Patents Assigned to Flexible Steel Lacing Company
  • Patent number: 7818858
    Abstract: A system for applying belt fasteners to belt ends is disclosed. The system includes a power tool apparatus and a guiding apparatus. The guide apparatus includes a guide block having guide bores in which attachment members, e.g., rivets, are held in position relative to the belt fasteners so that a drive rod of the power tool impacts the rivets in the guide block bores. The guide block preferably is of a hard material, e.g. a machined steel or powder steel, for proper guiding of the drive rod and rivet during riveting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: William James Daniels, Joseph Vogrig, Gregory Westphall, John H. Winkelman
  • Patent number: 7815040
    Abstract: Impact bed assemblies are provided, both static and dynamic, for absorbing impact forces taken by conveyor belts. The static and dynamic bed assemblies generally are constructed to optimize their impact absorption capacities while minimizing their space requirements under the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Kuiper, Brett E. DeVries, Richard W. Gilman
  • Patent number: 7810788
    Abstract: In one form, a belt lifter apparatus provides increased lifting force and belt lift height by a scissors mechanism having crossed lifting arms each having a translatable end and having a translatable pivot axis between the lifting arms. Preferably, other ends of the lifting arms are fixed to an upper belt lifting member and to a lower support base member at locations such that the pivot axis translates to a position located substantially at the center of the lifted belt when the belt is lifted to the highest lift height. Lightweight, aluminum tubular members are used for the lifting member and the base support and each includes a track for supporting the translatable ends of the lifting arms. The span width of the base member is adjusted by sliding telescoping, tubular legs within the base tubular element. Pivoted wing arms are supported by braces extending to the belt lifting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventor: Brett Edwin DeVries
  • Publication number: 20100126832
    Abstract: A reinforced conveyor belt cleaning blade is provided. In one form, the reinforced cleaning blade includes a blade body and a metal insert that is of a substantially constant cross-sectional configuration extending between the ends thereof. The ends are surrounded by molded material of the blade body so that the blade body and insert have a secure connection therebetween. The preferred insert is a formed sheet metal member that has smooth surfaces extending along its length without projections or sharp corners. In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a conveyor belt cleaning blade is provided including placing a metallic insert for the cleaning blade in a mold and molding the body of the cleaning blade with polymeric material extending completely around ends of the insert. Preferably, the insert is magnetically held in position in the mold such as on a rail on which magnets are mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: FLEXIBLE STEEL LACING COMPANY
    Inventor: Brett Edwin DeVries
  • Publication number: 20100116621
    Abstract: Spring tensioner devices are provided for biasing scraper blades toward a conveyor belt. The spring tensioner devices generally are constructed to be easily reconfigurable between a push-up and pull-up configuration while minimizing their space requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: FLEXIBLE STEEL LACING COMPANY
    Inventor: Brett E. DeVries
  • Patent number: 7654389
    Abstract: A rivet collating system is provided that includes a rivet holder for supporting rivets in a predetermined pattern. In one form, the rivet holder includes a unitary plate in which apertures are configured for supporting the rivets depending therefrom. In another form, the collating system includes a plate body and drive heads that are integrally connected via frangible portions to the plate body. Preferably, retaining webs are provided about the apertures to releasably hold the rivet heads therein. The drive heads are driven downward to sever the frangible portions with the webs flexing to release the rivet heads so that the rivets can be received in bores of a guide block of a belt fastener installation tool. A method of manufacture of the rivet holders is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Joseph Vogrig, Edward C. Musil
  • Publication number: 20100000842
    Abstract: A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that allows for faster and easier removal of the belt cleaner blades out from under a conveyor belt. In one aspect the assembly includes a biasing surface of one of an elongate support assembly and a channel member configured to be engaged by a securing member and urge distal ends of legs of the channel member into tight engagement with the elongate support assembly and minimize debris accumulation therebetween. In another aspect, the elongate base member and rail member each include lateral portions configured to slidably engage corresponding wedge portions to urge the rail member toward the base member. A method of installing a belt cleaner assembly is also provided which includes camming a rail member downwardly toward the support member upper surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Brett E. DeVries, Daniel J. Kuiper, Carl J. Hessler
  • Publication number: 20090223023
    Abstract: A system of splicing ends of conveyor belts is provided that enables a splice installer to install splices in an easy and fast manner. In one aspect, the system includes a base having a recess extending therealong configured to fit fastener members of conveyor belt fasteners therein so that the fastener members do not shift as the belt fasteners are attached to the belt ends. In another aspect, removable rivet guide blocks are provided which significantly reduces the weight of an alignment bar having upper plate members of the belt fasteners secured thereto. In addition, the removable guide blocks allow the installer to secure the upper plate members to the alignment bar without having to deal with the heavy weight of multiple guide blocks fixed thereto. A method of splicing belt ends is also provided which includes indexing the removable guide block along the alignment bar during for riveting operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: William J. Daniels, William R. Wawczak, Pan Yim Ng
  • Patent number: 7568269
    Abstract: A power operated belt splicing system is provided. In one form, staples are driven through a belt and clinched in a final set using a power driven tool and a force applying member having multiple drive punches. A lower force applying end on a punch preferably has a first portion to drive the staple and a second portion to drive a leading edge of the belt fastener against the belt thereby distributing the drive force over both the staple and the belt fastener. Preferably, the second surface is shaped similarly to the outboard edge of the upper plate. A pair of adjacent punches can substantially simultaneously drive two pairs of preset staples with each pair of preset staples being associated with one of a pair of adjacent hinged belt fasteners thereby attaching a pair of belt fasteners to a belt in a single operation. The initial and final staple set may be done with the same power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Mark R. Atkins, William R. Wawczak
  • Patent number: 7552517
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for clamping a belt with a quick clamping action. The apparatus and method employ an impact force applied to a clamping device that causes a clamping portion of the clamping device to be driven into clamping engagement with the belt received in a housing for the clamping device. In one form, the clamping device has a clamp actuator that includes an impact receiving end preferably disposed outside the housing and a clamp member in the housing that is driven into clamping engagement with the belt by the actuator. The preferred belt clamp has the actuator and clamp member configured so that during belt pulling operations, the clamp also self-locks onto the belt to increase the clamping force applied thereto. In another aspect, the housing preferably has wall portions of varying thickness to provide increased strength where needed while keeping the weight thereof to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventor: James Patrick McKee
  • Publication number: 20090007741
    Abstract: A clamping and cutting apparatus for a conveyor belt is provided. The apparatus includes upper and lower elongate members between which the belt is to be clamped. A clamping mechanism has a screw drive mechanism mounted to the upper member and an end linkage assembly which are operable to generate a more rapid clamping operation of the elongate members on the belt. The upper elongate member can be releasably latched to the lower elongate member for quick connection and removal therefrom. A cutting blade of the apparatus is preferably provided with upper and lower guides to increase the rigidity thereof for increasing cutting accuracy and allowing thicker belts to be cut therewith without increasing blade thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventor: Andrew J. Zieger
  • Patent number: 7347315
    Abstract: A two piece scraper blade is provided that includes a scraper member that is releasably connected to a base member. The scraper member can be of a different material than the base member to provide various advantages including with respect to its wear resistance. Further, in one form, a toolless interconnection is provided for ease in attaching the scraper member to the base member. In another form, the scraper member and base member are provided with engaging surfaces with one of the surfaces including teeth for gripping into the other surface when the scraper member is connected to the base member. In this form, the forces for inserting and removing the scraper member from the base member are greater than the form in which a toolless interconnection is provided, and thus a more robust connection between the scraper and base members is provided thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: James M. Kolodziel, Brett Edwin DeVries
  • Publication number: 20080060909
    Abstract: In one form, a belt lifter apparatus provides increased lifting force and belt lift height by a scissors mechanism having crossed lifting arms each having a translatable end and having a translatable pivot axis between the lifting arms. Preferably, other ends of the lifting arms are fixed to an upper belt lifting member and to a lower support base member at locations such that the pivot axis translates to a position located substantially at the center of the lifted belt when the belt is lifted to the highest lift height. Lightweight, aluminum tubular members are used for the lifting member and the base support and each includes a track for supporting the translatable ends of the lifting arms. The span width of the base member is adjusted by sliding telescoping, tubular legs within the base tubular element. Pivoted wing arms are supported by braces extending to the belt lifting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventor: Brett Edwin DeVries
  • Patent number: 7165293
    Abstract: A rubberized conveyor belt fastener is provided including a plate portion and elastomeric material that extends beyond lateral sides of the plate so that gaps between adjacent plate portions in a conveyor belt splice can be minimized. The plate portions can also include elastomeric material extending over the upper surface thereof to better absorb impact forces therewith. Preferably, the elastomeric material connects a strip of plates together. Both upper and lower plates can be provided with elastomeric material with the lower plates of solid plate fasteners having bolts preassembled thereto deriving the additional benefit of utilizing the elastomeric material to hold the bolt head in its lower plate aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Edward C. Musil, Richard B. Reynolds, John H. Winkelman, Jorge Carlos Peña Basulto, André Ribeiro Daltro-Santos
  • Patent number: 7093706
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner is provided that is particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. The cleaner includes a blade mount that has a layback arm mounting the cleaning blade and which can simultaneously deflect horizontally and vertically via changes in the radius of curvature of a lower arcuate portion connected thereto so as to minimize stress on the blade mount. The layback arm extends toward the conveyor belt at an acute layback angle relative to the immediately upstream belt surface. In another aspect, a belt cleaning system is provided including a plurality of resilient blade mounts that absorb the energy of impacts with the cleaning blade so as to allow for controlled release of the impact energy upon bringing the blade quickly back into scraping engagement with the belt. Preferably, two of these resilient mounts are associated with each blade in the belt scraping area and the others at ends of an elongate support laterally spaced from the scraping area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Brett Edwin DeVries, John H. Winkelman, Mark L. Walde
  • Patent number: 7007349
    Abstract: A rubberized conveyor belt fastener is provided including a plate portion and elastomeric material that extends beyond lateral sides of the plate so that gaps between adjacent plate portions in a conveyor belt splice can be minimized. The plate portions can also include elastomeric material extending over the upper surface thereof to better absorb impact forces therewith. Preferably, the elastomeric material connects a strip of plates together. Both upper and lower plates can be provided with elastomeric material with the lower plates of solid plate fasteners having bolts preassembled thereto deriving the additional benefit of utilizing the elastomeric material to hold the bolt head in its lower plate aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Edward C. Musil, Richard B. Reynolds, John H. Winkelman, Jorge Carlos Peña Basulto, André Ribeiro Daltro-Santos
  • Patent number: 6926133
    Abstract: A two piece scraper blade is provided that includes a scraper member that is releasably connected to a base member. The scraper member can be of a different material than the base member to provide various advantages including with respect to its wear resistance. Further, a toolless interconnection is provided for ease in attaching the scraper member to the base member. When worn, the scraper member can be replaced with a new scraper member in an easy and quick fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: James M. Kolodziej, Brett Edwin DeVries
  • Patent number: 6874616
    Abstract: In one form, a conveyor belt cleaner is provided that is particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. The cleaner includes a blade mount that has a layback arm mounting the cleaning blade and which can simultaneously deflect horizontally and vertically via changes in the radius of curvature of a lower arcuate portion connected thereto so as to minimize stress on the blade mount. The layback arm extends toward the conveyor belt at an acute layback angle relative to the immediately upstream belt surface. In another aspect, a belt cleaning system is provided including a plurality of resilient blade mounts that absorb the energy of impacts with the cleaning blade so as to allow for controlled release of the impact energy upon bringing the blade quickly back into scraping engagement with the belt. Preferably, two of these resilient mounts are associated with each blade in the belt scraping area and the others at ends of an elongate support laterally spaced from the scraping area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Brett Edwin DeVries, John H. Winkelman, Mark L. Walde
  • Patent number: 6823983
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner is provided that is particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. The cleaner includes a blade mount that has a layback arm mounting the cleaning blade and which can simultaneously deflect horizontally and vertically via changes in the radius of curvature of a lower arcuate portion connected thereto so as to minimize stress on the blade mount. The layback arm extends toward the conveyor belt at an acute layback angle relative to the immediately upstream belt surface. Preferably, the blade mount is of a shape retentive metal material so that it retains its bias force applied to cleaner blade even in high temperature and high loading conveyor belt applications. To keep the complexity of the blade mount to a minimum, it is preferably of a one-piece, angled spring plate construction including a base integral with the layback arm interconnected thereto by the arcuate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventor: Brett Edwin DeVries
  • Publication number: 20040188224
    Abstract: A two piece scraper blade is provided that includes a scraper member that is releasably connected to a base member. The scraper member can be of a different material than the base member to provide various advantages including with respect to its wear resistance. Further, a toolless interconnection is provided for ease in attaching the scraper member to the base member. When worn, the scraper member can be replaced with a new scraper member in an easy and quick fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: James M. Kolodziej, Brett Edwin DeVries