Abstract:
Disclosed is an assembly set for a slat-band conveyor including lateral rims which are formed by two lateral parts, the lateral rims being hinged together, and including plates which are connected to the lateral rims. The lateral parts have substantially the same geometry.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The subject matter of the invention relates to a kit for a hinged-belt conveyor, preferably for metal wastes, such as chips or the like. 
     Hinged-belt conveyors for the removal of metal wastes, such as chips or the like, are known. They are used for metalworking machines in order to convey metal wastes such as chips or the like into a collecting vessel or to transport them away from the metalworking machine. 
     A hinged-belt conveyor has a conveyor belt that is embodied in the form of an endless belt. The conveyor belt is formed by plates which are preferably made of wear-resistant steel sheets that are interconnected in an articulated manner. 
     A hinged-belt conveyor is known from EP 1 857 383 A2 which has specially structured plates. Through the structure of the plates, it is ensured that substantially no gap is present between the plates into which wastes, particularly metal wastes such as chips or the like can get as a result of which the wear of the plates in the joint area would be increased. 
     SUMMARY 
     Taking this prior art as a point of departure, it is the object of the present invention to provide a kit for a hinged-belt conveyor which simplifies the construction of the hinged-belt conveyor. 
     The stated object is achieved according to the inventions by the features disclosed herein. Advantageous developments are described herein. The features listed individually herein can be combined with each other in any technologically sensible manner and can be supplemented by explanatory facts from the description, with additional embodiments of the invention being indicated. 
     The kit according to the invention for a hinged-belt conveyor comprises side flanges that are formed by two side parts. The side flanges are interconnected in an articulated manner. Plates are connected to the side flanges. The side parts of the flanges have substantially the same geometry. By virtue of the kit according to the invention, the formation of a hinged-belt conveyors is simplified. Particularly, as a result of the invention, the number of the components required to form the hinged-belt conveyor is greatly reduced. The advantage of the invention can also be regarded as being that a simplified exchanging of the side flanges and side parts is made possible, since only one side part is used regardless of where on the articulatedly interconnected side flanges the side part is to be exchanged. 
     The side flanges comprise two side parts abutting tightly against one another that can also be referred to as an inner part and an outer part. In particular, it is proposed that the side parts have a first end area and a second end area, the contour of the end areas being embodied such that they engage in each other. If a side flange is constructed of such side parts, and the side flanges are connected to each other, then the gap between the inside side parts and the gap between the outside side parts of the side flanges is substantially minimized. This offers the advantage that the inside and the outside side parts of the side flanges form a substantially closed wall surface of the side flanges. This substantially closed surface of the side flanges has the advantage that the transported material cannot get into the gap or abutting edges, impairing the kinematics of the side flanges. Furthermore, this offers the advantage that the transported material cannot get into the jointed area, damaging the joints by means of which the side flanges are interconnected. 
     An embodiment of the side parts is especially preferred in which the first end area has a substantially arched contour. The second end area also has a substantially arched contour, it being possible to refer to one arched contour as a convex contour and the other arched contour as a concave contour. 
     According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the kit, it is proposed that the side part have a joint bore. The arrangement of the joint bore on the side part is selected such that, during formation of the side flanges, the division remains intact. 
     It is especially advantageous for the formation of the hinged-belt conveyor if at least one holder is provided. The holder can be connected to a side part and a plate. This enables yet another simplification of the construction of the hinged-belt conveyor. The holder can be adapted to the plate and/or the side part, but this is not absolutely necessary. A holder can be connected to differently embodied plates. The holder constitutes a standardized component that can be used for hinged-belt conveyors with different conveyor belts. 
     To simplify assembly and to simplify the replacement of the side flange or of a side part, it is proposed that the holder have a passage through which a joint bolt can extend. The joint bolt is used not only to interconnect the side flanges but also to connect the holder to a side part. 
     To reduce the number of components, it is proposed that the holder and the joint bolt form a structural unit. The joint bolt can be connected to the holder in a positive and/or nonpositive manner. 
     According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the kit, it is proposed that the holder have positioning means that cooperate with the side part. This has the advantage that a defined installed position of the holder is achieved. The positioning means can also be used to fix the holder to the side part, thus achieving simplified assembly. 
     According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the kit, it is proposed that at least several side flanges be connected to at least one drive means. The drive means is preferably a joint chain. The connection of the side flanges to the joint chain is preferably done via the joint bolt. 
     The side parts are preferably embodied as punched parts. This simplifies the manufacture of the side parts. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Additional advantages and details of the kit according to the invention for a hinged-belt conveyor will be explained on the basis of the exemplary embodiment depicted in the drawing without limiting the subject matter of the invention to this specific exemplary embodiment. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1 : shows a first exemplary embodiment of a side part, 
         FIG. 2 : shows a side flange formed by two side parts according to  FIG. 1  in a front view, 
         FIG. 3 : shows the side flange according to  FIG. 2  in a top view, 
         FIG. 4 : shows the side flange with a holder in a perspective view, 
         FIG. 5 : shows a second exemplary embodiment of a side part, 
         FIG. 6 : shows an exemplary embodiment of a holder, and 
         FIG. 7 : shows a hinged-belt conveyor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a first exemplary embodiment of a side part  1 . The side part  1  is a sheet metal part that was preferably manufactured as a punched part. The side part  1  has a lower edge  3  which can slide, for example, on a corresponding support. Optionally, the lower edge  3  is provided with lubricants, particularly with a lubricated coating or at least one sliding shoe in order to reduce frictional losses during movement of the hinged-belt conveyor. An upper edge  4  is provided parallel to the lower edge  3 . 
     The side part has a first end area  5  and a second end area  6 . The end areas  5 ,  6  have a contour that is substantially arched. The contour of the first end area is concave. The second end area  6  has a convex arched contour. The radii of the contours are substantially equal. 
     Reference symbol  7  refers to a positioning means constituted by bores, for example. The positioning means  7  is arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the side part  1 , so that a predetermined possibility for the assembly of the side part  1  with a holder is ensured. 
       FIG. 2  shows a side flange of a hinged-belt conveyor. The side flange  8  is formed by two side parts  1  that are arranged so as to abut against one another. The second end areas  6  simultaneously form the end areas of the side flange  8 . Two side parts  1  are produced through the commensurate assembly or through the rotation of a side part  1  about a transverse axis. The joint bores  2  are connected to a drive chain (not shown). 
       FIG. 3  shows the side flange  8  in a top view. If several side flanges are interconnected, they form a substantially continuous upper edge as well as a substantially continuous rear edge. The presence of a substantially continuous upper edge ensures that no transported material can get between two articulatedly interconnected side flanges. 
       FIG. 4  shows a side flange  8  with a holder  9 . The holder  9  preferably has projections (not shown) which engage in the positioning means of the side part  1 . Through the combination of positioning means and projections, a defined assembly situation of the holder  9  with the side part  1  is achieved. As can be seen from the illustration according to  FIG. 4 , the holder  9  has a passage  10 . The passage  10  has a circular cross section and is embodied coaxially to the joint bore  2 . A joint bolt (not shown) can be inserted into the passage  10 . It extends through the side part  1  of the side flange and of the second side part (not shown), thus achieving an articulated connection of two side flanges. A corresponding holder  9  can be provided on the other side part  1 . The holder  9  is used for connection to a plate, which is not shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a second exemplary embodiment of a side part  11 . The side part  11  also has a joint bore  12 . The side part  11  has a lower edge  13  and an upper edge  14  running parallel thereto. It can be seen from  FIG. 5  that the side part  11  has a first end area  15  that has a concave curvature and, furthermore, a second end area  16  having a convex curvature. The curvature radii of the areas  15 ,  16  are preferably equal. 
     Reference symbol  17  refers to a substantially rectangular positioning means. The positioning means  17  is a punch-out from the side part  11  manufactured as a punched part from a metal sheet. 
       FIG. 6  shows a holder  19 . The holder  19  has a joint bolt whose cross section is adapted to the joint bore  12 . The holder  19  also has a nose  21  that is embodied such that it fits into a positioning means embodied as a recess  17 . Through the positioning means  17  and the nose  21 , a defined installed position of the holder  19  is achieved. Moreover, the nose  21  and the recess  17  can absorb torques around the joint axis that passes through the joint bore  12  and the joint bolt  20 . 
       FIG. 7  shows an exemplary embodiment of a hinged-belt conveyor in a sectional view. A joint chain  22  is provided. The joint chain is connected to side flanges  8 . In particular, joint bolts extend to the rollers of the joint chain  22  through the side parts  1  of the side flanges  8 . Plates  23  are connected to the side flanges  8 . A transported material is conveyed by means of the plates  23 . 
     The kit according to the invention for a hinged-belt conveyor enables simple assembly and a simple construction of a hinged-belt conveyor. Particularly, the exchanging of a side part or of a side flange can be done with relative ease. 
     It is also possible to provide a multistrand hinged-belt conveyor. In a two-strand hinged-belt conveyor, the middle side flange strand would be provided, and holders would be provided both to the right and to the left of the side flanges, so that plates would be present both to the right and to the left of the middle side flange strand. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
     
         
           1  side part 
           2  joint bore 
           3  lower edge 
           4  upper edge 
           5  first end area 
           6  second end area 
           7  positioning means 
           8  side flange 
           9  holder 
           10  passage 
           11  side part 
           12  joint bore 
           13  lower edge 
           14  upper edge 
           15  first end area 
           16  second end area 
           17  positioning means 
         
           18 
         
           19  holder 
           20  joint bolt 
           21  projection 
           22  joint chain 
           23  plate