Patent Description:
The invention relates generally to frames for power-driven conveyors and more particularly to belt conveyor frames that are easy to clean.

In the meat, poultry, fruit, and vegetable industries, conveyor belts are used to transport food products. Most conveyor belts are supported along carryways supported by a frame assembly. To meet USDA sanitation requirements, conveyor belt systems must be cleanable. The conveyor carryway and frame are particularly susceptible to the accumulation of fats, dirt, and debris. Complex connections between different components, a large number of components in the frame and carryway, difficult-to-clean crevices and other issues make cleaning conveyor belt systems problematic at times.

Thus, there is a need for an easy-to-clean conveyor belt system.

<CIT> discloses a belt conveyor with a lightweight support frame. In particular, <CIT> discloses a conveyor frame, comprising:.

<CIT> discloses conveyor assemblies capable of conveying personnel in opposite direction simultaneously on a conveyor belt.

<CIT> discloses a joining arrangement, side plate and splice piece for joining conveyor belt sections.

<CIT> discloses a cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor. In particular, <CIT> discloses a connector for joining components of a conveyor frame, said connector comprising a plug extending from its central core in order to fit in an opening of a frame component.

This need and other needs are addressed by a conveyor system embodying features of the invention. A hygienic conveyor frame assembly comprises a plurality of compression molded modular conveyor components melded together through heat and pressure to form a unitary structure.

According to the invention there is provided a conveyor frame as set forth in claim <NUM>.

There is also provided a method of joining two conveyor frame components together as recited in claim <NUM>.

In addition according to the invention there is provided a connecting collar for joining a first conveyor frame component to a second conveyor frame component as set forth in claim <NUM>.

Finally, there is provided the use of the connecting collar of the present invention in a conveying frame of the present invention as defined in appended claim <NUM>.

These aspects and features of the present disclosure are described in more detail in the following description, and accompanying drawings, in which:.

A conveyor frame embodying features of the invention is shown in <FIG>. The exemplary conveyor frame <NUM> supports a conveyor belt <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) traveling between a first end <NUM> of the frame and a second end <NUM> of the frame. The conveyor belt conveys products from the first end <NUM> to the second end <NUM> along a carryway. The conveyor belt <NUM> may be trained around reversing elements at each end of the carryway and returned along a returnway below the carryway. The frame <NUM> minimizes components through simplification and integration to enhance cleanability while ensuring sufficient strength.

The illustrative frame <NUM> integrates the support structure of the frame with the carryway. The frame <NUM> includes a pair of legs <NUM> near ends <NUM>, <NUM> and, optionally, intermediate points along the frame. Longitudinally-extending rails <NUM> connect the legs, structurally support the frame <NUM> and form a carryway for directly supporting the conveyor belt <NUM> extending from the first end <NUM> to the second end <NUM>. One or both ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the longitudinally-extending rails <NUM> curve, preferably through a <NUM>° arc, to form reversing elements or guide structures for the conveyor belt between the carryway and the returnway. The curved reversing elements formed by the ends <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably integral with the linear portion of the rails <NUM>, and may be formed by bending the ends to form the desired configuration.

Lateral leg connectors <NUM> extend between each pair of legs <NUM>. The illustrative legs and lateral leg connectors are formed by upside-down u-shaped rails and include curved upper portions <NUM> extending upwards from the u-shaped rail. The curved rails <NUM> forming the upper portions of the legs <NUM> curve outwards to accommodate the conveyor belt in the returnway. As shown in <FIG>, a drum motor <NUM> for driving the conveyor belt <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, is supported between the curved ends <NUM> of the longitudinal rails <NUM> at the second end <NUM>. Curved returnway rails <NUM> extend from the lateral leg connectors <NUM> for guiding the conveyor belt in the returnway and extend in the longitudinal direction. The curved returnway rails <NUM> may be integral with the lateral leg connectors <NUM> and accommodate sagging of the conveyor belt <NUM> in the returnway.

While the illustrative legs <NUM> are substantially vertical in the lower portion, alternatively, the lower leg rails may be curved inwards, or be angled, or have another suitable embodiment.

For instance, a conveyor frame can comprise a number of different modular conveyor frame components connected and melded together to form a cleanable, monolithic frame. For example, <FIG> shows a portion of a conveyor frame <NUM> formed using compression molded connectors to join and bond various components together into a unitary structure.

The components can be arranged in any suitable arrangement or configuration to form the frame or a portion of a frame. For example, the illustrative frame portion <NUM> comprises top longitudinally-extending rails <NUM>, <NUM> forming a portion of a carryway, legs connected to the top longitudinally-extending rails and returnway rails, as well as bottom longitudinally-extending rails connecting the legs at a lower portion. The top longitudinally-extending rails <NUM>, <NUM> have ends <NUM> configured to connect to another conveyor frame portion or portions to form a complete conveyor frame.

The top longitudinally-extending rails each comprise a first set of standard shafts <NUM>, bent t-shaped connectors <NUM>, a curved end extension <NUM> and compression molded connecting collars <NUM> connecting these modular components. The frame components can have any suitable cross-section, such as, but not limited to, circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, b-shaped, and so on.

The legs comprise bases <NUM> connected to a lower straight t-shaped connectors <NUM> using a connecting collar <NUM>, a central shaft <NUM> connected to the lower straight-t-shaped connector using another connecting collar <NUM>, an upper straight t-shaped connector 4232U connected to the central shaft <NUM> and the downward-extending shaft of the t-shaped leg connector <NUM> using compression molded connecting collars <NUM>. The bases <NUM> can comprise any suitable component for stabilizing legs and is not limited to the illustrative example(s) of this disclosure.

The curved returnway rails components <NUM> extend between the upper straight t-shaped connectors of two legs and are connected using compression molded connecting collars <NUM>.

The lower support rails <NUM> are connected to t-shaped connectors <NUM> using compression molded connecting collars.

The connecting collars <NUM> allow joining of the separate components to form a monolithic conveyor frame module <NUM>. The ends <NUM> can be connected to other components using connecting collars. For example, a complete conveyor frame can comprise two portions <NUM> joined together. Alternatively, one or more intermediate frame modules, similar to the portion <NUM> but without the curved ends <NUM>, can be inserted between two modules and all the modules connected together for form an extended-length conveyor frame. The various components can comprise different materials, or the same material.

The seams between the different components are exaggerated in <FIG>. The resulting conveyor frame or portion can be seamless and smooth when finished.

<FIG> show an embodiment of a compression molded connecting collar <NUM> suitable for joining two conveyor components. The collar <NUM> comprises a tubular outer wall <NUM>, a central core <NUM> and a plug <NUM> comprising a solid shaft extending along the longitudinal axis of the collar. The illustrative outer wall <NUM> is tubular to match the shape of the end of the conveyor component to be connected. The plug <NUM> extends beyond the cylindrical outer wall by a selected distance P. The collar forms a ring-shaped space <NUM> between the plug, cylindrical outer wall and the core for receiving a similarly shaped end of a frame component. The connecting collar <NUM> is formed of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW) or another suitable compression moldable material. The tubular outer wall is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and can have any suitable shape for receiving an end of a corresponding conveyor component. The tubular outer wall <NUM> extends from a first end <NUM> to a second end <NUM>. The first and second <NUM>, <NUM> ends may be tapered to provide a smoother interface with the conveyor frame component when joined.

The modular conveyor frame components can also comprise UHMW, another compression moldable material, or any material capable of bonding with UHMW or another compression moldable material.

Referring back to <FIG>, the various frame components include ends configured to be received in the connecting collars <NUM>. For example, the shaft ends <NUM> include central openings <NUM> for receiving a plug <NUM>, and the ends <NUM> are sized and configured to mate with an end of the connecting collar <NUM>. In one embodiment, the ends <NUM> have a reduced outer diameter forming an end groove or shelf for the cylindrical outer wall of the connecting collar, so that the outer surface of the connecting collar aligns with the outer surface of the main frame component <NUM> at a joint between the collar and component. The connecting collar <NUM> overlies the ends <NUM> of the component.

<FIG> is a detailed cross-sectional view of the lower portion of a leg of the frame of <FIG>, showing components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> joined using compression molded collars <NUM>. <FIG> is a detailed view of region B from <FIG>. Each component to be joined has a central opening in an end to be joined for receiving a plug of a collar <NUM>. The central opening is sized to allow clearance C between the end of the plug and end of the central opening to allow expansion of the material.

The connecting collar can have any suitable configuration and shape, with a component to be joined using a connecting collar having complementary geometry so as to allow joining and bonding of the conveyor frame components.

To join two conveyor frame components using the illustrative connecting collar <NUM>, the connecting collar <NUM> is first pre-heated to make it pliable and malleable and suitable for bonding. The components to be joined may be pre-heated as well. Before or after the preheat, the cylindrical outer wall <NUM> is slipped over the end of a component to be joined, such as the end <NUM>, so that the plug <NUM> extends into the central opening <NUM> of the component. The end of a second component to be joined to the first component is then inserted in the other end of the connecting collar <NUM>, such that the plug extends into a central opening of the second component. With the collar wrapping the two connecting ends of the components, heat and pressure are applied to bond the connecting collar and two components together, forming a unitary structure. Then, the unitary structure is cooled. In one embodiment, the assembled components are pre-heated in an oven at a temperature between about <NUM> (<NUM>°F) and about <NUM> (<NUM>°F) until the cylindrical outer wall <NUM> and core <NUM> of the connecting collar <NUM> are about <NUM>% heat soaked, the conveyor frame component to be joined is between about <NUM>-<NUM>% heat-soaked at the joint where it is be connected to the connecting collar and the central plug is about <NUM>-<NUM>% heat soaked. The proper amount of heat-soaking can be determined visually, or through another means. For example, a natural UHMW material becomes translucent when it is in a bondable state, while a colored UHMW material will change shades to indicate that the material is heat-soaked and bondable. The material is preferable heated to a bondable state at the interfaces between different components. After heating, pressure is applied to bond and unify the material of the different components to form a unitary structure. In one embodiment, components with a two inch diameter will require between about <NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi) and about 344kPa (<NUM> psi) of pressure, though the amount of pressure can vary based on the materials, size of components and other factors. In another embodiment, the components are partially pre-heated, then a heated die can be used to apply both heat and pressure to form the unitary structure. In another embodiment, pre-heating can be eliminated and only heat and pressure are applied to the components using a die or other suitable device.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of a connecting collar <NUM> used to join the ends of two modular conveyor frame components <NUM>, <NUM>. The connecting collar <NUM> comprises a cylindrical outer wall <NUM> and a central core <NUM> with a central opening for receiving a separate plug <NUM>. The plug can be formed of a different material from the connecting collar <NUM>. The conveyor component <NUM> includes an end sized and configured to receive the cylindrical outer wall <NUM> and having a central opening <NUM> for receiving the plug. The central opening <NUM> is sized to allow a bit of clearance C when the end face of the component abuts the central core <NUM>. The use of a separate plug <NUM> in the connecting collar <NUM> allows the plug to be formed of a different material. For example, the plug can be steel, aluminum copper, an antimicrobial material or another material while the connecting collar outer wall <NUM> and core <NUM> are formed of a compression moldable material, such as UHMW. The components <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be melded together through heat and pressure after assembly.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of a connecting collar <NUM> used to join the ends of two conveyor components <NUM>, <NUM>. The connecting collar <NUM> has a solid core <NUM> and projecting cylindrical walls forming openings that receive the narrowed ends of the conveyor rails <NUM>, <NUM>. Heat and pressure are used to bond the components together, as described above.

Referring to <FIG>, in another approach to bonding modular conveyor components together, a bonding disc <NUM> can be used to facilitate bonding between a connecting collar <NUM> and conveyor components <NUM>, <NUM>. The illustrative conveyor components <NUM>, <NUM> comprise a main rail portion <NUM>, <NUM>, defining a portion of a carryway of a conveyor, and a side wall portion <NUM>, <NUM> forming a side wall of the carryway, though the invention is not so limited. The connecting collar <NUM> also includes a main rail portion <NUM> that connects the main rail portions <NUM>, <NUM> and a side wall portion <NUM> that connects the side wall portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The ends of the illustrative rails <NUM>, <NUM> include a tapering chamfered portion <NUM>, <NUM> and a narrowed portion <NUM>, <NUM> designed to be received in an opening in the connecting collar <NUM>. The illustrative bonding discs <NUM> match the shape of the opening in the connecting collar, though the invention is not so limited. After assembly and during the bonding process, when heat and pressure are applied to the components, the bonding disc, which is formed of an injection moldable material that liquefies when heated, liquefies and fills any voids between the heated, pliable connecting collar <NUM> and the ends of the rails <NUM>, <NUM> to promote bonding of the materials. The melted disc takes the shape of the voids, then solidifies upon cooling. Examples of suitable materials for the bonding discs <NUM> include, but are not limited to, low-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene.

The ends of the component to be joined include protruding plugs and a connecting collar includes an opening in the central core for receiving plugs from two opposing conveyor component. For example, <FIG> shows an embodiment of a returnway rails component <NUM> comprising a central shaft <NUM> that extends between and connects to legs of a conveyor frame and curved returnway rails <NUM> extending transverse to the central shaft <NUM> for guiding a conveyor belt in a returnway. The ends of the central shaft <NUM> include a recessed portion <NUM> forming a shelf for a connecting collar outer wall and a protruding plug <NUM> configured to be received in a central opening in a core of the connecting collar. A connecting collar, comprising only a cylindrical outer wall and inner core with a central opening can mate with the recessed portion <NUM> and protruding plug <NUM> at one end and a mating end of another frame component, such as a straight t-shaped connector, at another end to integrate the returnway rails component <NUM> into a conveyor frame. Heat and pressure are applied to fully bond the components together.

In another example, shown in <FIG>, one or more of the frame components <NUM>, <NUM>, as well as the central plug <NUM> extending through a connecting collar <NUM> and into the frame components to be connected, can be hollow to allow fluid, wires or another component to pass therethrough. The central plug <NUM>, which can be integral with or separate from the core and cylindrical outer wall of the collar, includes an opening <NUM> extending end-to-end that is in fluid communication with passageways <NUM>, <NUM> of the frame components <NUM>, <NUM>. A compression moldable connecting collar <NUM> having cylindrical outer walls <NUM> and a central core <NUM> overlies the ends of the frame components. After pre-heating and assembly, pressure and heat are applied to the connecting collar <NUM> and ends of the frame components <NUM>, <NUM> to bond the components together.

<FIG> show another example of a connecting collar for connecting two modular conveyor frame components. In the embodiment of <FIG>, a straight t-shaped component <NUM> of a conveyor connects to three shafts <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> using compression molded connecting collars <NUM>. The connecting collars <NUM> are compression molded cylindrical components that fit over the ends of the shafts. The illustrative components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> also include cores <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> made of a separate material, such as stainless steel. The cores include central openings in the end faces thereof that receive dowel pins <NUM> for connecting the components together. To assemble multiple components together to form a conveyor frame or a portion of a conveyor frame according to the embodiment of <FIG>, the components, cores, pins and connecting collars are assembled as shown in <FIG>. The assembly is then pre-heated. After pre-heating, heat and pressure are applied at the joints of the various components to bond the materials together. The step of pre-heating may be omitted or occur before assembly.

For example, <FIG> and <FIG> shows an example of a conveyor frame module <NUM> including a plurality of components joined using connecting collars <NUM>, as described above. In addition, the conveyor frame module <NUM> integrates an electronic component <NUM> using connecting collars <NUM>. A switch <NUM> for the electronic component is attached to a leg of the frame module <NUM>, and wires <NUM> can run through the frame components to the electronic module <NUM>. The electronics module <NUM> can be easily removed from the frame by cutting the module out of the frame and an electronics module can be easily integrated into the frame using connecting collars. For example, the illustrative conveyor frame module <NUM> includes connector housings <NUM> at each ends of the electronics unit <NUM>. The connector housings <NUM> are bonded to the connecting collars <NUM> through the technique described above to integrate the electronics unit <NUM> to the conveyor frame module <NUM>. The electronics module includes electrical connectors housed within the connector housings <NUM> that can be removably connected to connectors on the wires <NUM> to place the electronics unit in electrical contact with the switch <NUM>. The electronics unit can be easily removed from the conveyor frame module <NUM> by cutting through the connector housings <NUM>, unplugging the electronics unit and removing the unplugged, disconnected electronics unit. A new or repaired electronics unit can be easily re-integrated into the conveyor frame module.

In still another example, connecting collars can be used to integrate fluid manifolds into a conveyor frame. For example, as shown in <FIG>, an overhead fluid manifold <NUM> can be formed over a carryway formed by longitudinal rails <NUM>. Some or all of the frame components and connecting collars <NUM> are hollow to form a fluid path from a fluid inlet to nozzles <NUM> in the manifold. The size, shape, configuration and location of the fluid manifold <NUM> can be varied depending on the application. For example, the manifold can extend straight up from the carryway using connecting shafts and connecting collars. The fluid manifold can spray air, water or another fluid over the carryway.

A number of conveyor frame components can be arranged in any suitable configuration using compression moldable connecting collars, followed by the application of sufficient heat and pressure to bond the components together.

In another example, shown in <FIG>, a conveyor frame component to be joined using a connecting collar has an undercut edge to facilitate joining of two components. The illustrative conveyor component <NUM>, which can be a straight, bent or curved shaft, bent or curved t-shaped connector, pipe, electronic box, fluid manifold, or other conveyor component, has a connecting end <NUM> configured to engage a connecting collar <NUM>. The illustrative connecting collar <NUM> has an integral plug <NUM>.

The conveyor component end <NUM> has a central opening <NUM> for receiving the plug <NUM>. An edge forming a groove <NUM> for receiving the cylindrical wall <NUM> of the connecting collar is undercut to facilitate bonding of the connecting collar and conveyor component upon application of heat and pressure. Alternatively, the conveyor component can have a narrowing chamfer, as described above.

A compression molded connecting collar of the invention can be used to join conveyor components to form a sanitary conveyor through different approaches. For example, an entire conveyor frame or a conveyor frame module can be assembled using stock components connected with connecting collars. The assembly can be pre-heated to a bondable state after assembly to make the material malleable. Then, the components are bonded by applying heat and pressure for a select amount of time. In one embodiment, the assembly is heated to about <NUM> (<NUM>°F).

The heat and pressure causes the materials to unite, bonding the connecting collars to the frame components. Then, the assembly is cooled. In another approach, for example to replace or fix a component in the field, a connecting collar may be pre-heated, then slipped over the end of a component to be joined. A portable heat and pressure device applies heat and pressure to the joint between the connecting collar and component to bond the two together. Then another component can be joined to the other end of the connecting collar in a similar process.

<FIG> shows another example of a hygienic conveyor <NUM> comprising a plurality of modular conveyor frame components joined together to form a monolithic structure. <FIG> shows the frame with an endless conveyor belt <NUM>. <FIG> is a detailed view of a portion of the frame <NUM>. The frame <NUM> comprises legs <NUM> connected by longitudinal side rails <NUM> that form both the carryway edges and structural support. At a drive end, the rails form mounting structure <NUM> for mounting a drive, shown as a drum motor <NUM>. The mounting structure <NUM> comprises opposing plates connected to end legs and carryway rails that include slots or other openings for rotatably mounting the drive. At the idle end, the rails <NUM> curve to form reversing elements <NUM> for the conveyor belt. The longitudinal carryway rails <NUM> comprise a base rail portion having side walls and a flat top surface for supporting the conveyor belt, as described below. The frame <NUM> further includes returnway rails <NUM> having return shoes <NUM> extending between pairs of legs <NUM> for guiding the conveyor belt in the returnway. A central longitudinal rail <NUM> extends between the side longitudinal rails <NUM> to provide additional support in the carryway and can be connected to the side longitudinal rails <NUM> with lateral carryway rails <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the different modular conveyor frame components that are bonded together through compression and heat to form the illustrative monolithic frame structure. The seams between components are for illustration purposes and may or may not be visible in the assembled frame. In the portion of <FIG>, the longitudinal rails is formed by a plurality of longitudinal rail modules <NUM> joined by connecting collars <NUM> or <NUM>. A t-shaped rail portion <NUM> includes a longitudinal rail portion, side wall and downward extending protrusion for connecting to a leg module <NUM>, which may connect to or include a lateral rail <NUM>. The lateral rail <NUM> may form or connect to curved returnway rails. Longitudinal and lateral connecting collar <NUM> connects both longitudinal carryway modules <NUM>, <NUM> and lateral rail <NUM> forming a portion of the carryway. Bonding discs, as described above and not visible in the final assembly, may be used to facilitate bonding of the components.

<FIG> shows an example of a longitudinal rail module <NUM> including an integrated side wall suitable for forming a portion of a carryway in a conveyor frame according to an embodiment of the invention. The longitudinal rail module <NUM> includes a main rail portion <NUM> having a flat top surface <NUM> for supporting the conveyor belt and defining the carryway of the conveyor frame. An integral side wall portion <NUM> extends vertically from the main rail portion for forming a side wall along the edge of the carryway. The ends of the longitudinal rail module include a tapering chamfered portion <NUM> and a narrowed portion <NUM> designed to be received in an opening of a corresponding connecting collar, an example of which is shown in <FIG>. The illustrative longitudinal rail module <NUM> also includes end openings <NUM> for receiving a separate plug, but the invention is not so limited, and the plug can be omitted. The longitudinal rail module <NUM> could include an opening to form a passageway, or be solid.

<FIG> show an example of a connecting collar <NUM> for connecting modules to define at least a portion of a carryway of a conveyor frame. The connecting collar <NUM> has a profile that matches the profile of the module <NUM>, with a main rounded rail portion <NUM>, flat top surface <NUM> and a side wall portion <NUM>. The connecting collar includes recesses at each end configured to receive the shaped ends of a conveyor component module, such as the ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the longitudinal rail module <NUM>, thereby forming a tubular outer wall with a central, solid core between the end openings. The connecting collar <NUM> also includes central opening <NUM> for receiving a plug that extends between the connecting collar and another module to be bonded to the connecting collar. The connecting collar can be solid or have a passageway formed therein. After, for example, inserting the ends <NUM>, <NUM> into the connecting collar <NUM>, heat and pressure are applied to bond the components together. As described above, a bonding disc may be used to facilitate bonding.

<FIG> show a "bent T" connector module <NUM> that is used to form a portion of a carryway in a conveyor frame, as well as connect leg rail modules to a carryway. The illustrative "bent T" connector module <NUM> includes an upper portion <NUM> similar to the longitudinal rail module <NUM>. The upper portion includes a main rail portion <NUM> with flat top surface <NUM>, integral side wall portion <NUM> and shaped ends <NUM> for insertion into corresponding receptacles in corresponding connecting collars. The "bent T" connector module <NUM> further includes a lower portion <NUM> extending down from the main rail portion <NUM>. The lower portion <NUM> has a shaped end <NUM> configured to be received in a connecting collar to form a portion of a leg of a conveyor frame. After connecting the upper portion <NUM> to other components to form at least a portion of a carryway and the lower portion <NUM> to other components to form at least a portion of a leg, the assembly can be bonded using heat and pressure. As described above, a bonding disc may be used to facilitate bonding.

While the illustrative compression molded connecting collars are female connectors having receptacles for receiving ends of conveyor frame modules to connect different modules together, alternatively, the connecting collars can have protrusions designed to be inserted in complementary shaped receptacles in an end of a conveyor frame module.

Claim 1:
A conveyor frame (<NUM>), comprising:
a compression moldable connecting collar (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) comprising a central core (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) , side walls defining a first opening on a first end (<NUM>) and a second opening on a second end (<NUM>)_and a plug (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) extending from the first end (<NUM>);
a first frame component bonded to the compression moldable connecting collar (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), the first frame component having a rail portion, a first end inserted in the first opening of the connecting collar (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), an opening in the first end for receiving the plug (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) and a second end; and
a second frame component bonded to the compression moldable connecting collar (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), the second frame component having a rail portion, a first end inserted in the second opening of the connecting collar (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) and a second end.