Modular conveying assembly having roller cradles
First Claim
1. A roller cradle for use in a modular conveying assembly having a direction of travel in which an object is conveyed, said cradle comprising:
- a first half including a first hinge element;
a second half formed separately from said first half and including a second hinge element spaced from said first hinge element and defining a space therebetween; and
a roller retained in said space; and
a shaft extending between said first and second hinge elements through said space, said shaft retaining said roller in said space.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular conveying assembly for conveying an object. The assembly includes a plurality of chain modules assembled in an edge to edge relation to form a continuous belt. At least one hinge pin joins adjacent chain modules, and pivotally connects the adjacent modules in the direction of belt travel. At least one cradle adjacent at least one of the modules is retained by the at least one pin. A roller is supported by the cradle and, in one embodiment, is engageable with the object to reduce friction between the belt and the object. In one embodiment, the cradle includes a first half including a first hinge element. A second half including a second hinge element is spaced from the first hinge element and defines a space therebetween. A shaft extends between the first and second halves through the space defined by the first and second hinge elements.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A roller cradle for use in a modular conveying assembly having a direction of travel in which an object is conveyed, said cradle comprising:
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a first half including a first hinge element; a second half formed separately from said first half and including a second hinge element spaced from said first hinge element and defining a space therebetween; and a roller retained in said space; and a shaft extending between said first and second hinge elements through said space, said shaft retaining said roller in said space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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5. A roller cradle for use in a modular conveying assembly having a direction of travel in which an object is conveyed, said cradle comprising:
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a first half including a first hinge element; a second half formed separately from said first half and including a second hinge element spaced from said first hinge element and defining a space therebetween; a roller retained in said space; and a shaft extending between said first and second halves through said space, and said shaft retains said roller in said space, said shaft being formed from two shaft halves, and each shaft half having a semicircular cross section.
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14. A roller cradle for use in a modular conveying assembly having a direction of travel in which an object is conveyed, said cradle comprising:
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a first half including a first hinge element; a second half formed separately from said first half and including a second hinge element spaced from said first hinge element and defining a space therebetween; and a roller retained in said space whose axis extends between said first and second hinge elements, wherein at least a portion of said roller extends at least one of above said cradle and below said cradle. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A roller cradle for use in a modular conveying assembly having a direction of travel in which an object is conveyed, said cradle comprising:
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a first half including a first hinge element; a second half formed separately from said first half and including a second hinge element spaced from said first hinge element in the direction of travel and defining a space therebetween; and a roller retained in said space whose axis extends between said first and second hinge elements. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification