Conveyor Chain Link

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport conveyor chain link (1, 2), wherein the link comprises two sets of hinging pin engaging elements (3A-H; 4A-H), one set (3A-H) being configured for engaging a leading side hinging pin (7) and one set (4A-H) being configured for engaging a trailing side hinging pin (8), wherein the two sets of hinging pin engaging elements are connected to a support structure (16), and wherein the support structure extends on a first side, e.g. a transport surface (15) side relative to the hinging pin engaging elements (3A-H; 4A-H) and the support structure does not extend beyond the hinging pin engaging elements on a second side.

Claims

1. A transport conveyor chain link, wherein the link comprises two sets of hinging pin engaging elements, one set being configured for engaging a leading side hinging pin and one set being configured for engaging a trailing side hinging pin, wherein the two sets of hinging pin engaging elements are connected to a support structure, and wherein the support structure extends on a first side, e.g. a transport surface side relative to the hinging pin engaging elements and the support structure does not extend beyond the hinging pin engaging elements on a second side.

2. The transport conveyor chain link according to claim 1, wherein the hinging pin engaging elements comprise a series of ring structures.

3. The transport conveyor chain link according to claim 2, wherein the ring structures are arranged slanted relative to the transport surface, wherein the ring structures comprise two series of aligned, slanted rings, each configured to engage a hinging pin.

4. The transport conveyor chain link according to claim 1, wherein the link comprises at least one hinging pin stopper.

5. The transport conveyor chain link according to claim 4, wherein the link comprises two hinging pin stoppers.

6. A conveyor chain comprising at least two links according to claim 1, wherein consecutive links are connected by means of hinging pins.

7. A conveyor chain according to claim 6, wherein the hinging pins of the consecutive links are configured to bear the chain.

8. A conveyor chain according to claim 6, wherein the links comprise stoppers on alternating lateral sides of the chain, such that hinging pins are facing at their first abutting side a first stopper from a first link and at their second abutting side a second stopper from a second link.

9. A transport conveyor comprising a conveyor chain according to claim 7, wherein the conveyor chain is guided by a set of guiders, configured to allow the hinging pins of the conveyor chain to slide along.

10. The transport conveyor according to claim 9, wherein the conveyor chain is substantially borne by the hinging pins, moving over the guiders.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to further elucidate the invention, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the figures. In the figures:

[0021] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic perspective view of a set of two links according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic topside view of a set of two links according to the embodiment of the invention represented in FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic front side view of a set of two links according to the embodiment of the invention represented in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The figures represent specific exemplary embodiments of the inventions and should not be considered limiting the invention in any way or form. Throughout the description and the figures the same or corresponding reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding elements.

[0025] The term ring-shaped is to be considered as, yet not to be seen as limited to an open through-going space surrounded by material, irrespective of the shape. Thus the material may be in the shape of a ring around the through going space, in the shape of an oval, a square, a long hole and/or any specific form suited for the purpose.

[0026] In FIGS. 1,2 and 3 a set of two links is depicted in various views. The view of FIG. 3 is a front side view, indicated by arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 2. In these figures a set of two 1 and 2 links is depicted. The link 1 comprises two sets 3A-H and 4A-H of hinging pin engaging elements, connected to support structure 16. Each set comprises a set of aligned rings, such that a hinging pin e.g. 7 or 8 can be inserted. The rings of the hinging pin engaging elements comprise surfaces that are slanted relative to the transport surface 15 as is indicated in FIG. 3. Here the line N is the axis perpendicular to the transport surface 15. O is an axis parallel to the slanted surface of the hinging pin engaging elements 3D. The angle is chosen such, that the rings have no undercut portions seen in the direction of the line N.

[0027] The hinging pins 7 and 8 find a stopper 9 of link 1 at a first lateral side 14 of the chain, and a second stopper 10 of link 2 at a second lateral side 13 of the chain. Thus, a link can be snapped in its operating position, if two consecutive links 1 and 2 are provided and linked together. In order to do so, the stoppers 9 or 10 need to be elastically deformed, such to allow the pin 7 to be inserted in the set of hinging pin engaging elements 4A-4H and 5A-5H of links 1 and 2 respectively. Once the end of the pin 7 is passed the stoppers 9 or 10, the stopper in question is allowed to snap back to its original un-deformed state, therewith enclosing the pin 7 and avoiding the pin to escape.

[0028] In FIG. 3 a front side view of the set of two links 1 and 2 is depicted. The support structure 16 of link 1, to which the hinging pin engaging elements 3A-H and 4A-H are attached extends beyond the hinging pin engaging elements 3A-H and 4A-H at a first side I, i.e. the side to which support surface 15 is facing.

[0029] The support structure 16 does not extend beyond the hinging pin engaging elements 3A-H and 4A-H at a second side II. Thus, the support structure does not extend beyond the hinging pin 7. This allows the hinging pins 7 and 8 to rest on guiders 11 and 12 of the frame of the transport conveyor. Since the hinging pin engaging elements of the consecutive links are aligned in a transport direction A, all the links 1, 2 can be borne on the hinging pins 7 and 8. Thus a smooth transport of the entire belt can be arranged, while the hinging pins are sliding over guiders.

[0030] The invention is to be understood not to be limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described in the specification. For instance, the links in the various embodiments are depicted as alternating links 1 and 2. Alternatively, also a single-type-link belt for each track may be chosen, where the link engaging elements of the trailing side are sufficiently laterally offset from those hinging pin engaging elements of the leading side of the link, such that they fit in between each other and allow a hinging pin in. Here again at a first lateral side a first stopper and at a second lateral side a second stopper can be arranged such that the pins can only snap in when two links are connected by the pin.

[0031] In the description, the conveyor chain covers a width of one single link only, other more complex composed conveyor chains may be applied as well, such as various interlocking or staggered options, in order to have e.g. conveyor chains of larger widths.

[0032] These and other modifications are considered to be variations that are part of the framework, the spirit and the scope of the invention outlined in the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0033] 1. Link [0034] 2. Link [0035] 3. Hinging pin engaging element [0036] 4. Hinging pin engaging element [0037] 5. Hinging pin engaging element [0038] 6. Hinging pin engaging element [0039] 7. Hinging pin [0040] 8. Hinging pin [0041] 9. Stopper [0042] 10. Stopper [0043] 11. Guider [0044] 12. Guider [0045] 13. Lateral side [0046] 14. Lateral side [0047] 15. Support surface [0048] 16. Support structure [0049] 17. Support structure [0050] I. Support surface side [0051] II. bearing side [0052] A. Side [0053] N. Line [0054] O. Line [0055] . Angle