OA21002A - Added reinforcement for conveyor belt junction and associated junction. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a junction reinforcement (20) intended to be attached to at least a first end portion (11) of a conveyor belt (1) of the type comprising a body (2) of flexible material with the interior of which is housed a reinforcement (3) comprising cables (4), the reinforcement (20) being remarkable in that it comprises retaining elements having at least one body configured to extend at least in part transversely with respect to the conveyor belt (1) and anchoring members configured to engage with at least part of the cables (4) so as to fix the body of the retaining elements to the first end portion (11 ) of the conveyor belt (1), the retaining elements comprising a retention interface for retaining fixing means (110) of a junction device (100) intended to connect the first end portion (11) to a second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1) when a tensile force is produced between the junction device (100) and the conveyor belt (1).

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: ATTACHED REINFORCEMENT FOR CONVEYOR BELT JUNCTION AND ASSOCIATED JUNCTION

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the technical field of conveyor belt junctions intended to connect the ends of at least one conveyor belt. For the sake of simplification, the term conveyor belt will, by convention in this description, have the meaning of both conveyor belt and belt.

[0002] The invention relates more specifically to an armature for an unloaded conveyor junction of the type comprising a body of flexible material inside which is housed a reinforcement comprising cables.

STATE OF PRIOR ART

Conveyor belts, also called conveyor belts, are known, used to transport different materials or different products, such as coal, ores, industrial or agricultural products. These conveyor belts consist of belts made of a reinforced elastomer, or of a reinforced synthetic material, of an appropriate length and width, the ends of which must be connected together, before assembly, or after assembly, on support and drive devices comprising return rollers and idle rollers. Often, these devices also include tensioning members intended to properly tension the conveyor belt.

[0004] These conveyor belts are used in particular in mines, quarries and other places where they are subject to severe working conditions and high internal tensions. Consequently, such conveyor belts are provided with reinforcements in the form of wires or cables, for example steel, arranged in the direction of the length of the conveyor belt and embedded in its body generally made of elastomeric or synthetic material for it. provide the strength necessary for the particular application for which the strip was intended.

[0005] Numerous solutions exist for carrying out this connection of the ends of the conveyor belts. Originally, and still today, vulcanization is used when the strip is made of a reinforced vulcanizable elastomer. After preparation work intended to create, for example, in each end complementary profiles which apply to each other when said ends are brought together, vulcanization is carried out with the addition of heat and pressure, as is well known. A variation of vulcanization is cold bonding.

[0006] In the case of a conveyor belt reinforced with cables, the effect of vulcanization or heat welding by butting does not allow the two strands of the cable reinforcement at each end to be fixed together. This results in a discontinuity at the level of the reinforcement, to the detriment of the mechanical resistance to traction. Solutions consisting of a clever distribution of the cables and their ends over the longitudinal extent of the connection are also known, so for example that their discontinuities are not all aligned along the same transverse axis, which would weaken locally and substantially the conveyor belt at the right of the junction.Such a solution, very widespread today, requires completely dissecting portions of the ends of all the cables on either side of the junction to be made, over a relatively large length, then to create a tangle of these cable end portions over a certain length, while arranging their ends offset longitudinally over the width of the strip. In this way, two ends of adjacent cables do not end up aligned transversely, namely in the width direction. Once this operation has been carried out, the cables must then be embedded in the material constituting the body of the strip and a vulcanization operation is carried out to finalize the junction.

[0007] The implementation of such a process is particularly restrictive. First of all, the multiplicity of operations requires a very long maintenance period, more than a day, or even several days. In addition, the very severe conditions of use of the conveyor belt require careful work when making the joints which can only be done by very qualified specialists. Given the duration of maintenance, several teams of people must take turns, each of these people must be qualified. Furthermore, these junctions require that this work be carried out over a very significant length, several meters long, generally between 5 and 10 meters. The vulcanization operation having to be carried out in a single step over the entire length of the joint, it is necessary to be able to have a vulcanizing press on site, generally at the place where the joint is to be repaired, and to adapt it to the length of the junction. The execution times and the corresponding costs are then very high.

Other solutions connecting the ends of the cables, for example by means of splices, are also known. However, here again such solutions mobilize qualified people and generally require operations to strip the cables in the vicinity of the end portions of the conveyor belt to be connected together, which takes a very long time to implement.

[0009] Another known means of connection consists of using staples in the general shape of a U, cut from metal strip, which staples comprise upper plates and lower plates connected by chamons, these staples being fixed in two series straddling each of the ends of the conveyor belt to be connected, such that the jacks protrude and those of one series can be nested between the jacks of the other series, a connecting and articulation rod then being passed inside the interlocking chamons so as to connect the two ends by forming a sort of hinge. The known means used to fix the clips on the ends of the conveyor belt consist of rod fixing means such as crampons, rivets and/or screws. These rods have the advantage of being able to pass through the cables embedded in the conveyor belt, and therefore in the end portions to be connected together. However, experience has shown that this solution was not always satisfactory in terms of tensile strength to the extent that the cable then suffered a significant untwisting effect. To minimize this untwisting effect, staples are generally used covering the portions of the ends of the conveyor belt over a greater length, so as to be able to distribute the rod fixing means over a greater length of cables, such a characteristic being particularly restrictive because it is detrimental to the flexibility of the junction when it passes over the return rollers.

[0010] Many other solutions have been developed in an attempt to increasingly improve the tensile strength and flexibility of the junction, as well as reduce the necessary maintenance time during which the conveyor belt must remain stationary. We can cite for example more recent solutions, proposing junction devices using flat connecting elements generally made of reinforced elastomer or reinforced synthetic material, arranged respectively astride one side and the other side of the ends of the conveyor belt and fixed on said ends which are to be connected. Examples of such junction devices are given in patents EP-0827575-B1 and EP-1163459-Bl. These devices comprise an upper plate and a lower plate, possibly connected by a central part. These lower and upper plates have a spacing adapted to engage the respective end of a conveyor belt. In other words, these junction devices comprise two pairs of fixing wings facing each other, the ends of the conveyor belt being introduced respectively between two wings of the same pair.

[0011] The fixing of the lower and upper parts, forming junction plates on the ends of the conveyor belt, is generally carried out using rod fixing means such as rivets, spikes, crampons, screw-nut systems, or by cold gluing or by flat vulcanization of the wings against the flat exterior surfaces of the conveyor belt engaged between the wings. These junction devices are made of a flexible and elastic material, for example vulcanized rubber, or of a synthetic material such as polyurethane and they generally include an incorporated reinforcement.

[0012] Such solutions are used effectively in the case of fabric-reinforced conveyor belts. However, in the case of cable reinforcements, the problem of rod fixing means crossing the cables is still present: the multiplication of rod fixing means to minimize local damage to the cables leads to a stiffening of the junction contrary to the desired flexibility to pass over the return rollers.

[0013] There is therefore a significant need, for a person skilled in the art, to arrive at a more effective solution than those proposed by the prior art for achieving a junction of two ends of a conveyor belt of the type comprising a body made of flexible material inside which is housed a reinforcement including cables.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to propose a solution which corresponds to an evolution of existing junctions for conveyor belts reinforced by cables, and which responds to all or part of the problems set out above.

[0015] An aim of the invention is in particular to propose a solution guaranteeing improved structural strength of the junction of such a conveyor belt to resist significant tensile forces, in particular for use intended for the transport of different materials such as coal or ores, while offering the necessary flexibility for the passage of the return rollers.

[0016] A desired objective is also a reduction in costs, on the one hand by proposing a solution with a cost price, inexpensive to manufacture, storage and distribution, and easy to implement so as not to require of qualified labor and reduce maintenance time, thereby reducing maintenance costs and downtime of the conveyor belt, this of course without in any way harming the quality of the product obtained, it is that is to say by maintaining, or even improving, the quality and resistance of the junction.

[0017] For this purpose, the invention relates to a junction reinforcement intended to be attached to at least a first end portion of a conveyor belt of the type comprising a body of flexible material inside which is housed a reinforcement comprising cables, the frame being remarkable in that it comprises retaining elements having at least one body configured to extend at least partly transversely relative to the conveyor belt and anchoring members configured to come into taken with at least part of the cables so as to fix the body of the retaining elements to the first end portion of the conveyor belt, the retaining elements comprising a retention interface for retaining means for fixing a device junction intended to connect the first end portion to a second end portion of the conveyor belt when a tensile force is produced between the junction device and the conveyor belt.

[0018] An armature comprising such a combination of characteristics is particularly advantageous in that it forms a structure for retaining the means for fixing a junction device making it possible to take up the tensile forces which pass through the junction. Furthermore, a means of fixing a junction device can exert its forces on a retaining element, itself secured with anchoring members, at least two, engaging on two separate cables, preferably adjacent, spaced transversely. Under these conditions, the tensile force undergone by each anchoring means is divided at least by two compared to the tensile force undergone by the means of fixing the junction device and this tensile force of a means of The anchor can be taken up by at least two cables. The reinforcement thus forms a means of distributing the tensile force experienced by the anchoring means which makes it possible to reduce the effect of untwisting of the cables compared to the prior art.

[0019] Furthermore, given that the anchoring members do not pass through the junction of the conveyor belt in its entire thickness, but only over a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the end portion obtained after a peeling operation, the flexibility of the junction is not impacted substantially.

[0020] Finally, such an armature makes it possible to join directly, or even indirectly if a longitudinal space is formed between the two ends of the conveyor belt, the ends of the cables housed in each of the portions substantially aligned transversely. Such a junction is easier to implement and makes it possible to substantially reduce the length of the junction.

[0021] The retention interface of the retained elements makes it possible to retain means for fixing a junction device intended to connect the first end portion to a second end portion of the conveyor belt in a junction position where the first and second end portions are arranged between two junction plates of the junction device fixed together by said fixing means. In such a configuration, the reinforcement attached to at least the first end portion of the conveyor belt is distinct from the junction device. In particular, the anchoring members are distinct from the fixing means used to fix the junction device, this junction device being of the type comprising at least two junction plates each covering a distinct side of the first and second end portions of the strip conveyor so that the first and second end portions of said conveyor belt are arranged between the two junction plates, the junction plates being fixed together by fixing means. In this way, the retention interface or interfaces ensures ( nt) a function of retaining the means for fixing the joining device, when a tensile force is produced between the joining device and the conveyor belt. The added reinforcement therefore provides a function of reinforcing at least the first end portion of the conveyor belt in order to retain the joining device when it is subjected to tensile forces.

Preferably, the anchoring members each comprise a rod configured to pass through the first end portion. These rods can be anchoring lugs of crampons forming a retaining element, or for example a rod of a screw forming a retaining element.

Preferably, the frame has a rigid structure. Such a structure provides better support than a flexible structure like a cable.

Preferably, the anchoring members and/or the body of the retaining elements are metallic.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the retention interface of at least some of the retaining elements is supported by the body of these said retaining elements. This makes it possible to simplify the structure of the frame. In an advantageous configuration, the retention interface has a concave surface forming a concavity oriented or open longitudinally so as to receive at least one of the fixing means in support. This support forms a receiving cradle for a fixing means allowing a uniform distribution of the forces taken up on the cables in which the associated anchoring members are engaged.

According to one embodiment, at least several of the retaining elements are secured together along an axis intended to extend transversely relative to the conveyor belt. Such a characteristic makes it easier for operators to install the retaining elements. In fact, this makes it possible to join several retaining elements at the same time. In addition, securing in the transverse direction of the conveyor belt ensures that the flexibility of the belt is not compromised.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the frame comprises at least one support plate configured to cover a part at least on the same side of the first end portion and the second end portion of the conveyor belt, the support plate comprising at least one part of several retaining elements distributed in a predetermined pattern, for example staggered. Preferably, the pattern will be chosen to guarantee a uniform distribution of tensile forces over the extent of the end portions of the cables. Such a support plate aims to secure or link together at least part of the retaining elements also in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, this without harming flexibility. In this way, by the use of such a support plate, preferably in the same flexible material as that of the body of the conveyor belt, it is possible to join together in a single operation several retaining elements which are prepositioned on said plate support so as to come to their corresponding place on the associated end portion.

According to one embodiment, the distance separating two anchoring members of a retaining element corresponds to a distance separating two cables from the first end portion of the conveyor belt. In this way the retaining elements are secured to two separate adjacent cables. More generally, we can choose a distance separating two anchoring members of a retaining element is configured to correspond substantially to a multiple of the distance separating two cables of the first end portion of the conveyor belt.

[0029] According to one embodiment, at least some of the anchoring members of at least some of the retaining elements comprise crampons, having anchoring lugs located in the extension of the body of the associated retaining element, each crampon preferably being formed in one piece.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the body of the retaining elements comprises an upper part and/or a lower part connected together by the anchoring members, the lower and/or upper parts of the body of the retaining elements being intended to come from one side or the other of the first end portion of the conveyor belt, depending on its thickness. Such a configuration also allows tightening on the corresponding end portion of the conveyor belt with pressure distributed over a wider surface. Such pressure makes it possible to reduce the transmission of forces by the anchoring member in the cable given that the tensile forces are then taken up both by the cable retaining the anchoring member and by the material of the portion end clamped between the upper piece and the lower piece of the retaining element.

[0031] According to one embodiment, a first of the two parts constituted by the upper part and the lower part of the body of the retaining element comprises at least one bowl, such as a countersink, capable of housing a head of the one of the anchoring members, and in that the second of the two parts comprises at least one anchoring interface, such as a thread, with which an anchoring section of said anchoring member is able to cooperate.

[0032] According to one embodiment, a first part among the upper part or the lower part comprises at least one cavity capable of housing at least part of a head or central transverse part of a rod of an anchoring member , such as a crampon. According to a complementary or alternative embodiment, a second part among the upper part or the lower part comprises at least one cavity capable of housing at least part of the ends of the anchoring members, preferably curved under the part.

[0033] According to a second aspect, the invention also relates to a conveyor belt junction extending along a longitudinal axis comprising a body of flexible material inside which is housed a reinforcement comprising cables extending at least in part axially, the conveyor belt comprising a first and a second end portion connected together by a junction device comprising at least two junction plates each covering a distinct side of the first and second end portions of the conveyor belt so that the first and second end portions of said conveyor belt are arranged between the two junction plates, the junction plates being fixed together by fixing means, the junction being remarkable in that it comprises at least one junction reinforcement as described above reported on the first end portion and the second end portion, and configured to retain the means for fixing the joining device when a tensile force is produced between the joining device and the conveyor belt.

[0034] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a conveyor belt junction as described above, remarkable in that it comprises at least the following steps:

shelling an upper part and a lower part of the body of the conveyor belt at the level of the first end portion and the second end portion of the conveyor belt;

installation of at least one junction reinforcement attached to the first end portion and the second end portion of the conveyor belt;

- installation of the joining device so as to join the first and second end portions of the conveyor belt.

[0035] Such a process is particularly advantageous in that it is easy to implement by a person, without requiring any particular qualification.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the step of peeling an upper part and a lower part of the body of the conveyor belt at the level of the first end portion and the second end portion of the belt conveyor corresponds to an operation of removing material in the body made of flexible material from the corresponding end portion, this material being located on an outer and inner peripheral layer or sheet of the associated end portion, surrounding a central sheet inside from which the reinforcements such as the cables are located. The central layer is then not peeled during this step since the process does not require removing all the material around the cables from the end portion, which is a considerable time saving, further reducing maintenance costs and the downtime of the conveyor belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFFIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:

[Fig. IA]: an exploded view of a junction of a conveyor belt according to a first embodiment;

[Fig. IB]: a top perspective view of the junction assembled according to this first embodiment;

[Fig. 2]: a view of a first end portion and a second end portion of the conveyor belt each provided with a frame according to this first embodiment;

[Fig. 3]: a top perspective view of the junction assembled according to a second embodiment;

[Fig. 4A]: a detail of Figure 3;

[Fig. 4B]: a partial detailed perspective view from above of the junction assembled according to a third embodiment;

[Fig. 5]: a detailed perspective view from below of the junction assembled according to this third embodiment;

[Fig. 6A]: a local sectional view of a support of a fixing means against a retaining element according to a fourth embodiment;

[Fig. 6B]: a top perspective view of the sectional view of Figure 6A;

[Fig. 6C]: a perspective view from below of the sectional view of Figure 6A;

[Fig. 7]: a top perspective view of a local section of a support of a fixing means against a retaining element according to a fifth embodiment;

[Fig. 8]: a view of a reinforcement for a junction according to a sixth embodiment;

[Fig. 9]: a detail of a junction comprising the reinforcement according to this sixth embodiment;

[Fig. 10]: a top perspective view of the junction assembled according to this sixth embodiment;

[Fig. 11]: a top perspective view of a junction assembled according to a seventh embodiment;

[Fig. 12]: a view of a support plate for a junction according to an eighth embodiment;

[Fig. 13]: a view of a junction of a conveyor belt according to this eighth embodiment;

[Fig. 14]: a view of a support plate for a junction according to a ninth embodiment.

[0038] For greater clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs in all of the figures.

[0039] In the description and the claims, to clarify the description and the claims, we will adopt, on a non-limiting basis, the terminology longitudinal, transverse and vertical with reference to the trihedron X, Y, Z indicated in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0040] Figures IA, IB and 2 illustrate a junction lO of a conveyor belt 1 according to a first embodiment. The conveyor belt 1 extends along a longitudinal axis X corresponding generally to its direction of movement along a conveyor. The conveyor belt I comprises a body 2 formed of a flexible material such as a vulcanizable elastomer, or a synthetic material, reinforced with a reinforcement 3 comprising cables 4 embedded in the body 2. The forces taken up by the conveyor belt I are mainly longitudinal so that the cables 4 are arranged in the body 2 of the conveyor belt extending axially and that they work in traction during the use of said conveyor belt.

The conveyor belt I has a first end edge 11' and a second end edge 12', from which extend on the conveyor belt 1 a first end portion 11 and a second end portion 12 connected together by a junction device lOOensuring the junction 10 of the two end portions 11, 12. It will be noted in practice that, taking into account the distances for conveying the different materials or different products depending on the uses in quarries or other places of use, the same conveyor belt I can be formed by the junction of several longitudinal portions of conveyor belt connected together by a junction device 100.

[0042] The end portions 11, 12 are configured so that in the joined position, the junction lO at the level of the junction device lOO is of thickness equal to that of the conveyor belt 1. In this way, the use of the junction device 100 does not locally create an extra thickness at its end portions 11, 12, the thickness being constant. Such a characteristic is particularly important to avoid any premature wear due to the passage of scrapers on the conveyor. To satisfy this constraint, the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 are thinned, in particular after having been peeled by a peeling operation, to guarantee the installation of the junction device 100. This peeling preferably extends in the thickness up to the cables 4, that is to say up to a thickness corresponding to the cable thickness 4.

[0043] The conveyor belt accommodates in its body 2 the reinforcing cables 4. The conveyor belt 1 is structured so as to comprise, in the direction of its thickness, a substantially central layer lA which integrates the cables 4, interposed vertically between two external layers of flexible material of the body 2 devoid of reinforcement 3, namely: an upper part and a lower part of the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1.

[0044] Each of the cables 4 of the conveyor belt 1 extends longitudinally in the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1 continuously up to the corresponding end portion where the loose and severed end of each cable 4 is located. of ends 11, 12 are formed, in the longitudinal extension of the conveyor belt, of the central ply integrating the cables and stripped or peeled of the outer plies, namely peeled of the lower and upper layers of material normally located, on the rest of the conveyor belt outside the junction 10, on either side of the central layer IA. The thickness of the end portions 11,12 corresponds to the thickness of the central layer lAobtained after the peeling operation, and preferably equal to an average diameter of the cables 4 or to the diameter of the largest cable 4. Perfect stripping of each cable corresponding to the complete removal of all the material of the body 2 surrounding the cables 4, and in particular the material of the body 2 between the cables 4, is therefore not necessary.

[0045] The junction device lOOensuring the junction of the two end portions 11, 12 here comprises two junction plates 101, 102 each dimensioned to cover, over all or part of the width of the conveyor belt 1 and preferably over the entire width, the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 on the same side of the conveyor belt. The junction plates 101, 102 comprise a lower junction plate lOlse located astride the first and second end portions 11, 12 and an upper junction plate l02 positioned astride the first and second end portionsll, 12 so as to cover them. These junction plates 101,102 each have a thickness complementary to that of the corresponding end portion configured to fill together the removal of material carried out during the peeling step aimed at obtaining the thinning of the first end portion 11 and the second portion end l2. In this way, after joining, we obtain an outcrop of Injunction lO with lower surfaces!” and upper l of the conveyor belt, that is to say a constant thickness of the conveyor belt l, without relief. As already mentioned above, such a characteristic makes it possible to avoid any premature wear due to the use of scrapers (not illustrated) located on the path of the conveyed materials and configured to scrape the upper surface of the conveyor belt. .

The first and second end portions 11, 12 of said conveyor belt 1 are caught between or clamped between, vertically, the two junction plates 101, 102 which each create a bridge of material between the first and second ends! 1, 12. These junction plates 101, 102 are made of a flexible and elastic material, for example vulcanized rubber, or of a synthetic material such as polyurethane and may include an incorporated reinforcement, for example a textile reinforcement. It is preferably the same flexible material as that constituting the body 2 of the conveyor belt 1.

The fixing of the junction plates, lower lOlet upper 102, is carried out by means of fixing 110 with rod such as rivets, points, crampons, and/or screw-nut systems. The fixing means 110 pass through the thickness and successively: a first of the two junction plates 101 oul02, then one of the two end portions 11 oul2, and finally the second of the two junction plates 101 oul02. In this first embodiment, the fixing means llO are screws each comprising a head lllet an anchoring section 112 provided with a thread, the junction plates lOl, 102 comprising first interfaces 113 to cooperate with the heads 11 I of the fixing means 110 and /or second interfaces ll4 to cooperate with the anchoring sections 112 of the fixing means llO. The first and second interfaces ll3, 114 are carried by inserts embedded in the junction plates llOl, 102 or attached (for example a washer 115). Preferably l the insert carrying the second interface, here the tapped insert, locally fits a portion of a cable 4 or a group of cables 4, for example following the same curvature, so as to allow significant tightening without deforming it (see the figure 5).

[0048] The first interfaces 113 comprise vertically pierced washers 115, each comprising a cup capable of housing a head III of one of the fixing means III. In such a configuration, the washers ll5 forming first interfaces 113 thus form inserts associated around and in addition to an orifice in the upper junction plate 101 adapted to be crossed by the fixing means llO. These washers 115 each have on their periphery points oriented towards the junction plate which supports it to penetrate and engage in said junction plate. Alternatively, or in combination, for example in the case where first indifferent interfaces are integrated together into the same junction plate, these washers 115 can be incorporated into the junction plate lOl, that is to say embedded in the flexible and elastic material such as for example the vulcanized rubber forming the associated junction plate.

[0049] The second interfaces 114 comprise a cylindrical tubular part llô of which an interior cylindrical surface is capable of cooperating with the anchoring section 112 of the fixing means llO, here thanks to complementary tapping of the thread of the anchoring section 112.

[0050] According to the invention, the junction 10 comprises a junction reinforcement 20 attached to the first end portion 11 and another reinforcement 20 attached to the second end portion 12. These reinforcements 20 are configured to retain all or part of the means fixingllO of the junction device 100 when a tensile force is produced between the junction device 100 and the conveyor belt 1.

[0051] In particular, the reinforcements 20 are attached to the first and second end portions 11,12, which are thinned in thickness, this after a step of peeling the first end portion 11 and the second portion of end 12 of the conveyor belt 1 which results in obtaining the central ply Adegamie integrating the cables, the thickness of the end portion 11, 12 being preferably reduced to that of the cables 4, and before the installation of the junction device lOOby which the two junction plates 101, 102 are superimposed astride the first and second end portions 11,12 of the conveyor belt provided with said reinforcements20.

[0052] The frames 20 comprise retaining elements 30 comprising a plurality of crampons 301. Each stud 301 has a general “U” shape before it is attached to the conveyor belt. A crampon 301 is formed from a one-piece rod, namely in one piece and preferably metallic. The body 31 of the crampons 301 is formed from a central transverse part of the rod forming the retention interface 32, said body 31 being configured to extend transversely with respect to the conveyor belt 1. The central part of the rod is interposed between two lateral parts of the rod forming the anchoring members 40. In other words, each crampon 301 comprises anchoring lugs 33 formed from extensions of the central part of the rod, namely on either side of the body 31.

[0053] These anchoring members 40, here the anchoring lugs 33, each have the shape of a rod and have points at their ends to facilitate their introduction into the associated end portion 11,12 to pass through it vertically in its thickness. The tips of the anchor tabs 33 of each crampon 301 are folded or curved under the corresponding end portion 11, 12 after their insertion to lock the fixation of the crampon 301 once installed and ensure that it cannot be removed during use of the band transporter!.

[0054] The retention interface 32 of the retaining elements 30 is configured to retain fixing means 110 when a tensile force is produced between the junction device 100 and the conveyor belt!. The retention interface 32 is supported by the body 31 of these said retaining elements 30. The anchoring lugs 33 of the same crampon 301 are anchored in two distinct cables 4 of the same end portion 11, corresponding to the cables 4 extending axially relative to the conveyor belt 1. The body 31 of each clamp 301 then positions itself at least partly transversely between two adjacent cables 4 forming a connecting bridge between the two cables 4, therefore also transversely along an axis Y in relation to the belt transporter. The two anchoring tabs 33 of the same crampon 301 are spaced apart by a distance d equal to a distance separating the central axes of two cables 4 from the corresponding end portion 11, 12 (see Figure 5). More generally, this distance d is chosen so as to be a multiple of an average spacing between two cables to guarantee a homogeneous distribution of the cables along the width of the conveyor belt 1. Of course, variants may be possible, such as a clamp with more than two anchoring tabs 33, for example three, each anchoring in one of the cables among three adjacent cables.

[0055] The crampons 301 of each of the frames 20 are distributed evenly on each of the two end portions 11, 12 in a suitable pattern. Indeed, each of the two end portions 11, 12 must include sufficient retaining elements 30 to ensure its function of retaining the fixing means llO of the junction device 100 when a tensile force on the strip, but not too much so as not to significantly degrade the flexibility of said conveyor belt 1 at the junction 10.

[0056] When using the conveyor belt 1, it moves longitudinally so as to transport different materials or products. This transport involves a resistance effort in the conveyor belt 1 which works in traction. At the junction 10 in particular, the tensile forces tending to separate the first end portion ll from the second end portion 12 then retained relative to each other by the junction device 100. Indeed, when it is stressed by such a tensile force, one of the two end portions ll, 12 applies a pulling force on the fixing means llO of the junction device lOO which passes through them, the fixing means llO being held by the junction plates 101, 102 of the junction device 100, themselves retained by the other of the two end portions 11,12, preferably symmetrically with respect to a vertical junction plane parallel to the transverse axis Y and located between, or even containing , both end edgesll', 12'. The junction plates 101, 102 of the junction device 10 are therefore heavily stressed in traction, and the fixing means ll0 make it possible to retain the axial spacing of the end portions 11, 121' one relative to the other. The reinforcement 20 forms a reinforcement of the associated end portion 11, 12 by taking up the tensile forces of the screws 110 which come to bear against the retention interfaces 32 of the retaining elements 30 placed on their path during traction. Such supports are illustrated in detail with reference to Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 7 according to different variants.

[0057] Each retaining element 30 is arranged longitudinally between at least one of the fixing means 110 and one of the end edges 11', 12' of the conveyor belt 1, that is to say of the associated end portion 11,12. In this way, the fixing means HO are retained by the retaining elements 30 by coming to bear, directly or indirectly, against at least one of the retention interfaces 32. These retaining means 30 are also fixed to at least two separate cables 4 , preferably two adjacent cables 4 as illustrated in this embodiment. In this way, each retaining element 30 forms an obstacle to the longitudinal movement of the screws 110 during the application of the tensile forces of the end portion 11,12 associated with the junction device 100. Such a characteristic contributes to reinforcing the connection between the two end portions 11, 12, consequently reinforcing the junction 10.

[0058] The retention interfaces 32 carried by the retaining elements 30 which are anchored in the first end portion ll retain the fixing means llO of the junction device 1OO in a first direction of traction Tl (see Figure IB). The retention interfaces 32 carried by the retaining elements 30 which are anchored in the second end portion ll retain the fixing means llO of the junction device 1OO in a second direction of traction T2, opposite to the first direction of traction Tl. Thus, when a tensile force is produced between the junction device 100 and each of the ends of the conveyor belt, the reinforcements 20 participate in maintaining the relative longitudinal spacing of the end portions 11, 12 and the structural strength of the ends of the belt conveyor 1 and junction 10 is guaranteed to withstand significant tensile forces. Furthermore, the fact that the retaining elements 30 are located only at the level of the thinned end portions 11, 12, the impact of said retaining elements 30 on the flexibility of the strip is reduced. Finally, even if the fixing means 110 with rod pass through the reinforcing cables 4, the tensile force of a single fixing means HO is distributed over at least two cables, which reduces the recovery of tensile force by cable 4 which limits the untwisting effect.

[0059] In this embodiment, the retaining elements 30 are arranged in several, in particular three, transverse alignments or distinct rows per end portion 11, 12. The retaining elements 30 are further arranged in several longitudinal alignments per end portion 11, 12, each longitudinal alignment of an end portion 11, 12 being aligned with a longitudinal alignment of the other end portion 12, ll.Each retaining means 30 is fixed to two cables 4 distinct adjacent areas. A cable is here connected by the retaining means 30 to a single adjacent cable so that the cables are connected in independent pairs. In such a configuration, one of the cables on a side edge may not have any retaining element passing through it if the end portion 11, 12 comprises an odd number of cables. Generally speaking, such a configuration is interesting in what it maintains good flexibility of the junction lO to favor the troughing of the conveyor belt 1. Of course, such a distribution of the retaining elements30 can be different. For example, the retaining elements 30 comprising the studs 301 can be arranged in a staggered manner, so that they are placed for example in three transverse alignments or distinct rows per end portion 12, the studs 301 being, from one row to the next. 'other, offset by a step corresponding to an average space between two cables4. This distribution also depends on the pattern formed by the fixing means 110 on the junction device 100.

[0060] It will be noted that this first embodiment provides fixing means 110 passing through the two junction plates 101, 102 of the junction device 10 along a central row, without crossing either of the end portions 11, 12 but crossing a space delimited longitudinally between the two end edges 11', 12' of the conveyor belt 1. Note that in an alternative embodiment, the two end portions 11, 12 can be butted together in the junction. In this case, if a central row of fixing means llO is provided, said fixing means HO of this row pass through one of the end portions which has a suitable length, slightly greater than that of the other end portion .Yet another variant is that the two junction plates 101, 102 are linked in their center by a junction of material forming an "H" profile of the junction device 100, this junction being able to be formed in one piece with the one and/or the other of the two junction plates 101,102, or else form an attached part.

[0061] Two rows of fixing means llO are arranged so as to border the longitudinal ends of the junction device 100 and further comprise a protective edge projecting longitudinally towards the outside of the junction 10 from the first interfaces 113, here the washers 115. The two edges longitudinally delimiting the upper junction plate 101 are then reinforced which limits the risk of wear which could create relief, and therefore the risk that the junction plate could come into the path of possible scrapers. Of course, such a reinforced border can be applied in addition or as a variant to the lower junction plate 102.

[0062] Figures 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate other embodiments which differ from the first embodiment in particular in that the junction device lOO is configured in that each fixing means llO comes to bear against elements restraints30distinct placed in their path when pulling. The pattern formed by the arrangement of the fixing means llObinating the two junction plates 101, 102 and passing through one of the corresponding end portions 11,12 is therefore associated and similar to that of the retaining elements 30. The distribution of the fixing means 110 then depends on that of the retaining elements 30. Such a structure offers improved tensile strength. These embodiments here lack a central row of fixing means 110.

[0063] On the contrary, in the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1A and IB, the fixing means 110 of the junction device 100 are perfectly aligned longitudinally in pairs with each of the retention interfaces 32 of the retaining elements 30. Indeed, the pattern formed by the retaining elements 30 on the first and second end portions 11, 12 can be chosen, so that a majority, and not necessarily all, of the fixing means 110 of the junction device 100 are retained by, and aligned longitudinally with, the retaining elements 30 by coming to bear directly or indirectly against at least one retention interface 32. Indeed, such an embodiment is practical in the case where the reinforcements 20 and the junction device 100 are fixed in difficult conditions, or the assembly precision is not perfect. This makes it possible to reduce the time necessary for the installation of the reinforcement 20. In this case, the retaining effect is still guaranteed even though certain fixing elements 110 can be arranged crossing a cable 4 and/or offset relative to a retaining element 30 of the frame 20. In such a configuration, the arrangement of the fixing means llO, here the screws, random with respect to the pitch of the cables of the band 1 preferably combines support on the elements of retainer 30, tightening of said screws 110 on the strip and passage of certain fixing means 110 through the cables.

[0064] With reference to Figures 3 and 4A, this second embodiment illustrates retaining elements 30 of the crampon type 301 comparable to the first embodiment with the difference that their retention interface 32 has a concavity 320 oriented or open longitudinally. This concavity 320 forms the retention interface 32 making it possible to receive in support, direct or indirect, at least one of the fixing means 110, here only one. This support forms a receiving cradle for a rod fixing means 110, in particular the rod itself, minimizing the relative transverse movements between the associated end portion and the junction device 100 and allowing uniform distribution of the forces taken up on the two cables in which the associated clamp 301 is anchored thanks to the anchoring members 40, in particular here the anchoring lugs 33.

[0065] Figures 4B and 5 illustrate views of a third embodiment which essentially differs from the second in that the retention interfaces 32 of the retaining elements 30 of the crampon type 301 are rectilinear, in a manner similar to the first embodiment.

[0066] Figures 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate views of a fourth embodiment which essentially differs from the second in that the retention interfaces 32 of the retaining elements 30 of the crampon type 301 are rectilinear, in a manner similar to the first embodiment . Furthermore, each retaining element 30 comprises a lower part 35' configured to connect two anchoring members 40, in particular two anchoring tabs 33 of the same retaining element 30. Each lower part 35' is located on the side vertically opposite the side of the end portion receiving the body 31 of the rod of the crampons 301. The lower parts 35' generally have an oblong shape having a concavity at least on one front side wall and oriented longitudinally. This concavity 320 forms a retention interface 32 complementary to that carried by the body 31 of the crampon 301 and makes it possible to receive in support, direct or indirect, at least one of the fixing means 110. Such a concavity 320 makes it possible to ensure a better distribution of forces on the cables in which the associated retaining element is anchored. A suitable indentation is provided on one of the sides of each lower piece 35' to receive at least part of each of the two anchoring lugs 33 of the crampon 301 curved under the end portion 11,12.

[0067] Figure 7 illustrates a top perspective view of a local section of a support of a fixing means against a retaining element according to a fifth embodiment. This embodiment differs from the fourth previous embodiment, in that it comprises, in addition to a lower part 35', an upper part 34' receiving the crampons 301. The functions of the lower 35' and upper 34' parts are similar to those of the lower and upper parts 34, 35 of the body 31 with reference to the embodiments described below since each retaining element 30 comprises an upper part 34 and a lower part 35 connected together by the anchoring members 40. The lower and upper parts 34, 35 of the body 31 of each retaining element 30 form inserts intended to come on either side vertically of the first end portion 11, 12 associated with the conveyor belt 1, in the direction of its thickness. The upper part 34' includes an imprint adapted on one of its sides to receive at least part of the body 31 of the crampon 301, whether it is rectilinear or whether it has a concavity 32O. The presence of the upper part 34' offsets here the interface of the retention interface 32 at its lateral edge. Indeed, the body 31 of the retaining elements 30 includes the upper part 34' forming an insert carrying the retention interface 32.

[0068] Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrate views of an armature 20 for a junction lO according to a sixth embodiment. This sixth embodiment differs essentially from the previous ones in that the body 31 of each retaining element 30 comprises an upper part 34 and a lower part 35 connected together by the anchoring members 40. The lower and upper parts 34, 35 of the body 31 of each retaining element 30 form inserts intended to come on either side vertically of the associated first end portion 11,12 of the conveyor belt 1, in the direction of its thickness. The anchoring members 40 comprise screws provided with a head 41 and a threaded rod at least in part forming an anchoring section 42. The anchoring members

40 pass through the end portion 11, 12 associated vertically in its thickness to connect and grip the lower and upper parts 34, 35 of the body 31 against each side vertically of the associated end portion 11,12.

The upper part 34 forms a single piece metal plate and comprises two cups 310, such as countersinks, each being capable of housing a head 41 of one of the anchoring members 40. The lower part 35 opposite vertically to the upper part 34 with respect to the associated end portion forms another metal plate in one piece and comprises two anchoring interfaces 311, such as threads, with which each of the anchoring sections 42 of the two are capable of cooperating screw-type anchoring members 40.

[0070] An advantage of this embodiment is that several of the retaining elements 30 are secured together along an axis Y' intended to extend transversely, that is to say parallel to a transverse axis Y of the conveyor belt 1. Such connection is preferably configured so that the length of this assembly corresponds to the width of the conveyor belt 1. In this way, the reinforcement 20 can be positioned quickly directly by row of a plurality of elements of retained 30 in solidarity with each other.

[0071] The retention interface 32 of each of the retaining elements 30 is supported by the body 31 of these said retaining elements 30. The upper 34 and lower parts 35 of the retaining elements 30 generally have an oblong shape having a concavity at least on one frontal side wall and oriented longitudinally. This concavity 320 forms the retention interface 32 making it possible to receive in support, direct or indirect, at least one of the fixing means 110. This support forms a receiving cradle for a fixing means 110 with a rod, in particular the rod itself -even, minimizing the relative transverse movements between the associated end portion and the junction device 100. Preferably the concavity 320 matches the shape of the cable that it retains, for example with an angle of 1/3.

[0072] Each upper 34 and lower 35 part of the same retaining element 30 has points oriented towards the end portion 11, 12 which supports it and configured to penetrate said end portion 11, 12 to participate in the anchoring the retaining element 30 in the body 2 of the end portion 11, 12, this in addition to the anchoring members 40 passing through the cables 4.

[0073] The retaining elements 30 each comprise two anchoring members 40 spaced at a distance d sufficient to guarantee anchoring on two adjacent reinforcing cables 4. This distance d is equal to a distance separating the central axes of two cables 4 from the corresponding end portion 11,12. A single row of a plurality of retaining elements 30 is configured so that each retaining element 30 is linked to another retaining element 30 by a flexible connection 300 so as to promote troughing of the strip conveyor, namely its transverse flexibility. Such an advantage is further improved in the case where these connections, flexible 300 or not, are broken or separated during an operation of separation of the retaining elements 30, for example after a step of fixing the anchoring members 40, and more generally after the stage of setting up the reinforcement20.

[0074] Figure 11 illustrates a top perspective view of a junction assembled according to a seventh embodiment in which, with respect to the sixth embodiment, a row of fixing means 110 is arranged so as to border each longitudinal end of the junction device 100 with a protective edge projecting longitudinally from the first interfaces 113, in a manner comparable to the first embodiment.

[0075] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate views of the support plates 21, 22 for a junction lOaccording to an eighth embodiment.

This embodiment comprises retaining elements 30 comparable to the sixth and seventh embodiments. However, this embodiment essentially differs from these in that the retaining elements 30 are not linked together in continuous rows extending transversely along the width of the conveyor belt I but have support plates 21, 22 comprising a plurality of retaining elements 30. The support plates 21, 22 are configured to extend longitudinally so as to cover the same side of the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 of the conveyor belt 1 on at least one predetermined transverse portion, or even the entire width of the conveyor belt integrating a part of the retaining elements 30 so as to allow pre-positioning of said retaining elements 301 when the reinforcement 20 is installed. In particular, the frame 20 comprises:

upper support plates 2I in the form of strips which each comprise a plurality of upper pieces 34 of retaining elements 30 distributed in a certain pattern on or in the support plate; and lower support plates 22 in the form of strips which comprise the lower pieces 35 of the retaining elements 30 distributed in the same pattern as that of the upper pieces 34 of the upper support plates 21 which are superimposed vertically so as to allow the alignment of the bowls 310 with the anchoring interfaces 311 for their connection by screwing.

[0077] This predetermined pattern can be configured to obtain retaining elements 30 arranged in longitudinal and/or transverse alignments, alone or in groups of several such as in pairs, in transverse alignments, therefore in rows with longitudinal offsets such as staggered, etc. An alternating arrangement of the inserts 34, 35 makes it possible to promote the troughing of the junction and also the winding around the return rollers of the conveyor without creating a line of initial rupture.

[0078] The support plates 21, 22 are preferably formed from the same material as that of the body of the conveyor belt 1. But this can vary and they can comprise a body made of flexible material and more generally of an elastomer or of material of synthesis. In this embodiment, the inserts 34, 35 are premolded in rubber, polyurethane (PU) or any other material.

[0079] In this way, the reinforcements are in the form of support plates 21, 22 which are easy to fix on the end portions 11, 12 of the strip 1. Once the support plates are installed, it is enough to join them together with anchoring members such as screws 40. The support plates 21, 22 here cover the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12, entirely along their length. However, they have a narrower width than the conveyor belt 1 itself so that a plurality of support plates 21, 22 must be joined transversely to completely cover the width of the first end portion 11 and the second portion of end 12. In this way, support plates can be manufactured more easily. They can be manufactured in a continuous strip or of large longitudinal dimension then cut to the desired length. Depending on the width of the support plates, it is also possible to easily adapt to the width of strip 1.

[0080] Figure 14 illustrates a view of a support plate 21 for a junction according to a ninth embodiment. This support plate is here in the form of a longitudinal connection of several retaining elements 30. A single upper support plate 21 connects a plurality of crampons 301. It will be noted that various materials can be used to form the support plate, such as than a softer material such as leather or textile reinforcement.

[0081] The manufacture of a conveyor belt junction 10 according to the invention is therefore particularly simple and generally comprises the following steps:

shelling of an upper part and a lower part of the body 2 of the conveyor belt at the level of the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 of the conveyor belt 1, making it possible to obtain a sheet central IA stripped and provided with the ends of the cables installation of at least one junction reinforcement 20 attached to the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 of the conveyor belt 1;

installation of the junction device 100 so as to join the first and second end portions 11,12 of the conveyor belt 1.

[0082] In summary, such a junction makes it possible to limit the preparation of the end portions to only the removal of the upper and lower coverings of the strip to arrive at a thinned end portion corresponding to the central ply, thus facilitating the Implementation.

[0083] The use of such a reinforcement according to the invention makes it possible to create or recreate a frame thanks to the retention interfaces 32, between each cable or according to another configuration, for example one cable out of two, for the flexibility of the junction and following the strip resistance, crossing the cables using the anchoring members 40.

[0084] Furthermore, such an armature is compatible with the use of a junction device known from the prior art, facilitating the supply of users and reducing costs.

[0085] During assembly, tightening the fixing means 110 of the junction in the end portions comprising the cables is sufficient to fix the reinforcement on the end portions of the conveyor belt. Sliding is then limited since the fixing abuts on the reinforcement created with the retention interfaces when a tensile force is applied to the conveyor belt.

[0086] By combining the tightening force of the fixing means 110 of the junction device 100 and the support of the screws on the frame, we obtain a sufficient connection to resist the desired forces.

[0087] Naturally, the invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that those skilled in the art are able to carry out different variants of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0088] For example, it is understood that other fixing means or anchoring means than screws can be used while ensuring the same function. Furthermore, the vertical orientations of the retaining elements and/or the fixing means may be different, their direction then being in this case reversed compared to the figures.

[0089] Finally, the term “transverse” linked to the edge of the reinforcement, or of the junction plate must be understood as extending, once the junction device assembled with the ends of the strip, on one side to the other of the conveyor belt by crossing it along its width. This does not limit the invention to an arrangement of the junction plates perpendicular to the conveyor belt, the junction device being able to perfectly present an angle other than 90° relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0090] It is emphasized that all the characteristics, as they emerge for a person skilled in the art from the present description, the drawings and the attached claims, even if concretely they have only been described in relation to other specified features, both individually and in any combinations, may be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, provided this has not been expressly excluded or technical circumstances make such combinations impossible or meaningless.

Claims (11)

1. Junction reinforcement (20) intended to be attached to at least a first end portion (11) of a conveyor belt (1) of the type comprising a body (2) of flexible material inside in which a reinforcement (3) comprising cables (4) is housed, the reinforcement (20) being characterized in that it comprises retaining elements (30) having at least one body (31) configured to extend to the less partly transversely with respect to the conveyor belt (1) and anchoring members (40) configured to engage with at least part of the cables (4) passing through a thickness of the first end portion (11) so as to fix the body (31) of the retaining elements to the first end portion (11) of the conveyor belt (1), the retaining elements (30) comprising a retention interface (32) for retaining means of fixing (HO) of a junction device (100) intended to connect the first end portion (11) to a second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (l) when the first and second portions of ends (ll, 12) are arranged between two junction plates (101, 102) of the junction device (100) fixed together by said fixing means (110), the retention interface (32) being configured to retain the means fixing (HO) when a tensile force is produced between the junction device (100) and the conveyor belt (1). 2. Junction reinforcement (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the anchoring members (40) each comprise a rod configured to pass through the first end portion (11). 3. Junction reinforcement (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retention interface (32) of at least some of the retaining elements (30) is supported by the body (31) of these said retaining elements (30). 4. Junction reinforcement (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least several of the retaining elements (30) are secured together along an axis (Y') intended to extend transversely in relation to the conveyor belt (1). 5. Junction reinforcement (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one support plate (21, 22) configured to cover at least a part of the same side of the first end portion (11) and the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1), the support plate (21, 22) comprising at least one part of several retaining elements (30) distributed along a predetermined pattern, for example staggered. 6. Junction reinforcement (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (d) separating two anchoring members (40) from a retaining element (30) is configured to correspond at a distance separating two cables (4) from the first end portion (11) of the conveyor belt (1). 7. Junction reinforcement (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some of the anchoring members (40) of at least some of the retaining elements (30) comprise crampons, having anchoring tabs (33) located in the extension of the associated body (31), each crampon preferably being formed in one piece. 8. Junction reinforcement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (31) of the retaining elements (30) comprises an upper part (34, 34 ') and/or a part lower (35, 35') connected together by the anchoring members (40), the lower and/or upper parts (34, 35) of the body (31) of the retaining elements (30) being intended to come from a side or the other of the first end portion (11) of the conveyor belt (1), depending on its thickness (e). 9. Junction frame (20) (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that a first of the two parts constituted by the upper part and the lower part (34, 35) of the body (31) of the element of retainer (30) comprises at least one bowl (310), such as a countersink, capable of housing a head (41) of one of the anchoring members (40), and in that the second of the two parts (34, 35) comprises at least one anchoring interface (311), such as a thread, with which an anchoring section (42) of said anchoring member (40) is able to cooperate. 10. Junction (10) of conveyor belt (l) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) comprising a body (2) of flexible material inside which is housed a reinforcement (3) comprising cables (4) s extending at least partly axially, the conveyor belt (1) comprising a first (11) and a second (12) end portions connected together by a junction device (100) comprising at least two junction plates (101, 102) each covering a distinct side of the first and second end portions (11, 12) of the conveyor belt (1) so that the first and second end portions (11, 12) of said conveyor belt (1) are arranged between the two junction plates (101, 102), the junction plates (101, 102) being fixed together by fixing means (110), the junction (10) being characterized in that it comprises at least one reinforcement (20) junction (10) according to any one of the preceding claims reported on the first end portion (11) and the second end portion (12), and configured to retain the fixing means (llO) of the fixing device junction (100) when a tensile force is produced between the junction device (100) and the conveyor belt (1). 11. Method for manufacturing a junction (10) of a conveyor belt (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: Shelling of an upper part and a lower part of the body (2) of the conveyor belt at the level of the first end portion (11) and the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1) ; Installation of at least one junction reinforcement (20) attached to the first end portion (11) and the second end portion (12) of the conveyor belt (1); Positioning of the joining device (100) so as to join the first and second end portions (11, 12) of the conveyor belt (1).