US 12,043,491 B2
Modular conveyor belt with dedicated access assembly
Matthew Vulpetti, Metairie, LA (US); Benson Hall, Harahan, LA (US); and David Aaron van Schalkwijk, Metairie, LA (US)
Assigned to Laitram, L.L.C., Harahan, LA (US)
Appl. No. 17/789,367
Filed by Laitram, L.L.C., Harahan, LA (US)
PCT Filed Jan. 5, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/012152
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 27, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/141883, PCT Pub. Date Jul. 15, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/957,441, filed on Jan. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0029989 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 17/06 (2006.01); B65G 17/08 (2006.01); B65G 17/40 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 17/08 (2013.01) [B65G 17/40 (2013.01); B65G 2207/12 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A dedicated access assembly for a conveyor belt, comprising:
at least one female portion having a body extending in height from a top conveying surface to an opposite bottom surface, in width from a first side to a second side and in length from a first end to a second end, at least one open hook extending from the first end and a series of articulatable hinge elements extending from the second end;
at least one male portion having a body extending in height from a top conveying surface to an opposite bottom surface, in width from a first side to a second side and in length from a first end to a second end, a series of articulatable hinge elements extending from the first end and a series of linking elements on the second end having a hinge rod for releasably engaging the open hook; and
a latching mechanism for locking the open hook onto the hinge rod, wherein the latching mechanism comprises a spring clip mounted on a mounting rod.