Magnetic conveyor belt module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9764901-B2
Application number	US-201414916069-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 29, 2014
Priority date	Sep 30, 2013
Publication date	Sep 19, 2017
Grant date	Sep 19, 2017

Abstract

A magnetic conveyor belt module integrates a magnetic element into the body of the module to attract conveyed articles to the body. The magnetic conveyor belt module includes a recess for seating a magnetic element and a retention element for retaining the magnetic element within the recess. A cover encapsulates the magnetic element within the body of the module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A conveyor belt module comprising:
a module body extending longitudinally in the direction of belt travel from a first end to a second end, laterally from a first edge to a second edge and in thickness from a top surface to an opposite bottom surface;
a first set of hinge elements spaced apart across first gaps along the first end;
a second set of hinge elements spaced apart across second gaps along the second end;
a slot formed in and open to the upper surface and extending from the first edge towards the second edge, wherein the slot is open to the first edge and includes an opening to a passageway in the module body below the slot;
an insert inserted into the slot, the insert including a magnetic element and a channel on a bottom surface of the insert; and
a rod retention element inserted in the passageway for retaining a hinge rod, wherein the rod retention element includes a detent passing through the opening that engages the channel on the bottom surface of the insert to retain the insert in the slot.

2. The module of claim 1 , wherein the slot includes chamfered edges.

3. The module of claim 1 , wherein the insert includes chamfered edges.

4. The module of claim 1 , wherein the slot and insert have a rounded tip.

5. The module of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic element comprises a magnetic bar inserted in a recess of the insert.

6. The module of claim 1 , wherein the module and insert are formed of plastic.

7. The module of claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a ramped protrusion on a bottom surface for insertion in a recess on the module body.

8. The module of claim 7 , wherein the insert further includes a second protrusion on the bottom surface adjacent to an end of the insert and the channel.

9. A conveyor belt module comprising:
a module body extending longitudinally in the direction of belt travel from a first end to a second end, laterally from a first edge to a second edge and in thickness from a top surface to an opposite bottom surface;
a first set of hinge elements spaced apart across first gaps along the first end;
a second set of hinge elements spaced apart across second gaps along the second end;
an elongated insert including a magnetic element coupled to the module body, the elongated insert having a channel formed on a bottom surface thereof; and
a retaining element comprising a shuttle plug inserted in a passageway of the module body and in communication with one of the hinge elements, the retaining element including a detent that cooperates with the channel on the elongated insert to retain the magnetic element in a general position relative to the module body.

10. The conveyor belt module of claim 9 , wherein the magnetic element is sandwiched between the module body and a top cover coupled to the module body.

11. A magnetic conveyor belt module, comprising:
a module body extending longitudinally in the direction of belt travel from a first end to a second end, laterally from a first edge to a second edge and in thickness from a top surface to an opposite bottom surface;
a first set of hinge elements spaced apart across first gaps along the first end;
a second set of hinge elements spaced apart across second gaps along the second end;
a slot formed in the top surface of the module body and open to the first edge of the module body, the slot including a first recess and a second recess in a bottom surface thereof;
a magnetic bar seated in the slot; and
a cover covering the slot and encapsulating the magnetic bar, wherein the cover has a first protrusion that mates with the first recess and a second protrusion that mates with the second recess.

12. The magnetic conveyor belt module of claim 11 , wherein the slot extends from the first edge towards the second edge.

13. The magnetic conveyor belt module of claim 11 , wherein the cover is ultrasonically welded to the module body.

14. The magnetic conveyor belt module of claim 11 , wherein the slot includes guide pads for positioning the magnetic bar.

15. The magnetic conveyor belt module of claim 11 , wherein the first protrusion has a sloped front face.

16. The magnetic conveyor belt module of claim 11 , wherein the slot has an opening between the first recess and the second recess that is open to a passageway in the module body.

17. The magnetic conveyor belt module of claim 16 , wherein the cover further includes a channel between the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

18. The magnetic conveyor belt module of claim 17 , further comprising a shuttle plug inserted in the passageway and having a detent configured to engage the channel in the cover.

Assignees

• Laitram Llc

Inventors

• Bogle David W
• Keb Richard A

Classifications

• B65G17/46 Primary

  Means for holding or retaining the loads in fixed position on the load-carriers, e.g. magnetic · CPC title

• B65G17/40

  Chains acting as load-carriers · CPC title

• B65G2201/02

  Articles · CPC title

• B65G2207/12

  Chain pin retainers · CPC title