Patent ID: 6371284
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
Device for conveying objects along a track having curved track portions, comprising a large number of rods (1a, 1b, 1c . . . ), the device having opposite edges (2, 3) each rod (1a, 1b, 1c) having a first (4a, 4b, 4c . . . ) and a second (5a, 5b, 5c . . . ) end, each two adjacent rods (1b, 1c) being mutually connected at their ends (4b, 4c) by connection elements (6, 7), each connection element (6) being substantially S-shaped in top view and being provided with a first free end (8) which is situated directed to a center between the first (4c) and second (5c) end of the rod (1c), with a second free end (9) which is situated directed to an edge (2) concerned of the device, with a first transverse member (10) and a second transverse member (11), with a first connection member (12) which connects the first free end (8) to the first transverse member (10), with a second connection member (13) which connects the first transverse member (10) to the second transverse member (11), and with a third connection member (14) which connects the second transverse member (11) to the second free end (9), the second free end (9) of the connection element (6) being situated at a distance from the second connection (13), the first connection member (12) of the connection element (6) being provided with a first opening (15) through which a first rod (1c) of the two adjacent rods extends in an extension direction and with a second opening (16) through which a second rod (1b) of the two adjacent rods extends, the second connection member (13) of the connection element (6) being provided with a third opening (17) through which the first rod (1c) of the two adjacent rods extends over a distance (D) in the extension direction and with a fourth opening (18) through which the second rod (1b) of the two adjacent rods extends, and the connection element (6) being secured to the first rod (1c) of the two adjacent rods near (19) the first free end (8) of the connection element (6), wherein the third connection member (14) has a predetermined length (L) so that the second free end (9) is located in front of and at a distance from the second (16) opening, when considered in a direction parallel to the direction of extension of the first rod, and forms an abutment for the second transverse member (11) of a connection element (6) on the second rod, so as to determine a minimal value for the radius of the device in a curved track portion.