Geometric belt splicing

Details Geometric belt splicing Geometric belt splicing

1999-07-21

2001-05-22

Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)

Conveyors: power-driven

Conveyor section

Endless conveyor

C198S847000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06234305

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward a splicing method. More particularly, the present invention is directed toward a method of preparing a belt for splicing using a combination of geometric configurations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conveyor belting is typically formed from at least one reinforcing layer, a top cover and a bottom cover. The number of reinforcing layers varies depending upon the desired end use of the belting and the required strength characteristics. Belting length also varies due to the end use; for example, mining operations use belting with lengths measured in thousands of feet, while manufacturing operations may use belting with lengths of only several hundred feet. Whatever the ultimate end use, generally at some point the belting will need to be spliced, either in forming the endless belting from at least one belting section or when making repairs by removing a section of damaged or unserviceable belting.
Currently, vulcanizing splices are made at a bias or arch, with or without fingers at the joints of the splice. See e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,235,120; 4,279,676; 5,275,858; 5,377,818, 5,531,316, and 5,773,114. The outside joints may or may not be protected with breakers. Such a typical vulcanized splice is illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4A
. Illustrated is a three-ply conveyor belting
50
. The ends
51
of the top cover
52
are spaced from each other and are cut at inclined, bias angles &agr;, &bgr; with respect to both the longitudinal L and transverse T direction of the belt
50
. The bottom, or pulley cover, layer
53
is prepared in an identical manner. The splices between the reinforcement layers
54
,
55
,
56
, and the adjacent elastomeric layers,
57
,
58
are spaced between the top and bottom cover layer splices. All of the splices are also cut at a bias angle &bgr; relative to the transverse T direction of the belt. The edges of the reinforcement and elastomeric layers may be provided with fingers for interlocking the edges of the layers. Because all of the layers are spliced along a bias angle, the length of the splice S
C
is dependent upon the number of reinforcing layers and the splice inclination angle &bgr;. The conventional spliced conveyor belting
50
is provided with breaker layers
59
to reinforce the splice and cover layers
60
.
While the conventional method of belt splicing has proved adequate, there is still a loss of static strength in the belting at the splice location. Additionally, due to the inclination angles required of the conventional splicing, splicing of the belting can be time consuming, reducing operational time for the belting, and slowing down production whenever repair splicing is required. The present invention is directed toward overcoming these known drawbacks of the current splicing methods.
The inventive disclosed method of splicing multiple layers of belting improves the life performance of the splice in the high, medium, and light tension belt applications. The disclosed method of has the following benefits: a conventional bias is eliminated, consequently reducing the splice length and time required for splicing the belting; the load exerted on the splice will be symmetrically distributed about the centerline of the splice; the static strength of the splice is not compromised.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward an improved method of splicing belting. The improved method comprises preparing an end of a belt for splicing. The belt has at least two reinforcing layers and is to be spliced along spaced transverse edges of the ends of the reinforcement layers. The method is characterized by preparing the transverse edge of one of the reinforcing layers in a first defined geometric configuration and preparing the transverse edge of the second reinforcing layer in a second defined geometric configuration. The second defined geometry differs from the first geometric configuration.
In another aspect of the disclosed invention, the transverse edges of the reinforcement layers are prepared with configurations selection from the group of geometric configurations of a straight line, chevron, arc-shaped, parabolic, semi-circular, wave-like line, or an undulating line.
In another aspect of the invention, the belt to be spliced may have three reinforcing layers. The transverse edge of the third reinforcing layer may be prepared in either the first or second defined geometric configuration. Or if desired, the edge of the third layer may be prepared in a third defined geometric configuration.
In another aspect of the invention, the belt to be spliced may have four reinforcing layers. The edges of the third reinforcing layer are prepared in a defined third geometric configuration, and the edges of the fourth reinforcing layer are prepared in a fourth defined geometric configuration. The third and fourth configurations may be identical or different than the first and second defined configurations.
In another aspect of the invention, for any belt with three or more reinforcing layers, the outermost reinforcing layers have transverse edges prepared in a straight, non-bias configuration. The innermost reinforcing layers are prepared in a non-straight defined geometric configuration.


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