning of the goods in, on or with the conveyor and in particular on the assembled conveying surface. This can simplify, accelerate or even permit the conveying of the goods at all, and/or render the conveying more secure, efficient and/or gentle. The auxiliary conveying elements can for example stabilise, support and/or catch the conveyed goods, ensure increased friction forces and/or ensure for instance that the goods remain on the assembled conveying surface of the conveyor (in particular with direction changes of the conveying direction). An auxiliary conveying element can for example be designed as a rib, side guide, rubber surface, rubber strip, rubber buffer, holder or catch.

A fastening structure permits a flexible, inexpensive and rapid adaptation of the conveyor or the assembled conveying surface and/or the plate element to the respective demands.

The fastening structure can for example comprise openings, bushes, eyelets, projections, hooks, cams or pins. The fastening structure can for example also be designed as a surface around an opening providing space for fastening elements of the auxiliary conveying elements. For example, a lower end of a tool opening can be provided with a fastening structure (surfaces kept free and located for instance on three sides of the tool opening), into which surface detent hooks can hook for instance.

For example, limitation elements perpendicular to the plate conveying surface can also be fastened onto the sides of the plate element which run parallel to the conveying direction, by way of detent hooks which lock on fastening structures provided for this. Such limitation elements can be fastened on one or on both sides of the plate element which run parallel to the conveying direction. The limitation elements can completely or partly cover at least a part of the conveying region on the side of the assembled conveying surface, on which the fastening elements are fastened.

Separate guides or supports which are moved with the assembled conveying surface can be designed for the conveyed goods by way of optional limitation elements.

In particular, the limitation elements can be arranged in a manner such that a relative movement of plate elements engaging into one another, to one another, does not permit a gap transverse to the conveying direction to arise. For this, the limitation elements can be arranged in a manner overlapping transversely to the conveying direction, so that the limitation elements with relative movements of plate elements engaging into one another can move past one another in a contact-free manner. In particular for this, the limitation elements in a projection onto the assembled conveying surface can have a similar shape to the prongs and/or projections of the plate element on the plate conveying surface.

Alternatively, one can forego fastening structures or the plate elements can be provided with fastening structures only at a later stage.

The plate element is formed from metal as a further optional feature.

In particular, the plate element is formed from an injection moulded metal.

The plate element can be designed at least partly from metal. In particular the plate element can be designed at least partly of injection moulded metal.

The plate element is designed of plastic as a further optional feature.

In particular, the plate element is designed of injection moulded plastic. The plate element is optionally designed as a composite material. A composite material is a material of two or more connected materials.

The plate element is designed of fibre-reinforced plastic as a further option. The plate element in particular is designed of a glass fibre reinforced plastic. Thereby, the glass fibre share in particular is 40% or more, in particular 50% or more and in particular 60% and more.

The plate element can at least partly be designed of plastic. In particular, the plate element can be designed at least partly of injection moulded plastic.

In order for parts of the plate element which are designed in a particularly small manner (such as in certain cases prongs, projections, reinforcement ribs, details of the fastening device and likewise) to be able to be manufactured with the injection moulding method, the smallest spatial dimensions for injection moulded plastic in particular measure at least 1 mm, in particular at least 2 mm and in particular at least 3mm.

For injection moulded metal, the smallest spatial dimensions are dimensioned equally large or up to 50% smaller than for injection moulded plastic, in particular the smallest spatial dimension is dimensioned about 10-30% smaller. This permits a comparatively short mould-removal time with the injection moulding method and forms plate elements of a high strength.

The spatial dimensions can be can be kept small at the smallest location of the plate element, in order to be able to save material and reduce the weight of the plate elements, which however leads to longer mould removal times in the injection moulding method.

In particular, the plate element can be designed partly or completely of composite material. Optionally, the plate element can also be designed partly or completely of fibre-reinforced plastic.

In particular, the plate element can also be designed partly or completely of glass fibre reinforced plastic. A weight share of the glass fibres can in particular be 40% or more, in particular 50% or more and in particular 60% or more of the total weight of the glass fibre reinforced plastic.

In particular, the plate element can consist of one part or of several parts. Thereby, several parts can be designed as described above, for example with the injection moulding method and/or as a composite material, and thereafter be joined together into a plate element.

As a further optional feature, the plate element parallel to the side ends which connect the first and the second end section of the plate element comprises parallel structures such as reinforcement ribs, struts and/or recesses, in order to be able to laterally reduce the size of the plate element (1, 2) along these structures.

Plate elements which are completed can be reduced in size for example by way of removing parts of the plate elements along the parallel structures. The plate element can for example be cut away, milled away, broken away and/or ground away or be reduced in size in a material-removing and/or shearing manner along the parallel structures, in particular for reducing the width of the plate element. In particular, the plate element can be symmetrically reduced in size on both sides.

Such size reduction possibilities permit a varied application of the plate elements. As the case may be, a reuse and/or further use can at least partly retain a financial and/or functional value of the plate elements. The plate elements can be scaled or reduced in size in their width by way of parallel structures, without the plate element being functionally compromised, or the stability reducing. In particular, parallel structures are advantageous with lightweight structures with thin wall thicknesses and support structures and/or a honeycomb construction.

Parallel structures do not necessarily need to run parallel to the side ends which connect the first and the second end section of the plate element. In contrast, a multitude of courses is conceivable, which can be adapted to the demands of the plate element. For example, parallel structures which for example permit a contour change of the plate element after its manufacture can also be provided. However, one can also completely make do without parallel structures.

Different optional features of the plate element can be combined with one another inasmuch as they do not mutually rule each other out.

The invention however also includes a conveyor with an assembled conveying surface which comprises a conveying element as well as a plurality of plate elements according to the above description.

Thereby, the plate elements are fastened on a conveying element. Moreover, adjacent plate elements partly overlap, and the assembled conveying surface is composed of plate conveying surfaces of the plate elements. Moreover, the plate elements in the conveying chain can be moved in the direction of its first or in the direction of its second end.

Such a conveyor in particular is movable perpendicularly to the conveying direction. The conveyor can be operated in both directions in a secure and low-maintenance manner, and with a high loading capacity of the assembled conveying surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Hereinafter, the subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail by way of preferred embodiment examples which are represented in the accompanying drawings that are shown schematically.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a plate element from above;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the plate element of FIG. 1 from below;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plate element from FIG. 1, which is assembled on a conveying element;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a plate element, from above as well as from below;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of three plate elements from FIG. 4 which are in each case assembled on a conveying element, from above, wherein the plate elements complementarily engage into one another and the conveying direction is bent; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the plate element of FIG. 4, from above as well as from below, wherein limitation elements are fastened on the sides of the plate element which run parallel to the conveying direction.

The reference numerals used in the drawings and their significance are listed in a grouped manner in the list of reference numerals. Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a perspective view of a first embodiment of the plate element 1. FIG. 1 shows the plate element 1 from above, and FIG. 2 shows it from below. The plate element consists of plastic and is designed in a single-piece manner by way of injection moulding. Three double headed arrows in FIG. 1 show how the spatial descriptions of length L, width B and thickness D are orientated in relation to the plate element 1. These relative direction definitions in this context apply to all figures of this application.

The plate element 1 is drawn in FIG. 1. Six prongs 10.1-10.6 are formed in a first overlapping region 13. A guide base 12 is formed in a second overlapping region 14. Six projections 11.1-11.6 are formed on the guide base 12 and these are formed upwards from the guide base 12. To the top, the plate element 1 is terminated by a plane plate conveying surface 15, wherein also parts of the prongs 10.1-10.6 as well as parts of the projection 11.1-11.6 form parts of the plate conveying surface 15. The plate conveying surface 15 is designed in a single-piece manner.

The prongs 10.1-10.6 are each 15 mm wide and 4 mm thick. The plate element 1 between the prongs 10.3 and 10.4 is shaped out into a lug 16 which is equally as thick as the prongs 10.1-10.6. The lug 16 is 40 mm wide and has a symmetrical shape with regard to a longitudinal axis of the plate element 1 and in the middle is arranged on the longitudinal axis of the plate element 1. Intermediate spaces of the prongs which are 4 mm wide are located between adjacent prongs 10.1-10.6 as well as the lug 16. Adjacent prongs 10.1-10.6 are thus distanced to one another or distanced to the lug 16 in each case by 4 mm. In the longitudinal direction of the plate element 1, ends of the prongs 10.1-10.6 and an end of the lug 16 terminate the plate element 1, wherein the ends of all prongs 10.1-10.6 and of the lug 16 form an essentially v-shaped outer shape. The essentially v-shaped outer shape is interrupted by intermediate spaces between adjacent prongs 10.1-10.6 and between the prongs 10.3 or 10.4 and the lug 16. The essentially v-shaped outer shape is thereby arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal middle axis of the plate element 1. A tip of the essentially v-shaped outer shape points in the direction of the plate element 1 or in the direction of a second overlap region 2.

The prongs 10.1-10.6 have a symmetrical trapezoidal cross section. The symmetrical trapezoidal cross section at its upper end lying on the plate conveying surface 15 is 15 mm wide and at its lower end is 10 mm wide. The prongs 10.1-10.6 are shaped out within a plane encompassing the plate conveying surface 15. All prongs 10.1-10.6 curve concentrically about a common middle point. A virtual rotation axis runs through this common middle point of the prongs 10.1-10.6 and simultaneously runs perpendicularly to the plate conveying surface 15 and through the longitudinal middle axis of the plate element 1.

The lug 16 also has a shape which is symmetrical with respect to the common middle point of the curvature of the prongs 10.1-10.6. The further the prongs 10.1-10.6 are distanced to the common middle point of the curvature of the prongs, the larger is their radius of curvature and the longer are the prongs 10.1-10.6. The prongs 10.1-10.6 are thereby designed in a manner such that their middles in the longitudinal directions (thus their middles in the curvature direction) lie on a single straight line standing perpendicularly to the longitudinal middle axis of the plate element 1.

The second overlapping region 14 comprises the guide base 12. An outer end of the guide base 12 terminates the plate element 1 in the longitudinal direction of the plate element 1, wherein the outer end of the guide base 12 forms a straight contour. The straight contour of the guide base 12 is thereby arranged perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal middle axis of the plate element 1. An inner end of the guide base 12 delimits the guide base 12 in the direction of the plate element. The inner end of the guide base 12 thereby has an essentially v-shaped outer shape which with regard to the shape and alignment corresponds to the outer shape of the ends of all prongs 10.1-10.6 and of the lug 16, said outer shape being essentially v-shaped. The two essentially v-shaped shapes run parallel next to one another.

The inner end of the guide base 12 thus has an essentially v-shaped shape whose tip is directed away from the geometric middle of the plate element 1 or whose tip is aligned in the direction of the outer end of the guide base 12. The tip of the inner end of the guide base 12 which is essentially v-shaped is designed as a lug counter-piece 17 which has the same width and a complementary shape and complementary orientation as the lug 16. The inner end of the guide base 12 forms a lower edge of an oblique face side which runs obliquely upwards from the lower edge on the guide base 12 and in the direction of the first overlapping region 13, and ends in an upper edge which lies on the plate conveying surface 15. The lower and the upper edge of the oblique face side are both essentially v-shaped and are interrupted in each case only by the six projections 11.1-11.6.

The guide base 12 is designed as one piece and comprises an upwardly directed plane support surface. The support surface of the guide base 12 is arranged parallel to the plate conveying surface 15 and lies 5 mm below the plate conveying surface 15. The guide base 12 is 2 mm thick and extends over the complete width of the plate element.

The projections 11.1-11.6 are curved concentrically about a common middle point analogously to the prongs 10.1-10.6. A virtual rotation axis runs through this common middle point of the projections 11.1-11.6 and simultaneously runs perpendicularly to the plate conveying surface 15 and through the longitudinal middle axis of the plate element 1. The projections 11.1-11.6 are formed upwards from the support surface 12 and towards the outer end of the support surface 12 from the oblique face side. The projections 11.1-11.6 are terminated to the top by the plate conveying surface 15. An upper end of the projections 11.1-11.6 forms a part of the plate conveying surface 15. The projections 11.1-11.6 are delimited to the bottom by the guide base 12. The projections 11.1-11.6 are 5 mm thick at their thickest location. Ends of the projections 11.1-11.6 which are directed in the direction of the outer end of the support surface 12 are rounded, wherein the rounding lies in a plane parallel to the plate conveying surface 15. The projections 11.1-11.6 do not reach beyond the guide base 12 in the longitudinal direction.

The rounded ends of the projections 11.1-11.6 as well as an end of the lug counter-piece 17 pointing in the same direction form an essentially v-shaped shape which lies symmetrically to the longitudinal middle axis. The tip of this essentially v-shaped shape points in the direction of the geometric middle of the plate element 1. The projections 11.1-11.6 are thereby designed in a manner such that their middles in the longitudinal direction (thus their middles in the curvature direction) lie on a single straight line which is perpendicular to the longitudinal middle axis of the plate element 1. The rounded ends of the projections 11.1-11.6 run from their lower edges on the guide base 12 obliquely upwards and in the direction of the first overlapping region 13 to their upper edges on the plate conveying surface 15. The rounded ends of the projections 11.1-11.6 thus run parallel to the oblique face side on the inner end of the guide base 12.

The guide base 12 comprises eight openings 18 running through the guide base. The openings 18 have the shape of a rectangle with side lengths of 4 mm and 6 mm, wherein the rectangle has greatly rounded corners and thus is pill-shaped. All openings 18 are distanced by 3 mm to the inner end of the guide base 12. Six of the eight openings 18 lie between adjacent projections 11.1-11.6 which is to say between the projections 11.3 or 11.4 and the lug counter-piece 17. Two further ones of the eight openings 18 lie between the ends of the plate element 1 which lie parallel to the longitudinal direction, and the projections 11.1 or 11.6.

Considered perpendicularly to the plate conveying surface 15, the plate element 1 comprises three straight sides, specifically the outer end of the guide base 12 and two straight sides running parallel to the longitudinal middle axis of the plate element 1, as well as a non-straight side which terminates the overlapping region 13 to the outside. The first overlapping region 13 terminates the plate element 1 in the longitudinal direction and at its end has an essentially v-shaped outer shape whose tip points towards the middle point of the plate element 1. The essentially v-shaped outer shape of the first overlapping region 13 is interrupted by intermediate spaces between the adjacent prongs 10.1-10.6 or between the prongs 10.3 or 10.4 and the lug 16.

The same plate element 1 as in FIG. 1 is shown perspectively from below in FIG. 2. Fastening elements are to be seen on the lower side and these comprise detent hooks 20.1-20.2, fastening abutments 21.1-21.4 and support rests 22.1-22.2. Two detent hooks 20.1-20.2 are arranged centrally on the plate element 1 in the longitudinal direction of the plate element 1. The detent hooks 20.1-20.2 with respect to the width of the plate element 1 are arranged in a symmetrical manner. The detent hooks 20.1-20.2 at their lower ends comprise detent heads with detent corners directed towards the sides running parallel to the conveying direction. The downwardly directed ends of the detent heads in the direction of the sides running parallel to the conveying direction comprise chamfers, in order to simplify a movement of the detent hooks 20.1-20.2 before the locking or snapping in. The detent hooks 20.1-20.2 are 25 mm long, except in the case of the wider detent head are 3 mm wide and in total 35 mm thick. The detent hooks 20.1-20.2 thus project downwards out of the plate element 1 by 35 mm.

In the longitudinal direction of the plate element 1, fastening abutments 21.2-21.4 project downwards out of the plate element 1 on both sides next to the detent hooks 20.1-20.2. The fastening abutments 21.1-21.4 are distanced by 2 mm from the detent hooks 20.1-20.2. The fastening abutments 21.1-21.4 are 10 mm thick and have a parallelepiped basic shape with chamfers. The fastening abutments 21.1-21.4 serve for positioning the plate element 1 and as an abutment for a conveying element 3. The fastening abutments 21.1-21.4 serve as an abutment of the conveying element 3 in the direction of the length and of the width of the plate element 1. The fastening element 1 can be positioned and fixed on the conveying element 3 in the direction of the length and of the width of the fastening element 1, by way of the fastening abutments 21.1-21.4. The plate element 1 can be fixed by the detent hooks 20.1-20.2 on the conveying element, in the direction of the thickness of the plate element 1.

In each case, a support rest 22.1-22.2 is formed next to the detent hooks 20.1-20.2 in the direction of the plate element 1. The support rests 22.1-22.2 are in each case located between the sides of the plate element 1 which run parallel to the longitudinal direction and the detent hooks 20.1-20-.2. The support rests 22.1-22.2 are distanced by 8 mm to the detent hooks 20.1-20.2 and are designed with a contact fit to the fastening abutments 21.1-21.4. The support rests 22.1-22.2 are 50 mm long, 3 mm wide and 3 mm thick. The support rests 22.1-22.2 serve as a support surface for the plate element 1 on the conveying element 3 and serves for a uniform distribution of force and load of forces acting between the conveying element 3 and the plate element 1. The plate element 1 is structurally reinforced and is particularly loadable in a direction to the bottom and to the top by way of the support rests 22.1-22.2.

One can well recognise in FIG. 2 that a support surface 23 of the first overlapping region 13 runs next to downwardly directed sides of the prongs 10.1-10.6 and a downwardly directed side of the lug 16 and further in the direction of the second overlapping region 14. The support surface 23 runs parallel to the plate conveying surface 15, and encompasses the complete width of the plate element 1. The support surface 23, on a side which is opposite to the prongs 10.1-10.6 ends in a downwardly running step 24. The step 24 in a projection onto the contact surface 23 has a v-shaped contour. The v-shaped contour of the step 24 runs parallel to the ends of the prongs 10.1-10.6, on which ends the prongs 10.1-10.6 are formed on the plate element 1. Expressed differently, the v-shaped contour of the step 24 runs parallel to face-side ends of intermediate spaces of the prongs 10.1-10.6 as well as of the lug 16, wherein the face-side ends are indicated as those ends which the intermediate spaces of the prongs 10.1-10.6 terminate towards the plate element 1 in the direction of the second overlapping region 14.

Considered perpendicularly to the plate conveying surface 15, the plate element 1 is 180 mm wide and is 120 mm long at its longest location. The width of the plate element, apart from 180 mm can also in particular be 120 mm or 240 mm. Disregarding the fastening elements which comprise the detent hooks 20.1-20.2, the fastening abutments 21.1-21.4 and the support rests 22.1-22.2, the plate element is 7 mm thick.

The plate element 1 from the FIGS. 1 and 2 is represented in a perspective view from below in FIG. 3, wherein the plate element 1 is assembled on the conveying element 3. The plate element 1 is thereby connected to the conveying element 3 by way of the fastening devices. Thereby, the detent hooks 20.1-20.2 are locked in on the conveying element 3. Parts of the conveying element 3 bear on the fastening abutments 21.1-21.4 and the support rests 22.1-22.2 with a contact fit. By way of this, the plate element 1 is connected to the conveying element 3 in a releasable manner and with a contact and non-positive fit.

A second embodiment of the plate element 2 is represented in a perspective view in two part figures in FIG. 4. The upper part figure in FIG. 4 represents the plate element 2 from above, and the lower part figure in FIG. 4 represents the plate element from below. The plate element 2 is thereby shaped out similarly or essentially in the same manner as the plate element 1. With the exception of small differences, which are described hereinafter amongst other things, the plate element 2 is designed analogously to the plate element 1.

In contrast to the plate element 1 in the first embodiment, the plate element 2 of the second embodiment does not comprise six prongs 10.1-10.6 and six projections 11.1-11.6, but fourteen prongs 40.1-40.14 and fourteen projections 41.1-41.14. Apart from the openings 48 with a pill-shape, a v-shaped 49 opening running parallel to the contour of the lug counter-piece 47 is formed in front of the lug counter-piece 47.

Moreover, tool openings 51.1-51.2 passing through the plate element 2 are formed on the plate conveying surface 45. The tool openings 51.1 and 51.2 have a rectangular shape, are 25 mm long and 3 mm wide. The tool openings 51.1-51.2 are arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal middle axis and are located in the middle of the plate element 2 in the longitudinal direction. As can be well recognised in the lower part figure, the tool openings 51.1-51.2 are arranged in a manner such that they are formed directly bearing on sides of the detent hooks 50.1-50.2 which are directed towards sides of the plate element 2 which run parallel to the longitudinal direction. Plane surfaces which serve as a fastening structure are formed on the lower side of the plate element 2, on three sides of the tool openings 51.1-5.1.2 which do not bear on the detent hooks 50.1-50.2 Auxiliary conveying elements for example can be fastened on the fastening structure.

The detent hooks 50.1-50.2 on their lower end are beveled in the direction of the first overlap region 13 as well as in the direction of the second overlap region 14, in order to simplify an assembly and/or disassembly of the plate element 2.

In contrast to the plate element 1 in the first embodiment, the plate element 2 of the second embodiment is shaped out in a lightweight construction manner. This is embodied by way of the fact that many parts which are designed in a solid manner in the first embodiment are designed in a hollow manner or as a profile in the second embodiment. Moreover, struts reinforcements and local thickenings are provided in the lightweight construction manner, in order to improve the stability of the plate element 2. For example, the prongs 40.1-40.14 and the projections 41.1-41.4 are hollowed out from below, but seen from above retain their shape and fulfill the same functions as described further above.

The plate element 2 in the second embodiment is hollowed out from below into a large part. The plate element 2 in the second embodiment furthermore comprises parallel structures 52.1-52.4. The plate element 2 along the parallel structures 52.1-52.4 can be reduced in width without worsening the stability of the plate element 2.

Both embodiments of the plate elements 1, 2 are suitable for injection moulding methods.

FIG. 5 shows three identical plate elements 2 in the second embodiment, which are fastened in each case on a conveying element 3. The plate elements 2 engage into one another in a complementary manner. The plate conveying surfaces 2 by way of this form an assembled conveying surface. The conveying surface thereby is curved in a plane encompassing the assembled conveying surface. The first overlapping region 13 of a plate element 2 thereby complementarily engages into a second overlapping region 14 of an adjacent plate element 2. The prongs 40.1-40.14 of the first overlapping region thereby without a loading due to the goods conveyed by the assembled conveying surface do not lie on the guide base 42. The prongs 40.1-40.14 can lie on the guide base 42 amid loading by the goods conveyed by the assembled conveying surface, by which means the loadability of the assembled conveying surface can be increased.

The plate element 2 in the second embodiment is represented in two part figures just as in FIG. 4, in FIG. 6. Additionally, two auxiliary conveying elements are represented and in the present example these are fastened on the plate element 2, on sides of the plate element 2 which run parallel to the longitudinal axis. The limitation elements 60.1-60.2 are fastened on the lower side of the plate element 2 on one of the parallel structures 52.1-52.3 which are here simultaneously designed as a fastening structure.

Claims

1. A plate element of a conveyor for forming an assembled conveying surface, the plate element comprising:

a fastening device to fasten the plate element on a conveying element,

a first overlapping region is formed on the plate element at a first end section, and

a second overlapping region is formed on the plate element at a second end section which lies opposite the first end region in or opposite to a conveying direction,

wherein the plate element forms a plate conveying surface, and the first overlapping region and the second overlapping region form at least a part of the plate conveying surface,

wherein the first overlapping region comprises prongs,

wherein the second overlapping region comprises a guide base with projections, and

wherein the first overlapping region is complementary to the second overlapping region.

2. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the projections of the guide base and the prongs are in a curved with one side forming a part of the plate conveying surface.

3. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the prongs have a trapezoidal cross section.

4. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the guide base comprises at least one opening passing through the guide base, between the projections.

5. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device comprises an assembly orientation means.

6. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the plate element comprises at least one tool opening in the plate conveying surface.

7. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device is beveled at least partly in the direction of the first overlapping region and/or a correspondingly rounded shape.

8. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein at least one fastening structure which permits a fastening of auxiliary conveying elements is shaped out on the plate element.

9. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the plate element is formed from metal.

10. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the plate element is formed from plastic.

11. A plate element according to claim 1, wherein the plate element is formed from a composite material.

12. A plate element according to claim 1,

wherein the plate element, parallel to the side ends which connect the first and the second end section of the plate element, comprises parallel structures to laterally reduce the size of the plate element along these structures, and

wherein the parallel structures are at least one of reinforcement ribs, struts, and recesses.

13. A conveyor with an assembled conveying surface, comprising a conveying element as well as and a plurality of plate elements according to claim 1.