Conveyor System

Abstract

Conveyor systems and assemblies for use in conveyor systems are provided. In some embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a mechanical chain and a chain adjustment assembly. In other embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a panel mount assembly, and in still other embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a support structure and a leveling assembly. In yet other embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a conveyor track assembly and a conveyor top protection assembly. Any embodiment of the conveyor system may also comprise a blocking bar configured to be positioned under a lower conveyor track assembly and/or a cap positioned between an end of a conveyor track assembly and a sprocket. Further, a cover assembly for a conveyor system may comprise a shield positioned over a sprocket assembly and/or an idler assembly of the conveyor system. A guard for positioning at an end of the conveyor system also may be provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A conveyor system, comprising:
 a mechanical chain configured for conveying items thereon;   an upper profile for receipt of a portion of the mechanical chain; and   a panel mount assembly disposed below the upper profile along a vertical direction, the panel mount assembly comprising:
 a support member moveable with respect to the conveyor system, and 
 a panel attached to the support member, 
   wherein the panel extends along the vertical direction and a direction of movement of the mechanical chain to block an area below the upper profile on a user side of the conveyor system.   
     
     
         2 . The conveyor system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a support structure for supporting the upper profile and the mechanical chain,   wherein an arm of the support member is received in a pivot holder secured to the support system to attach the panel mount assembly to the support system.   
     
     
         3 . The conveyor system of  claim 2 , wherein the arm of the support member received in the pivot holder is a first arm, wherein the support member comprises a second arm extending from the first arm, wherein the pivot holder defines a first groove and a second groove, and wherein the second arm is moveable from the first groove to the second groove to change the position of the panel with respect to the upper profile. 
     
     
         4 . The conveyor system of  claim 3 , wherein the pivot holder comprises a first face perpendicular to the direction of movement and a second face parallel to the direction of movement, and wherein the first face defines the first groove and the second face defines the second groove. 
     
     
         5 . The conveyor system of  claim 3 , wherein the panel mount assembly further comprises a support rest secured to the support system, wherein the support rest is spaced apart from the pivot holder, and wherein the support rest is configured for receipt of the second arm. 
     
     
         6 . The conveyor system of  claim 5 , wherein the support rest defines a support rest groove perpendicular to the direction of movement, and wherein the support rest groove is configured for receipt of the support member, in the secured position, at or near the first arm of the support member. 
     
     
         7 . The conveyor system of  claim 1 , wherein the panel mount assembly has a secured position and a mounting position, wherein, in the secured position, the panel mount assembly is held in position adjacent the upper profile, and wherein, in the mounting position, an arm of the support member laterally spaces the panel outward from the conveyor system. 
     
     
         8 . The conveyor system of  claim 1 , wherein the panel mount assembly further comprises an attachment block secured to the support member, wherein the panel is attached to the support member using the attachment block. 
     
     
         9 . The conveyor system of  claim 8 , wherein the support member comprises a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm, wherein the attachment block is received on the first arm, wherein the third arm is pivotably secured to the conveyor system, and wherein the second arm extends between the first arm and the third arm to space the first arm from the third arm. 
     
     
         10 . The conveyor system of  claim 9 , wherein the second arm extends at a non-zero and non-orthogonal angle with respect to a horizontal direction, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the direction of movement. 
     
     
         11 . A panel mount assembly for a conveyor system, comprising:
 a support member having a first end opposite a second end, the first end pivotably secured to the conveyor system;   a pivot holder configured for receipt of the first end; and   a panel attached to the second end of the support member.   
     
     
         12 . The panel mount assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the pivot holder comprises a first face and a second face disposed orthogonal to the first face, and wherein the first face defines a first groove and the second face defines a second groove. 
     
     
         13 . The panel mount assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the support member is pivotable between the first groove and the second groove. 
     
     
         14 . The panel mount assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a support rest spaced apart from the pivot holder, the support rest configured for receipt of the support member at or near the second end.   
     
     
         15 . The panel mount assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the support rest defines a support rest groove, wherein the support rest groove is defined along the same direction as the first groove of the pivot holder. 
     
     
         16 . The panel mount assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an attachment block received on the support member,   wherein the panel is secured to the attachment block to attach the panel to the support member.   
     
     
         17 . The panel mount assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the support member comprises a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm, the second arm extending between the first arm and the third arm, wherein the first arm defines the second end of the support member and the third arm defines the first end of the support member, and wherein the attachment block is received on the first arm. 
     
     
         18 . The panel mount assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the pivot holder defines an opening for receipt of the third arm, and wherein the pivot holder defines a tapered surface around the opening. 
     
     
         19 . The panel mount assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the panel extends along a vertical direction and a direction of movement defined by the conveyor system below an upper portion of the conveyor system. 
     
     
         20 . A method of blocking an area of a conveyor system, comprising:
 pivoting a support member of a panel mount assembly away from the conveyor system to a mounting position;   attaching a panel to the support member; and   pivoting the support member with the attached panel toward the conveyor system to a secured position,   wherein, in the secured position, the support member is secured adjacent the conveyor system such that the panel extends below an upper portion of the conveyor system to block a lower portion of the conveyor system.