Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor section – Endless conveyor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-12
2002-02-19
Skaggs, H. Grant (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor section
Endless conveyor
C198S850000, C198S844100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06347699
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates generally to conveyor chains and more particularly to an improved conveyor chain link.
2. The Prior Art.
Conveyor chain links are generally well known in the art. In particular applicant refers to U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,492 to Lachonius. et al. Conveyor chains links are linked together in order to provide a continuous chain upon which a variety of objects may be placed to facilitate their movement around, for instance, a factory. The chain construction allows the belt to navigate corners as well as other geometric and spatial problems. Often, the chain will carry caustic, abrasive and corrosive materials which after a period of time tend to eat away at the surface of the chain link. Eventually, notwithstanding the durability of the other elements of the chain link, the entire link must be replaced due to the wear suffered by the platform portion of the chain link. Additionally, links are attached to one another through the use of pins which are inserted in bores in the link. Since the pins are bore inserted they require a special punch tool to disassemble them adding additional time and effort to the replacement of worn out conveyor chain links.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a chain link that avoids or eliminates the above-mentioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a conveyor chain link comprised of two pieces: a main portion which accommodates a drive means and provides the structure of the link, and a top platform portion which provides a platform upon which material can be placed and moved along by the conveyor belt. The two piece construction allows for the top platform portion to be removed independent of the chain link, i.e., if the top platform portion comes into frequent contact with abrasive and corrosive materials and is thereby more quickly damaged than the main body portion, it can be replaced with relative ease as opposed to replacing the entire chain link. Also, by inserting the pin snugly into an opening as opposed to a bore, disengagement of chain links is also more simply facilitated.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and the ensuing description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2071485 (1937-02-01), Worrall
patent: 2319617 (1943-04-01), Manierre
patent: 3269526 (1966-08-01), Imes et al.
patent: 3768631 (1973-10-01), Wahren
patent: 3910404 (1975-10-01), Henrekson
patent: 4597492 (1986-07-01), Lachonius et al.
patent: 5826705 (1998-10-01), Ramsey et al.
patent: 6209716 (1998-11-01), Bogle et al.
patent: 6227356 (1999-03-01), Van Zijderveld et al.
patent: 6213292 (1999-05-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 206755 (1955-05-01), None
patent: 380959 (1932-09-01), None
patent: 1 298 231 (1970-04-01), None
patent: 1 501 619 (1975-11-01), None
patent: 377109 (1973-06-01), None
Sharma Rashmi
Sierra Patent Group Ltd.
Skaggs H. Grant
LandOfFree
Conveyor chain link does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Conveyor chain link, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Conveyor chain link will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2936899