A plastic conveyor belt module with a unitary sideguard. The sideguard extends upward perpendicularly from the top conveying surface of a plastic module body. The sideguard extends longitudinally along the conveying surface with a leading edge laterally offset from a trailing edge. wedge-shaped indentations formed at the leading and trailing edges allow the sideguards of leading and trailing belt modules in a conveyor belt to mesh and to overlap without interference as the belt backflexes.
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32. A plastic conveyor belt module comprising:
a plastic module body having a top deck and extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first side to a second side;
first and second sets of hinge eyes arranged along the first and second ends of the plastic module body;
a sideguard upstanding from the deck and unitarily formed with the plastic module body, the sideguard including:
a first portion extending longitudinally along the deck from the first end of the module body,
a second portion offset laterally from the first portion and extending longitudinally along the deck from the second end of the module body, and
a connecting portion disposed between the first and second ends of the module body and extending laterally from the first portion to the second portion,
wherein the longitudinal extent of the connecting portion decreases with distance above the deck.
17. A plastic conveyor belt module comprising:
a plastic module body having a top deck and extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first side to a second side;
first and second sets of hinge eyes arranged along the first and second ends of the plastic module body;
a wall upstanding from the deck and unitarily formed with the plastic module body,
the wall extending longitudinally along the deck from a first edge of the wall at the first end of the plastic module body to a second edge at the second end and laterally between first and second lateral sides of the wall,
wherein the first and second edges are generally perpendicular to the deck, and
wherein the first lateral side of the wall forms a first wedge-shaped indentation at the first edge and the second lateral side of the wall forms a second wedge-shaped indentation at the second edge,
whereby the first and second edges are laterally offset.
11. A plastic conveyor belt module comprising:
a) a plastic module body extending longitudinally from a first body end to a second body end, transversely from a first body side to a second body side, and vertically from a top surface to a bottom surface;
b) first and second sets of hinge eyes arranged along the first and second body ends of the plastic module body;
c) a wall including a base connected to the top surface along a longitudinal junction, the wall extending vertically upward from the top surface and being unitarily molded with the plastic module body,
d) wherein the wall includes a leading wall edge extending upward from one of the hinge eyes of the first set at the first end of the module body and a trailing wall edge extending upward from one of the hinge eyes of the second set at the second end of the module body; and
e) wherein the leading edge and the trailing edge of the wall are transversely offset, said base not extending beyond said hinge eye of an adjacent module body.
0. 47. A plastic conveyor belt comprising:
a plurality of plastic module bodies, each extending longitudinally from a first body end to a second body end and transversely from a first body side to a second body side and including a top surface extending longitudinally from the first body end to the second body end and transversely from the first body side to the second body side, each end having a plurality of hinge eyes;
each module body having a sideguard with a lower base and upstanding from the top surface of the module body and forming a wall that extends at said base generally longitudinally from a first wall edge at the first body end to a second wall edge at the second body end, said wall not extending longitudinally beyond either body end;
wherein the walls are generally perpendicular to the top surface and positioned next to the hinge eyes to enable the top surface to form a concavity;
wherein the sideguard is unitarily molded with the plastic module body; and
wherein there are a plurality of hinge eyes in between the sideguard and a body side.
23. A plastic conveyor belt module comprising:
a plastic module body having a top deck and extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first side to a second side;
first and second sets of hinge eyes arranged along the first and second ends of the plastic module body;
a sideguard upstanding from the deck and unitarily formed with the plastic module body,
the sideguard including first and second laterally offset plates, each generally in the form of a right trapezoid having a long base, a short base, a slanted edge, and a perpendicular edge generally perpendicular to the deck;
the first plate being attached along its long base to the deck and extending longitudinally from the first end to the second end of the module body with its perpendicular edge at the first end;
the second plate being attached along its long base to the deck and extending longitudinally from the first end to the second end of the module body with its perpendicular edge at the second end;
wherein the first and second plates are joined to each other along imaginary portions of confronting lateral faces.
1. A plastic conveyor belt module comprising:
a plurality of plastic module body bodies, each extending longitudinally from a first body end to a second body end and transversely from a first body side to a second body side and including a top surface extending longitudinally from the first body end to the second body end and transversely from the first body side to the second body side, each body end having hinge eyes, each hinge eye having a hinge eye opening;
a plurality of sideguard sideguards, each upstanding from the top surface of a module body and forming a wall with a lower base that extends generally longitudinally from a first edge at the first body end of each of the module body bodies to a second edge at the second body end, said lower base not extending longitudinally beyond either of the hinge eye openings;
wherein the first edge and the second edge are generally perpendicular to the top surface; and
wherein the sideguard is unitarily molded with the plastic module body; and
wherein the lower base of each sideguard does not extend beyond the hinge eye of an adjacent module body when the top surfaces of the module bodies occupy a common plane.
0. 37. A plastic conveyor belt comprising:
a plurality of plastic module bodies, each extending longitudinally from a first body end to a second body end and transversely from a first body side to a second body side and including a top surface extending longitudinally from the first body end to the second body end and transversely from the first body side to the second body side, each body end having a plurality of hinge eyes, the hinge eyes of the first body end being offset from the hinge eyes of the second body end;
a plurality of sideguards, each having a base and each upstanding from the top surface of a plurality of the module bodies, each forming a wall that extends at said base generally longitudinally from a first wall edge at the first body end to a second wall edge at the second body end;
wherein each of the sideguards terminates at said first and second body ends; and
wherein the sideguard is unitarily molded with the plastic module body;
wherein each sideguard is connected to and terminates at a hinge eye and extends between a hinge eye on the first end to a hinge eye on the second end;
said base not extending beyond the hinge eyes of a said module body;
wherein the base of each sideguard does not extend beyond the hinge eye of an adjacent module body.
28. A plastic conveyor belt module comprising:
a plastic module body having a top deck and extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first side to a second side;
first and second sets of hinge eyes arranged along the first and second ends of the plastic module body;
a sideguard upstanding from the deck and unitarily formed with the plastic module body,
the sideguard including a trapezoidal prism terminating laterally in first and second opposite parallel faces defining therebetween a central thickness of the sideguard,
the trapezoidal prism further characterized by a base extending longitudinally along the deck from the first end to the second end of the module body and by first and second edges extending upward from the ends of the base and converging toward each other;
the sideguard further including first and second extensions,
wherein the first extension is flush with the first face and extends longitudinally from the first edge of the triangular prism toward the first end of the module body, and
wherein the second extension is flush with the second face and extends longitudinally from the second edge of the triangular prism toward the second end of the module body, and
wherein the thicknesses of the first and second extensions are less than the central thickness of the sideguard.
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a plurality of plastic module bodies, each extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and transversely from a first side to a second side and including a top surface extending longitudinally from the first end to the second end and transversely from the first side to the second side;
a plurality of sideguards, each upstanding from the top surface of a module body and forming a wall that extends generally longitudinally from a first edge at the first end of each of the module bodies to a second edge at the second end;
wherein the first edge and the second edge are generally perpendicular to the top surface;
wherein the plurality of sideguards include adjacent sideguards that overlap transversely when the top surfaces of the module bodies occupy a common plane;
wherein the wall includes first and second thinned-out regions at the respective first and second ends of the module body; and
wherein the first and second thinned-out regions define V-shaped recesses in the wall at the first and second ends of the module body wherein one side of the V at the first end is defined by the leading edge of the wall and one side of the V at the second end is defined by the trailing edge of the wall.
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36. A modular plastic conveyor belt formed of a plurality of plastic conveyor belt modules as in
0. 38. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 37 wherein the sideguard is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from the first side of the module body.
0. 39. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 37 wherein the sideguard includes first and second thinned-out regions at the respective first and second ends of the module body.
0. 40. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 39 wherein the first and second thinned-out regions define wedge-shaped recesses at the first and second ends of the module body.
0. 41. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 37 wherein the sideguard is thinner at the first and second ends of the module body than at a point midway between the first and second ends.
0. 42. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 37 wherein the sideguard is indented inward transversely from the first side of the module body.
0. 43. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 37 wherein the sideguard includes a first flat portion and a second flat portion in a partly overlapping relationship.
0. 44. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 37 further comprising a flight unitarily formed with the module body and the sideguard and extending upward from the top surface of the module body and perpendicularly from the sideguard toward the second side of the module body.
0. 45. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 37 wherein the first edge and the second edge of the sideguard are transversely offset from each other.
0. 46. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 37 further comprising second module bodies devoid of sideguards linked end to end and side to side in rows with the module bodies with sideguards to form a modular plastic conveyor belt, characterized in that the plastic module bodies with sideguards are arranged as the outermost module bodies of each row.
0. 48. The plastic conveyor belt of claim 47 wherein each module body comprises:
a top surface without any openings extending longitudinally from the first end to the second end and transversely from the first side to the second side, each end having a plurality of hinge eyes.
0. 49. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 47 wherein the sideguard is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from the first side of the module body.
0. 50. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 47 wherein the sideguard includes first and second thinned-out regions at the respective first and second ends of the module body.
0. 51. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 50 wherein the first and second thinned-out regions define wedge-shaped recesses at the first and second ends of the module body.
0. 52. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 47 wherein the sideguard is thinner at the first and second ends of the module body than at a point midway between the first and second ends.
0. 53. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 47 wherein the sideguard is indented inward transversely from the first side of the module body.
0. 54. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 47 wherein the sideguard includes a first flat portion and a second flat portion in a partly overlapping relationship.
0. 55. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 47 further comprising a flight unitarily formed with the module body and the sideguard and extending upward from the top surface of the module body and perpendicularly from the sideguard toward the second side of the module body.
0. 56. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 47 wherein the first edge and the second edge of the sideguard are transversely offset from each other.
0. 57. A plastic conveyor belt as in claim 47 further comprising second module bodies devoid of sideguards linked end to end and side to side in rows with the module bodies with sideguards to form a modular plastic conveyor belt, characterized in that the plastic module bodies with sideguards are arranged as the outermost module bodies of each row.
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The invention relates generally to power-driven conveyors and, more particularly, to modular plastic conveyor belts with sideguards unitarily formed with plastic belt modules.
Sideguards are commonly used with belt conveyors to prevent conveyed materials such as aggregates, vegetables, and fruits from falling off the sides of the belt. Typically, a sideguard is positioned near both sides of each belt row. The leading edge of a sideguard is usually laterally offset from the trailing edge. In this way, the leading edge of a sideguard of a trailing row does not interfere with the trailing edge of a sideguard of a leading row. In modular plastic belts, the sideguards are typically angularly disposed from one edge to the other so that the sideguards of consecutive rows form a continuous wall of sideguards overlapping fan-like. When a belt with sideguards bends backwards, such as when entering an incline, the overlap of consecutive sideguards and, consequently, the force exerted by the overlapping sideguards on each other, increase. To endure the increased force during backflexing without damage, sideguards are usually designed to be thin and therefore resilient. But thin sideguards are easier to break with equipment, such as hoses for cleaning, that may come into contact with the sideguards during belt operation or maintenance.
In modular plastic conveyor belts, sideguards are usually supplied as attachments to belts. The sideguards snap into belt structure or are connected to the hinge rods joining consecutive rows of belt modules together. But these connections are often fairly loose. Although excess play in the connections provides some relief to the backflexing problem, loose connections prevent consecutive sideguards from meshing well and therefore leave gaps through which conveyed articles can escape. Furthermore, these connection schemes are generally insufficiently sturdy to accommodate other than thin, lightweight sideguards.
Thus, there is a need for a plastic conveyor belt module with durable sideguards that can handle backflexing of a conveyor belt.
These needs and others are satisfied by a plastic conveyor belt module embodying features of the invention. The module includes a plastic module body that extends longitudinally from a first end to a second end and transversely from a first side to a second side. The module body further includes a top surface extending longitudinally from the first end to the second end and transversely from the first side to the second side. A sideguard upstanding from the top surface forms a wall that extends generally longitudinally from a first edge at a first end of the module body to a second edge at a second end. The first edge and the second edge of the sideguard are generally perpendicular to the top surface. The sideguard is also unitarily molded with the plastic module body. These modules and other modules devoid of sideguards can be arranged together to construct a modular conveyor belt with the sideguards forming a continuous wall along the length of the belt.
In a second aspect of the invention, a conveyor belt module comprises a plastic module body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, transversely from a first side to a second side, and vertically from a top surface to a bottom surface. First and second sets of hinge eyes are arranged along the first and second ends of the module body. A wall unitarily molded with the plastic module body extends vertically upward from the top surface. The wall has a base connected to the top surface along a longitudinal junction. A leading edge of the wall extends upward from one of the hinge eyes of the first set at the first end of the module body. A trailing edge of the wall upward from one of the hinge eyes of the second set at the second end. The leading and trailing edges are transversely offset.
In another aspect of the invention, a conveyor belt module comprises a plastic module body that has a top deck and extends longitudinally from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first side to a second side. First and second sets of hinge eyes are arranged along the first and second ends of the module body. A wall upstanding from the deck is formed unitarily with the plastic module body. The wall extends longitudinally along the deck from a first edge of the wall at the first end of the module body to a second edge of the wall at the second end. The wall extends laterally between first and second lateral sides. The first and second edges of the wall are generally perpendicular to the deck. A first wedge-shaped indentation is formed in the first lateral side of the wall at the first edge. A second wedge-shaped indentation is formed in the second lateral side of the wall at the second edge. In this way, the first and second edges are laterally offset.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a conveyor belt module comprises a plastic module body that extends longitudinally from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first side to a second side. The module body also has a top deck. First and second sets of hinge eyes are arranged along the first and second ends of the module body. A sideguard upstanding from the deck is formed unitarily with the plastic module body. The sideguard includes first and second laterally offset plates. Each plate is generally in the form of a right trapezoid, which has a long base, a short base, a slanted edge, and a perpendicular edge generally perpendicular to the deck. The first plate and the second plate are attached along their long bases to the deck. The first plate extends longitudinally from the first end to the second end of the module body with its perpendicular edge at the first end. The second plate extends longitudinally from the first end to the second end with its perpendicular edge at the second end. The two plates are joined to each other along imaginary portions of confronting lateral faces.
In still another aspect of the invention, a conveyor belt module comprises a plastic module body that has a top deck and extends longitudinally from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first side to a second side. First and second sets of hinge eyes are arranged along the first and second ends of the module body. A sideguard upstanding from the deck is formed unitarily with the plastic module body. The sideguard includes a trapezoidal prism that terminates laterally in first and second opposite parallel faces. The distance between the faces defines a central thickness of the sideguard. The trapezoidal prism is further characterized by a base extending longitudinally along deck from the first end to the second end of the module body. First and second edges of the sideguard extend upward from the ends of the base and converge toward each other. The sideguard further includes first and second extensions. The first extension is flush with the first face of the trapezoidal prism, and the second extension is flush with the second face. The first extension extends longitudinally from the first edge of the triangular prism toward the first end of the module body. The second extension extends longitudinally from the second edge toward the second end of the module body. The thickness of the first and second extensions are less than the central thickness of the sideguard.
According to another aspect of the invention, a plastic conveyor belt module comprises a plastic module body with a top deck. The module extends longitudinally from a first end to a second and laterally from a first side to a second side. First and second sets of hinge eyes are arranged along the first and second ends of the module body. A sideguard upstanding from the deck is unitarily formed with the plastic module body. The sideguard includes first, second, and connecting portions. The first portion extends longitudinally along the deck from the first end of the module body. The second portion extends longitudinally along the deck from the second end of the module body. The second portion is offset laterally from the first portion. The connecting portion is disposed between the first and second ends of the module body and extends laterally from the first portion to the second portion. The longitudinal extent of the connecting portion decreases with distance above the deck.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention are better understood by reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, in which:
A conveyor belt module embodying features of the invention is shown in
Upstanding structure in the form of a sideguard 26 forming a vertical wall extends upward from the deck at a lateral position spaced inward of the outside of the module. The sideguard is unitarily formed with the module body preferably in an injection molding process. The module is preferably molded out of a thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, acetal, or a composite resin that may include fibers or other additives.
Leading and trailing edges 28, 29 of the sideguard preferably extend perpendicularly upward from the deck at one of the hinge eyes 20, 21. Thus, viewed from the side of the module, the sideguard has a rectangular profile with a flat top 30. (To make the module easier to remove from the mold during manufacturing, the leading and trailing edges are preferably angled slightly off perpendicular from the deck.) As can be seen in
The sideguard can be considered as a pair of laterally offset trapezoidal plates 32, 33 joined along imaginary portions 34′, 35′ of confronting lateral faces 34, 35. The long base 41 of each trapezoid extends longitudinally along the deck. The generally vertical leading and trailing edges 28, 29 of the sideguard form straight edges of the trapezoidal plates. The opposite sides 36, 37 of each plate are angled obliquely from the plane of the deck. Thus, the sideguard forms wedge- or V-shaped indentations 38, 39 along the leading and trailing edges on opposite sides of the sideguard. The junction 40 between the two plates is in the shape of a trapezoidal prism with a longitudinal base 41 and a pair of angled edges 36, 37 converging toward each other with distance above the deck. Parallel lateral faces of the junction 42, 43 define a central thickness of the sideguard. Flush extensions 44, 45 of the two faces terminate in the leading and trailing edges 28, 29. The lateral thickness of the extensions is less than the central thickness of the sideguard by an amount corresponding to the lateral depth of the wedge-shaped indentations. The junction between the two plates can be considered a connecting portion between two plate portions of the sideguard. As shown in
Another version of a belt module with unitary sideguards is illustrated in the belt segment of
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a couple of preferred versions, other versions are possible. For example, the top of the sideguards does not have to be flat. As another example, the sideguard could be positioned closer to the edge of the belt than the indented sideguards shown in detail. As yet another example, the sideguards of consecutive modules do not have to overlap or extend onto the hinge eyes. In some applications, a gap between sidewalls may be acceptable. So, as these few examples suggest, the scope of the invention as defined in the claims is not meant to be limited to the versions described in detail.
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