Cleanable conveyor frame assembly including snap-on components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9527672-B2
Application number	US-201514602741-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 22, 2015
Priority date	Jan 24, 2014
Publication date	Dec 27, 2016
Grant date	Dec 27, 2016

Abstract

A cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor having a simplified frame design. The conveyor includes at least one toolbar and one or more auxiliary components mounted to the toolbar using a snap clamp having a protrusion that mates with a channel on the toolbar.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A conveyor frame, comprising:
a first longitudinally-extending toolbar extending from a first end to a second end and including a channel on an outer surface;
a plurality of brackets connected to the first longitudinally-extending toolbar;
support structure for the toolbar; and
an auxiliary component mounted to the first longitudinally-extending toolbar using a snap clamp comprising a collar having a curved inner surface and a first tip, the first tip including a protrusion configured to mate with the channel.

2. The conveyor frame of claim 1 , further comprising a second longitudinally-extending toolbar parallel to the first longitudinally-extending toolbar, with the plurality of brackets extending between the first and second longitudinally-extending toolbars.

3. The conveyor frame of claim 1 , wherein the collar forms a pair of legs, a first leg terminating in the first tip and a second leg terminating in a second tip.

4. The conveyor frame of claim 3 , further comprising a tab extending between a radially inner surface of the first leg and the protrusion.

5. The conveyor frame of claim 4 , wherein the first longitudinally-extending toolbar includes an axial notch for engaging the tab.

6. The conveyor frame of claim 1 , further comprising a laterally-extending toolbar inserted in a bracket and an auxiliary component mounted to the laterally-extending toolbar using a snap clamp.

7. A conveyor frame, comprising:
a first toolbar comprising a shaft and a channel extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the shaft perimeter;
an auxiliary component mounted to the toolbar using a snap clamp, the snap clamp comprising a collar having an inner surface, a first tip and a second tip, the second tip including a protrusion configured to mate with the channel.

8. The conveyor frame of claim 7 , wherein the second tip further includes a tab extending between the inner surface and the protrusion and the first toolbar includes an axial notch for receiving the tab.

9. The conveyor frame of claim 7 , wherein the inner surface has a smaller radius of curvature than the outer surface of the first toolbar in a relaxed state and stretches to match the radius of curvature of the toolbar in a stretched state to mount the collar to the first toolbar.

10. The conveyor frame of claim 7 , wherein the inner surface has a larger radius of curvature than the outer surface of the first toolbar in a relaxed state and compresses to match the radius of curvature of the toolbar in a stretched state to mount the collar to the first toolbar.

11. The conveyor frame of claim 7 , further comprising a connector extending between the auxiliary component and the snap clamp.

12. The conveyor frame of claim 7 , wherein the auxiliary component comprises one of a sprocket, an infeed shoe, a wearstrip, a wearstrip lock, a returnway roller, a sidewall, a containment block, a side guard, and a position limiter.

13. A conveyor frame, comprising:
a first longitudinally-extending toolbar extending from a first end to a second end;
a plurality of brackets connected to the first longitudinally-extending toolbar;
support structure for the first longitudinally-extending toolbar; and
an auxiliary component mounted to the first longitudinally-extending toolbar using a snap clamp, wherein the snap clamp comprises an opening including opposing protrusions having sloped faces, wherein the opening flexes to allow insertion of the first longitudinally-extending toolbar.

14. A conveyor frame, comprising:
a first longitudinally-extending toolbar extending from a first end to a second end;
a plurality of brackets connected to the first longitudinally-extending toolbar;
support structure for the first longitudinally-extending toolbar; and
an auxiliary component mounted to the first longitudinally-extending toolbar using a snap clamp, wherein the first longitudinally-extending toolbar includes a cam protrusion and the snap clamp comprises an opening and a wedge-shaped recess adjacent the opening for engaging the cam protrusion.

15. A conveyor frame, comprising:
a first longitudinally-extending toolbar extending from a first end to a second end;
a plurality of brackets connected to the first longitudinally-extending toolbar;
support structure for the first longitudinally-extending toolbar; and
an auxiliary component mounted to the first longitudinally-extending toolbar using a snap clamp, wherein snap clamp comprises a stem and foot extending from the stem and the first longitudinally-extending toolbar includes a through hole for receiving the stem and foot.

16. A conveyor frame, comprising:
a first longitudinally-extending toolbar extending from a first end to a second end;
a plurality of brackets connected to the first longitudinally-extending toolbar;
support structure for the first longitudinally-extending toolbar; and
an auxiliary component mounted to the first longitudinally-extending toolbar using a snap clamp, wherein the snap clamp comprises a first magnet and the first longitudinally-extending toolbar comprises a second magnet attracted to the first magnet.

Assignees

• Laitram Llc

Inventors

• Batchelder Jeff
• Degroot Michael Hendrik
• Oonk Friso Antonius Maria
• Wolters Laurentius G J
• Honeycutt Jr James R
• Mol Edward T
• Marshall Angela Longo
• Maclachlan Gilbert J
• Depaso Joseph M
• Deroche Timothy J

Classifications

• B65G21/06 Primary

  constructed to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling · CPC title

• F16B2/22

  of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material {(F16B2/205 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B65G15/62 Primary

  Guides for sliding belts · CPC title

• F16M13/022

  repositionable · CPC title