Patent ID: 7494006

Claim:
A modular conveyor belt comprising: a series of rows of belt modules, wherein each row comprises: an intermediate portion extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first edge to a second edge; a first set of hinge elements spaced apart laterally and extending longitudinally outward at the first end of the intermediate portion to form gaps between laterally consecutive hinge elements; a second set of hinge elements spaced apart laterally and extending longitudinally outward at the second end of the intermediate portion to form gaps between laterally consecutive hinge elements; wherein the hinge elements of the first and second sets each have a first side toward the first edge of the row and an opposite second side toward the second edge and an aperture extending laterally from the first side to the second side; a plurality of hinge rods; wherein the series of rows are connected end to end with the first set of hinge elements of a row interleaved with the second set of hinge elements of an adjacent row so that the apertures of interleaved hinge elements are aligned to form a lateral passageway for receiving a hinge rod to connect adjacent rows together into a conveyor belt having a conveying surface and an opposite surface; an attachment member including: a body having an outer surface and a base surface; an interaction element connected to the outer surface; a first leg and a second leg extending from the base surface, the first leg and the second leg each having a foot at a distal end; wherein the attachment member is installed in a preselected row of the conveyor belt with the base surface contacting one of the conveying surface and the opposite surface and the first and second legs extend directly from the conveying surface or the opposite surface into one or more of the gaps formed between laterally consecutive hinge elements of the first set in the preselected row; and wherein the first and second legs are spaced apart so that the first leg contacts the first side of one of the hinge elements of the first set in the preselected row while the second leg contacts the second side of one of the hinge elements of the first set in the preselected row; and wherein the feet are retained by the hinge rod extending through the first set of hinge elements in the preselected row.