Abstract: A belly hook attachment is provided. The belly hook attachment has a first support arm, a second support arm spaced from the first arm, the first support arm and second support arm receiving first, second and third pins. A belly hook support arm is carried by the first pin and pivotable about the first pin. A belly hook is carried by the belly hook support arm. A translational member is also carried by the belly hook support arm and is engagable with a track on a conveyor assembly such that the interaction between the track and the translational member results in pivotal movement of the belly hook support arm about the pin between the second pin forming an upper stop and third pin forming a lower stop, thereby moving the belly hook. A modular conveyor belt is also provided.

Abstract: A switch assembly for a conveyor is provided. The switch assembly includes a rail section forming a portion of the conveyor assembly. The switch assembly has a first gear assembly pivotable about a first pivot axis and carrying a first gate and a second gear assembly pivotable about a second pivot axis and carrying a second gate, the second pivot axis being positioned below a plane extending perpendicular to the rail section from the first pivot axis. A trolley stop assembly for a conveyor is also provided. The trolley stop includes a body having a first side portion and a second side portion arranged to be disposed on first and second sides of a rail section. A pivot member extends through the body and at least a portion of the rail section. A stop member is carried by an upper portion of the body and a weighted member is also carried by the body arranged to position the stop member for engagement with a trolley. A conveyor assembly including a switch assembly and trolley stop is also disclosed.

Abstract: A belly hook attachment is provided. The belly hook attachment has a first support arm, a second support arm spaced from the first arm, the first support arm and second support arm receiving first, second and third pins. A belly hook support arm is carried by the first pin and pivotable about the first pin. A belly hook is carried by the belly hook support arm. A translational member is also carried by the belly hook support arm and is engagable with a track on a conveyor assembly such that the interaction between the track and the translational member results in pivotal movement of the belly hook support arm about the pin between the second pin forming an upper stop and third pin forming a lower stop, thereby moving the belly hook. A modular conveyor belt is also provided.

Abstract: A conveyor system and method of assembling same in which parts are fastened without the use of welding, clamps, or threaded fasteners such as bolts and screws is provided. A bracket and slot mechanism is used to attach one conveyor component to another. The bracket and slot mechanism allows components to be easily attached/detached by merely applying force to slide the bracket into the slot. Moreover, when engaged, the bracket is held securely in the slot so that the components do not become detached during normal operation of the conveyor assembly.

Abstract: A hook assembly for a modular conveyor belt having a conveying surface is provided. The hook assembly has a link interleaved with a plastic link from the modular conveyor belt. A hinge pin secures the link and plastic link together. The link has a recess in the conveying surface, an aperture disposed in the recess and a slot adjacent the aperture opening into the recess. The slot has a reinforced segment. A hook having a shall is provided which is slidable in the slot and includes a sharpened end of the hook disposed on a conveying side of the link and a translational member carried by the shaft and engagable with a track on a conveyor assembly such that the interaction between the track and the translational member results in movement of the hook between a lowered position in which the hook is positioned within the recess and a raised position in which the hook is disposed above the conveying surface. A modular conveyor belt is also provided.

Abstract: A rail section for use in a rail switch and method for assembling same are provided. The rail section is connected to a switch mounting by inserting a portion of the switch mounting through an aperture provided in the rail section and then applying a double weld. Similarly, a gate operating mechanism is connected to the rail section by inserting a portion of the gate operating mechanism through an aperture provided in the rail section and then applying a double weld. A receptor portion of the rail section that is reinforced to withstand a greater load is also provided. A plurality of gate retention mechanisms are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rail switch for a conveyor assembly is provided. The rail switch includes a switch mounting for mounting rail sections. The rail switch includes a first rail section having a first end, a second end, a first face and a second face, as well as a receptor portion for receiving a first gate, an aperture located between the first end and second end through which a first connecting portion of the switch mounting is inserted, and a first weld mounting on the first face and a second weld mounting on the second face of the first rail section securing the first rail section and switch mounting together.

Abstract: A trolley wheel assembly comprising a trolley bracket having a trolley wheel rotatably mounted therein. The trolley wheel has a central opening formed therein which receives a cylindrical bushing positioned therein. A pin means extends through the trolley bracket and the bushing to rotatably mount the trolley wheel on the trolley bracket. The bushing is comprised of a self-lubricating material as specifically described in the application.

Abstract: A rail switch for a conveyor assembly is provided. The rail switch includes a switch mounting for mounting rail sections. The rail switch includes a first rail section having a first end, a second end, a first face and a second face, as well as a receptor portion for receiving a first gate, an aperture located between the first end and second end through which a first connecting portion of the switch mounting is inserted, and a first weld mounting on the first face and a second weld mounting on the second face of the first rail section securing the first rail section and switch mounting together.

Abstract: A method of forming sections of a rail to be formed into a portion of a conveyor assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of cutting a rail section for use in a gate assembly from a single sheet of material using at least one of a laser, a water jet, and a plasma cutting device, cutting a gate section for engagement with the rail section from a single sheet of material using the at least one of a laser, a water jet and a plasma cutting device, and providing a rounded top edge to the cut rail section and cut gate section.

Abstract: A switch assembly for a conveyor is provided. The switch assembly includes a rail section forming a portion of the conveyor assembly. The switch assembly has a first gear assembly pivotable about a first pivot axis and carrying a first gate and a first gear, and a second gear assembly pivotable about a second pivot axis and carrying a second gate and a second gear, the second pivot axis being positioned below a plane extending perpendicular to the rail section from the first pivot axis, and the second gear in rotational engagement with the first gear. A trolley stop assembly for a conveyor is also provided. The trolley stop includes a body having a first side portion and a second side portion arranged to be disposed on first and second sides of a rail section. A pivot member extends through the body and at least a portion of the rail section. A stop member is carried by an upper portion of the body, the stop member including a rail section portion and a stop portion.

Abstract: A switch assembly for a conveyor is provided. The switch assembly includes a rail section forming a portion of the conveyor assembly. The switch assembly has a first gear assembly pivotable about a first pivot axis and carrying a first gate and a second gear assembly pivotable about a second pivot axis and carrying a second gate, the second pivot axis being positioned below a plane extending perpendicular to the rail section from the first pivot axis. A trolley stop assembly for a conveyor is also provided. The trolley stop includes a body having a first side portion and a second side portion arranged to be disposed on first and second sides of a rail section. A pivot member extends through the body and at least a portion of the rail section. A stop member is carried by an upper portion of the body and a weighted member is also carried by the body arranged to position the stop member for engagement with a trolley. A conveyor assembly including a switch assembly and trolley stop is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rail section for use in a rail switch and method for assembling same are provided. The rail section is connected to a switch mounting by inserting a portion of the switch mounting through an aperture provided in the rail section and then applying a double weld. Similarly, a gate operating mechanism is connected to the rail section by inserting a portion of the gate operating mechanism through an aperture provided in the rail section and then applying a double weld. A receptor portion of the rail section that is reinforced to withstand a greater load is also provided. A plurality of gate retention mechanisms are also disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyor system and method of assembling same in which parts are fastened without the use of welding, clamps, or threaded fasteners such as bolts and screws is provided. A bracket and slot mechanism is used to attach one conveyor component to another. The bracket and slot mechanism allows components to be easily attached/detached by merely applying force to slide the bracket into the slot. Moreover, when engaged, the bracket is held securely in the slot so that the components do not become detached during normal operation of the conveyor assembly.

Abstract: An easy to clean, assemble and disassemble bearing assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a bearing housing for removably securing a bearing in a conveyor assembly. The bearing housing comprises a means for attaching same to a conveyor assembly without fasteners and a means for attaching a bearing within the bearing housing without fasteners. A bearing assembly having a bearing housing attached to a panel, a bearing, and a shaft, as well as a method of assembling a bearing assembly are also disclosed.