Patent ID: 7549530
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. An attachment structure for attaching a pin tip to a conveyor chain of a conveyor, wherein the pin tip is for engaging a closed-bottom container to be conveyed by the conveyor, and wherein the pin tip has a cylindrical hole therein closed at a distal end of the pin tip and open at a proximal end of the pin tip, said attachment structure comprising: a bushing having a cylindrical portion and a collar portion extending radially from said cylindrical portion, said cylindrical portion being configured for insertion in the cylindrical hole at the proximal end of the pin tip; and an elongated pin having, wherein said cylindrical portion of said bushing has an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of said large-diameter portion of said elongated pin such that said large-diameter portion of said elongated pin constitutes a stopper portion for preventing said bushing from coming off the distal end of said elongated pin; wherein said bushing is slidably fitted on said small-diameter portion of said elongated pin so as to be slidable between said proximal shoulder of said large-diameter portion and said distal shoulder of said proximal portion; wherein a coil spring is disposed about said elongated pin between said spring receiving portion thereof and said collar portion of said bushing so as to abut against said spring receiving portion and urge said bushing toward the proximal shoulder of said large-diameter portion of said elongated pin, and such that, when a force acts on said bushing in a direction toward the proximal end of said elongated pin, said bushing is moved relative to said elongated pin toward said distal shoulder of said proximal portion against an urging force of said coil spring and, when the force is released, said bushing is moved back toward said proximal shoulder of said large-diameter portion of said elongated pin by the urging force of said coil spring; and wherein said elongated pin is constituted by a chain link pin configured to connect link plates of the conveyor chain.