US4667812A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conveyor belt assembly and method
Assignee: Joy MM Delaware Inc
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Filing: 1981-05-08
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Granted: 1987-05-26
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Expires: 2001-05-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and a method of protecting the lateral edges of a conveyor belt. A resilient tubular member having a longitudinal slit therein is in resiliently maintained contact with the belt adjacent lateral edges. The resilient member may have portions of its inner surface spaced from the belt edge portions so as to define a number of cushioning air spaces therebetween. The resilient members are preferably of generally circular cross sectional configuration in unexpanded condition and are generally coextensive with the belt. The belt may have recesses for receipt of the slit ends of the tubular resilient member. The method may involve providing an elongated tubular resilient member which is slit longitudinally and circumferentially expanded so as to permit it to receive a lateral edge of the belt. The interengagement may be maintained through resiliently maintained contact alone or by additional means for securing such contact.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry D. Wixey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:46
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G15/00; B65G15/30; B65G15/56; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A conveyor belt assembly of the type capable of traversing a curved horizontal path, said assembly comprising an elongatable troughed conveyor belt capable of traversing a curved horizontal path, elongated protective means secured to a lateral edge of said conveyor belt for protection thereof during said traverse of said curved horizontal path, and said protective means being a resilient tubular member having a longitudinal slit therein and being in circumferentially expanded engagement with said conveyor belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A conveyor belt assembly of the type capable of traversing a curved horizontal path, said assembly comprising an elongatable troughed conveyor belt capable of traversing a curved horizontal path, elongated protective means secured to a lateral edge of said conveyor belt for protection thereof during said traverse of said curved horizontal path, and said protective means being a resilient tubular member having a longitudinal slit therein and being in circumferentially expanded engagement with said conveyor belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 1 including said protective means being of generally circular cross sectional configuration in unexpanded condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 1 including portions of the interior surface of said protective means being spaced from adjacent portions of said belt to define cushioning air spaces therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 3 including said protective means having reinforcing means disposed therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 4 including said protective means having an external resilient ply, an internal resilient ply and an intermediate ply, and said reinforcing means being disposed within said intermediate ply.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 3 including said protective means secured adjacent to both said lateral edges of said conveyor belt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 6 including said conveyor belt being generally transversely reinforced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 1 including recess means formed within said belt for receiving a portion of said protective means, and a portion of said protective means disposed within said recess means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 8 including said recess means having a recess in the upper surface of said belt and a recess in the lower surface of said belt.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 9 including a pair of said recesses disposed generally adjacent to one said belt edge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 10 including a second pair of said recesses disposed generally adjacent the other said belt edge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 11 including a plurality of cushioning air spaces formed between said protective means and said belt.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 1 including means for securing said protective means to said belt.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 3 including said protective means being longitudinally generally coextensive with said belt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 1 including said protective means being at least partially maintained in said engagement with said belt through resiliency of said protective means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 13 including said securing means including adhesive means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The conveyor belt assembly of claim 13 including said securing means including mechanical fastener means.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of protecting the edge of an elongatable troughed conveyor belt, said conveyor belt capable of traversing a horizontal path curved with respect to the longitudinal extent of said conveyor belt, said method comprising providing an elongated tubular resilient member, slitting said tubular resilient member longitudinally to permit resilient circumferential expansion of said member, circumferentially expanding said member, and introducing a lateral edge of said belt into said expanded member, and releasing said resilient tubular member so as to effect engagement between said member and said belt.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of protecting the edge of an elongatable troughed conveyor belt, said conveyor belt capable of traversing a horizontal path curved with respect to the longitudinal extent of said conveyor belt, said method comprising providing an elongated tubular resilient member, slitting said tubular resilient member longitudinally to permit resilient circumferential expansion of said member, circumferentially expanding said member, and introducing a lateral edge of said belt into said expanded member, and releasing said resilient tubular member so as to effect engagement between said member and said belt.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of protecting a conveyor belt of claim 18 including providing said belt with recess means for receiving opposed edges of said slit tubular resilient member, and positioning said slit edges in said recess.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of protecting a conveyor belt of claim 18 including positioning said member on said belt so as to define cushioning air spaces therebetween.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of protecting a conveyor belt of claim 18 including placing said resilient members on both lateral edges of said belt.
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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) | 1990-05-25 | 1990-11-24 | 1991-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-25 | 1994-11-24 | 1995-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-25 | 1998-11-24 | 1999-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |