WO2006021461A1 - Chain - Google Patents

Chain Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006021461A1
WO2006021461A1 PCT/EP2005/009370 EP2005009370W WO2006021461A1 WO 2006021461 A1 WO2006021461 A1 WO 2006021461A1 EP 2005009370 W EP2005009370 W EP 2005009370W WO 2006021461 A1 WO2006021461 A1 WO 2006021461A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
apertures
link
links
overlapping
chain
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2005/009370
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Willlem Van Faassen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ashworth Jonge Poerink BV
Original Assignee
Ashworth Jonge Poerink BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ashworth Jonge Poerink BV filed Critical Ashworth Jonge Poerink BV
Publication of WO2006021461A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006021461A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G17/00—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface
    • B65G17/06—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms
    • B65G17/08—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms the surface being formed by the traction element
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16G—BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
    • F16G13/00—Chains
    • F16G13/02—Driving-chains
    • F16G13/06—Driving-chains with links connected by parallel driving-pins with or without rollers so called open links
    • F16G13/07—Driving-chains with links connected by parallel driving-pins with or without rollers so called open links the links being of identical shape, e.g. cranked
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16G—BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
    • F16G13/00—Chains
    • F16G13/18—Chains having special overall characteristics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2207/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional details, configuration and additional features of a handling device, e.g. Conveyors
    • B65G2207/12—Chain pin retainers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a chain, for example for a conveyor belt, which chain comprises:
  • - links each comprising legs extending in a longitudinal direction from a lateral cross-member at a closed first end to an open second end, and defining laterally aligned first apertures on each of said legs at said open end, and laterally aligned second apertures at said closed end;
  • Such chains are used in conveyor belts, which are commonly used in the food industry. With such chains according to the prior art it is common to press the rod into the apertures to provide a rigid connection between the links and the rods. In order to improve this connection the ends of the rods are provided with notches, which increase the firmness of the connection between rod and link. This connection is essential because when a rod is disconnected from the link, the chain could fall apart.
  • a chain according to the invention which is characterized in that both the first and second apertures are slot openings and that each link comprises means for blocking lateral movement of the rods in at least one direction, wherein the blocking means comprise an insert opening for inserting a rod into the overlapping first and second apertures, and in that the insert opening overlaps with the first apertures and can only overlap with the second aperture when the first and second links are substantially tilted relatively to each other.
  • the rod By using only slot openings the rod can be shifted and the apertures can be inspected with regard to the presence of any bacteria. Also due to the slot openings it is possible to easily clean the links.
  • the loose arrangement of the rods in the links has also the advantage that vibrations are not directly transferred to the next link, preventing vibration of a complete belt.
  • the chain according to the invention also comprises blocking means, which prevent the rods from shifting out the links.
  • the insert opening provides the possibility to shift the rod into the link when assembling a chain out of links. According to the invention this insert opening is provided such that the insert opening only overlaps both the first apertures and the second apertures when the first and second links are substantially tilted relatively to each other.
  • the insertion depth of the first link into the second link is smaller than the distance between the insert opening and the open end of the second link. This ensures that the first and second link always have to be tilted relatively to each other in order to insert the rod into both links.
  • the blocking means comprise a rib extending parallel to the first apertures. This embodiment is easy to manufacture.
  • the links are of a plastic and could be manufactured by injection moulding.
  • the invention furthermore relates to a method for assembling a chain according to the invention, which method comprises the steps of:
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a link according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of two links and a rod providing part of a chain according to the invention.
  • Figure 3 shows a perspective view of two links being tilted relatively to each other enabling removal of the rod.
  • Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of two links 1, which are connected by a rod 10. Both links 1 are aligned similar to a position in which the links are in use.
  • the insertion depth Ll of the link 1 is smaller than the distance L2 between the insert opening 9 and the open end of the link 1. This prevents that the rod 10 can be shifted laterally, when the links 1 are in aligned position.
  • the links 1 are shown in a tilted position relatively to each other and in this way it is possible to shift out the rod 10 through the insert opening 9. In this way the links 1 and rods 10 can easily be disassembled and easily be cleaned.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chain Conveyers (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a chain, for example for a conveyor belt, which chain comprises: links (1) each comprising legs (3, 4) extending in a longitudinal direction from a lateral cross-member (2) at a closed first end to an open second end, and defining laterally aligned first apertures (5) on each of said legs (3, 4) at said open end, and laterally aligned second apertures (6) at said closed end; rods (10) for connecting links (1), wherein the first apertures (5) of a first link (1) are overlapping with the second apertures (6) of a second link (1), and wherein a rod (10) extends through the overlapping first (5) and second (6) apertures are slot openings and that each link (1) comprises means for blocking (8) lateral movement of the rods in at least one direction, wherein the blocking (8) means comprise an insert opening (9) for inserting a rod (10) into the overlapping first (5) and second (6) apertures, and in that the insert opening (9) overlaps with the first apertures (5) and can only overlap with the second aperture (6) when the first and second links (1) are substantially tilted relatively to each other.

Description

CHAIN
The invention relates to a chain, for example for a conveyor belt, which chain comprises:
- links each comprising legs extending in a longitudinal direction from a lateral cross-member at a closed first end to an open second end, and defining laterally aligned first apertures on each of said legs at said open end, and laterally aligned second apertures at said closed end;
- rods for connecting links, wherein the first apertures of a first link are overlapping with the second apertures of a second link, and wherein a rod extends through the overlapping first and second apertures of the first and second link respectively.
Such chains are used in conveyor belts, which are commonly used in the food industry. With such chains according to the prior art it is common to press the rod into the apertures to provide a rigid connection between the links and the rods. In order to improve this connection the ends of the rods are provided with notches, which increase the firmness of the connection between rod and link. This connection is essential because when a rod is disconnected from the link, the chain could fall apart.
Such press connections with or without notches according to the prior art have the disadvantage that bacteria could be present between the rod and the link. Due to the firm connection it cannot be inspected wether bacteria are present between the rod and the link or not. Such a connection according to the prior art is also extremely difficult to clean. Due to the extremely small spaces between the rod and the link any regular cleaning fluid will not enter these spaces, leaving bacteria alive. When such a chain according to the prior art is used in the food industry it is often necessary, due to inspection regulations to disassemble the chain. In such a case the rods have to be disconnected from the links requiring special tools for removing the rod from the link and for reconnecting the rods to the link.
It is an object of the invention to provide a chain, which alleviates the above-mentioned disadvantages.
This object is achieved by a chain according to the invention, which is characterized in that both the first and second apertures are slot openings and that each link comprises means for blocking lateral movement of the rods in at least one direction, wherein the blocking means comprise an insert opening for inserting a rod into the overlapping first and second apertures, and in that the insert opening overlaps with the first apertures and can only overlap with the second aperture when the first and second links are substantially tilted relatively to each other.
By using only slot openings the rod can be shifted and the apertures can be inspected with regard to the presence of any bacteria. Also due to the slot openings it is possible to easily clean the links. The loose arrangement of the rods in the links has also the advantage that vibrations are not directly transferred to the next link, preventing vibration of a complete belt. As a rod will easily fall out of such links, when only slot openings are used, the chain according to the invention also comprises blocking means, which prevent the rods from shifting out the links. The insert opening provides the possibility to shift the rod into the link when assembling a chain out of links. According to the invention this insert opening is provided such that the insert opening only overlaps both the first apertures and the second apertures when the first and second links are substantially tilted relatively to each other. So only when the specific links can be rotated relatively to each other the rod can be taken out. Such a situation could only exist when the chain is out of use. So when the chain is in use there is no possibility of the rods moving in lateral direction, which could cause the chain to fall apart. One has to take the chain out of use and then by tilting two links relatively to each other one can( take out the rod and the chain can be cleaned thoroughly. This does not enable any specific tools and results in a simply cleanable and inspectible chain.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the insertion depth of the first link into the second link is smaller than the distance between the insert opening and the open end of the second link. This ensures that the first and second link always have to be tilted relatively to each other in order to insert the rod into both links.
In another embodiment of the invention, the blocking means comprise a rib extending parallel to the first apertures. This embodiment is easy to manufacture.
Preferably the links are of a plastic and could be manufactured by injection moulding.
The invention furthermore relates to a method for assembling a chain according to the invention, which method comprises the steps of:
- providing the links;
- positioning a first link and a second link tilted relatively to each other and wherein the first apertures of the first link are overlapping with the second apertures of the second link and wherein the insert opening is overlapping with the first and second apertures.
- inserting through the insert opening and the first and second apertures a rod; and
- aligning the first and second link.
These and other features of the invention will be elucidated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a link according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of two links and a rod providing part of a chain according to the invention.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of two links being tilted relatively to each other enabling removal of the rod.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a link according to the invention. This link 1 has a lateral cross member 2 and two legs 3 and 4 extending from this cross member 2 into the longitudinal direction. Both legs 3 and 4 have first slot shaped apertures 5 and second slot shaped apertures 6. Between the first apertures 5 and the second apertures 6 a second cross member 7 is arranged to increase the stiffness of the legs 3 and 4.
Leg 4 is provided with two ribs 8, which provide blocking means and define an insert opening 9 through which a rod can be inserted.
Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of two links 1, which are connected by a rod 10. Both links 1 are aligned similar to a position in which the links are in use. The insertion depth Ll of the link 1 is smaller than the distance L2 between the insert opening 9 and the open end of the link 1. This prevents that the rod 10 can be shifted laterally, when the links 1 are in aligned position. In figure 3 the links 1 are shown in a tilted position relatively to each other and in this way it is possible to shift out the rod 10 through the insert opening 9. In this way the links 1 and rods 10 can easily be disassembled and easily be cleaned.

Claims

1. Chain, for example for a conveyor belt, which chain comprises :
- links each comprising legs extending in a longitudinal direction from a lateral cross-member at a closed first end to an open second end, and defining laterally aligned first apertures on each of said legs at said open end, and laterally aligned second apertures at said closed end;
- rods for connecting links, wherein the first apertures of a first link are overlapping with the second apertures of a second link, and wherein a rod extends through the overlapping first and second apertures of the first and second link respectively, characterized in that both the first and second apertures are slot openings and that each link comprises means for blocking lateral movement of the rods in at least one direction, wherein the blocking means comprise an insert opening for inserting a rod into the overlapping first and second apertures, and in that the insert opening overlaps with the first apertures and can only overlap with the second aperture when the first and second links are substantially tilted relatively to each other.
2. Chain according to claim 1, wherein the insertion depth of the first link into the second link is smaller than the distance between the insert opening and the open end of the second link.
3. Chain according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blocking means comprise a rib extending parallel to the first apertures.
4. Chain according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the links are of a plastic.
5. Chain according to claim 4, wherein the links are injection molded.
6. Method for assembling a chain according to any of the preceding claims, which method comprises the steps of: - providing the links,-
- positioning a first link and a second link tilted relatively to each other and wherein the first apertures of the first link are overlapping with the second apertures of the second link and wherein the insert opening is overlapping with the first and second apertures.
- inserting through the insert opening and the first and second apertures a rod; and
- aligning the first and second link.
PCT/EP2005/009370 2004-08-26 2005-08-19 Chain Ceased WO2006021461A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04078433.2 2004-08-26
EP04078433A EP1630454A1 (en) 2004-08-26 2004-08-26 Chain

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006021461A1 true WO2006021461A1 (en) 2006-03-02

Family

ID=34928752

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2005/009370 Ceased WO2006021461A1 (en) 2004-08-26 2005-08-19 Chain

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1630454A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2006021461A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2100829A1 (en) 2008-03-14 2009-09-16 RuD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG Weight-reduced yoke strap for a yoke strap chain
EP2100828A1 (en) 2008-03-14 2009-09-16 RuD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG Yoke strap with abrasion markings

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITMI20131978A1 (en) * 2013-11-27 2015-05-28 Costacurta S P A Vico TRANSPORT BELT WITH REDUCED RADIUS AND ITS KNIT
CN105270824A (en) * 2015-11-12 2016-01-27 浙江神龙链传动有限公司 Flat-top chain

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE74299C (en) * A. stotz in Stuttgart Detachable link chain
GB282845A (en) * 1926-07-29 1927-12-29 Arnold Redler Improvements in, and relating to, conveyors
US1808236A (en) * 1928-06-16 1931-06-02 Earl A Lerner Sprocket chain
FR1283431A (en) * 1961-01-23 1962-02-02 Leifeld & Lemke Maschf Improvements to articulated link conveyor chains
GB1309685A (en) * 1969-08-04 1973-03-14 Realisations Metalliques Chain for a conveyor
FR2232497A1 (en) * 1973-06-06 1975-01-03 Utilisation Ration Gaz Lifting chain for gas bottles - link holes and pins have oblong sections for easy link removal
GB2137725A (en) * 1982-11-05 1984-10-10 King & Co Leeds John Limited Chain link
US5622252A (en) * 1995-03-31 1997-04-22 Ashworth Bros., Inc. Reduced radius conveyor belt

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE74299C (en) * A. stotz in Stuttgart Detachable link chain
GB282845A (en) * 1926-07-29 1927-12-29 Arnold Redler Improvements in, and relating to, conveyors
US1808236A (en) * 1928-06-16 1931-06-02 Earl A Lerner Sprocket chain
FR1283431A (en) * 1961-01-23 1962-02-02 Leifeld & Lemke Maschf Improvements to articulated link conveyor chains
GB1309685A (en) * 1969-08-04 1973-03-14 Realisations Metalliques Chain for a conveyor
FR2232497A1 (en) * 1973-06-06 1975-01-03 Utilisation Ration Gaz Lifting chain for gas bottles - link holes and pins have oblong sections for easy link removal
GB2137725A (en) * 1982-11-05 1984-10-10 King & Co Leeds John Limited Chain link
US5622252A (en) * 1995-03-31 1997-04-22 Ashworth Bros., Inc. Reduced radius conveyor belt

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
ASHWORTH ENGINEERING: "The advantage 120 Assembly instructions", PRODUCT TECHNICAL BULLETIN, 8 April 2004 (2004-04-08), INTERNET, pages 1 - 2, XP002315216, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http://www.ashworth.com/docs/102847AM_Advantage120%20AssyInstructions040804.pdf> [retrieved on 20050126] *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2100829A1 (en) 2008-03-14 2009-09-16 RuD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG Weight-reduced yoke strap for a yoke strap chain
EP2100828A1 (en) 2008-03-14 2009-09-16 RuD Ketten Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co. KG Yoke strap with abrasion markings

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