Separate Pins Interconnect Links Patents (Class 198/851)
  • Patent number: 11973890
    Abstract: A hinge element includes at least one connection hole, and the connection hole includes a first locking hole and a second locking hole that are connected to each other. A communicating position between the first locking hole and the second locking hole narrows for transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: VIVO MOBILE COMMUNICATION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xinfu Zhang
  • Patent number: 11214460
    Abstract: A cutting machine head and a cutting machine are provided in the present invention. The cutting machine head includes a fixing plate, a cutter holder, a cutting component, a machine head lifting mechanism and a machine head rotating mechanism. The cutter holder is mounted on the fixing plate. The machine head lifting mechanism is connected to the cutter holder, and is used to drive the cutter holder to move up and down on the fixing plate. The cutting component includes at least two cutter head assemblies mounted on the cutter holder. The machine head rotating mechanism is connected to the cutter head assemblies for driving the cutter head assemblies to rotate. The rotating angle of each cutter head assembly of the cutting machine head can be controlled. The machine head rotating mechanism controls the cutter head assembly to rotate when the machine head is cutting, and the resulting cutting line has no flaws, which can ensure the integrity of the cutting pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: JINGWEI SYSTEMTECHNIK LTD.
    Inventor: Lixue Lin
  • Patent number: 10954082
    Abstract: Various embodiments described herein, relates to a sortation conveyer system comprising a cart coupling assembly for coupling two adjacent carts. The cart coupling assembly includes a coupling disc having: (a) a control slot, (b) a bearing slot, and (c) one or more arcuately shaped mounting slots. The coupling disc is mounted on a cart such that, upon rotation of the coupling disc, a control slot cavity defined by the control slot slid ably moves about a position register screw along the control slot cavity and a cavity defined by a respective mounting slot slid ably moves relative to a respective mounting pin received in the mounting slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Intelligrated Headquarters, LLC
    Inventors: Richmond Emory Best, Mark Kenneth Vegh
  • Patent number: 10759606
    Abstract: A modular conveyor, comprising a plurality of modules successive in transport direction, each comprising a body part with a transport surface for transporting products thereon, which body part during use is hingedly coupled via a hinge pin to the body part of a successive module. The successive modules are adjustable from an assembly position to an operative position. In the working position the hinge pin can be introduced from outside of the body parts into a receiving space formed by the successive modules or can be taken out of that receiving space to outside of the body parts due to that the hinge pin is released by the body parts to move in longitudinal direction and/or transverse direction of its longitudinal axis. In the operative position the hinge pin is retained in the receiving space formed by the body parts of the successive modules due to that the movement of the hinge pin both in longitudinal direction and in transverse direction of its longitudinal axis is limited by the body parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: REXNORD FLATTOP EUROPE B.V., REXNORD FLATTOP EUROPE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Leonardus Adrianus Catharinus Cornelissen, Cornelis Hendrik Mijndert Menke, Andrea Andreoli, Guido Marchiani
  • Patent number: 10718407
    Abstract: A chain bending limiting attachment includes first bending limiting members and second bending limiting members. The first and second bending limiting members are detachably attached to a chain to be arranged in a series arrangement direction. Each first bending limiting member includes a first engaging portion. When the chain bends in a first direction, the first engaging portion engages with another first bending limiting member adjacent to the first bending limiting member in the series arrangement direction to limit bending of the chain in the first direction. Each second bending limiting member includes a second engaging portion. When the chain bends in a second direction, the second engaging portion engages with another second bending limiting member adjacent to the second bending limiting member in the series direction to limit bending of the chain in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Takayuki Tetsuka, Tamaki Shiki, Yasunori Ueno, Masashi Kunii
  • Patent number: 10661997
    Abstract: A roller device comprises: an attachment bolt; a roller mounted on the attachment bolt, wherein the roller is configured as a roller unit including at least one attachment bush, a bearing, and a roller; and a fastening system to releasably fasten the bush of the roller unit to the attachment bolt. The fastening system comprises a clip fastening system to mount the roller unit on the attachment bolt without using tools. The clip fastening system comprises a radially encircling groove in the inner surface of the attachment bush, a radially encircling groove in the surface of the attachment bolt, and a flexible securing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: KettenWulf Betriebs GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Padberg, Christian Hanemann
  • Patent number: 10494183
    Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a conveyor belt slat having a coupling mechanism extending from a bottom of a base of the conveyor belt slat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: PRINCE CASTLE LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Adomaitis, Frank Anthony Agnello, Richard Bauer, Eloy Cerda, Mark Edward Fastabend, Sean Patrick Forrest, Charles B. Hartfelder, Karl Ronald Heinze, Scott R. Hammac, Kyle Thomas Kestner, Christine Suen Laub, Eugene Stanley Maslana, Calvin States Nelson, Laurence A. Schoell, Zoran Ulicevic, Aleksandr Yazvin, Loren J. Veltrop, Brian J. Truesdale, Dennis Malkowski
  • Patent number: 10494182
    Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a conveyor belt slat having a coupling mechanism extending from a bottom of a base of the conveyor belt slat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: PRINCE CASTLE LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Adomaitis, Frank Anthony Agnello, Richard Bauer, Eloy Cerda, Mark Edward Fastabend, Sean Patrick Forrest, Charles B. Hartfelder, Karl Ronald Heinze, Scott R. Hammac, Kyle Thomas Kestner, Christine Suen Laub, Eugene Stanley Maslana, Calvin States Nelson, Laurence A. Schoell, Zoran Ulicevic, Aleksandr Yazvin, Loren J. Veltrop, Brian J. Truesdale, Dennis Malkowski
  • Patent number: 10214389
    Abstract: A drive chain (2a, 2b) for a chain drive comprises a plurality of chain links (10, 20) and joints (30) respectively connecting two of the chain links (10, 20) forming the drive chain (2a, 2b). The drive chain (2a, 2b) further comprises a plurality of carrier elements (40), each of said carrier elements (40) being linked to one of the chain links (10, 20) or joints (30) and supporting at least two support/engagement elements (43, 44), which are configured for supporting the drive chain (2a, 2b) and/or for engagement with an appropriate turnaround element (50; 90) for driving the drive chain (2a, 2b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Alexander Turek, Walter Srb-Gaffron
  • Patent number: 10155625
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and belt modules with plug-in accessories, such as sideguards. The accessories have plugs that plug into sockets in the belt or individual belt modules. Lugs and mounting slots and tabs and detents on the plugs and sockets help guide, register, and lock the accessories in place. The plugs and sockets allow the accessories to be locked and unlocked by twisting the plugs in the sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David W. Bogle, Terral A. Ridgell, Warren E. Cancienne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10151374
    Abstract: A power transmission belt has a front rubber face and a back rubber surface. The back rubber surface has an uneven surface of rubber which, when the power transmission belt is wound around a flat pulley, comes in contact with the flat pulley. The uneven surface of rubber has a pattern created by a mold having an impression of a surface of a woven fabric or a knitted fabric. The impression has projected parts and recessed parts, and each of the projected parts has a flat top surface. The power transmission belt is wound around a number of pulleys in a belt transmission system in which the pulleys include a flat pulley with which the uneven surface of the power transmission belt comes in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Kusano
  • Patent number: 10124960
    Abstract: A modular conveyor (1) comprising a conveyor mat or chain (2) constructed of a series of links (3) hingedly connected together into an endless loop arranged to be circulated around two spaced diverting wheel units (4, 5). Each link is positioned at a pitch distance from an adjacent link, which pitch distance is at least substantially the same throughout the conveyor mar or chain. At least one of the diverting wheel units (5) comprises a drive shaft (9), a drive wheel (10) mounted on the drive shaft and drivingly engaging the conveyor mat or chain and further an upper idler wheel (12) mounted on an idler wheel shaft. The upper idler wheel shaft is positioned above the drive wheel shaft, such that intermediate distance between said upper idler wheel shaft and drive shaft equals a distance of (n times the pitch distance+substantially a ½ time the pitch distance).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: REXNORD FLATTOP EUROPE B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis Hendrik Mijndert Menke
  • Patent number: 9939045
    Abstract: A link plate for a bicycle chain is basically provided with a first link end portion, a second link end portion and a link intermediate portion interconnecting the first link end portion and the second link end portion. The first link end portion includes a first link opening having a first link center axis. The second link end portion includes a second link opening having a second link center axis parallel to the first link center axis. The link plate has a link longitudinal centerline defining a longitudinal direction. The first link end portion has a first extended edge portion extending away from the second link end portion in the longitudinal direction or the link intermediate portion has an axial protrusion protruding from an inner surface thereof in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: 9849552
    Abstract: An apparatus for guiding tube processing devices, in particular planing devices, wherein the apparatus is arranged on an outer circumference of the tube to be processed, wherein the apparatus has at least two bands which extend in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Wavin AG
    Inventors: Christian Hogg, Karl-Heinz Mayer, Michael Tinius
  • Patent number: 9731902
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible reticular structure which comprises a movable surface the movement of which is operated by operating means, and is characterized in that said surface is formed by a plurality of modules linked to one another. Said modules forming the surface are preferably linked to one another by means of attachment rods, each of said rods being housed in holes provided in at least two of said modules. The present invention prevents the need to disassemble and replace the entire movable surface, rather only the affected module or modules, for repair or maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: MANUFACTURAS Y TRANSFORMADOS AB, S.L.
    Inventor: Antoni Balsells Mercadé
  • Patent number: 9650211
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a conveyor for conveying objects and including an exposed surface. A source of energy is provided to transmit energy to at least a portion of the exposed surface. The energy should be at a level sufficient to kill a living organism in contact with the exposed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SPAN TECH LLC
    Inventors: James L. Layne, Lewis W. Ward, Scott Dayton Barbour
  • Patent number: 9517889
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and belt modules with plug-in accessories, such as sideguards. The accessories have plugs that plug into sockets in the belt or individual belt modules. Lugs and mounting slots and tabs and detents on the plugs and sockets help guide, register, and lock the accessories in place. The plugs and sockets allow the accessories to be locked and unlocked by twisting the plugs in the sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David W. Bogle, Terral A. Ridgell, Warren E. Cancienne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9371902
    Abstract: Continuously variable transmission with a drive belt (3) and with two pulleys (1, 2) that are each provided with two pulley discs (4, 5) with a running surface (8) for arriving in friction contact with a side face (35) of the drive belt (3), wherein both the running surfaces (8) of the pulleys (1, 2) and the side face (35) of the drive belt (3) are made of steel and wherein during operation of the transmission the friction contact is cooled by lubrication oil. At least one of the running surfaces (8) is provided with a multitude of (micron-scale) dimples (11, 13) and/or of grooves (12, 14, 15) arranged in a specific pattern for taking up lubrication oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Ronald Eduard Henri Van Der Heijde
  • Patent number: 9212003
    Abstract: A detachable tab for a modular belt link is provided. The detachable tab has upper and lower body portions. The upper body portion is suitable to be arranged in a modular conveyor belt module, and comprises a U-shaped section with two substantially parallel flanges that extend from a bridge member. Each flange has a distal end that terminates the flange away from the flange's connection to the bridge member. Each flange also has an inner side surface that faces the other flange and an outer side surface that faces away from the flanges. The lower body portion comprises three distinct sections: a first section that connects a second section to the bridge member of the upper body portion; a second section that projects in a direction opposite and parallel to the flanges of the upper body portion; and a third section that is arranged substantially perpendicular to the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: AMMERAAL BELTECH MODULAR A/S
    Inventor: Tyson Gabler
  • Patent number: 9114937
    Abstract: A conveyor system pallet is provided, having: a pallet body; and a guiding system operatively attached to the pallet body and designed to abut against at least one side rail of a conveyor system, the guiding system including: a plurality of first directional guides; and a plurality of second directional guides oriented approximately orthogonally to the first directional guides. A further guiding system for a conveyor pallet is provided, having: a plurality of first directional guides having: a plurality of guides designed to abut against a first side rail of the conveyor system; and a plurality of guides designed to abut against a second side rail located above the first side rail of the conveyor system; and a plurality of second directional guides designed to engage an underside of the first side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: ATS AUTOMATION TOOLING SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Robert Donald Ecob
  • Patent number: 9004270
    Abstract: A link belt for use in a sintering furnace, which is made of a plurality of first links, each of said links having working surfaces for supporting objects to be carried on the belt. A plurality of rollers are positioned intermediate certain of said first links, and a plurality of pins pass through apertures within said first links and within said rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Robert S. Cutshall, Brett A. Cutshall
  • Patent number: 9004271
    Abstract: A conveyor belt module, a conveyor belt, a weighing system, and a method for weighing articles conveyed on a conveyor belt. A conveyor belt includes an array of load cells embedded in belt modules to measure forces normal to the belt's conveying surface. The measurements are transmitted from the belt to a remote controller as part of a vision system that identifies individual articles conveyed on the belt and pressing down on underlying load cells. The vision system determines which load cells underlie the individual articles and combines their measurements to compute the weights of the articles on the fly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: 8978881
    Abstract: A pivot rod that is formed by overmolding the end of a grooved rod with a plastic head. The pivot rod may be formed out of shear resistant materials such as steel or the like. Alternatively, a headed rod may be formed by overmolding a highly shear resistant, reinforced extruded plastic rod with a plastic ring or head of a moldable compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventors: Ramaswamy Prakasam, Sellappa Gounder Shanmugasundaram
  • Patent number: 8973743
    Abstract: A woven wire conveyor belt having a plurality of spiral wires and a plurality of connecting wires operably associated with the plurality of spiral wires to form a conveying surface with a plurality of openings formed therein. Each of the plurality of spiral wires has a first side wall and a second side wall that are substantially flat. The connecting wires can be crimped or straight wires. The spiral wires can be left spiral wires, right spiral wires or a combination of left and right spiral wires. The spiral wires and the connecting wires are preferably formed from round wire. Preferably, the woven wire conveyor belt is an endless belt. The conveyor belt can be a balanced weave wire belt, a double weave wire belt, a rod reinforced weave wire belt, a chevron weave wire belt, a double balance weave wire belt, and a single weave wire belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Lumsden Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn Farrell, Gina Mitchell, Boyd E. Knepp
  • Patent number: 8950571
    Abstract: A chain driven by two sprockets spaced a short distance apart along their common axial centerline. The chain includes elongated pins that extend beyond the outer surfaces of the chain link plates, on both sides, by a distance about equal to the width of the spaced apart sprockets. The chain is aligned midway between the sprockets, and the sprocket teeth drive on the extended portion of the chain pins. Where a flight is attached to the chain links, the pins are extended still further, to fit into the indentations or holes in the flights. This provides an exposed length of each pin in alignment with the sprocket on each side for driving purposes. The chain has a piece extending between the plates to reduce the likelihood of a pin extending further outside of one side plate or the other. A shoulder on the pin further reduces the likelihood of this happening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 8939279
    Abstract: Various modular conveyors, conveying systems, conveyor modules, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the conveyor comprises a module body and an upper member. The module body can be configured to receive one or more rolling elements. In some embodiments, the rolling elements protrude through openings in the module body and the upper member. In various embodiments, the rolling elements can be configured to engage a surface below the module body and/or an item on the conveyor, thereby facilitating multi-directional travel of the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Solus Industrial Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Porter, Kelly Parrish, Lance Ireland
  • Publication number: 20150008101
    Abstract: A conveyor chain link provided with an upper body having a carrying surface and a lower body having a front end and a rear end, where the rear end is provided with a first leg and a second leg arranged at a certain distance from each other such that the front end of a chain link fits between the first and second legs of an adjacent chain link when mounted in a conveyor chain, where, where a first protrusion of the first leg is provided with a first tab extending towards the front end and a second protrusion of the second leg is provided with a second tab extending towards the front end, where the bearing surfaces of the tabs are parallel with the carrying surface of the upper body. A conveyor chain comprising a plurality of such conveyor chain links, a drive wheel adapted for such a conveyor chain link and a conveyor system comprising such a conveyor chain are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Miglavs
  • Patent number: 8905228
    Abstract: A self-supporting platform is formed of a plurality of hingedly connected modules. Adjacent modules may bend inwards against each other but resist flexing in the opposite direction. Each module includes a slotted module connector extending below the module body. The slotted module connector engages a peg to allow one-way bending of the modules relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jorge E. Nagel, Glenn R. McCall, Jr., Stephen T. Ferrell
  • Patent number: 8899409
    Abstract: A conveyor belt configured to contact a drive surface is disclosed including a substantially U-shaped link having an outermost portion with a contact surface configured to face the drive surface. The outermost portion of the link may be more resistant to wear due to contact with the drive surface than other portions of the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ashworth Bros., Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan R. Lasecki
  • Publication number: 20140346016
    Abstract: Transport chain for transporting objects along a transport path in a transport direction, which transport chain comprises a plurality chain links that is interconnected by means of a joint segment between each chain link, which joint segment comprises a bearing element. Each chain link in the part that is located at the front in the transport direction comprises a cavity that is arranged to receive said bearing element. Said bearing element is substantially spherical and comprises a plurality of through holes. The joint segment also comprises a plurality of pins that is arranged in said through holes and in openings in the chain link and in openings in the following chain link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Carryline AB
    Inventor: Dag Henrekson
  • Publication number: 20140332353
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a conveyor chain conveying a conveyance object such as a bucket while the conveyance object is mounted thereon, wherein the conveyance object can be conveyed to a predetermined position while both the conveyance object and the receiving member are not damaged by “biting” or “hooking” at upstream or downstream end in a conveying direction. An upstream tapered surface and a downstream tapered surface, which reduce the thickness of the receiving member gradually along the extended direction, are formed respectively at sides in the extended direction of a mounting surface of the receiving member. A locus of the mounting surface in a case in which the conveyor chain is meshed with and wound onto a sprocket is within a circle which is coaxial to the sprocket and whose tangent is a straight locus of the mounting surface in a case of conveying a bucket (conveyance object).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicants: Daifuku Co., Ltd., Oriental Chain Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro MIYAKE, Hidefumi NAGATOMO, Kenichi NISHIZAKA
  • Patent number: 8863944
    Abstract: A wear-resistant modular plastic conveyor belt can resist wear at the hinge for a long operating life, even in abrasive environments. The conveyor belt comprises a plurality of modules having T-shaped link ends interleaved together. A hinge rod may be inserted in a hinge passageway, formed at least in part by kidney-shaped openings in the T-shaped links. The conveyor belt employs multiple surfaces to transfer load from module to module during operation of the conveyor belt depending on the relative motion of the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gilbert J. MacLachlan
  • Patent number: 8857607
    Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that may include a first link having a first protrusion. The first protrusion may include a first mating surface and may be disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture extending through the first link. The conveyor belt may include a second link having a second protrusion extending a second distance from a surface of the second link. The second protrusion may include a second mating surface, wherein the second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture extending through the second link. The first mating surface of the first protrusion may be disposed in a mating relationship with the second mating surface of the second protrusion. Further, the conveyor belt may include a connecting rod extending through the first rod receiving aperture of the first link and the second rod receiving aperture of the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ashworth Bros., Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Lasecki, Darroll Joseph Neely
  • Patent number: 8844713
    Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that includes a link having a leg formed of a link leg material, wherein the leg includes an outer link surface configured to face the drive surface, the link leg being configured to receive a rod. The conveyor belt may include an aperture extending through the leg, wherein the rod is disposed within the aperture. Also, the conveyor belt may include a first weld that attaches the free end of the rod to the outer link surface, the first weld comprising a first weld material and a second weld made of a second weld material, wherein the second weld covers at least a portion of the first weld and forms an outermost surface of the conveyor belt. The second weld material may be different from the first weld material, and may be more resistant to wear than the first weld material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ashworth Bros., Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan R. Lasecki
  • Publication number: 20140262699
    Abstract: A thermoformable web chain rail assembly is provided having a chain and a chain rail. The chain has a series of alternating and interconnected roller links and pin links. The pin links include at least one pin extending through an adjacent one of the roller links and the pin links. A terminal portion of the pin extends beyond the roller link and the pin link with a roller affixed for rotation about the terminal portion of the pin for each of the at least one pins. The chain rail has an upper conveying raceway and a lower return raceway. The upper raceway includes a first linear guide surface provided beneath the first roller of each chain link and a second linear guide surface provided above the second roller of each chain link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Dale L. Vantrease
  • Publication number: 20140231226
    Abstract: A conveyor including a side-flexing belt having a plurality of modules and a plurality of rods. Each module includes a central portion having a main region extending in a straight path, a plurality of front links each including a front aperture, a plurality of rear links each including a rear aperture, a plurality of front gaps between adjacent pairs of front links, and a plurality of rear gaps between adjacent pairs of rear links. A length of each front gap is substantially the same along substantially the entire thickness of an adjacent front link, and a length of each rear gap is substantially the same along the entire thickness of an adjacent rear link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Solus Industrial Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Apaar Sharma, Shivakumar Chougule
  • Patent number: 8800757
    Abstract: A lateral plate element (6, 6?) for a link means (4, 4?) for a self-stacking, helical endless conveyor belt (1), the lateral plate element, comprises an outer plate section (10), an inner plate section (20) and a bridging plate section (30) bridging the outer and inner plate sections (10, 20). The outer plate section (10) comprises a top subsection (11) extending in a first plane and wherein the inner plate section (20) comprises a top subsection (21) extending in a second plane, the second plane being offset, in an inward direction (A). The outer plate section (10) further comprises a bottom subsection (12) arranged in a bottom part of the outer plate section (10) and extending in a third plane being offset in the inward direction (A) with regard to the first plane. The lateral plate element further comprises a reinforcement (13) extending between the top subsection (11) and the bottom subsection (12) of the outer plate section (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies AB
    Inventors: Jonny Malmberg, Goran Gramby, Jan Solminger, Urban Wilthorn
  • Publication number: 20140216901
    Abstract: A conveying chain comprises a plurality of chain sets connected together, each chain set comprises a chain bush, inner plates and outer plates respectively disposed on both sides of the chain bush, and a pin member penetrating the chain bush and connecting the inner and the outer plates, wherein a plurality of openings are defined at intervals on a circumference of the chain bush. A through hole is communicated with an outside via the openings, so that dust or exterior impurities accumulated between the chain bush and the pin member can be outwardly discharged through the openings to prevent the accumulation of the dust or impurities from having an adverse influence on the transmission of the chain and to increase the smoothness of the chain operation and the use duration efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MING-CHANG TRAFFIC PARTS MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: YI-CHENG HUANG
  • Patent number: 8776998
    Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt constructed of belt modules having hooked structure to hold belt rows together during splicing for easier hinge-rod insertion and to accommodate an elongated belt edge portion permitting hinge-rod growth and a method for splicing such a belt together. The modules include a pivot end that hooks into a mating receptacle on the module of a consecutive belt row. An aperture through the receptacle and the pivot end is aligned with the apertures of other hinge elements to form a lateral passageway for a hinge rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David C. Weiser, Gilbert J. MacLachlan, Terral A. Ridgell
  • Publication number: 20140190799
    Abstract: Various modular conveyors, conveying systems, conveyor modules, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the conveyor comprises a module body and an upper member. The module body can be configured to receive one or more rolling elements. In some embodiments, the rolling elements protrude through openings in the module body and the upper member. In various embodiments, the rolling elements can be configured to engage a surface below the module body and/or an item on the conveyor, thereby facilitating multi-directional travel of the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Solus Industrial Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Porter, Kelly Parrish, Lance Ireland
  • Publication number: 20140174892
    Abstract: AD overhead conveyor, components therefor and method for making same, in which the conveyor chain has a nominal pitch “X,” bit a maximum allowable chain pull value which is equal to or greater than the maximum allowable chain pull value for a chain having a nominal pitch of X+1. Trolleys can be attached to the chain at intervals which differ from the intervals of a chain with pitch of X+1. Fewer synchronized drives are required for driving longer chains. A lower pitch chain can be used to drive larger trolleys, without sacrificing the maximum allowable chain pull value always used in conjunction with the larger trolley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Charles C. Frost
  • Patent number: 8757366
    Abstract: A hinge rod retainer for a modular conveyor belt. The retainer retains a hinge rod within a passageway, while allowing room for rod expansion or contraction relative to the belt width. The retainer comprises a flexible portion and a support forming an outside edge of the modular conveyor belt. The flexible portion comprises a flexible hook including an opening for allowing passage of the hinge rod into the passageway. The flexible hook defines a trapping region between the passageway and outside edge of the modular conveyor belt for trapping a hinge rod end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gilbert J. MacLachlan
  • Patent number: 8752698
    Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that may include a first link having a first protrusion. The first protrusion may include a first mating surface and may be disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture extending through the first link. The conveyor belt may include a second link having a second protrusion extending a second distance from a surface of the second link. The second protrusion may include a second mating surface, wherein the second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture extending through the second link. The first mating surface of the first protrusion may be disposed in a mating relationship with the second mating surface of the second protrusion. Further, the conveyor belt may include a connecting rod extending through the first rod receiving aperture of the first link and the second rod receiving aperture of the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ashworth Bros., Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Lasecki, Darroll Joseph Neely
  • Patent number: 8739966
    Abstract: The flat wire conveyor belt comprises multiple part connecting rods used to incrementally extend the length of the flat wire conveyor belt and provide ease of repair and installation. The flat wire conveyor belt comprises U-shaped connecting rods. The multiple part connecting rods can be connected in a series of two or more to span the width of the flat conveyor belt. The flat wire connecting rods can connect to the picket, to each other, or via and intermediate connecting rod. The flat wire conveyor belt provides strengthened edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Wire Belt Company of America
    Inventors: Shane Record, Kevin Bostaph, Dale Strassner, Ray Tomsett, Ronald Arndt
  • Patent number: 8689968
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device having an endless conveyor which revolves between deflection rollers and on which a receiving device for conveying goods to be conveyed is provided. The conveyor device also includes a power supply line. The conveyor element is a conveyor chain having chain links hinged together. Each link has a section of the power supply line, and the sections of adjacent chain links are coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Eckhard Polman
  • Publication number: 20140048392
    Abstract: A link member having a curved bearing surface and a conveyor belt comprising a link member having a curved bearing surface are described. The link member can be comprised in any type of conveyor belt, including a grid-type conveyor belt, a smaller-radius grid-type conveyor belt or a flat-wire conveyor belt. The link member eliminates the objectionable noise caused by pivot rods jumping the corner of conventional links having curved bearing surfaces. According to one embodiment, the link member comprises a pair of leg portions, each leg portion comprising a first opening at a distal end and a second opening at a proximal end, and a connecting portion that connects the pair of leg portions, the connecting portion comprising a curved bearing surface between first and second side surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: ASHWORTH BROS., INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan R. LASECKI, Darroll Joseph NEELY
  • Publication number: 20140034458
    Abstract: A link member having a replaceable wear component and a conveyor belt comprising a link member having a replaceable wear component are described. One aspect of the present invention provides a sacrificial or replaceable wear component that is attached to a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt can be any type of conveyor belt, such as a grid-type or flat-wire conveyor belt. The wear component is attached by mechanical or other means to allow its removal after a certain wear limit has been achieved. A new component can be installed to bring the conveyor belt to nearly new condition. This will extend belt life because only the wear component needs to be replaced, rather than the entire belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: ASHWORTH BROS., INC.
    Inventors: Joseph M. LACKNER, Paul Steinhoff, Jonathan R. Lasecki
  • Publication number: 20140021022
    Abstract: Front and back ends (2a, 2b) of plastic chain modules (2) made of a plastic material are rotatably linked by multiple plastic connecting pins (3a) and metal connecting pins (3b) to form an endless plastic chain conveyor (1). In the plastic chain modules (2) of the plastic chain conveyor (1), carrier surfaces (4a) (top surfaces) of module bodies (4) are smooth. Offset engaging parts (5a, 5b) that can be attached to and detached from each other in the width direction of the plastic chain conveyor (1) are formed on linking end pieces (4X) of the module bodies (4). Circular through-holes (6) receiving the bar-shaped connecting pins (3a, 3b) that rotatably link the offset engaging parts (5a, 5b) of the chain modules (2) are formed at the centers of the sides of the offset engaging parts (5a, 5b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michitaka Miyashita
  • Publication number: 20130341156
    Abstract: Sprockets (22) and (42) are engaged with a conveyor belt (18) itself or a chain (28) coupled to the belt. An encoder is used to determine the differential of the rotation of the sprockets. From that information, the instantaneous pitch of the conveyor belt located between the first and second rotational axes can be determined, and from that information the speed of the belt can be determined. This information can be used to control work tools or other devices that act on work products being carried by the conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: JOHN BEAN TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130334015
    Abstract: A conveyor belt configured to contact a drive surface is disclosed including a substantially U-shaped link having an outermost portion with a contact surface configured to face the drive surface. The outermost portion of the link may be more resistant to wear due to contact with the drive surface than other portions of the link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Ashworth Bros., Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan R. Lasecki