US3520398A - Laterally flexible conveyor - Google Patents

Laterally flexible conveyor Download PDF

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Publication number
US3520398A
US3520398A US687000A US3520398DA US3520398A US 3520398 A US3520398 A US 3520398A US 687000 A US687000 A US 687000A US 3520398D A US3520398D A US 3520398DA US 3520398 A US3520398 A US 3520398A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
tongue
knuckle
pin
link
central
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US687000A
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English (en)
Inventor
Ronald E Thomson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rexnord Inc
Original Assignee
Rex Chainbelt Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rex Chainbelt Inc filed Critical Rex Chainbelt Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3520398A publication Critical patent/US3520398A/en
Assigned to WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, RODNEY SQUARE NORTH, WILMINGTON DELAWARE 19890, A CORP. OF DE., WADE, WILLIAM J., RODNEY SQUARE NORTH, WILMINGTON DELAWARE 19890, TRUSTEE reassignment WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, RODNEY SQUARE NORTH, WILMINGTON DELAWARE 19890, A CORP. OF DE. SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: REXNORD INC.
Assigned to REXNORD INC. reassignment REXNORD INC. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). FEBRUARY 24, 1982 Assignors: REX CHAIN BELT INC.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G17/00—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface
    • B65G17/06—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms
    • B65G17/08—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms the surface being formed by the traction element
    • B65G17/086—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms the surface being formed by the traction element specially adapted to follow a curved path
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/02—Articles

Definitions

  • a laterally flexible fiat top conveyor chain includes a plurality of pivotally connected stamped sheet metal links with knuckles curled from the sheet metal for hinge pins.
  • a pin opening in a central knuckle allows for pivotal movement of the pin to accommodate lateral flexing of the link.
  • a tongue of a sheet metal blank from WhlCh the knuckle is formed has metal removed from the sides and ends by cold forming or swaging before it is formed into the knuckle, the removed metal allowing for the lateral pivotal movement of the pin.
  • This invention relates to improvements in laterally flexible flat top article carrying conveyors and particularly to an improved construction of metal form ng a central knuckle opening in each conveyor link which allows pivotal movement of connecting pins.
  • This invention provides for the selective removal of metal from the central knuckle of a stamped sheet metal link by cold coining or swaging the tongue before it 18 curled to form the knuckle. Such cold coining or swaging also increases the fatigue strength of the curled knuckle. Additionally, the removal of material from the sides of the tongue prevents bulging or bell mouthing of the material of the tongue when the tongue is curled.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a conveyor having several interconnected flat top links of this invention shown operating over a curved path.
  • FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a single uncurled link blank after cold coining and prior to trimming and curl- 3 Claims I 'ice
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom plan view of a central tongue of the link showing in detail the facets and bevels formed therein.
  • FIG. 4 is a further enlarged end view of the tongue.
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a formed link.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along 6-6 of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.
  • the laterally flexible flat top conveyor chain 10 of this invention comprises the series of interconnected links 12 and is supported and guided on suitable wear strips or guides 14 as is known in the art.
  • the adjacent dimensions of the links are such that travel in a curved path is allowed as shown and as will be described.
  • Each link has a fiat top 16 of substantial area, a central knuckle 18 which is at the front or rear side of the link depending on the direction of its travel, and the pair of spaced knuckles 20 at the other side of the link.
  • the knuckles 20 are spaced apart a distance only slightly greater than the width of knuckle 18 so that the knuckles of adjacent links inter-fit as shown.
  • a pin 22 has its ends secured in knuckles 20 of each link and is rotatable within the knuckle 18 of the adjacent link.
  • FIG. 2 shows a blank 12:: from which each link 12 is formed.
  • Blank 12a includes a tongue 18a extending from one side for curling to form the central knuckle 18 and tongues 20a extending from the other side for curling to form knuckles 20.
  • the curling by metal working machines is well known in the art and must provide knuckles of uniform outer dimensions so as to fit properly the drive sprocket, not shown, by which the conveyor is driven.
  • tongue 18a before curling is formed by cold working or swaging to provide a number of facets and bevels on the side thereof which when curled forms the inside of knuckle 18.
  • These facets or bevels provide the clearance within the knuckle which is required as described and include facets 36 and 38 defining the center line 40 at the end of the tongue and side bevels 42 and 44.
  • the extra material 50 is trimmed prior to curling tongue 18a to form knuckle 18.
  • the side bevels 42 and 44 are spaced a significant distance from the center and are adjacent the sides so that there is a large surface area 52 in the center of the tongue.
  • the facets 36 and 38 are shown in section in FIGS. 6 and 7 and allow the pin 22 to pivot about a vertical central axis a while resting on one facet and an opposed bevel such as facet 38 and bevel 42.
  • These flat surfaces are coordinated with the maximum turn of the conveyor and aid in holding and aligning the pins 22. Further, when the conveyor is in a straight line, the force of the pin will be on flat surface 52 which is of an extensive area and further aids in self-alignment.
  • the facets and edge bevels help in the curling with present equipment and facets 46 and 48 make the knuckle opening 32 appear around when viewed from the side as in FIG. 5.
  • the swaging and cold coining adds strength and increases the resistance of the tongue to uncurling.
  • the cold working of the metal forming the inside corners of knuckle prevents or retards fatigue cracking of the metal.
  • the removal of material at the sides by the bevel prevents bell mouthing of the tongues as they are curled.
  • a conveyor chain of the fiat top type comprising: a series of links having interfitting knuckles with aligned pin openings which contain connecting pins for holding the the adjacent interfitting knuckles together, each being for adjacent interfitting knuckles together, each being formed of fiat blank sheet metal and having a central tongue and oppositely extending spaced apart tongues, said central tongue and said spaced apart tongues being curled to form said pin openings, said central tongue having cold coined swaged facets on one surface thereof extending inwardly from the side edge such that in the curled position said facts provide an enlarged opening and bearing surfaces for said pin which permits lateral pivotal movement of adjacent links about and axis extending perpendicular to the plane of the flat top conveyor chain.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chain Conveyers (AREA)
US687000A 1967-11-30 1967-11-30 Laterally flexible conveyor Expired - Lifetime US3520398A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US68700067A 1967-11-30 1967-11-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3520398A true US3520398A (en) 1970-07-14

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US687000A Expired - Lifetime US3520398A (en) 1967-11-30 1967-11-30 Laterally flexible conveyor

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3520398A (xx)
DE (1) DE1809410C3 (xx)
DK (1) DK116926B (xx)
GB (1) GB1189275A (xx)
SE (1) SE343545B (xx)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3868011A (en) * 1972-07-31 1975-02-25 Amsted Siemag Kette Gmbh Link conveyor
US3870142A (en) * 1972-09-05 1975-03-11 Umc Ind Flexible belt carrier mechanism
WO1983003402A1 (en) * 1982-03-26 1983-10-13 DAMKJÄR, Poul, Erik A conveyor chain having chain links of sheet material
US4739870A (en) * 1983-09-19 1988-04-26 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Moving staircase with a curved conveyor passage
US4746000A (en) * 1982-09-14 1988-05-24 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Curved escalator
US4958726A (en) * 1988-05-28 1990-09-25 Rexnord Kette Gmbh & Co. Kg Curved apron conveyor
US5096050A (en) * 1981-06-02 1992-03-17 Rexnord Corporation Low backline pressure chain
EP0569071A1 (en) * 1992-05-07 1993-11-10 BETT SISTEMI s.r.l. Conveyor chain
US5330045A (en) * 1981-06-02 1994-07-19 Rexnord Corporation Low backline pressure chain
US6585110B2 (en) 2000-04-13 2003-07-01 Span Tech Llc Modular conveyor system with side flexing belt having roller support
WO2020051321A1 (en) * 2018-09-07 2020-03-12 Cambridge International, Inc. Modular top flatwire conveyor belt systems and methods
US11229187B2 (en) * 2020-05-22 2022-01-25 Sonoma Creamery, Llc Integrated modular belt and mold
US11332315B2 (en) 2018-09-21 2022-05-17 Rexnord Flattop Europe S.R.L. Link for a chain for an article conveyor

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3432042A1 (de) * 1984-08-31 1986-03-13 Mauser-Werke Oberndorf Gmbh, 7238 Oberndorf Staufoerder- und zugkette
NL1004030C2 (nl) * 1996-09-13 1998-03-16 Mcc Nederland Transportketting.

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1945357A (en) * 1931-05-16 1934-01-30 Link Belt Co Chain
US2660292A (en) * 1950-12-02 1953-11-24 Chain Belt Co Flat top conveyer chain
GB917688A (en) * 1958-09-03 1963-02-06 Jan Jelinek Improvements in and relating to electronic servo-regulating systems

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1945357A (en) * 1931-05-16 1934-01-30 Link Belt Co Chain
US2660292A (en) * 1950-12-02 1953-11-24 Chain Belt Co Flat top conveyer chain
GB917688A (en) * 1958-09-03 1963-02-06 Jan Jelinek Improvements in and relating to electronic servo-regulating systems

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3868011A (en) * 1972-07-31 1975-02-25 Amsted Siemag Kette Gmbh Link conveyor
US3870142A (en) * 1972-09-05 1975-03-11 Umc Ind Flexible belt carrier mechanism
US5330045A (en) * 1981-06-02 1994-07-19 Rexnord Corporation Low backline pressure chain
US5096050A (en) * 1981-06-02 1992-03-17 Rexnord Corporation Low backline pressure chain
WO1983003402A1 (en) * 1982-03-26 1983-10-13 DAMKJÄR, Poul, Erik A conveyor chain having chain links of sheet material
US4676368A (en) * 1982-03-26 1987-06-30 Damkjaer Poul E Conveyor chain having links of sheet material
US4746000A (en) * 1982-09-14 1988-05-24 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Curved escalator
US4739870A (en) * 1983-09-19 1988-04-26 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Moving staircase with a curved conveyor passage
US4958726A (en) * 1988-05-28 1990-09-25 Rexnord Kette Gmbh & Co. Kg Curved apron conveyor
EP0569071A1 (en) * 1992-05-07 1993-11-10 BETT SISTEMI s.r.l. Conveyor chain
US5375697A (en) * 1992-05-07 1994-12-27 Marbett, S.P.A. Conveyor chain
US6585110B2 (en) 2000-04-13 2003-07-01 Span Tech Llc Modular conveyor system with side flexing belt having roller support
WO2020051321A1 (en) * 2018-09-07 2020-03-12 Cambridge International, Inc. Modular top flatwire conveyor belt systems and methods
US10858191B2 (en) 2018-09-07 2020-12-08 Cambridge International, Inc. Modular top flatwire conveyor belt systems and methods
CN112654568A (zh) * 2018-09-07 2021-04-13 剑桥国际股份有限公司 模块化顶部扁平线材传送带系统和方法
US11465852B2 (en) 2018-09-07 2022-10-11 Cambridge International, Inc. Modular top flatwire conveyor belt systems and methods
CN112654568B (zh) * 2018-09-07 2023-11-21 剑桥国际股份有限公司 模块化顶部扁平线材传送带系统和方法
US11332315B2 (en) 2018-09-21 2022-05-17 Rexnord Flattop Europe S.R.L. Link for a chain for an article conveyor
US11229187B2 (en) * 2020-05-22 2022-01-25 Sonoma Creamery, Llc Integrated modular belt and mold

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1189275A (en) 1970-04-22
DE1809410B2 (de) 1978-08-31
DE1809410A1 (de) 1969-07-17
SE343545B (xx) 1972-03-13
DE1809410C3 (de) 1979-04-19
DK116926B (da) 1970-02-23

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: REXNORD INC.

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:REX CHAIN BELT INC.;REEL/FRAME:004713/0513

Effective date: 19850905

Owner name: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, RODNEY SQUARE NORTH, WIL

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:REXNORD INC.;REEL/FRAME:004817/0047

Effective date: 19870430

Owner name: WADE, WILLIAM J., RODNEY SQUARE NORTH, WILMINGTON

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:REXNORD INC.;REEL/FRAME:004817/0047

Effective date: 19870430