BR112020026521B1 - JOINING DEVICE FOR CONVEYOR BELT - Google Patents

Abstract

JOINING DEVICE FOR CONVEYOR BELTS. The invention relates to a joining device (1) for a conveyor belt (2), intended for connecting two ends (3) of at least one longitudinal conveyor belt (2), the joining device (1) including at least two junction plates (4) configured to each cover a separate side of the ends (3) of the conveyor belt (2) so that said conveyor belt (2) is disposed between the two junction plates (4) in a position operationally assembled, the junction plates (4) being fixed together by fastening accessories (5) arranged so as to pass through a junction plate (4), one end (3) of the conveyor belt (2) and then the other junction plate (4), respectively, each of the junction plates (4) being made of a flexible and resilient material, (6) and provided with a reinforcement (7), which reinforcement (7) is formed by at least one layer textile, the joining device (1) characterized in said reinforcement (7) is delimited longitudinally by transverse edges (8), the reinforcement (7) extending transversely in relation to said conveyor belt (2) in the assembled position, said edges transverse (8) each with a support (9) to prevent fraying of the reinforcement (7) during use of the joining device (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a joining device for a conveyor belt for the purpose of connecting the ends of at least one conveyor belt. For simplification purposes, by convention, in this document the term “conveyor belt” will mean both “conveyor belt” and “belt”.

[0002] Conveyor belts, also called belt conveyors, are known to be used for transporting various materials or products, such as coal, ores and industrial or agricultural products. These conveyor belts consist of belts manufactured with a reinforced elastomer, or with a reinforced synthetic material, of appropriate length and width, the ends of which must be connected to each other, before or after assembly, on support and drive devices composed of bearings. return and intermediate bearings. These devices often include tension members, the purpose of which is to tighten the conveyor belt tightly.

[0003] To date, various means have been used to carry out this connection of the ends of conveyor belts.

[0004] Originally, and still today, vulcanization is used when the belt is manufactured with a vulcanizable reinforced elastomer. After preparatory work with the aim of creating complementary profiles at each end supporting each other when these ends are brought together, vulcanization is carried out with the application of heat and pressure, as is generally known. A variant of vulcanization is cold gluing.

[0005] Another known form of connection consists of using clamps, generally U-shaped, cut from a metal sheet, whose clamps consist of upper and lower plates connected by joints, these clamps being fixed in two series approaching the ends of the conveyor belt so that the joints are protruding and that one of the two series can be interspersed between the joints of the other series, and a connecting and pivot rod being passed through the interleaved joints so as to connect the two ends, forming a type of hinge. The known way of attaching clips to the ends of a conveyor belt is to use rods, such as clips, rivets and screws.

[0006] In the more recent past, it has been proposed that joining devices use flat connecting elements, generally made of reinforced elastomers or reinforced synthetic material, respectively positioned on one and the other side of the ends of the conveyor belt and fixed at said ends. that must be connected. Examples of such joining devices are given in patents EP-0827575-B1 and EP-1163459-B1.

[0007] These devices are composed of an upper and a lower junction plate, which are optionally connected by a central piece. These plates, lower and upper, have a suitable separation to engage the respective end of the conveyor belt, causing it to approximately touch the central piece, or when the joining device does not have a central piece, it touches a spacer provided to this purpose during assembly, and later removed.

[0008] In other words, these joining devices are composed of two pairs of fixing flanges installed face to face, and with the ends of the conveyor belt being respectively introduced between the two flanges of the same pair.

[0009] The lower and upper parts forming the junction plate are generally attached to the ends of the conveyor belt by means of rivets, nails, staples, screw-nut systems, or by cold gluing or flat vulcanizing of the flanges against the surfaces outer planes of the conveyed belt engaged between the flanges.

[0010] Joining devices are generally made of a flexible and resilient material, such as, for example, vulcanized rubber, or a synthetic material, such as polyurethane, to which a reinforcement, generally textile, is incorporated, having an extensibility in the longitudinal direction.

[0011] By convention and for convenience and clarity of description throughout this document, the longitudinal direction is the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, and also applies to the coupling device considered, as it must be mounted on the conveyor belt. The transverse direction is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thus defined, regardless of the dimensions of the coupling device considered alone.

[0012] The extensibility of the reinforcements of this type of coupling device in the longitudinal direction is intended to allow the coupling devices mounted on the conveyor belts to repeatedly pass through the curved parts of the conveyor belt path without excessive wear or fatigue that could cause rapid deterioration, i.e. , bypass the drive rollers, return rollers and tension rollers.

[0013] In fact, during this operation, the upper part of the joining devices is subjected to a traction force, while their lower part (that is, the part oriented towards the outer surface of the rollers) is subjected to a force compressive due to the difference in the path of these parts, these paths being directly proportional to the radius of the curve, which varies due to the thickness of the coupling devices.

[0014] Since the tensions between the lower and upper parts are very different, and in order to further improve the wear resistance of these coupling devices, the Applicant has improved its product in the past so as to give the upper part extensibility larger than the bottom.

[0015] In this type of conveyor belt joint, the central part has evolved to be separated from the bottom and top plates in order to leave space for the use of independent spacers that are used during assembly, against which the spacers of the first end of conveyor belt slopes; which is placed at the junction between the bottom and top plates, and then these spacers are removed before the second end of the conveyor belt is placed.

[0016] In fact, the joining devices were made by molding or injection and had an H-shaped structure, and whose lower and upper plates and the central part were formed in a single piece. This required as many molds as the conveyor belt thicknesses found in the field to produce them, and as a result these joining devices had to be manufactured in very small quantities, which increased the cost of manufacturing, storage and distribution.

[0017] This issue, i.e. the multiplicity of molds and molded products intended to suit the various thicknesses of conveyor belts, was, in particular, resolved by producing, as described above, the joining devices in three distinct parts: one part consisting of the upper left and right flanges forming a single piece, a second part consisting of the lower left and right flanges forming a single piece, and an intermediate part, corresponding to the median bar of the H-shaped profile, this intermediate part forming a spacer.

[0018] In such a configuration, it becomes possible to manufacture the two plates, lower and upper, separately, and each one is configured so as to be adapted to the forces it suffers (compression/traction forces) and the associated tensions.

[0019] For example, the bottom plate is arranged to pass without damage through the passage over the drive rollers, the return rollers and the tension rollers, driving or returning the conveyor belt at the ends of which the joint device in question is mounted, the lower plate being directly in contact with these driving elements of the belt.

[0020] The upper plate, in turn, is in direct contact with the various materials or products transported by the conveyor belt. In addition, the top plate is also generally swept by scrapers.

[0021] More recently, the Applicant developed this product to obtain a joining device in which the two plates, lower and upper, are similar, or even identical, so that it becomes possible to manufacture a single type of joining plate and not plus two different junction plates.

[0022] In fact, the splice plates are generally cut into a continuous belt or a belt portion of several successive splice plates. According to this design, it is then possible to manufacture a lower splice plate and a corresponding upper splice plate from the same belt or portion of the splice plate belt.

[0023] It results from the application of such a solution that the extensities of the reinforcements integrated in the junction plates are identical, whether involving the lower or upper plate, since they are formed from the same belt or belt portion manufactured.

[0024] In this case, and contrary to the prejudices of a qualified person, it can be expected that the use of an identical reinforcement between the two lower and upper joining plates constitutes a design that goes against the quest to give the upper part a greater extensibility than that of the lower part.

[0025] On the contrary, the control of the elasticity of the reinforcements is such that, using a reinforcement with a well-determined elasticity, it is possible to manufacture junction plates that respond to the problems of the prior art, that is, guaranteeing their resistance to wear, even if they are used on both the lower junction plate and the upper junction plate.

[0026] Advantageously, in this case, the reinforcement (generally of the textile type) is configured so as to have an extensibility between 10% and 25%, preferably between 15% and 20%. The extensible nature is related to the elongation capacity of the reinforcement, that is, an extensibility between 10 and 25% means that it is configured to withstand an elongation of at least 10% and a maximum of 25%, without breaking or being damaged.

[0027] This extensibility of the reinforcement, that is, this resilient longitudinal elongation, also determines the extensibility of the junction plate itself, since the reinforcement has a lower extensibility than that of the flexible and resilient material in which it is impregnated (vulcanized rubber , synthetic material such as polyurethane, etc.).

[0028] Such extensibility in the longitudinal direction guarantees a good compromise between the resistance to tensions suffered by both the lower junction plate and the upper junction plate.

[0029] In any case, extensibility has become a predominant feature in the design of such a joining plate, in order to obtain a joining device sufficiently flexible and resilient to withstand passage over drive rollers and return rollers without damage, having a tensile strength capable of withstanding all the forces it undergoes, without damage.

[0030] These characteristics of extensibility and resistance to such forces by the junction plate are transmitted by both the flexible and resilient material (vulcanized rubber, synthetic material such as polyurethane) that form the junction plate and by the reinforcement that is integrated into it, offering extensibility in the longitudinal direction and adequate resistance to withstand the greater traction forces suffered by the conveyor belt.

[0031] Conventionally, these reinforcements, which are generally woven, are cut into rolls of fabric intended to form these reinforcements. Such an operation is relatively cheap, and so far it has been possible to obtain good results in terms of resistance.

[0032] With the help of field experience, it was observed that such reinforcement, when significantly and repeatedly stressed, in particular by the traction forces that the accessories for fixing the joining plates with the ends of the mat apply in weaving the reinforcement, could cause said reinforcement to deform locally and loosen.

[0033] These deformations are located in each of the fastening accessories and are globally oriented in the direction of the traction exerted by the conveyor belt on the fastening accessories, then retransmitted by the fastening accessories towards the junction plates, in particular towards the reinforcements, resulting in a movement of the textile fibers, making them locally looser and, for example, capable of causing the stitching points of the textile reinforcement to move away.

[0034] When these fastening accessories are located on the edge of the reinforcement, therefore on the edge of the corresponding joining plate, moving away from these stitching points may cause the reinforcement in question to fray during use of the joining device, which is harmful to its resistance. The term “unraveling” refers to the unraveling of the fibers that make up the points of the fabric that form the reinforcement in general, whether it involves a fabric itself or a knitted fabric.

[0035] A possible solution would be to modify the textile reinforcement in such a way that the weave is denser and therefore stronger. Implementing this solution is practical but has its limitations as it is detrimental to the desired extensibility of the junction plate. In fact, a greater density of the fabric, in practice a greater number of threads per unit surface, causes greater stiffness of the reinforcement and, therefore, of the junction plate.

[0036] Another solution would be to design a reinforcement with a variable density weave based on the location of the fastening accessories in relation to the joining device. However, such a solution involves time-consuming and difficult production, which is particularly costly to implement.

[0037] The objective of the present invention is to propose a solution that corresponds to the development of this type of existing joints and that makes it possible to improve the quality and resistance of this joining device, allowing an improvement in extensibility, and, more generally, guaranteeing the quality, effectiveness and durability of the joining device.

[0038] To this end, the invention relates to a joining device for a conveyor belt, intended to connect two ends of at least one longitudinal conveyor belt, the joining device being composed of at least two joining plates configured to each cover a separate side of the ends of the conveyor belt so that said conveyor belt is disposed between the two junction plates in a mounted operational position, the junction plates being fastened together by fastening fittings arranged so as to pass through a junction plate, one end of the conveyor belt and then the other junction plate, respectively, each of the junction plates being made of a flexible and resistant material, provided with a reinforcement, which reinforcement is formed by at least one textile layer, the joining device being characterized by the fact that said reinforcement is longitudinally delimited by edges, said reinforcement extending transversely with respect to said conveyor belt in the assembled position, and said transverse edges each having a non-weft support to prevent fraying of the reinforcement during use of the joining device.

[0039] It is recalled that, in the present disclosure, the longitudinal axis corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, and also applies to the coupling device considered as it should be mounted on the conveyor belt, the transverse axis being the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction so defined, regardless of the dimensions of the coupling device considered independently.

[0040] Thus, the transverse edges of the reinforcement designate the edges that pass through the conveyor belt over its width, even when it is not necessarily perpendicular to said associated conveyor belt.

[0041] Due to these characteristics, the reinforcement forms a belt, or tape, which is incorporated into the flexible and resistant material of the associated junction plate and whose edges subject to the main traction forces are thus reinforced, making it possible to avoid any risk of fraying.

[0042] In general, and to date, the transverse line of the fastening accessory along the outer edge, that is, in the immediate vicinity of the transverse edge, at the two longitudinally opposite ends of the joint, essentially serves to maintain the edge of the joint pressed onto the conveyor belt.

[0043] With such reinforcement in the shape of the belt and reinforced along its transverse edges, it is possible to prevent unraveling when a force occurs perpendicular to the warp thread of the fabric, which provides an undeniable additional advantage.

[0044] During use of the conveyor belt provided with a joining device of this type, the joint is pulled mainly by a traction force that occurs in the direction of the joint web. As the latter is not large in the context of such an application, it is necessary to have a sufficient number of warp threads intertwined with the weft threads behind each row of holes: such weaving of the reinforcement guarantees interlocking of the threads and offers a resistance that, multiplied by the number of fixing accessories, it provides a certain resistance to the joint and prevents premature brushing of the reinforcement located on this edge.

[0045] On the transverse edge of the joint reinforcement it is not possible to have a large enough width of fabric to reproduce the same effect and thus divide the tensile force by the number of rows.

[0046] With an anti-fraying support according to the invention located at the edge, along the transverse edge of the reinforcement, this phenomenon is reduced and a more homogeneous distribution of the traction force has been observed along all lines of the reinforcement accessories. fixation.

[0047] Advantageously, the anti-fray support is a fabric support. Such support offers good resistance adapted to forces in the context of use for joining conveyor belts.

[0048] Alternatively, or even in addition, the anti-fray support is constituted by a glued and/or welded support and/or a seam that extends along the transverse edge of the reinforcement.

[0049] According to an advantageous technical configuration, the reinforcement is composed of weft threads and warp threads, with the fabric support being formed from weft and/or warp threads of the reinforcement.

[0050] For example, the support that prevents unraveling of the reinforcement is formed by the return of a weft thread on both sides of the warp threads of the reinforcement, the return of the weft thread around the warp thread of the associated transverse edge . In other words, and in this configuration, the filler is inserted alternatively on each side of the tape formed by the reinforcement, with weaving being done by interlacing the warp threads and the weft threads.

[0051] "Filling" refers to all the threads that pass through the reinforcement fabric in the width direction as it is produced. In the present case, the reinforcement is manufactured in the form of a tape intended to be positioned, once incorporated into the junction plate, transversely in relation to the conveyor belt.

[0052] The term “warp”, in turn, refers to all the threads that run along the length of the fabric as it is produced, parallel to the selvage, in particular the transverse edge of the reinforcement, and which are intertwined with the weft threads to form reinforcement.

[0053] Such non-frayable support requires producing the reinforcement in ribbon form, for example, using a rapier loom. Such a solution is admittedly more expensive than manufacturing using a needle loom, because it works more slowly, but the reinforcement thus obtained with such a non-frayable support offers adequate strength and good flexibility for the application of conveyor belt joints.

[0054] To prevent the weaving from being too mobile in light of the forces applied to the reinforcement during use, it is advantageous to make the reinforcement denser by increasing the number of warp threads and weft threads per surface unit. In fact, this density of the reinforcement weave limits the dispersion of the stitches during use and provides greater resistance. In this context, the reinforcement is preferably configured in such a way that its density, that is, its number of warp and weft threads per unit surface is large enough to withstand tensile forces, but small enough to have flexibility. suitable for use in conveyor belt joints.

[0055] Another advantage of such non-frayable support is that it does not cause an excess thickness of the reinforcement, locally at its transverse edge along which the support extends.

[0056] In another configuration, the non-frayable support is formed by the filling connected to itself.

[0057] Such non-frayable support can, for example, be obtained during the manufacture of the reinforcement using a needle loom.

[0058] According to another advantageous feature, the non-frayable fabric backing is woven from at least one embedded thread.

[0059] For example, in this case, the anti-fray support is formed by the embedded thread that connects the filling along the transverse edge.

[0060] Such non-frayable support can, for example, be obtained during the manufacture of the reinforcement using a needle loom.

[0061] Alternatively, the support may be formed by warp threads intertwined with the embedded thread connected to the weft thread. Although this incorporation is relatively complex to implement, it has a resistance adapted to traction forces.

[0062] In an advantageous technical configuration, the weft thread and the embedded thread are sewn together to form the anti-ravel support.

[0063] This incorporation allows an optimized tear-off capacity for applications where the presence of a greater thickness in the selvedge is not important.

[0064] In an advantageous technical configuration, in particular if it is desired to maintain a regular thickness, avoiding the presence of an excess on the edge of the selvedge and ensuring better unsewing, the support against fraying is composed of an embedded thread with which the threads of weft are connected by stitching and also locked by an additional locking thread.

[0065] This locking thread guarantees additional security, overcoming a break in the embedded thread, and therefore making it possible, even if the embedded thread breaks, to prevent the reinforcement from fraying or unsewing.

[0066] The embedded wire and capture wire make a contribution to the high strength despite a relatively small size. In proportion, embedded wire and blocking wire constitute less than 0.5% of a reinforcement, and generally constitute between 0.1 and 0.5%. This proportion evolves depending on the size of the reinforcement between its transverse edges, given that the support does not vary depending on this size. As a result, the larger the reinforcement, considered between its two transverse edges, the smaller this proportion will be.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the embedded thread and/or the capture thread are formed with a base of synthetic fibers, for example, with a base of polymers such as polyester or polyamide. Of course, other materials can be used in such an application that are flexible enough to be woven and resilient enough for such an application. Examples include Kevlar, Vectran

[0068] Preferably, the embedded thread and/or the capture thread is (are) textured, which makes it possible to further improve the resistance of the support against fraying, especially in a use such that the reinforcement is incorporated into a flexible and resistant material, such as vulcanized rubber.

[0069] This embedded wire is particularly simple to implement in the manufacture of reinforcement. However, it goes against the accepted ideas that such embedded yarn participates effectively in retaining warp yarns and preventing unraveling of the reinforcement in light of the considerable forces experienced by the textile in this type of application.

[0070] Lastly, the Applicant noted that such anti-fraying support, in particular provided with an embedded thread, and especially when it is completed with a blocking thread, not only makes it possible to effectively limit unraveling and premature combing of the reinforcement located in this edge, but also, and indirectly by successive effect on adjacent warp threads, limits this combing by affecting each of the joining accessories passing through the reinforcement, even when the forces applied to the reinforcement in the context of such application of a conveyor belt joint are considerable.

[0071] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the following description, provided only as an example, with reference to the attached figures, which illustrate:

[0072] - Figure 1, a plan view of a joining device according to an embodiment, seen from above;

[0073] - Figure 2, a longitudinal sectional view along section A-A of Figure 1 of a joining device, showing the various component elements of its exploded view;

[0074] - Figure 3, a perspective view of a joining device according to an embodiment of the invention that connects the two ends of a conveyor belt;

[0075] - Figure 4, a longitudinal sectional view, illustrating a joining device according to one embodiment;

[0076] - Figure 5, a sectional view of a fastening accessory according to an embodiment;

[0077] - Figures 6 to 12, diagrams of anti-fraying supports of a reinforcement according to various embodiments.

[0078] In all these figures, identical or similar references designate identical or similar members or sets of members.

[0079] Furthermore, the terms "top", "bottom", "vertical" and their derivatives refer to the position or orientation of an element or component, this position or orientation being considered when joining plates are in the usage configuration and extend in a horizontal plane.

[0080] Figure 1, which is a plan top view of a joining device 1, shows an upper joining plate 4 of a joining device 1.

[0081] The joining device 1 comprises a first lower joining plate 4a visible in Figure 2, for example, and a second upper joining plate 4b.

[0082] These junction plates 4a and 4b are made of a flexible and resistant material 6, for example, vulcanized rubber, or a synthetic material such as polyurethane, and include a built-in reinforcement 7, which is generally of the textile type.

[0083] Sectional views 1A and 1B show two types of textile-type reinforcements 7, which are woven and have weft threads 10 and warp threads 11: in reinforcement 1A, the fabric is positioned in such a way that its threads weft 10, or its warp threads 11, are oriented at least approximately in the longitudinal direction X of the joining device 1.

[0084] It should be remembered that, by convention, the longitudinal direction X of the joining device 1 corresponds, in the present disclosure, to the longitudinal direction that it connects.

[0085] The transverse direction Y of the joining device 1 is, according to the same convention, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. This convention is applied independently of the actual dimensions of the joining device 1 in these two directions.

[0086] The junction plates 4a and 4b are each configured to cover a separate side of the ends 3 of the conveyor belt 2 so that the conveyor belt 2 is interposed vertically between the two junction plates 4a and 4b (as can be seen , for example, in Figure 4).

[0087] This Figure 1 also shows the heads 5a of the screws 5 that constitute an example of a fixing or mounting accessory 5 of the joining device 1 for the conveyor belt 2.

[0088] The joining device of Figure 1 is composed of three elements: an element forming the upper junction plate 4b, an intermediate element 40 located below the median part of the junction plate 4 which is not visible in Figure 1 except for the two dotted lines located on both sides of the two median screws 5 delimiting, below the upper junction plate 4, the edges of the conveyor belt ends 2 to be connected, and an element forming the lower junction plate 4a, not visible in Figure 1 , which is located below the intermediate element 40 and below the element forming the upper junction plate 4b.

[0089] The exploded section of Figure 2 successively shows:

[0090] - mounting screws 51 forming the fixing accessory 5,

[0091] - the upper junction plate 4b,

[0092] - inserts 60 incorporated into the upper junction plate 4,

[0093] - the intermediate element 40 forming a spacer and including a bushing, positioned vertically along a vertical axis Z,

[0094] - the lower junction plate 4a comprising threaded inserts 70.

[0095] The inserts 60, arranged to receive the heads 5a of the screws 51, generally take the form of washers 61 including a recess capable of housing the heads 5a of the screws 5 intended to enter the washer hole. The central insert 60' generally looks like the inserts 60, but includes a central tubular part, the inner cylindrical surface of which is capable of permitting the passage, with very little clearance, of the corresponding screw 5, this screw therefore not screwing into the 60' insert. The central tubular part of the insert 60' projects from the lower surface of the upper junction plate 4.

[0096] Each of the inserts 70 has a central tubular part, the inner cylindrical surface of which has an internal thread and is capable of receiving a screw 51 which is screwed into this internal thread, said central tubular parts projecting from the upper surface of the plate. bottom joint 4a of the joint device 1. The middle inserts 70' of the bottom plate look like the inserts 70.

[0097] As mentioned in the preamble, the Applicant has recently developed this type of product described above to obtain a joining device in which the two lower and upper joining plates are similar, or even identical, so that it becomes possible to manufacture a single type of junction plate and no longer two different junction plates.

[0098] An example of a junction device 1 of this type is illustrated in Figure 3.

[0099] The joining device 1, illustrated in this Figure 3, includes a first lower joining plate 4a, and a second upper joining plate 4b.

[0100] The junction plates 4a and 4b are each configured to cover a separate side of the ends 3 of the conveyor belt 2 so that this conveyor belt 2 is interposed vertically between the two junction plates 4a and 4b.

[0101] The junction plates 4a and 4b form a first pair of flanges 41 that clamp a first end 3a of the conveyor belt 2 and a second pair of flanges 42 that clamp a second end 3b of the conveyor belt 2.

[0102] Here, the fixing accessories are distributed so that they fix a first pair of flanges 41 in one direction and fix the second pair of flanges 42 in the other direction.

[0103] The splice plates 4 are generally cut into a continuous belt or belt portions of several successive splice plates. According to this design, it is then possible to manufacture a lower splice plate and a corresponding upper splice plate from the same belt or portion of the splice plate belt.

[0104] Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view, illustrating a joining device 1 according to an embodiment similar to that of Figure 3. It differs significantly from this embodiment in that the fastening accessory 5 extends in two lines, instead of three lines, extending transversely in relation to conveyor belt 2.

[0105] More specifically, the first pair of flanges 41 and the second pair of flanges 42 are disposed on both sides of a joining plane P that extends perpendicularly to the joining plates 4a and 4b, i.e. in a vertical plane and transverse in relation to the conveyor belt according to the example described here.

[0106] The junction plane P extends transversely to the center of the assembly formed by the lower junction plate 4a and the upper junction plate 4b.

[0107] Furthermore, the joining device 1 comprises a first series of fastening accessories 5' which are provided for fixing the first pair of flanges 41 to the first end 3a of the conveyor belt 2 and a second series of fastening accessories 5'. which are provided for attaching the second pair of flanges 42 to the second end 3b of the conveyor belt 2.

[0108] The first and second series of fixtures 5' and 5" each include two rows (three in Figure 3) of fixtures 5, each row comprised of a plurality of fixtures 5 that are aligned transversely and evenly. Of course, the number of lines may vary.

[0109] Figure 5 is a sectional view along a vertical plane of an example of fastening accessory 5, which is illustrated more schematically in Figure 4.

[0110] These fixing accessories 5 include:

[0111] - a connecting element 51 that connects a first fixing accessory 60 with a second fixing accessory 70, through the conveyor belt 2, this connecting element being composed of a screw 51 that extends vertically from a head 5a to a body, forming an anchoring segment 5b provided with a wire 52.

[0112] - the first fastening accessory 60 arranged to receive the screw 51 - head 5a and in the form of a washer pierced with a hole for the passage of the connecting element 51 and including a seat around this hole forming a recess that houses the head 5a of the associated screw 51;

[0113] - the second fastening accessory 70 in the form of a bushing that is at least partially embedded in the junction plate 4, and including an annular collar 70a that projects radially with respect to the body 70b of the bushing 70, in order to ensure its axial anchoring in the material of the junction plate in which it is embedded;

[0114] Each fixture 5' of the first series includes a first fixture 60, a second fixture 70, and a vertical connection 51 that connects the first fixture 60 to the second fixture 70 via the conveyor belt two.

[0115] Furthermore, the second fastening accessory 70 comprises a tubular part 70b which delimits a vertical hole 70c with an internal thread and which projects vertically from the face of the first junction plate 4 oriented towards the end of the conveyor belt 2 between the two junction plates 4a and 4b in the mounting position. This vertical protrusion is also covered with the vulcanized material forming the junction plate in such a way that each tubular part 40 projecting vertically from this face is coated with vulcanized rubber and therefore embedded in the associated junction plate.

[0116] The internally threaded hole 70c cooperates with the anchor segment 5b of connection 51.

[0117] Thus, the fastening accessory 5' of the first series allows the first pair of flanges 41 to be fixed to the first end 3a of the conveyor belt 2.

[0118] Likewise, the fixing accessories 5" of the second series that make it possible to fix the second pair of flanges 42 on the second end 3b of the conveyor belt 2 are identical, but their layout is inverted.

[0119] In fact, with reference to Figure 4, the first fixture 60 of each fixture 5' of the first series is mounted on the upper splice plate 4b and the second fixture 70 is mounted on the lower splice plate 4a.

[0120] The lower junction plates 4a and upper 4b are identical, and are angularly displaced by a half-rotation about a vertical axis.

[0121] Due to this inversion of the clamping accessory 5, it is particularly advantageous, as it greatly simplifies the assembly of the splice plate by an operator, since by fixing the splice plate to one end of the conveyor belt, the fixing accessory 5, in particular the connections 51, have a similar orientation to the same end of the conveyor belt and the operator is not obliged to change the orientation for placing these connections at this same end. In fact, the vertical alignment of the first and second fastening accessories 60 and 70 determines the orientation of the connection 51, in particular of the screws extending vertically from the head 5a to the body forming the internally threaded anchor segment 5b.

[0122] Furthermore, it will be noted that the first and second series 5' and 5" of fastening accessories 5 are longitudinally spaced from each other by a median zone substantially perpendicular to the joint plane P that does not have fastening accessories 5, that is, in this zone, the joining device 1 does not include the fastening device 5. This improves the elasticity of the joining device 1 in this location and improves its mechanical resistance. In fact, a line of fastening devices 5 in the center of the device junction 1 could encourage the initiation of a rupture to a lesser extent.

[0123] Furthermore, the joining device 1 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 ensures that the accessories at both ends of the conveyor belt are in contact with each other.

[0124] For the installation of this joining device, spacers (not illustrated in these Figures 3 and 4) are used during assembly, against which the first of the ends of the conveyor belt is placed at the junction, between the lower and upper plates, then , these spacers are removed before placing the second of the conveyor belt ends.

[0125] These Figures 4 and 5 also illustrate a fabric reinforcement 7 composed of intertwined weft threads 10 and warp threads, said reinforcement 7 being delimited longitudinally in relation to the conveyor belt 2 by transverse edges 8.

[0126] It should be noted in these figures that the reinforcement 7, and in particular the weft threads 10 and the warp threads 11, are not shown to scale in relation to the junction plate 4. Furthermore, the illustration of the reinforcement 7 it is purely schematic; It is clearly understood, for example, that the reinforcement 7 is not sectioned perpendicularly to the fastening accessory 5, as the drawing may suggest, but that the seam of the reinforcement is naturally continuous.

[0127] Regardless of the modality that is implemented, the joining plates have a predetermined extensibility that must be flexible and resilient enough to withstand passage over the drive rollers and return rollers without damage, but which must also be rigid or rigid. enough to withstand all the forces to which it is subjected.

[0128] This extensibility, in particular, depends on the reinforcement 7 incorporated into the material 6 forming a coating of said reinforcement, this material being relatively flexible and resilient, so that the resistance to the traction forces during use that are applied to it by the belt carrier 2 in the fastening accessory are supported by the reinforcement 7. In particular, these forces are distributed and localized in each of the fastening accessories 5 of the joining device.

[0129] However, these relatively significant and repeated pulling forces may cause, at the fastening fixture 5 located at the edge of the reinforcement 7, and therefore at the edge of the corresponding joining plate 4, the widening of these seams and therefore a fraying of the reinforcement 7 which could be detrimental to its integrity and resistance.

[0130] To guarantee the good structural resistance of the joining device, and in particular of the reinforcement 7, this reinforcement 7 has, on its transverse edges 8 in relation to the conveyor belt 2, a support 9 in order to prevent the reinforcement 7 from fraying. during use of the joining device 1. The two transverse edges 8 of the reinforcement 7 are, in these figures, substantially parallel to each other, and pass across the width of the conveyor belt in the position of use.

[0131] This reinforcement 7 offers a definite advantage in the form of preventing fraying of the reinforcement 7 which is subject to tensile forces.

[0132] Furthermore, the advantage of this configuration does not end here. In fact, it has been observed that with an anti-fray support 9 according to the invention located at the edge, along the transverse edge 8 of the reinforcement 7, a more homogeneous distribution of the tensile force over all lines of the fastening accessories is possible. .

[0133] Figures 6 to 12 provide a more detailed illustration of various embodiments of anti-fraying supports according to the invention.

[0134] Figure 6 illustrates a textile reinforcement with warp threads 11 and weft threads 10 intertwined. The reinforcement formed here, i.e. the way of interlacing the warp threads 11 and weft threads 10, is a simple 1:1 weave, i.e. the weft thread 10 passes alternately over and then under a warp thread 11, and vice versa.

[0135] The reinforcement 7 takes the form of a belt or tape of which the side edges form the transverse edges 8 which extend transversely in relation to the conveyor belt 2 when the joining device 1 is in the assembled position.

[0136] The reinforcement has a fraying support 9 at these side edges, and the support is formed from weft yarns 10 of the reinforcement 7. In particular, the support 9 is formed by the return of a weft thread 10 on both sides of the warp threads 11 of the reinforcement 7, the return of the weft thread 10 around the warp thread 11 of the associated transverse edge 8.

[0137] This reinforcement in the form of a belt or ribbon can, for example, be obtained with a rapier loom. In other words, in manufacturing this reinforcement, a filling insertion system through an element carrying a small amount of weft thread stored on a spool from one end to the other of the fabric being formed through the warp opening, this opening signifying the space resulting from the separation of the warp threads in two during manufacture to allow the insertion of said weft thread being woven between the two folds thus formed.

[0138] This type of support is advantageous, as the fibers are continuous along the reinforcing tape and their integrity is preserved. The reinforcement 7 obtained with such support 9 thus offers adequate strength and good flexibility for application to the joints of the conveyor belt 2.

[0139] Figure 7 illustrates a textile reinforcement having an interweaving of warp threads 11 and weft threads 10: the weft thread 10 passes alternately, then under a warp thread 11, while the warp threads 11 pass, then , under two weft threads 10.

[0140] In such a configuration, it appears that on a transverse edge 8, on the left in Figure 7, the reinforcement has a support 9, formed by weft threads 10 of the reinforcement 7, and in particular by the return of a weft thread 10 in both sides of the warp threads 11 of the reinforcement 7, the return of the weft thread 10 around the warp thread 11 of the transverse edge 8.

[0141] Because the warp threads 11 alternately then pass under two weft threads 10, the support 9 on the other transverse edge 8, on the right in Figure 7, is formed by the filling 10 connected to itself: the latter forms a return or loop not around the peripheral warp thread 11 located directly at the edge, the loop closed by two rows of weft threads 10 interlacing the next loop of the other two rows of weft thread 10 in the direction of weaving.

[0142] This reinforcement 7 can, for example, be obtained during the manufacture of reinforcement 7 using a needle weaving loom, as a lock needle, the latter being visible in Figure 7.

[0143] This anti-fray support 9 is particularly suitable in the case of a relatively thin weft thread and when excessive thickness is not problematic. This is an anti-fraying bracket 9 that is easy to manufacture.

[0144] Figure 8 illustrates a textile reinforcement 7 that essentially differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7 in that the support 9 on the other transverse edge 8, to the right in Figure 8, is woven from an embedded thread 12, different from the threads of weft 10 and warp 11 of the reinforcement 7, the filling being connected by the embedded thread 12.

[0145] Such anti-fray support is particularly suitable for preventing excess selvedge along the transverse edge 8. In fact, the embedded thread, or catch thread, most often made of a thin mono-filament, contains a point of connection that is barely visible. It is even more suitable for the smallest pulling forces.

[0146] Figure 9 illustrates another embodiment that essentially differs from the previous embodiment in which the support 9 is not only woven from an embedded thread 12, separate from the weft threads 10 and warp threads 11 of the reinforcement 7, but the weft thread 10 and the embedded thread 12 are sewn together to form the support 9 which extends along the corresponding transverse edge 8 of the reinforcement 7.

[0147] Such anti-ravel support 9 is particularly advantageous where excessive thickness in the selvedge is not important, but where anti-ravel capacity must be maximized, or where the weft thread can be caught in the seam.

[0148] Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment, the anti-fray support 9, including an embedded thread 12 in a similar way to the previous embodiment, but with which the weft threads 10 are connected by stitching and the stitch and stitching of which is also further blocked by a lock wire 13.

[0149] This anti-fray support 9 is particularly interesting where excessive thickness in the selvage must be avoided, while at the same time guaranteeing maximum anti-fray capacity. This support 9 also has the advantage of being formed independently of the weft thread.

[0150] Figure 11 illustrates a textile reinforcement 7, a textile reinforcement that essentially differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, in which the support 9 on the other transverse edge 8, on the right in Figure 11, is woven from an embedded thread 12, different from the weft thread 10 and warp thread 11 of the reinforcement 7 and the support 9 is formed by a mixture of warp threads 11 with the embedded thread 12 connected to the weft thread.

[0151] In particular, the embedded thread 12 completes the weft line to form the reinforcement seam over a connecting distance L of the embedded thread 12 relative to the selvedge, the embedded thread 12 still being connected to the weft thread.

[0152] Unlike the embodiment of Figure 8, it is not only the filling that is connected to the embedded thread 12, but also the warp thread 11 at a predetermined distance in relation to the selvage of the reinforcement 7.

[0153] More generally, and also depending on the use of the conveyor belt and in order to adapt the reinforcement depending on the traction forces related to the application, the anti-fraying support 9 can be configured in different ways. For example, in other alternative or additional embodiments, the anti-fray supports include a glued and/or welded and/or sewn support so as to form a seam 14 (e.g., braid) extending along the transverse edge 8 reinforcement 7.

[0154] Another alternative or additional example of support 9, may consist of a suitable treatment of the reinforcement on the transverse edge in question: this may be a chemical treatment, or the application of an auxiliary product by immersion which, after drying, makes it possible support the transverse edges.

[0155] These types of anti-fray supports are particularly interesting in the case where, for structural reasons, the warp threads are not positioned parallel to the transverse edges, as illustrated, for example, in sectional view 1B of Figure 1.

[0156] To further improve its strength in this case, an embedded thread 12 is added to sew the transverse edge itself so as to bind it, for example, in a spiral fashion around said associated transverse edge.

[0157] Figure 12 illustrates a junction plate 4 made from a material around the reinforcement 7, in which, along the transverse edge, a seam extends parallel to said transverse edge 8, between this edge and the line adjacent to the fixing accessory 5.

[0158] The invention is described above as an example. It should be borne in mind, however, that the person skilled in the art may invent alternative embodiments of the present invention without thereby departing from its scope.

[0159] For example, in light of the distances to transport different materials or products according to practices in quarries or other places of use, the same conveyor belt or conveyor belt can be formed by joining or joining several conveyor belts connected by a device junction as described above.

[0160] Furthermore, it is understood that fastening accessories other than screws can be used while performing the same function.

[0161] Finally, the term “transverse” related to the edge of the reinforcement, or the junction plate, should be understood as extension, since the junction device is mounted with the ends of the belt, from one side to the other of the conveyor belt while crossing it over its width. This does not limit the invention to an arrangement of the joining plates perpendicular to the conveyor belt, the joining device being perfectly capable of having an angle other than 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Claims (5)

1. Joining device (1) for a conveyor belt (2), intended for connecting two ends (3) of at least one longitudinal conveyor belt (2), the joining device (1) comprising at least two joining plates ( 4), configured to each cover a separate side of the ends (3) of the conveyor belt (2) so that said conveyor belt (2) is disposed between the two junction plates (4) in a mounted operational position, the junction plates (4) being secured together by fastening means (5) arranged to pass through a junction plate (4), one end (3) of the conveyor belt (2) and then the other junction plate (4 ), respectively, each of the joining plates (4) being made from a flexible and resilient material (6) and provided with a reinforcement (7), said reinforcement (7) being formed by at least one textile layer composed of by weft threads (10) and warp threads (11), and the joining device (1) is characterized by the fact that said reinforcement (7) is delimited longitudinally by transverse edges (8), the reinforcement (7) is extending transversely in relation to said conveyor belt (2) in the assembled position, said transverse edges (8), each with an anti-fray support (9) to prevent fraying of the reinforcement (7) during use of the joining device ( 1), the anti-fray support (9) being woven, and wherein the anti-fray support (9) comprises at least one embedded thread (12). 2. Joining device (1), according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the anti-fraying support is formed by the embedded thread (12) that holds the filling (10). 3. Joining device (1), according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the weft thread (10) and the embedded thread (12) are sewn together to form the anti-fray support (9) . 4. Joining device (1), according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the embedded thread (12) and the weft threads (10) are tied together by a seam, and the seam is further blocked by a lock wire (13). 5. Joining device (1), according to claims 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the anti-fraying support (9) is formed by interlacing the warp threads (11) with the embedded thread (12) connected to the weft threads.