Chain drive assembly
US6659897B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G23/16
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A chain drive assembly for elevating a load such as a vehicle carriage on a leisure ride. The assembly comprises an endless loop lift chain and a plurality of drive chains. The lift chain has a plurality of chain links comprising a pair of laterally spaced outer link plates pivotally connected to inner link members disposed at least in part between the outer link members. The inner or outer link members of each link have a row of teeth for engagement in openings between links of the drive chains. The drive chains being disposed so as to engage the teeth at a rectilinear stretch of the chain loop so as to drive the chain in a longitudinal direction. The inner and outer links of the lift chain being arranged to define an opening designed to receive a projection on the load. The assembly serves to spread the load between the drive chains and their drive systems. The conveyor chain does not articulate under load and can be reduced in weight. This results in reduced chain wear, elimination of the polygonal effect, the facility to carry increased loads and enables the chain to travel at greatly increased speed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.