Conveyor guide structure

Claim 2

1. In combination with a conveyor or the like, guide rail structure comprising: an elongate malleable rail section having a groove formed in a surface thereof and bumper means carried thereby, said bumper means including, a plurality of associated elongate thermoplastic elements, each element having a base portion disposed in said groove and an elongate rib portion extending from said rail surface, and expansion compensating means for permitting adjacent thermoplastic elements to expand and contract relative to each other, said expansion compensating means including an extension formed on juxtaposed ends of said adjacent elements, each said extension being of a cross-sectional configuration approximating one-half the cross section of said thermoplastic element and said extending being lapped to provide a substantially continuous rib along the length of said rail section.

Claim 3

The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said extensions are mirror images of one another.

Claim 4

The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said guide rail structure further includes: an elongate thermoplastic guide rail section having a unitary elongate rib, and a fitting providing a joint between said elongate thermoplastic guide rail section and said malleable rail, with the integral rib on said thermoplastic guide rail section abutting and in alignment with the rib portion of said bumper means.

Claim 5

Guide rail structure for use with a conveyor system, and particularly adapted for use at a corner or turn in said system, said guide rail structure comprising: an elongate malleable rail section having a groove formed in a surface thereof and bumper means carried thereby, said bumper means including a plurality of associated elongate thermoplastic elements, each element having a base portion which is disposed in said groove and an elongate rib portion extending from said rail surface, and expansion-compensating means for permitting adjacent thermoplastic elements to expand and contract relative to each other, said expansion-compensating means including an extension on juxtaposed ends of said adjacent elements, each said extension being of a cross-sectional configuration approximating one-half the cross section of said elements, and said extensions being lapped to provide a substantially continuous lap along the length of said rail structure.

Claim 6

Guide rail structure for use with a conveyor system, and particularly adapted for use at a corner or turn in said system, said guide rail structure comprising: an elongate malleable rail section having a groove formed in a surface thereof and bumper means carried thereby, said bumper means including a plurality of associated elongate thermoplastic elements, each element having a base portion which is disposed in said groove and an elongate rib portion extending from said rail surface, and expansion-compensating means for permitting adjacent thermoplastic elements to expand and contract relative to each other, said expansion-compensating means including an extension on juxtaposed ends of said adjacent elements, each said extension being of a cross-sectional configuration approximating one-half the cross section of said elements, and said extensions being lapped to provide a substantially continuous lap along the length of said rail structure.

Claim 7

The guide rail structure as defined in claim 4, wherein said extensions are mirror images of one another.

Claim 8

For use with a conveyor, guide rail structure comprising: a first, linear thermoplastic guide rail section having a unitary rib extending the length thereof; a second malleable rail section having a groove in a surface thereof and capable of being formed into an arcuate configuration to conform to nonlinear segments of said conveyor, and bumper means disposed in said groove, said bUmper means comprising an elongate thermoplastic element having a base portion received in said groove and an elongate rib portion extending from said rail surface; and a fitting for connecting said linear guide rail section and said malleable rail section, said fitting including means for receiving an end of both said linear and said malleable rail sections with the unitary rib of said linear section abutting and in alignment with the rib portion of said malleable section.

Claim 9

For use with a conveyor, guide rail structure comprising: a first, linear thermoplastic guide rail section having a unitary rib extending the length thereof; a second malleable rail section having a groove in a surface thereof and capable of being formed into an arcuate configuration to conform to nonlinear segments of said conveyor, and bumper means disposed in said groove, said bUmper means comprising an elongate thermoplastic element having a base portion received in said groove and an elongate rib portion extending from said rail surface; and a fitting for connecting said linear guide rail section and said malleable rail section, said fitting including means for receiving an end of both said linear and said malleable rail sections with the unitary rib of said linear section abutting and in alignment with the rib portion of said malleable section.

Claim 10

Guide rail structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said bumper means include a plurality of said elongate thermoplastic elements, each said element being associated with an adjacent element by extensions formed on juxtaposed ends thereof, said extensions being lapped and providing expansion-compensating means.

Claim 11

Guide rail structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said extensions are mere image parts, each corresponding to approximately one-half the cross-sectional configuration of said element, whereby when said extensions are lapped, a continuous rib is provided.