Heavy duty modular conveyor belt and sprocket with unique tracking

Claim 1

Conveyor apparatus having a smooth top surface comprising: a multiplicity of modules each having a top and bottom, a pair of edges and a first and second end, said multiplicity of modules being aligned end-to-end in a direction of travel and further including, first and second pluralities of link ends located at said first and second ends respectively, said link ends of said first plurality defining pivotal apertures arranged along a first pivotal axis and said link ends of said second plurality defining pivotal apertures aligned along a second pivot axis, each plurality of link ends of each module being intermeshed with link ends of another module such that said first and second pivot axis are aligned, said first and second pluralities of link ends having a topmost portion and a bottom portion, said topmost portion having a width selected such that said topmost portion of said intermeshed link ends are substantially in contact and provide a smooth top surface, and said bottom portion having a width selected such that a space of a selected size is provided between adjacent bottom portions of such intermeshed link ends, an integrally molded connecting structure, having a lower portion and a smooth top surface, for joining said first and second pluralities of link ends, said connecting structure including a tooth member integrally molded to said lower portion, and located substantially mid-way between said first and second pluralities of link ends, said integrally molded tooth member having a driving surface defined on at least one side of said toothed member for receiving a driving force to move said module and a conveyor belt constructed from said multiplicity of modules in said direction of travel; a multiplicity of pivot rods extending through said pivotal apertures of said intermeshed first and second pluralities of link ends to form a conveyor belt; and a plurality of drive sprockets arranged in driving relationship along a shaft oriented transverse to said direction of travel, each of said sprockets including a plurality of recesses located around the perimeter of said sprockets for receiving said tooth members of said modules and for providing driving forces to said module, and a plurality of teeth located between said recesses around said perimeter, said teeth having a width less than said space and extending radially from said perimeter such that said teeth extend into said spaces provided between said bottom portions of said intermeshed link ends.