Chain tool

A chain tool includes a body having a driving hole, a stop portion, and a receiving portion located between the driving hole and the stop portion in an axial direction. A pressing member is received in the receiving portion and is movable relative to the body in the axial direction. A push member is in threading connection with the first threaded portion and is movable relative to the body between a first position distant to the stop portion and a second position adjacent to the stop portion. The pressing member is pressed by the push member and moves in an arcuate path when the push member moves between the first and second positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a chain tool and, more particularly, to an arcuate chain tool.

PCT/EP2015/071492 discloses a device for actuating a quick release chain fastener comprising two chain link plates and two chain link plate connection means. The quick release chain fastener is actuatable in that the chain link plate connection means are moved in relation to each other. The device comprises first force exertion means configured to exert a force on the first chain link plate connection means of the quick release chain fastener and second force exertion means configured to exert a force on the second chain link plate connection means of the quick release chain fastener. The first and second force exertion means are translationally moveable in relation to each other so as to actuate the quick release chain fastener by means of this translational movement.

However, the above device can only be used on a quick release chain fastener having an elongated slot extending rectilinearly. There are another type of quick release chain fastener having an arcuate elongated slot. Thus, the operation could not be smooth when the above device is used on the quick release chain fastener having an arcuate elongated slot.

Thus, a need exists for an arcuate chain tool that overcomes the disadvantages of the above conventional device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a chain tool including a body and a push unit. The body includes a receiving portion, a driving hole, and a stop portion. The receiving portion is located between the driving hole and the stop portion in an axial direction of the driving hole. The driving hole includes an end intercommunicating with the receiving portion and a first threaded portion therein. The push unit includes a pressing member and a push member. The pressing member is received in the receiving portion and is movable relative to the body in the axial direction. The push member includes a second threaded portion in threading connection with the first threaded portion. The push member is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the body in the axial direction. The push member presses against the pressing member to push the pressing member to move together with the push member. The pressing member moves in an arcuate path when the push member moves between the first and second positions, wherein the pressing member is in a position distant to the stop portion when the push member is in the first position. The pressing member is in a position adjacent to the stop portion when the push member is in the second position.

In an embodiment, the body further includes a back board. The receiving portion, the driving hole, and the stop portion are on the same side of the back board. The pressing member includes a rocker arm pivotably connected to the back board about a pivotal axis perpendicular to the back board.

In an example, the pivotal axis passes through an end of the rocker arm opposite to the pressing member. A fastener extends through a hole in the end of the rocker arm and is in threading connection with the back board.

In an example, the back board includes a side facing the receiving portion and having a groove. An elastic element is received in the groove and includes a first end attached to the back board and a second end abutting against a side of the pressing member opposite to the push member.

In an example, the elastic element is a substantially V-shaped plate.

In another embodiment, the body further includes a back board. The receiving portion, the driving hole, and the stop portion are on the same side of the back board. The pressing member includes a sliding seat. The sliding seat is slidably disposed on the back board and is movable relative to the body along the arcuate path.

In an example, the back board includes a side facing the receiving portion and having a sliding groove. The sliding seat is disposed in the sliding groove. The sliding groove and the sliding seat are arcuate. The pressing member protrudes beyond the sliding groove.

In an example, the sliding groove includes a positioning protrusion protruding from a wall thereof and receives an elastic element. The sliding seat has a slot. The positioning protrusion and the elastic element are received in the slot. The elastic element includes a first end abutting against the positioning protrusion and a second end abutting against an inner wall of the slot adjacent to the push member.

In an example, a cover is disposed on the body, covers the sliding groove, and is located on a side of the sliding seat opposite to the back board. A fastener extends through the cover and is in threading connection with the positioning protrusion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference toFIGS. 1-4, a chain tool10of a first embodiment according to the present invention includes a body20and a push unit30. The body20has a receiving portion21, a driving hole22, and a stop portion23. The receiving portion21is located between the driving hole22and the stop portion23in an axial direction of the driving hole22. The driving hole22includes an end intercommunicating with the receiving portion21. The driving hole22further has a first threaded portion221therein.

The push unit30includes a pressing member31and a push member32. The pressing member31is received in the receiving portion21and is movable relative to the body20in the axial direction. The push member32includes a second threaded portion321in threading connection with the first threaded portion221. The push member32is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the body20in the axial direction. The push member32presses against the pressing member31to push the pressing member31to move together with the push member32. The pressing member31moves in an arcuate path when the push member32moves between the first and second positions. In this embodiment, the push member32is coupled with a hand tool36extending beyond the other end of the driving hole22. Thus, the hand tool36can be manually rotated to move the push member32between the first and second positions.

The pressing member31is in a position distant to the stop portion23when the push member32is in the first position, as shown inFIG. 6. The pressing member31is in a position adjacent to the stop portion23when the push member32is in the second position, as shown inFIG. 7.

The body20further includes a back board24. The receiving portion21, the driving hole22, and the stop portion23are on the same side of the back board24. The pressing member31includes a rocker arm33pivotably connected to the back board24about a pivotal axis perpendicular to the back board24. The pivotal axis passes through an end of the rocker arm33opposite to the pressing member31. A fastener331extends through a hole in the end of the rocker arm33and is in threading connection with the back board24. Thus, the rocker arm33and the pressing member31pivot about the pivotal axis when the push member32moves between the first and second positions.

The back board24includes a side facing the receiving portion21and having a groove241. An elastic element242is received in the groove241and includes a first end attached to the back board24and a second end abutting against a side of the pressing member31opposite to the push member32. The elastic element242is a substantially V-shaped plate in this embodiment.

The chain tool10can be used on a pair of quick coupling chain links90(also known as quick release chain links) each having an arcuate elongated slot92. Each arcuate elongated slot92has a smaller portion93and a larger portion94. The stop portion23and the pressing member31press against two pins91coupled with the pair of quick coupling chain links90, respectively. When the push member32is moved to the second position shown inFIG. 7, the pressing member31presses against one of the two pins91(the right pin91inFIG. 7), such that the other pin91(the left pin91inFIG. 7) moves from the smaller portion93to the larger portion94of each arcuate elongated slot92, permitting quick release of an end of the pair of quick coupling chain links90from the left pin91.

FIGS. 8-11show a chain tool10of a second embodiment according to the present invention. The second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment except for that the body20aincludes a back board24a. The receiving portion21a, the driving hole22a, and the stop portion23aare on the same side of the back board24a. The pressing member31aincludes a sliding seat34a. The sliding seat34ais slidably disposed on the back board24aand is movable relative to the body20aalong the arcuate path.

The back board24aincludes a side facing the receiving portion21aand having a sliding groove243a. The sliding seat34ais disposed in the sliding groove243a. The sliding groove243aand the sliding seat34aare arcuate. The pressing member31aprotrudes beyond the sliding groove243a. The sliding groove243aincludes a positioning protrusion244aprotruding from a wall thereof and receives an elastic element245a. The sliding seat34ahas a slot341a. The positioning protrusion244aand the elastic element245aare received in the slot341a. The elastic element245aincludes a first end abutting against the positioning protrusion244aand a second end abutting against an inner wall of the slot341aadjacent to the push member32a.

A cover25ais disposed on the body20a, covers the sliding groove243a, and is located on a side of the sliding seat34aopposite to the back board24a. A fastener26aextends through the cover25aand is in threading connection with the positioning protrusion244a.

Operation of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment and, thus, will not be described to avoid redundancy. In view of the foregoing, the chain tool10according to the present invention can be used to rapidly detach the pair of quick coupling chain links90with arcuate elongated slots92from the associated pin91.