Patent ID: 7878227

Claim:
A debarking chain configured for attachment to a debarking drum, the debarking chain comprising: a plurality of interconnected chain links including two end links and a plurality of intermediate links that interconnect with each other and the respective end links so that each of the end links are interconnected only with a single intermediate link, each chain link being a continuous strand of chain material surrounding and defining a central opening through which the continuous strand of any adjacent, interconnected chain links pass, the plurality of intermediate links including at least one passing link, the passing link being constructed and arranged to permit the passing link to turn with respect to both adjacent chain links in such a manner that allows wear and stress on the passing link created by impact with adjacent or next to adjacent chain links to be distributed about inner and outer perimeters of the passing link; the passing link including a welded loop of material having uniform cross-sectional diameter, the inner perimeter including at least three arcuate sections, each separated from the other by non-arcuate sections, such that the inner perimeter is less than substantially round.