Patent US3554361A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3554361A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conveyor apparatus
Assignee: Multifastener Corp
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Filing: 1968-10-28
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1988-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A guard structure for a conveyor including link chains secured to side edges of a conveyor web, each chain being made up of pivotally connected plates which act as side guards for the web. The plates overlap each other, but are constructed to prevent the formation of gaps at the side edges of the web through which articles could drop from the web.
Inventors
- 👤 William R Keough
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:37
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/06; B65G17/067; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
In a conveyor apparatus including a web means supported for travel a path which changes in direction, a guard structure for said web means comprising a pair of link chains respectively secured to opposite side edges of said web means, each of said link chains comprising a plurality of plates each including a first planar portion longitudinal to said web means and connected in abutting relation to a side edge of said web means along a longitudinal center line of said plates to provide a side guard and a second planar portion parallel therewith and offset from said first planar portion and said side edge, a part of each adjoining plate overlapping each of said second planar portion, first and second pivot means respectively connecting said first and second planar portions pivotally to adjoining plates to allow relative pivotal movement of said plates when said web means changes direction, said first planar portion of each of said plates extending and abutting alongside said web means over a substantial distance between said pivot means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a conveyor apparatus including a web means supported for travel a path which changes in direction, a guard structure for said web means comprising a pair of link chains respectively secured to opposite side edges of said web means, each of said link chains comprising a plurality of plates each including a first planar portion longitudinal to said web means and connected in abutting relation to a side edge of said web means along a longitudinal center line of said plates to provide a side guard and a second planar portion parallel therewith and offset from said first planar portion and said side edge, a part of each adjoining plate overlapping each of said second planar portion, first and second pivot means respectively connecting said first and second planar portions pivotally to adjoining plates to allow relative pivotal movement of said plates when said web means changes direction, said first planar portion of each of said plates extending and abutting alongside said web means over a substantial distance between said pivot means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The guard structure as claimed in claim 1 in which pairs of plates in said first and second link chains are aligned across the width of said web means, said guard structure further including a support member connected at opposite ends thereof to said first portions of each of said pairs of plates adjacent to said pivot means therefor, said support member extending across said web means and being secured thereto to support said web means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The guard structure as claimed in claim 2 including another support member for each pair of plates on the opposite side of said web means from said first-named support member and secured to said web means and to said pair of plates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a conveyor apparatus including a flexible belt arranged to follow a path which changes in direction, a guard structure for said belt comprising first and second link chains respectively secured to opposite side edges of said belt, each of said link chains comprising a plurality of plates connected together pivotally in end-to-end overlapping relationship, each of said plates including a first portion welded to a side edge of said belt and extending longitudinally of said belt to provide a side guard, and a second portion offset from said first portion and said side edge to provide a space where a part of one adjoining plate is received, said first and second portions each having pivot means connecting adjoining plates, and said first and second portions merging together at an offset portion having opposite sides inClined rearwardly in respect to the direction of travel of said link chains to provide freedom for pivotal movement of said plates relative to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a conveyor apparatus including a flexible belt arranged to follow a path which changes in direction, a guard structure for said belt comprising first and second link chains respectively secured to opposite side edges of said belt, each of said link chains comprising a plurality of plates connected together pivotally in end-to-end overlapping relationship, each of said plates including a first portion welded to a side edge of said belt and extending longitudinally of said belt to provide a side guard, and a second portion offset from said first portion and said side edge to provide a space where a part of one adjoining plate is received, said first and second portions each having pivot means connecting adjoining plates, and said first and second portions merging together at an offset portion having opposite sides inClined rearwardly in respect to the direction of travel of said link chains to provide freedom for pivotal movement of said plates relative to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The guard structure as claimed in claim 4 in which said pivot means for said first portion is located adjacent one end of said plate and said pivot means for said second portion is located adjacent the other end of said plate, said welded connection between said first portion and said web means extending over nearly the entire distance between said pivot means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The guard structure as claimed in claim 4 in which each of said pivot means comprises a pin pivotally connecting said plate to a respective one of said adjoining plates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The guard structure as claimed in claim 6 in which each of said pins is connected to a sprocket chain for advancing said web means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The guard structure as claimed in claim 4 in which said offset extends at an acute angle relative to said web means on each side thereof away from the adjoining plate in said space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
A link for a link chain adapted to be attached to a conveyor web to provide a side guard structure, said link comprising a plate having a first planar portion, a second planar portion offset from said first planar portion and parallel thereto, and an offsetting portion joining said first and second planar portions, said offsetting portion is substantially V-shaped and spreads toward said first planar portion, and first and second spaced pivot means for said first and second planar portions for pivotally connecting said plate to adjoining plates to form a link chain, said first planar portion extending nearly the entire distance between said pivot means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
A link for a link chain adapted to be attached to a conveyor web to provide a side guard structure, said link comprising a plate having a first planar portion, a second planar portion offset from said first planar portion and parallel thereto, and an offsetting portion joining said first and second planar portions, said offsetting portion is substantially V-shaped and spreads toward said first planar portion, and first and second spaced pivot means for said first and second planar portions for pivotally connecting said plate to adjoining plates to form a link chain, said first planar portion extending nearly the entire distance between said pivot means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The link as claimed in claim 9 in which said first and second pivot means are located on opposite sides of said offsetting portion in alignment with the apex thereof and with each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The link as claimed in claim 10 in which said first pivot means includes a pin connected to said first planar portion and said second pivot means includes an aperture in said second planar portion adapted to receive a pin of an adjoining plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |