Formed Of Or Including Pivotally Interconnected Rigid Links Patents (Class 198/850)
  • Patent number: 7246699
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Frost Links, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C Frost, Jonathan M Rathbun, Ryan L Kastamo
  • Patent number: 7241354
    Abstract: A belt for conveying elements in provided wherein the belt comprises a compressible layer attached to the top surface of the belt. Preferably the compressible layer is resiliently deformable to cushion the impact of items on the belt or to provide a gripping surface. The belt preferably is a link belt and the top surface of the belt comprises a bonding layer for adhering the compressible element to the belt. The bonding layer may be a thermoplastic urethane that is heat fusible with the compressible layer to adhere the compressible layer to the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Fenner U.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Frank B. Fatato, Brian Roberts
  • Patent number: 7234589
    Abstract: A modular conveyor belt with a self-adjusting edge for bearing against a conveyor side rail. An edge pad, which can be made of a durable material for long wear life, pivotably attaches to the side edge of a belt row. The pivotable attachment allows the pad to adjust itself to maximize its contact area with the side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kyle J. Sedlacek
  • Patent number: 7234587
    Abstract: A link of a conveyor chain comprising a main base body, a supporting element for supporting and retaining at least one supporting shaft with which a plurality of first rollers are rotatably associated, the link being adapted to be articulated to a similar adjacent link so as to form a conveyor chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Plastomeccanica S.p.A.
    Inventor: Sergio Fandella
  • Patent number: 7216759
    Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module with embedded spherical rollers retained in the module and a belt constructed of such modules. The module includes a module body forming a cavity, a spherical roller in the cavity, and a retainer retained in the cavity to hold the spherical roller rotatably in place. A salient portion of the roller extends outward from the cavity through the retainer past an outer surface of the module. The retainer is attached to the module body by ultrasonic welding, epoxy- or solvent-bonding, spin welding, electromagnetic welding, staking, screwing, or locking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brien G. Rau, Richard J. Sofranec
  • Patent number: 7195116
    Abstract: A link chain has multiple individual chain links arranged in a repeating sequence. A first chain link has two shank portions connected by two arc portions which define an interior space. One or more dividing elements project inwardly from an inside surface of a shank portion and divide the interior space into two movement spaces. A second chain link has two shank portions connected by two arc portions which define a movement space within its interior. The second link is linked to the first link and movable within one of its two movement spaces. When a longitudinal axis of the second chain link is moved from an intended, substantially aligned position by less than 90 degrees, an outside of an arc portions of the second chain link that engages a movement space of the first chain link contacts the dividing element, and an inside of a shank portion of the second chain link contacts an arc portion of the first chain link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: J.D. Theile Gmbh & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Berghoff, Thorsten Wirtz
  • Patent number: 7195582
    Abstract: A rock climbing apparatus including a support stand on which a main body frame is mounted. The main body frame has two lateral columns, several transverse support beams and several longitudinal support columns built between the lateral columns to serve as a support skeleton. A rotary mechanism is arranged in the main body frame, including at least two chains in parallel to the length of the main body frame, multiple transverse slats in parallel to the width of the main body frame and a power supply for driving the chains to circularly revolve. The longitudinal support columns of the main body frame are arranged in a position where the chains are positioned. Each longitudinal support column has a rib rail, whereby the link shafts of the chains are slidably leant on the rib rail. The transverse slats are fixed on the chains and immediately adjacent to each other. The chains are positioned near the middle of the transverse slats. The transverse slats can circularly revolve along the lateral columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Yu Feng Wu
  • Patent number: 7168556
    Abstract: The invention relates to a curved assembly line and/or conveyor belt, especially for assembling and transporting motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts during production, said line or belt being formed by articulated carrier elements that positively engage in each other and respectively comprise an upper platform and a lower carrier frame and have convex and concave front surfaces with identical curvature radii. The aim of the invention is to enable an essentially tangential orientation of the platforms in the curved region with a simple course of displacement and low control costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Gerd Spoeler
  • Patent number: 7137505
    Abstract: A split roller including at least two parts joined together forms the roller having a length defined between roller ends. At least two of the at least two parts are joined along a joint extending between the roller ends. A roller cradle assembly and a modular conveying assembly can be assembled including the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Rexnord Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Stebnicki, Dean A. Wieting, Kevin S. Hansen
  • Patent number: 7137917
    Abstract: Tooth-shaped link member (1) for a transport tooth chain (11) with apertures (2) and two end-terminal toes (3) for the form-fitting engagement with a gear 99), which is geometrically adapted to the configuration of the gear (9), and which in addition each exhibit a lower contact surface (6) for gliding on a gliding surface of a guide body (8), wherein as an additional means for reducing the wear on the link member (1) a third gliding toe (4) is provided with does not come in form-fitting contact with the gear (9) which is arranged centrally between the end-terminal toes (2) of the link member 91) in order to enlarge the total surface of the link member on the gliding surface (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Rexroth Mecman GmbH
    Inventor: Thorsten Meyer
  • Patent number: 7134545
    Abstract: In the meat processing industry, maintaining a clean and efficient environment can be important. Over the years, modular conveyor belts have become a commonplace component of meat processing operations. To provide an efficient and long lasting conveyor system, sprocket driven modules are provided with improved configurations which result in improved belt tracking and reduce incidents of mechanical failure. Specifically, these improvements include a conveyor module having a central drive bar having alternating crest pairs and troughs along its top, connected by shoulders that enable improved driving and tracking while being structurally strong and easy to clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Chris Smith
  • Patent number: 7111725
    Abstract: A modular conveyor belt constructed of modules having upstanding ribs, each in the form of textured upper ridge structure atop an elongated rib base. Consecutive ribs are spaced apart laterally on the top surface of the modules. Longitudinal slots between laterally consecutively ribs admit the fingers of transfer plates for smooth transfer of articles on and off the belt. The textured rib structure includes rows of teeth, truncated pyramids or cones, corrugated structure, and sinuous beads atop which articles are supported with little slipping in wet conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C
    Inventors: Angela L. Marshall, David W. Bogle
  • Patent number: 7108127
    Abstract: A modular belt having a first belt module and a second belt module intercalated and locked into position by a pivot rod having a head at one end and a retaining ring disposed in spaced apart relation relative to the head along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventor: Michal Krisl
  • Patent number: 7108126
    Abstract: An improved conveyor chain formed from a plurality of modular links arranged in rows and each associated with at least two elongated transverse connectors is disclosed. In one embodiment, the connectors define a substantially open, planar conveying surface intermediate of the links in each row. Each link in a first row includes apertures for receiving a first of the connectors extending through a slot in the links of an adjacent row, as well as a receiver having a closed end and an open end for receiving one end of a second one of the connectors. The chain with the connectors associated with each row is thus capable of side-flexing to negotiate curves or bends, as well as longitudinal compression/expansion, while at all times providing full and even article support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Span Tech, LLC
    Inventors: James L. Layne, Michael D. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7080729
    Abstract: A modular conveyor belt formed of rows of belt modules pivotally interlinked by transverse pivot rods. The modules include a top, product conveying surface and a bottom, sprocket-driven surface. The belt modules have a plurality of first link ends disposed in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt and a plurality of second link ends disposed in the opposite direction. Transverse holes in the link ends are aligned to accommodate a pivot rod. When the link ends of the consecutive rows of side by side modules are intercalated, the pivot rod serves as a hinge pin in a hinged joint between consecutive interlinked rows. The transverse holes are disposed at an angle relative to the top surface of the belt module such that when the belt modules are connected to form a belt the transverse holes in adjacent link ends are disposed at opposite angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventors: Dieter Guldenfels, Markus Bernhard Vetter
  • Patent number: 7073662
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and method for assembling a conveyor belt, the conveyor belt including a plurality of link elements and a plurality of pivot rods. Each link element includes a plurality of intermeshing extensions and at least one edge extension at a peripheral edge thereof. The plurality of intermeshing extensions form receiving compartments adapted to receive intermeshing extensions of an adjacent link element, and include transverse rod openings. The plurality of pivot rods are received in the transverse rod openings of the plurality of intermeshing extensions thereby interlinking adjacent link elements together. The edge extensions include an entry aperture sized to allow insertion of a pivot rod, and a rod receiving compartment to retain an end of the pivot rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Ashworth Bros., Inc.
    Inventors: D. Joseph Neely, Jonathan R. Lasecki, Willem van Faassen
  • Patent number: 7055678
    Abstract: A modular conveyor belt forming a hinge between consecutive belt rows (14A–C) hingedly connected by a noncircular hinge pin (34). Hinge eyes (28) along the forward and rearward ends of each row (14A–C) of belt modules include aligned openings for the hinge pins (34). The belt rows (14A–C) are arranged end-to-end with the hinge eyes (28) of adjacent rows interleaved. In one version, the hinge pins (34) are inserted in the passageway formed by the aligned openings of the interleaved hinge eyes. The hinge pins (34) include first (40) and second (41) hinge pin members, such as flat strips. The openings in the hinge eyes (28) are characterized by a narrow slotted portion (32) for restraining the first hinge pin member (40) against rotation within the slotted portion and a wider sector-shaped portion (33) that allows the second hinge pin member (41) to rotate relative to the first hinge pin member (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James O. Gundlach, Christopher G. Greve, Robert S. Lapeyre
  • Patent number: 7051870
    Abstract: Belt assemblies comprising a flexible belt having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of substantially T-shaped plates, each of the substantially T-shaped plates including a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion, the substantially vertical portion of each substantially T-shaped plate being fastened to the flexible belt are disclosed. The belt assemblies can be used for vertically suspending loads from the assemblies and transporting loads in a conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph Schoendienst, Willi Fuelleman, Jeffrey C. Hudgens
  • Patent number: 7044290
    Abstract: Conveyor chain including a plurality of modular components having an upper conveyance plate with each modular component having a rotation component projecting from the plate and defining a seat with concave surfaces with the seat being designed to receive a pivoting component suited to engage with the concave surfaces to rotate inside the rotation component around an axis perpendicular to the conveyance plane with the pivoting component and the rotation component presenting holes for receiving a pin parallel to the conveyance plane and nearly transversal to the chain running direction with the holes in the rotation component being elongated to allow rotation of the pin around the rotation axis of the pivoting component and with the pin being engaged with an adjacent modular component of the chain to allow its rotation outside the conveyance plane and with the conveyance plate presenting on one side a concave circle arc profile and on the opposite side a convex circle arc profile with the convex profile being
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Regina Sud S.p.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Garbagnati, Norberto Cattaneo
  • Patent number: 7021453
    Abstract: Various conveyor designs are disclosed, along with related link designs, suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction. The conveyor may include a plurality of connected links. Each link may have a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport. Each link may have a body, a slider, at least one gripping member, and a gear drive mechanism interconnecting the slider and gripping member. The slider is slidable along the length of the body to selectively move the gripping member between a first position and a second position via the gear drive mechanism. The gripping member when in first position is disposed in an open position, and the gripping member when in the second position is disposed in a gripping position for contacting one of the objects to hold the object during transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hartness International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hartness, William R. Hartness, III, Mark W. Davidson, Frank Brennan, Robert C. Beesley
  • Patent number: 7004311
    Abstract: A belt for conveying elements in provided wherein the belt comprises a compressible layer attached to the top surface of the belt. Preferably the compressible layer is resiliently deformable to cushion the impact of items on the belt. The belt preferably is a link belt and the top surface of the belt comprises a bonding layer for adhering the compressible element to the belt. The bonding layer may be a thermoplastic urethane that is heat fusible with the compressible layer to adhere the compressible layer to the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Fenner U.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Frank B Fatato, Brian Roberts
  • Patent number: 6997309
    Abstract: A modular conveyor belt having rollers for minimizing damage to the belt when transferring high friction products. The rollers are supported by easily assembled cradles that are supported between adjacent belt modules. In one embodiment, the cradles include a first part and a second part. The first part has a first hinge member and a first shaft extending from the first hinge member. The first shaft has a hollow portion opening at a first shaft distal end. The second part has a second hinge member and a second shaft extending from the second hinge member. The second shaft has a second shaft distal end received in the hollow portion of the first shaft through the first shaft distal end. In another embodiment, the roller supported by one of the cradles extends into a concave portion of an adjacent module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Rexnord Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Stebnicki, Dean A. Wieting, Kevin S. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6997308
    Abstract: Welded belt modules, belts made of such modules, and a method for making such modules. Wide belt modules are made by welding together side to side narrow belt modules to a selected width. Modular conveyor belts are constructed of rows of welded modules connected serially by hinge pins between interleaved hinge eyes of consecutive rows. The wider welded modules eliminate or reduce the number of gaps, or seams, in a conveyor belt by reducing the number of narrow modules in each belt row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Guemsey
  • Patent number: 6991094
    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 have a sleeve portion around and at least partially along the shaft portion of the pin. The sleeve portion may engage a center link of the section of chain and may be movable relative to the shaft portion. The sleeve portion may comprise a polymeric material. The sleeve portion may be molded over an I-pin or the like, or may be slid or pressed onto a stud-ended pin or bolt or the like. The pin may include a generally spherical-shaped ball member or portion on the shaft portion to enhance flexibility of the section of chain. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Frost Links, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Frost
  • Patent number: 6986420
    Abstract: Modular plastic conveyor belts constructed of split belt modules. Each module includes a first piece and a second piece. Side-by-side first pieces mate with side-by-side second pieces to form a row of belt modules. Each row has sets of hinge eyes along opposite ends. Hinge pins extending through the hinge eyes at the ends of each row connect the pieces in the row together to adjacent belt rows. Other components, such as rollers, can be inserted into and removed from the unmated pieces and retained in place by retention structure when the module pieces are mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David C. Weiser, Kyle J. Sedlacek, Andrew A. Corley
  • Patent number: 6981584
    Abstract: A conveyor plate chain with chain links joined together in each case at a joint location and a plate conveyor connected to them consisting of a number of single plates, whereby each joint location is formed by a joint pin of one chain link and a joint sleeve of the adjacent chain link, the joint sleeve accommodating the joint pin, and a single plate is connected at a mounting location to a joint pin, and whereby outer chain links with parallel outer link-plates and parallel-arranged joint pins transverse with respect to the outer link-plates and inner chain links with inner link-plates arranged parallel within the outer link-plates and parallel-arranged joint sleeves transverse with respect to the inner link-plates alternate. The smallest center distance of two mounting locations of two adjacent single plates is larger than the center distance of two adjacent joint pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Joh. Winklhofer & Sohne GmbH und Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Grabmann
  • Patent number: 6966435
    Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt hingedly interconnected by hinge pins made of a highly oriented polymer material. The hinge pins are preferably extruded from a material including a highly oriented polymer, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon. Alternative materials include highly oriented acetal or polyurethane. Plastic hinge pins made with these polymers having their long molecules oriented along the axis of the shaft of the hinge pin are exceptionally strong and resistant to deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David C. Weiser, Kyle J. Sedlacek, Sandra A. Christiana, Andrew A. Corley
  • Patent number: 6966434
    Abstract: The tough guide chain is capable of easily connecting and disconnecting link modules. The guide chain includes a plurality of link modules detachably connected. Each link module comprises: a main body section including a bottom plate, a pair of side plates extended from the bottom plate and a flexible hinge plate extended from an edge of the bottom plate: a joint section connecting the flexible hinge plate of the adjacent link module with the bottom plate of the main body section; and a flap detachably attached to the side plates. The main body section is made of an elastic resin material, and the joint section is made of a tough material so as to reinforce and support the bottom plate and the side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Yugen Kaisha Hama International
    Inventors: Tomio Hama, Kazuhiko Kasuga
  • Patent number: 6918486
    Abstract: To provide an improved conveyor chain, which can convey even a conveying object having high center of gravity at high speed without felling it down in a curved conveying section. A conveyor chain according to the present invention has a plurality of links (10) arranged in rows. Each of the links includes a top plate (11) having a flat top surface (12) and a hinge portion (13) provided on the top plate pin-connected to a hinge portion of a link positioned on the front side and to a hinge portion positioned on the rear side. Edges (19, 24) adjacent to links positioned on the front and rear sides in the top plate and the hinge portions are composed of curved surfaces. An angle of inclination formed by a flat surface (31) including a tangential line with respect to the edge and the top surface (12) of the top plate (11) is formed to be smaller as it goes from the central axis of said link in its arrangement direction toward a link side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Shibayama, Yoshihiro Murakami, Hajime Ozaki
  • Patent number: 6910572
    Abstract: A conveyor chain, which can be conveyed without being felled down in a curved conveying section even if the speed of the conveying line is increased is provided. A conveyor chain has a plurality of links (11) arranged in rows. Each of said links includes a top plate (12) having a flat top surface (13) and a hinge portion (14) provided on the top plate. The hinge portion is connected to the hinge portions in the adjacent link positioned on the backside by a pin. Engagement portions (14, 15, 21, 22) with the adjacent links positioned on the front and back sides in said top plate include flat surface portions (27˜30) connected to the flat top surface of the top plate, and the flat surface portions are extended to said adjacent link, positioned on the front or back side with respect to the central axis of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Shibayama, Yoshihiro Murakami, Hajime Ozaki
  • Patent number: 6896122
    Abstract: A chain conveyor includes a plurality of load rollers, a plurality of drive rollers, which are arranged in pairs, and a pair of spaced apart rows of interconnecting linkages aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chain conveyor. The load rollers and the drive rollers are rotatably mounted between the linkages with the load rollers positioned between the pairs of drive rollers. The diameter of each load roller is larger than the diameter of each drive roller. The load rollers and the drive rollers are spaced along the longitudinal axis wherein the chain conveyor includes gaps between the outer surfaces of adjacent load rollers and between the outer surfaces of adjacent driver rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp.
    Inventors: Michael Lee Gambrell, Ray Bradley Tompkins
  • Patent number: 6896126
    Abstract: A modular conveyor belt formed of rows of belt modules pivotally interlinked by transverse pivot rods and specially adapted for following a curved conveyor path. The modules include a top, product conveying surface and a bottom, sprocket-driven surface. The belt modules have a plurality of first link ends disposed in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt and a plurality of second link ends disposed in the opposite direction. Transverse holes in the link ends are aligned to accommodate a pivot rod. When the link ends of the consecutive rows of side by side modules are intercalated, the pivot rod serves as a hinge pin in a hinged joint between consecutive interlinked rows. To permit the belt to flex sidewise, the openings in the first link ends are slotted longitudinally in the direction of belt travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventor: Dieter Guldenfels
  • Patent number: 6871736
    Abstract: A conveyance chain comprising a plurality of links that are identical and longitudinally associable in succession with a similar one, each link having a head that protrudes at the front of a body supporting a contact plate, to the rear of which two wings protrude, a transverse pivot, made monolithically with the pair of wings and accommodated detachably, in a complementarily shaped slot formed in the head of an adjacent link arranged at the rear, and a bush, arranged by interlocking coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventor: Sergio Fandella
  • Patent number: 6860836
    Abstract: A rock climbing exerciser includes a main frame having a base member abutting against a support surface and two stands upwardly perpendicularly extending from the base member. The two stands are parallel to each other. A cyclic device is mounted between the two stands. The cyclic device includes a first drive and a second drive device synchronously operated with each other. An endless strap is mounted around the first drive device and second drive device. Multiple grips extend through the endless strap and are secured on the cyclic device for user to climb thereon. A speed reducer is mounted on one of the two stands and connected to the second drive device to reducing the moving speed of the endless strap during operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Yu Feng Wu
  • Patent number: 6857516
    Abstract: An edge module for a modular plastic conveyor belt providing a self-closing retention system for retaining headless hinge rods in modular plastic conveyor belts. The edge module has an opening in an outer edge portion of the module that receives a rod retention member. The rod retention member is movable from a blocking position occluding a hinge rod passageway through interleaved hinges of consecutive rows of belt modules to an unblocking position clear of the passageway. The rod retention member is hook-shaped with a flexible shank extending from a bend at one end to an enlarged head at the other end. The bend serves as a clip for attaching to a post formed in the opening. The head occludes the passageway in the blocking position. By flexing the shank, the head is moved out of the way to admit a rod into the passageway. Once the rod clears the head, the shank springs the head back into the blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Verdigets
  • Patent number: 6840371
    Abstract: A modular belt link which includes a link base having at least one hinge barrel for connecting the link to adjacent links. A side guard is fixed to the link base, and defines a non-planar wall having a bottom and top joined by sides. The wall is twisted relative to an axis of rotation extending through said top and bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Rexnord Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Hansen, Paul M. Koeferl
  • Publication number: 20040245076
    Abstract: A conveyor plate chain with chain links joined together in each case at a joint location and a plate conveyor connected to them consisting of a number of single plates, whereby each joint location is formed by a joint pin of one chain link and a joint sleeve of the adjacent chain link, the joint sleeve accommodating the joint pin, and a single plate is connected at a mounting location to a joint pin, and whereby outer chain links with parallel outer link-plates and parallel-arranged joint pins transverse with respect to the outer link-plates and inner chain links with inner link-plates arranged parallel within the outer link-plates and parallel-arranged joint sleeves transverse with respect to the inner link-plates alternate. The smallest center distance of two mounting locations of two adjacent single plates is larger than the center distance of two adjacent joint pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Grabmann
  • Patent number: 6827204
    Abstract: A belt (100) is described for a conveyor, in particular for conveying molded items of plastic material leaving a molding unit. Said belt comprises a plurality of transverse plates or tracks (1) disposed side by side and constrained hingedly to each other to form an endless belt, wherein some (10) of said transverse plates have transverse tongues (50) which protrude substantially at right angles to the plane of the transverse plates (10), the transverse tongues (50) being made from soft, rubber-based material to avoid deformation of the molded items which fall thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Costruzioni Meccaniche Crizaf SpA
    Inventor: Oreste Cribiu′
  • Publication number: 20040222073
    Abstract: A belt (100) is described for a conveyor, in particular for conveying moulded items of plastic material leaving a moulding unit. Said belt comprises a plurality of transverse plates or tracks (1) disposed side by side and constrained hingedly to each other to form an endless belt, wherein some (10) of said transverse plates have transverse tongues (50) which protrude substantially at right angles to the plane of the transverse plates (10), the transverse tongues (50) being made from soft, rubber-based material to avoid deformation of the moulded items which fall thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: COSTRUZIONI MECCANICHE CRIZAF SPA
    Inventor: Cribiu Oreste
  • Patent number: 6814223
    Abstract: An edge module for a modular plastic conveyor belt providing a self-closing retention system for retaining headless hinge rods in modular plastic conveyor belts. The edge module has a chamber in an outer edge portion of the module that slidably receives a rod retention member, such as a plug. The plug slides along the chamber from a closed position occluding a hinge rod passageway through interleaved hinges of consecutive rows of belt modules to an open, unoccluding position. A spring in the chamber urges the plug back toward the closed position. The plug is moved to the open position in two ways: by the force of a hinge rod against an oblique face during insertion of the rod into a belt; or manually by a tool engaging an easily accessible indentation in the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Verdigets, David C. Weiser, Ryan Lemaire
  • Patent number: 6814218
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus suitable for driving a number of carriers in such a manner that the front end of each carrier thrusts the rear end of the preceding carrier is provided. The conveying apparatus comprises a guide rail and carriers. The rail includes a U-turn path section. Each carrier includes a load bar assembly including at least three load bars connected end-to-end by vertical pivot shafts in such a manner that the bars can pivot horizontally relative to each other. Each carrier also includes a load support supported by the associated middle load bar. Each carrier further includes a front trolley supporting at least the front end load bar and a rear trolley supporting at least the rear end load bar. The trolleys are supported movably on and guided by the guide rail. The trolleys are fixed to and in parallel with the end load bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeyoshi Nishihara
  • Patent number: 6811023
    Abstract: A modular conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules with a hinge formed in each row and aligned in the direction of belt travel with hinges of adjacent rows. The hinge allows the belt to conform to a non-coplanar carryway support to form, for example, a trough. In some versions, the hinge is a living hinge formed by flexible or thinned-out regions of the belt between rigid regions. In other versions, the hinge is formed by interleaved hinge eyes between modules along each row interconnected by a hinge pin along an axis oriented in the direction of belt travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Sandra A. Christiana, Andrew A. Corley, Robert S. Lapeyre
  • Publication number: 20040173441
    Abstract: A roller top conveyor chain assembly includes a first strand of conveyor chain formed from a plurality of first link assemblies. A second strand of conveyor chain is formed from a plurality of second link assemblies. The second strand of conveyor chain is substantially parallel to the first strand of conveyor chain for cooperatively conveying an object with the first strand of conveyor chain. A first roller support frame extends between one of the first link assemblies of the plurality of first link assemblies and one of the second link assemblies of the plurality of second link assemblies. The roller support frame includes a top wall having at least one upwardly opening cavity formed therein. A roller is rotatably mounted in the cavity for supporting the object being conveyed by the first and second strands of conveyor chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Dean A. Wieting, Paul M. Koeferl
  • Patent number: 6782687
    Abstract: A roller chain for moving a web of textile material in a tenter frame. The roller chain has inner members flexibly joined to outer members in an alternating manner with a sleeve and a bolt. A running roller having an inner ring; an outer ring and sealing rings forming a ball bearing assembly is mounted on the sleeve. The sealing rings substantially seal ball bearings enclosed in the running roller. The sealing ring has a spacing element consisting of individual metallic inserts distributed approximately equally around a circumference of the sealing ring. The spacing element transmits axial force applied to an inner tab of an inner member to an inner ring of the running roller. The sealing ring has a lubrication groove formed thereon in fluid communication with a lubrication hole on a sleeve and a lubrication channel in an interior of the bolt for lubricating the ball bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Konrad Mingers
  • Publication number: 20040163935
    Abstract: A belt for conveying elements in provided wherein the belt comprises a compressible layer attached to the top surface of the belt. Preferably the compressible layer is resiliently deformable to cushion the impact of items on the belt. The belt preferably is a link belt and the top surface of the belt comprises a bonding layer for adhering the compressible element to the belt. The bonding layer may be a thermoplastic urethane that is heat fusible with the compressible layer to adhere the compressible layer to the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Frank B. Fatato, Brian Roberts
  • Patent number: 6766901
    Abstract: An endless conveyor belt formed of plastic belt modules and capable of following a curved path. The modules include first and second module surfaces, i.e., a top, product-conveying surface and a bottom, sprocket-driven surface. An intermediate section extends across the width of each module transverse to the direction of belt travel. A plurality of snap-on side guards are mounted in vertical openings disposed in the belt modules. Each side guard includes a central post having opposed wings extending in a forwardly and a rearwardly direction along the direction of conveyor belt travel. The wings are staggered in the lateral direction so that the forward wing of a first side guard overlaps with the rearward wing of an immediately adjacent second side guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventors: Dieter Guldenfels, Enrico Visconti
  • Patent number: 6763936
    Abstract: A chain conveyor formed from a plurality of modules or links (1a, b, c) connected together by pins c2a, b) which are inserted through holes (4, 4A) present in the modules or links (1a, b, c) and are prevented from escaping by axially counteracting elements (5) mounted in seats (6) also present in the modules or links (1a, b, c), in which the axially counteracting elements (5) present a flexible tang (5c) which, when the axially counteracting element is mounted in the seat (6), intersects an end portion (4A) of the holes (4, 4A) through which the pin (2a, b, c) is inserted, to thus prevent the pin withdrawing from the holes (4, 4A), such withdrawal however being enabled by deflecting the flexible tang (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: System Plast S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Marsetti, Rodolfo Reatti
  • Patent number: 6758328
    Abstract: There is provided a conveyor chain for use in a three-dimensional conveyor line, in which a plurality of chain links each with a top plate provided on a link body thereof are connected endlessly to each other by shaft pins for three-dimensional conveyance of products, a projecting head portion of a rearward one of two adjacent chain links is disposed between a pair of leg portions of a frontward adjacent link, a shaft pin is penetrated through the projecting head portion so that the rearward chain link can freely be pivoted vertically and horizontally about the shaft pin, the top plate includes a front plate portion and rear plate portion, each portion formed defining its boundary as a semicircular line whose center is laid nearly at the center of the projecting head portion, the rear plate portion is integral with the rear upper portion of the link body while the front plate portion is disposed on the front upper portion of the link body, a bearing block is received in a bearing space, the bearing block is e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Yamakyu Chain Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Arai, Hiroaki Kase
  • Patent number: 6758329
    Abstract: The invention provided a conveyor belt, which is special in that the belt in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the belt is made from one single chain link, and that the transport top surface comprises a wide main portion and the top part of the eye projections which are flush with the main portion, such that the belt surface is substantially without apertures and/or openings and further that the hinge-like assembly arrangement is fully accessible only from the underside of the belt. By this inventive chain link is achieved that the narrow gaps between each assembled chain link in the prior art is not present such that from a hygienic point of view it becomes much easier to clean the entire conveyor belt satisfactory in that for each chain link, which usually constitutes 40-60 mm of the total length of the conveyor belt, which altogether, especially for deboning lines, might be 300-400 meter long, no gaps are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: uni-chains A/S
    Inventors: John Haue Damkjær, Poul Erik Damkjær
  • Publication number: 20040124070
    Abstract: A crescent conveyer capable of reducing weight and increasing durability. The crescent conveyer includes a plurality of slat portions (1) of a nearly crescent shape in plan view and chain members (2) linking the plurality of the slat portions (1). The slat portions (1) are formed from engineering plastic such as polycarbonate and the chain members are formed from an iron-based metal such as stainless steel. The plastic slat portions (1) can realize weight saving and can reduce a motor load. The slat portions (1) and the chain members (2) that are formed from different materials are coupled by caulking members (7). The metallic chain members (2) bring about excellent strength and durability to be able to reduce possibility of producing cracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Noriyasu Okoshi