Patent ID: 8720676
Filing Date: 2014-05-13
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A pitch for a conveyor belt including a link, the link comprising: a first leg; a retention cage extending in a substantially lateral direction away from the first leg, the retention cage including a first side formed by at least part of the first leg of the link, a front side extending in the substantially lateral direction away from the first leg of the link, a rear side extending in the substantially lateral direction away from the first leg of the link, and a laterally outer side connecting the front side and the rear side of the retention cage such that the first side, front side, rear side, and laterally outer side define an interior portion, wherein the laterally outer side includes an opening configured to receive a connecting rod; a resilient projection extending in a longitudinal direction from the front side or the rear side of the retention cage into the interior portion of the retention cage, wherein the resilient projection is configured to, in a first, undeflected position, prevent insertion and removal of a connecting rod through the opening and, in a second, deflected position wherein the projection is deflected in a direction perpendicular to the substantially lateral direction, the projection allows insertion and removal of a connecting rod through the opening; and at least one rod receiving aperture; wherein the rod receiving aperture is a longitudinally elongate slot; and wherein a first end of the slot is substantially aligned with the opening in the laterally outer side of the retention cage such that, when the resilient projection is deflected into the second position, the opening, the interior of the retention cage, and the first end of the slot form a rod receiving path.