Abstract:
Device configured for modifying the length of snow chains or guard chains. For this purpose, two recesses are disposed on a shaped disk and are interlinked by a sliding slot. The distance of the adjacent chain links is modified by slipping the chain links through the sliding slot into a different recess.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of application no. PCT/CH2005/000010, filed Jan. 13, 2005, which claims the priority of Swiss application no. 1547/04, filed 21 Sep. 2004, and which application no. PCT/CH2005/000010 claims the priority of Swiss application no. 672/04, filed 16 Apr. 2004, and which application no. PCT/CH2005/000010 claims the priority of Swiss application no. 186/04, filed 7 Feb. 2004, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to an apparatus or device for adjustably connecting two chain links of a closed link chain without the use of tools at varying distances and/or for repairing a broken link chain without the use of tools at varying mutual distances and/or for repairing a broken link chain with a connecting link that can be inserted between two chain links.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Closed chains, chain nets, snow chains, protective tire chains, and other chain systems are not adjustable in terms of length and width (in the case of grid or ladder chains) unless the chain is opened and/or individual chain links are opened in order to remove or add chain links. The same applies for jewelry chains.  
         [0004]     Many variants for connecting the last links in a finite chain by way of a special connecting element are also known in the art. Such a connection becomes necessary most frequently when chains break; for example, breaks on snow chains of motor vehicles or on protective tire chains of utility vehicles operating in stone quarries and similar environments. The problem that emerges when two ends of a broken chain must be connected is the fact that, most of the time, no suitable tools are available on site where the break occurred in order to install a regular chain link that was cut open for that purpose and must be welded closed again after having been inserted. Welding on the wheel is generally not possible because this may cause damage to the tire. Any removal of the chain armor from protective chains is extremely complex and creates, moreover, costs associated with the disruption of operations during the disassembly, repair work, and new installation.  
         [0005]     Accordingly, repair chain links are already known in the prior art that can be connected to the links of the broken chain right on the vehicle. The repair chain links are often comprised of a ring with an overlapping thread that extends over a certain area in the way of a helical line. Chain links of this type can be inserted directly on the wheel into the outermost-lying chain links and then pressed together with the assistance of a strong pair of pliers. Also known are, furthermore, repair links that feature an (open) C-form; the only way to guide them around the neighboring chain links is with a pair of pliers, and then they must be bent in a backward direction. Reconnecting a broken chain without the use of tools is not possible with any of the known prior art repair links. Moreover, the repair links are usually only a short-term solution because, since they must be bendable after installation, they may not be manufactured of a hardened material. At a later time they must be replaced at a repair shop with other durable links. This requires additional expense.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     An object of the invention includes providing a device for shortening, lengthening, and/or repairing a chain link without the use of tools.  
         [0007]     This object is achieved with a device for at least one of adjustably connecting two chain links of a closed link chain without the use of tools at varying mutual distances and for repairing a broken link chain. The device includes a connecting link configured for being inserted between two chain links, the connecting link including a shaped plate. Two cut-outs are arranged on the connecting link at a distance relative to each other, and a slide slot connects the two cut-outs.  
         [0008]     Advantageous configurations of the invention are outlined as set forth below and herein.  
         [0009]     With the inventive connecting link, which is inexpensive to produce, it is possible to reduce or enlarge the distance between two chain links, as well as to connect chain links, which are adjacent to the broken chain link, with each other without any further need for tools. The length or width of the chain can be changed without opening chain links. Moreover, it is unnecessary for tire chains to be taken off the tire.  
         [0010]     In addition, it is possible to insert a replacement part between two chain links of, e.g., protective tire chains for vehicles in stone quarries, because it is possible to manufacture the connecting link of hardened steel.  
         [0011]     The connecting link can be used irrespective of the make of the chain.  
         [0012]     The invention will be explained now in more detail using the illustrated embodiments.  
         [0013]     Relative terms such as up, down, left, and right are for convenience only and are not intended to be limiting. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a plate-shaped connecting link for single strand or double-strand chains;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is the connecting link in accordance with  FIG. 1  with two chain strands of a double-track chain held inside the link at a small distance;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is the connecting link in accordance with  FIG. 1  with two chain strands of a double-track chain held inside the link at a large distance;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a second embodiment of a plate-shaped connecting link;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a view that shows the position in which a chain link can be moved to a different position in the connecting link;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a further embodiment of the connecting link with two independent receptacles;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is the connecting link in accordance with  FIG. 6  with a chain strand of a chain held inside the link at a small distance;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a connecting link in accordance with  FIG. 6  with a chain strand of a chain held inside the link at a large distance;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a further embodiment of a plate-shaped connecting link;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a further advantageous embodiment of the connecting link in accordance with  FIG. 9 , but with an insertion slot, before incorporation in a chain,  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a further embodiment of the connecting link for ladder chains; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 12  is a schematic representation of the chain positions in a connecting link according to  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 13  is a further advantageous embodiment of a two-part connecting link with an insertion slot before incorporation in a chain;  
         [0027]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the two connecting links in accordance with  FIG. 13  in a chain (the chain being depicted schematically);  
         [0028]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the connecting links in accordance with  FIG. 14  and of the chain links threaded therein; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 16  is a further embodiment of the connecting links. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a first embodiment of the invention and shows a connecting link  1  including a shaped plate  3  that has arranged on it, at distance a, two circular cut-outs  5  that are connected to each other by a slide slot  7 . The width s of slot  7  is preferably only slightly larger than the diameter d of the wire of a chain  9  that is to be connected by way of connecting link  1 . The wire can have any cross-section, i.e. round, angular, square, oval. It is preferred that the width of slot  7  is smaller than double the diameter d of the chain wire.  
         [0031]     In the configuration of shaped plate  3  in accordance with  FIG. 4  four smaller cut-outs  5   a  in a heart shape take the place of the two circular cut-outs  5 , and they are connected with each other by a slide slot  7 . Slide slot  7  is not delimited by two parallel side edges  7   a  and  7   b  in this configuration but by two arched edges that approach each other reaching in one place the distance s. Distance s corresponds, in turn, to an amount that is somewhat bigger than diameter d of the wire from which chain links  11  of chain  9  are manufactured.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a graphic depiction that any displacement of a chain link  11  from the bottom-lying cut-out  5  to the top-lying cut-out is not possible from a first position A and not from a position B but only from a preset angular position, which is position C or C′. In positions C, C′ the clear length of the remaining opening in chain link  11  corresponds to the width Y of the bar on connecting link  3 . This prevents individual chain links  11  from inadvertently changing position within connecting link  1  when, while chain  9  is being stored, chain  9  is not taut. The position change is consequently only possible at a preset angle, i.e. of 90 degrees.  
         [0033]     Using  FIGS. 2 and 3  and connecting link  1 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , the function of connecting link  1  in a chain  9  will be explained in more detail. Two chain links  11  respectively of chain link  7  are held in cut-outs  5  inside connecting link  1  according to  FIG. 2 . Chain links  11  can be inserted in cut-out  5  either in an opened state and then welded in place, or shaped plate  3  was slotted before inserting chain links  11  in a closed state at site X and then welded closed, if stability requirements call for it. Chain links  11  in  FIG. 2  are part of a snow chain with two chain strands that lead from connecting link  1  in a V-shape to a bar that connects the two chains  9 , not shown here. Distance b between adjacent chain links  11 , which are to be connected by connecting link  1 , is very small in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0034]     Diameter D of cut-out  5  is bigger than width s of slide slot  7 . Width s of slide slot  7  is, furthermore, smaller than double the diameter d of the wire including chain links  11 .  
         [0035]     If, for example, the chain link identified with reference number  11   a  is moved inside slide slot  7  in an upward direction to top-lying cut-out  5  and then the chain link identified with reference number  11   c  is moved to the bottom-lying cut-out  5 , connecting link  1  will rotate clockwise to the horizontal position as shown in  FIG. 3  with tensile force being applied to chains  9 . The distance between chains  9  connected by way of connecting link  1  is now enlarged to amount a. Distance a is four times as big in the shown example as distance b according to  FIG. 2 . This corresponds approximately to the length of an additional chain link  11 .  
         [0036]     In the configuration of the invention according to  FIG. 16  an obstacle  7   c  is inserted in slide slot  7  with the configuration, for example, of a meander. Slide slot  7  consequently no longer runs in a straight line from the first to the second cut-out  5 ; instead it is now subdivided in five sections, i.e. three sections that run parallel and two sections extending essentially in a perpendicular direction relative to the former. This step (obstacle) safely prevents any of chain links  11  from gliding inadvertently from one cut-out  5  to another cut-out when chain  9  is not in use and, for example, stored in a bag or in a container. Naturally, with this configuration of the invention as well it is possible to provide an insertion slot  21  as explained in more detail below in the context of FIGS.  13  to  15 .  
         [0037]     With a snow chain in the delivery/new state connecting link  1  will be inserted in accordance with  FIG. 3  and can, either when installing the tire for the first time or after a certain amount of wearing down of the tire and of the chain links  1  due to wear and tear, be rotated to the position in accordance with  FIG. 2  in order to get the right chain length.  
         [0038]     The way the configuration of the invention according to  FIG. 4  functions corresponds exactly to the functionality as described in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
         [0039]     FIGS.  6  to  9  represent further configurations of connecting link  1 ; and whereby these are suitable embodiments of connecting links  1  for single-guided chain strands. Their function is demonstrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The respectively last chain link  11  of both chains  9  is pushed in the respective slide slot  7  to the respectively other cut-out  5 . This will modify the mutual distance from smaller amount b to larger amount a. Naturally, with these embodiments (according to  FIGS. 6 and 9 ) it is also possible to connect two chain strands that run toward each other in a V-shape.  
         [0040]     In the configuration according to  FIG. 10  connecting link  1 , the shape of which corresponds to that in  FIG. 9 , is provided with a laterally arranged insertion slot  21 . This slot allows for inserting a chain link  11  in guide slot  7 . The use of this configuration of connecting link  1  will be described below.  
         [0041]     The configuration of the invention according to  FIG. 11  depicts a particularly suitable connecting link  1  for a ladder chain. The configuration of cut-outs  5  and slots  7  corresponds essentially to the way they are configured in  FIG. 9 . In principle, these are two shaped plates  3  that are linked by a central bar  15 . Attached in one piece to bar  15  are from the plane of shaped plate  3  tabs  17  that are bent in an upward and/or downward direction. They are intended to provide better grip to the ladder chain, i.e., the tabs  17  make contact with the surface of the pavement, just like the chains, during the rolling action of the tire.  
         [0042]     To ensure that the chain strands of both chains  9  will always be parallel to each other when changing their length, connecting link  1  is not rotated but instead there is a parallel re-hanging of chain links  11  from an outside-lying position, i.e. from the outer cut-outs  5  through slots  7  into the two inside-lying cut-outs  5   a  that are separated from each other (compare chain  9  shown by perforated lines). During re-hanging the distances a and b in the shown case change by a factor  3 .  
         [0043]     Connecting links  1  represented in  FIGS. 10, 13  and  14  have two functions. They can be used, on the one hand, as elements for adjusting the length of a chain  9 ; but they serve, on the other hand, additionally as repair links that can take the place of a broken chain link. But as repair links they can simultaneously take over the function of a length adjustment link.  
         [0044]     Subsequently, the function and the assembly of connecting links  1  as repair elements will be explained in accordance with  FIGS. 10, 13  and  14 . In the event of a chain break, broken chain link  11  is removed and the two neighboring chain links  11  are first inserted into the one slotted connecting link  1 . After that, the second connecting link  1 , rotated by 180°, is also connected to chain links  11  that were previously threaded into the first connecting link  1 . Now the two connecting links  1  are pushed toward each other until they come to rest against each other. This way the two insertion slots  21 , which are not arranged on top of each other, can be closed off by way of overlapping (compare  FIG. 14 ). The two hung chain links  11  can now withstand loads and are securely attached to each other. Analogously, the use of connecting links  1  as adjustment links allows also for threading and securely connecting the four last chain links  11  of both chains  9  in accordance with  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Welding of the connecting links is not necessary.  
         [0045]     Shaped plate  3  that includes connecting link  1  can be manufactured as a die-stamped part, as a metal injection-molded part or as a welded part. Shaped plate  3  can be a hardened plate or hardened only on the surface.  
         [0000]     Connecting link  1  according to the invention can be used irrespective of the make of the snow chains or protective chains for vehicles in stone quarries. It is not important in this context if the chain is made of round or angular wire.  
         [0046]     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or limits of the claims appended hereto.