Sprockets For A Flexible Conveyor Belt And Conveyor Belt System
First Claim
1. A sprocket for a flexible belt having transverse ribs, the sprocket being disposed on a shaft and configured to rotate about an axis coincident with the shaft, the sprocket comprising:
- a body comprising;
a central opening for receiving the shaft;
a plurality of teeth disposed in pairs, the pairs being angularly spaced about the axis, wherein each pair of teeth being spaced from adjacent pairs of teeth by a first opening, and wherein each tooth in each pair of teeth being spaced from the other tooth in the pair by a second opening; and
wherein a belt-contacting surface of each tooth is convex such that the outer-most periphery of the body, as defined by the belt-contacting surfaces of the teeth, is generally circular.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sprocket is provided, the sprocket having a body with a central opening for engaging a shaft and rotating about an axis. The sprocket has a plurality of teeth disposed around the periphery of the body. The teeth are angularly spaced about the axis such that each tooth is spaced from the adjacent teeth by a first opening. Each tooth has a belt-contacting surface which is convex in shape such that the outer-most periphery of the sprocket is generally circular. The belt-contacting surfaces of the teeth guide the belt around the periphery of the sprocket in order to minimize the ability of the belt to buckle.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A sprocket for a flexible belt having transverse ribs, the sprocket being disposed on a shaft and configured to rotate about an axis coincident with the shaft, the sprocket comprising:
a body comprising; a central opening for receiving the shaft; a plurality of teeth disposed in pairs, the pairs being angularly spaced about the axis, wherein each pair of teeth being spaced from adjacent pairs of teeth by a first opening, and wherein each tooth in each pair of teeth being spaced from the other tooth in the pair by a second opening; and wherein a belt-contacting surface of each tooth is convex such that the outer-most periphery of the body, as defined by the belt-contacting surfaces of the teeth, is generally circular. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A sprocket for a flexible belt, the sprocket being disposed on a shaft and configured to rotate about an axis coincident with the shaft, the sprocket comprising:
a body comprising; a central opening for receiving the shaft; a plurality of teeth, the teeth being angularly spaced about the axis, wherein each tooth is spaced from adjacent teeth by a first opening; and wherein a belt-contacting surface of each tooth is convex such that the outer-most periphery of the body, as defined by the belt-contacting surfaces of the teeth, is generally circular. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A conveyor belt system comprising:
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a sprocket comprising; a body comprising; a central opening for receiving a shaft, the shaft configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis; a plurality of teeth disposed in pairs, the pairs being angularly spaced about the axis, wherein each pair of teeth being spaced from adjacent pairs of teeth by a first opening, and wherein each tooth in each pair of teeth being spaced from the other tooth in the pair by a second opening; and wherein a belt-contacting surface of each tooth is convex such that the outer-most periphery of the body, as defined by the belt-contacting surfaces of the teeth, is generally circular. a belt configured to contact the belt-contacting surfaces of the teeth of the sprocket; a plurality of transverse ribs disposed on the belt and configured to engage the second openings of the sprocket as the belt is conveyed around the sprocket. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification