Patent · US Expired

Chain

US6244032A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
7References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 27, 2000
Grant dateJun 12, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 27, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16G13/06
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A chain comprises inner and outer links that articulate relative to one another on pins. The outer link having apertures which receive said pin ends in such a way that the links are easily assembled or dismantled. The pin ends have a retention portion that defines a flat and a bearing portion disposed between the retention portion and the inner link and defining a bearing surface for the outer link. The aperture in the outer link has an arcuate edge and a flat corresponding to that on the retention portion. The bearing surface has an arcuate portion that provides a rotational sliding fit with the arcuate edge of the outer link aperture and a reduced portion that is undercut with respect to the retention portion. The inner and outer links are rotatable relative to one another between a first position in which the flats are aligned and outer link is separable from or connectable to the inner link by relative lateral movement and a second position in which inner and outer links are approximately longitudinally aligned and the flat edge of the outer link aperture is disposed over the undercut of the bearing surface. In this second position the retention portion adjacent the undercut se…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.