Patent ID: 6883300

Claim:
A chain for suspending an article needing a supply of electricity, and for concealing electrical conductors leading to said article, comprising a series of interlocking links including first and second links that are adjacent and mated to each other, each link having: a) an upper end and a lower end bounding a central opening surrounded by the link, b) an inside surface facing into said central opening, c) two outside surfaces positioned laterally on either side of said inside surface and directed outwardly from said central opening, d) a split in the link providing link ends, e) a tubular passageway through which a conductor can pass through the length of the link, f) an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture for the passage of the conductors, said inlet and outlet apertures being located at opposite ends of each link, both apertures being located on the inside surface of the link, spanning between the side surfaces of each link with at least one of said apertures spanning said split, g) dual tabs extending from the inside surface of each link towards said central opening, positioned adjacent each inlet aperture of said link, one on either side of said split to register with the outlet aperture of the next adjacent link and extend respectively along the sides of the adjacent link to which it is mated, the arrangement of the chain being such that with the chain hanging vertically with the links mated to each other, an outlet aperture at the end of one link is in register with an inlet aperture at the end of the next adjacent link, so that a conductor can pass through the outlet aperture of one link, through the tubular passageway of said one link and through the inlet aperture of the adjacent link substantially without being exposed to view, said tabs serving to hold said link ends together, upon assembly of the chain, by their engagement with the outside sides of the adjacent link.