Patent ID: 8328670
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: B66F,F16G

Abstract:
1. An engagement chain including a plurality of chain segments, each segment comprising: at least one inner link unit, each inner link unit comprising a pair of right and left hook-shaped inner tooth plates, each having front and rear pin holes, and a pair of front and rear bushes press-fitted into said inner tooth plates, so that the pair of right and left hook shaped inner tooth plates are connected to each other in a longitudinal direction; and hook-shaped outer tooth plates disposed on the outermost sides of the chain in the chain width direction, the outer tooth plates each having front and rear pin holes and being connected to the at least one inner link unit by pairs of front and rear connection pins press fitted into pairs of front and rear pin holes of the hook-shaped outer tooth plates and the front and rear pin holes of the hook-shaped inner tooth plate, wherein the inner tooth plates and outer tooth plates of corresponding segments of the chain oppose to each other when driven by a pair of driving sprockets which engage with the bushes, and become respectively engaged with the inner tooth plates and outer tooth plates of the opposing chain segment in a half pitch-shifted state in a longitudinal direction of the chain so that the corresponding chain segments are integrated with each other, and wherein the inner tooth plates and the outer tooth plates are respectively disengaged from each other and branched by said pair of driving sprockets, and wherein the inner tooth plates and outer tooth plates each include a hook-shaped engagement surface and a curved engagement receiving surface, wherein the hook-shaped engagement surface and curved engagement receiving surface engage or opposing plates engage each other when engaged by the driving sprockets; wherein a series of engagement regions are formed on at least one of the hook-shaped engagement surfaces or curved receiving surfaces, wherein interference avoiding spaces are formed so as to prevent interference between engaged inner tooth plates and between outer tooth plates, the interference avoiding spaces also being formed such that when opposing outer tooth plates engage with each other, there is no contact between a convex shaped portion of the hook-shaped engagement surface and a concave shaped plate proximal side region of the curved engagement receiving surface; and wherein a buckling limiting flat surface is formed on each of the inner tooth plates and outer tooth plates so as to hold a chain engagement position, and wherein the buckling limiting flat surfaces are bulgingly formed so as to elastically deform when adjoining chain segments are brought into surface contact with each other when the adjoining chain segments are integrated with corresponding segments by the driving sprockets.