Conveyor

Abstract: A conveyor having a horizontally and vertically flexible module top chain in which the modules are spring loaded and overlap one another to form a tight surface.

Description: The present invention relates to conveyors, more particularly to chain conveyors. The horizontally and vertically flexible module top chains which are currently available can only be used for the transport of piece goods such as jars, bottles, etc., since the sections of the chain do not form a tight surface. DE-A-1017528 describes a link conveyor belt having a central round link chain and overlapping plates one end of the plates being hinge connected to the chain wherein the overlapping ends of the plates are elastically interconnected by means of springs. At the present time, the standard module top chains with a tight surface, suitable for the transport of small piece goods or granulated products, are only flexible in one direction and there are thus several critical transfer points where the goods are transferred from one conveyor to another. We have devised a conveyor with a tight surface which is horizontally and vertically flexible and which thus eliminates many critical transfer points. Accordingly, the present invention provides a conveyor apparatus comprising: a plurality of modules, each having an article support element for supporting articles to be conveyed, wherein a rearward bottom surface portion of each module article support element overlaps a forward top surface portion of an adjacent module article support element; a lug connected to the bottom surface portion of each module article support element positioned between the forward and rearward portions of the bottom surface; a plurality of chain links, each having a chain link head positioned beneath each forward bottom surface and having an articulated pivot positioned in the head; characterised in that a spring connects each module lug to the articulated pivot positioned beneath the forward bottom surface of the module to which the lug is connected to urge the rearward bottom surface portion of each module article support element into contact with the forward top portion of the adjacent module article support element, that the upper surface of each of the article support elements is substantially flat so that the modules are horizontally and vertically flexible and retain the tightness of the conveyor. The conveyor may be provided with guide rails above the modules upper surface positioned laterally at or near their edges parallel to the direction of travel. The modules may also be provided with an upright projection extending along an edge transverse to the direction of travel which serves as a carrier if the conveyor is inclined. The modules of the chain are preferably moulded in plastic. The springs are extension springs, preferably leaf springs, each one extending from a chain link to the underside of a module. The springs are preferably made of stainless steel. Beneath the lateral edges of the modules support rails are advantageously provided. The horizontal and vertical flexibility is obtained by means of the articulated pivots, for instance, claws cooperating with the chain links by means of shafts enabling horizontal and vertical movement in any direction. The present invention will now be illustrated by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side sectional view of part of a conveyor Figure 2 is a transverse section along the lines A-A of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows Figure 3 is a top plan view of part of a conveyor showing horizontal flexibility, and Figure 4 and 5 are diagrammatic side sectional views of part of a conveyor showing vertical flexibility in opposite directions. Referring to the drawings, the conveyor comprises overlapping modules having module support elements 10, urged into contact by means of leaf springs 11 extending from the articulated pivot of a chain link head 12 to lugs 13 on the underside of the modules. As can be seen from the drawing Figures, the module article support elements can be considered to have forward and rearward portions, designated 10a and 10b, respectively. As illustrated, a rearward bottom surface portion of each module article support element overlaps a forward top surface portion of an adjacent module article support element. Each of the plurality of chain links of the conveyor apparatus has a chain link head 12 which is positioned beneath each module element forward bottom surface and which has an articulated pivot, generally designated 12a. The springs 11 connect each module lug 13 to the articulated pivot positioned beneath the forward bottom surface portion of the module article supporting element to which the lug is connected. The springs urge the rearward bottom surface portion 10b of each module article support element 10 into contact with the forward top portion 10a of the adjacent module article support element and operate so that the modules are horizontally and vertically flexible in the manners shown by Figures 3-5. As more particularly illustrated, the articulated pivot 12a is comprised of a shaft 20 positioned in an aperture 21 joint in the chain link head having a longitudinal axis transverse to a linear alignment of the chain link heads of the conveyor apparatus, the aperture being configured to enable horizontal and vertical flexibility and being configured, as illustrated, in an hour-glass-type configuration. As also illustrated, a pair of claws 19 extend from the chain link head 12 to the shaft 20 to connect the chain link head and shaft and complete formation of the chain links which are driven by sprocket 17 (Figure 2). As also illustrated, the forward and rearward module article support element edges may have beveled edges to enhance mating engagement and tightness, as shown particularly in Figure 4 wherein the rearward bottom edge surface and the forward top edge surface of the module article support elements are beveled for engagement. As also will be noted, the rearward top surface also is beveled. Guide rails 14 are provided above the lateral edges of the modules 10 and made tight by rubber sealing strips 15. Carrier projections 16 extend along one of the transverse edges of each module 10. Support rails 18 are provided beneath the lateral edges of the modules. As can be seen from Figures 3, 4 and 5, the conveyor is flexible in any horizontal or vertical direction and retains its tightness by the overlapping of the modules 10 held in place by the springs 11. It is suitable for transporting granulated materials without any substantial waste or spillage to higher or lower levels or to different horizontal positions

Claims: A conveyor apparatus comprising: a plurality of modules, each having an article support element (10) for supporting articles to be conveyed, wherein a rearward bottom surface portion (10b) of each module article support element overlaps a forward top surface portion (10a) of an adjacent module article support element; a lug (13) connected to the bottom surface portion of each module article support element (10) positioned between the forward (10a) and rearward (10b) portions of the bottom surface; a plurality of chain links, each having a chain link head (12) positioned beneath each forward bottom surface and having an articulated pivot (12a) positioned in the head; and characterised in that a spring (11) connects each module lug (13) to the articulated pivot (12a) positioned beneath the forward bottom surface of the module to which the lug (13) is connected to urge the rearward bottom surface portion (10b) of each module article support element (10) into contact with the forward top portion (10a) of the adjacent module article support element, that the upper surface of each of the article support elements is substantially flat so that the modules are horizontally and vertically flexible and retain the tightness of the conveyor. A conveyor apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the articulated pivot (12a) is comprised of a shaft (20) positioned in an aperture (21) in the chain link head (12) having a longitudinal axis transverse to a linear alignment of the chain link head. A conveyor apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a pair of claws (19) extend from the chain link head (12) to the shaft (20) to connect the chain link head and shaft. A conveyor apparatus according to either of claims 1 and 2 further comprising support rails (18) positioned beneath lateral edges of the module article support elements (10). A conveyor apparatus according to either of claims 1 and 2 further comprising a projection element (16) extending from the module support element (10) positioned on the module upper article support surface extending along an edge of the rearward portion of the module article support element. A conveyor apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the spring (11) is a leaf spring. A conveyor apparatus according to claim 1 wherein forward and rearward edges of the module article support elements are beveled.

Inventors: WADELL LARS GUSTAF ALBERT, WADELL, LARS GUSTAF ALBERT
Applicants: FRISCO FINDUS AG, FRISCO-FINDUS AG
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B65G17
IPC codes: B65G17, B65G21