High temperature conveyor assembly

A conveyor belt comprising a series of belt links arranged in superimposed successive overlapping relation secured together by interlocking belt link fasteners and apertures, combined with heat protection barriers to protect the belt from contacting high temperature materials that are transported. The barriers interlock with the links of the belt forming a surface which contacts the high temperature materials.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to interlocking-link conveyor belts and has 
particular application for belts that must convey parts at elevated 
temperatures. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART 
Link belts are generally known and used in a variety of applications, such 
as transmission belts and conveyor belts. When used as a conveyor, link 
belts frequently must transport materials that have been heated to 
elevated temperatures. When the temperature of the materials conveyed 
exceeds 300.degree. F. conventional link belts degrade and fail 
prematurely. 
To overcome the difficulties associated with extreme high temperatures, it 
has been proposed to make the belt links out of a ceramic material, such 
as the belt disclosed in Takahashi 4,903,824. The problem with these belts 
is they are expensive to make, typically requiring an entirely new 
manufacturing process to fabricate the belt. 
Another way to overcome the difficulties associated with high temperatures 
is proposed in Japanese Patent No. 0.097,345. The '345 patent proposed to 
overcome the problem by utilizing a series of narrow C-shaped members to 
encase the belt on three sides. This solution suffers from several 
problems. 
First, the heat protection members must be sufficiently short so that they 
do not affect the flexibility of the belt. Significantly increasing the 
rigidity of the belt will hinder the ability of the belt to properly flex 
around the pulleys that drive the belt. If the heat protection members are 
short enough to maintain the flexibility of the belt, then the number of 
members required to protect a belt is quite high, making it time consuming 
to connect all of the members to the belt. 
The second problem associated with the proposal in the '345 patent is that 
it interferes with the mechanism used to drive the belt. By enclosing the 
belt on three sides, the heat protection members increase the width of the 
belt and affect the shape of the belt. This creates difficulties with the 
interface between the belt and the mechanism driving the belt. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a high temperature conveyor assembly 
comprising an interlocking-link belt and a heat protection barrier. It 
allows standard link belts to be used in high temperature applications. 
The standard link belt is designed with sufficient tensile strength to 
convey the weight of the material being transported. This allows the 
material composing the heat protection barriers to be selected without 
significant regard to the tensile strength of the material. 
In accordance with this invention, an interlocking link belt is formed by 
connecting a series of belt links together so that each belt link connects 
with and overlaps at least one preceding belt link. A heat protection 
barrier is connected to this belt to provide a barrier preventing the belt 
from contacting hot workpieces being conveyed by the assembly. 
The invention provides for a belt comprised of individual links. Each belt 
link has a body portion and a fastener. At least one aperture extends 
through each body portion. The belt links are connected by passing the 
fastener through the aperture in at least one preceding belt link. 
The invention also provides for a heat protection barrier that prevent hot 
material from coming into contact with the surface of the link belt. More 
specifically, the invention provides for a heat protection barrier 
comprised of individual barrier links or barrier spacers that interlock 
with the individual links of the belt. The barriers either extend through 
the apertures in the belt links or they attach to the fastener on the belt 
links. 
In most embodiments of the present invention, the barrier links and barrier 
spacers connects to the belt links by passing the barrier connector 
through the aperture of at least one belt link. However, the invention 
also provides for a heat protection barrier with a socket that connects to 
the fastener on the belt links.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 specifically, the 
preferred embodiment of a high temperature conveyor assembly comprising an 
interlocking-link belt 15 and a heat protection barrier 40 is designated 
generally 10. The assembly 10 is shown transporting a workpiece 14 that 
has been heated to an elevated temperature. 
The belt 15 comprises a series of interlocking belt links 20. Connected to 
the belt, the barrier 40 provides a protective layer keeping the belt from 
coming into contact with the hot workpiece 14. The barrier 40 can comprise 
a series of barrier links or spacers; however, in the preferred 
embodiment, the barrier comprises a series of barrier links 41 
interconnecting with both the individual belt links 20, and with adjacent 
barrier links. 
One of the individual links that comprise belt 15 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 
and 3. Each belt link 20 has a body portion 22 and a fastener 30 connected 
to the body portion. In the present instance, the thickness of the belt 
link 20 between the top surface 38 and the bottom surface 39 is 
substantially uniform throughout the entire link. 
The body portion 22 is generally rectangular, having two edges 25 extending 
longitudinally between a leading end 23 and a trailing end 24, both of 
which extend transversely between the two edges. Adjacent leading end 23 a 
leading aperture 28 extends through the thickness of body portion 22. 
Longitudinally spaced from the leading aperture 28 adjacent the trailing 
end 24, a trailing aperture 29 extends through the thickness of body 
portion 22. 
The leading end 23 corresponds to the direction in which the assembly 10 
travels as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1. However, the direction in which 
the assembly 10 travels can be reversed so that the leading end 23 does 
not lead the trailing end 24 with respect to the actual travel of the 
assembly. 
The fastener 30 integrally connects the body portion 22, and comprises a 
fastening tab 32 and a constricted neck 33. The beck extends 
longitudinally, with one end connected to the fastening tab 32, and the 
other end connected to the leading end 23 of body 22. The length of the 
neck 33 between the leading end 23 and the fastening tab 32 is 
sufficiently long to allow the fastening tab 32 to extend through the 
apertures in two belt links 20 as will be further discussed below. 
The fastening tab 32 is generally trapezoidal shaped, having two parallel 
ends that are transverse the neck 33. The fastening tab 32 is 
substantially wider than the neck 33, being widest at the point where it 
intersects the neck 35, and tapering as it extends away from the neck. 
The belt links 20 are connected by passing the link fasteners through the 
apertures in adjacent belt links. To ensure that the belt links can 
properly connect, the apertures must be configured and dimensioned with 
reference to the fastening tab and the neck. 
In the present instance, the apertures through body 22 are non-circular. 
Both apertures 28 and 29 are longitudinally elongated so that their length 
26 is greater than their width. To ensure that fastening tab 32 can pass 
through the apertures, the length of the apertures 26 is greater than the 
greatest width 35 of the fastening tab 32. 
The width of apertures 28 and 29 is not constant. Instead, the apertures 
widen as they extend toward trailing end 24. To provide proper connection 
between the belt links 20, the apertures are narrower than the fastening 
tab width 35 so that the fastening tab 32 cannot pass back through the 
apertures once the belt links are connected. However, the apertures are 
wider than the neck 33 to allow the neck to extend through the apertures 
while the belt links are connected, as will be discussed below. 
The preferred embodiment of one of the individual barrier links that 
comprise the heat protection barrier is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Each 
barrier link 41 has a body portion 42 and a connector 50. In the present 
instance, the thickness of barrier link 41 between the top surface 58 and 
the bottom surface 59 is of substantially uniform thickness throughout the 
entire link. 
The barrier body portion 42 is generally rectangular, having two 
longitudinal edges 45 and two transverse ends, namely a leading end 43 and 
a trailing end 44. Remote from the leading end 43 and 
longitudinally-aligned with the connector 50, an aperture 48 extends 
through the thickness of the barrier body 42. 
Adjacent the barrier leading end 43, the barrier body 42 tapers 
longitudinally and integrally connects with the barrier connector 50. The 
barrier connector 50 comprises a connector tab 52 and a constricted neck 
53. 
The barrier neck 53 extends longitudinally, with one end connected to the 
connector tab 52, and the other end connected to the leading end 43 of the 
barrier body 42. The length of the neck 53 between the leading end of 
barrier body 43 and the connector tab 52 is sufficiently long to allow the 
barrier connector to extend through the apertures in two belt links 20 and 
one barrier link 41 as will be further discussed below. 
The connector tab 52 is generally trapezoidally shaped, and in this 
instance is smaller than the fastening tab 32 of belt link 20. The 
connector tab 52 is substantially wider than the barrier neck 53, being 
widest at the point it intersects the barrier neck, and tapering as it 
extends away from the barrier neck. 
In the preferred embodiments, each barrier link 41 is connected to an 
adjacent barrier link. To ensure that the barrier links can be properly 
connected, the length and width of the barrier aperture 48 is determined 
with reference to the barrier connector tab 52 and the barrier neck 53. 
In the present instance, the aperture through barrier body 42 is 
non-circular. The aperture 48 is longitudinally elongated so that the 
length is greater than the width. Additionally, to ensure that the 
connector tab 52 can pass though the barrier aperture 48, the length of 
the aperture is greater than the greatest width of the barrier connector 
tab 52. 
To prevent the connector tab 52 from passing back through the aperture once 
the barrier links are connected, the width of the barrier aperture 48 is 
narrower than the width of the connector tab. As will be discussed below, 
the barrier neck 53 must extend through the barrier aperture 48 while the 
barrier links are connected. To allow this, the barrier aperture 48 must 
be wider than the width of the barrier neck 53. 
The belt links 20 are made of a material of sufficient tensile strength to 
convey the weight of the hot workpiece 14. In the preferred embodiment, 
the belt links 20 are made of a urethane elastomer that is reinforced with 
a polyester fabric. 
Because the belt links have sufficient tensile strength to convey the 
weight of the hot workpiece 14, the material used to make the barrier 
links can be selected for its resistance to damage when exposed to 
elevated temperatures, without significant regard to its tensile strength. 
In the preferred embodiments, the barrier links 41 are made from 
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). 
The barrier links 41 can either comprise a base material with a layer of 
heat resistant material on the surface of the barrier link exposed to the 
hot workpiece 14, or the entire barrier link can be made from a heat 
resistant material. In the present instance, the entire barrier link 41 is 
made from the same material, preferably PTFE. 
As previously stated, the assembly 10 comprises an interlocking-link belt 
15 and a heat protection barrier 40, which are comprised of belt links 20 
and barrier links 41 that have been described above. The following 
discussion describes the interconnections between the belt links 20 and 
the barrier links 41. 
As shown in FIG. 6, a series of belt links 20 and barrier links 41 are 
arranged in a superimposed successive overlapping relation to form the 
belt 15 with a heat protection barrier 40. The bottom surface 39 of each 
belt link overlaps the top surface 38 of an adjoining belt link, so that 
the thickness of the belt 15 is at least twice the thickness of an 
individual belt link 20. 
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a portion of the assembly 10, showing how the 
barrier 40 is connected to the belt 15. Included in these views is the 
connection between a belt link 20A, and the two preceding belt links, 20B, 
and 20C. In this connection, the fastening tab 32A of belt link 20A passes 
sideways through apertures in the two preceding belt links. It first 
passes through the leading aperture 28B of the adjacent preceding belt 
link 20B and then passes through the trailing aperture 29C of the next 
preceding belt link 20C. 
The term preceding is used with respect to the direction the assembly 
travels, as shown in by the arrow in FIG. 6. Because the direction of 
travel can be reversed, the preceding belt links can be succeeding with 
respect to the actual travel of the assembly 10. 
After passing through the aperture in belt link 20C, the belt link 
fastening tab 32A is twisted to bear against the bottom surface 39C of 
belt link 20C. When connected in this way, the top surface of belt link 
20A is the top side 11 of belt 15, and the bottom surface 39C of belt link 
20C is the bottom side 12 of belt 15. 
The barrier links 41 attach to the belt 15 similar to the manner in which 
the belt links 20 attach to one another. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the 
connection between two barrier links 41A and 41C, and three belt links, 
20A, 20B, and 20C. The connector tab 52A of barrier 41A passes sideways 
through the aperture of the preceding barrier link and two belt links. It 
first passes through the aperture 48C of the adjacent preceding barrier 
link 41C, then though the leading aperture 28B of an adjacent preceding 
belt link 20B and finally through the trailing aperture 29C of the next 
preceding belt link 20C. 
After passing through the aperture in belt link 20C, the barrier connector 
tab 52A is twisted to bear against the bottom surface 39C of belt link 
20C. 
As can be seen in FIG. 6, in the preferred embodiments not every belt link 
20 has a barrier link 41 associated with it. Instead, the barriers links 
41 are sufficiently long so that each belt link 20 is protected by a 
barrier link, but a barrier link is only associated with alternating belt 
links. 
For example, belt link 20A has a barrier link 41A associated with it as can 
be seen by the fact that connector tab 52A and fastening tab 32A pass 
through apertures 28B and 29C adjacent one another. Belt link 20B does not 
have a barrier associated with it as can be seen by the fact that 
fastening tab 32B passes through apertures 28C and 29D without an adjacent 
barrier connector tab. 
The separate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 illustrates a section of the 
assembly 10 in which the heat protection barrier 40 comprises barrier 
links 80 that have two apertures instead of one. Additionally, the belt 
links in this embodiment are connected in a manner different than the 
preferred embodiment. 
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, barrier links 80 are shaped 
substantially similar to belt links 20, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 9. 
Additionally, the dimensions of the different portions of barrier links 80 
are substantially similar to the corresponding portions of the belt links 
20. 
In this embodiment, the barrier 40 comprises a series of barrier links 80, 
each having a barrier body 81 with a leading end 86 and a trailing end 87. 
Adjacent the leading end 86 is a leading aperture 88 through the barrier 
body 81. Longitudinally spaced from the leading aperture 88 and adjacent 
the trailing end 87, is a trailing aperture 89 through the barrier body 
81. Adjacent the leading end 86, a barrier neck 84 integrally connects to 
barrier body 81. The neck 84 extends longitudinally and then integrally 
connects with the barrier connector tab 85. 
FIG. 8 illustrates the connection between two barrier links 80A and 80B, 
and two belt links 20A and 20B. The belt link 20A is connected to the 
preceding belt link 20B and an adjacent barrier link 80A. The barrier link 
80A is connected to the preceding barrier link 80B and the adjacent belt 
link 20B. 
The fastening tab 32A of belt link 20A passes sideways through the trailing 
aperture 29B of the preceding belt link 20B, then through the leading 
aperture 88A of barrier 80A. After passing through the aperture in belt 
link 20B, the belt fastening tab 32A is twisted to bear against the top 
surface 82A of barrier link 80A. 
The barrier links 80 attach to the belt links 20 in a similar manner. The 
connector tab 85A of barrier link 80A passes sideways through the trailing 
aperture 89B of the preceding barrier link 80B, then through the leading 
aperture 28B of belt link 20B. After passing through the aperture in belt 
link 80B, the barrier connector tab 85A is twisted to bear against the top 
surface 38B of belt link 20B. 
When connected in this manner, the barrier connector tabs 85 extend beyond 
the top surface 11 of the belt 15, as illustrated in FIG. 8, so that the 
hot material 14 rests on the connector tabs 85 instead of the belt 15. 
Although twice as many barrier links 80 are used in this embodiment as in 
the preferred embodiment, only half as many belt links 20 are used. 
The separate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16 illustrates a section of the 
assembly 10 in which the heat protection barrier 40 comprises barrier 
links 90 that have one aperture. Additionally, the belt links in this 
embodiment are connected in a manner different than the preferred 
embodiment. 
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the barrier 40 comprises a 
series of barrier links 90, each having a barrier body 91 with a leading 
end 96 and a trailing end 97. Adjacent the leading end 96 is an aperture 
98 through the barrier body 91. Adjacent the leading end 96, a barrier 
neck 94 integrally connects to barrier body 91. The neck 94 extends 
longitudinally and then integrally connects with the barrier connector tab 
95. 
FIG. 16 illustrates the connection between a barrier link 90A and two belt 
links 20A and 20B. The belt link 20A is connected to the preceding belt 
link 20B and an adjacent barrier link 90A. The barrier link 90A is 
connected to the adjacent belt link 20B. 
The fastening tab 32A of belt link 20A passes sideways through the trailing 
aperture 29B of the preceding belt link 20B, then through the aperture 98A 
of barrier 90A. After passing through the aperture in belt link 20B, the 
belt fastening tab 32A is twisted to bear against the top surface 92A of 
barrier link 90A. 
The barrier links 90 attach to the belt links 20 in a similar manner. The 
connector tab 95A of barrier link 90A passes sideways through the leading 
aperture 28B of belt link 20B. After passing through the aperture in belt 
link 20B, the barrier connector tab 95A is twisted to bear against the top 
surface 38B of belt link 20B. 
When connected in this manner, the barrier connector tabs 95 extend beyond 
the top surface 11 of the belt 15, so that the hot material 14 rests on 
the connector tabs 95 instead of the belt 15, as illustrated in FIG. 16. 
Although twice as many barrier links 90 are used in this embodiment as in 
the preferred embodiment, only half as many belt links 20 are used. 
The separate embodiment shown in FIG. 10 illustrates a section of the 
assembly 10 in which the heat protection barrier 40 comprises a series of 
flexible flat spacers 70 instead of interlocking barrier links. In this 
embodiment, the belt links 20 are connected to form the belt 15 in the 
same way as those in the preferred embodiment. 
The flat barrier spacers 70 are similar to the barrier links 41, but the 
flat barrier spacers 70 do not have an aperture. Because the barrier 
spacers 70 do not have an aperture, they interlock with belt 15 but they 
do not interlock with other barrier spacers. Instead, the flat barrier 
spacers 70 extend from the belt, and are deflected into overlapping 
relation when the weight of the hot workpiece 14 is placed upon them. 
The flat barriers spacers 70 attach to the belt 15 by passing the connector 
tab 75 of the flat barrier spacer 70 sideways through the apertures of two 
preceding belt links 20B and 20C. It first passes through the leading 
aperture 28B of the adjacent preceding belt link 20B, then through the 
trailing aperture 29C of the next preceding belt link 20C. After passing 
through the trailing aperture 29C, the spacer connector tab 75 is twisted 
to bear against the bottom surface 39C of belt link 20C. 
As can be seen in FIG. 10 not every belt link 20 has a flat barrier spacer 
70 associated with it. Instead, the flat barrier spacers 70 are 
sufficiently long so when the weight of the hot workpiece 14 is placed on 
the assembly, each barrier spacer overlaps its trailing barrier spacer. In 
this way, the entire top surface 11 of the belt is protected by a barrier 
spacer, even though a barrier spacer is only associated with alternating 
belt links 20. 
The separate embodiment shown in FIG. 11 illustrates a section of the 
assembly 10 in which the heat protection barrier 40 comprises a series of 
cylindrical spacers 100 instead of interlocking barrier links. In this 
embodiment, the belt links 20 are connected to form the belt 15 in the 
same way as those in the preferred embodiment. 
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the cylindrical barrier spacer 100 comprises 
three cylindrically shaped portions: a body 101, a constricted neck 104, 
and a connector tab 106. The spacer neck 104 integrally connects with the 
spacer body 101, then extends longitudinally and integrally connects with 
the spacer connector tab 106. 
To ensure a proper connection with the belt links 20, the diameter of the 
spacer body 101 and the spacer connector tab 106 are greater than the 
width 27 of the belt link apertures 28 and 29, while the diameter of the 
spacer neck 104 is smaller than the belt link aperture width 27. (See 
FIGS. 2 and 3 for an illustration of the belt links 20). 
FIG. 11 illustrates the connection between a cylindrical barrier spacer 100 
and two belt links 20A and 20B. To connect the cylindrical barrier spacers 
to the belt links, the spacer connector tab 106 passes through the leading 
aperture 28A of belt link 20A, then through the trailing aperture 29B of 
belt link 20B. Once passing through the apertures 28A and 29B, the 
connector tab 106 bears against the bottom surface 39B of belt link 20B. 
In this instance, the cylindrical barrier spacers 100 are comprised of a 
high temperature thermoset engineering plastic, preferably, Vespel. 
Preferably, the material from which the belt links 20 are made is 
sufficiently resiliently deformable so that apertures 28 and 29 
resiliently expand to allow the spacer tab 106 to pass through the 
apertures and interlock with the bottom surface 39B. 
The cylindrical barriers spacers 100 connect to belt 15 so that each belt 
link 20 has a barrier spacer associated with it. When connected in this 
manner, the hot material 14 rests on the ends of the cylindrical barrier 
spacers instead of the belt 15. 
The separate embodiment shown in FIG. 14 illustrates a section of the 
assembly 10 in which the heat protection barrier 40 comprises a series of 
polyhedral spacers 120 instead of interlocking barrier links. In this 
embodiment, the belt links 20 are connected to form the belt 15 in the 
same way as those in the preferred embodiment. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, polyhedral barriers spacers 120 are 
polyhedral shaped, having a planar top surface 127 and a socket 125. The 
socket 125 extends transversely in the shape of a rectangular channel, 
having sides 122 and 123. The width of the socket 125 between the sides 
122 to 123 corresponds to the thickness of the belt link fastening tab 32. 
The polyhedral barriers spacers 120 connect to the belt 15 by inserting the 
belt link fastening tab 32 into the spacer socket 125. When connected in 
this manner, the hot workpiece 14 rests on the top surface 127 of the 
polyhedral barrier spacers, instead of the belt 15, as illustrated in FIG. 
15. 
In this instance, the polyhedral barrier spacers 120 are comprised of a 
high temperature thermoset engineering plastic, preferably, Vespel. 
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above 
and alternative embodiments have also been described, the scope of 
protection to which the invention is believed entitled is defined by the 
claims and by equivalents thereto which perform substantially the same 
function in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same 
result as set forth in the claims.