GB2133762A - Conveyor housing access port - Google Patents

Abstract

In a conveyor belt housing access port and elastic closure therefor, for use on a conveyor belt cleaner installation, hinges, catches, gaskets and the like are completely eliminated. The cover is retained in place by inherent tension and includes securing means which may incorporate a magnetic force, or interengaging means between the cover and a continuous rim about the opening. The securement may involve an enlargement of the rim such as a ledge, or a flange and an interengaged groove, or a flange on the cover operatively related to such enlargement. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Conveyor housing access port This invention is related to the field of conveyor housing access ports and closuresthereforas used with conveyor belt cleaning apparatus.

Conveyor belt cleaners heretofore have required inspection windows, or doors, at openings provided to enable access to be had to an interior operation, or mechanism,forthe purpose ofviewing such interior afterwhich the closure is immediately restored to its original sealed condition. These priorciosures invariably involved a rigid doorwhich may have been mounted for hinged movement awayfrom the inspection opening, or mounted for sliding movement away from the inspection opening, or mounted for sliding movement awayfrom the opening but always in the form of an inflexible panel covering the access opening.

A number of prior art patents disclose various types of closure panels mounted in cooperative relationship to variously contoured inspection openings.

For instance, Cottrell patent No. 1,204,949 discloses a removable cover plate as used with milling machinery and is secured by bolts, or the like, to cover an access opening to a grain receiving boot.

Sturtevant patent No. 1,366,103 relates to an elevatorforfertilizer and discloses a full length removable wall, or door, which provides for access to an elevator section for maintenance of the section interior. The removable panels are rigid and secured bya multiplicityoffastenings.

Rahlson patent No.2,618,375 relates to elevating machinery and utilizes a curved cover memberthat is hinged for opening movement to expose the interior.

Johnston patent No.3,376,669 illustrates a bucket type elevator mechanism utilizing an access doorthat is hinged and which is secured by a pair of locking bars.

Schnell metal. patent No.3,470,994 is directed to a clean-out opening as used in a fertilizer hopper and discloses a curved cover memberthat is held in place buy a releasable latching arrangement.

Patent No. 4,170,293 to Campbellforan Enclosed Conveyor discloses the use of a numberofcurved access doors hingedly mounted on the conveyor and which of necessity are of rigid construction.

Prior Martin Engineering Company patents No.

4,098,394 and 4,249,650 both show hingedly mounted doors over an inspection opening affording access to the interior of a conveyor housing.

This invention relates to an access port arrange mentor use in conjunction with conveyor housings which affords access to the interior of a conveyor belt cleaner installation and includes a removable cover which is made from and elastomeric material, and actually is made from 70 durometer natural rubber, but might be made from a synthetic rubber and including polyvinylcompoundsorplastics,forthe purpose of incorporating in the doorthe property of sufficient flexibility whereby the door may readily be installed and removed for an access opening, or from a rim thereof and withoutthe necessity for using mechanical fasteners, latches, or the like, or hinged connections.The inspection door provides a dusttight, as well as a liquid-tightseal around an inspection opening and where it might be used in installations where either a positive, or a negative pressure may be involved the flexible quality ofthe door will enable itto give an indication of either such pressure condition within the housing upon which it is mounted.

Theflexibility of the inspection door also enables it to function somewhat as a safety device inasmuch as it may release under an excessive build-up of internal pressure, or material, so that in the event that interior pressure should build up beyond the capacity of the door to maintain its sealed condition it will open sufficiently to release the pressure and allow it to blow off, or escape. Where the door might be used on a hopper, or a chute, handling bulk material,the door might be forced open to some extent by an overfill as when the material exceeds a given level and forces the door open by the pressure of the material.This same flexible property ofthe door also will give an indication of a building pressure condition, either positive or negative, so that by visually observing the condition ofthe flexible cover, an operator might know in advance that the pressure is accumulating by the bulging ofthe cover, or if it shows a somewhat collapsed condition, that a negative pressure condition has developed. In this way too, the operator might be able to tell whether a dust collecting system is turned on, or off.

An important advantage of this flexible doorstructure is that it does not require a great deal of space in which to operate, such as an arc in which to swing in the case of a hinged door. By contrast this doorfits flat overthe inspection opening and it is necessary merely to turn a corner ofthe door back and then peel it off or the rim. In this way the door can be peeled off easily when other equipment in the vicinity ofthe door restricts the space within which it is accessible.

Further, where it is necessary merely to observe a mechanism,oroperation,with hardly more than a glance,the elastic doorenables a cornerthereofto be peeled open for such a look, after which the door may be restored without the necessity for opening it fully.

Should theflexible door become dislodged during the operation of a processitwill notdamagethe conveyor belts or process equipment if it should become loose and if it should be ground-up in the process no harm will be done since the ground-up material will merely be conveyed away with the remaining material . The door can be made in any shape required, curved, round orsquare,to seal any conceivable opening whether it be irregular or oddly shaped and can be made to fitflush within the opening. Any elastomeric material can be used for its manufacture.Such material is inert to just about all corrosive atmospheres and contributes to the lack of any need for maintenance since the door is devoid of any mechanical appurtenances in that it lacks any gaskets, hinges, latches, or the like. In this latter respect, the door may be attached to the inspection opening rim by magnetic attraction if preferred and since in any event, the door does not have any sharp corners, or projecting edges, it is next to impossible to hurt an eye, or any other part of the body. The construction is such that it cannot catch, or pinch, a finger and is easily manipulated in its installation and removal.

The foregoing structure as hereinbefore referred to is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure lisa general prespective view of a conveyor belt housing showing the inspection door of this invention in relation to an access port to be sealed; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 with the flexible closure, or cover in place of on the rim around the inspection opening; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view similarto Figure 2 but showing a modification of the flexibly applied cover; Figure 4 is similarto Figure 3 but illustrated a modification of the sealing closure on the cover; Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a further modification wherein a bulb section rim is utilized and upon which the flexible cover is installed;; Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of a modified cover structure where the cover is removably secured to the rim about the inspection opening by magnetic force.

Figure 7 is an inverted cross sectional view of anotherform oftheclosurewhereintheflexible closure is mounted within the opening and disposed substantially flush with the inside surface of housing wall which is shown atthetop of the figure, the exterior surface being shown atthe bottom; Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of anotherflush type closure wherein the flexible closure is mounted on a rim aboutthe opening but having its closure surface disposed flush with the surrounding innerwall ofthe housing; Figure 9 also shows a flush type closure wherein the closure has it plane inner side flush with the inner surface of the housing wall but having a groove about its perimeter engaged on a bulbed rim surrounding the opening; Figure 10 shows a plan view of a modified cover according to this invention that is similar to that of Figure 3;; Figure 11 shows a cross-section of the cover of Figure 10; Figure 12 shows a plan view of the cover of Figures 10 and 11 fitted to a hatch frame; Figure 13 shows a cross-section of the cover and hatch frame of Figure 12; and Figure 14shows a hatch frame of Figures 12and 13 with the cover removed.

The conveyor belt housing apparatus with which this invention is used is shown in Figure 1 where it will be seen thatthe conveyor system includes an enclosure 10 housing the belt system 11 upon which the belt cleaning apparatus 12 operates as seen through the opening or port 13 in the sidewalll 14of the enclosure.

The opening 13 is surrounded by an outstanding rim structure 15which may be integral with the wall 14 but in this instance, is shown as comprised of a channel shaped section having upperand lowerflanges 16 and 17 connected by a web plate 18, all as bestshown in Figure 2. This rim structure is secured to the side wall 14 by welding with the flanges parallel to the wall so that the flanges, particularlytheflange 16 extent outwardly around the opening 13, and the web 18 provides a surrounding wall extending outwardly around the opening. The flange 16 provides an outstanding rim aroundthesidewall opening spaced from the wall 14 and an elastomeric cover 19 is mounted on this rim and secured thereon by a lip 20 underlying the flange 16 entirely around the rim atall four sides ofthe cover.The flange 16may be formed as an integral part ofthe wall 14 if preferred.

The lip 20 is in the form of an outwardly extending bead formed on the inner side of a depending flange 21 integral with the cover 19 and fully enclosing the outer edge ofthe rim 1 when the cover is installed overthe opening 13. The bead 20 and the flange 21 form a groove 22 into which the flange 16 seats. This elastomeric cover is flexible and when it is desired to have access to the interior ofthe enclosure 10, it may be peeled back, either at one cornerto peer into the enclosure, or removed entirely. The cover being resilientflexes in its application and in its removal and being flexible does not require hinges or mechanical fasteners such as hasps or latches to secure itto the rim 16. The bead 20 engaged underthe rim 16 acts as a positive securement ofthe cover on the rim.

In some instances, it may be desirableto increase the friction between the cover and the rim. This can be accomplished by deforming the rim as, for example, knurling or by surface treatment ofthe rim with paint or gritty material.

The covercomprises a dust-tightaswell as a liquid-tightsealovertheopening 1 3 that is instal led undersometension and can be used as an inspection window, or service door when it becomes necessary to see into the enclosure by peeling the cover partially away, or have full access thereto by removing the cover entirely. The flexibility of the cover acts as a safety feature since the cover will release, or blow off under and excessive pressure build-up, as by too much material, or by air pressure. Also, since the door does not require an excess of space in which to operate, such as the arc necessitated by a hinged door, it can be applied and removed in narrow quarters restricted by other equipment such as pipes, rails or other devices in close proximity to the door 19.

Avariation of the elastomericcover is illustrated in Figure 3 where it will be noted that the rim structure surrounding the opening 13 has been modified to provide an angle section welded to the side wall 14 or again this may be formed as an integral part ofthe wall, if desired. The angle section surrounds the opening and has an outstanding flange 23 that forms a ledge comprising the rim forattachmentofthe elastomeric cover 24. In this arrangementthe cover 24 is formed with a continuous channel shaped section 25 integral with the underside of the cover and forming a groove 26 adapted to fit overthe outstanding ledge 23 and tightly engage the ledgetoform a seal around the opening 13. This cover may be molded entirely ofthe elastomeric material or, if desired, it might be reinforced with a metal insert 27 molded therein and which might comprise a steel, or aluminum plate, or an expanded metal member embedded in the material which should find application in environments where it might be subjected to a high degree of vacuum.

Avariation ofthis design is shown in Figure 4 where the cover is comprised entirely of the elastomeric material but one or more steel spring clips 28 are embedded in the channel section 25 and positioned to engage overthe flange 23 ofthe rim around the opening 13 andthus griptheflangeto provide a more secure mounting ofthe flexible cover on the outstanding rim.

Afurthervariation of this channel section sealing arrangementfortheflexible coveris shown in Figure 5. In this arrangement, the outstanding rim around the sidewall opening 13 is formed by a bulb-ended member 29 welded edgewise to the wall 14 about the opening and the channel section 25 is molded with an enlarged inner pocket 20 to fit over the bulb portion.

Thus, the cover 24 is securely held on the bulb edged rim while permitting ready removal thereof in the same manner by peeling it back, as in the previous designs.

The flexible elastomeric cover 34 shown in Figure 6 is formed of a rubberized magnetic material secured on the rim ofthe sidewall opening 13 solely by magnetic attraction. In this arrangement, the opening 13 in the sidewall 14 is surrounded by a steel angle section 31 welded to the side wall around the opening but one flange of this angle member is welded edgewisetothe side wall and the otherflange 32 is disposed in spaced parallel relation to the wall so that it provides an outstanding rim around the opening affording a flat surface entirely around the side wall opening.This rim may also be formed as an integral part ofthe wall 14 if preferred. This cover may be slid offoftheflat rim 32 surrounding the side wall opening, or it may be peeled off just as in the previous cover arrangement.

The closure mountings shown in Figures 7,8 and 9 are designed to afford installations ofthe closure member flush with the inner surface of the housing wall 14while enabling the closure to be removed in the same manner as before by peeling it back away from the wall opening 13 since in each instance these closure members continue to be made from the same elastomeric material forflexibility.

In the Figure7 structure,theopening 13 in the housing wall 14 is left plain in that it does not have a rim structure, as such, around the opening. The flexible closure member 35 however, has an integral channel shaped edge structure wherein the groove 36 ofthe channel faces outwardly at all four sides ofthe closure so thatthe closure is provided with an outwardly facing groove entirely therea round. The closure 35 is mounted in the opening 13 with the groove 36 engaging the edge ofthewall 14 entirely around the opening whereby the inward surface ofthe closure member is disposed substantially flush with the inner surface ofthewall 14whilethe closure member is securely retained in the opening by the engagement between the groove 36 and the edges of the opening 13.

The structure illustrated in Figure 8 utilizes an upstanding rim structure 37 around the opening 13 in the housing wall 14. The rim structure 37 comprises a channel section welded to the wall 14aboutthe opening 13 and includes outwardly directed flanges 38, welded to the wall and 39 spaced away from the wall and providing an outstanding rim flange entirely around the opening. The elastomeric closure member 40 is deeply dished, or pan shaped having side walls 41 lying in juxtaposition to the rim structure 37 and with the generally planar closure wall 42 disposed flush with the inner surface of the wall 14 within the opening 13.

At the outer extremities the side walls 41 of the closure has flanges 43 overlying the outstanding rim flanges 39 and lips 44 extend under the flanges 39 whereby the closure 40 is securely retained on the rim structure 37 and within the opening 13. Thus, the cover, or closure member is securely mounted in the wall opening but completely responsive to internal pressures developed in the housing 10 either positive, or negative and by its flush installation the build-up of dust, orthe like, in the space otherwise created by the framed mounting, is prevented.

The construction shown in Figure 9 also affords a flush installation ofthe flexible closure member 45 and which fits within the opening 13 in thewall 14 with the inner surface ofthe closure 45 flush with the inside surface ofthe wall 14. In this arrangement, the housing opening 13 is surrounded by a flat frame 46 welded to the wall 14 at its outer periphery and this flat frame has a bulb end 47 that extends continuously aboutthe opening 13.The closure member 45 has a flange 48 overlying the flat frame 46 entirely around this frame and a groove 49 of a size to fitthe bulb47 engages this bulb entirely around the wall opening 13 so that the closure 45 is securely mounted but is readily opened or removed by peeling it back but also preventing the accumulation ofdustbyitsflush mounting with the inner walls.

The cover of Figures 10 and 11 is designated by reference numeral 51 and this embodiment is rec tangularto fit over a hatch opening, of similar shape, of a conveyor housing. It is preferably of molded construction and formed of a resiliently deformable material such as rubber or polyethylene. On the inwardly directed side ofthe cover 51, as shown in Figure 10 and adjacent the peripheral edges thereof, a groove 52 is defined by a pair of parallel spaced apart upstanding ridges 53 integ rally formed with the cover 51 The groove 52 is positioned about the inside periphery ofthe cover so as to align with a lip 54 extending around the frame 56 ofthe hatch (as best shown in Figure 14), and its width is such thatthe outer edge of the lip 54 seats within it when the ridges 53 are deformed outwardly. When the cover 51 is fitted across the hatch opening as shown in Figures 12 and 13 the inside walls of ridges 53 are therefore biased against the sides of the lip 54to hold the cover in position and form a dust and moisture proof seal. A skirt 51A may also be provided to form the periphery ofthe cover.

The lip 54 of the frame 56 may be constructed of any rigid material such as metal, fibreglass, plastic or even wood, and in this particular embodiment is formed from the upstanding flanges 64 offour steel angle sections 56A,which are spot welded or bolted on to the housing 57 surrounding the hatch. The angle sections 56A are preferably bevelled attheirends (not shown) and the flanges 64 shaped to form rounded corners atthe lip 54 corresponding to those of the groove 52 in the cover. Inside the angle sections a shoulder 59 is provided by welding sections of metal strip 60 along the innerwalls of the angle sections 56A.

The strip 60 is also drilled at spaced locations to enable thefixing of a grid or mesh 61 by bolts 62.

As described above the hatch would normally be closed as shown in Figure 12, when the machinery to which it is fitted is in use, to prevent the entry of dust and moisture. During periodic inspections by production personnel, however, the hatch cover 51 can be easily removed without the use of a tool orthe requirementforcertified maintenance staff by simply grasping the skirt 51A and lifting itfrom the hatch frame. By virtue of the deformable nature ofthe cover, the groove 52 readily disengages from the lip 54 under only a moderate force to breaktheseal and allow complete removal ofthe cover. The machinery within canthen be inspected withoutthe use of a tool to remove the mesh or screen.

After inspection the cover can similarly be refitted by aligning it over the hatch with the groove 52 on the inner side ofthe cover 51 in register with the lip 54 and subsequently pressing it against the frame 56 so that the lip 54 is forced into the groove. Although not shown in detail the grove 52 and lip 54 are preferably contoured to provide a "snap fit" action when the cover 51 is replaced. A secure dust and moisture proof seal is thus quickly and simply re-established. When direct access for maintenance ofthe machinery is required, both the cover 51 and grid 61 can, of course, be easily removed by properly certified staffableto use the required tools.

Itwill thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form ofthe embodiment described, provides a novel and unique solution to a long felt problem in industry by allowing the simple and quick visual inspection by production personnel while at the same time preventing unauthorized access and enabling a dust and moisture proof seal to be readily reestablished withoutthe aid of tools.

The particular embodiment described however is only one example of this invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made obvious to a man skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this invention. For example the relative positions of the groove and lip between the cover and hatch may be reversed and the shape and dimensions of the cover may be varied widely according to the type of hatch or machinery housing.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a flexible non-metallic cover has been provided for an inspection opening wherein the cover may be peeled back partially form the opening, or removed entirely, for either a look into the opening, orforfull access through the opening and which because of its elastic quality enables the coverto be installed and removed in close quarters where a minimum of clearance may be available and which also eliminates the need for any mechanically operating hardware such as catch es, hinges, hasps, gaskets, orthe like. The inherent tension in the cover retains it in place overthe opening while enabling its removal without tools and by flush mounting the closure within the access opening the accumulation of dust in a framed opening is prevented.

Various features ofthe invention have been particularlyshown and described in connection with the illustrated embodiments ofthe invention, however, it must be understood thatthese particular arrangements merely illustrate and that the invention isto be given itsfullest interpretation within the terms of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. Aconveyor housing access port including an aperture defined in a conveyor housing wall, an elastic, removable closure member adapted to cover and seal said aperture, and gripping means disposed between said aperture and said closure member so as to releasably secure said member over said aperture to thereby prevent the flow of material into or out of said housing.

2. A conveyor housing access port as setforth in claim 1 including a rim extending outwardlyfrom said housing around said port whereby said closure member is adapted to be releasably secured to said outstanding rim to cover said port, said gripping means disposed between said closure and said rim to allow removal of the closurefrom said rim to thereby allow access to the interior of said conveyor.

3. Aconveyorhousingaccessportassetforth in claim 2 wherein said rim has a ledge extending continuouslytherearound, and said closure has a groove adapted to engage over said ledge, said groove comprising an integral channel depending perpendicularto the closure.

4. A conveyor housing access port as set forth in claim 2 wherein said rim includes an outstanding flange extending continuouslytherearound, and said closure has a depending flange and a generally horizontal lip adapted to engage under said rim flange.

5. Aconveyorhousing access port as setforth in claim 2 wherein said gripping means comprises a magnetic force in the cover adapted to attract the covertothe rim.

6. A conveyor housing access port as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover is molded from an elastomeric material inertto corrosive atmospheres.

7. A conveyor housing access port as setforth in claim 4wherein said reflange is shaped in the form of a rounded inwardly facing bead for easy installation and ready removal relative to said rim flange.

8. A conveyor housing access port as setforth in claim 3wherein said ledge has a continuous bulb end and said groove has a continuous correspondingly shaped pocket.

9. Aconveyorhousing access port as setforth in claim 3 wherein said integral channel has one or more embedded metal spring clips adapted to grip said ledge.

10. Aconveyor housing access port as setforth in claim 3 wherein said cover has a metal reinforcement embedded therein.

11. Aconveyorhousing accessportassetforth in claim 1 wherein said closure member is adapted to be disposed within said aperture, flush with said housing wall, said gripping means disposed between the perimeter of said closure member and said aperture.