GB2170292A

GB2170292A - Conveyor belt fastener

Info

Publication number: GB2170292A
Application number: GB08531362A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Francis Bradshaw
Original assignee: Hayden Nilos Conflow Ltd
Current assignee: Hayden Nilos Conflow Ltd
Priority date: 1985-01-26
Filing date: 1985-12-20
Publication date: 1986-07-30
Also published as: ZA8651B; AU5162185A; GB8531362D0; GB8502004D0

Abstract

With heavy duty conveyor belts it is known to provide U-shaped plates of a width such that two staples can extend through appropriate holes in each plate, to secure the plate to the end of the conveyor. However, the closely spaced, in-line relationship of the staples generates two lines of potential weakness across the belt, with a third line of potential weakness caused by the square ends of the U-shaped plates cutting into the belt as it passes round drive and return drums. The object of the invention is to avoid these disadvantages by a construction comprising a U-shaped plate 1, there being at least two longitudinally disposed pairs of holes 5 in each end of the plate, to receive a corresponding number of staples, each longitudinal pair of holes being longitudinally offset with respect to the immediately adjacent longitudinal pair of holes and whereby the corresponding holes of adjacent pairs lie in a different transverse plane. The ends (8) of each U-shaped plate are inclined to avoid a continuous line across the belt where the belt can be cut, to eliminate the third line of potential weakness of the prior art constructions. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Conveyor belt fastener This invention relates to conveyor belt fasteners of the type in which a number of Ushaped plates engage the belt ends and are there secured by staples.

In relatively light-duty applications each end of the U-shaped plate has a cooperating pair of longitudinally in-line holes, to receive a single staple, the legs of which first pass through the holes of one end of the U-shaped plate, through the belt and then through the holes of the other end, the ends of the staple being turned over to lock the staple and thus the plate to the belt. In heavy-duty applications, it is known to increase the width of the ends of the U-shaped plates, and to provide a number of longitudinally dispoaed, laterally in-line, pairs of holes and when each plate is secured to the belt end by a corresponding number of staples.

In heavy-duty applications considerable stress is imposed-on the belt joint, and the closely spaced, transversely in-line disposition of the staples generates two lines of weakness across the belt, where the legs of the staples penetrate the belt. it is not unknown for a belt to tear along one or other of the two lines of weakness during use.

In addition, the extremities of the ends of the U-shaped plates are normally square.

Thus, with a number of U-shaped plates secured side-by-side along a belt end, flexing of the belt as the joint passes over e.g. a drive or return pulley, can cause the extremities of the plates to cut into the belt surface. Thus, the in-line nature of the extremities of the plate ends across the belt can result in a substantial stress across the belt width, generating another line of weakness where the belt can tear during use.

It is the object of the invention to provide a construction of belt fastener that substantially eliminates the disadvantages referred to above.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a conveyor belt fastener comprises a U-shaped plate, there being at least two longitudinally disposed pairs of holes in each end of the plate, to receive a corresponding number of staples, each longitudinal pair of holes being longitudinally offset with respect to the immediately adjacent longitudinal pair of holes and whereby the corresponding holes of adjacent pairs lie in a different transverse plane.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a conveyor belt fastener comprises a Ushaped plate, there being at least two longitudinally disposed pairs of holes in each end of the plate, to receive a corresponding number of staples, each longitudinal pair of holes being longitudinally offset with respect to the immediately adjacent longitudinal pair of holes and whereby the corresponding holes of adjacent pairs lie in a different transverse plane, the end edges of both ends of the U-shaped plate being correspondingly inclined across the width of the U-ahaped plate.

Thus, by staggering the holes in a multistaple plate, two potential lines of weakness across the width of a joint are substantially eliminated. Additionally, by inclining the ends of the plates, the adjacent ends of adjacent plates on a belt end do not create a continuous line across the belt, and consequently, any tendency for the ends of the plates to cut into the belt does nat produce a continuous cut across the belt and avoids the production of a line of weakness.

With the preferred second aspect of the invention, a conveyor belt joint is provided that is ideally suited to heavy duty applications.

To assist with the retention of the U-shaped plates on the end of the belt, it is preferred to punch the staple holes in the plate such as to produce an inwardly projecting rim that can grip the belt, and it is further preferred to provide inturned end edge at each end of the plate, again to grip the belt. Retention of the plate on the belt can be still further assisted by pressing the end sections into a wave form in cross-section, and with the longitudinal paira of holes each located in the bottom of a depression.

The transverse edge of each end section of the plates is preferably chamfered to assist the passage of the belt joint below, e.g., scraper bars located at a return drum end of a conveyor system.

With a multi-staple plate, it is preferred to have a number of projecting loop members connecting end sections in the form of plate areas, with the loop members interleaving with the loop members on the corresponding plate member on the opposite belt end.

One example of fastener in accordance with the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a belt fastener Ushaped plate; and Figure 2 is a side elevation of the U-shaped plate of figure 1.

In the drawings, a U-shaped belt fastener plate 1 has two parallel plate areas 2 connected by two spaced loop members 3. On the outer aurface of each plate area, two longitudinal depressions 4 are provided, and in each depression two holes 5 are punched, the depressions and holes in one plate area 6 being in register with the corresponding depressions and holes in the other plate area 6. The punching of the holes 5 creates a narrow rim 7 surrounding each hole, on the inside face of each plate area.

As is shown more particularly by Figure 1, the holes 5 in one depression 4 are offset from the holes 5 in the second depression 4 in the same plate area, the two pairs of holes in the other plate area 6 being similarly offset such that a pair of holes in one plate area remain in register with the corresponding pair of holes in the other plate area.

Also as is shown by Figure 1, the free edges 8 of each plate area 6 are correspondingly inclined rsarwardly of the U-shaped plate 1, and the free edges 8 are provided with a chamfer 9.

In its as-produced form, the U-shaped plate 1 has slightly divergent plate areas 6, to ease the positioning of the U-shaped plate over the end of a conveyor belt. Two U-shaped staples are then applied, the legs of which are driven through a respective pair of holes 5 of one plate area to emerge through a respective pair of co-operating holes in the other plate area, the force applied closing the plate areas on to the belt and when the rims 7 grip the belt to assist in the retention of the U-shaped plate 1 on the end of the conveyor belt. Once the staples are driven home, the connecting sections of each staple locate in the respective depressions 4 in one plate area, and the emerging ends of the legs of the staples are inturned to lie in the corresponding respective grooves in the other plate area.

Thus, with a number of U-shaped plates 1 positioned in side-by-side abutting relationship along the length of the end of a conveyor belt, the offset relationship between the pairs of holes of each plate is such that two potential lines of weakness across the width of the joint between two belt ends are substantially eliminated by spacing out laterally in-line point of penetration of the belt by the legs of the staples. In addition, by inclining the ends of the U-shaped plates, a further potential line of weakness is substantially eliminated.

With the connecting sections of the staples located in the depressions in the plate areas, and the ends of the staple legs bent to lie in the depressions in the other plate, a belt joint formed by the U-shaped plates can pass below, e.g. a belt scraper, and around drive and return drums for the conveyor belt with ease.

To further facilitate passage of the joint below e.g. a scraper, the free edges 8 of the plate areas are provided with a chamfer 9.

Claims

1. A conveyor belt fastener comprising a Ushaped plate, there being at least two longitudinally disposed pairs of holes in each end of the plate, to receive a corresponding number of staples, each longitudinal pair of holes being longitudinally offset with respect to the immediately adjacent longitudinal pair of holes and whereby the corresponding holes of adjacent pairs lie in a different transverse plane.

2. A conveyor belt fastener comprising a Ushaped plate, there being at least two longitudinally disposed pairs of holes in each end of the plate, to receive a corresponding number of staples, each longitudinal pair of holes being longitudinally offset with respect to the immediately adjacent longitudinal pair of holes and whereby the corresponding holes of adjacent pairs lie in a different transverse plane, the end edges of both ends of the U-shaped plate being correspondingly inclined across the width of the U-shaped plate.

3. A conveyor belt fastener as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the staple holes are punched in the plate to produce an inwardly projecting rim.

4. A conveyor belt fastener as in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the end sections of the plate are pressed into wave form, the staple holes being located in the bottom of a depression.

5. A conveyor belt fastener as in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein each end section of the plates is chamfered.

6. A conveyor belt fastener as in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the plates are provided with at least two loop members connecting the end sections.

7. A conveyor belt fastener substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.