WIPER FOR FORMED STEEL RECIPROCATING FLOOR SLAT

Abstract

A narrow gap exists between all-steel floor slats in a reciprocating floor slat conveyor system. The gap is closed by a steel wiper member that is attached to one of the slats and spans the gap between slats.

Claims

1. For use in a reciprocating floor slat conveyor system that has a plurality of reciprocating floor slats formed of steel, with at least one of said slats having a top surface upon which a load rests, opposite sides, and opposite lower edges that are angled downwardly and inwardly, with a narrow space between side-by-side slats in said conveyor system, and further, a steel wiper member that closes said narrow space, said wiper member comprising a strip of steel having one portion that is attached to one of said at least one slat's lower edges, and another portion of said steel strip spanning said space and having an edge that contacts an adjacent slat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The accompanying drawings of this disclosure are described below as follows:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a series of side-by-side reciprocating floor slats made of formed steel with a steel wiper in the lengthwise space between vertical sides of the slats;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one formed steel slat; and

[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the steel wiper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, each floor slat is generally identified by reference numeral 10. For the purpose of this disclosure, it is envisioned that the floor slat 10 will be made of formed steel having the shape illustrated in the drawings. Each steel floor slat 10 is formed for use as part of a reciprocating floor slat conveyor system.

[0011] Referring now to FIG. 2, the slat 10 has a top surface 12 (upon which the load rests), opposite sides 14, 16, and opposite lower edges 18, 20 that are angled downwardly and inwardly.

[0012] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the floor slat configuration described above creates a narrow space or slot between individual floor slats 10 when the collection of slats 10 is installed as components in a reciprocating floor slat conveyor system. Reciprocating floor slat conveyors are well known. The space or slot is indicated generally at 22 in FIG. 1.

[0013] In accordance with the design disclosed here, a steel wiper (indicated generally at 24 in FIGS. 1 and 3) closes the space or slot 22 as follows: The steel wiper 24 is a bent piece or strip of steel having one portion, indicated at 26, that is attached to one of the slat's lower edges 18, as shown in FIG. 1. The attachment may be made by spot welds, as an example. Depending on slat position in the conveyor system, the steel wiper 24 could also be attached to both of the slat's lower edges 18, 20, as depicted in the right-hand most slat 10 that is illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0014] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the other portion 28 of the steel wiper 24 spans the space or slot 22 just described. Its end 30 contacts the side 16 of the next adjacent slat 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1, to close the space or slot 22.

[0015] The foregoing is not intended to place limits on patent protection. Patent protection is limited by the patent claim or claims, the interpretation of which is to be made in accordance with established doctrines of patent claim interpretation.