IMPROVEMENTS IN CHAIN COMPONENTS

Abstract: A connector link 2 (Fig. 1) for joining together two lengths of chain has two identical portions 4 each, having two legs 8, 10 connected by a crown 6. One leg 8 is bi­ furcated to form jaws 12, 14 with the inner jaw 12 thicker than the outer jaw 14. The other leg 10 fits closely be­ tween the jaws and the two identical portions 4 are se­ cured rigidly together by a closely fitting retaining bar 20 inserted into aligned apertures 16, 18 in the portions. The bar 20 is of elongate, semi-circular ended, cross-­ section and is retained in position by a central collar 22 and pin 24.

Description: DESCRIPTICN "Bmprovements in Chain Ccanponents". This invention relates to chain components and, more particularly, to a connector link for joining together two lengths of chains. According to the present invention there is provided a connector link formed of two identical portions and retaining means, each of the said identical portions consisting of a semi-toroidal crown connecting parallel extending first and second legs of generally rectangular cross-section, the first leg being bifurcated to form parallel jaws and the second leg having dimensions corresponding to the dimension of the gap between the jaws of the first leg, the legs being penetrated by aligned apertures of elongate cross-section such that on placing the identical portions in mating engagement with the respective second leg of one identical portion positioned intermediate the jaws of the first leg of the other identical portion a retaining bar is positionable in the sligned apertures rigidly to connect together the identical portions. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the aco,,panying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a connector link; and Figure 2 is a side elevation of the connector link. As shown, the connector link 2 for joining together two lengths of chain (not shown) includes two identical portions 4. Rhoh identical portion consists of a semitoroidal crown 6 connecting parallel extending first and second legs 8, 10 of generally rectangular crosssection merging to the circular cross-section of the crown. The first leg 8 is bifurcated to form parallel jaws 12, 14, the inner jaw 12 having a greater thickness than the outer jaw 14 whilst the second leg 10 has dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the gap between the jaws of the first leg. The two identical portions 4 are assembled together with the jaws 12, 14 of the first leg 8 of each portion embracing the second leg 10 of the other portion. Aligned apertures 16, 18 of elongate cross-section with semi- circular ends are formed in the respective first and second legs and the identical portions are connected together by means of a closely fitting retaining bar 20 inserted into the aligned apertures. A collar 22 forms a sliding fit around the retaining bar and between the facing faces of the respective inner limbs of the jaws 12 of the first legs 8. A scroll pin 24 positioned in a bore 26 penetrating the collar and retaining bar serves to prevent relative movement between the collar and the retaining bar and, thus, then assembled, between the retaining bar and the first and second legs. The radius of curvature and the cross-sectional radius of the crowns 6 of the connector conform to the corresponding dimensions of the chain links to be connected such that the link and the crown fit snoothly together. fib effect connection between two lengths of chain, the connector is separated into the two identical portions, one of which is inserted into the end link of one length of chain and the other of which is inserted into the end link of the other length of chain. The two identical portions are then brought together, with the respective second legs positioned intermediate the jaws of the second legs, the retaining bar inserted into the aligned apertures with the collar positioned intermediate the inner linbs of the jaws and the scroll pin inserted to locate the collar on the retaining bar.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A connector link formed of two identical portions and retaining means, each of the said identical portions consisting of a semi-toroidal crown connecting parallel extending first and second legs of generally rectangular cross-section, the first leg being bifurcated to form parallel jaws and the second leg having dimensions corresponding to the dimension of the gap between the jaws of the first leg, the legs being penetrated by aligned apertures of elongate cross-section such that on placing the identical portions in mating engagement with the respective second leg of one identical portion positioned intermediate the jaws of the first leg of the other identical portion a retaining bar is positionable in the aligned apertures rigidly to connect together the identical portions. 2. A connector link as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that a slidable collar is provided on the retaining bar intermediate adjacent faces of the jaws of the respective first legs and a retaining pin locates the retaining bar in the collar. 3. A connector link as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the elongate cross section of the aperture is formed with semi-circular ends. 4. A connector link as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the inner jaw of the parallel jaws has a greater thickness than the outer jaw.

Inventors: MILLINGTON, MICHAEL JOHN
Applicants: PARSONS CONTROLS LIMITED
Application year: 1982
Main classification: F16G15
IPC codes: F16G15