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Title:
DRAPER BELT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/172963
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A draper belt includes a belt body having a carcass, and a top cover disposed on the carcass and defining a conveyor surface. The belt body further has a first side, a second side, and a width defined between the first and second sides of the belt body. The draper belt further includes a plurality of cleats projecting from the conveyor surface of the top cover. Each cleat has a first side portion, a second side portion, a center portion extending between the first and second side portions, a leading sidewall, and a trailing sidewall. The draper belt further includes reinforcement fabric located on at least one of the first side portion, the second side portion and the center portion of each cleat. The reinforcement fabric covers and conforms to the leading and trailing sidewalls of each cleat.

Inventors:
ST-PIERRE YVES (CA)
PLANTE MARTIN (CA)
CHARRETTE MICHAEL (CA)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2018/051909
Publication Date:
September 27, 2018
Filing Date:
March 21, 2018
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
SOUCY INT INC (CA)
KIMPEX USA (US)
International Classes:
A01D47/00; A01D57/06; A01D57/20; A01D61/02; B65G39/071; B65G39/16
Domestic Patent References:
WO2017058498A12017-04-06
Foreign References:
EP2345321A22011-07-20
US4553663A1985-11-19
US7543428B12009-06-09
US20150284185A12015-10-08
US20070238565A12007-10-11
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
CUTLER, Jonathan D. (CA)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A draper belt comprising:

• a belt body having

o a carcass,

o a top cover disposed on the carcass, the top cover defining a conveyor surface, o a first side,

o a second side, and

o a width defined between the first and second sides of the belt body;

• a plurality of cleats projecting from the conveyor surface of the top cover, the plurality of cleats being spaced apart from one another lengthwise along the conveyor surface, each cleat extending across substantially all of the width of the belt body, and each cleat having

o a first side portion adjacent the first side of the belt body,

o a second side portion adjacent the second side of the belt body,

o a center portion extending between the first and second side portions, o a leading sidewall, and

o a trailing sidewall; and

• reinforcement fabric located on at least one of the first side portion, the second side portion and the center portion of each cleat, the reinforcement fabric covering and conforming to the leading and trailing sidewalls of each cleat.

2. The draper belt of claim 1 , wherein reinforcement fabric is located on the first and second side portions of each cleat.

3. The draper belt of claim 1 or 2, wherein the reinforcement fabric is comprised of one of polyester tire cord, cord fabric, and monofilament fabric.

4. The draper belt of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reinforcement fabric covers and conforms to both the leading and trailing sidewalls of each cleat.

5. The draper belt of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a gap is defined on the conveyor surface between reinforcement fabric covering and conforming to adjacent cleats.

6. The draper belt of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reinforcement fabric has warp fibers, and the reinforcement fabric is disposed such that the warp fibers extend parallel to the first and second sides of the belt body.

7. The draper belt of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reinforcement fabric is one of a plurality of layers of reinforcement fabric covering and conforming to the leading and trailing sidewalls of each cleat.

8. The draper belt of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an embedded reinforcement fabric disposed within the cleat and extending between the leading and trailing sidewalls, the embedded reinforcement fabric conforming to the leading and trailing sidewalls.

9. The draper belt of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each cleat has a top wall extending between the leading and trailing sidewalls, and the reinforcement fabric covers and conforms to the top wall of each cleat.

10. The draper belt of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of cleats is formed integrally with the top cover.

11. The draper belt of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a reinforcing rod embedded within each cleat, the reinforcing rod being disposed between the leading and trailing sidewall and extending across substantially all of the width of belt body.

12. The draper belt of any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein each cleat has

• a first end wall being adjacent the first side of the belt body,

• an opposed second end wall being adjacent the second side of the belt body, and

• the first and second end walls are substantially free of the reinforcement fabric.

13. A draper belt comprising:

• a belt body having

o a carcass,

o a top cover disposed on the carcass, the top cover defining a conveyor surface, o a first side,

o a second side, and

o a width defined between the first and second sides of the belt body;

• a plurality of cleats projecting from the conveyor surface of the top cover, the plurality of cleats being spaced apart from one another lengthwise along the conveyor surface, each cleat extending across substantially all of the width of the belt body, and each cleat having a leading sidewall and a trailing sidewall; and

• reinforcement fabric embedded within each cleat and extending between the leading and trailing sidewalls.

14. The draper belt of claim 13, wherein the reinforcement fabric conforms to the leading and trailing sidewalls of each cleat.

Description:
DRAPER BELT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/474,186, filed March 21, 2017, entitled "Draper Belt", and to United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/490,208, filed April 26, 2017, entitled "Draper Belt". The contents of both of the aforementioned patent applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The present technology relates to draper belts. BACKGROUND

[0001] Agricultural harvesting machines, such as combine harvesters, are used to reap, thresh and winnow grain crops. Combine harvesters have a header including a cutter bar and one or more wide-aspect conveyor belts, known generally in the art as draper belts, for moving grain crops that have been cut by the cutter bar toward the threshing drum. To aid in moving the grain crops toward the threshing drum, draper belts have a conveyor surface including cleats that project from the conveyor surface and extend widthwise across each draper belt.

[0002] The draper belts are important components of combine harvesters. They are subjected to wear caused by, amongst other things, friction from the moving machinery and crops. The cleats that project from the draper belt are notably prone to premature wear as they convey the grain crops on the conveyor surface and get hit by plant debris, stone, etc. Under certain circumstances, damaged cleats lead to less efficient conveying of the grain crops and may cause the premature failure of the entire draper belt.

[0003] Therefore, there is a desire for draper belts having cleats with improved durability, at least in certain conditions, over what is currently known in the art. SUMMARY

[0004] It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art.

[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the present technology, there is provided a draper belt including a belt body having a carcass, and a top cover disposed on the carcass. The top cover defines a conveyor surface. The belt body further has a first side, a second side, and a width defined between the first and second sides of the belt body. The draper belt further has a plurality of cleats projecting from the conveyor surface of the top cover. The cleats are spaced apart from one another lengthwise along the conveyor surface. Each cleat extends across substantially all of the width of the belt body, and has a first side portion adjacent the first side of the belt body, a second side portion adjacent the second side of the belt body, a center portion extending between the first and second side portions, a leading sidewall, and a trailing sidewall. The draper belt further has reinforcement fabric located on at least one of the first side portion, the second side portion and the center portion of each cleat. The reinforcement fabric covers and conforms to the leading and trailing sidewalls of each cleat.

[0006] Under some conditions, the reinforcement fabric may improve the durability of the cleat as the reinforcement fabric is made of a more wear-resistant material than the cleat itself. As a result, abrasion and removal of the cleat material may be reduced compared to other draper belts. Furthermore, since the reinforcement fabric covers and conforms to the leading and trailing sidewalls of the cleat, i.e. the reinforcement fabric conforms to at least some parts of the surface of the cleat, little or no changes to the geometry of the cleat are required. Moreover, the reinforcement fabric need only be located only on portions of the cleat that are believed will be more prone to wear, whether these portions include the first side portion, the second side portion or the center portion, or any combinations thereof. [0007] In some implementations, the reinforcement fabric is located on the first and second side portions of each cleat. Depending on the application, having the reinforcement fabric located on the first and second side portions of each cleat may limit the amount of reinforcement fabric required to improve the durability of the draper belt while permitting reversible mounting of the draper belt on the pulleys and/or drums on which it is destined to be used. [0008] In some implementations, the reinforcement fabric includes polyester tire cord, cord fabric, or monofilament fabric. These materials have, under certain circumstances, higher toughness and wear resistance than the material from which the cleats could be made of.

[0009] In some implementations, the reinforcement fabric covers and conforms to both the leading and trailing sidewalls of each cleat. In some applications, having a single band or strip of reinforcement fabric covering and conforming to both the leading and trailing sidewalls of each cleat may reduce the possibilities of the reinforcement fabric debonding from the leading and trailing sidewalls.

[0010] In some implementations, a gap is defined on the conveyor surface between the reinforcement fabric covering and conforming to adjacent cleats.

[0011] In some implementations, the reinforcement fabric has warp fibers, and the reinforcement fabric is disposed such that the warp fibers extend parallel to the first and second sides of the belt body. In some applications, such an orientation of the reinforcement fabric may improve its toughness and resistance to wear. [0012] In some implementations, the reinforcement fabric is one of a plurality of layers of reinforcement fabric covering and conforming to the leading and trailing sidewalls of each cleat. In some applications, having a plurality of layers of reinforcement fabric may assist in improving the durability of the cleat and/or may permit repairing a worn-out cleat by adding one or more layers of reinforcement fabric thereon, which may further improve the life of the draper belt. [0013] In some implementations, the draper belt further includes an embedded reinforcement fabric disposed within the cleat and extending between the leading and trailing sidewalls. The embedded reinforcement fabric conforms to the leading and trailing sidewalls. Under certain conditions, having an embedded reinforcement fabric may further assist in improving the durability of the cleat. [0014] In some implementations, each cleat has a top wall extending between the leading and trailing sidewalls, and the reinforcement fabric covers and conforms to the top wall of each cleat. [0015] In some implementations, the plurality of cleats is formed integrally with the top cover.

[0016] In some implementations, the draper belt further includes a reinforcing rod embedded within each cleat. The reinforcing rod is disposed between the leading and trailing sidewall and extends across substantially all of the width of belt body. In some applications, the reinforcing rod may improve the structural rigidity of the cleat.

[0017] In some implementations, each cleat has a first end wall being adjacent the first side of the belt body, an opposed second end wall being adjacent the second side of the belt body, and the first and second end walls are substantially free of the reinforcement fabric. Under certain circumstances, having the first and second end walls substantially free of the reinforcement fabric may reduce the possibilities of the reinforcement fabric debonding from the leading and trailing sidewalls.

[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a draper belt including a belt body having a carcass, and a top cover disposed on the carcass. The top cover defines a conveyor surface. The belt body further has a first side, a second side, and a width defined between the first and second sides of the belt body. The draper belt further has a plurality of cleats projecting from the conveyor surface of the top cover. The cleats are spaced apart from one another lengthwise along the conveyor surface. Each cleat extends across substantially all of the width of the belt body, and has a leading sidewall and a trailing sidewall. The draper belt further has reinforcement fabric embedded within each cleat and extending between the leading and trailing sidewalls.

[0019] In some implementations, the reinforcement fabric conforms to the leading and trailing sidewalls of each cleat.

[0020] Implementations of the present technology each have at least one of the above- mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein. [0021] Should there be any difference in the definitions of term in this application and the definition of these terms in any document included herein by reference, the terms as defined in the present application take precedence.

[0022] Additional and/or alternative features, aspects and advantages of implementations of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying figures and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying figures, where:

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view taken from a top, right side of a portion of a draper belt in accordance with a first implementation in accordance with one aspect of the present technology;

[0025] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of portion 2 of the draper belt of Figure 1 ; [0026] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the draper belt of Figure 1 taken along cross- section line 3-3 of Figure 2;

[0027] Figure 4 is a perspective view taken from a top, right side of a portion of a draper belt in accordance with a second implementation of the present technology;

[0028] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a draper belt in accordance with a third implementation of the technology, the cross-sectional view being taken along a cross-section line corresponding to the cross-section line 3-3 of the implementation of Figure 2; and

[0029] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a draper belt in accordance with a fourth implementation of the technology, the cross-sectional view being taken along a cross-section line corresponding to the cross-section line 3-3 of the implementation of Figure 2; and [0030] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a draper belt in accordance to another aspect of the present technology, the cross-sectional view being taken along a cross-section line corresponding to the cross-section line 3-3 of the implementation of Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0031] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a draper belt 20a in accordance with a first implementation of the present technology will be described. The draper belt 20a is structured and dimensioned to be used on a harvesting machine, such as a combine. It is contemplated that the draper belt 20a could be used in other machines or systems, such as in a conveyor system for handling various materials or items.

[0032] The draper belt 20a has a belt body 22 defining a loop of carrying medium. The belt body 22 has a carcass 24 defining a pulley-engaging surface 26. The carcass 24 provides structural rigidity and shape to the belt body 22. The pulley-engaging surface 26 engages the pulleys and/or drums of the harvesting machine on which the draper belt 20a rotates. Longitudinally extending guides 28 project from the pulley-engaging surface 26 and aid the draper belt 20a in remaining aligned with respect to the pulleys and/or drums of the harvesting machine on which the draper belt 20a rotates. It is contemplated that an additional layer(s) of material (e.g. a bottom cover) could be disposed on the carcass 24 to define the pulley-engaging surface 26.

[0033] The belt body 22 further has a top cover 30 disposed on the carcass 24. The top cover 30 is made of an elastomeric material. The top cover 30 defines a conveyor surface 32 opposite the carcass 24. The conveyor surface 32 is the surface on which crops or other materials travel when conveyed by the draper belt 20a. The carcass 24 and the top cover 30 may be constructed of a wide variety of materials and structures including metallic and elastomeric components known in conveyor systems. As the specific properties and materials of the carcass 24 and top cover 30 are not central to the present technology, they will not be described in detail.

[0034] The belt body 22 has left and right sides 40, 42. A width 44 is defined between the left and right sides 40, 42. In the implementations shown in the accompanying Figures, the width 44 of the belt body is of about 101.6 cm (40 inches), but the width 44 could differ in other implementations. The belt body 22 further has left and right side edges 46, 48. The thickness of the belt body 22 is greater in the left and right side edges 46, 48 than in the region extending therebetween.

[0035] Still referring to Figures 1 to 3, the draper belt 20a further has a plurality of cleats 60 projecting from the conveyor surface 32 of the top cover 30. The cleats 60 are formed integrally with the top cover 30. In another implementation, the cleats and the top cover are distinct components, and the cleats are connected to the top cover via known bonding techniques. The cleats 60 are spaced apart from one another lengthwise along the conveyor surface 32. Each cleat 60 extends across substantially all of the width 44 of the belt body 22. More particularly, each cleat 60 extends across the belt body 22, but does not extend in the left and right side edges 46, 48 thereof. Each cleat 60 extends perpendicular to a forward travel direction F of the draper belt 20a, but it is contemplated that the cleats 60 could extend in a skewed fashion across the belt body 22 in other implementations.

[0036] In Figure 1, only three cleats 60 are illustrated, namely 60r, 60i, 60f. The cleat 60f is located forward of the cleat 60i, and the cleat 60r is located rearward of the cleat 60i when the draper belt 20a moves in the forward travel direction F. The cleats 60r, 60i, 60f have the same shape, dimensions and structure, but it is contemplated that the cleats 60r, 60i, 60f could differ from one another in other implementations. Since the cleats 60r, 60i, 60f are identical, the following description will focus on the cleat 60i and will refer to the cleats 60r, 60f only when necessary.

[0037] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the cleat 60i has a left side portion 62 adjacent the left side 40 of the belt body 22, a right side portion 64 adjacent the right side 42 of the belt body 22, and a center portion 66 extending between the left and right side portions 62, 64. In the illustrated implementation, the left and right side portions 62, 64 each have a width (measured along the width of the cleat 60i) of about 15.24 cm (6 inches), and the central portion 66 has a width of about 71.12 cm (28 inches). It is contemplated that the left and right side portions 62, 64 could have a width ranging between about 5.08 to 30.48 cm (2 to 12 inches), as the belt body 22 is about 101.6 cm (40 inches) wide. Other dimensions of the belt body 22, the left, right and center portions 62, 64, 66 are contemplated for other implementations. [0038] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the cleat 60i has a leading sidewall 70 and a trailing sidewall 72 projecting from the conveyor surface 32. When the draper belt 20a is moved along the forward travel direction F, the sidewall 70 leads the sidewall 72, and these sidewalls 70, 72 are thus referred to as leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72. The cleat 60i also has a top wall 74 extending between the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72. Each one of the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72 also includes a fillet 75 providing for a smooth, rounded junction with the conveyor surface 32. The fillets 75 may assist in reducing stress concentration in the top cover 30 in regions proximate the cleat 60i.

[0039] As best seen in Figure 3, the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72 are angled with respect to the conveyor surface 32 at an obtuse angle a. The cleat 60i thus has a tapered profile between the conveyor surface 32 and the top wall 74. It is contemplated that the shape and configuration of the sidewalls 70, 72 and the top wall 74 could differ from the one illustrated in the accompanying Figures in other implementations. For example, in another implementation, the cleat is shaped as a triangular prism, having the base parallel to the conveyor surface 32 and the leading and trailing sidewalls sharing a common top edge, and thus the cleat does not have a top wall.

[0040] The cleat 60i further has a left end wall 76 adjacent the left side 40 of the belt body 22, and a right end wall 78 opposite the left end wall 76 and adjacent the right side 42 of the belt body 22. Referring to Figure 3, a reinforcing rod 90 is embedded within the cleat 60i. The reinforcing rod 90 is disposed between the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72. The reinforcing rod 90 extends across substantially all of the width 44 of the belt body 22.

[0041] Still referring to Figures 1 to 3, reinforcement fabric 100 covers and conforms to the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72 of the cleat 60i. In other words, the reinforcement fabric 100 covers and conforms to the outer surfaces defined by the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72 of the cleat 60i. In the implementation illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the reinforcement fabric 100 is located on the left and right side portions 62, 64 of the cleat 60i, but the center portion 66 of the cleat 60i is substantially free of reinforcement fabric 100. A wide variety of materials can be used as the reinforcement fabric 100. For example, the reinforcement fabric 100 can be polyester tire cord, cord fabric, or monofilament fabric. Other materials are contemplated. [0042] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the reinforcement fabric 100 covers and conforms to the leading sidewall 70, the top wall 74, and the trailing sidewall 72 simultaneously. In other implementations, distinct bands or strips of reinforcement fabric 100 could cover and conform to each one of the leading sidewall 72, the top wall 76, and the trailing sidewall 74 individually. As best seen in Figure 2, the reinforcement fabric 100 has warp fibers 102 and weft fibers 104. The reinforcement fabric 100 is disposed on the cleat 60i such that the warp fibers 102 extend parallel to the left and right sides 40, 42 of the belt body 22. It is also to be noted that the left end wall 76 and the right end wall 78 are substantially free of reinforcement fabric 100, as best seen in Figure 2. [0043] Referring to Figure 1, a gap 120f is defined lengthwise on the conveyor surface 32 between the reinforcement fabric 100 covering and conforming to the leading sidewall 70 of the cleat 60i and the trailing sidewall 72 of the cleat 60f. As such, the portion of the conveyor surface 32 extending within the gap 120f is substantially free of the reinforcement fabric 100. Similarly, a gap 120r is defined lengthwise on the conveyor surface 32 between the reinforcement fabric 100 covering and conforming to the trailing sidewall 72 of the cleat 60i and the leading sidewall 70 of the cleat 60r. The gaps 120f, 120r are similar in dimensions, but could differ in some implementations. For example, it is contemplated that the reinforcement fabric 100 could extend past the leading sidewall 70 to cover and conform to the conveyor surface 32 in a region located forward of the leading sidewall 70. [0001] Turning now to Figure 4, a draper belt 20b in accordance with a second implementation of the present technology is illustrated. The draper belt 20b includes elements that are the same as or similar to those described above with reference to the draper belt 20a. Therefore, for simplicity, elements of the draper belt 20a that are the same as or similar to those of the draper belt 20b have been labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail. In the draper belt 20b, the reinforcement fabric 100 is located on the left side portion 62, the right side portion 64, and the center portion 66 of each one of the cleats 60r, 60i, 60f. As such, the reinforcement fabric 100 covers and conforms to the leading sidewall 70, the trailing sidewall 72 and the top wall 74 on substantially the entire width of the cleats 60r, 60i, 60f. [0044] Referring now to Figure 5, a draper belt 20c in accordance with a third implementation of the present technology is illustrated. The draper belt 20c includes elements that are the same as or similar to those described above with reference to the draper belt 20a. Therefore, for simplicity, elements of the draper belt 20a that are the same as or similar to those of the draper belt 20c have been labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail. The draper belt 20c includes an embedded reinforcement fabric 140 disposed within the cleat 60i. The embedded reinforcement fabric 140 is set in the cleat 60i and extends between the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72 of the cleat 60i. More particularly, like the reinforcement fabric 100, the embedded reinforcement fabric 140 conforms to the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72 and to the top wall 74 of the cleat 60i. In the present implementation, the embedded reinforcement fabric 140 is set in the cleat 60i by about 1 mm with respect to the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72 and the top wall 74. It is contemplated that the reinforcement fabric 140 could be set in the cleat 60i by a depth ranging from 0.25 to 3 mm.

[0045] Referring now to Figure 6, a draper belt 20d in accordance with a fourth implementation of the present technology is illustrated. The draper belt 20d includes elements that are the same as or similar to those described above with reference to the draper belt 20a. Therefore, for simplicity, elements of the draper belt 20a that are the same as or similar to those of the draper belt 20d have been labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail. The draper belt 20d has two layers 100a, 100b of reinforcement fabric 100 covering and conforming to the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72 of the cleat 60i. The layers 100a, 100b of reinforcement fabric 100 are bonded together using known bonding techniques. In other implementations, interfacing materials could be disposed between the layers 100a, 100b of reinforcement fabric 100 for enhancing the bonding therebetween and/or for further improving the durability of the underlying cleat 60i. It is contemplated that more than two layers of reinforcement fabric 100 could cover and conform to the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72 of the cleat 60i in other implementations.

[0046] Referring now to Figure 7 and in accordance with another aspect of the present technology, a draper belt 20e is illustrated. The draper belt 20e includes elements that are the same as or similar to those described above with reference to the draper belt 20a. Therefore, for simplicity, elements of the draper belt 20a that are the same as or similar to those of the draper belt 20e have been labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail. The draper belt 20e has a reinforcement fabric 150 that is embedded within the cleat 60i. The reinforcement fabric 150 is set in the cleat 60i and extends between the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72. More particularly, the reinforcement fabric 150 conforms to the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72. In the present implementation, the embedded reinforcement fabric 150 is set in the cleat 60i by about 1 mm with respect to the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72 and the top wall 74. It is contemplated that the reinforcement fabric 150 could be set in the cleat 60i by a depth ranging from 0.25 to 3 mm. In contrast with the draper belts 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d described above, the draper belt 20e has cleats 60 with no reinforcement fabric provided on the outer surfaces defined by the leading and trailing sidewalls 70, 72 of the cleat 60.

[0047] Modifications and improvements to the above-described implementations of the present technology may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present technology is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.