Conveyor belt and system with a non-collapsing inside edge.

摘要

A conveyor (10) belt and conveying system designed to operate about lateral curves is disclosed. The conveyor belt (10) is comprised of transverse rods (12) interconnected by links (14,16) disposed along opposite transverse edges of the belt (10). When the belt (10) proceeds about a lateral curve, the pitch along the inside edge of the curve is kept substantially the same as in straight line motion, while the outside edge of the belt (10) is allowed to expand to a second greater pitch. In one embodiment support links (40) are disposed along the inside edge of the belt (10 min ) and provide support for the inside edge of successive tiers of the belt (10 min ) as the belt travels a helical path. A specific link construction which uses a worked hardened bearing surface is also disclosed.