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US5141102A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Conveyor belt and system with a non-collapsing inside edge

Assignee: Ashworth Bros Inc
•
Filing: 1991-12-19
•
Granted: 1992-08-25
•
Expires: 2011-12-19
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Abstract

Abstract A conveyor belt and conveying system designed to operate about lateral curves is disclosed. The conveyor belt is comprised of transverse rods interconnected by links disposed along opposite transverse edges of the belt. When the belt proceeds about a lateral curve, the pitch along the inside edge of the curve is kept substantially the same as in straight line motion, while the outside edge of the belt is allowed to expand to a second greater pitch. In one embodiment support links are disposed along the inside edge of the belt and provide support for the inside edge of successive tiers of the belt as the belt travels a helical path. A specific link construction which uses a worked hardened bearing surface is also disclosed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gerald C. Roinestad
  • 👤 Michael R. Straight

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 05:11
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/06; B65G17/063; B65G17/064; B65G21/00; B65G21/16; B65G21/18; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2207/00; B65G2207/24

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim 206 words
A conveyor belt comprising: a plurality of rods extending transversely of the length of the belt between inside and outside edges of the belt; a plurality of first links disposed adjacent inside ends of said rods, each of said first links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the inside edge of said belt; a plurality of second links disposed adjacent outside ends of said rods, each of said second links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the outside edge of said belt; and a plurality of third links disposed outside of and adjacent said first links and coupling adjacent rods to each other, said first and third links keeping said rods substantially parallel to each other during straight-line conveying motion of said belt under tractive load; said belt constructed for holding said inside ends of said rods at a first pitch relative to each other during straight-line travel of said belt under tractive load, for holding said inside ends of said rods substantially at said first pitch relative to each other during curved travel of said belt and for allowing said outside ends of said rods to move to a second greater pitch relative to each other during said curved travel of said belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 206 words
A conveyor belt comprising: a plurality of rods extending transversely of the length of the belt between inside and outside edges of the belt; a plurality of first links disposed adjacent inside ends of said rods, each of said first links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the inside edge of said belt; a plurality of second links disposed adjacent outside ends of said rods, each of said second links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the outside edge of said belt; and a plurality of third links disposed outside of and adjacent said first links and coupling adjacent rods to each other, said first and third links keeping said rods substantially parallel to each other during straight-line conveying motion of said belt under tractive load; said belt constructed for holding said inside ends of said rods at a first pitch relative to each other during straight-line travel of said belt under tractive load, for holding said inside ends of said rods substantially at said first pitch relative to each other during curved travel of said belt and for allowing said outside ends of said rods to move to a second greater pitch relative to each other during said curved travel of said belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 41 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 1, wherein, during straight-line conveying motion, said first and third links are tractive while aid second links are non-tractive and, during lateral curved conveying motion, at least said first or said third links remain tractive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 70 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 1, wherein said first and third links are substantially U-shaped links joining inside ends of adjacent rods, each of said U-shaped links having a pair of spaced leg portions extending generally in a lengthwise direction of the belt and a leg-connecting portion joining said spaced leg portions, and each of said leg portions having holes formed therethrough for receiving inside ends of said rods.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 51 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 1, further comprising at least one support link disposed adjacent said first and third links, said support link contacts and supports an inside edge of an adjacent vertically spaced tier of said belt when said belt is arranged to travel along a helical converging path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 30 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 4, wherein said first and third links are U-shaped with one of said U-shaped links being disposed on either side of said support link.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 28 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 1, wherein said second links include at least one bar link having holes for receiving and coupling adjacent pairs of said rods.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 40 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 1, wherein each of said first and third links have holes with end surfaces spaced a predetermined distance apart and said holes are slightly oversized with respect to the cross-dimensional width of said rods.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 208 words
A conveyor belt comprising: a plurality of rods extending transversely of the length of the belt between inside and outside edges of the belt; a plurality of first links disposed adjacent inside ends of said rods, each of said first links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the inside edge of said belt; a plurality of second links disposed adjacent outside ends of said rods, each of said second links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the outside edge of said belt; and a plurality of connectors, disposed outside of, separate from and adjacent said first links and coupling adjacent rods to each other, said connectors and said first links keeping said rods substantially parallel to each other during straight-line conveying motion of said belt under tractive load; said belt constructed for holding said inside ends of said rods at a first pitch relative to each other during straight-line travel of said belt under tractive load, for holding said inside ends of said rods substantially at said first pitch relative to each other during curved travel of said belt and for allowing said outside ends of said rods to move to a second greater pitch relative to each other during said curved travel of said belt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 208 words
A conveyor belt comprising: a plurality of rods extending transversely of the length of the belt between inside and outside edges of the belt; a plurality of first links disposed adjacent inside ends of said rods, each of said first links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the inside edge of said belt; a plurality of second links disposed adjacent outside ends of said rods, each of said second links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the outside edge of said belt; and a plurality of connectors, disposed outside of, separate from and adjacent said first links and coupling adjacent rods to each other, said connectors and said first links keeping said rods substantially parallel to each other during straight-line conveying motion of said belt under tractive load; said belt constructed for holding said inside ends of said rods at a first pitch relative to each other during straight-line travel of said belt under tractive load, for holding said inside ends of said rods substantially at said first pitch relative to each other during curved travel of said belt and for allowing said outside ends of said rods to move to a second greater pitch relative to each other during said curved travel of said belt.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 33 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 8, wherein each of said first links further comprises a pair of legs extending generally lengthwise of the belt and coupling adjacent rods at spaced locations therealong.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 32 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 9, wherein each of said connectors further comprises a pair of legs extending generally lengthwise of the belt and coupling adjacent rods at spaced locations therealong.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 24 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 8, wherein said first links and said connectors are substantially U-shaped links joining inside ends of adjacent rods.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 56 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 8, wherein each of said connectors is substantially U-shaped, and each of said U-shaped connectors further comprises a pair of leg portions extending generally lengthwise of the belt and a leg-connecting portion joining said leg portions, and each of said leg portions have holes formed therethrough for receiving adjacent rods.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 42 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 8, wherein during straight-line conveying motion, said first links and said connectors are tractive while said second links are non-tractive and, during lateral curved conveying motion, at least said first links or said connectors remain tractive.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 25 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 8, wherein said first links, said second links and said connectors are separate and distinct elements from said rods.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 52 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 8, further comprising at least one support link disposed adjacent said first links and said connectors, said support link contacts and supports an inside edge of an adjacent vertically spaced tier of said belt when said belt is arranged to travel along a helical conveying path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 80 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 15, wherein said support link is coupled between pairs of said adjacent rods and said support link further comprises a longitudinal portion extending both longitudinally between a pair of adjacent rods and vertically away from said rods and at least one tab portion extending transversely from said longitudinal portion, said longitudinal portion having holes through which an adjacent pair of rods extend, said tab portions being spaced a predetermined vertical distance from said rods.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 111 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 16, wherein; said first links and said connectors are U-shaped links with one of said U-shaped links being disposed on either side of said support link; and said U-shaped links further comprise a pair of spaced leg portions extending generally in the lengthwise direction of the belt and a leg-connecting portion joining said spaced leg portions, and said spaced leg portions of said U-shaped links have end sections adjacent to the longitudinal portion of said support link, with said end sections of said U-shaped links extending substantially perpendicular to the transverse extent of said rods to align said support link with respect to said rods.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 31 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 16, wherein said at lest one tab portion further comprises first and second tab portions extending out from said longitudinal portion in opposite transverse directions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 65 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 16, wherein said longitudinal portion of said support link, has a lower section with holes for coupling to said rods and an upper section extending vertically and longitudinally from the lower section, said upper section being angularly offset from the lower section and having a longitudinal dimension such that upper sections of adjacent support links can overlap one another.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 32 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 15, wherein said first links and said connectors are U-shaped links with one of said U-shaped links being disposed on either side of said support link.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 29 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 8, wherein said second links further comprise at least one bar link having holes for receiving and coupling adjacent pairs of said rods.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 29 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 8, wherein each of said first links and said connectors have holes slightly oversized with respect to the cross-dimensional width of said rods.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 66 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 8, wherein said second links have longitudinal slots interconnecting said adjacent rods along the outside edge of said belt, said slots receive said transverse rods near the ends thereof and are of a sufficient length to allow the desired relative movement of said rods in changing from said straight-line travel of said belt to said curved travel of said belt.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 30 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 8, wherein the ratio of an inside turn radius of said belt to a width of said belt is less than 1.4 to 1.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 252 words
A conveying system comprising: an endless conveyor belt being arranged in said system to define a straight-line section and a laterally curved section; and means for driving said conveyor belt so that said belt follows along said straight-line section and then along said laterally curved section; said belt including: a plurality of rods extending transversely of the length of the belt between inside and outside edges of the belt; a plurality of first links disposed adjacent inside ends of said rods, eahc of said first links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the inside edge of said belt; a plurality of second links disposed adjacent outside ends of said rods, each of said second links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the outside edge of said belt; a plurality of connectors, disposed outside of, separate from the adjacent said first links and coupling adjacent rods to each other, said connectors and said first links keeping said rods substantially parallel to each other during straight-line conveying motion of said belt under tractive load; said belt constructed for holding said inside ends of said rods at a first pitch relative to each other during straight-line travel of said belt under tractive load, for holding said inside ends of said rods substantially at said first pitch relative to each other during curved travel of said belt and for allowing said outside ends of said rods to move to a second greater pitch relative to each other during said curved travel of said belt.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 252 words
A conveying system comprising: an endless conveyor belt being arranged in said system to define a straight-line section and a laterally curved section; and means for driving said conveyor belt so that said belt follows along said straight-line section and then along said laterally curved section; said belt including: a plurality of rods extending transversely of the length of the belt between inside and outside edges of the belt; a plurality of first links disposed adjacent inside ends of said rods, eahc of said first links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the inside edge of said belt; a plurality of second links disposed adjacent outside ends of said rods, each of said second links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the outside edge of said belt; a plurality of connectors, disposed outside of, separate from the adjacent said first links and coupling adjacent rods to each other, said connectors and said first links keeping said rods substantially parallel to each other during straight-line conveying motion of said belt under tractive load; said belt constructed for holding said inside ends of said rods at a first pitch relative to each other during straight-line travel of said belt under tractive load, for holding said inside ends of said rods substantially at said first pitch relative to each other during curved travel of said belt and for allowing said outside ends of said rods to move to a second greater pitch relative to each other during said curved travel of said belt.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 14 words
A conveying system as in claim 25, wherein said laterally curve section is helical.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 38 words
A conveying system as in claim 26, wherein said belt driving means includes a rotatable drum mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, said drum including an outer surface which engages inner lateral edge regions of said belt.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 25 words
A conveying system as in claim 26, wherein said belt driving means includes an internal rotating cage having a plurality of vertically extending driving members.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 19 words
A conveying system as in claim 26, wherein said belt driving means drives said belt by relatively low tension.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 69 words
A conveying system as in claim 26, wherein said laterally curved section forms a plurality of stacked tiers of the belt and said system further comprises at least one support link disposed adjacent said first links and said connectors, said support link contacts and supports an inside edge of an adjacent vertically spaced tier of said belt when said belt is arranged to travel along the laterally curved section.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 31 words
A conveying system as in claim 26, wherein said belt driving means further comprises a rotating driving member frictionally engaging inner edge regions of said belt in the laterally curved section.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 31 words
A conveying system as in claim 26, wherein said belt driving means further comprises a rotating driving member positively engaging inner edge regions of said belt in the laterally curved section.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 42 words
A conveying system as in claim 25, wherein, during straight-line conveying motion, said first links and said connectors are tractive while said second links are non-tractive and, during lateral curved conveying motion, at least said first links or said connectors remain tractive.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 210 words
A conveyor belt comprising: a plurality of rods extending transversely of the length of the belt between inside and outside edges of the belt; a plurality of first links disposed adjacent inside ends of said rods, each of said first links being U-shaped with spaced legs coupling adjacent rods to each other near the inside edge of said belt; a plurality of second links disposed adjacent outside ends of said rods, each of said second links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the outside edge of said belt; and a plurality of connectors, disposed outside of and adjacent said first links and coupling adjacent rods to each other, said connectors and said first links keeping said rods substantially parallel to each other during straight-line conveying motion of said belt under tractive load; said belt constructed for said inside ends of said rods at a first pitch relative to each other during straight-line travel of said belt under tractive load, for holding said inside ends of said rods substantially at said first pitch relative to each other during curved travel of said belt and for allowing said outside ends of said rods to move to a second greater pitch relative to each other during said curved travel of said belt.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 210 words
A conveyor belt comprising: a plurality of rods extending transversely of the length of the belt between inside and outside edges of the belt; a plurality of first links disposed adjacent inside ends of said rods, each of said first links being U-shaped with spaced legs coupling adjacent rods to each other near the inside edge of said belt; a plurality of second links disposed adjacent outside ends of said rods, each of said second links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the outside edge of said belt; and a plurality of connectors, disposed outside of and adjacent said first links and coupling adjacent rods to each other, said connectors and said first links keeping said rods substantially parallel to each other during straight-line conveying motion of said belt under tractive load; said belt constructed for said inside ends of said rods at a first pitch relative to each other during straight-line travel of said belt under tractive load, for holding said inside ends of said rods substantially at said first pitch relative to each other during curved travel of said belt and for allowing said outside ends of said rods to move to a second greater pitch relative to each other during said curved travel of said belt.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 32 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 34, wherein each of said connectors further comprises a pair of legs extending generally lengthwise of the belt and coupling adjacent rods at spaced locations therealong.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 56 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 34, wherein each of said connectors is substantially U-shaped, and each of said U-shaped connectors further comprises a pair of leg portions extending generally lengthwise of the belt and a leg-connecting portion joining said leg portions, and each of said leg portions have holes formed therethrough for receiving adjacent rods.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 42 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 34, wherein, during straight-line conveying motion, said first links and said connectors are tractive while said second links are non-tractive and, during lateral curved conveying motion, at least said first links or said connectors remain tractive.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 25 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 34, wherein said first links, said second links and said connectors are separate and distinct elements from said rods.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 52 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 34, further comprising at least one support link disposed adjacent said first links and said connectors, aid support link contacts and supports an inside edge of an adjacent vertically spaced tier of said belt when said belt is arranged to travel along a helical conveying path.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 80 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 39, wherein said support link is coupled between pairs of said adjacent rods and said support link further comprises a longitudinal portion extending both longitudinally between a pair of adjacent rods and vertically away from said rods and at least one tab portion extending transversely from said longitudinal portion, said longitudinal portion having holes through which an adjacent pair of rods extend, said tab portions being spaced a predetermined vertical distance from said rods.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 31 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 40, wherein said at least one tab portion further comprises first and second tab portions extending out from said longitudinal portion in opposite transverse directions.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 65 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 40, wherein said longitudinal portion of said support link has a lower section with holes for coupling to said rods and an upper section extending vertically and longitudinally from the lower section, said upper section being angularly offset from the lower section and having a longitudinal dimension such that upper sections of adjacent support links can overlap one another.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 32 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 39, wherein said connectors are U-shaped links with one of said first link and connector U-shaped links being disposed on either side of said support link.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 29 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 34, wherein said second links further comprise at least one bar link having holes for receiving and coupling adjacent pairs of said rods.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 29 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 34, wherein each of said first links and said connectors have holes slightly oversized with respect to the cross-dimensional width of said rods.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 66 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 34, wherein said second links have longitudinal slots interconnecting said adjacent rods along the outside edge of said belt, said slots receive said transverse rods near the ends thereof and are of a sufficient length to allow the desired relative movement of said rods in changing from said straight-line travel of said belt to said curved travel of said belt.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 30 words
A conveyor belt as in claim 34, wherein the ratio of an inside turn radius of said belt to a width of said belt is less than 1.4 to 1.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 255 words
A conveying system comprising: an endless conveyor belt being arranged in said system to define a straight-line section and a laterally curved section; and means for driving said conveyor belt so that said belt follows along said straight-line section and then along said laterally curved section; said belt including: a plurality of rods extending transversely of the length of the belt between inside and outside edges of the belt; a plurality of first links disposed adjacent inside ends of said rods, each of said first links being U-shaped with spaced legs coupling adjacent rods to each other near the inside edge of said belt; a plurality of second links disposed adjacent outside ends of said rods, each of said second links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the outside edge of said belt; a plurality of connectors, disposed outside of and adjacent said first links and coupling adjacent rods to each other, said connectors and said first links keeping said rods substantially parallel to each other during straight-line conveying motion of said belt under tractive load; said belt constructed for holding said inside ends of said rods at a first pitch relative to each other during straight-line travel of said belt under tractive load, for holding said inside ends of said rods substantially at said first pitch relative to each other during curved travel of said belt and for allowing said outside ends of said rods to move to a second greater pitch relative to each other during said curved travel of said belt.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 255 words
A conveying system comprising: an endless conveyor belt being arranged in said system to define a straight-line section and a laterally curved section; and means for driving said conveyor belt so that said belt follows along said straight-line section and then along said laterally curved section; said belt including: a plurality of rods extending transversely of the length of the belt between inside and outside edges of the belt; a plurality of first links disposed adjacent inside ends of said rods, each of said first links being U-shaped with spaced legs coupling adjacent rods to each other near the inside edge of said belt; a plurality of second links disposed adjacent outside ends of said rods, each of said second links coupling adjacent rods to each other near the outside edge of said belt; a plurality of connectors, disposed outside of and adjacent said first links and coupling adjacent rods to each other, said connectors and said first links keeping said rods substantially parallel to each other during straight-line conveying motion of said belt under tractive load; said belt constructed for holding said inside ends of said rods at a first pitch relative to each other during straight-line travel of said belt under tractive load, for holding said inside ends of said rods substantially at said first pitch relative to each other during curved travel of said belt and for allowing said outside ends of said rods to move to a second greater pitch relative to each other during said curved travel of said belt.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim 14 words
A conveying system as in claim 48, wherein said laterally curved section is helical.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 38 words
A conveying system as in claim 49, wherein said belt driving means includes a rotatable drum mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, said drum including an outer surface which engages inner lateral edge regions of said belt.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 25 words
A conveying system as in claim 49, wherein said belt driving means includes an internal rotating cage having a plurality of vertically extending driving members.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 19 words
A conveying system as in claim 49, wherein said belt driving means drives said belt by relatively low tension.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 69 words
A conveying system as in claim 49, wherein said laterally curved section forms a plurality of stacked tiers of the belt and said system further comprises at least one support link disposed adjacent said first links and said connectors, said support link contacts and supports an inside edge of an adjacent vertically spaced tier of said belt when said belt is arranged to travel along the laterally curved section.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 31 words
A conveying system as in claim 49, wherein said belt driving means further comprises a rotating driving member frictionally engaging inner edge regions of said belt in the laterally curved section.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim 31 words
A conveying system as in claim 49, wherein said belt driving means further comprises a rotating driving member positively engaging inner edge regions of said belt in the laterally curved section.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim 42 words
A conveying system as in claim 48, wherein, during straight-line conveying motion, said first links and said connectors are tractive while said second links are non-tractive and, during lateral curved conveying motion, at least said first links or said connectors remain tractive.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-08-25 1996-02-24 1996-08-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-08-25 2000-02-24 2000-08-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-08-25 2004-02-24 2004-08-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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