Patent ID: 7837583

Claim:
A silent chain comprising widthwise rows of link plates interleaved with one another and connected articulably by connecting pins to form an endless loop, at least some of the link plates of the chain having teeth protruding toward the inside of the loop for engagement with sprocket teeth, the chain having an outwardly facing side capable of sliding contact with a chain guide, and the link plates having back surfaces facing toward the outside of the loop, wherein the link plates of the chain comprise first and second sets of link plates, the backs of the plates of the first set protruding toward the outside of the loop farther than the backs of the link plates of the second set, the plates of the first set being arranged in repeating groups, each group extending across the width of the chain, the groups being longitudinally spaced from one another along the length of the chain, adjacent link plates of each said group being in contact with each other, and the plates of each said group being offset longitudinally to form a V-shaped oil guide wall on the outwardly facing side of the chain, the V-shaped guide walls defining V-shaped, oil-retaining recesses on the outwardly facing side of the chain, each said recess having open ends on opposite sides of the chain.