Patent ID: 6173832
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A conveyor chain comprising:a plurality of links;pivot pins connecting said links together so that said links are rotatable relative to one another about mutually orthogonal axes;said chain having gaps, on an inside curvature of the chain and on an outside curvature opening of the chain, in between said links to allow the chain to follow during use a generally curved path in a generally horizontal plane,said gaps on the inside curvature of the chain closing with the gaps on the outside curvature opening,plate means covering said gaps during rotation of said links in and said generally horizontal plane; andan upper surface said plate means being generally co-planar with an upper surface of said links;said chain being divided into units each comprising a said link and a said plate means with, for each unit, a respective core being one of (A) integrally formed with the respective plate means and (B) fastened to the plate means in overlying relationship, said units being connected to one another by said pivot pins, and said pivot pins passing through said cores.