Ball-and-socket Connection Patents (Class 474/211)
  • Patent number: 6895738
    Abstract: A security chain including a plurality of links interconnected. Each link includes a central member having first and second ends. The central member is formed by a hollow elongated tube with openings at the first and second ends. The hollow elongated tube has a generally circular cross section. First and second connector members are each welded across a separate one of the openings providing a high strength security chain suitable for anti-theft applications. Additional types of security chains are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 6786327
    Abstract: In a conveyor chain coupling structure, a block link A has a connecting rod (2) provided at one of conveying-directional ends thereof to project in the conveying direction and a coupling bore (5) formed at the other conveying-directional end. A pair of toroidal bush bearings (25, 30) is provided and a spherical bush (2) to be fixed to the connecting rod (2) is provided between the pair of toroidal bush bearings (25, 30). The first toroidal bush bearing (25) is fitted slidably on a portion, at the side of the other conveying-directional end, of the spherical bush (20) while the second toroidal bush bearing (30) is fitted at the spherical concave surface (31) thereof slidably on a portion, at the side of the one conveying-directional end, of the spherical bush (20). Owing to this construction, the coupled parts will not rattle, which will thus cause no pulsation or noise but will assure a smooth relative oscillation or reciprocal relative rotation of the block links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Yamakyu Chain Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Ashida, Masanori Fueki, Sumito Sato, Takashi Miya
  • Patent number: 6408888
    Abstract: A modular energy conducting guide chain, which is composed of a plurality of serially arranged and interconnected guide elements. A terminal mounting element is joined at one or both ends of the interconnected guide elements, and a hollow guide section is connected to the terminal mounting element. The guide elements each comprise a generally tubular body which is composed of first and second guide sections which have the configuration of a segment of a sphere, and an intermediate joint section which may be flexible. To couple the adjacent guide elements in the chain, the first spherical guide section of one of the adjacent guide elements is positioned to overlie the second spherical guide section of the other of the adjacent guide elements, so as to permit relative rotation therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Bäumer, Herbert Wehler, Werner Eul
  • Patent number: 5488881
    Abstract: A mechanical transmission mechanism with rolling unit includes an input member, an output member and a transmission medium for transmitting a mechanical input. The input member includes a driving gear which is enveloped in a casing with a peripheral channel that is confined between a partial circumference of the driving gear and an inner face of the casing. The casing has two openings formed on both ends of the peripheral channel and connected respectively and tangentially to a pair of guide channels so as to form a guide path that extends between the input and output members. The transmission medium is a plurality of rolling bodies which are packed in the guide path and which are disposed alternatingly in juxtaposed lines along the guide path. Each of the rolling bodies is in rolling contact with adjacent rolling bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: Hung-Chung Lin
  • Patent number: 5411445
    Abstract: A ball chain for interior decoration, sprocket drive or the like which includes a connecting mechanism in the form of a wire or yarn, a multiplicity of chain balls secured in place at equally spaced intervals along a length of the connecting mechanism, and a coupling interposed between adjacent chain balls. A splicing mechanism provided for splicing the ball chain includes a socket having a cavity dimensioned to receive the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Oda
  • Patent number: 5009630
    Abstract: A chain includes a plurality of identical link elements each including a main body part with a cantilevered connecting part integrally formed at one end thereof. The connecting part includes an enlarged rounded head portion and a narrower neck portion extending between the head portion and the main body part. The main body part has a rounded recess and a narrow slot formed in a first surface thereof. The slot adjoins an end of the recess opposite the connecting element. The slot extends from the recess to adjoin a side surface of the main body. Confining sections extend from the surface of the main body adjacent the slot so as to overlie opposite sides of the recess. The recess, slot and confining sections together define an opening in the first surface which has substantially the same shape as the connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Makoto Kanehira, Takerou Nakagawa, Yasumasa Tsubakimoto, Kouji Tanaka, Toshio Takahashi, Masaaki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 4790797
    Abstract: An elongated link chain includes a plurality of hingedly connected chain links. Each chain link is made of punched out sheet metal defining a first plane, and includes two lateral walls extending in the longitudinal direction of the chain and spaced from one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. At least one transverse web in the first plane rigidly interconnects the lateral walls for holding the walls in position with respect to one another. Each lateral wall includes an arm, and each arm has an end portion constituting a bearing pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Inventor: Kurt Allert
  • Patent number: 4710153
    Abstract: An elongated link chain includes a plurality of hingedly connected chain links. Each of such links includes two lateral walls extending in the longitudinal direction of the chain and spaced from one another transversely of the chain. There are further provided two bearing pins each arranged at one of the end regions of one of the lateral walls in alignment with the respectively other bearing pin. A transverse web rigidly interconnects the lateral walls for holding such walls in position with respect to one another. Each of the lateral walls has a separate bearing hole for the respective associated bearing pin of another identical chain link which is arranged adjacently to the bearing holes of the respective chain link, such separate bearing holes being coaxial with one another and axially spaced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Inventor: Kurt Allert
  • Patent number: 4638906
    Abstract: A gripper conveyor assembly includes a plurality of grippers. A conveyor chain moves the grippers along a track from a pick up station to a receiving station. The conveyor chain has identical links. Any one link can be removed from the chain while all of the other links remain interconnected and enclosed by the track. Each of the links includes a body section with rollers which engage the track to guide movement of the body section along the track. Plug and socket type universal joints interconnect the body sections of the links. An opening having a length corresponding to the length of the body section of a link is provided in the track. When a link is rotated, through approximately 90.degree. at the opening, the plug and socket joints can be disconnected and the rotated link removed from the conveyor chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Harris Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. Winiasz
  • Patent number: 4609365
    Abstract: A universal or ball pivot-link chain is guided in two substantially tubular-shaped guide channels and is deflected or turned between such guide channels by means of a driven chain or sprocket wheel. At its circumference the chain wheel possesses a profiled structure formed by recesses or depressions which substantially correspond to the profile or outer contour of the universal link chain. The guide channels extend to the circumference of the chain wheel and form in conjunction therewith a respective transfer or transition region. At each such transfer region the chain wheel protrudes by an amount, essentially corresponding to the depth of the recesses, into the interior of the related guide channel. At such transfer or transition regions the chain links are guided both by the chain wheel and the guide channels. Consequently, there is ensured for a gentle and jerk-free transfer of the chain links from the chain or sprocket wheel to the guide channels and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Feramatic AG
    Inventor: Jurg Eberle
  • Patent number: 4555014
    Abstract: A conveyor drive and guide chain having links pivotably coupled to each other by a cylindrical socket and trunnion structure, the cylindrical socket being formed by an end member integral with the links and the trunnion being on the end of an offset member integral with another link, the trunnion being engaged in the half cylindrical recess and held in position with a cap clamped over the socket member and having a cylindrical segment surface preventing the trunnion from escaping its pivotal position. For the purpose of longitudinal alignment, the cylindrical socket is provided with a longitudinal ridge engaged in the corresponding longitudinal groove in the surface of the trunnion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Chain Supply Company
    Inventor: James F. Krempa
  • Patent number: 4315751
    Abstract: A positive drive system including a coined drive cable (26) having a plurality of regularly spaced nodules (29) rigidly attached along at least a portion of its length, and one or more positive drive sheaves (20, 22, 23, 24) configured to receive the cable and its nodules to provide a positive, nonslip drive engagement between the drive cable and the sheaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Inventor: Rene A. Conrad