Chain Protectors Patents (Class 191/12C)
  • Patent number: 6119836
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide channel with long, parallel side elements, between which an energy transmission chain can be laid in the longitudinal direction, where the guide channel is composed of several side elements arranged with their face ends next to one another in the longitudinal direction of the channel. In order to create a guide channel which is of low weight, has a visual appearance and shape which permits versatile use, emits little noise and at the same time possesses great stability, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that side elements (1) display dimensionally stable hollow sections and connecting elements (2) be provided between the opposite face ends of side elements (1), by means of which the side elements can be fastened to each other and to a substructure. (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Igus Spritzgussteile fur die Industrie GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Blase
  • Patent number: 5649415
    Abstract: Apparatus for carrying one or more power conduits to a movable power consumer includes one or more power supply chains, a carriage between static and dynamic portions of the chain and movable in response to movement of the power consumer via a sheave and cable carriage drive and having rollers positioned in response to movement of the power consumer to support a dynamic portion of a power supply chain when it sags in a chain guide tray as a result of the chain travelling beyond its self-supporting travel distance. The carriage rollers have a radius substantially less that the predetermined bend radius of the chain so that a compact, light-weight, low center-of-gravity carriage is provided for movement in a chain guide tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Kevin I. Pea
  • Patent number: 5445252
    Abstract: A charging cord for supplying electric current to an electric power storing device of an electric vehicle includes an electrical cable having a first end and a second end, the first end being operatively connected to the electric power storing device and the second end being adapted to be connected to an electrical power supply. A housing is provided for supporting the electrical cable along a predetermined length thereof. The housing includes a plurality of section members pivotally connected relative to each other for permitting limited lateral motion in a single plane to maintain the charging cord a predetermined distance above the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Thomas S. McKee, Takeshi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 5411443
    Abstract: A dragchain substitute in the form of a line guiding assembly comprising at least one line receiving channel for receiving at least one line loosely disposed therein. At least one of the channel walls of each line receiving channel is designed in projecting manner and resilient towards the channel interior relative to a channel wall supporting it, such that the line can be urged from outside of the line receiving channel through the resilient channel wall and into the interior of the line receiving channel and is enclosed in the line receiving channel after said resilient channel wall has resiled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventors: Karl Meier, Josef Steff, Karl-Heinz Trieb
  • Patent number: 5343989
    Abstract: A cable carrier that slides upon itself is provided with pad and padless surfaces or a stainless steel strip therealong. The cable carrier may be connected to a fast moving robotic trolley and manipulative arm assembly in a storage library containing automated magnetic tape cartridges or optical disk cartridges or magnetic disk cartridges. The pad and padless surfaces are made of dissimilar materials, such as stainless steel and plastic respectively. When the pad and padless surfaces slide across one another, there is a minimum of wear and galling of the surfaces. Several arrangements are employed to quickly modify existing carriers to obtain the benefits of this invention. One type of discrete pad can be easily mounted to the existing carrier with double-sided tape and another type of discrete pad can be easily mounted to the existing carrier with tabs. Further, both type of pads are configured with curves to make a smooth transition of pad-to-padless surface or pad-to-pad surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Y. Hu, David R. Lyman, D. Kenneth Walston
  • Patent number: 5332865
    Abstract: This invention relates to a line guiding assembly comprising a line guiding trough and a line assembly guided therein which includes a plurality of ribbon cables held within an encapsulant and reinforcement channels. The line assembly forms a loop with a lower length and an upper length. A ribbon material either in a drum or coil is provided that fits inside the loop wherein the coil of ribbon material is between the upper and lower lengths of the line reinforced assembly and extends and retracts in the same direction as the movement of the loop and lengths of the assembly. The ribbon material is different from the material of the line assembly and is preferably stainless steel. A double ended system with two line assemblies operating in a single trough is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore E. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5178247
    Abstract: A raceway for a power chain for a carriage adapted to traverse an apparatus on a preset path. The power chain carries conduits for supplying power or control fluids to the carriage. The raceway allows movement of the power chain along the length of the apparatus but prevents lateral and upward displacement of the chain out of the raceway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Luwa Bahnson, Inc.
    Inventor: Marco Vagaggini
  • Patent number: 4988838
    Abstract: For protecting cables, service lines and the like particularly in longwall face mining, an articulated arrangement is formed from a plurality of interconnected links. Each link has a central web (10) forming the common base for a pair of laterally open channels (16,18) on respective sides. At least some of the links have each channel side (12,14) formed with an inwardly extending bulge (28) which thereby define an entrance (30,32) for the respective channel of less width than the width of the respective channel. The apparatus is substantially formed of a plastics material with the channel sides being resiliently flexible whereby a cable or service line can be inserted into a respective one of the channels (16,18) by deflecting the channel legs apart. After the cable or service line passes through the channel entrance, the channel sides (12,14) regain their original position and prevent the line from moving inadvertently out of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: W. H Dunn & Son Limited
    Inventor: Dennis A. Kirtland
  • Patent number: 4727908
    Abstract: A flexible tube or hose, particularly to carry cables, tubes and the like between a fixed and a removable end position. The tube or hose is of rectangular cross-section, and has separate, ring-shaped links that intermesh at a joint or separating line by means of locking-and-closing elements, arranged to bend only in one direction. The tube links have the joint or separating line on the internal or external side of the bend. The axially parallel portions of the links are connected by interengagement, or by material engagement, e.g. soldering, welding or adhesion. At least every second locking-and-closing element is of such a width that, starting from extended or buckled position of the tube, it blocks the mutual movement of neighboring or adjoining tube links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Witzenmann GmbH Metallschlauch-Fabrik Pforzheim
    Inventor: Walter Forster
  • Patent number: 4702281
    Abstract: A tube-like carrier, for energy and supply lines, comprising a plurality of interlocking link and bracket members that can be angled relative to one another. Inwardly disposed link members are provided with outwardly directed stops, and outwardly disposed bracket members, which interconnect adjacent link members, are provided with inwardly directed stops, with the stops of the link and bracket members interlocking with one another. On the upper and lower sides of the carrier, the link and bracket members leave respective openings that extend in the longitudinal direction of the carrier. Each opening is spanned by a flexible cover strip. To be able to provide a plurality of tube cross-sections, the link members are in the form of pairs of link members, with the link members of a given pair being disposed on opposite sides of the openings. A respective crosspiece is secured to, and disposed between, the two link members of each pair of link members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Moritz
  • Patent number: 4669507
    Abstract: A carrier for energy lines and other supply lines, with the carrier being disposed between a fixed connection and a movable consuming device. The carrier includes a plurality of interlocking tubular link members that can be bent relative to one another. Inwardly disposed parts are provided with outwardly directed stops, and outwardly disposed parts are provided with inwardly directed stops, with these stops effecting the interlocking of the link members. Each of the link members is U-shaped, and is provided on its open side with inwardly directed projections. A flexible cover strip is inserted between the projections, and spans the opening of the link members in a self-supporting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventor: Werner Moritz
  • Patent number: 4600817
    Abstract: A mobile supply station (7) is connected by flexible supply lines (10, 11) to a stationary connection point (1). The flexible supply lines (10, 11) are supported by a guide chain (2), the surplus length of which is taken up and laid down in a loop (21) during the movement of the supply station (7). The curvature of the loop (21) is dictated by a return wheel which rolls freely upon that part of the guide chain (2) connected to the stationary connection point (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: Schubert & Salzer
    Inventor: Willi Hackenberg
  • Patent number: 4462565
    Abstract: This invention relates to a flexible, rolling track assembly (12) that carries and keeps aligned various flexible conductors, as exemplied by electrical, coolant and hydraulic lines, extending between locations (13,14) associated with a machine (15) that is movable along guides or rails whereby the relative spacing between the locations (13,14) is constantly changing by increasing or decreasing as the machine (15) travels along the guides or rails; and more particularly, the invention concerns a structure arrangement (10,11) that functions as a self-erecting support for the track assembly (12) as the portion of the track assembly (12) to which the structure (10,11) is connected rolls upwardly to an elevated position, while vice-versa, the structure arrangement (10,11) functions as a self-retracting track assembly support as the portion of the track assembly (12) to which the structure is connected rolls downwardly to a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: George W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4432519
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cable mounting ladder including a plurality of transverse rungs which interconnect a pair of opposed side flanges or side runners, with the side flanges being severed, or partially severed, so that the ladder can be formed into an arcuate or curved shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Burundy, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Wright
  • Patent number: 4384594
    Abstract: An energy conduit support for an arrangement between a movable load-consumer and a stationary connection, comprising narrow tubular members with outwardly directed abutments and wide tubular members made of two tubular member halves with inwardly directed abutments, which engage behind and can be bent at an angle relative to each other in one direction, a channel being formed by the abutments of the narrow tubular members, the width of the channel determining the radius of curvature. The channel of the narrow tubular members is formed on two opposite side walls of different widths and on the two other side walls conically. The tubular member halves of the wide tubular members are formed alike and turned 180 degrees with respect to each another pushed on the narrow tubular members and connected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp Gesellschaft mit beschraankter Haftung
    Inventor: Werner Moritz
  • Patent number: 4253027
    Abstract: A tomographic scanner for subjecting a planar region of a patient to radiation and producing an image representing the planar region in which at least the source or beam of radiation is moved with a varying speed. In particular, in a traverse and rotate type scanner, a carriage carrying the radiation source and detector(s) is traversed relative to the patient with generally simple harmonic motion. Additionally, vibration is reduced by using a motor, which may include a flywheel, running at substantially constant speed to traverse the carriage. Vibration is further reduced by connecting the motor for rotating the carriage to the carriage through a flexible, e.g. chain, drive. Cable connections to the X-ray tube and other elements carried by the moveable carriage are simplified with a bicycle-chain like flexible cable support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Assignee: Ohio-Nuclear, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel K. Taylor, Joseph W. Erker, Robert L. Carper
  • Patent number: 4228825
    Abstract: A transmission line carrier for the arrangement between a moveable consumer and a stationary connection comprising a row of tubular members which can be angled with respect to one another and engage in one another, including an alternating arrangement of wide tubular members with inwardly directly abutments and narrow tubular members with outwardly directed abutments. Each wide tubular member is shorter in the vicinity of a cross-section half thereof approximately by the width of a channel, which channel is arranged between the abutments of each narrow tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Werner Moritz, Kurt Loos, Friedrich Haschek
  • Patent number: 4129277
    Abstract: The effective movement range of a rolling support such as a flexible chain linkage for electrical conductors and/or fluid conduits is materially increased by the provision of one or more retractable roller supports for the elevated cantilevered section of the rolling support upstream from its lower anchored end. The retractable roller support allows the rolling loop portion of the rolling support to pass through the retractable roller support in either direction. The weight of the rolling support is utilized to bias the retractable roller support toward its active supporting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventor: David M. Tenniswood
  • Patent number: 4114043
    Abstract: An axial tomographic scanner is provided with two separate chain-cable assemblies each carrying a fixed length of the cables leading to the scanner. One assembly includes a cable-incoming end anchored to the vertically arranged frame, the other end being anchored to the indexable rotatable plate. The other assembly also has one end anchored to this plate, the other, cable-outgoing end being anchored on the translatable yoke. Associated with and engaging each assembly is a translatable rotary member, which, when the plate is indexably rotated or the yoke is translated, is itself, respectively translated and serves to take up the slack that would otherwise form in the respective assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Myles Stephen Gansfried
  • Patent number: 4111236
    Abstract: A self-supporting transmission line carrier between a moveable consumer and a stationary connection comprising a row of tubular members of any selected cross-sectional shape which are pivotally connected with one another and engage in one another. The tubular members are angled-off from the extended position only in one direction, in a manner whereby the angling-off of the tubular members is limited relative to one another by means of abutments. Each tubular member on one end has an inwardly rimming, circulatory channel, the outwardly angled-off edge of which forms the inner abutment. Each tubular member is shortened on the other end on one half by the width of the channel and has a circulatory inwardly directed angled-off edge which forms the outer abutment. Two adjacent tubular members engage behind one another with their inner and outer abutments and the maximum angling-off is fixed by the width of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventor: Werner Moritz
  • Patent number: 3994373
    Abstract: A chain arrangement for guiding energy conveying conduits and the like from a fixed point to a horizontally movable consumer in which the movement of the consumer is substantial. The chain consists of links which are pivotally interconnected and which have webs which support the conduits. The chain links abut on one side of the pivots therebetween when the chain is horizontal and on the other side when the chain is flexed. The chain leads horizontally from the fixed point and around a semicircular portion and horizontally back to the consumer which is beneath the fixed point. The arrangement includes support members detachably engageable beneath the straight portion of the chain leading from the fixed point so that the length of the straight reach of the chain extending from the fixed point is never so great that it will sag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1974
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1976
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Kurt Loos, Werner Moritz