Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Belt fasteners – Hinged
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-05
2001-01-09
Sakran, Victor N. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Belt fasteners
Hinged
C024S03100H, C024S03100H, C024S03100H, C024S03100H
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170128
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the connection of two ends of a conveyor belt, comprising connection elements which are attached by means of fixing elements to the conveyor belt ends, wherein a covering is disposed on at least one face of the conveyor belt and covers the connection elements and the fixing elements of the connection elements which are disposed on this face, and wherein holding means which cooperate with the connection elements are provided for the covering.
A connection of this type for two ends of a conveyor belt is known from DE 37 09 594 C1. The covering there is attached to the connection elements in the intermediate space between the two ends of the conveyor belt. The result is that the covering covers the ends of the conveyor belt whilst protruding forwards and backwards in the direction of conveying. In particular, this covering is of resilient, preferably of elastic construction, and consists of steel and/or of plastics. When the covering is installed according to one specific embodiment, a coupling element which is constructed as a rod passes through the overlapping ends of connection elements which are connected to different conveyor belt ends and passes through the holding means of the covering. The covering is thus swivel-mounted on the rod. In another specific embodiment the covering is fixed at a distance from the rod. The covering comprises holding elements at a distance from the rod, which are provided with holes through which holding rods pass. These holding rods fit behind the mutually facing limbs of the connection elements.
A connection of this type for two ends of a conveyor belt is distinguished only by its inadequate durability. This applies in particular if heavy or irregularly shaped materials or objects, particularly coal, ores, etc. are to be conveyed by means of the conveyor belt. Broken-off parts of the materials to be conveyed and/or small particles which are formed when the materials move in relation to each other penetrate beneath the covering, so that the latter protrudes in relation to the material being conveyed. This thus results in increased wear of the covering and ultimately of the connection and fixing elements. There is a risk of the covering breaking down and of individual connection elements suddenly breaking, so that the material being conveyed can thus no longer be conveyed reliably. In particular, if a stripping device is provided which projects into the path of the material being conveyed and diverts the latter from the conveyor belt, there is a particularly pronounced relative movement between the material being conveyed and the conveyor belt, which relative movement also occurs in the region of the covering and of the connection and fixing elements. This results in the connection between the ends of the conveyor belt being subjected to an even higher degree of wear. A repair for the purpose of installing new connection elements at the belt ends and of installing a new covering consumes a considerable amount of time, with the consequences of a stoppage of the conveyor belt and of reduced economic efficiency.
When the conveyor belt moves over a deflection roller an increase in noise emission is observed, since the metal connection and fixing elements are passed over deflection rollers which are generally made of metal. Due to its weight, the material which is conveyed on the conveyor belt thereby presses the connection and fixing elements against the deflection roller with a considerable force.
A protective cap for conveyor belt connectors, which consists of rubber or of an equivalent flexible material, is known from DE-PS 826 723. The protective cap penetrates the spaces between the connection elements in the region between the two conveyor belt ends and is joined to a rod-shaped installation element. The protective cap extends in the manner of a bead slightly above the conveyor belt level with respect to the top and bottom faces thereof.
The connection of two ends of a conveyor belt in the form of a hinged joint or in the form of a hingeless connection is known from DE 42 35 759 A1 for example. The connection element there is of U-shaped construction, and connection elements which are attached to different conveyor belt ends are either joined in the region of their U-shaped loop by means of a coupling element, or each connection element comprises a rigid plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is further to develop a connection of the type cited at the outset so that it is distinguished by its particularly long durability. The object is also to achieve a reduced emission of noise for a connection such as this.
This object is achieved for a connection for two ends of a conveyor belt of the type cited at the outset in that the respective connection element is of U-shaped construction, and connection elements which are attached to different conveyor belt ends are connected in the region of their U-shaped loop by means of a coupling element, or in that the respective connection element comprises a rigid plate, wherein the respective holding means is attached to one or both limbs of the U-shaped connection element or to the plate or to plates disposed on both faces of the conveyor belt.
Provision is thus made according to the invention for the holding means for the covering to be directly attached to the connection elements. Thus, when the material being conveyed acts on the covering above the latter, there are no forces which are transmitted into coupling elements or the like which pass through the connection elements which mesh with each other. Instead, the holding means constitute a rigid connection between the covering and the connection elements. According to one particular embodiment, the respective holding means is screwed to the connection element or is inserted through the latter, and in particular is screwed into or passed through a hole in the limb or in the plate, which hole is suitable for receiving the fixing element. In principle, very different components can be used as holding means for the covering, for example nails, pins or staples. However, screws are considered to be particularly advantageous fixing means, especially those screws which are of self-tapping construction. In order to be able to position the covering layer in as simple a manner as possible with respect to the conveyor belt ends and the connection elements, the covering should have a plurality of alignment holes which are aligned with holes in the connection elements. Alignment is effected by inserting a pin in the respective alignment hole and in the hole in the connection element which is associated therewith.
The covering itself can be of different forms. Since it is subject to wear, it should advisedly be replaceable. This can be achieved particularly simply and rapidly by fixing the covering by means of screws. It is also possible to incorporate the covering in a cast part which in particular is installed together with the connection and fixing elements.
In the sense of the present invention, it is sufficient if the covering is disposed on that face of the belt which faces the material being conveyed. One particular embodiment of the invention provides for the covering also to be provided on the face facing away from the material being conveyed. It is thus impossible for the metal connection and fixing elements to contact the deflection rollers in the region of the deflection rollers. Instead of this, the covering is passed around the deflection roller with reduced noise. This is also associated with a reduction in wear of the elements.
A design which is fundamentally different provides for the holding means to be constructed as a projection which is inserted in a complementary recess in the covering. A particularly simple form of the projection results if the latter is of plate-like construction. The holding means preferably forms a constructional unit with the connection element. It is thus unnecessary for the holding means to be installed in a separate operation. In particular
Borner Gerhard
Herold Wolfgang
MATO Maschinen-und Metallwarenfabrik Curt Matthaei GmbH & Co. KG
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Sakran Victor N.
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