Patent ID: 7614709

Claim:
A master link for a chain, comprising: a first half link member; a second half link member; a pin joining the first and second half link members; and a shoe fixedly connected to the first half link member at a first tapered joint and fixedly connected to the second half link member at a second tapered joint, the shoe including a first tapered recess and a second tapered recess within a lower surface of the shoe; the first tapered recess is configured to receive a tapered protrusion of the first half link member at the first tapered joint; the second tapered recess is configured to receive a tapered protrusion of the second half link member at the second tapered joint; and at least one threaded fastener extending from an outer surface of the shoe, through the shoe, and into at least one of the first and second half links; and a threaded nut removably disposed within the at least one of the first and second half links and being configured to receive the at least one threaded fastener.