GB1256590A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,256,590. Endless slat-type conveyers. E. S. MILLER. 22 Aug., 1969, No. 41972/69. Heading B8A. A conveyer link 10 is formed of relatively rigid plastics and is adapted to be joined to other identical links which, when joined, permit link-to-link movement in a common plane and in different planes, the link comprising a substantially flat supporting surface 11 (although some links may have an article-engaging flight 40). The links are joined by interengaging means which extend from the underside of each link and comprise a first pair of interlocking and linking elements 25 and 27 respectively on one side of the underside of the slat, and a second pair of interlocking and linking elements 25 and 27 mounted adjacent the opposite side, the linking elements 27 being positioned toward the back, the interlocking element 25 being positioned toward the front. Each interlocking element 25 includes a pin 25 with the long axis thereof disposed substantially parallel to the plane of the slat, each of the linking elements comprises a curved body 29 having a bore with opposed open ends lying in planes normal to the plane of the slat, an entry 30 in the body lying in a plane parallel to the plane of the slat and having a portion in communication with one of the open ends, and a continuous annular body 28 defining the other of the open ends so that said pin 25 may be inserted through the entry 30 and then be laterally moved through the annular body to interlock the pin within the curved body. There is sufficient play between the elements 25 and 27 to enable the joined links to move angularly in a common plane and in different planes. Guide members 39 (Fig. 5) form a slide passageway to engage a guide member (not shown) to control travel of the links along a desired path. Each link is formed with a sloping step (14) (Figs. 1, 4 and 7, not shown) separating the slot surface proper from a lower surface on which a similarly recessed portion of the undersurface of the adjacent slot can slide when the conveyer is made to execute a curve in the plane of the direction of conveyance (Fig. 6, not shown).