US 12,358,727 B2
Modular conveyor belt with moveable hinge rod retainer
Gilbert J. MacLachlan, Harahan, LA (US); Abraham L Miller, Picayune, MS (US); Benson Hall, Harahan, LA (US); Krissie K. Zambrano, Colchester, VT (US); Matthew Vulpetti, Metairie, LA (US); Matthew A. Lignieres, Raceland, LA (US); and Angela Longo Marshall, Harahan, LA (US)
Assigned to Laitram, L.L.C., Harahan, LA (US)
Appl. No. 18/032,649
Filed by Laitram, L.L.C., Harahan, LA (US)
PCT Filed Nov. 3, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/057854
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 19, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/098723, PCT Pub. Date May 12, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/111,302, filed on Nov. 9, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0010436 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 17/08 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 17/08 (2013.01) [B65G 2207/12 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A conveyor belt module comprising:
a body extending in thickness from a top conveying surface to an opposite bottom surface, laterally from a first edge to a second edge and longitudinally from a first end to a second end, the body including a first set of hinge elements spaced apart along the first end and defining a first rod passageway, a second set of hinge elements spaced along the second end and defining a second rod passageway and a recess in the body between the top conveying surface and the opposite bottom surface, the recess intersecting the first rod passageway; and
a pivotable hinge rod retainer for a hinge rod seated in the recess and mounted on a hinge rod extending through the second rod passageway, wherein the pivotable hinge rod retainer pivots between a closed position blocking the first rod passageway and an open position in which the first rod passageway is open.