Patent GB-1216093-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to chains for supporting longitudinal flexible elements such as cables or hoses
Inventor: CHADWICK EVERARD HAMILTON
IPC: B66C13/12
Filed: 1967-06-30
Abstract: 1,216,093. Chains. CABLE EQUIPMENTS Ltd. 28 June, 1968 [30 June, 1967], No. 30252/67. Heading F2Q. [Also in Divisions A4, B8 and C6] In a chain supporting and guiding water, lubricant, pneumatic, electric or other service hoses or cables extending between relatively movable members of a grinding or milling machine, extrusion press, overhead or swing jib crane or sugar beet refining plant, hose or cables supports such as 46 are carried by at least one pivoted link chain set in which the ends of alternate links comprising pairs of plates 24 embrace and are pivoted to the ends of links comprising single plates 25 and the angle through which adjacent links may pivot relative to one another is limited by the engagement of pin means 33 fast in the link plates 24 with the ends of arcuate slots 28 in the link plates 25, this disposition of the slots affording protection against swarf and dirt. The slots may allow relative pivoting to one or both sides of the link in-line position. Each link pivot comprises a hardened steel bearing ball 27 received in a bore 26 in a plate 25 and located in cups 31 in a pair of plates 24. Nylon anti. friction discs 35 are interposed between the plates 24, 25. The link ends 29, 34 are arcuate, about the pivot axes, so as not to protrude as the chain bends. As shown, each pin means 33 comprises a rivet 39 provided with tapering projections 41 biting into a steel collar 38. Alternatively, Fig. 5 (not shown), each pin means 33 may comprise a bolt, nut and Belleville washer. Each support 46 comprises two halves bolted together and to a lug 45 fast on every second, every third or every fourth link plate 25. The links may be disposed vertically or horizontally. In Fig. 9, a horizontal arrangement for bringing a lubricant hose to a milling machine saddle member, supports 66 are mounted on a single chain set 53 which is supported on a base-plate 52 by castors 54 fast on alternate single plates 25<SP>1</SP>. Each castor may (Fig. 17, not shown) comprise a main ball (58) received in a spherical recess (56) with the interposition of smaller balls (59). Every single, second or fourth plate 25<SP>1</SP> carries a vertical axis guide roller 64 engaging a base rim 50. The movable end of the chain is fast with a movable arm 74 protruding between a water-protecting eave 78 and a turned-down base rim 75. In Fig. 10 (not shown), a horizontal arrangement for a swinging jib crane, the cables are mounted in a chain (82) having two, upper and lower, chain sets, the lower one being mounted on castors. The chain is wrapped and unwrapped on to and from an annular track (85) of a cylindrical tower (81), the fixed end of the chain being guided on a substantially rectangular base-plate (83) tangential to the track and having longitudinal chain guide rims (97), (98). The tower track has an inner chain guide (88) and may have an outer chain guide if desired. Radial plates (89) welded to the track engage between the castors. In Fig. 14, a horizontal arrangement for a sugar-beet refining plant, beet-spray liquid carrying hoses are mounted on a chain having upper and lower chain sets and mounted on castors. The chain comprises two loops 114, 115, each connected at one end to a plug 113 engaging a socket 112 on a fixed central tower and at the other end to a take-off point 116 fast on a rotating annular carrier 105. The carrier 105 rotates very slowly (e.g. 360‹/7 days), so that after, say, 6 days a workman may unplug the plug 113 move the chain through 360 degrees and re-engage the plug. The plug- and-socket device 113, 112 includes stop valves which are closed when the plug is disengaged. The castors are engaged by pairs of radial plates 124 on the carrier. In unusually heavy installations three or more chain sets may be provided.