Wire mesh belt and splicer

Claim 1

In a wire mesh belt comprised of a plurality of individual zig-zag strands arrayed generally laterally of said belt, adjacent of said strands interlocked in an interlinked relationship, and said belt having a first end and second end opposed thereto joined by a splicer to form a continuous web, the improvement wherein said splicer comprises an elongated wire element having a plurality of generally U shape splicer elements, said U-shape splicer elements comprising a base member disposed generally laterally of said belt and, at each end of said base member, a generally upstanding leg portion, each said leg portion lying at an obtuse angle to its respective base member, said U-shape splicer elements arranged in alternating seguence, the base member and outwardly flaring legs of the first said splicer elements directed toward said first end of the belt and the base member and outwardly flared legs of adjacent second said splicer elements directed toward said opposed second end of the belt, said splicer further comprising connecting portions integral with said splicer elements and extending between ends of said adjacent leg portions, said connecting portions having arcuate segments adjoining the ends of the adjacent leg portions, whereby, said first splicer elements are constructed and arranged to be engaged through and interlocked with adjoining links of the first end of said belt, and said second splicer elements are constructed and arranged to be engaged through and interlocked with adjoining links of the second end of said belt, thereby to join the ends of said belt.