Apparatus and methods to allow non-destructive removal of pivot rods in modular plastic conveyor belts

Claim 1

An integrally molded conveyor belt edge module suitable for being pivotally connected end-to-end with two similar moldules by pivot rods to construct a side portion of a conveyor belt which can move along a predetermined path, said edge module comprising: first and second pluralities of link ends; said link ends of said first plurality defining pivotal apertures arranged along a first pivot axis and said link ends of said second pluralities defining pivotal apertures aligned along a second pivot axis, each plurality of link ends suitable for being intermeshed such that said first and second pivot axis are aligned and pivotally connected by pivot rods with link ends of a similar module to form at least one of the side portions of a conveyor belt; an integrally molded connecting structure for joining said first and second pluralities of link ends, and for maintaining the relative positions of said link ends with each other; an edge portion integrally molded to at least one of the sides of said module, said edge portion including a resilient stop member having an operating position and an assembly position, said operating position obstructing the axial movement of a pivot rod into or removal from said pivotal apertures defined in one of said first and second plurality of link ends, said edge portion further including a support structure molded proximate to the outermost link end of the other one of said first and second pluralities of link ends, said resilient stop member receiving interacting support from said support structure of a pivotally connected module and said resilient member capable of flexing between said operating position and said assembly position such that a pivot rod may be inserted into or removed from said connecting position by moving said stop member to said assembly position.