Patent US5517566A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4490970A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conveyor link
Assignee: Superior Chain Inc
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Filing: 1981-07-24
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Granted: 1985-01-01
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Expires: 2001-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A removable, polymeric conveyor link and conveyor utilizing such a link are disclosed. The link is essentially an elongated body of tough, hard slightly flexible elastomer with at least a pair of spaced, parallel, cylindrical cavities in which are disposed rod locking devices. The conveyor is constructed of metal rods, generally round in cross-section, wherein at least a pair of spaced metal rods are held in position by flexible elastomer spacers (fixed links) near each end whereby the end rods protrude through such spacers and then are joined by the removable elastomer links having rod locking sleeves.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B. Curl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:26
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/06; B65G17/08; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A link for joining metal rods to form a conveyor chain of spaced metal rods, said link comprising: an elongated body of a tough, hard, very slightly flexible elastomer; at least a pair of spaced, parallel, substantially cylindrical cavities in said elongated body; at least a pair of hollow metallic rod locking means tightly adhered to at least a portion of the walls of said cavities to accept the ends of a pair of rods, said rod locking means having spring means with internal cross-sectional dimensions slightly smaller than said rods so that a forced fit is achieved between said rods and said locking means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A link for joining metal rods to form a conveyor chain of spaced metal rods, said link comprising: an elongated body of a tough, hard, very slightly flexible elastomer; at least a pair of spaced, parallel, substantially cylindrical cavities in said elongated body; at least a pair of hollow metallic rod locking means tightly adhered to at least a portion of the walls of said cavities to accept the ends of a pair of rods, said rod locking means having spring means with internal cross-sectional dimensions slightly smaller than said rods so that a forced fit is achieved between said rods and said locking means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The link of claim 1 wherein said tubular cavities extend through the body of said link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
A metal rod conveyor sub-assembly comprising: at least a pair of spaced metal rods; at least a pair of spacing means spacing said metal rods and securing them in a substantially fixed relationship, said spacing means located near the ends of said rods; at least a pair of rod tips extending beyond each spacing means at the outer ends of the rods, said rod tips on each side of the sub-assembly being spaced apart at about the same spacing as the farthest spaced rods; flights comprising tough, very slightly flexible elastomer bodies attached to and extending along the length of said rods between spacing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
A metal rod conveyor sub-assembly comprising: at least a pair of spaced metal rods; at least a pair of spacing means spacing said metal rods and securing them in a substantially fixed relationship, said spacing means located near the ends of said rods; at least a pair of rod tips extending beyond each spacing means at the outer ends of the rods, said rod tips on each side of the sub-assembly being spaced apart at about the same spacing as the farthest spaced rods; flights comprising tough, very slightly flexible elastomer bodies attached to and extending along the length of said rods between spacing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sub-assembly of claim 3 wherein said rod tips are the tips of the pair of rods which are furthest spaced from one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sub-assembly of claim 3 wherein said spacing means are formed of a tough, very slightly flexible elastomer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The link of claim 1 wherein said metal rods are solid rods having a substantially cylindrical shape and said hollow metallic rod locking means have a substantially cylindrical internal shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The link of claim 1 wherein said elongated body is a rubber elastomer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The link of claim 1 wherein said elongated body of a tough, hard, slightly flexible, elastomer has a barbell shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The link of claim 1 wherein said elongated body is reinforced with fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The link of claim 1 wherein the elongated body has sufficient material surrounding said rod locking means to provide adequate bearing strength.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The link of claim 1 wherein said rod locking means is a split metal sleeve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The link of claim 8 wherein said spaced parallel substantially cylindrical cavities are in the bell portions of said barbell shaped elongated body.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-01 | 1988-07-02 | 1989-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-01 | 1992-07-02 | 1993-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-01 | 1996-07-02 | 1997-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |