Patent ID: 8820517

Claim:
A lateral plate element for a link included in a self-stacking endless conveyor belt comprising a plurality of interconnected links, in which the conveyor belt extends helically along part of its length such that upper edge portions of the lateral plate elements of the links in an underlying tier bear against lower edge portions of the lateral plate elements of the links in an overlying belt tier, the lateral plate element of the link comprising: an outer plate section, an inner plate section, and a bridging plate section bridging said outer and inner plate sections; a resting surface arranged to engage a lateral plate element of an underlying tier of the self-stacking endless conveyor belt when it extends helically; an upper portion with an associated upper edge arranged to engage the resting surface of a lateral plate element of an overlaying tier of the self-stacking endless conveyor belt when it extends helically; an inner abutment surface arranged to engage the upper portion of the underlying lateral plate element, wherein the inner abutment surface depends downwardly relative to the resting surface and limits outward lateral movement of the lateral plate element relative the underlying lateral plate element; an outer abutment surface arranged to engage the upper portion of the underlying lateral plate element, wherein the outer abutment surface depends downwardly relative to the resting surface and limits inward lateral movement of the lateral plate element relative the underlying lateral plate element; and a spacer element structurally distinct from the upper portion of the underlying lateral plate element and arranged to further limit outward lateral movement of the lateral plate element relative the underlying lateral plate element, wherein the spacer element is arranged at said upper edge and is extending in an inward direction.