SNAP-IN DUAL-PRONGED RETAINING DEVICE FOR A CONVEYOR COMPONENT

• US 20180229938A1
• Filed: 02/09/2018
• Published: 08/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Laitram LLC
• Original Assignee: Laitram LLC
• Inventors: Marshall, Angela Longo, Knott, Errol P.
• Granted Patent: US 10,442,626 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/08 the surface being formed by the traction element
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/24 comprising a series of rollers which are moved , e.g. over a supporting surface, by the traction element to effect conveyance of loads or load-carriers
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/345 the surfaces being equipped with a conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/40 Chains acting as load-carriers
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/42 Attaching load carriers to traction elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2207/30 Modular constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2812/02396 Links and their attaching means

Abstract

A snap-in dual-pronged retaining device for a conveyor component includes two parallel prongs extending from an integral base. The prongs may form axles for rollers, hinge rods for coupling two conveyor belt modules together, or retaining shafts for retaining a component relative to the conveyor belt. A fastener secures the retaining device and conveyor component in place.

Claims

1. A retaining device for a conveyor component, comprising:

a substantially planar base having a first curved side edge and a second curved side edge opposite the first curved side edge;

a first prong extending from the base along a first axis, the first prong having a side surface that coincides with the first curved side surface of the base; and

a second prong extending from the base along a second axis parallel to the first axis, the second prong having a side surface that coincides with the second curved side surface of the base.

2. The retaining device of claim 1, wherein each prong has a substantially round cross-section.

3. The retaining device of claim 1, wherein the diameter of each prong is equal to the height of the base.

4. The retaining device of claim 1, wherein the base has an obround shape.

5. The retaining device of claim 1, wherein the first prong, second prong and base an integrally formed by injection molding.

6. The retaining device of claim 1, wherein the base, first prong and second prong are formed of acetal.

7. The retaining device of claim 1, further comprising a fastener for securing the retaining device relative to a conveyor component.

8. The retaining device of claim 7, wherein the fastener comprises a retention barb on an end of the first prong or the second prong.

9. A conveyor belt module, comprising:

a body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, laterally from a first side edge to a second side edge and in thickness from a top surface to a bottom surface;

a pair of rollers coupled to the body using a retaining device having two prongs extending from an integral base, each prong extending through a roller; and

a lock for securing the retaining device relative to the body.

10. The conveyor belt module of claim 9, wherein the body includes a first stanchion extending up from the top surface, the first stanchion including a recess for receiving the base of the retaining device and two openings for receiving the two prongs of the retaining device.

11. The conveyor belt module of claim 10, wherein the lock includes a protrusion for securing the base of the retaining device in the recess.

12. The conveyor belt module of claim 11, wherein the protrusion extends up from a hinge element extending from the body and overlaps the recess.

13. The conveyor belt module of claim 12, wherein the protrusion has a slanted front face and a top ramp to facilitate insertion of the base into the recess.

14. The conveyor belt module of claim 11, further comprising a second stanchion extending up from the top surface for receiving the ends of the two prongs on the retaining device.

15. The conveyor belt module of claim 9, further comprising a cavity in the body housing a bottom roller, with the pair of rollers parallel to and on top of the bottom roller.

16. A conveyor belt, comprising:

a first module comprising a body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, laterally from a first side edge to a second side edge and in thickness from a top surface to a bottom surface, a plurality of first hinge elements spaced across the first end and a plurality of second hinge elements spaced across the second end;

a second module comprising a body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, laterally from a first side edge to a second side edge and in thickness from a top surface to a bottom surface, a plurality of third hinge elements spaced across the first end and aligned with the first hinge elements to form a first hinge passageway and a plurality of fourth hinge elements spaced across the second end;

a third module comprising a body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, laterally from a first side edge to a second side edge and in thickness from a top surface to a bottom surface, a plurality of fifth hinge elements spaced across the first end and aligned with the fourth hinge elements to form a second hinge passageway and a plurality of sixth hinge elements spaced across the second end; and

a two-pronged retaining device for coupling the first module, second module and third module together, the two-pronged retaining device comprising a base seated adjacent the first side edge of the second module, a first prong integrally formed with the base and extending through the first hinge passageway and a second prong integrally formed with the base and extending through the second hinge passageway.

17. The conveyor belt of claim 17, further comprising a retention barb on an end of the first prong or second prong for retaining the retaining device in the conveyor belt.