Abstract: A tool is provided for connecting and disconnecting links of a conveyor chain. The tool includes a base, a chain guide plate mounted on the base for supporting a length of conveyor chain in a fixed position relative to the base, and a backup block carried on the base. A pin extraction/insertion block is positioned on the base with the chain guide plate positioned between the backup block and the pin extraction/insertion block. A ram is carried on the pin extraction/insertion block for extracting a pin from a position in aligned holes in adjacent links while the chain is held in its fixed position, and an insertion rod is carried on the pin extraction/insertion block for inserting a pin in aligned holes in adjacent links.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-link conveyor that includes nestable end protector links that capture and retain link pins. The end protector link includes a first link segment having an outer wall, a non-circular bore having a cross-section larger than a cross-section of one of the pins, a circular counterbore connected to the non-circular bore and having a diameter larger than the head of one of the pins, and a circular countersink connected to the counterbore and having a first diameter that equals the diameter of the counterbore and a second diameter, flush with the outer wall, having a diameter larger than the first diameter. The end protector link includes a second link segment, adapted to nest with the first link segment of another end protector link, having an outer wall in a second vertical plane and a flush non-circular bore extending perpendicularly through the outer wall.

Abstract: A multi-link conveyor chain is provided that includes a first plurality of links and a second plurality of links positioned along the length of the conveyor chain and collectively defining the conveyor chain. The first plurality of links has a wear surface that has enhanced wear resistance in relation to a conventional wear surface of the second plurality of links. The first plurality of links may be spaced in a pattern or randomly in the chain, in various percentages in relation to the second plurality of links.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-link conveyor that includes nestable end protector links that capture and retain link pins. The end protector link includes a first link segment having an outer wall, a non-circular bore having a cross-section larger than a cross-section of one of the pins, a circular counterbore connected to the non-circular bore and having a diameter larger than the head of one of the pins, and a circular countersink connected to the counterbore and having a first diameter that equals the diameter of the counterbore and a second diameter, flush with the outer wall, having a diameter larger than the first diameter. The end protector link includes a second link segment, adapted to nest with the first link segment of another end protector link, having an outer wall in a second vertical plane and a flush non-circular bore extending perpendicularly through the outer wall.

Abstract: A nested end protector link for capturing first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain that includes a first link segment having an outer wall in a first vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing convex face, and a rearward-facing concave face and a first pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing convex face and the rearward-facing concave face. A second link segment is integrally-formed with the first link segment and has an outer wall in a second vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing concave face. A rearward-facing convex face is provided and has a second pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing concave face and the rearward-facing convex face.

Abstract: A nested end protector link for capturing first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain that includes a first link segment having an outer wall in a first vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing convex face, and a rearward-facing concave face and a first pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing convex face and the rearward-facing concave face. A second link segment is integrally-formed with the first link segment and has an outer wall in a second vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing concave face. A rearward-facing convex face is provided and has a second pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing concave face and the rearward-facing convex face.

Abstract: A nested end protector link for capturing first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain that includes a first link segment having an outer wall in a first vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing convex face, and a rearward-facing concave face and a first pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing convex face and the rearward-facing concave face. A second link segment is integrally-formed with the first link segment and has an outer wall in a second vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing concave face. A rearward-facing convex face is provided and has a second pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing concave face and the rearward-facing convex face.

Abstract: A multi-link conveyor chain is provided that includes a first plurality of links and a second plurality of links positioned along the length of the conveyor chain and collectively defining the conveyor chain. The first plurality of links has a wear surface that has enhanced wear resistance in relation to a conventional wear surface of the second plurality of links. The first plurality of links may be spaced in a pattern or randomly in the chain, in various percentages in relation to the second plurality of links.

Abstract: A nested end protector link for capturing first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain that includes a first link segment having an outer wall in a first vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing convex face, and a rearward-facing concave face and a first pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing convex face and the rearward-facing concave face. A second link segment is integrally-formed with the first link segment and has an outer wall in a second vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing concave face. A rearward-facing convex face is provided and has a second pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing concave face and the rearward-facing convex face.

Abstract: An end protector link for capturing and retaining first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain is provided. The end protector link includes an outer wall defining a protective bearing surface defining a pair of openings for allowing ingress and egress of respective enlarged heads of the first and second link pins, and an inner wall carried in spaced-apart relation to the outer wall and having a pair of retainer apertures generally aligned with respective ones of the pair of openings for capturing and retaining respective enlarged heads of the first and second link pins between facing surfaces of the outer wall and the inner wall. The protective bearing surface of the outer wall is adapted for being engaged by wearing surfaces past which the conveyor moves and thereby protecting the enlarged heads of the link pins from exposure to said wearing surfaces.

Abstract: An end protector link (60) captures and retains first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain, and includes an outer wall (41) defining a protective bearing surface, a spacer wall (62) carried by the outer wall, and an inner wall (63) carried by the spacer wall in spaced-apart relation to the outer wall and having a retainer aperture (75) for capturing and retaining respective enlarged heads (13) of the first and second link pins (12) between facing surfaces of the outer wall and the inner wall. The protective bearing surface of the outer wall is adapted for being engaged by wearing surfaces past which the conveyor moves to protect the enlarged heads (13) of the link pins to exposure to the wearing surfaces.

Abstract: An end protector link for capturing and retaining first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain is provided. The end protector link includes an outer wall defining a protective bearing surface defining a pair of openings for allowing ingress and egress of respective enlarged heads of the first and second link pins, and an inner wall carried in spaced-apart relation to the outer wall and having a pair of retainer apertures generally aligned with respective ones of the pair of openings for capturing and retaining respective enlarged heads of the first and second link pins between facing surfaces of the outer wall and the inner wall. The protective bearing surface of the outer wall is adapted for being engaged by wearing surfaces past which the conveyor moves and thereby protecting the enlarged heads of the link pins from exposure to said wearing surfaces.

Abstract: A silent modular conveyor link adapted for assembly with multiple complementary links to form a conveyor. The conveyor includes a support for supporting items to be conveyed on the conveyor. A plurality of silent teeth extend downwardly from the support for mating engagement with a sprocket gear and for mating alignment with teeth in a complementary link for articulating movement relative to the complementary link. An opening in at least some of the teeth are provided for receiving a link pin for connecting the multiple conveyor links together to form an endless conveyor. Both genderless and male/female conveyor links are disclosed.

Abstract: A silent modular conveyor link adapted for assembly with multiple complementary links to form a conveyor. The conveyor includes a support for supporting items to be conveyed on the conveyor. A plurality of silent teeth extend downwardly from the support for mating engagement with a sprocket gear and for mating alignment with teeth in a complementary link for articulating movement relative to the complementary link. An opening in at least some of the teeth are provided for receiving a link pin for connecting the multiple conveyor links together to form an endless conveyor. Both genderless and male/female conveyor links are disclosed.