Patent Application
20060142103
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-link conveyor chain which may be used (for example) in the glass industry, in particular to an enclosure member for protecting the integrity of the multi-link conveyor chain during use and to a method for manufacturing the multi-link conveyor chain incorporating said enclosure member.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multi-link conveyor chains are in widespread use in the glass industry for transporting glass products between processing stations. For example, a multi-link conveyor chain which is typically 100 feet long may be used to transport blown glass from a blowing station to an annealing station. In the conventional multi-link conveyor chain, there is a plurality of parallel spaced apart elongate pins having an oval-shaped cross-section. Mounted on adjacent elongate pins are a series of link plates spaced apart along the pin by a plurality of washers, each link plate comprising a first and a second link. Each of the first and second links is capable of engaging a drive sprocket and has an oval-shaped aperture for receiving the elongate pin. The washer is typically a circular plate with a central circular aperture for receiving the pin. The primary function of the washer is to act as a spacer which permits heat to be blown through the multi-link conveyor chain to maintain the temperature of transported hot glass articles. The multi-link conveyor chain is driven by the engagement of the links of the link plate with the multiple teeth of a drive sprocket during a cycle of engagement.
The conventional multi-link conveyor chain is assembled so that each end of the elongate pin extends beyond the outermost link plate (i.e., beyond the edge of the flat conveyor surface) and a pin head is fixed in a conventional manner to each exposed end. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that unless the guide strip adjacent to the multi-link conveyor chain is in perfect alignment with the edge of the multi-link conveyor chain, there is a tendency for the pin head to wear and eventually shear off so that the elongate pin may become dislodged. In extreme cases, this results in total collapse of the multi-link conveyor chain.
The present invention seeks to improve multi-link conveyor chains by enclosing each end of an elongate pin in a protective enclosure member (e.g., a head protector) and by securing the elongate pin within the enclosure member by a flat pin head.
Thus viewed from one aspect the present invention provides a multi-link conveyor chain adapted to provide a substantially flat horizontal surface driveable between a first and a second processing station by engagement with a drive sprocket, said multi-link conveyor chain comprising:
a plurality of elongate pins spaced apart in substantially parallel relationship including a first elongate pin adjacent to a second elongate pin, wherein the first elongate pin has a non-circular section and a first end extending beyond a first edge of the substantially flat horizontal surface and a second end extending beyond a second edge of the substantially flat horizontal surface, and wherein the second elongate pin has a non-circular section and a first end extending beyond the first edge of the substantially flat horizontal surface and a second end extending beyond the second edge of the substantially flat horizontal surface;
a plurality of link plates mounted on adjacent elongate pins having a first link connected to a second link by a connecting portion, each of the first and the second link having a main body and a circumferentially dependent sprocket engaging member, said main body defining a non-circular aperture whose shape essentially matches the non-circular section of an elongate pin;
a first enclosure member positioned at the first edge of the substantially flat horizontal surface, comprising a main body defining a first non-circular aperture and a second non-circular aperture, wherein the shape of the first and second non-circular aperture essentially matches the non-circular section of the first elongate pin and second elongate pin respectively and the depth of the first and second non-circular aperture is sufficient to enclose the first end of the first elongate pin and the first end of the second elongate pin respectively;
a second enclosure member positioned at the second edge of the substantially flat horizontal surface, comprising a main body defining a third non-circular aperture and a fourth non-circular aperture, wherein the shape of the third and fourth non-circular aperture essentially matches the non-circular section of the first elongate pin and second elongate pin respectively and the depth of the third and fourth non-circular aperture is sufficient to enclose the second end of the first elongate pin and the second end of the second elongate pin respectively;
a first flat pin head secured to and retaining the first end of the first elongate pin and seated in a non-tapered counterbore of the first non-circular aperture;
a second flat pin head secured to and retaining the first end of the second elongate pin and seated in a non-tapered counterbore of the second non-circular aperture;
a third flat pin head secured to and retaining the second end of the first elongate pin and seated in a non-tapered counterbore of the third non-circular aperture; and
a fourth flat pin head secured to and retaining the second end of the second elongate pin and seated in a non-tapered counterbore of the fourth non-circular aperture.
Generally speaking, the first and second enclosure members will be identical. Each flat pin head is non-protruding. The flat pin heads may be fully encapsulated within the non-tapered counterbore. The depth of the non-tapered counterbore is typically 2 mm.
The first, second, third and fourth flat pin heads are spin riveted (e.g., eccentrically spin riveted) flat pin heads.
By enclosing the first end and second end of each of the first and second elongate pins in the first and second enclosure members and by providing flat pin heads, the integrity of the multi-link conveyor chain is advantageously protected. In other words, the tendency for a rounded pin head exposed beyond the edge of the conveyor surface to “catch” or be sheared off is eliminated.
In a preferred embodiment, the multi-link conveyor chain comprises a plurality of first and second enclosure members as hereinbefore defined positioned respectively at the first and second edges of the substantially flat horizontal surface so as to enclose the first and second end of each of the plurality of elongate members.
In a preferred embodiment, the main body has a substantially trapezoidal section. For example, the main body has a first side substantially parallel to a second side, wherein the second side is longer than the first side and has rounded corners. Preferably the first side has rounded corners (typically to a lesser extent than the second side). In use, the first enclosure member is positioned at the first edge with the second side uppermost. In use, the second enclosure member is positioned at the second edge with the second side uppermost. The rear face of the main body may be recessed (e.g., with a substantially U-shaped recess). The first (shorter) side may be closed or open. Where the first side is open, the main body adopts a twin flat-edged, substantially teardrop profile.
Where the shorter side is open and the rear face is non-recessed, the enclosure member is particularly useful in center guide conveyor chains. Where the shorter side is closed and the rear face is recessed, the enclosure member is particularly useful in side guide conveyor chains. Where the shorter side is closed and the rear face is non-recessed, the enclosure member is particularly useful in multi-guide conveyor chains.
Preferably the non-tapered counterbore is cylindrical. Preferably the non-tapered counterbore is a flat recess.
The enclosure member may be sized and configured so as to have a maximum radial extent which is equal to or less than adjacent link plates. This ensures that the enclosure member does not interfere with the substantially flat horizontal surface.
In a preferred embodiment, the main body of each of the first and the second link of a link plate defines a non-circular aperture whose shape non-identically matches the non-circular section of the elongate pin. The non-identical match between the non-circular section of the elongate pin and the shape of the non-circular aperture defined by the main body of the link causes the link plate to be advantageously driven by the elongate pin throughout the cycle of engagement with the drive sprocket.
Preferably the multi-link conveyor comprises: a plurality of elongate pins spaced apart in substantially parallel relationship including a first elongate pin adjacent to a second elongate pin which is adjacent to a third elongate pin, each of said elongate pins having a first end, a second end and a non-circular section, wherein a plurality of link plates are consecutively mounted in a staggered fashion along the first, second and third elongate pin.
In a preferred embodiment, the circumferentially dependent sprocket engaging member of each of the first and second link of the link plate is substantially flat edged. Preferably each of the first and second link of the link plate has a flat-edged, substantially teardrop profile.
Link plates may be mounted consecutively along an elongate pin. Certain (e.g., all) link plates may be spaced apart by one or more spacers. The main body of the or each spacer may define a circular or non-circular aperture. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each spacer comprises a main body defining a non-circular aperture for receiving the elongate pin whose shape essentially matches the non-circular section of the elongate pin.
Preferably the non-circular section of the elongate pin is substantially elliptical (or oval). Preferably the non-circular aperture defined by the main body of the (or each) link is substantially elliptical (or oval) with an enlarged side portion. Particularly preferably the enlarged side portion extends inwardly towards the connecting portion.
It is not intended that the present invention be limited to use in the glass industry. It is expected that the multi-link conveyor chain of the invention will be suitable in any industry which desires transportation between a first and a second station. For example, the multi-link conveyor chain of the invention could be used to transport automotive parts in the automotive industry.
Viewed from a further aspect the present invention provides a first or second enclosure member as hereinbefore defined.
The enclosure member may be fitted to any type of multi-link conveyor chain, in particular those available from Pennine Industrial Equipment Limited (Huddersfield, England) such as their PREMIUM range. It may be fitted to multi-link conveyor chains of 2 inch or 1 inch pitch being link only or link/spacer assemblies of center guide, side guide or multi-guide type. In each case, it is preferred to fit first and second enclosure members at each end of an adjacent pair of elongate pins.
The manufacture of such a multi-link conveyor chain enclosing both ends of an elongate pin in an enclosure member leads to particular difficulties which may be overcome in accordance with the method of the present invention.
Viewed from a yet further aspect the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a multi-link conveyor chain as hereinbefore defined comprising:
(A) spin riveting the first flat pin head to the first end of the first elongate pin;
(B) inserting the second end of the first elongate pin into the first non-circular aperture defined by the main body of the first enclosure member;
(C) inserting the second end of the first elongate pin into the non-circular aperture defined by the first or second link of each of the plurality of link plates to a position where the first flat pin head is seated in the non-tapered counterbore within the first non-circular aperture defined by the main body of the first enclosure member;
(D) inserting the second end of the first elongate pin into the third non-circular aperture defined by the main body of the second enclosure member to a position where the second end is adjacent a non-tapered counterbore within the third non-circular aperture;
(E) eccentrically spin riveting the second end of the first elongate pin to produce the third flat pin head seated in the non-tapered counterbore within the third non-circular aperture defined by the main body of the second enclosure member;
(F) spin riveting the second flat pin head to the first end of the second elongate pin;
(G) inserting the second end of the second elongate pin into the second non-circular aperture defined by the main body of the first enclosure member;
(H) inserting the second end of the second elongate pin into the non-circular aperture defined by the first or second link of each of the plurality of link plates to a position where the second flat pin head is seated in a non-tapered counterbore within the second non-circular aperture defined by the main body of the first enclosure member;
(I) inserting the second end of the second elongate pin into the fourth non-circular aperture defined by the main body of the second enclosure member to a position where the second end is adjacent a non-tapered counterbore within the fourth non-circular aperture; and
(J) eccentrically spin riveting the second end of the second elongate pin to produce a fourth flat pin head seated in the non-tapered counterbore within the fourth non-circular aperture.
Whilst it is relatively straightforward to enclose the first end of an elongate pin in the first enclosure member and thereafter to secure a second pin head to a free second end of the elongate pin, it is less straightforward to secure a second pin head to the second end of the elongate pin when the second end is fitted with a second enclosure member. This is due to the space constraints imposed on the second pin head by the non-circular aperture in the second enclosure member. These space constraints are overcome in accordance with the method of the invention.
Materials suitable for spin riveting are familiar to those skilled in the art (e.g., carbide). Steps (A) and (G) may be carried out by eccentric spin riveting.
Typically the desired diameter of the flat pin head is the length of the major axis. By way of example, where the desired diameter is between 6.0 and 6.3 mm and the counterbore is of 6.5 mm diameter, a piece of carbide of diameter 6.3 mm is spin riveted at an eccentricity of about 0.05 mm to produce a flat pin head seated in the non-tapered counterbore.
The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification illustrate presently preferred embodiments and methods of the invention and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the invention.
a illustrates an embodiment of the multi-link conveyor assembly of the invention;
b illustrates in isolation a partial side view of the multi-link conveyor of
a and 3b illustrate a second embodiment of the enclosure member of the invention; and
a illustrates in partial view an embodiment of the multi-link conveyor chain of the invention designated generally by reference numeral 11. For the sake of clarity, the elongate pins are omitted from
The multi-link conveyor chain 11 provides a flat surface 12 upon which may be carried articles such as glass bottles to a processing station. The multi-link conveyor chain 11 comprises a series of elongate pins of elliptical section upon which are mounted a number of link plates 14.
Each of the plurality of link plates 14 has twin links 14a, 14b having a substantially teardrop profile which extends into a flat-edged, sprocket engaging tooth 14c. Each link 14a, 14b is connected by a connecting portion 32. A non-circular aperture 30 in link 14a non-identically matches the elliptical section of an elongate pin. The aperture 30 is substantially elliptical with an enlarged side portion 30a extending inwardly towards connecting portion 32.
To assemble the multi-link conveyor chain 11 of
a and 3b illustrate a second embodiment of the enclosure member of the invention designated generally by reference numeral 31. The enclosure member 31 is used in side guide chains. The enclosure member 31 comprises a trapezoidal main body 32 having a long side 33 parallel to a closed short side 34. The corners 33a and 33b of the long side 33 are rounded off (and to a lesser extent so are the corners 34a and 34b of the short side 34). The rear face of the main body 32 is partially recessed with a substantially U-shaped recess 432. The main body 32 defines a first non-circular aperture 35 and a second non-circular aperture 36, each of which are elliptical and provided with a cylindrical counterbore 35a and 36a respectively. The counterbores 35a and 36a are non-tapered.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0106190.2 | Mar 2001 | GB | national |
This invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/087,459 filed on 1 Mar. 2002, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application claims the benefit of priority of foreign patent application number 0106190.2 filed in the United Kingdom on 14 Mar. 2001, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10087459 | Mar 2002 | US |
| Child | 11284137 | Nov 2005 | US |
