Abstract: A chain device including a sprocket wheel, a buffer ring provided on one side of the sprocket wheel for rotation relative thereto, and a chain meshing therewith. The buffer ring has an outer diameter greater than the inner-diameter dimension of a semicircular-shaped portion of the chain which is in meshing engagement with the sprocket wheel. Thus, when the chain and sprocket wheel are in meshing engagement with each other, the buffer ring is restrained and forced by the inner-diameter part of the semicircular-shaped portion of the chain, so that the ring is deformed into an elliptical shape. Each of the link plates which form the chain includes a depressed portion having a curved shape coinciding, in its radius of curvature, to the maximum radius of curvature of the elliptically-deformed buffer ring. Such curved shape of the depressed portion of the link plate contributes to the improvement of durability of the buffer ring, as well as to reduction of chain noise.

Abstract: A sprocket wheel with a generally equilateral polygonal rim and a plurality of spaced axially aligned teeth extending from at least one side of the rim.

Abstract: A sprocket drive assembly designed for a modular chain link conveyor belt subject to relatively large variations in width due to changing ambient conditions such as large cyclic temperature changes. The assembly includes a drive shaft with a square cross section and a plurality of sprockets mounted on the shaft for rotation thereby. One sprocket is fixed against axial movement to provide for proper belt tracking while the remaining sprockets, the number depending upon the width of the belt and the load carried thereby, are located on opposite sides of the fixed sprocket and are free to move axially to accommodate for changes in belt width.