Preformed strip and method for splicing conveyor belts

{
  "publication_number": "US6695133B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Preformed strip and method for splicing conveyor belts",
  "abstract": "A preformed strip (20) of unvulcanized rubber having a plurality of strand receiving grooves (22) for splicing the ends (11, 12) of steel cord or strand reinforced rubber conveyor belts (10) is disclosed along with a method of forming the spliced joint.",
  "claims": [
    "1. The method of splicing the ends (11, 12) of conveyor belts (10) having vulcanized rubber (12) with steel strands (1) embedded in the vulcanized rubber comprising the steps of: exposing a plurality of strands (1); providing at least two unvulcanized strips (20) of rubber, at least one strip (20) being a bottom strip having a plurality of substantially parallel strand receiving grooves (22) located on an upper surface (24), the other at least one strip (20) being a top strip; placing the exposed strands (1) of the belt ends (11, 12) being joined in the grooves (22) of the at least one bottom strip (20); placing the top strip (20) overlying the bottom strip (20) and vulcanizing the strips (20) together and to strands (1) thereby forming the spliced joint, the method characterized in that the step of providing the top or bottom strips (20) with a plurality of grooves (22) includes the steps of calendering the grooves (22) in strips (20), the calenders (350, 352) having a plurality of parallel component forming ridges (356), the ridges (356) forming the strand receiving grooves (22) of an upper surface (24) of the strips (20); and wherein the step of calendering includes the step of applying the top strip (20) onto a strip of top cover rubber compound (4).",
    "2. The method of splicing the ends (11, 12) of conveyor belts (10) having vulcanized rubber (12) with steel strands (1) embedded in the vulcanized rubber comprising the steps of: exposing a plurality of strands (1); providing at least two unvulcanized strips (20) of rubber, at least one strip (20) being a bottom strip having a plurality of substantially parallel strand receiving grooves (22) located on an upper surface (24), the other at least one strip (20) being a top strip; placing the exposed strands (1) of the belt ends (11. 12) being joined in the grooves (22) of the at least one bottom strip (20); placing the top strip (20) overlying the bottom strip (20) and vulcanizing the strips (20) together and to strands (1) thereby forming the spliced joint, the method characterized in that the step of providing the top or bottom strips (20) with a plurality of grooves (22) includes the steps of calendering the grooves (22) in strips (20), the calenders (350, 352) having a plurality of parallel component forming ridges (356), the ridges (356) forming the strand receiving grooves (22) of an upper surface (24) of the strips (20); and wherein the bottom or top strips are applied to a separation liner (50) as they are being formed.",
    "3. The method of forming a splice kit for splicing the ends (11, 12) of conveyor belts (10) having vulcanized rubber (12) with steel strands (1) embedded in the vulcanized rubber comprising the steps of: (a) providing a calender having a plurality of parallel component forming spaced apart ridges; (b) forming at least one unvulcanized bottom splice strip of specified width and having an upper surface; (c) calendering with the calender ridges a plurality of substantially parallel strand receiving grooves on the upper surface of the bottom splice strip; (d) forming at least one unvulcanized top splice strip for juxtaposition opposite the bottom splice strip: and wherein the step of calendering includes the step of applying the bottom strip onto a strip of pulley contacting rubber compounds as the bottom strip is being formed to form a dual compound bottom strip.",
    "4. The method of forming a splice kit for splicing the ends (11, 12) of conveyor belts (10) having vulcanized rubber (12) with steel strands (1) embedded in the vulcanized rubber comprising the steps of: (a) providing a calender having a plurality of parallel component forming spaced apart ridges; (b) forming at least one unvulcanized bottom splice strip of specified width and having an upper surface; (c) calendering with the calender ridges a plurality of substantially parallel strand receiving grooves on the upper surface of the bottom splice strip; (d) forming at least one unvulcanized top splice strip for juxtaposition opposite the bottom splice strip; and wherein the step of calendering includes the step of applying the top strip onto a strip of top cover rubber compound to form a dual compound top strip.",
    "5. The method of forming a splice kit for splicing the ends (11, 12) of conveyor belts (10) having vulcanized rubber (12) with steel strands (1) embedded in the vulcanized rubber comprising the steps of: (a) providing a calender having a plurality of parallel component forming spaced apart ridges; (b) forming at least one unvulcanized bottom splice strip of specified width and having an upper surface; (c) calendering with the calender ridges a plurality of substantially parallel strand receiving grooves on the upper surface of the bottom splice strip; (d) forming at least one unvulcanized top splice strip for juxtaposition opposite the bottom splice strip; and wherein further comprising the step of applying a separation liner to the bottom or top strips as they are being formed."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/890,313, filed Jul. 26, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,934.\n\nThis invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming splices at the ends of conveyor belts.\n\nConveyor belts are commonly used as a means to move material from one location to another. In large mining operations, the conveyor belt is generally formed of a rubber body embedded with steel cords or strands. A cover compound can be used at the surface wherein the material is to be conveyed. Generally the compound is very abrasion and cut resistant and of sufficient thickness to prevent the rocks being conveyed from tearing the belt. A pulley compound can be used on the interior surface, this rubber is ideally suited for improved wear as the belt traverses over the pulleys used to drive the belt.\n\nThese steel corded or stranded belts may extend several miles and cost millions of dollars to install and fabricate. The fabrication of such belts occurs initially at a factory wherein steel strands or cords are arranged in a coplanar relationship parallel to the surface of the belt so that the belt will exhibit uniform expansion and minimize weaving as it traverses which can cause belt damage.\n\nThe prior art method of fabricating belts requires the steps of vulcanizing the rubber belt and winding it onto large spools for shipping to the site. Once the spools of belt are received at the site, the ends must be prepared for splicing by removing the vulcanized rubber from the strands over a distance determined to be sufficient to provide enough joint length to make a secure splice.",
  "cpc": [
    "B29D 29/06",
    "B29C 43/24",
    "B29C 59/04",
    "B29C 65/18",
    "B29C 65/483",
    "B29C 65/4835",
    "B29C 65/5042",
    "B29C 65/5078",
    "B29C 65/5085",
    "B29C 65/5092",
    "B29C 66/1122",
    "B29C 66/43",
    "B29C 66/4322",
    "B29C 66/4324",
    "B29C 66/49",
    "B29C 66/71",
    "B29C 66/72321",
    "B29C 66/73756",
    "B29C 66/73941",
    "B29C 66/8322",
    "B29K 2021/00",
    "B29K 2105/101",
    "B29K 2105/246",
    "B29L 2031/7092"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B29C 59/04",
    "B29C 65/18",
    "B29C 65/50",
    "B29D 29/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Robin Bovaird Steven",
    "David Joseph Maguire",
    "Steven Andrew Lederer",
    "William James Head",
    "Larry James Gehrett",
    "II James Alfred Benzing"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2003-01-16",
  "publication_date": "2004-02-24",
  "grant_date": "2004-02-24",
  "priority_date": "2001-07-26",
  "application_number": "US-34553503-A",
  "family_id": "25396531",
  "cited_by_count": 4,
  "citations": [
    "US3487871A",
    "US4548663A",
    "US4681646A",
    "EP0372510A1",
    "US5377818A",
    "US5762740A"
  ]
}