Patent ID: 7255227

Claim:
An edge module for a modular plastic conveyor belt, the edge module comprising: a module body extending laterally in width from an outside first edge to a second edge and including: an aperture extending laterally inward from the first edge toward the second edge for receiving a hinge rod, and a recess bounded by nonlinear first and second side walls extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the aperture extends through the first side wall at the second end and wherein the second side wall is disposed inward of the first side wall and not intersected by the aperture; and a blocking element in the form of a resilient strip retained in the recess at the first end and bendable at the second end between a normal first position self-biased against the first side wall and occluding the aperture to prevent a hinge rod received in the aperture from exiting the aperture and a second position closer to the second side wall and generally clear of the aperture by the force that a hinge rod being inserted into the aperture from the first edge exerts against the blocking element.