Patent GB-1230596-A (GB)
IPC: F16G13/16
Filed: 1968-06-20
Abstract: 1,230,596. Taking up slack in flexible elements. GEMCO ELECTRIC CO. 20 June, 1968 [26 Sept., 1967], No. 29469/68. Heading B8B. [Also in Divisions E2 and F2] In a chain supporting, guiding and protecting electric, hydraulic, pneumatic and like conductors C between relatively movable machine parts and comprising chain sets connected together in laterally spaced relation by conductor carrying bridges, each chain set comprises a succession of links which are pivoted together at their overlapping end portions, and the angle through which each pair of adjacent links may pivot is limited by the engagement of at least one pin fast with one link of said pair with the end of at least one arcuate slot in the other link of said pair. Additional chain sets intermediate those shown may be provided. A shown, the links are cranked by an amount substantially equal to the link thickness, the links at opposite sides of the chain being of opposite hand. One end of each link has two circular holes 48, 50 and the other end has a circular hole 52 and an arcuate slot 54. Pins 66, 55 respectively act as pivot pins, and stop pins coacting with a corresponding arcuate slot. The slot length may, if so required, vary along the chain. The pins may be headed and provided with washers and snap rings 62, 64, or may be rivets. In Fig. 15 (not shown) the links are flat and are alternately laterally inwardly and outwardly positioned with respect to the chain, thereby avoiding the necessity of handing. In Fig. 18, each link has at both ends outwardly and inwardly positioned arcuate slots and circular holes 164, 166, 168, 170, the links being so connected by pins 174, 175 each engaging a circular hole and an arcuate slot that the pivotal movement angle between the links is doubled for a given slot length. To prevent entry of dirt or metal chips, pin heads 172 or washers 176 are sufficiently large to completely cover the slots. In this embodiment, wherein the chain, being secured between relatively horizontally moving machine elements, comprises relatively moving upper and lower spans rolling around a bend connecting the spans, an upper span support comprises two V-shaped brackets having the ends of arms 144, 146 connected to chain pins 148 on one span and the apices connected to an axle 150 provided with flanged wheels (152), (154) adapted to ride on the opposite span. For large relative movements, fixed rails (141) adjacent the stationary connection of the chain may be provided for the wheels (152), (154) to ride upon. The conductor-carrying bridges 42, as shown, are provided at every third link, and are connected to extra long pin pairs 56a, 66a. In Fig. 16 (not shown), the bridge ends have vertical slots engaging the long pins 56a, 66a so as to be allowed to float with respect to the chain sets. In Figs. 8, 9 (not shown), the chain is supported on tracks (28), (30) by means of rollers (100) mounted on extra long pins 66. As shown, the conductors C are retained on the bridges by U-shaped spring wire clips (82) (Division E2), the ends of which are secured in conductor bracketing slots 80 in the bridges, the holes being staggered in rows for close bracketing. In Figs. 9-11 (not shown), the clips comprise nylon straps having cut and bent-out tabs at each end engageable ratchetwise in slots in the bridges. In Fig. 12 (not shown), the tabs project laterally of the straps. To ensure close strapping, the tabs are pitched differently at opposite ends of the straps.