Guard assembly for a conveyor system
Various embodiments are directed to a guard assembly for a conveyor system. The conveyor system comprises a plurality of rollers rotatably disposed between a pair of side frames of the conveyor system. The guard assembly comprises a top cover and a holder such that the top cover is disposed in a gap between two adjacent rollers of the plurality of rollers of the conveyor system; the holder is detachably coupled to the top cover; the holder is configured to secure the top cover between the two adjacent rollers of the conveyor system and the top cover defines a plurality of friction-reducing features proximal to at least one roller of the conveyor system.
1 . A guard assembly for a conveyor system comprising a plurality of rollers rotatably disposed between a pair of side frames thereof, the guard assembly comprising:
a top cover disposed in a gap between two adjacent rollers of the plurality of rollers; and
a holder detachably coupled to the top cover, wherein the holder is configured to secure the top cover between the two adjacent rollers of the conveyor system;
wherein the top cover defines a plurality of friction-reducing features proximal to at least one roller of the conveyor system, wherein the plurality of friction-reducing features comprise at least one of a plurality of recessed serrations and a plurality of tapered grooves.
2 . The guard assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of friction-reducing features are equidistantly spaced apart from each other.
3 . The guard assembly of claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises:
a base wall;
a first arm extending from a first side of the base wall; and
a second arm extending from a second side of the base wall,
wherein the base wall is configured to support at least a portion of the top cover.
4 . The guard assembly of claim 3 , wherein the holder comprises at least one support rib extending between the first arm and the second arm.
5 . The guard assembly of claim 3 , wherein the base wall comprises a plurality of protrusions configured to prevent rotation of a fastener disposed therebetween.
6 . A top cover for a guard assembly for a conveyor system comprising a plurality of rollers rotatably disposed between a pair of side frames thereof, the top cover comprising:
a bottom wall extending along a portion of a distance between the side frames of the conveyor system, wherein the bottom wall is located in a gap between adjacent rollers of the plurality of rollers;
a first sidewall extending from the bottom wall; and
a second sidewall extending from the bottom wall;
wherein at least one of the first sidewall or the second sidewall defines a plurality of friction-reducing features proximal to an adjacent roller of the conveyor system, wherein the plurality of friction-reducing features comprise at least one of a plurality of recessed serrations and a plurality of tapered grooves.
7 . The top cover of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of friction- reducing features are equidistantly spaced apart from each other.
8 . The top cover of claim 6 , wherein the first sidewall further comprises:
a first inclined wall extending from the bottom wall; and
a first flange extending substantially horizontally from the first inclined wall.
9 . The top cover of claim 6 , wherein the second sidewall further comprises:
a second inclined wall extending from the bottom wall; and
a second flange extending substantially horizontally from the second inclined wall.
10 . The top cover of claim 6 , wherein the bottom wall defines at least one receptacle configured to receive a head of a fastener therein.
11 . The top cover of claim 6 , wherein the bottom wall defines a first hole configured to receive a shank of a fastener therein.
12 . The top cover of claim 6 , wherein the bottom wall defines at least one pre-cut groove extending across a width of the bottom wall, the at least one pre-cut groove configured to shear off due to a bending load applied to the top cover.