The present invention relates to a conveyor frame assembly that does not require the use of conventional fasteners and/or welded joints in order to be assembled. The frame assembly includes a base having a slot and a support having a tab extending through the slot. The tab is plastically deformed toward the base in order to couple the support to the base. The invention also relates to a method of assembling a conveyor frame. The method includes inserting a tab on a support into a slot on a base and then coupling the support to the base by plastically deforming the tab toward the base. The invention also relates to a tool for assembling a conveyor frame that includes a base and a support. The tool includes a head that is adapted to be inserted into a slot in the base after a tab on the support has been inserted into the slot. The base and the support are coupled together by impacting the tool further through the slot until an angled surface on the tool plastically deforms the tab toward the base. In another form the tool includes a head that is adapted to be positioned about the tab and a handle that is positioned adjacent to the head. The tool plastically deforms the tab toward the base by maneuvering the handle tool transverse to the tab after the head is positioned about the tab.
This patent teaches and claims web brackets for open frame continuous conveyor systems and open frame continuous conveyor systems utilizing these web brackets. An exemplary web bracket is comprised of a plate; a side grip slot defining an opening within the interior area that extends from the peripheral edge which is shaped to have a pair of oppositely opposed skid rail grip tips, a wash out gap and a skid rail base and is adapted to friction fit a skid rail and a perimeter defining an opening for receiving a frame rail within the interior area.
A modular sanitary conveyor includes a longitudinal conveyor bed frame that is slidably received and supported on a support stand and a motor and clutch assembly that is slidably received and supported on the side of the frame. The frame has lateral side walls secured together by a series of cross members and has a serpentine support way for supporting belts and table top chains that is formed of individual wear strips that are installed, retained in place, and removed without the use of tools. Unitary bearings are slidably received in slots at each end of the side walls and rotatably support a drive sprocket shaft and an idler sprocket shaft having respective drive sprockets and idler sprockets slidably received thereon. All components can be easily and quickly disassembled for cleaning and reassembled without the use of special tools.
