Patent ID: 6257396
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
In a reciprocating slat conveyor composed of side-by-side conveyor slats, each having laterally outwardly extending opposite upper side portions, each including a longitudinal support that contacts and slides along a longitudinal bearing surface on a longitudinal support beam that is below it, a conveyor structure comprising:a longitudinal support beam positioned between each adjoining pair of conveyor slats, below adjacent upper side portions of the adjoining conveyor slats;a longitudinal bearing member on each said support beam, extending along and secured to said support beam; anda longitudinal tongue-and-groove connection between said support beam and said bearing member comprising longitudinal tongues on one of said support beams and bearing member and longitudinal grooves on the other;wherein the support beam has a top portion composed of a pair of confronting, laterally inwardly directing flanges defining a longitudinal opening between them, and said longitudinal bearing member having opposite side slots in which the flanges are received, an upper portion that is above the flanges and a lower portion that is below the flanges, and said flanges providing the tongue portions and the slots forming the groove portions of the tongue-and-groove connection.