Insert for wire mesh belts

1. A wire mesh belt for use as a conveyor, the wire mesh belt comprising:

a plurality of individual links which are interlocked to form the wire mesh belt, the plurality of individual links having a plurality of first straight portions and second straight portions, the first straight portions connected to the second straight portions by bent portions, the first straight portions and the second straight portions are spaced apart, the first straight portions, the second straight portions and the bent portions form passages which extend across the length of each individual link of the plurality of individual links, a longitudinal axis of each link of the plurality of individual links extends generally transversely to a longitudinal axis of the wire mesh belt;

support inserts provided in and continuously remaining in the passages of respective individual links of the plurality of individual links, each support insert confined in a portion of a passage of each corresponding link of the respective individual links, the portion of the passage of each corresponding link of the respective individual links not including a corresponding passage of each link of other links interlocked with the respective individual links;

wherein the cooperation of the support inserts with the individual links of the plurality of individual links provides support to the wire mesh belt to minimize the deformation of the wire mesh belt, and maintains a level and consistent carrying surface.

2. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 1 , wherein the support inserts have a planar configuration.

3. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 1 , wherein the support inserts have raised center sections which extend the length of the support inserts.

4. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 1 , wherein the support inserts have an S-configuration, end sections of the support inserts are at an angle relative to middle sections of the support inserts.

5. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 1 , wherein outer ends of the support inserts are bent to secure the support inserts in the passages of the plurality of individual links.

6. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 1 , wherein each support insert of the plurality of support inserts has a width between 0.20 inches and 1.5 inches.

7. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 1 , wherein each support insert of the plurality of support inserts has a thickness between 0.020 inches and 0.25 inches.

8. A wire mesh belt for use as a conveyor, the wire mesh belt comprising:

a plurality of links, the plurality of links having of a plurality of first straight portions and second straight portions, the first straight portions connected to the second straight portions by bent portions, the first straight portions and the second straight portions are spaced apart, the first straight portions, the second straight portions and the bent portions form passages which extend across the length of each link of the plurality of links;

connector rods positioned between adjacent links of the plurality of links to join the adjacent links together;

support inserts provided in and continuously remaining in the passages of respective links of the plurality of links, each support insert confined in a portion of a passage of each corresponding link of the respective plurality of links, the portion of the passage of each corresponding link of the respective plurality of links not including a corresponding passage of each link of other links interlocked with the respective plurality of links;

wherein the cooperation of the support inserts with the respective links of the plurality of links provides support to the wire mesh belt to minimize the deformation of the wire mesh belt, and maintains a level and consistent carrying surface.

9. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 8 , wherein the support inserts are provided in every fourth link of the plurality of links.

10. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 8 , wherein the support inserts are provided in every second link of the plurality of links.

11. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 8 , wherein the support inserts are provided in every link of the plurality of links.

12. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 8 , wherein the plurality of links have hooks on ends thereof which interlock with the ends of adjacent links of the plurality of links to provide stability at edges of the wire mesh belt.

13. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 8 , wherein outer ends of the connector rods are bent to secure the connector rods in the plurality of links.

14. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 8 , wherein the support inserts have a planar configuration.

15. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 8 , wherein the support inserts have raised center sections which extend the length of the support inserts.

16. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 8 , wherein the support inserts have an S-configuration.

17. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 16 , wherein the support inserts have end sections which are perpendicular to middle sections of the support inserts.

18. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 8 , wherein outer ends of the support inserts are bent to secure the support inserts in the passages of the plurality of links.

19. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 8 , wherein each support insert of the plurality of support inserts has a width between 0.20 inches and 1.5 inches.

20. The wire mesh belt as recited in claim 8 , wherein each support insert of the plurality of support inserts has a thickness between 0.020 inches and 0.25 inches.