Conveyor belt modules with embedded spherical rollers retained in the modules
First Claim
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1. A plastic conveyor belt module comprising:
- a module body extending in thickness from a first side to a second side and forming a cavity opening onto at least one of the first and second sides;
a spherical roller disposed in the cavity; and
a retainer ring retained in the cavity and having a central opening with a diameter less than the diameter of the spherical roller to cover a portion of the spherical roller to retain the roller rotatably in the cavity with a salient portion of the roller extending outward of at least one of the first and second sides of the module body.
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Abstract
A plastic conveyor belt module with embedded spherical rollers retained in the module and a belt constructed of such modules. The module includes a module body forming a cavity, a spherical roller in the cavity, and a retainer retained in the cavity to hold the spherical roller rotatably in place. A salient portion of the roller extends outward from the cavity through the retainer past an outer surface of the module. The retainer is attached to the module body by ultrasonic welding, epoxy- or solvent-bonding, spin welding, electromagnetic welding, staking, screwing, or locking.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A plastic conveyor belt module comprising:
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a module body extending in thickness from a first side to a second side and forming a cavity opening onto at least one of the first and second sides; a spherical roller disposed in the cavity; and a retainer ring retained in the cavity and having a central opening with a diameter less than the diameter of the spherical roller to cover a portion of the spherical roller to retain the roller rotatably in the cavity with a salient portion of the roller extending outward of at least one of the first and second sides of the module body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A plastic conveyor belt module with an embedded roller, the module comprising:
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a module body extending in thickness from a first outer surface to a second outer surface and including interior wall structure defining a cavity in the module body, the wall structure including; a first closed wall extending from an inner edge to a outer edge terminating at the first outer surface of the module body, the first closed wall having a first diameter; a second closed wall coaxial with the first closed wall and extending from an inner edge to an outer edge terminating at the second outer surface and having a second diameter less than the first diameter of the first closed wall; a ledge between the inner edge of the first closed wall and the inner edge of the second closed wall; a spherical roller disposed in the cavity; and a retainer dimensioned to be received in the cavity and surrounded by the first closed wall and having a central opening with a diameter less than the diameter of the spherical roller to retain the roller rotatably in the cavity with a salient portion of the roller extending through the retainer outward of the first outer surface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification