Patent ID: 6402137
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: B41F,B65H

Abstract:
A conveyor chain assembly, comprising:a conveyor chain having a length and including: standard chain links and special chain links, both types of which include link pins, the special chain links for connecting the conveyor chain to a component, chain plates articulatedly connecting the link pins to one another, a first series of a plurality of first chain-roller sections disposed along the length of the conveyor chain; and a second series of a plurality of second chain-roller sections disposed along the length of the conveyor chain; each one of said link pins of said special chain links including one of said plurality of said first chain-roller sections and one of said plurality of said second chain-roller sections, said one of said plurality of said first chain-roller sections and said one of said plurality of said second chain-roller sections being rotatable independently from each other; a drive sprocket including a toothed rim having a width; and an inner chain guide including a guide surface with a deflection region having a width, said guide surface including a portion outside of said deflection region having a width, said width of said deflection region being reduced from said width of said portion outside of said deflection region by at least said width of said toothed rim; said portion outside of said deflection region supporting said first series of said plurality of said first chain-roller sections and said second series of said plurality of said second chain-roller sections, said deflection region supporting only one series of chain-roller sections selected from the group consisting of said first series of said plurality of said first chain-roller sections and said second series of said plurality of said second chain-roller sections.