Patent ID: 7895817
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: F16G

Abstract:
1. A tool-less chain coupling link comprising: a first link body member comprising a first end portion and a second forked end portion having a pair of sections separated by a space, said first end portion having an opening and each section of said second forked end portion having an opening; a second link body member releasably joined to said first link body member, said second link body member having a first end portion and a second forked end portion having a pair of sections separated by a space, said first end portion of said second link body member having an opening and each section of said second forked end portion of said second link body member having an opening; said first end portion of said first link body member being positioned in the space between the sections of the second forked end portion of said second link body member such that the openings in said first end portion of said first link body member are substantially aligned with said openings in said sections of said second forked end portion of said second link body member; said first end portion of said second link body member being positioned in the space between the sections of the second forked end portion of said first link body member such that the openings in said first end portion of said second link body member are substantially aligned with said openings in said sections of said second forked end portion of said first link body member; a first hinge pin removably inserted into the openings of said sections of said second forked end portion of said first link body member and said opening in said first end portion of said second link body member; a first hinge pin keeper member pivotally attached to said first link body member and movably attached to said first hinge pin, said first hinge pin keeper member being pivotal to a first position to withdraw said first hinge pin from said openings in said sections of said second forked end portion of said first link body member and said opening in said first end section of said second link body member and to a second position that retains said first hinge pin within said opening of said first end portion of said second link body member and within said openings in said sections of said second forked end portion of said first link body member; a second hinge pin member removably inserted into the openings of said sections of said second forked end portion of said second link body member and said opening in said first end portion of said first link body member; a second hinge pin keeper member pivotally attached to said second link body member and movably attached to said second hinge pin, said second hinge pin keeper member being pivotal to a first position to withdraw said second hinge pin from said openings in said sections of said second forked end portion of said second link body member and from said opening in said first end section of said first link body member and to a second position that retains said second hinge pin within said opening of said first end portion of said first link body member and within said openings in said sections of said second forked end portion of said second link body member; and wherein when said first and second hinge pin keeper members are both pivoted to said first position, said first and second hinge pins are withdrawn from said openings in said first and second body members to allow said first and second body members to be separated from each other.