FR2842793A1 - Linear drive or conveyor has at least one adjustable insert at end of bench to close gap beneath belt between bench and return roller - Google Patents

Abstract

The linear drive or conveyor (1) consists of a bench (2) with a circulating endless belt (3) passing over its upper and lower surfaces and round return rollers (5), at least one of which is fastened to a tensioner. It incorporates at least one adjustable insert (12) to cover the gap between the end of the bench and the adjacent return roller. The insert is situated beneath the belt and covers all or part of the roller's width, and can be in the form of a slider (13) in a slideway (14).

Description

The present invention relates to a linear drive device or

  conveyor defined by a table above which evolves a conveyor element of the carpet, chain or similar type describing a looped circuit and coming to be wound, partially, around return pieces such as a roller or the like arranged at the ends of said table, at least one of these deflection pieces being secured to means for tensioning the conveying element giving this deflection piece relative mobility with respect to the table this in the direction of movement of

the conveying element.

  The invention relates to the field of manufacturing devices intended to convey goods or the linear drive of containers receiving such goods. We already know devices that meet the

  description above and designed suitable for conveying objects on a

  conveying element consisting of a belt, chain or the like and winding, at least in part, on a deflection piece mounted at the end of a table. Such a conveying element, as it is used, tends to relax which is detrimental to an appropriate drive of this element so that said devices include means designed capable of ensuring that this element is energized conveyor. Such means are arranged to ensure the mounting of said deflection piece with relative mobility relative to said table, which allows this part to be moved away from this table and,

  consequently, a tensioning of said conveying element.

  In this regard, it will be observed that, when the conveying element is tensioned by moving the deflection piece away from the table, there appears a spacing, under this conveying element, between the end of this table and this reference piece. It is, more particularly, inside such a spacing that an object can fall, a clothing item of an operator can be introduced, or even be inadvertently introduced, in particular inadvertently, a finger of such an operator. which can result in a deterioration of the conveying device or, even worse, in a

operator injury.

  The present invention is intended to remedy the

  disadvantages of the prior art devices.

  To this end, the invention relates to a linear drive or conveying device defined by a table above which evolves a conveyor element of the carpet, chain or similar type describing a looped circuit and coming to be wound, partially, around deflection pieces such as a roller or the like arranged at the ends of said table, at least one of these deflection pieces being secured to means for tensioning the conveying element giving this deflection piece mobility relative to the table this in the direction of movement of the conveying element, characterized in that it comprises at least one closure part, mounted in an adjustable manner in length at the end of the table, and provided able to close a space, located under the conveying element, between the end of said table and the deflection piece, this over all or part of the

width of the latter.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, said device comprises means, associated with means for tensioning the conveying element, and designed capable of driving said closure piece in movement with said

  return piece during a power-up operation.

  Yet another characteristic consists in that said device comprises means for immobilizing said closure part with respect to the table after adjusting its length

with respect to said spacing.

  The advantages of the present invention consist in that said closing part makes it possible to conceal the spacing existing between the end of the table and the deflecting part so that the

  objects, fingers or clothing can no longer get into it.

  Another advantage of the invention consists in that this closure piece is of adjustable length type and is arranged to fill said spacing whatever the position of the piece of

  reference relative to the end of the table.

  Advantageously, such an adjustment is carried out automatically by means of drive means that

  includes the device according to the invention.

  Yet another advantage is that the means for immobilizing said closure part prevent any retraction thereof so that it adopts a position in which it is always adjusted to the spacing that it must close. . Other objects and advantages of the present invention

  will appear during the description which follows relating to

  to embodiments which are given only by way of examples

indicative and not limiting.

  Understanding this description will be facilitated by

  referring to the attached drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the end of a linear drive or conveying device according to the state of the art; Figures 2 to 6 are schematic views, partial and exploded, of different embodiments of a linear drive device or conveyor according to the invention and comprising a closure part adopting the shape of a slide; - Figure 7 is a schematic, partial and exploded view of a linear drive or conveying device according to the invention and comprising a closure part adopting the shape

of a flat plate.

  The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing devices for conveying objects or driving

containers receiving such objects.

  Such a device 1 is defined by a table 2 above which evolves a conveying element 3 constituted by a belt 4,

  a chain, a band, a belt (toothed or not) or the like.

  According to a first embodiment of the invention, it is on such a conveying element 3 that objects can be deposited for their conveying. However and according to another embodiment not shown, such a conveying element 3 can constitute a means capable of ensuring the linear drive of at least one container intended to receive objects (for example a conveying element 3 of the aforementioned type and provided with hooking means able to cooperate with complementary hooking means that a container comprises). Also and for the sake of simplification, reference will be made more particularly, in

  the following description, to an invention relating to a device

  conveyor knowing that this invention also relates to a

  linear drive device of the aforementioned type.

  Anyway, such a conveying element 3 describes a looped circuit and comes to be wound, partially, around at least one deflection piece 5 constituted by a roller 6, a shoe, a

saber or similar.

  Such a deflection piece 5 is arranged, more particularly, at one end 7 of said table 2 knowing that at least one of these deflection pieces 5 is made integral with means 8 arranged to energize said element of conveyor 3. These tensioning means 8 are designed capable of giving this return piece 5 relative mobility relative to the table 2, this in the direction of movement of

the conveying element 3.

  In this regard, it will be observed that such tensioning means 8 are defined by two arms 9, 9 ', for example parallel, and made integral with said table 2, in particular laterally with respect to the latter 2. These arms 9, 9 'are, again, mounted with the possibility of sliding relative to this table 2, this in the direction of movement of the conveying element 3. It is, more particularly, between these two arms 9 (in particular at their distal end 10) that said piece of rotation is mounted

reference 5.

  As shown in particular in FIG. 1, such a conveying device 1 has a spacing 11, located under the conveying element 3, between the end 7 of the table 2 and said piece of

reference 5.

  According to the invention, said conveying device 1 comprises at least one closing part 12, mounted in an adjustable manner in length at the end 7 of said table 2, and provided capable of closing this spacing 11, this over all or part of the width

of said reference piece 5.

  FIGS. 2 to 6 show embodiments of the invention for which such a closure part 12 is defined by at least one slide 13 mounted to slide in at least one slide 14 constituted by a profile

tubular 15.

  In this regard, it will be observed that such a tubular profile 15 can be made integral with said table 2, in particular so

  lateral with respect to the latter 2 and by fixing.

  Thus and according to an embodiment not shown, such a table 2 may comprise a chassis receiving, laterally and in particular on either side of this chassis, at least one such profile

tubular 15.

  Another embodiment is that such a profile

  tubular 15 can be defined at the level of said table 2 itself.

  Thus and as visible in FIG. 2, such a table 2 can be defined, at least in part, by such a tubular profile 15, on the one hand, of which are made integral, laterally, the arms 9 of the means of energized 8 and, on the other hand, which is capable of receiving feet (not shown) through which such a table 2 rests on the ground, this profile 15 then being capable of constituting a spar of said table 2. Such a tubular profile 15 receives, internally, said closure piece 12 which extends, substantially, over the entire width of the

return piece 5.

  However and according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the table 2 of the conveyor device 1 is, at least in part, defined by an assembly of profiles and the slide 14, inside which a slide can move. 13, can then be constituted by a tubular profile 15 defining a spar that comprises, laterally, said table 2 as visible

Figures 3 to 6.

  As mentioned above, said table 2 is defined by an assembly of profiles, some of which, as visible in FIGS. 4 and 5, can take the form of a beam 16 of which the arms are made integral laterally. 9 tensioning means 8 and possibly feet (not shown) allowing the table 2 to rest on the ground. It will be noted that at the level of such a beam 16 is defined, in particular laterally, at least one longitudinal channel 17 constituting a tubular profile 15 arranged to receive a closure part

12 in the form of a slide 13.

  It should be observed that the upper surface 18 of such a beam 16 can, advantageously, constitute a sole 19 above

  which evolves said conveying element 3.

  As regards the slide 13 defining said closure part 12, it can take various forms and have different sections, in particular compatible with engagement in

  the tubular profile 15 which receives it.

  Thus and as visible in FIG. 3, such a slide 13 can have a parallelepipedal section, preferably rectangular or square, while the latter can also adopt a "U" shape as visible in FIG. 5. A particular embodiment consists in define a closing piece 12 of section adjusted to that of the tubular profile 15 which receives it as visible

figure 4.

  The slide 13 shown in Figure 6 takes the form of a jumper 20 having at least two branches 21, 21 'arranged, each, to cooperate with a tubular profile 15 (not shown). According to another characteristic of the invention, such a slide 13 has one end 22, oriented in the direction of the deflection piece 5, and shaped so as to match, at least in part, the shape of the latter 5. Such a embodiment advantageously makes it possible to fill the spacing optimally

  11 between the end 7 of the table 2 and the return piece 5.

  Thus and as visible in FIG. 3, the slide 13 has, at this end 22, a bevel cut while FIGS. 2 and 6 such a slide 13 has a rounded radius of curvature corresponding substantially to the radius of the deflection piece 5. In addition, it should be observed that such a slide 13 can be made of a metallic material but that, according to a preferred embodiment, such a slide 13 is defined in a material

  synthetic, especially of the composite type.

  FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention in which said closure part 12 is defined by a flat plate 23 or the like extending in the direction of movement of said conveying element 3, below the latter 3 This flat plate 23 has a width corresponding substantially to that of said deflection piece 5 which allows

  close a space 11 over almost its entire width.

  In fact, this flat plate 23 is of the movable type relative to the end 7 of the table 2 so as to allow adjustment in

  length with respect to the spacing 11 which should be closed.

  In this regard, it should be noted that the table 2 of the conveying device 3 according to the invention may include a hearth 19 above which the said conveying element 3 evolves. A particular embodiment of the invention consists, then , to define said flat plate 23 in the form of a movable part that

includes such a sole 19.

  Again, such a flat plate 23 has one end 22, oriented in the direction of the return piece 5, and shaped so

  to marry, at least in part, the shape of the latter 5.

  It will be observed that such a plate 23 can be defined in a metallic material or in a synthetic material, in particular

composite type.

  It should be noted that the closure part 12 can be put in place so as to close a space 11, this after

  having carried out a tensioning of the conveyor element 3.

  However and according to another characteristic of the invention, the device comprises means 24, associated with the means 8 for tensioning the conveyor element 3, and designed capable of driving said closure part 12 in movement with said return piece 5 during a tensioning operation of said conveying element 3. Such drive means 24 automatically authorize an appropriate positioning of said closure piece 12, concomitantly with such a

power up operation.

  As mentioned above, the tensioning means 8 are defined by two arms 9, 9 ′, mounted in sliding manner with respect to said table 2, and between which said rotation is mounted

return piece 5.

  Also, said drive means 24 can be defined by at least one pin 25 or the like associated with at least one of said arms 9, 9 'and intended to cooperate with a light 26 that has

  a closing part 12 (FIG. 3).

  However and according to another embodiment visible in Figure 6, said drive means 24 can also be defined by the rail 27 of the sliding mounting means of an arm 9 on the table 2, such a rail 27 being capable of taking support against

  closure part 12 for its drive.

  Yet another embodiment consists in defining such drive means 24 by means of fixing (in particular by gluing, screwing, bolting or other) of such a part.

closure 12 on an arm 9.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, said conveying device 1 comprises means 28 for immobilizing said closing part 12 relative to the table 2 after

  adjusting its length at spacing 11.

  Such immobilization means 28 are arranged to prevent the retraction of said closure part 12, for example at

  inside the slide 14 or relative to the sole 19.

  As visible in FIG. 2, these immobilization means 28 can be defined by means 29 forming a step and designed capable

  to cooperate with at least one wall of a slide 14.

  Such immobilization means 28 can also take the form of tight mounting means of such a closure part 12 in a slide 14. This is, for example, the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 corresponding to a closing piece

  12 of dimensions adjusted to those of the receiving slide 14.

  However and according to another embodiment visible in the figure, these tight mounting means may, again, be constituted by at least one flexible lip 30, 30 ′ which comprises said closure part 12. Such a flexible lip 30 is designed capable of taking pressing on a sharp edge of the receiving slide 14 in order to prevent the retraction, inside the latter 14, of said closing piece 12. Thus and as visible in this same FIG. 5, the piece of closure 12 is shaped as a "U" and has two flexible lips 30, 30 'constituting such means

28.

  Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is understood that it is in no way limited thereto and that it is possible to make various modifications to the forms, materials and combinations of these. various elements, without

  for this to move away from the framework and the spirit of the invention.

Claims (9)

  1) Device (1) for linear drive or conveyor defined by a table (2) above which a conveyor element (3) of the carpet, chain or the like type describes a looped circuit and partially wound , around deflection pieces (5) such as a roller (6) or the like arranged at the ends (7) of said table (2), at least one of these deflection pieces (5) being secured to means ( 8) energizing the conveying element (3) giving this return piece (5) relative mobility relative to the table (2) this in the direction of movement of the conveying element (3) , characterized in that it comprises at least one closing part (12), mounted in an adjustable manner in length at the end (7) of the table (2), and provided capable of closing a space (11), located under the conveying element (3), between the end (7) of said table (2) and the deflection piece (5), this on all or part of the width of this last (5).   2) Device (1) linear drive or conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure part (12) is defined by at least one slide (13) slidably mounted in at least one slide (14 ) constituted by a tubular profile (15) defined at the level of the table (2) or made integral with the latter (2), in particular laterally by relation to it (2).   3) device (1) linear drive or conveyor according to claim 2, characterized in that the table (2) of the conveyor device (1) is defined by at least one profile or an assembly of profiles while the slide (14), inside which said slide (13) can move, is constituted by a tubular profile (15) defining a spar that   comprises, in particular laterally, said table (2).   4) Device (1) linear drive or conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that said closure part (12) is defined by a flat plate (23) or the like extending in the direction of movement of said conveying element (3), below the latter (3), this flat plate (23) having a width corresponding substantially to that of said return piece (5).   5) Device (1) linear drive or conveyor according to claim 4, characterized in that said flat plate (23) is defined by a movable part that includes a sole (19), associated with said table (2) , and above which evolves said conveying element (3).   6) Device (1) for linear drive or conveyor   according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized   by the fact that said closure piece (12) has one end (22), oriented towards the deflection piece (5), and shaped so as to conform, at least in part, to the shape of this last (5).   7) Device (1) for linear drive or conveyor   according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized   by the fact that said closure part (12) is defined in a metallic material or in a synthetic material, in particular of the type composite.   8) Linear drive or conveying device (1)   according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized   by the fact that it comprises means (24), associated with the means (8) for tensioning the conveying element (3), and designed capable of ensuring a drive of said closure part (12) in movement with said deflection piece (5) during an operation of power up.   9) Linear drive or conveying device (1)   according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized   by the fact that the tensioning means (8) are defined by two arms (9, 9 '), made integral with said table (2) and mounted so as to slide relative to the latter (2), between these arms ( 9   9 ') being rotatably mounted on said reference piece (5).   ) Linear drive or conveying device (1)   according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the   drive means (24) are defined by at least one spike (25) or the like associated with at least one of the arms (9, 9 ′) and intended to cooperate with a light (26) that has a closing part (12). 11) Linear drive or conveying device (1)   according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized   by the fact that it comprises means (28) for immobilizing said closure part (12) relative to the table (2) after   adjusting its length at the spacing (11).