BOLTLESS CONVEYOR ASSEMBLY

• US 20090000923A1
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industrial Design Fabrication & Installation, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Industrial Design Fabrication & Installation, Inc.
• Inventors: Jager, Todd
• Granted Patent: US 8,074,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 198/860.100
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 21/06 constructed to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 41/008 frames mounted on wheels or caterpillar for movement on rail tracks B65G41/02

Abstract

A conveyor system and method of assembling same in which parts are fastened without the use of welding, clamps, or threaded fasteners such as bolts and screws is provided. A bracket and slot mechanism is used to attach one conveyor component to another. The bracket and slot mechanism allows components to be easily attached/detached by merely applying force to slide the bracket into the slot. Moreover, when engaged, the bracket is held securely in the slot so that the components do not become detached during normal operation of the conveyor assembly.

Claims

1. A conveyor assembly comprising:

a first conveyor component comprising a bracket;

a second conveyor component comprising a slot for mating engagement with the bracket; and

wherein said second conveyor component is attached to said first conveyor component by engaging said bracket with said slot to achieve a snug fit.

2. The conveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein said slot comprises a first slot section and a second slot section, and wherein said first slot section is wider than said second slot section.

3. The conveyor assembly of claim 2 wherein said bracket comprises a head portion and a neck portion, and wherein said head portion is wider than said neck portion such that said first conveyor component is attached to said second conveyor component by inserting said head portion through said first slot section and then applying a force to insert said neck portion into said second slot section to achieve a snug fit.

4. The conveyor assembly of claim 1, wherein the second conveyor component is a longitudinal rail.

5. The conveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein said first conveyor component further comprises a return wheel assembly.

6. The conveyor assembly of claim 5 wherein said return wheel assembly comprises a return wheel support axle attached to a return wheel.

7. The conveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein said first conveyor component further comprises a return shoe.

8. The conveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein said first conveyor component further comprises a hold down shoe.

9. A conveyor assembly comprising:

a plurality of first conveyor components wherein at least one of said first conveyor components comprises a plurality of slots for mating engagement with a bracket;

a plurality of second conveyor components wherein each of said second conveyor components comprises a bracket for mating engagement with one of said slots; and

wherein said at least one second conveyor component having said bracket is attached to one of said first conveyor components by engaging said bracket with one of said slots to achieve a snug fit.

10. The conveyor assembly of claim 9 wherein said slots are spaced an equal distance apart.

11. The conveyor assembly of claim 9 wherein each of said slots comprises a first slot section and a second slot section and wherein said first slot section is wider than said second slot section.

12. The conveyor assembly of claim 11 wherein said bracket comprises a head portion and a neck portion, and wherein said head portion is wider than said neck portion such that said at least one second conveyor component is attached to one of said first conveyor components by inserting said head portion through said first slot section and then applying a force to insert said neck portion into said second slot section to achieve a snug fit.

13. The conveyor assembly of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first conveyor component is a longitudinal rail.

14. The conveyor assembly of claim 9 wherein at least one of the second conveyor components further comprises a return wheel assembly.

15. The conveyor assembly of claim 9 wherein at least one of said second conveyor components further comprises a return shoe.

16. The conveyor assembly of claim 9 wherein at least one of said second conveyor components further comprises a hold down shoe.

17. A method of assembling a conveyor comprising the steps of:

providing a first conveyor component comprising one or more slots for mating engagement with a bracket;

providing a second conveyor component comprising a bracket; and

connecting said first conveyor component to said second conveyor component by engaging said bracket with said slot.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said slot is provided with a first slot portion and a second slot portion such that said first slot portion is wider than said second slot portion and wherein said bracket is provided with a head portion and a neck portion such that said head portion is wider than said neck portion and wherein the step of connecting said first conveyor component to said second conveyor component further comprises the step of inserting said head portion of said bracket into said first slot portion and then applying force to insert said neck portion of said bracket into said second slot portion to achieve a snug fit.