Abstract: An improved take-up assembly used on spiral conveyor belt with interconnecting links. The take-up assembly is designed to prevent damage to the belt due to obstructions, excessive tension or excessive buckling. The take-up assembly includes a pivoting swing arm assembly coupled to an obstruction sensor that automatically shuts-off the drive motor used to move the conveyor belt when an obstruction is detected upstream from the take-up assembly. A second obstruction sensor can be used on the upper portion of the take-up assembly to detect obstructions. Also disclosed is a buckling arm located above and longitudinally aligned with the belt and pivotally attached to the distal end of the lower swing arm assembly. The swing arm is designed to pivot beyond the position where the first obstruction sensor is activated so that the amount of belt that continues to be drawn into the stack as the stack coasts to a stop.

Abstract: An improved take-up assembly used on spiral conveyor belt with interconnecting links. The take-up assembly is designed to prevent damage to the belt due to obstructions, excessive tension or excessive buckling. The take-up assembly includes a pivoting swing arm assembly coupled to an obstruction sensor that automatically shuts-off the drive motor used to move the conveyor belt when an obstruction is detected upstream from the take-up assembly. An optional obstruction sensor can be used on the upper portion of the take-up assembly to detect obstructions. Also disclosed is a buckling arm located above and longitudinally aligned with the belt and pivotally attached to the distal end of the lower swing arm assembly. The swing arm is designed to pivot beyond the position where the first obstruction sensor is activated so that the amount of belt that continues to be drawn into the stack as the stack coasts to a stop.

Abstract: An improved spiral conveyor self-stacking drive system designed to increase the life of a multiple link conveyor belt by reducing the stresses exerted on the belt when disposed in a spiral configuration. The drive system includes a conical guide ring upon which the belt is wound when disposed in a spiral configuration. During use, the belt is tightly wrapped around the guide ring. The slope of the conical guide ring's sidewall is sufficient so that the upper tiers are stacked slightly inward and offset over the lower tiers over the entire length of the guide ring, thus gradually reducing the lateral forces exerted on the unsupported upper tiers.

Abstract: An improved self-stacking spiral conveyor belt that includes a plurality of interconnected links each including two side plates connected together with two transverse rods. A flexible support structure is disposed around the rods which connect the links together. Each side plate includes a laterally extending foot with an abutment edge formed or attached thereto a design to limit lateral movement of the upper link over a lower link when the belt is aligned in a helical configuration. The abutment edge is formed by at least one downward extending step structure. The step structure is offset with the vertical surface of the side plate thereby forming a rest surface that the upper edge of the lower link supports. Formed on the side plates is a guide tab that includes a beveled inner surface that prevents the upper edge of the lower side plates from moving inward and prevents or limits stretching along the direction of the belt.

Abstract: An improved endless conveyor belt made of a plurality of interconnected links, each including two rods with two side plates perpendicularly aligned and attached to their opposite ends. The improvement comprising the addition of an internal buttress-type welded joint located between the inside surface of each side plate and one or both transverse rods with at least one bendable section. During use, the transverse rod is allowed to bend so that the side plates may deflect when force is exerted on them. By adding the welded joint and by adding the bendable section to the transverse rod, the number of cracks or breaks in the conveyor belt is substantially reduced.

Abstract: An improved endless conveyor belt made of a plurality of interconnected links, each including two rods with two side plates perpendicularly aligned and attached to their opposite ends. The improvement comprising the addition of an internal buttress-type welded joint located between the inside surface of each side plate and one or both transverse rods with at least one bendable section. During use, the transverse rod is allowed to bend so that the side plates may deflect when force is exerted on them. By adding the welded joint and by adding the bendable section to the transverse rod, the number of cracks or breaks in the conveyor belt is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A device that adapts a wide range of appliances such as drills, awls, screwdrivers and sockets to use with a multifinctional pocket tool such as a pocket knife or other folding tool. The device firmly attaches the appliances to the multifunctional pocket tool so that the user can pull on the appliance in addition to pushing and turning. The adapter clamps firmly to flat blade such as a screwdriver blade by clamping to the blade with a screw and by forcing the sides of the adapter against the broad sides of the blade as well. The appliance is firmly retained by having a rigid thin rod or ball slide into the cavity in which the appliance is held to block its removal. The rigid thin rod or ball is easily moved out of the way to allow removal of the appliance.