Gapless side guard

Claim 2

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules, wherein the at least one continuous strip extends along the entire belt.

Claim 3

The modular belt of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one bracket extending from the top surface and supporting the strip.

Claim 4

The modular belt of claim 1 , wherein the strip has at least one extension with an opening defined therein for receiving a pivot rod.

Claim 5

The modular belt of claim 2 wherein the strip comprises flexible plastic.

Claim 6

The modular belt of claim 2 wherein the strip has an inner strip wall, and an opposed outer strip wall, and opposed first and second strip ends and the first strip end abuts against the module such that materials transported on the modular belt are retained on the modular belt by the strip.

Claim 7

The modular belt of claim 1 , further comprising: a flight module having a flight with a flight edge disposed adjacent to the strip.

Claim 8

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules, wherein the strip has at least one extension with an opening defined therein for receiving a pivot rod, wherein at least one of the plurality of modules has a slot defined therein for receiving the at least one extension therethrough such that the strip can be supported above the support surface by connection to at least one pivot rod.

Claim 9

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules, wherein the strip has at least one extension with an opening defined therein for receiving a pivot rod, wherein at least one of the plurality of modules has a slot defined therein for receiving the at least one extension therethrough such that the strip can be supported above the support surface by connection to at least one pivot rod.

Claim 10

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules, wherein the strip comprises a flexible material and is capable of flexing between relaxed and extended conditions and when in the relaxed condition the strip has a wave shaped cross section and when in the extended condition the strip elongates such that it is capable of being driven over a sprocket.

Claim 11

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules, wherein the strip comprises a flexible material and is capable of flexing between relaxed and extended conditions and when in the relaxed condition the strip has a wave shaped cross section and when in the extended condition the strip elongates such that it is capable of being driven over a sprocket.

Claim 12

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules, wherein the strip has a wave shaped cross section when in a relaxed condition and the strip has a first crest portion that joins with a second crest portion and wherein the second crest portions are joined to the bracket.

Claim 13

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules, wherein the strip has a wave shaped cross section when in a relaxed condition and the strip has a first crest portion that joins with a second crest portion and wherein the second crest portions are joined to the bracket.

Claim 14

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules; at least one bracket extending from the top surface and supporting the strip; wherein at least one anchor extends from the bracket and the anchor is for joining the strip to the bracket.

Claim 15

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules; at least one bracket extending from the top surface and supporting the strip; wherein at least one anchor extends from the bracket and the anchor is for joining the strip to the bracket.

Claim 16

The modular belt of claim 10 wherein the bracket has a concave side and the anchor has an anchor connecting member that extends from the concave side to an anchor stop surface and wherein the strip has a strip opening and when the anchor and strip are joined the strip opening surrounds the anchor stop surface and the strip abuts the anchor stop surface.

Claim 17

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules; at least one bracket extending from the top surface and supporting the strip; wherein the bracket has opposed first and second edges and opposed elevated and stud sides and wherein studs extends from the stud side and each of the studs has a first contact surface.

Claim 18

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules; at least one bracket extending from the top surface and supporting the strip; wherein the bracket has opposed first and second edges and opposed elevated and stud sides and wherein studs extends from the stud side and each of the studs has a first contact surface.

Claim 19

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules; at least one bracket extending from the top surface and supporting the strip; wherein the bracket is integrally molded to the belt module.

Claim 20

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules; at least one bracket extending from the top surface and supporting the strip; wherein the bracket is integrally molded to the belt module.

Claim 21

(The modular belt of claim 13 , where the module has stud openings that extend from a load side of the module and through the module to an opposed elevated base side and wherein the stud opening is surrounded by a surrounding wall.

Claim 22

The modular belt of claim 14 , wherein the surrounding wall has a diameter less than that of the first contact surface of the studs such that after the studs have been pressed into the stud openings the first contact surfaces of the studs abut against the elevated base wall and the stud side of the bracket abuts against the load side of the module such the bracket is joined to the module.

Claim 23

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules; a flight module having a flight with a flight edge disposed adjacent to the strip; wherein the flight edge has an anchor disposed thereon for attaching the strip to the flight edge.

Claim 24

A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of modules having a top surface, an intermediate section, a first plurality of link ends extending from the intermediate section in a first direction, a second plurality of link ends extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second plurality of link ends having transverse pivot rod openings defined therein, the first and second link ends being offset such that the first link ends are capable of being intercalated with the second link ends of an adjacent module when the modules are assembled to form the belt, the modules having a length oriented in a direction transverse to a direction of belt travel and having a width disposed along the direction of belt travel; at least one continuous strip extending upward from the support surface along a side edge of the belt to form a side guard, the continuous strip extending across the width of at least two belt modules; a flight module having a flight with a flight edge disposed adjacent to the strip; wherein the flight edge has an anchor disposed thereon for attaching the strip to the flight edge.