GB2108459A

GB2108459A - Guide track for a chain conveyor

Info

Publication number: GB2108459A
Application number: GB08229012A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leopoldo Lago
Original assignee: FACCO IMPIANTI AVICOLI Srl
Current assignee: FACCO IMPIANTI AVICOLI Srl
Priority date: 1981-10-23
Filing date: 1982-10-11
Publication date: 1983-05-18
Also published as: IT8130780U1; FR2515152B3; FR2515152A3; IT8130780V0; GB2108459B

Abstract

A chain conveyor comprises a supporting framework for a first and a second endless chain (5, 6) connected by cross bars (8), sliding within guides (10, 11) along pre-established paths, sidewalls (7) made up of longitudinal profiled structural elements or panels present, on the inner side of thereof, longitudinal fins (15, 16) defining the guides (10, 11) for the chains (5, 6); joints (13) connect the ends of the profiled structural elements of a same side, whereas bolted rods (17) connect the elements of the facing sides. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Chain conveyor This invention relates to a chain conveyor, of the type in which a pair of endless chains are connected together by cross bars defining the bearing surface for the material to be conveyed, and are made to move and are guided along a pre-established path.

Known chain conveyors usually comprise a structure of complicated construction which at times makes it difficult to adapt the conveyor to different work requirements, unless complicated and expensive solutions are resorted to. Moreover, the supporting and the guiding of the chains of the conveyor create problems due to the noise and the friction of the chains which scrape against the guides; this calls for the use of higher driving power than is necessary, especially when transporting or conveying heavy loads or articles along complicated and relatively long paths.

An object of this invention is to provide a structure for a chain conveyor, of extremely simplified construction, easy to set up and to adapt to all requirements, and capable of remedying the abovementioned problems which are typical of conveyors of the known type.

Another object of this invention is to provide a structure for a conveyor provided with extremely simple supporting means to enable an adjustment in height of the conveyor.

Afurther object is to provide a chain conveyor as described above, provided with means suitable for reducing the friction and the noise of the chains which run along longitudinal guides.

According to the present invention, a chain conveyor comprises a supporting framework for a first and second endless chain, the chains being connected by cross bars and sliding within lateral guides along a pre-established path, parallel side walls consisting of longitudinal structural elements which present, on the inner side of the conveyor structure, longitudinal fins defining guides for the chains, and connecting means for connecting the adjacent ends of two such adjacent structural elements of the same side wall.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the means for joining the structural panels consist of plates bolted to the structural elements and preferably provided with means for fastening and adjusting the height of legs or supporting columns of the conveyor.

A chain conveyor according to this invention will now be described, by way of example only, and in greater detail hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor according to this invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken at different levels; and Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevation of one side of the conveyor, in the region of a connection between two adjacent structural elements and with a supporting leg.

Figure 1 shows a conveyor, comprising horizontal rectilinear sections 1, and curved sections 2, connected by means of an upwardly sloping section 3, to a section 4 located on a higher level. As can be seen in Figure 2 the conveyor consists of two endless chains 5 and 6 suitably guided along the sidewalls 7 of the conveyor, said chains being connected by metal or wooden cross bars 8, weided or otherwise fixed at regulat intervals to the links of the chains 5 and 6; thus a supporting surface 9 (Figure 1) for the articles to be conveyed along a predetermined path is defined.Each chain and, consequently, the conveyor, presents an upper run 5a, 6a and, respectively, a lower run 5b, 6b which are redirected at the ends of the conveyor itself and which run along respective longitudinal guides 10a, lOb and 1 1a, 1 Ib situated on the inside of the aforesaid sidewalls 7.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each sidewall 7 of the conveyor comprises longitudinal metal structural elements or panels 12, connected together by means of plates 13 disposed on the outer side of the conveyor. The connecting plates 13 are fixed to the structural elements 12 by means of bolts 14.

As shown in the cross-section of Figure 2, on the inner side of each structural element 12 are pairs of longitudinal parallel fins 15a and 15b defining the guides 1 0a, 11 a and lob, 11 b for the upper branches 5a, 6a and lower branches 5b, 6b respectively, of the conveyor chains. The longitudinal fins 15a and 1 sub defining the guides for the movement of the chains, are covered or provided with a layer of anti-friction material, consisting of plastic extrusions 16 which, in addition to reducing the friction of the chains, also reduce the noise.

The structural elements 12 of the two sidewalls are, moreover, connected together by means of transverse rods 17 suitably secured by bolts 18 and by fins 19 on the inner side of the lements 12. The elements 12 may be of any desired shape, for example, they may be flat in the rectilinear sections 1 of the conveyor, or curved in the curved sections 2, the latter being achieved, for example, by rolling flat elements.

The conveyor has legs 20 which are adjustable in height and consisting of U-shaped bars, the vertical parts of which are engaged in lateral guides 21 formed on the outer side of each connecting plate 13, and are fixed in the desired position by means of suitable fasteners (not shown) such as bolts or the like, in correspondence with slots or holes in preestablished positions. The guides 21 for securing the legs 20, extend upwards over the sidewalls 7, ending with a C-shaped supporting element 22 for a longitudinal tube 23 for protecting and guiding the material or articles which are conveyed, thus preventing them from falling over the sides. Levelling screws 24 are situated beneath the supporting legs.

It can be clearly understood from the aforegoing description and Figures that this invention concerns a particular chain conveyor structure, which makes use of special structural elements, constituting part of the conveyor framework with guides for the chains, said elements being assemblable with extremely simple securing means, which are quick to apply, and being provided with such features as to improve the performance of the entire conveyor; it is understood however that what has been shown in the drawings was given merely by way of example, and that other equivalent solutions are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A chain conveyor comprising a supporting framework for a first and a second endless chain, the chains being connected by cross bars and sliding within lateral guides along a pre-established path, parallel sidewalls consisting of longitudinal structural elements which present, on the inner side of the conveyor structure, longitudinal fins defining guides for the chains, and connecting means for connecting the adjacent ends of two adjacent structural elements of the same sidewall.

2. A conveyor as claimed in Claim 1, in which the longitudinal fins defining the guides for the chains are provided or covered with anti-friction material.

3. A conveyor as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the means for joining the structural elements consist of plates bolted to the structural elements.

4. A conveyor as claimed in Claim 3, in which the bolted plates present, on the outer side of the conveyor, means for securing supporting legs of the conveyor.

5. A conveyor as claimed in Claim 4, in which the bolted plates comprises means for adjusting in heightthesupporting legs.

6. A conveyor as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5, in which each of the connecting plates presents an upper supporting element for a tubular guide for protecting and guiding the conveyed material or articles.

7. A conveyor as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the structural elements of one sidewall are connected to the structural elements of the other sidewall by means of transverse bars bolted to the structural elements.

8. A conveyor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.