Abstract:
The flat wire conveyor belt comprises multiple part connecting rods used to incrementally extend the length of the flat wire conveyor belt and provide ease of repair and installation. The flat wire conveyor belt comprises U-shaped connecting rods. The multiple part connecting rods can be connected in a series of two or more to span the width of the flat conveyor belt. The flat wire connecting rods can connect to the picket, to each other, or via and intermediate connecting rod. The flat wire conveyor belt provides strengthened edges.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/626,074 filed Sep. 20, 2011 the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to flat wire conveyor belts. In particular, it relates to a flat wire conveyor belt having multiple part connecting rods and strengthened edges. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conveyor belts are commonly used for conveying articles during cooling, drying, coating, cooking and many other applications. Different types of conveyor belts used for such applications include wire mesh belts, balanced weave belts, and flat wire belts. 
     When assembling a flat wire conveyor belt  10  of the prior art, as shown in  FIG. 1 , multiple wire elements or pickets  11 , which extend the full width of the flat wire belt  10 , are held together by multiple connecting rods  12 . Each picket  11  has a first set of holes  13  and a second set of holes  14 . Each picket is bent so that adjoining pickets  20 ,  21  can be arranged to allow a connecting rod  12  to be inserted through each of the holes in the first set of holes  13  of one picket  20  and each of the holes in the second set  14  of holes of the adjoining picket  21 . The connecting rods also span the full width of the flat wire conveyor belt  10 . 
     Because of the length of the connecting rods, the process of inserting them through the holes in the pickets is cumbersome and time consuming and requires a large space. It is a goal of the present invention to provide a flat wire belt that can be assembled more quickly and easily in a smaller space without the need of tools. 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a flat wire conveyor belt of the prior art has weak edges. All the holes in the second set of holes  14  are the same length. This means the holes  15  in the second set of holes that are at each end of the picket  11 , because they are not in sections of the picket that are bent, are such that the part of the picket forming the wall of the hole closest to the end of the picket  16  does not contact the connecting rod  12  inserted through the hole  15 . It is a goal of the present invention to strengthen the end of the flat wire belt by having the connecting rod contact the part of the picket forming the wall of the hole closest to the end of the picket. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention is a flat wire conveyor belt comprising: a plurality of pickets, wherein each picket comprises a first end and a second end, and each picket has a length defining the width of a flat wire conveyor belt; a plurality of linking regions bendably formed and spaced along the length of each picket, wherein each linking region has a first set of holes and a second set of holes; a plurality of first edge linking regions, wherein each first edge linking region is the linking region formed at the first end of the picket, and each first edge linking region comprises a first outer edge hole wherein the first outer edge hole is the hole in the first set of holes formed nearest to the first end of each picket; a plurality of second edge linking regions, wherein each second edge linking region is the linking region formed at the second end of each picket, and each second edge linking region comprises a second outer edge hole wherein the second outer edge hole is the hole in the first set of holes formed nearest to the second end of each picket; and a plurality of connecting rods, wherein each connecting rod comprises a first end and a second end, and each connecting rod is configured to pass through the first set of holes of at least one linking region on a first picket and the second set of holes of the at least one linking region on an adjoining picket, and each connecting rod has a length less than the width of the flat wire conveyor belt, thereby reversibly linking two adjoining pickets and incrementally extending a length of the flat wire conveyor belt. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, the second end of the plurality of connecting rods cannot pass through the first outer edge hole and the second outer edge hole. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, the first outer edge holes and the second outer edge holes further comprise an inner surface and the plurality of connecting rods further comprise an outer surface, and wherein the inner surface of the outer edge holes is in contact with the outer surface of the connecting rods, thereby strengthening the edge of the flat wire conveyor belt. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, the second end of the connecting rod comprises a button. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, the second end of the connecting rod comprises a hook. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, the second end of the connecting rod comprises a flattened portion that cannot pass through the first outer edge hole and the second outer edge hole once rotated. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, the first end of the connecting rod comprises a flattened portion that cannot pass through the first set of holes and the second set of holes once rotated. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, the first end of the plurality of connecting rods comprises a threaded portion. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, a first connecting rod reversibly connects to a second connecting rod to span the width of the flat wire conveyor belt. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, a first connecting rod reversibly connects to a second connecting rod via an intermediate connecting rod to span the width of the flat wire conveyor belt. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, the first end of the plurality of connecting rods comprises a hook. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, a first connecting rod reversibly connects to a second connecting rod to span the width of the flat wire conveyor belt. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, a first connecting rod reversibly connects to a second connecting rod via an intermediate connecting rod to span the width of the flat wire conveyor belt. 
     One embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, further comprises a third set of holes located within the spacing between the plurality of linking regions on the plurality of pickets, wherein the third set of holes comprises one or more holes. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, the plurality of connecting rods reversibly connects to the picket via the third set of holes. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a flat wire conveyor belt comprising: a plurality of pickets, wherein each picket comprises a first end and a second end, and each picket has a length defining the width of a flat wire conveyor belt; a plurality of linking regions bendably formed and spaced along the length of each picket, wherein each linking region has a first set of holes and a second set of holes; a plurality of first edge linking regions, wherein each first edge linking region is the linking region formed at the first end of the picket, and each first edge linking region comprises a first outer edge hole wherein the first outer edge hole is the hole in the first set of holes formed nearest to the first end of each picket; a plurality of second edge linking regions, wherein each second edge linking region is the linking region formed at the second end of each picket, and each second edge linking region comprises a second outer edge hole wherein the second outer edge hole is the hole in the first set of holes formed nearest to the second end of each picket; and a plurality of U-shaped connecting rods, wherein each U-shaped connecting rod comprises a first linking arm substantially parallel to a second linking arm, wherein each first linking arm comprises a first end and the first linking arm is configured to pass through the first set of holes of at least one linking region on a first picket and the second set of holes of at least one linking region on a second picket, wherein each second linking arm comprises a second end and the second linking arm is configured to pass through the first set of holes of at least one linking region on the second picket and the second set of holes of at least one linking region on a third picket, thereby reversibly linking three adjoining pickets and incrementally extending a length of the flat wire conveyor belt. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, the first outer edge holes and the second outer edge holes further comprise an inner surface and the connecting rods further comprise an outer surface, and wherein the inner surface of the outer edge holes is in contact with the outer surface of the connecting rods, thereby strengthening the edge of the flat wire conveyor belt. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, the U-shaped connecting rod&#39;s first end and second end are hooks. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, the plurality of U-shaped connecting rods has a length that is less than the width of the flat wire conveyor belt. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, a first U-shaped connecting rod reversibly connects to a second U-shaped connecting rod to span the width of the flat wire conveyor belt. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, a first U-shaped connecting rod reversibly connects to a second U-shaped connecting rod via an intermediate connecting rod to span the width of the flat wire conveyor belt. 
     One embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, further comprises a third set of holes located within the spacing between the plurality of linking regions on the plurality of pickets, wherein the third set of holes comprises one or more holes. 
     In one embodiment of the flat wire conveyer belt, the U-shaped connecting rods reversibly connect to the picket via the third set of holes. 
     These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, taken together with the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a flat wire belt of the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an edge of a flat wire belt of the prior art. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a more detailed schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is another schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a more detailed view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a more detailed view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a more detailed view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a more detailed view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a more detailed view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a detailed view of the edge of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a method and apparatus related to a flat wire conveyor belt having multiple part connecting rods and strengthened edges. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in one preferred, embodiment, multiple pickets  31 , each with a first end  23  and a second end  24 , which extend the full width of the flat wire belt  10 , are held together with multiple connecting rods  32 , each with a first end  25  and a second end  26 . Each picket  31  has a first set of holes  33  and a second set of holes  34 . Each picket is bent so adjoining pickets  40 ,  41  can be arranged to allow the first end  25  of a connecting rod  32  to be inserted from the first end  23  of the picket  31  through some of the holes in the first set of holes  33  of one picket  40  and some of the holes in the second set of holes  34  of the adjoining picket  41 . 
     The first end  25  of the connecting rod  32  is configured to attach to a picket  11 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a preferred embodiment has a connecting rod  32  with a first end  25  configured with a hook, which hook can be attached through a hole  37  in the picket  11 . The second end  26  of the connecting rod  32  is flattened so that it may go through, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the hole in the second set of holes  34  that is closest to the first end  23  of the picket when inserted one way but cannot go through the hole when the connecting rod is rotated 90° (or any whole number multiple of 90°. It should be noted that the second end  26  of the connecting rod  32  may have a welded button, or other means known to those skilled in the art, that is larger than the hole in the second set of holes  34  that is closest to the first end  23  attic picket. 
     The other side of the flat wire belt is similar. The first end  25  of a connecting rod  32  is then inserted from the second end  24  of the pickets  40 ,  41  through some of the holes in the first set of holes  33  of one picket  40  and some of the holes in the second set of holes  34  of the adjoining picket  41 . The first end  25  of the connecting rod  32  is then hooked into a hole  37  in the picket  11  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Two connecting rods are used to connect each set of adjoining pickets in the flat wire belt. 
     It should be noted that in the above-described preferred embodiment the connecting rods  32  are all equal in length, and as shown in  FIG. 5 , connect to holes  37  in the middle of a picket  11 . The connecting rods  32  need not be equal in length and need nut extend the full width of the wire belt. 
     Other preferred embodiments may use other attachment means known to those skilled in the art on the first end of the connecting rods and the pickets. In one preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the first end  25  of the connecting rod  32  is flattened so that it may go through the holes  33 ,  34  in the picket when inserted one witty, but cannot go through the holes in the pickets when the connecting rod  32  is rotated 90° (or any whole number multiple of 90°). 
     In another embodiment, the first end of the connecting rods inserted from the first side of the pickets have means to attach to the first end of the connecting rods inserted from the second side of the picket which in turn have means to attach to the first end of the connecting rods inserted from the fast side of the pickets. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the first ends  25  of the connecting rods  32  are configured with hooks on the end so that they can be hooked together. 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the first end  25  of the connecting rods  32  inserted from the first side of the pickets is threaded to attach by screwing into an opening in the first end  25  of the connecting rods inserted from the second side of the pickets. 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 9 , an intermediary connecting rod  42  with a first end  45  and a second end  46  is used to connect the connecting rods  32 . The first end  45  of the intermediary connecting rod  42  is attached to the first end  25  of the connecting rod inserted from the first side of the picket, and the second end  46  of the intermediary connecting rod  32  is attached to the first end  25  of the connecting rod  32  inserted from the second side of the picket. The ends of the connecting rods and the intermediary connecting rod can be attached using hooks as shown here or using other attachment means described herein for attaching the first ends of the connecting rods to a picket or to each other. 
     A number of different means for attaching the first end of connecting rods to a picket, another connecting rod or an intermediary connecting rod are described herein. It should be noted that different attachment means may be used in different sections of one flat wire belt. 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 10 , connecting rod  52  is U-shaped so that its first end  53  is inserted through each of the holes in the first set of holes  54  in one picket  40  and each of the holes in the second set of holes  55  of the adjoining picket  41 . The second end  54  of connecting rod  52  is inserted through each of the holes in the first set of holes  56  in picket  41  and each of the holes in the second set of holes  57  of the adjoining picket  42 . 
     The present invention also compromises a flat wire belt with strengthened edges. One preferred embodiment is shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     A picket  11  has a second set of holes  14 . All the holes  15  in the second set of holes  14  are the same length (measured parallel to the long dimension of the picket  11 ). For a given picket  11 , the hole  15 , in the second set of holes  14 , at each end of the picket is not in a section of the picket that is bent as all the other holes in the second set of holes  14  are. The result of this is that the part of the picket forming the wall  16  of the hole closest to the end of the picket does not contact the connecting rod  12  inserted through it, weakening the flat wire belt. In this embodiment the length of the hole  15  is shortened so that the part of the picket forming the wall  16  of the hole closest to the end of the picket contacts the connecting rod  12  inserted through it. Alternatively, the hole  15  can be moved toward the middle of the picket so that the part of the picket forming the wall  16  of the hole contacts the connecting rod  12  inserted through it. 
     While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.