Multi-connection bracket and methods of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12586934-B2
Application number	US-202318453552-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 22, 2023
Priority date	Aug 22, 2023
Publication date	Mar 24, 2026
Grant date	Mar 24, 2026

Abstract

Methods, systems, brackets, and/or the like are provided. In some embodiments, a multi-connection bracket (MCB) includes a bracket configured to connect a first rail section and a second rail section, wherein the bracket has one or more bracket recesses configured to receive one or more fasteners; and a grounding pad having a pad recess and a plurality of teeth, wherein the pad recess is aligned with at least one of the one or more bracket recesses, wherein the grounding pad is configured to receive the one or more fasteners such that the grounding pad is operably attached to the first rail section or the section rail section, and wherein the grounding pad is configured to deform when operably attached to the first rail section or the second rail section such that the plurality of teeth remove a coating of the first rail section or the second rail section.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A multi-connection bracket (MCB) comprising:
a bracket configured to connect a first rail section and a second rail section, wherein the bracket comprises one or more bracket recesses configured to receive one or more fasteners; and a grounding pad comprising a pad recess and a plurality of teeth, wherein the pad recess is aligned with at least one of the one or more bracket recesses, wherein the grounding pad is configured to receive the one or more fasteners such that the grounding pad is operably attached to the first rail section or the second rail section, and wherein the grounding pad is configured to deform when operably attached to the first rail section or the second rail section such that the plurality of teeth remove a coating of the first rail section or the second rail section such that the grounding pad provides a grounding connection to the first rail section or the second rail section.

2 . The MCB of claim 1 , wherein the one or more bracket recesses comprise a first bracket recess and a second bracket recess, wherein the grounding pad comprises a first grounding pad, the pad recess comprises a first pad recess, and the plurality of teeth comprise a first plurality of teeth, and wherein the MCB further comprises:
a second grounding pad comprising a second pad recess and a second plurality of teeth, wherein the first bracket recess is aligned with the first pad recess and the second bracket recess is aligned with the second pad recess, wherein the first grounding pad is configured to receive at least one of the one or more fasteners such that the first grounding pad is operably attached to the first rail section, wherein the second grounding pad is configured to receive at least one of the one or more fasteners such that the second grounding pad is operably attached to the second rail section, and wherein the first grounding pad and the second grounding pad are configured to deform when operably attached to the first rail section and the second rail section, respectively, such that the first plurality of teeth and the second plurality of teeth remove the coating of the first rail section and the second rail section, respectively, such that the first grounding pad and the second grounding pad provide the grounding connection to the first rail section and the second rail section.

3 . The MCB of claim 1 , wherein the bracket further comprises one or more cut out holes.

4 . The MCB of claim 1 , wherein the grounding pad comprises a flexible, reusable pad configured to secure the one or more fasteners through the pad recess.

5 . The MCB of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is composed of a metal or a metallic alloy, is conductive, and is configured to allow elastic deformation after repeated usage.

6 . The MCB of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is surface treated with a composition comprising zinc and nickel.

7 . The MCB of claim 1 , wherein the first and second rail sections comprise first and second rail sections of a conveyor system.

8 . The MCB of claim 1 , wherein the bracket and the grounding pad comprise a single integrated piece.

9 . The MCB of claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises a conductive coating configured to provide corrosion resistance properties to the bracket.

10 . A conveyor system comprising:
a frame configured to receive a conveyor for supporting or transporting one or more objects, wherein the frame comprises a first rail section and a second rail section; a bracket configured to connect the first rail section and the second rail section, wherein the bracket comprises one or more bracket recesses configured to receive one or more fasteners; and a grounding pad comprising a pad recess and a plurality of teeth, wherein the pad recess is aligned with at least one of the one or more bracket recesses, wherein the grounding pad is configured to receive the one or more fasteners such that the grounding pad is operably attached to the first rail section or the second rail section, and wherein the grounding pad is configured to deform when operably attached to the first rail section or the second rail section such that the plurality of teeth remove a coating of the first rail section or the second rail section such that the grounding pad provides a grounding connection to the first rail section or the second rail section.

11 . The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more bracket recesses comprise a first bracket recess and a second bracket recess, wherein the grounding pad comprises a first grounding pad, the pad recess comprises a first pad recess, and the plurality of teeth comprise a first plurality of teeth, and wherein the MCB further comprises:
a second grounding pad comprising a second pad recess and a second plurality of teeth, wherein the first bracket recess is aligned with the first pad recess and the second bracket recess is aligned with the second pad recess, wherein the first grounding pad is configured to receive at least one of the one or more fasteners such that the first grounding pad is operably attached to the first rail section, wherein the second grounding pad is configured to receive at least one of the one or more fasteners such that the second grounding pad is operably attached to the second rail section, and wherein the first grounding pad and the second grounding pad are configured to deform when operably attached to the first rail section and the second rail section, respectively, such that the first plurality of teeth and the second plurality of teeth remove the coating of the first rail section and the second rail section, respectively, such that the first grounding pad and the second grounding pad provide the grounding connection to the first rail section and the second rail section.

12 . The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the bracket further comprises one or more cut out holes.

13 . The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the grounding pad comprises a flexible, reusable pad configured to secure the at least one of the one or more fasteners through the pad recess.

14 . The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the bracket is composed of a metal or a metallic alloy, is conductive, and is configured to allow elastic deformation after repeated usage.

15 . The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the bracket is surface treated with a composition comprising zinc and nickel.

16 . The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the bracket and the grounding pad comprise a single integrated piece.

17 . The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the coating comprises a conductive coating configured to provide corrosion resistance properties to the bracket.

18 . The conveyor system of claim 10 , wherein the grounding pad is configured to resist a cyclic loading of the conveyor system.

19 . A method of using an MCB, the method comprising:
securing, by a first fastener, a bracket and a first grounding pad to a first rail section; securing, by a second fastener, the bracket and a second grounding pad to a second rail section; removing, by a plurality of teeth, a coating from the first rail section or the second rail section; and forming, by the plurality of teeth, a grounding connection between the first rail section and the second rail section.

Assignees

• Intelligrated Headquarters Llc

Inventors

• Suchý Jan

Classifications

• F16B2005/0678

  in abutting relationship · CPC title

• F16B7/0406

  for rods or tubes being coaxial (F16B7/10 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B65G19/287

  Coupling means for trough sections (B65G19/282 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B65G41/00

  Supporting frames or bases for conveyors as a whole, e.g. transportable conveyor frames · CPC title

• F16B2200/93

  Fastener comprising feature for establishing a good electrical connection, e.g. electrostatic discharge or insulation feature · CPC title