Patent ID: 7269937

Claim:
A chain shortening device in combination with an associated chain consisting of oblong links having a material thickness d, an outer width w and an outer length 1 which is longer than said outer width w, said chain shortening device comprising: a unitary elongated generally C-shaped body with a mid portion and two free end portions, and first and second slot portions located at the free end portions of the “C”, each of said slot portions including a first and a second pocket-like configuration, respectively, for positioning selected links of said associated chain in a first and a second coupling position, respectively, and each of said first and second slot portions having, adjacent to said pocket-like configuration, a width which is wider than the material thickness d of said chain links but narrower than the outer width w of said chain links, and adjacent to a mid portion of said elongated body, a widened slot portion defining a respective one of two apertures, which are wide enough to permit threading said associated chain through said aperture, so that, upon coupling said associated chain to the shortening device with two selected links located in said first and second coupling positions, respectively, the chain links located between the two selected links will form either a straight chain portion, extending at the side of said mid portion of the elongated, generally C-shaped body, or a longer slack chain portion enabling the effective shortening of said associated chain, wherein said slot portions form parts of a central, single slot extending continuously and longitudinally between said first and second pocket-like configurations, and said central, single slat has a widened mid portion forming a central lead-through opening, which includes said two apertures and which is dimensioned to permit threading through a loop of said associated chain with two parallel strands, whereby the shortening device can be handled as a separate unit and be attached sideways to an existing, associated chain for the purpose of shortening the effective length thereof.