Roller cradle and modular conveying assembly with a roller cradle

The present invention relates to modular conveyor belts and chains, and in particular to modular transport assemblies that include a roller cradle and at least one roller cradle.

Modular belts and chains are made up of a plurality of interconnected modules supported by a frame and driven to carry the product. Each module has a support surface that supports the product when the belt or chain is driven along the frame. The plurality of neighboring modules are connected to each other by hinge pins inserted into hinge members extending from the plurality of neighboring modules in the traveling direction of the belt.

<p> Modular belts can transport products in the direction of travel of the conveyor, but it is difficult to load and unload products, especially high friction products, onto the belt. In addition, high friction products can easily damage the belt when loading and unloading the product from a direction other than the direction of travel of the chain. Known conveyors disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,231,469 issued to Arscott solve this problem by supporting high friction products on rollers. These rollers are supported by a roller cradle and extend onto the cradle for rotational contact with the object being carried. Rollers reduce friction between the belt and the object. Unfortunately, assembling the rollers in the cradle requires inserting the rollers into the cradle and sliding the mandrel or two stub mandrel into the rollers through the holes formed through the cradle wall. Have difficulty. The mandrel must be secured to prevent it from slipping out of one of the holes formed in the cradle wall.</p><p> The present invention provides a modular conveyor belt with rollers to minimize damage to the belt when transferring high friction products. The rollers are supported by a plurality of easily assembled cradle supported between a plurality of adjacent belt modules. In one embodiment, the cradle includes a first part and a second part. The first part has a first hinge member and a first shaft extending from the first hinge member. The first shaft has a recess that opens at the end of the first shaft. The second part has a second hinge member and a second shaft extending from the second hinge member. The second shaft has a second shaft end that is received into the recess of the first shaft via the first shaft end to form a cradle. In another embodiment, a roller supported by one of a plurality of cradle extends into a recess in a nearby module to minimize the gap between the roller and the nearby module.</p>

<p> A general object of the present invention is to provide a modular transport assembly capable of transporting a high friction object without significantly damaging the object or assembly. This object is achieved by providing a roller cradle in the assembly that supports the rollers to reduce friction between the object and the transport assembly.</p><p> Another object of the present invention is to provide a roller cradle that can be easily assembled. This object is achieved by providing a roller assembly assembled from two interfitting parts to form a roller support shaft that extends between the hinge members.</p><p> This and other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description below. In the following detailed description, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These examples do not represent the full scope of the invention. The present invention can also be adopted in other examples. The claims should be referred to in order to interpret the scope of the invention.</p>

The modular transport assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, ie, the belt 10 has a plurality of chain modules 12 assembled end-to-end to form a continuous belt 10. The hinge pin 14 connects the neighboring modules 12 and pivotally connects the plurality of neighboring modules 12 in the traveling direction of the belt. The cradle 16 held by the hinge pins 14 between the modules 12 supports a transverse roller 17 that rotatably engages the object carried by the belt 10 to reduce friction between the belt 10 and the object. Conveniently, if the module 12, cradle 16, or roller 17 is damaged, only the damaged parts will be replaced.

Module 12 is preferably formed from materials known in the art such as acetal, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, etc. using methods known in the art such as injection molding. Each module 12 includes a body 18 having an upper surface 20 surrounded by a leading edge 22 and a trailing edge 24 connected by a side end 26. Conveniently, the top surface 20 can prevent the object from falling off the module belt 10. Of course, the top surface 20 has punched holes that allow air or other fluid flow to cool, suck, or drain.

The module body 18 has a width defined by the distance between the side edges 26 and a length defined by the distance between the longitudinal leading edge 22 and the trailing edge 24. The front edge hinge member 32 extending forward from the front edge 22 of the module body 18 includes a coaxial opening 34. The opening 34 formed in each front edge hinge member 32 is coaxial with the opening 34 in the nearby front edge hinge member 32 for receiving the hinge pin 14. A trailing edge hinge member 36 extending rearward from the trailing edge 24 includes a coaxial opening 38. As in the leading edge hinge member opening 34, the opening 38 formed in each trailing edge hinge member 36 is coaxial with the opening in the trailing edge hinge member 36 in the vicinity of the module 12.

The front edge hinge member 32 extending forward of one module 12 meshes with the trailing edge hinge member 36 extending rearward from a nearby module 12. When the hinge members 32, 36 that mesh with each other are aligned, the openings 34, 38 within the matched hinge members 32, 36 are aligned to receive the hinge pins 14 that pivotally connect the plurality of modules 12. Hinge members 32, 36 extending posteriorly and anteriorly from the anterior edge 22 and the posterior edge 24, respectively, are shown, but the hinge members 32, 36 do not deviate from the scope of the present invention, respectively. Close to 36, it can be extended in other directions, such as backwards.

Each side end 26 of the module body 18 includes a recess 40 formed by a concave surface 42 that opens toward and faces the concave surface 24 formed on the side end 26 of the nearby module body 18. The concave surface 42 wraps a portion of the roller 17 supported between the plurality of neighboring modules 12. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the rollers 17 arranged between the modules 12 extend into the recesses 40 of each module body 18, and the recesses extend from the upper surface 20 of the neighboring module body 18 to a part of the rollers 17. It makes it possible to minimize the gap between multiple modules 12 in the vicinity and between the upper surface 20 of the main body and the roller 17 in the vicinity. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the top surface 20 does not extend over a portion of the roller 17 to simplify the manufacture of the module 12.

The cradle 16 is held by hinge pins 14 between nearby modules 12 and is not directly attached to modules 12. The position and number of cradle 16 within the belt 10 is customized and depends on the use of the conveyor belt. Preferably, the cradle 16 is formed from materials known in the art such as acetal, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon and the like using methods known in the art such as injection molding. However, the cradle can be formed from other materials such as metal without departing from the scope of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 2-FIG. 4, each cradle 16 includes an outer shaft 48 extending between the front edge hinge member 44 and the trailing edge hinge member 46. The outer shaft 48 rotatably supports the rollers 17 located between the nearby module side ends 26. Each cradle hinge member 44, 46 includes openings 50, 52 aligned with openings 34, 38 within nearby module hinge members 32, 36. The openings 34, 38, 50, 52 are aligned to pivotally connect the module 12 in the nearby row and the cradle 16 and receive the hinge pin 14 that secures the cradle 16 to the module 12 in the row. The cradle and module hinge members are designated as front and trailing edges for convenience, but the cradle and module can be used in any orientation without departing from the scope of the invention.

Each cradle 16 is preferably formed from two parts 54, 56. The first portion 54 includes one of a plurality of hinge members 44 and an external cylinder shaft 48. The outer shaft 48 includes a recess 49 that opens at the end 51 of the outer shaft. The axial slot 53 extends from the shaft end 51 in the direction of the hinge member 44, and the circumferential slot 53 axially separated along the outer shaft 48 intersects the axial slot 53. The second portion 56 includes an internal shaft 57 having a plurality of keys 59 extending radially apart along the other hinge member 46 and the internal shaft 57. The end 61 of the inner shaft 57 is axially accepted into the recess 49 of the outer shaft 48 through the outer shaft end 51 to form the cradle 16.

The key 59 is received by the circumferential groove 55 because it pivotally locks the shafts 48 and 57 with respect to each other. Conveniently, the keys are sized to frictionally engage the circumferential groove 55 to rotatably secure the shafts 48, 57 to each other. The key 59 is formed as an integral part of the internal shaft 57, or without departing from the scope of the present invention, using methods known in the art such as fasteners, ultrasonic welding, oven molding, etc. Are individually formed and combined.

Keys radiating from the inner shaft 57 that engage the structure formed on the outer shaft 48 are exposed to axially lock parts 54, 56 against each other, but the key or other interlock structure. Can extend radially and inwardly from an outer shaft end engaging circumferential groove or other complementary structure formed within the inner shaft without departing from the scope of the invention. Other methods known in the art can be used to secure multiple shafts together and form a cradle. For example, the external and internal shafts 48, 57 can be sized to frictionally engage with each other to secure the shafts 48, 57 to each other without the use of additional interlock structures. Further, the plurality of shafts can be joined together using an adhesive, welding or the like without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the roller 17 is supported by an external shaft 48, and at least a portion of the roller 17 extends above the cradle 16 to engage an object carried by the belt 10. Preferably, the roller 17 is made of plastic and includes a through hole 58 formed through to receive the shaft 48. As an advantage, the roller 17 rotates around the shaft 48, minimizing friction between the belt 10 and the object being carried. Although plastic rollers are disclosed, the rollers can be formed of any material, such as elastomers and metals, suitable for a particular application without departing from the scope of the invention.

The cradle 16 slides the roller 17 into the outer shaft 43 and aligns the shafts 48 and 57 axially with the keys 59 that radiate from the inner shaft 57 that aligns with the axial grooves 53 formed within the outer shaft 48. Assembled. The end 61 of the inner shaft 57 is axially slid into the recess 49 of the outer shaft 48 through the outer shaft end 51 until each key 59 aligns with one of the plurality of circumferential grooves 55. One of the parts 54, 56 is twisted or rotated about the longitudinal axis of the shaft with respect to the other part 54, 56, the key 59 is squeezed into the circumferential groove 55, and the parts 54, 56 are shafted against each other. Lock in the direction.

The belt 10 is assembled by positioning at least one cradle 16 between the concave surfaces 42 of the nearby module 12 and aligning the front and trailing edge hinge members 32, 36, 44, 46 of the nearby module 12. The trailing edge hinge member openings 38, 52 are aligned and the front edge hinge member openings 34, 50 are aligned to form a row of modules 12 and cradle 16. The trailing edge hinge members 36, 46 of the row of modules 12 and cradle 16 mesh with the matched front edge hinge members 32, 44 of the modules 12 and cradle 16 in the nearby row, thereby engaging the hinge members 32, 36. , 44, 46 openings 34, 38, 50, 52 are aligned. The hinge pin 14 pivotally connects the module 12 and the cradle 16 forming one row to the module 12 and the cradle 16 forming the other row to form the belt 10, so that the hinge member openings 34, 38 are aligned. , 50, 52 inserted.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the cradle 116 includes first and second parts 154 and 156, as in the first embodiment above. The first portion 154 includes a hinge member 144 and an external cylindrical shaft 148 having an end 151 separated from the hinge member 144. The outer shaft 148 includes a recess 149 that opens at the end 151 of the outer shaft. Grooves 153 that open radially inside are formed in recesses 149 close to the end 151 of the outer shaft. The second portion 156 includes another hinge member 146 and an internal shaft 157 having a radially outwardly extending lip portion 159 formed close to the hinge member 146. Although it is disclosed that a lip portion close to the hinge member and a groove portion close to the end portion of the outer shaft are formed, the lip portion and the groove portion can be engaged with each other without departing from the scope of the present invention. It can be formed arbitrarily along the line.

The cradle 116 disclosed in FIG. 6 is made of an elastic material such as plastic, and the roller portion 149 is slid onto the outer shaft 148 to form the cradle 116, so that the end portion 161 of the inner shaft 157 is moved to the outer shaft end portion. It is assembled by inserting it into the recess 149 of the outer shaft 148 through 151. Since the inner shaft 157 is pressed into the recess 149 of the outer shaft 148, the inner shaft 157 and / or the outer shaft 148 is deformed so that the lip portion 159 passes through the recess 149. The inner shaft 157 and / or the outer shaft 148 returns to the non-deformed state when the lip portion 159 fixes the shafts 148 and 157 to each other in the axial direction and is received in the groove portion 153 to form the cradle 116. .. Of course, the lip portion, or other engaging structure, can be formed in a groove formed in the internal shaft or a recess that is accepted in another receiving structure without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the cradle 216 includes first and second parts 254, 256 as in the first embodiment above. The first portion 254 includes a hinge member 244 and an external cylindrical shaft 248 having an end portion 251 isolated from the hinge member 244. The outer shaft 248 includes a recess 249 that opens at the end 251 of the outer shaft. An internal threaded portion 253 is formed in the recess 249. The second portion 256 includes another hinge member 246 and an internal shaft 257 having an external threaded portion 259 that is screwed and engaged with an internal threaded portion 153 formed within the external shaft recess 249.

The cradle disclosed in FIG. 7 is made of an elastic material such as plastic and is assembled by sliding the roller 217 onto the outer shaft 238. The end 261 of the inner shaft is inserted into the recess 249 of the outer shaft 248 through the end 251 of the outer shaft. One of the shafts 248, 257 is for screwing engagement with the internal and external threads 253, 259 to secure the internal shaft 257 to the external shaft 248 and form the cradle 216. It is rotated with respect to the other shafts 248 and 257.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the cradle 316 includes first and second parts 354, 356, as in the first embodiment above. The first portion 354 includes a hinge member 344 and an external cylindrical shaft 348 having an end portion 351 separated from the hinge member 344. The outer shaft 348 includes a recess 349 that opens at the end 351 of the outer shaft. The opening 353, or the receiving structure, forms a part of the internal shaft 357 to secure the shafts 348, 357 to each other, to the piercing part 359, or to the hinge member 344 for engaging the engaging structure. Formed within the adjacent outer shaft 348.

The second portion 356 includes another hinge member 346 and an internal shaft 357 having an internal shaft 357 with a puncture portion 359 formed at the end 361. Each piercing portion 359 includes an outward facing cam surface 365 separated by a longitudinal groove 367 formed within the internal shaft end portion 361. The groove 367 allows the piercing portion 359 to deform inward as the cam surface 365 engages with the inner wall 369 of the recess 349 of the outer shaft 348.

The cradle 316 disclosed in FIG. 8 is assembled by sliding the roller 317 onto the outer shaft 348. The end 361 of the inner shaft 357 is inserted into the recess 349 of the outer shaft 348 through the outer shaft end 351. As the end 361 of the inner shaft 357 is inserted into the recess 349, the puncture 359 engages with the inner wall 369 of the recess 349 and deforms inward. Once the internal shaft 357 is fully inserted into the recess 349 and the puncture 359 is aligned with the opening 353 formed in the outer shaft 348, the puncture 359 is fitted outward into the opening 353. , Shafts 348 and 357 are both axially and rotatably fixed and snapped outward into the opening 353 to deform the cradle 316. Although two punctures are shown, one or more punctures can be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

Although what is currently considered to be a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It is clear to. For example, the shaft disclosed herein is cylindrical with a circular cross section, but any cross section is possible. Further, the recess can be a concave surface such that it is formed from a shaft having a semicircular cross section that is open along the length of the shaft.

<figref num="1">FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular conveyor incorporating the present invention.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the belt of FIG.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cradle shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 4 is a perspective view and an exploded view of the cradle shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified embodiment of the modular conveyor incorporating the present invention.</figref><figref num="6">FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a meshing cradle suitable for use with the belt of FIG.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 7 is a perspective, exploded view showing a cradle with a threaded shaft suitable for use with the belt of FIG.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 8 is a perspective, exploded view showing another cradle with an engaging shaft suitable for use with the belt of FIG.</figref>

Code description

10 belt 12 chain module 14 hinge pin 16 cradle 17 roller 18 Module body 32, 36, 44 Hinge members 34, 38, 50, 52 openings 42 concave surface 48 External shaft 53 Axial groove 55 Circumferential groove 57 Internal shaft 359 piercing part