Patent ID: 7404778
Filing Date: 2008-07-29
Classification: F16G

Abstract:
1. A chain comprising a plurality of parallel links articulately connected together in rows along a direction of travel, comprising: a plurality of first links, a plurality of second links, and a plurality of outside links, each of the first links, second links, and outside links having a body, a pair of apertures having an aperture diameter and an aperture inside surface; a plurality of transverse load-bearing elements, each element comprising a pair of projections, each projection extending laterally from the first link body at each first link aperture with an inside projection diameter and an outside projection diameter, wherein the inside projection diameter and the outside projection diameter are used for bearing area; a plurality of cylindrical pins having an outer surface and an outer diameter, passing through the apertures of the outside links, at least one first link bearing the transverse load-bearing elements and at least one second link, and having a bearing area for contact between the outer surface of the pin and the transverse load-bearing elements, such that the outer surface of the pin can move relative to the transverse load-bearing elements and carries load from the transverse load-bearing elements; the links being arranged in rows, alternating between a first row comprising at least one first link and a second row comprising at least one second link and at least one outside link on each edge of the chain; the diameter of the apertures of the second links being larger than the diameter of the apertures of the first links, and having a bearing area for contact between the outer surface of the transverse load-bearing elements and the inner surface of the apertures, such that the outer surface of the transverse load-bearing elements can move relative to the inside surface of the apertures of the second links and carries chain load; the outside diameter of the pins being press-fit into the apertures of the outside links; such that the chain is made up of alternating first rows of first links rigidly affixed to the transverse load-bearing elements and second rows of second links movable on the transverse load-bearing elements and outside links affixed to the pins.