Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
An endless chain belt conveyor assembly for transporting articles along an arcuate path, said assembly comprising: A. a trackway having an input and output defined by concentrically-arranged curved inner and outer rails; B. an endless chain belt operating within said trackway, said belt including a continuous train of interlinked cross rods which diverge one degree from each other, whereby the spacing between adjoining rods increases progressively from the ends thereof adjacent the inner rail to the ends thereof adjacent the outer rail, a plurality of slat-like links pivotally interconnecting said rods, said links being arrayed in a pattern defined by concentrically arranged curved rows to create a supporting surface extending across the rods, the first row of links lying adjacent the inner rail and being formed by links each of which bridges a respective pair of rods in the train and has a tapered width to match the spacing between the rods joined thereby, the links in the succeeding rows being staggered with respect to those in the preceding row and being pivotally joined to alternate pairs of rods in the train, the links in the succeeding rows having a tapered width to match the spacing between the rods joined thereby, and C. rolls disposed at the input and output of said trackway to support said belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
An endless chain belt conveyor assembly for transporting articles along an arcuate path, said assembly comprising: A. a trackway having an input and output defined by concentrically-arranged curved inner and outer rails; B. an endless chain belt operating within said trackway, said belt including a continuous train of interlinked cross rods which diverge one degree from each other, whereby the spacing between adjoining rods increases progressively from the ends thereof adjacent the inner rail to the ends thereof adjacent the outer rail, a plurality of slat-like links pivotally interconnecting said rods, said links being arrayed in a pattern defined by concentrically arranged curved rows to create a supporting surface extending across the rods, the first row of links lying adjacent the inner rail and being formed by links each of which bridges a respective pair of rods in the train and has a tapered width to match the spacing between the rods joined thereby, the links in the succeeding rows being staggered with respect to those in the preceding row and being pivotally joined to alternate pairs of rods in the train, the links in the succeeding rows having a tapered width to match the spacing between the rods joined thereby, and C. rolls disposed at the input and output of said trackway to support said belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rolls are provided with sprocket wheels whose teeth extend into the space between adjoining rods.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 2 further including power means to rotate one of said rolls to advance said belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said trackway defines a 90*bend.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said trackway defines a 180*bend.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein each link in the row adjacent the inner rail is defined by a metallic sheet whose long sides are turned in to define channels for receiving the associated rods.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein each link in the row adjacent the outer rail is defined by two sections of metal which are pivotally interconnected, whereby the sectioned link folds when passing over said rolls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including casters joined to the ends of the rods adjacent the inner rail and riding in said inner rail.