GB1577940A

GB1577940A - Endless belt conconveyors

Info

Publication number: GB1577940A
Application number: GB12448/76A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: GREENING SANKEY WIRE WEAVING C
Current assignee: GREENING SANKEY WIRE WEAVING C
Priority date: 1976-03-27
Filing date: 1976-03-27
Publication date: 1980-10-29
Also published as: ZA771733B; AU2354077A; AU507057B2

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN ENDLESS BELT CONVEYORS (71) We, GREENING-SANKEY WIRE WEAVING COMPANY LI MITED, a British Company of Britannia Works, Warrington, WA5 5JX, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to endless conveyor belts of the type in which the load-supporting surface of the belt is formed by an array of modular elements hingedly attached to spaced cross members extending transversely of the belt.

Conveniently the cross members are metal rods and the modular elements are moulded in synthetic plastics material. The modular elements span the space between each pair of adjacent cross members and conveniently the elements of each group of three cross members forming two adjacent pairs are intercalated along the common cross member of the two pairs. Preferably each element is positively located with respect to one cross member by its hinged attachment to such member but its attachment to the other member of the pair is such as to permit a limited degree of movement of such other members with respect to the element in the longitudinal direction of the belt.

Conveyor belts of the general form described above are known wherein the attachment parts of the modular elements are in the form of bores through which the cross members extend and in the assembly of such belts it is necessary to have at least one end of each cross member free to allow it to be passed through the bores in the elements and then to complete the belt by attaching side links to the free ends of the members to locate them in correct spaced relation.

It is an object of the invention to mitigate difficulties encountered in this mode of assembly of such conveyor belts.

According to the present invention there is provided a conveyor belt comprising a ladder-type structure formed by a plurality of cross-members extending transversely of the belt and located in spaced relation by longitudinal links, and a plurality of load support elements each extending between a pair of cross-members and the links interconnecting such cross-members, each element hingedly engaging one of the pair of cross-members by a slot extending inwardly from one edge of the element in a direction generally parallel to its load support surface and hingedly engaging the other of the pair of cross-members by a slot extending into the element towards and generally perpendicular to such surface.

With such an arrangement the "ladder" type structure can be assembled, then the modular elements can be attached thereto by engaging the cross members in the slots in the modular elements.

In one embodiment of the invention the or each modular element is formed with interengagement formations at opposite edges and formations on one element interengage with formations on another element intercalated therewith at a common cross-member to prevent the cross member moving out of the slots in the elements.

In another embodiment the slot or slots of an element which engage one of two adjacent cross members is or are formed with constrictions and the material of the part in which such slot or slots is or are formed is sufficiently flexible to permit a cross member to be forced past the constrictions to become trapped in the base of the slot or slots.

One suitable element for a conveyor belt of this invention has a body of generally zig-zag form. conveniently a truncated Wshape.

Various features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a section of one embodiment of belt in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a cross section on the line A-A of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows Figure 3 is a plan view of a spacer for incorporation in the belt of Figure 1, and Figures 4, 5 and 6 are views similar to those of Figures 1, 2 and 3 of a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a section of belt made up of spaced cross members 1 in the form of metal rods bridged by modular elements 2 moulded in synthetic plastics material, of which only one is shown in Figure 1. The rods 1 are connected together at both outer ends by a linking structure (not shown), which permits each rod to move towards an adjacent rod to a limited extend, to form a "ladder" structure and rigid metal spacer members 6, shown in Figure 3, are positioned on the rods 1 during assembly of the ladder structure. Each of the spacer members 6 has one bore 7 of circular section of a size to permit a rod 1 to pass through it and a second bore 8 of elongate form longitudinally of the member and of the same width as the diameter of bore 7.The length of bore 8 corresponds to the extent of permitted movement allowed by the linking structure and members 6 may be used as link members in such structure.

The modular elements 2 which provide the load bearing surface of the belt are shown in Figure 1 as being of generally zig-zag configuration in plan but they may be of any desired configuration provided they can be fitted to bridge two adjacent rods 1. As can be seen from Figure 2, the parts of element 2 which co-operate with one of the pair of rods 1 are each formed with a slot 3 extending inwardly of the material of the element generally parallel to the face of the element which forms the load bearing surface of the belt. The slots 3 are of a depth at least equal to, shown exceeding.

the length of bore 8 in spacer member 6.

The parts of the elements 2 which cooperate with the other one of the pairs of rods 1 are each formed with a slot 5 extending inwardly of the material of the element at right angles to the face forming the load bearing surface. Each slot 5 is formed with a pair of confronting constrictions 4 forming a throat and the mouth of the slot is slightly flared to facilitate entry of a rod 1 into the slot. The depth of slot 5, the position of throat and the flexibility of the material of the clement are such that when a rod is pressed into the mouth of slot 5 with sufficient force the throat opens to allow the rod to pass into the base of the slot and then closes again to locate the rod substantially centrally of the thickness of the material of the element in the region of the slot.

In assembling a belt as described the "ladder" is first formed with as manay spacer members 6 as may be desired extending between adjacent pairs of rods 1 and slidable along the length of such rods. The spacer members of three adjacent rods are then positioned with desired spacing along the rods and the modular elements are attached to the rods between the spacer elements. To attach each element 2, its slot or slots 3 is or are engaged on one rod by movement of the element in the longitudinal direction of the belt until the slot or slots 5 are in register with the next adjacent rod.

The element is then pressed against the ladder structure to force such next adjacent rod through the throat formed by constrictions 4 and into position at the base of slot or slots 5. The element 2 is thus securely attached to the ladder structure. Subsequent elements are attached in the same manner to the ladder structure with the parts of such subsequent elements containing the slots 5 intercalated with the parts of a previously attached element contaning the slots 3. The spacer members 6 serve to prevent the rods 1 bowing to an extent which would allow a rod to escape from a slot 3.

Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6 there is shown a modification of the arrangement shown in the earlier figures. In this modified arrangement the modular element 2 is provided with interengagement formations adjacent the slots at either side of the element, and the slots 15, corresponding to the slots 5 of Figure 2, are not provided with constrictions forming a throat but are simple slots. These formations comprise bosses 12, formed on opposite edges of the parts of element 2 in which slots 15 are formed, and recesses 13 formed in edges of the parts of the element in which slots 14, corresponding to slots 3 of Figure 2, are formed. When a number of these elements are attached to the ladder structure in intercalated relation, the bosses 12 of one element interengage the recesses 13 of the element next adjacent longitudinally of the belt and serve to prevent rods l moving out of slots 14 and 15.

The spacers of Figure 6 are in all respects similar to those of Figure 3 and serve the same purpose.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A conveyor belt comprising a laddertype structure formed by a plurality of cross-members extending transversely of the belt and located in spaced relation by longitudinal links, and a plurality of load support elements each extending between a

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Various features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a section of one embodiment of belt in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a cross section on the line A-A of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows Figure 3 is a plan view of a spacer for incorporation in the belt of Figure 1, and Figures 4, 5 and 6 are views similar to those of Figures 1, 2 and 3 of a second embodiment of the invention. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a section of belt made up of spaced cross members 1 in the form of metal rods bridged by modular elements 2 moulded in synthetic plastics material, of which only one is shown in Figure 1. The rods 1 are connected together at both outer ends by a linking structure (not shown), which permits each rod to move towards an adjacent rod to a limited extend, to form a "ladder" structure and rigid metal spacer members 6, shown in Figure 3, are positioned on the rods 1 during assembly of the ladder structure. Each of the spacer members 6 has one bore 7 of circular section of a size to permit a rod 1 to pass through it and a second bore 8 of elongate form longitudinally of the member and of the same width as the diameter of bore 7.The length of bore 8 corresponds to the extent of permitted movement allowed by the linking structure and members 6 may be used as link members in such structure. The modular elements 2 which provide the load bearing surface of the belt are shown in Figure 1 as being of generally zig-zag configuration in plan but they may be of any desired configuration provided they can be fitted to bridge two adjacent rods 1. As can be seen from Figure 2, the parts of element 2 which co-operate with one of the pair of rods 1 are each formed with a slot 3 extending inwardly of the material of the element generally parallel to the face of the element which forms the load bearing surface of the belt. The slots 3 are of a depth at least equal to, shown exceeding. the length of bore 8 in spacer member 6. The parts of the elements 2 which cooperate with the other one of the pairs of rods 1 are each formed with a slot 5 extending inwardly of the material of the element at right angles to the face forming the load bearing surface. Each slot 5 is formed with a pair of confronting constrictions 4 forming a throat and the mouth of the slot is slightly flared to facilitate entry of a rod 1 into the slot. The depth of slot 5, the position of throat and the flexibility of the material of the clement are such that when a rod is pressed into the mouth of slot 5 with sufficient force the throat opens to allow the rod to pass into the base of the slot and then closes again to locate the rod substantially centrally of the thickness of the material of the element in the region of the slot. In assembling a belt as described the "ladder" is first formed with as manay spacer members 6 as may be desired extending between adjacent pairs of rods 1 and slidable along the length of such rods. The spacer members of three adjacent rods are then positioned with desired spacing along the rods and the modular elements are attached to the rods between the spacer elements. To attach each element 2, its slot or slots 3 is or are engaged on one rod by movement of the element in the longitudinal direction of the belt until the slot or slots 5 are in register with the next adjacent rod. The element is then pressed against the ladder structure to force such next adjacent rod through the throat formed by constrictions 4 and into position at the base of slot or slots 5. The element 2 is thus securely attached to the ladder structure. Subsequent elements are attached in the same manner to the ladder structure with the parts of such subsequent elements containing the slots 5 intercalated with the parts of a previously attached element contaning the slots 3. The spacer members 6 serve to prevent the rods 1 bowing to an extent which would allow a rod to escape from a slot 3. Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6 there is shown a modification of the arrangement shown in the earlier figures. In this modified arrangement the modular element 2 is provided with interengagement formations adjacent the slots at either side of the element, and the slots 15, corresponding to the slots 5 of Figure 2, are not provided with constrictions forming a throat but are simple slots. These formations comprise bosses 12, formed on opposite edges of the parts of element 2 in which slots 15 are formed, and recesses 13 formed in edges of the parts of the element in which slots 14, corresponding to slots 3 of Figure 2, are formed.When a number of these elements are attached to the ladder structure in intercalated relation, the bosses 12 of one element interengage the recesses 13 of the element next adjacent longitudinally of the belt and serve to prevent rods l moving out of slots 14 and 15. The spacers of Figure 6 are in all respects similar to those of Figure 3 and serve the same purpose. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A conveyor belt comprising a laddertype structure formed by a plurality of cross-members extending transversely of the belt and located in spaced relation by longitudinal links, and a plurality of load support elements each extending between a

pair of cross-members and the links interconnecting such cross-members, each element hingedly engaging one of the pair of cross-members by a slot extending inwardly from one edge of the element in a direction generally parallel to its load support surface and hingedly engaging the other of the pair of cross-members by a slot extending into the element towards and generally perpendicular to such surface.

2. A conveyor belt according to claim 1, wherein edge portions of adjacent elements fitted between three said cross members, with one of the latter common to both elements, intercalate at said common cross member.

3. A conveyor belt according to claim 2, wherein the intercalated elements interfit and mutually locate by means of interengagement formations at or near opposed edges of the elements.

4. A conveyor belt according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each slot engaging one cross member has constrictions and the material of the element adjacent thereto has a resilience and flexibility that allows the cross member to be forced past the constrictions to become entrapped by them in the base of said slot.

5. A conveyor belt according to claim 4.

wherein only the or each slot extending generally perpendicular to the load support surface of the element has said constrictions.

6. A conveyor belt according to any preceding claim, wherein each element comprises a body of generally zig-zag form.

7. A conveyor belt according to claim 6, wherein each element is of a truncated W-shape.

8. A conveyor belt according to claim 7, wherein the spaced cross members have freedom to move lengthwise of the belt relative to the links.

9. A conveyor belt according to claim 8, comprising rigid links extending between adjacent cross members to engage them and allow relative movement of one of them.

10. A conveyor belt according to claim 9. wherein each said element is flanked by a different one of said rigid links.

11. A conveyor belt substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A conveyor belt element substantiallv as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.