U.S. patent number RE35,579 [Application Number 08/106,109] was granted by the patent office on 1997-08-12 for guide chains for feed lines.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Kabelschlepp Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung. Invention is credited to Volker Jud, Paul-Werner Mack, Werner Moritz, Willibald Weber, Herbert Wehler, Karl-Georg Wisser.
United States Patent |
RE35,579 |
Moritz , et al. |
August 12, 1997 |
Guide chains for feed lines
Abstract
A feeder chain for the supply of all types of consumable
material to units that move on tracks. The chain comprises a
plurality of chain links and has a continuous inner space for feed
lines, whereby the chain links have pivotably interconnected outer
side pieces that are provided with stops for delimiting the mutual
pivot angle. Each chain link is provided with two detachable
crosspieces for interconnecting the outer side pieces thereof. The
crosspieces are tubular pieces that are insertable via a force fit
onto projections of the outer side pieces.
Inventors: |
Moritz; Werner (Deutsch,
DE), Wisser; Karl-Georg (Deutsch, DE),
Weber; Willibald (Deutsch, DE), Mack; Paul-Werner
(Deutsch, DE), Wehler; Herbert (Deutsch,
DE), Jud; Volker (Deutsch, DE) |
Assignee: |
Kabelschlepp Gesellschaft mit
beschrankter Haftung (Siegen, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
26803309 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/106,109 |
Filed: |
August 12, 1993 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
481341 |
Feb 16, 1990 |
05038556 |
Aug 13, 1991 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
59/78.1; 248/49;
59/900 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16G
13/16 (20130101); F16L 3/015 (20130101); H02G
11/006 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16L
3/015 (20060101); F16G 13/16 (20060101); F16G
13/00 (20060101); F16L 3/01 (20060101); H02G
11/00 (20060101); F16G 013/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;59/78,78.1,900
;248/49,50,51,78 ;474/206 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0161417 |
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Nov 1985 |
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EP |
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0308958 |
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Mar 1989 |
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EP |
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2210739 |
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Jul 1974 |
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FR |
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1932428 |
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Jan 1971 |
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DE |
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2255283 |
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May 1974 |
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DE |
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2417353 |
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Oct 1975 |
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DE |
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3730586 |
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Nov 1980 |
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DE |
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8213664 |
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Aug 1982 |
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DE |
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3531066 |
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Mar 1987 |
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DE |
|
8901955 |
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May 1989 |
|
DE |
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3814995 |
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Jul 1989 |
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DE |
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60-156251 |
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Mar 1984 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Jones; David
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Foley & Lardner
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a feeder chain for the supply of all types of consumable
material to units that move on tracks, with said chain comprising a
plurality of chain links and having a continuous inner space for
feed lines, whereby said chain links have pivotably interconnected
outer side pieces that are provided with stop means to delimit the
mutual pivot angle, with each chain link being provided with two
detachable crosspieces for interconnecting said outer side pieces
thereof, the improvement wherein:
said crosspieces are tubular pieces, at least one of which is
insertable via a force fit onto projections that are disposed on
facing sides of said side pieces, and
one of said tubular pieces is provided with a longitudinal slot,
and the other of said tubular pieces is unslotted, with said
longitudinally slotted tubular pieces of all of said chain links
being disposed on only one side of said chain.
2. A feeder chain according to claim 1, in which each of said
tubular pieces has an approximately constant thickness, has two
oppositely disposed flattened outer sides, and has two other
oppositely disposed rounded-off sides, whereby the distance between
said flattened sides is less than the distance between said
rounded-off sides, with said projections having corresponding
flattened sides that are disposed parallel to longitudinal narrow
sides of said outer side pieces of said chain links.
3. A feeder chain according to claim 1, in which said longitudinal
slot is disposed on one of said rounded-off sides of said tubular
piece.
4. A feeder chain according to claim 1, in which said longitudinal
slot is disposed on one of said flattened sides of said tubular
piece and has approximately the same dimension as that flattened
side in the longitudinal direction of said chain.
5. A feeder chain according to claim 4, in which one of said
rounded-off sides of said tubular piece is provided with a
longitudinal groove.
6. A feeder chain according to claim 1, in which those projections
of said outer side pieces that are associated with said
longitudinally slotted tubular pieces are shorter than those
projections that are associated with said unslotted tubular
pieces.
7. A feeder chain according to claim 2, which has oppositely
disposed end links in the form of connectors, each of which has two
outer side pieces connected by a tubular piece that is provided
with a securement lug for securement to a fixed connection or a
movable consuming device.
8. A feeder chain according to claim 7, in which said tubular
pieces are made of a lightweight metal. .[.9. A feeder chain
according to claim 2, in which said outer side pieces of said chain
links are provided with recesses that are gated and provided with
undercuts in which one of said tubular pieces of each chain link is
insertable onto said projections; and in which the other of said
tubular pieces is disposed in said recesses of
said outer side pieces..]..[.10. A feeder chain according to claim
9, in which said other of said tubular pieces, after being placed
in said recesses, are adapted to be secured to said outer side
pieces in a positive and formlocking manner by being rotated about
their longitudinal axes..]..Iadd.11. In a feeder chain to units
that move on tracks, with said chain comprising a plurality of
chain links and having a continuous inner space for feed lines,
which chain links have pivotably interconnected outer side pieces
that are provided with stop means to delimit the mutual pivot
angle, with each chain link being provided with two crosspieces for
interconnecting said outer side pieces thereof, the improvement
wherein:
an outer side piece of each chain link has at least one
inwardly-facing recess therein, which recess has a gate and first
and second undercuts next to said gate; and
one of said crosspieces of each pair is a detachable crosspiece
having a length between opposing ends thereof and a width between a
first lateral surface and a second lateral surface at one of said
ends of said detachable crosspiece, such that when said second
lateral surface of said detachable crosspiece opposite said first
lateral surface of said detachable crosspiece is positioned in said
second undercut of said recess, said first lateral surface of said
detachable crosspiece is insertable into said gate via an elastic
force-fit when entering through said gate into said first undercut,
the width of said one end of said detachable crosspiece between its
first and second lateral surfaces being greater than the width of
said gate, whereby engagement between said first and second lateral
surfaces and said first and second undercuts, respectively, retains
said detachable crosspiece in said
recess..Iaddend..Iadd.12. A feeder chain according to claim 11,
wherein both ends of said detachable crosspiece have said first and
second lateral surfaces, and the ends of said detachable crosspiece
are each insertable into a pair of said recesses provided in
opposing positions on each of the outer side pieces in each chain
link near the top of each outer side piece with each gate opening
upwardly, the other of said two crosspieces being located near the
bottom of each outer side piece..Iaddend..Iadd.13. A feeder chain
according to claim 12, in which at least one of said first and
second lateral surfaces of said detachable crosspiece is
substantially
semi-cylindrical..Iaddend..Iadd.14. A feeder chain according to
claim 13, in which said detachable crosspiece is insertable by
rotation of said crosspiece around a longitudinal axis when said
second lateral surfaces of said detachable crosspiece are
positioned in said second undercuts of said recesses, whereby the
longitudinal axis interconnects centers of curvature defined by
said semi-cylindrical second lateral surfaces..Iaddend..Iadd.15. A
feeder chain according to claim 12, wherein the detachable
crosspiece is tubular..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a guide or feeder chain for the
supply of all types of consumable material to units that move on
tracks, with the chain comprising a plurality of chain links and
having a continuous inner space for feed lines, whereby the chain
links have pivotably interconnected outer side pieces that are
provided with stop means to delimit the mutual pivot angle, with
each chain link being provided with two detachable crosspieces for
interconnecting the outer side pieces thereof.
German Patent No. 19 32 428 discloses a feed chain where the side
pieces of the chain links are integrally interconnected by a
crosspiece that has an opening for the feed lines. With this known
feed chain, the ability to receive feed lines is limited by the
size of the opening in the crosspiece. When the capacity of the
feeder chain has been exhausted, another chain with completely new
chain links must be made available, so that with this known state
of the art, the manufacturing and storage expenses are particularly
high due to the different requirements that result during use.
Due to the aforementioned reasons, feeder chains of the initially
mentioned type have become known where the width of the chain
links, and hence the width of the inner space that receives the
feed lines, can be changed by exchanging or altering detachable
crosspieces that interconnect the outer side pieces of the chain
links. German Patent No. 37 30 586 discloses a link chain of this
type where the crosspieces, in order to effect the detachable
connection of the outer side pieces, each comprise a central
portion of adjustable length, and two end pieces that can be
securely connected thereto and that cooperate with the outer side
pieces of the chain links. Unfortunately, this construction is
relatively expensive, because each crosspiece is formed from three
relatively complicated individual parts, with the two end pieces
being insertable into the ends of the central portion in order to
form a locking connection therewith. In addition, the ends of the
end pieces that are connectable to the outer side pieces are
embodied as expensive plug-type elements for a locking connection,
and can furthermore be provided with a screw connection to the
outer side pieces.
German Patent No. 22 55 283 discloses a feeder chain having
separable crosspieces comprised of at least two traverses and
separating elements that are disposed therebetween. With this known
feeder chain, the traverses have a flattened crosssectional
configuration with rounded-off narrow sides, with gated recesses
that are provided with undercuts being disposed on the upper and
lower ends of the separating elements, so that after being placed
into the recesses, the traverses can be secured in a positive and
form-locking manner with the separating elements by being twisted
about their longitudinal axes.
Proceeding from the above, it is an object of the present invention
to provide an improved guide or feeder chain that has detachable
crosspieces, whereby in particular the construction of the
crosspieces, and their connection with the outer side pieces, is
simplified.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
This object, and other objects and advantages of the present
invention, will appear more clearly from the following
specification in conjunction with the accompanying schematic
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a partially cross-sectioned side view of one exemplary
embodiment of the inventive feeder chain;
FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a chain link of the feed
chain of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of an inventive chain
link where the position of a longitudinally slotted and an
unslotted tubular piece, as well as the associated projections,
have the reverse position of that of the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chain link of FIG. 3, with the
longitudinally slotted tubular piece being removed for insertion of
feed lines;
FIG. 5 shows the chain link of FIG. 4 with the longitudinally
slotted tubular piece having been inserted;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a chain link of another exemplary
embodiment of the inventive feeder chain where a longitudinal slot
is disposed on one flattened outer side of a tubular piece, and
this longitudinally slotted tubular piece is removed;
FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view of a connector of the feeder
chain of FIG. 1 for securement to a fixed connector;
FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of a connector of the feeder
chain of FIG. 1 for securement to a movable consuming device;
FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of a chain link having an
alternative securement for the tubular piece in recesses of the
outer side pieces;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the chain link of FIG. 9 with the
tubular piece inserted;
FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the chain link of
FIG. 10 showing the tubular piece partially inserted into the
recess; and
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the chain link of
FIG. 11 with the tubular piece completely inserted, with a tool
being shown in place on the tubular piece.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The guide or feeder chain of the present invention is characterized
primarily in that the crosspieces that interconnect the outer side
pieces of a chain link are tubular pieces, at least one of which is
insertable via a force fit onto projections that are provided on
the outer side pieces.
Thus, with a feeder chain constructed pursuant to the present
invention the crosspieces are formed by tubular pieces, the hollow
interior of which, at least in the end regions, receives
projections that are integrally formed on the inner walls of the
outer side pieces. In this connection, the interior of the tubular
pieces is undersized while the outside of the projections is
oversized, so that when the tubular pieces are inserted on the
projections, a force fit, i.e. a secure connection, results. As an
alternative, the force fit can also be produced via a shrink fit of
the tubular pieces.
The present invention has the advantage that the crosspieces can be
cut to length from conventional tubes for a respective need,
whereby not only plastic but also metallic tubes can be used. Thus,
with the present invention it is not necessary to use different
tools, especially different extrusion dyes, to produce different
crosspieces for the feeder chain. In addition, the structural
expense with regard to the outer side pieces of the chain links is
also low, because it is merely necessary for these outer side
pieces to have projections that have a straightforward, smooth
shape. Finally, the assembly and removal of the chain links is also
simplified because for this purpose it is merely necessary for the
tubular pieces to be placed or pressed upon the projections or to
be pulled therefrom. The assembly or removal can be even further
simplified by using a simple pressing device.
Pursuant to one preferred specific embodiment of the present
invention, the tubular pieces, while having an approximately
constant thickness, are flattened on two oppositely disposed outer
sides, and are rounded-off on two other oppositely disposed outer
sides, with the distance between the flattened outer sides being
less than the distance between the rounded-off outer sides; the
corresponding projections have their flattened outer sides disposed
parallel to the longitudinal narrow sides of the outer side pieces.
As a consequence of this construction, a feeder chain having a
relatively large inner space for feed lines is provided because the
tubular pieces, which have their flattened sides oriented in the
longitudinal direction of the chain, take up only a small portion
of the height of the chain links due to the relatively small
distance between the flattened sides of the tubular pieces. At the
same time, a very strong and torsionally rigid connection is
achieved between the outer side pieces of the chain links,
especially because the relatively great distance between the
rounded-off outer sides of the tubular pieces brings about a
relatively high moment of resistance, and in the region of the
flattened outer sides a large contact surface exists between the
tubular pieces and the projections.
Pursuant to one practical specific embodiment, each chain link is
provided with one tubular piece that has a longitudinal slot, and
one unslotted tubular piece, whereby the longitudinally slotted
tubular pieces of all of the chain links are disposed on only one
side of the chain. The slotted tubular pieces can be easily widened
and withdrawn from the projections of the outer side pieces, as a
result of which one side of the feeder chain can be opened to
permit simple placement of feed lines therein. For this purpose, it
is not necessary to press the outer side pieces apart, as is the
case if only unslotted tubular pieces are used and the projections
have the same length on both sides of the chain. When the feed
lines are placed in the chain, the longitudinally slotted tubular
pieces of the completely assembled feeder chain essentially serve
to guide the feed lines, although they also contribute to the
stability of the chain links. However, the unslotted tubular pieces
make a greater contribution to the stability because these
unslotted tubular pieces are subjected to practically no
deformation under load.
With a feeder chain having tubular pieces that are flattened on two
opposite outer sides and are rounded-off on two other opposite
outer sides, the longitudinal slot is preferably disposed on a
rounded-off side of the tubular piece, so that the longitudinally
slotted tubular piece can be withdrawn in the longitudinal
direction of the feeder chain without entering into the inner
spaces of the link chain occupied by the feed lines.
The inventive feeder chain can also be easily opened for placing
feed lines therein if the longitudinal slot is disposed on a
flattened outer side of the tubular piece and has approximately the
same dimension in the longitudinal direction of the link chain. Due
to the considerable span of the longitudinal slot, the tubular
piece can be easily pressed onto or withdrawn from the projections
in a direction perpendicular to a plane that passes through the
joints of the chain when it is in a stretched or extended
condition. The tubular pieces are preferably installed in such a
way that the longitudinal slots are open in a direction toward the
interior of the link chain, so that when they are being pressed on
or withdrawn, the tubular pieces do not have to be introduced into
the inner space of the chain. If in addition a rounded-off outer
side of the tubular piece has a longitudinal groove, the tubular
piece can be removed from the projections by introducing a
screwdriver into the longitudinal groove.
Pursuant to another practical embodiment of the present invention,
the projections of the outer side pieces that ar associated with
the longitudinally slotted tubular pieces are shorter than the
projections that ar associated with the unslotted tubular pieces,
so that the cross-sectional area that is available for the
introduction of feed lines is relatively large when the
longitudinally slotted tubular pieces are removed from the link
chain.
Pursuant to a further specific embodiment of the present invention,
the end links of the chain that form the connectors have a tubular
piece that connects the outer side pieces and that is provided with
a securement tongue for securement to a fixed connection or a
movable consuming device. The securement tongues enable the
transfer of force over a large surface between the feeder chain and
a connection or consuming device that withstands the entire chain
weight and the dynamic stresses that occur during operation.
Pursuant to an alternative embodiment of the inventive feeder chain
for a simple opening for the placement of feed lines therein, one
of the two crosspieces that is embodied as a tubular piece is
adapted to be inserted into gated recesses of the outer side pieces
that are provided with undercuts. The dimensions between the
tubular pieces and the recesses can be such that after being placed
in the recesses, the tubular pieces can be secured with the outer
side pieces in a positive and form-locking manner .[.by being
twisted about their longitudinal axes.]..
The connection between the other tubular piece and the outer side
pieces is effected in the same manner as with the preceding
embodiments.
Finally, it is proposed pursuant to another specific embodiment of
the present invention, that the tubular pieces be made of a
lightweight metal, so that a very stable feeder chain can also be
achieved while providing a lightweight chain.
Further specific features of the present invention will be
described in detail subsequently.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings in detail, the guide or feeder chain
illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a number of chain links 1 as well
as a connector 2 for a movable consuming device and a connector 3
for a fixed connection. On those ends 4 of its outer side pieces 5
that ar disposed more closely together, each chain link 1 is
provided with pins 6, whereas those ends 7 of the outer side pieces
5 that are disposed further apart are provided with corresponding
holes 8. The pins 6 of each chain link 1 extend into holes 8 of an
adjacent chain link or into corresponding holes 9 of the outer side
pieces 10 of the connector 2 (see FIG. 8). The connector 3 for the
fixed consuming device is provided with appropriate pins 11 on
outer side pieces 12 (see FIG. 7), with these pins 11 engaging in
corresponding holes 8 of the adjacent chain link 1.
In addition, the outer sides of the closer together ends 4, and the
inner sides of the further apart ends 7, of the outer side pieces 5
are provided with stop means 13, 14 (see FIG. 2) that have abutment
edges that extend radially relative to the axes of the holes 8 and
the pins 6. The stop means 13 of the further apart ends 7 cooperate
with those delimiting walls of notches 15 on the closer together
ends 4 of the outer side pieces 5 that extend radially relative to
the pins 6, whereas the stop means 14 cooperate with those
delimiting walls of cutouts 16 on the inner walls of the further
apart ends 7 of the outer side pieces 5 that extend radially
relative to the holes 8. As shown in FIG. 1, when the guide or
feeder chain is bent, each chain link 1 attains relative to the
adjacent chain link 1 a specific pivot angle whereby the delimiting
walls of the stop means 13 rest via a large surface area against
the delimiting walls of the notches 15, thereby preventing a
further bending. Since the delimiting walls of the stop means 14
(not illustrated) also rest against the delimiting walls of the
cutouts 16 at the same pivot angle, the transfer of force between
the adjacent chain links is improved. In contrast, when the feeder
chain is disposed in its extended state, the other delimiting walls
of the stop means 13, 14 rest against the other delimiting walls of
the notches 15 or cutouts 16. This state has been attained by the
two bottom chain links of the feeder chain illustrated in FIG.
1.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the connectors 3 are provided with
notches 17, those delimiting walls of which that extend radially
relative to the pins 11 being angularly spaced from one another in
such a way as to correspond to the angular spacing of the radial
delimiting walls of the stop means 13. As a result, the adjoining
chain link 1 cannot bend relative to the connector 3. The two
notches 17, which are offset relative to one another by b
90.degree., enable a mounting of the connector 3 on a fixed
connection at an offset angle of 90.degree.. Due to the symmetrical
construction of the connector 3, this connector can in addition be
rotated at every angular position in such a way that each of its
outer side pieces 12 cooperates with another outer side piece 5 of
the adjoining chain link, resulting in considerable variation with
regard to how it can be mounted.
The same is true for the connector 2, which as shown in FIG. 8 has
two cutouts 18 that are offset by 90.degree. and are provided with
delimiting walls that extend radially relative to the holes 9. The
angular spacing of the delimiting walls and the cutouts 18 again
coincides with the angular spacing of the radial delimiting walls
of the stop means 14 of the chain links 1, so that with every
assembly arrangement of the chain link 1 on the connector 2, these
two components cannot pivot relative to one another. Again, the
connector 2 can be mounted in four different ways relative to the
chain link 1, resulting in considerable variation relative to the
mounting of the connector 2 on a movable consuming device.
It should be noted that all of the pins 6, 11 have an inclined
surface 19, 20 so that the pins can easily be inserted into the
holes 8, 9 of the adjoining chain link 1 or connector 2, so that it
is merely necessary to overcome a crosspiece between the cutouts
16, 18 and the holes 8, 9, whereby it is also possible to chamfer
these crosspieces in the direction of insertion.
As shown particularly clearly in FIG. 2, the two edges of the inner
wall of the outer side pieces 5 are respectively provided with a
long projection 21 or a short projection 22. Placed on the
integrally molded projections 21, 22 are unslotted tubular pieces
23, and tubular pieces 24 that have a longitudinal slot 25 on one
rounded outer side, whereby the unslotted tubular pieces 23 are
associated with the long projections 21. Since the tubular pieces
23, 24 have a force fit on the projections 21, 22, these tubular
pieces 23, 24 form crosspieces that securely interconnect the outer
side pieces 5 of the chain links. However, the longitudinal slot 25
of the tubular piece 24 permits the guide or feeder chain to be
opened on one side for the insertion of power or feed lines, with
this being accomplished by widening the tubular piece 24 at the
longitudinal slot 25 and pressing the tubular piece over the flat
sides of the short projection 22. By providing the tubular pieces
23, 24 with two flattened outer sides that are spaced relatively
close together, and with two rounded outer sides that are spaced
relatively far apart, a high stability of the construction is
achieved that at the same time provides a relatively large interior
space for the disposition of the feed lines.
As can be seen from FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIGS. 7 and 8, the
edge regions of the outer side pieces 10, 12 of the connectors 2, 3
are provided with respective projections 26, 27. These projections
enter into a force fit with tubular pieces 28, 29 that are each
provided with connection lugs 30, 31 and holes 32, 33 to enable
mounting on a movable consuming device or a fixed connection. The
tubular pieces 28, 29 have no slots since they must provide a
stable connection between the outer side pieces 10 or 12 and
because, as a consequence of the fact that the tubular pieces 28,
29 are disposed on only one side of the connectors 2, 3, feed lines
can be introduced in an unobstructed manner.
With the chain link 34 illustrated in FIG. 3, in contrast to the
chain link 1 of FIG. 2, the short projections 22 and the associated
longitudinally slotted tubular pieces 24 are disposed on the upper
edge of the outer side pieces 5, whereas the long projections 21
and the associated unslotted tubular pieces 23 are disposed on the
lower edge of the outer side pieces 5. In this way, the interior of
the feeder chain is accessible from the other side for the
introduction of feed lines.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the chain links 34 are first
preassembled by pressing the unslotted tubular pieces 23 onto the
long projections 21, thereby already providing a stable chain link.
Feed lines can then be introduced through the large free space that
is provided between the short projections 22. Finally, the chain
link 34 is closed by pressing the slotted tubular piece 24 onto the
short projections 22 in the longitudinal direction of the feeder
chain.
FIG. 6 shows a similar chain link 35, the longitudinally slotted
tubular piece 36 of which, in contrast to the longitudinally
slotted tubular piece 24 of the chain link 34, has a longitudinal
slot 37 that occupies approximately one entire flattened outer
side. Via this longitudinal slot 37, the tubular piece 36 can be
easily inserted upon the short projections 22 of the outer side
pieces 5. To remove the tubular pieces 36, the same are provided
with a longitudinal groove 38 into which can be placed the blade of
a screwdriver in order to lift the tubular piece 36 off.
FIGS. 9 to 12 show an alternative embodiment of the inventive guide
or feeder chain, which is provided with chain links 49, the upper
side of the outer side pieces 5 of which are provided with recesses
50 into which a tubular piece 23 can be positively inserted in a
form-locking manner. For this purpose, the recesses 50 .[.are gated
or are.]. .Iadd.have gates 55 which .Iaddend.open toward the top
(.Iadd.upwardly.Iaddend.) and provided with .Iadd.first and second
.Iaddend.undercuts .Iadd.53, 54 .Iaddend.into which the rounded-off
narrow sides of the tubular pieces 23 fit. .Iadd.Each tubular piece
23 has a length between opposing ends thereof and a width between a
first lateral surface 56 and a second lateral surface 57 provided
at both ends of tubular piece 23. When second lateral surface 57 is
positioned in the second undercut 54, first lateral surface 56 is
insertable into the gate 55 via an elastic force-fit when entering
throuqh gate 55 into the first undercut 53. The width of the end of
tubular piece 23 between first and second lateral surfaces 56, 57
is greater than the width of gate 55, whereby engagement between
lateral surfaces 56, 57 and undercuts 53, 54, respectively, retains
tubular piece 23 in recess 50. Lateral surfaces 56, 57 are
rounded-off surfaces forming a shape complementary to the shape of
said first and second undercuts 53, 54, respectively.
In the illustrated embodiment, the ends of tubular piece 23 have a
thickness smaller than the width between the first and second
lateral surfaces 56, 57. Tubular piece 23 in particular has two
oppositely disposed flattened upper and lower surfaces 58, 59,
whereby the distance between flattened surfaces 58, 59 is less than
the distance between rounded-off lateral surfaces 56, 57 so that
the tubular crosspiece 23 has a flattened shape in the lengthwise
direction of the chain. Lateral surfaces 56, 57 and the
corresponding undercuts 53, 54 are each substantially
semi-cylindrical. Tubular piece 23 is symmetrical, that is, first
and second lateral surfaces 56, 57 are symmetrical to each other,
upper and lower surfaces 58, 59 are symmetrical to each other, and
the ends of the crosspiece are correspondingly symmetrical to each
other..Iaddend.
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, tubular piece 23 is insertable into
recess 50 by rotation around a longitudinal axis L when the second
lateral surfaces 57 at each end thereof are positioned in the
second undercuts 54 of the corresponding opposed recesses 50,
whereby the longitudinal axis interconnects centers of curvature
defined by the semi-cylindrical second lateral surface 57. The
assembly and removal of the tubular pieces 23 is best effected with
a tool 51, the opening 52 of which fits onto the profile of the
tubular piece 23. In this embodiment of the feeder chain, the chain
links 49 on one side can be rapidly opened in order to remove
defective feed lines from the chain, or to place new feed lines
therein.
It should be noted that all of the individual parts of the
inventive guide or feeder chains can be made of a suitable plastic,
or of a metal, especially a lightweight metal.
The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the
specific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but also
encompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *