Belt Formed Of Rigid Links Patents (Class 474/206)
  • Patent number: 7789782
    Abstract: In a silent chain comprising interleaved and relatively pivotable rows of link plates, protrusions formed in the link plates contact relatively pivotable link plates in adjacent rows so that the area of contact is reduced. The protrusions can be annular, or they can be in the form of arcs that are of a size and position such that the arcuate protrusions of each plate do not interfere with the arcuate protrusions of an adjacent plate as the chain bends during use. The plates can have rectangular protrusions, or arcuate protrusions each consisting of an arc-shaped collection of dot-shaped protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Minoru Komada, Hitoshi Ohara, Takayuki Morimoto, Yoshinori Iwasaki, Syuuji Hamaguchi, Shouhei Adachi
  • Patent number: 7785220
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a power operated lift-gate that is opened and closed by two drive units. The typical drive unit has a guide channel, an attachment assembly that is disposed in the guide channel, a flexible drive member that is attached to the attachment assembly and formed in a loop for moving the attachment assembly in the guide channel. The flexible drive member is trained solely around two pulleys at the respective opposite ends of the guide channel to form the flexible drive member in a narrow loop. One of the pulleys is an idler pulley that is part of an adjustable pulley assembly and the other pulley is driven by a power unit that is attached to the guide channel. The adjustable pulley assembly adjusts the distance between the pulleys to take up slack in the flexible drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Ciavaglia, Lloyd W. Rogers, Jr., Howard W. Kuhlman, Brian N. Orr, Eric R. Hansen, John R. Rice, Joseph M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100184547
    Abstract: A debris ejecting sprocket comprising a body (100), a plurality of teeth (101) projecting from the body, a plurality of grooves (102) in alternating arrangement with the teeth, each groove receives a belt tooth, a cavity (103) disposed radially inward from each groove and communicating with the groove, the cavity further comprises a land (111) for supporting the belt, the land disposed between the groove and the cavity, and the cavity comprising a surface (104) disposed at an angle (?) with respect to an axial direction (A-A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Arthur Jack Clarke
  • Publication number: 20100154405
    Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and system for a buoyancy engine is presented. In an exemplary embodiment, the buoyancy engine includes a divider to separate a liquid environment from a gas environment, and a reservoir aperture in the divider. A rotating element, approximately opposite the reservoir aperture, provides tension to, and helps rotate, a segmented chain. The segmented chain is configured to form a solid inner surface when transitioning between the liquid and gas environments, but separate during vertical travel. As the segmented chain travels between the liquid and gas environments, a rotary motion is created which can be captured as electrical or mechanical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Joshua W. Frank
  • Publication number: 20100137088
    Abstract: The invention provides a transmission chain including inner plates, bushings, outer plates, and a cylindrical hollow pin capable of supplying lubricant oil on a outer circumference of the pin across the whole area of the longitudinal direction of the pin when a chain is in operation, even when the chain is tensioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Seigo Ohsawa, Arimasa Kaga
  • Patent number: 7722492
    Abstract: A closing link for a bicycle chain that includes a first outer link plate having a first elongated hole and a first chain pin extending therefrom and a second outer link plate having a second elongated hole and a second chain pin extending therefrom. The first chain pin is received in the second elongated hole and the second chain pin is received in the first elongated hole Each chain pin has a head at one end, a foot at the other end and a groove therebetween. Each elongated hole has a larger diameter end, a smaller diameter end and a displacement region therebetween. The larger diameter end has a diameter larger than a diameter of the pin head. The smaller diameter end receives the groove of the chain pin and includes a countersink to receive the pin head. The displacement region includes sides having recessed and unrecessed portions. The recessed portions have a smaller depth than a depth of the countersink at least in the region of the countersink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Pedro Santos
  • Publication number: 20100120567
    Abstract: There is provided a wear-resistant chain having a high durability even in severe use environments such as those of a timing chain of an engine even though it is highly efficient and productive. A miniaturizing agent containing silicon is doped in a vanadium cementation process of a base material of steel. Vanadium carbide forming a surface-hardened layer contains a secondary phase composed of an amorphous structure containing silicon within crystal grains and a crystal grain size of the vanadium carbide is miniaturized to 1 ?m or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshio Okumura, Mitsuru Yasuta, Yukihiro Kishi
  • Patent number: 7695074
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to braking systems for all-terrain vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to hand and foot actuated braking control systems for all-terrain vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Polaris Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Pongo
  • Patent number: 7674199
    Abstract: Projectile ramming apparatus includes a rammer pawl for engaging the base of a projectile with a rigidizable chain attached to the rammer pawl for providing reciprocating movement thereto. The rigidizable chaining includes a plurality of rows of links having adjacent links pivotally attached to one another. A perimeter of each link enables fixed engagement of adjacent links on each row upon coordinated pivoting of adjacent links in each row and, further, for enabling release of the fixed engagement upon reverse coordinated pivoting of adjacent links. A drive is provided for reciprocally moving the chain and for pivoting adjacent links in order to rigidize the chain as the chain is moved in a forward direction; and unlocking, or unrigidizing, adjacent links as the chain is moved in a reverse direction. The chain is moved at a generally constant velocity enabled by the link perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Meggitt Defense Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Golden, Joshua Hearn
  • Publication number: 20100035713
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a power transmission chain in which noises and vibrations are further reduced by modifying a shape of a rolling contact face and an offset amount of a pin which would affect a contact shape of an end face of the pin, and a power transmission device provided with the same. A pin 14 of which a rolling contact face 14a is formed as an involute curve includes two types having different radiuses Rb of the involute curve, and two types of offset amounts are set with respect to a shape of an end face of the pin to be contacted with a conical face of a pulley. Combination of larger and smaller radiuses Rb of the involute curve and larger and smaller offset amounts with respect to the pin 14 is limited to either of three combinations, namely, the larger Rb—the larger offset, the larger Rb—the smaller offset, and the smaller Rb—the smaller offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Miura, Teruko Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7658690
    Abstract: A plate link chain for a motor vehicle drive system. A number of link plates are hingedly connected by pairs of rocker members that extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the chain. Curved contact surfaces are located on each of the rocker members and link plates, along which contact surfaces the rocker members and link plates contact each other to transmit power. The rocker members also include curved pitch surfaces along which rocker member pairs roll against each other to transmit power. The rocker members are shaped asymmetrically in the height direction and about a cross section plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the chain. Contact surfaces are provided on each of the upper and lower contact surface areas in the height direction of the rocker members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Michael Pichura, Martin Vornehm, Anton Simonov
  • Publication number: 20100029426
    Abstract: Mechanical connection for toothed belts, of the type that are used to be able to open and close a toothed belt that is equipped with reinforcing cables, essentially characterized by the fact that the connection is composed of a preferably metal hinge (1) that pivots around a shaft (2) and that at its ends has edges (3) to which the ends of the reinforcing cables (4) are attached, whereby the hinge (1) is integrated into the body of the toothed belt (6), such that the shaft (2) of the hinge coincides with the center of a tooth (7), which has a line cutting along the point where the hinge (8) and the attachment edges (3) of the cables (4) connect to the adjacent teeth (9 and 10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: TPT MECTROL, S.L.
    Inventor: Antonio PONS SANCHEZ
  • Patent number: 7641578
    Abstract: There is provided a double-face driving silent chain wherein the size of each inner link plate of an exterior driving link train to a back face thereof is set to be equal to or greater than the size of each link plate of an interior driving link train. Thereby, inner side planes of the back face of the inner link plate abut against the both side planes of an interior driving sprocket and guide and prevent the silent chain from engaging with the sprocket in twist. All the link plates, other than the inner link plates of the exterior driving link train, have the same shape when seen from the side and the outermost link plate of the interior driving link train is thin as compared to the other link plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Daido Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Matsui, Masahiro Nagae
  • Publication number: 20090275435
    Abstract: The present invention provides a link chain superior in low temperature toughness comprised of low carbon steel, said link chain characterized in that two-stage high frequency quenching-tempering is performed to give a link chain which has a martensite single phase structure, has an austenite grain size of 9 to 12, further contains in said structure a precipitate comprised of 40 nm or smaller TiC in 90% or more and 80 nm or smaller Ti(C,N) in 10% or less, contains AlN in not more than 0.0003%, and has a ?40° C. Charpy impact value of at least 45 J.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: KITO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoya Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20090247339
    Abstract: A link plate for a bicycle chain comprises a plate having a first end and a second end. The first end includes an installation hole and an elongated opening. The installation hole includes a first aperture and a second aperture connected to the first aperture. A peak portion is defined between the first aperture and the second aperture to prevent movement of a pin from the second aperture to the first aperture easily. The elongated opening is connected to the first aperture to expand the installation hole slightly as the pin moves from the first aperture to the second aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: TIEN HSIN INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHIH-CHUNG CHIN
  • Patent number: 7585239
    Abstract: A transmission chain for a transmission having a drive sprocket and a driven sprocket with chain guides between the sprockets, at least one of the guides having a curved surface on which one of the runs of the chain slides in its travel between the sprockets. The chain has inner and outer link plates which respectively mount bushings and connecting pins which pass through the bushings with a clearance. The link plates have sliding surfaces which slide on the guide. The transmission chain has a chain pitch defined as P1, and the maximum clearance formed between the connecting pins and the bushings is defined as C. The sliding surfaces are curved like the guide and the curved surfaces of one of the outer and inner link plates, has a curve width X, and the curved surface of the other of the inner and outer link plates, has a curve width Y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Toshihiko Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 7572200
    Abstract: A chain drive system includes a drive sprocket, a driven sprocket and a chain looped over the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket. The chain and the sprocket having respective sliding surfaces slidable relative to each other in the presence of lubricating oil, and any adjacent chain components of the chain having respective sliding surfaces slidable relative to each other in the presence of lubricating oil. At least one of the sliding surfaces between the chain and the sprocket and at least one of the sliding surfaces between any adjacent chain components have hard carbon coatings formed on base portions thereof. Each of the hard carbon coatings has a hydrogen content of 10 atomic % or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Murata, Takuya Hirata, Makoto Kano, Yutaka Mabuchi, Takahiro Hamada, Masashi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7568334
    Abstract: A pin is relatively rotatably fitted into a pin hole formed in an outer link plate of a chain. A plurality of helical grooves are formed on an outer circumferential surface of the pin. A pitch P between adjacent helical grooves in the axial direction is equal to or less than a width in the axial direction of the pin hole of the outer link plate. At least one helical groove is arranged to oppose an arbitrary generatrix on an inner circumferential surface of the pin hole. Also, when a radius of the pin is R and a relative rotation angle with the mating member is ?, a pitch P? in the circumferential direction between adjacent helical grooves is R? or less. Thus, at least one helical groove is arranged to always pass each position in a sliding range between the pin and the pin hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Fujiwara, Morinobu Kawamura
  • Patent number: 7568988
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention described herein includes a method and apparatus for providing a seal between at least the outer sidebar and pin bushing of a chain link assembly. The apparatus includes a seal having an outer collar and an inner resilient ring, the outer collar preferably having a mating ridge and the resilient ring being molded onto the collar. This seal also includes outer ribs for providing a sealed contact against the outer sidebar, and may include inner ribs. The seal is part of a chain link assembly positioned between the outer and inner sidebars and surrounding a pin bushing end. A fluid (e.g., grease) may be advantageously placed between the ribs, lubricating the rib—sidebar interface and thereby reducing wear of the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Jeffrey Chain Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis L. Moore
  • Patent number: 7563188
    Abstract: A conveyor chain comprising a number of chain links mutually connected in the chain longitudinal direction, each chain link having a plurality of hinge parts comprising laterally-spaced hinge parts in the form of finger members protruding in laterally-spaced relation from a front edge and a rear edge as an integrally molded unit; and a ball unit holding a ball which is free to be rotated while being exposed to both sides of the chain link, the ball unit being detachably installed in a U-shaped mounting region open at one end between the hinge parts and closed at the other end. The finger members of each link are interdigitated with the finger members of the adjacent links, and are retained by a hinge pin. Removal of the ball unit is facilitated by a tool-inserting slot at the other end of the U-shaped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Hajime Ozaki, Katsutoshi Shibayama, Yoshihiro Murakami
  • Patent number: 7546725
    Abstract: Link plates of a silent chain are produced by first shaving the inner surfaces of the connecting pin holes, the sprocket tooth-engaging surfaces, and the backs of the link plates, and then forming dimples on those surfaces by shot-peening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Shimaya, Kenichi Nagao, Toshitaka Ogo
  • Publication number: 20090124444
    Abstract: A push-pull chain (1) that can bend in one direction only, and is provided with at least two rollers (12,13) on each of the driving pins, one of the rollers (12) engages a drive sprocket (29) and the other of said at least two rollers (13) engages a chain guide surface (28). An actuator (20) for e.g. opening and closing a window that uses this dual-roller push-pull chain. A link (105) driven push-pull chain (101) that can bend in one direction only, with links (105) that is shaped as an engagement surface for engaging a drive sprocket (129). An actuator (120) for e.g. opening and closing a window that uses the link driven push-pull chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: VKR HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Jens Joerren Soerensen
  • Publication number: 20090029816
    Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of successive belt elements (2), each belt element (2) comprising at least one transverse rod (4) and two opposing side members (3) connected to each other by the at least one transverse rod (4), and a link (6) forming a joint intermediate the lateral edges (7a, 7b) of the conveyor belt between the adjoining transverse rods (4) of each pair of adjoining belt elements (2). Each link (6) comprises a plate (11) in which two successive rod receiving holes (12) are formed, wherein the rod receiving holes (12) have an offset (O) towards a first side (13) of said plate (11) and wherein a recess (16) is formed in said first side (13) of the plate (11), between said rod receiving holes (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: FMC FOODTECH AB
    Inventors: Goran Gramby, Urban Wilthorn
  • Patent number: 7476170
    Abstract: In a double-sided silent chain, the backs of the outermost link plates, which have their teeth protruding in one direction, are higher than the backs of the inner link plates, which have their teeth protruding in the opposite direction. The backs of the outer link plates adjacent the outermost link plates may also be higher than the backs of the inner link plates, and are preferably equal to the heights of the backs of the outermost link plates. The outermost link plates and their adjacent outer link plates are preferably of the outer tooth contact/outer tooth seating type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Toshitaka Ogo, Toshifumi Sato
  • Publication number: 20080287235
    Abstract: Taper portions diameters of which are increased in outer directions in longitudinal directions of a pin and an interpiece are formed at inner peripheral faces of a pin fixing portion and an interpiece fixing portion of links at least on outermost sides in the links arranged in a width direction of a chain such that deformations of the pin and the interpiece in being operated with a load become bending deformations in a direction in which the link is not drawn from the pin and the interpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Miura
  • Patent number: 7452295
    Abstract: A silent chain includes a plurality of inside links each having a pair of teeth and pin apertures and connected to each other by connecting pins inserted into the pin apertures. At least three adjacent connecting pins have a wire extending substantially along the length of a chain. The wire is engaged with the connecting pins in such a way that bending resistance due to elastic deformation of the wire is applied to the chain during articulation of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: BorgWarner Morse TEC Japan K.K.
    Inventor: Kouji Morishige
  • Publication number: 20080280716
    Abstract: In a roller chain or a rollerless bushing chain, the surfaces of the pins of the chain are covered with a chromium carbide layer or a vanadium carbide layer, the bushings are formed by cold forging, and the surface roughness of the pins is smaller than the surface roughness of the bushings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Toshihiko Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 7442139
    Abstract: In a slat conveyor, slats for supporting conveyed articles and personnel extend between two side-by-side, spaced, endless roller chains engaged with driving sprockets at one end of the conveying path and driven sprockets at the other end. At a location radially outward from the pitch circle, the distance between the front surface of the sprocket teeth to the tooth center line is at least as great as the distance from the centerline to the front surface at the pitch circle. The tooth faces merge smoothly with the tooth gap bottom, and the root diameter is smaller than the root diameter according to ISO standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Aizoh Kubo, Hiroki Ishida, Masatoshi Sonoda
  • Patent number: 7437870
    Abstract: A chain link plate includes an elliptical plate body having opposite first and second surfaces, and two mounting holes spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the plate body and extending from the first surface to the second surface. The plate body has a central longitudinal line that passes through centers of the mounting holes, and two transverse lines that pass respectively through the centers of the mounting holes and that are perpendicular to the central longitudinal line. The plate body has an intermediate juncture portion defined between the transverse lines, and opposite end portions integrally and respectively connected to opposite ends of the intermediate juncture portion. The intermediate juncture portion has a largest width greater than that of each of the end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: KMC Chain Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel Wu
  • Publication number: 20080242462
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a side bow conveyor chain whose respective chain links are interconnected by a chain hinge which is adapted to be pivoted about a first and a second axis, said chain hinge comprising a pivot bolt which is arranged along said first axis, a pivot pin which is arranged along said second axis and through which the pivot bolt extends, and a reception sleeve, which extends along the second axis and in which the pivot pin is pivotable relative to the reception sleeve about said second axis. The reception sleeve is provided with lateral pivot openings which allow the pivot bolt to pass through.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Flexon GmbH
    Inventors: Frank MITZSCHKE, Wolfgang JANZEN, Jens Sumpf, Sven Eichhorn, Klaus Nendel
  • Publication number: 20080230284
    Abstract: A wheel driven utility vehicle includes a frame and two small volume high speed alternating current electric motors arranged side by side for driving the vehicle. Alternatively high speed direct current, hydraulic or pneumatic direct current motors may be used with suitable controls. Each motor has an output shaft which drives an offset planetary gear reducer. Each offset planetary gear reducer is affixed to the electric motor and includes an output carrier interconnected with an output shaft. Each output shaft includes first and second chain drive sprockets which drive chains interconnected with shafts driving the front and rear wheels respectively. Each offset planetary gear reducer enables use of space saving high speed relatively low-torque alternating current electric motors with attendant large speed reductions. Gear reduction enables the production of sufficient torque at the wheels of the vehicle. Applications in addition to utility vehicles are also specifically contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: BENJAMIN WARREN SCHOON
  • Patent number: 7427251
    Abstract: A roller chain for bicycles having outer and inner chain links. The outer and inner chain links have outer and inner link plates, respectively. The chain links are joined by tubular pins. The chain links have holes for receiving the tubular pins. The holes have an outward-opening conical contour for receiving a deformed head of the pin. The roller chain is assembled into a working unit by using a closing link to join two inner chain links. The closing link can be assembled and dismantled without plastic deformation or press-fitting forces on the closing link. The configuration of the hole contour and deformed heads allows the outer link plates to enter into a connection with the pins such that a slight movement of the pin in its seat in the hole in the outer link plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Reiter, Pedro Santos
  • Publication number: 20080214343
    Abstract: A chain link for a conveyor chain included in a sup-porting installation, comprising an upper flange (17) and a lower flange (18), a first connecting element (21) and a second connecting element (22). The first and second connecting elements (21, 22) are arranged so that the chain link is laterally pivotable relative to a second and a third chain link. The connecting elements (21, 22) are arranged at a distance (D) from each other in a lon-gitudinal direction (P1) along which the chain link and also the second and the third chain link are arranged, the lower flange being connected to the upper flange and arranged at a distance therefrom seen in a direction per-pendicular to both the longitudinal direction (P1) and a transverse direction (P2) of the chain link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: FMC FOODTECH AB
    Inventors: Jonas Assarsson, Thomas Carlsson, Gosta Johansson, Urban Wilthorn, Owen E. Morey
  • Publication number: 20080176692
    Abstract: A belt-driven transmission having an endless torque-transmitting member that is operatively connected with two power transmitting elements. The transmission includes at least one guide rail assembly that engages the endless torque-transmitting member with free play and that has an outer guide rail and an inner guide rail so that the endless torque-transmitting member runs within a guide rail channel defined by the outer and inner guide rails of the guide rail assembly. The endless torque-transmitting member includes one surface that is at least partially provided with outwardly-extending tabs and another, tab-free surface. The guide rail assembly is pressed against the endless torque-transmitting member on the tab-free surface to limit vibratory amplitude of the endless torque-transmitting member during operation of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Andre Teubert
  • Publication number: 20080125262
    Abstract: The pins of a roller chain or rollerless bushing chain for an automobile engine are subjected to chromizing treatment that forms a two part outer layer having a thick inner section composed primarily of Cr7C3 and a thinner, outermost, layer composed primarily of Cr23C6. The outer layer has convex protrusions and concave recesses. The protrusions are partially removed by barrel polishing to a level such that the depth of each recess is sufficient, but not substantially greater than necessary, for an inclusion received therein to be substantially entirely below the outer surface of the pin, thereby making the surface pressure exerted by portions of the pin on a surrounding bushing substantially as small as possible without exposure of inclusions beyond the outer surface of the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Shota Miyanaga
  • Publication number: 20080119312
    Abstract: An outer chain plate is configured to aid in downshifting such that a chain moves more smoothly from an outer chain ring (sprocket) to an inner chain ring (sprocket) with either no downshifting recess being provided on the outer chain ring or at least a shallower than normal downshifting recess being provided on the outer chain ring. At least a bottom part of the outer chain plate that faces a center axis of a sprocket when in use has a portion removed to minimize contact with outer chain ring when downshifting. Preferably, the bottom part of the outer chain plate has a chamfered outer edge portion along a cutout portion that defines a reduced area portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toshinari Oishi, Yusuke Nishimoto
  • Publication number: 20080096709
    Abstract: A chain transmission comprises a composite chain having a set of sprocket-engaging rollers disposed between sets of link plates having sprocket-engaging teeth, and a sprocket having three sets of sprocket teeth. As the chain approaches the sprocket, a rear flank of a link plate tooth first comes into contact with a sprocket tooth, and slides thereon. However, as the rollers become seated, the flanks of the link plate teeth become separated from the sprocket teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Junya Kurohata
  • Publication number: 20080070732
    Abstract: An extension from an element of a first chain contacts a second chain in a phased chain system such that the extension reduces resonance of the second chain. Preferably, an extension from an element of the second chain contacts the first chain to reduce resonance in the first chain. The extension snubs the motion of the mating chain to inhibit resonance. The extensions are preferably integral with their respective elements. In one embodiment, the extension extends from a guide link plate. In another embodiment, the extension extends from an inverted tooth link plate. In yet another embodiment, the extension extends from a pin. In a preferred embodiment, the extension extends at an angle to provide a slight preload with the adjacent chain. The elements having extensions are preferably randomly located along the chains. The first chain and the second chain are preferably inverted tooth chains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Ledvina
  • Patent number: 7325391
    Abstract: A bicycle chain has an outer link with two outer link plates, an inner link formed with two inner link plates and a link pin connecting adjacent ones of the together. The link plates are configured to aid in smoothly shifting a chain moves between sprockets. The outer link plates have the outer link peripheral edges that are shaped differently. One of the outer link plates has an exteriorly facing surface with a first chamfered outer edge portion extending along a section of its outer link peripheral edge at a first end portion and a first reduced area part having a reduced radial dimension with respect to a radial dimension of the first end portion lying along a longitudinal axis. The inner link plates have center connecting portions with different minimum widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toshinari Oishi, Yusuke Nishimoto, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Publication number: 20080026896
    Abstract: The invention is a chain unit comprising first and second link units, a unitary outer plate, and first and second pins. Each link unit comprises two inner plates with two rollers positioned therebetween. The outer plate straddles and is secured to the link units. Outer plate comprises two walls and a bridge positioned therebetween that spans the tooth engaging space between link units. The unitary construction of the outer plate provides a structural integrity that prevents the plates from separating when the chain is exposed to force. A plurality of chain units can be linked together to form a chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Sean Curran
  • Publication number: 20080015072
    Abstract: Connecting pins in a roller chain are chromized by a diffusion penetration treatment, that results in inner and outer chromium carbide layers on the steel base material. The inner layer contains Cr7C3, and the outermost layer, which is thinner than the inner layer, contains Cr23C6. The surface roughness of the outer layer is reduced by barrel polishing, without removal of all of the Cr23C6-containing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nagao, Takashi Tohara, Toshihiko Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 7297082
    Abstract: A flexible drive member attachment is connected to a flexible drive member by a yoke having side walls connected by a bridge wall that has a stud connecting the attachment to a driven member. A coupler is disposed between the side walls and attached to the bridge wall. The coupler has teeth that extend through respective windows of the flexible drive member. An outer shoe engages each side wall of the yoke. Each outer shoe has a forward flange engaging the bridge wall and a rearward flange that extends through a rearward slot of the associated side wall. Each rearward flange has fingers that extend behind the flexible drive member and through spaces between adjacent teeth of the coupler and into sockets of the other shoe. The flexible drive member may be a drive chain or a drive belt having spaced windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Rice, Michael A. Ciavaglia, Joseph M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20070249449
    Abstract: A chain plate includes a plate body and a first wing. The plate body has a first side surface adapted to face an abutment plate, a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, and an annular peripheral surface interconnecting outer peripheries of the first and second side surfaces and having first and second ends opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction. The first wing extends integrally from the first end of the peripheral surface in the longitudinal direction, and has a first side surface facing the abutment plate. The distance between the first side surface of the first wing and the abutment plate is smaller than that between the first side surface of the plate body and the abutment plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventor: Daniel Wu
  • Publication number: 20070249448
    Abstract: A link plate includes inner and outer side surfaces, and an inner surrounding surface defining a retaining hole engaging a retaining end portion of a link pin. The inner surrounding surface has a mounting portion disposed about a first central point, and a positioning portion disposed about a second central point and having two ends spaced apart from each other by a distance smaller than the diameter of the retaining end portion. A flange extends from the positioning portion, is adjacent to the inner side surface and distal from the outer side surface, and permits a shoulder of the link pin to abut thereagainst. Two bridging surface portions are disposed between the mounting portion and the positioning portion to define a passage allowing movement of the retaining end portion between the mounting portion and the positioning portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventor: Daniel Wu
  • Patent number: 7244206
    Abstract: In a roller chain transmission, the diameter D of the rollers, the outer diameter d of the pins and height H of the inner plates satisfy the relationships 0.72P?D?0.79P, 0.40P?d?0.44P, and 0.96P?H, with respect to the chain pitch P. The sprocket teeth are asymmetric in that the chain entering side and the chain leaving side differ, and the radius R1 of an arc of the tooth gap bottom, the radius R2 of the chain entering side tooth flank and the radius R3 of the chain entering side tooth head portion satisfy the relationships 0.505D?R1?0.505D+0.069D, P?(0.505D+0.069D)?R2?P?0.505D, and 0.08?R3?0.13P. The transmission chain exhibits improved endurance and quietness, smooth operation, and resistance to elongation due to wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Isamu Okabe, Tomotaka Koga
  • Publication number: 20070155563
    Abstract: An oil-free chain that includes excellent lubricating properties, and satisfactorily maintains the lubricating properties even in high temperature atmosphere and dust particle atmosphere so that a stable lubrication effect can be maintained for a long period of time. The chain is a bush chain having a pair of inner plates into which the opposite ends of a bush are fitted, and a pair of outer plates which mount the opposite ends of a pair of pins. The pins are rotatably fit-inserted into the bushes of adjoining outer link plates. The inner and outer plates are connected in alternation to form the roller chain in which a roller is rotatably mounted on the outer surface of each bush. A sliding member formed of a 100% graphite sheet is provided between the bush and the pin and/or between the bush and the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventor: Toshihiko Aoki
  • Patent number: 7231759
    Abstract: A chain 1 with individual links 2, 3, inserted one into the other, of which at least every second link is formed as a flat link 3. When the flat link 3 has a vertical orientation in the shank region 6, 7 connecting the curvatures 4, 5, the flat link has a smaller maximum diameter H in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction L. The vertical diameter H of a shank 6, 7 being smaller than the diameter the flat link 3 in the curvatures 4, 5, such that the flat chain links 3 have a ratio of its cross sectional area in the shank region 6, 7 to the cross section area in the central regions 8 of the curvatures 4, 5 is greater than 0.55 and smaller than 0.85. The plane of the horizontal maximum diameter L in the shank region 6, 7 is disposed off-center and offset with respect to the outside of the particular shanks 6, 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: J.D. Theile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Benecke
  • Patent number: 7216472
    Abstract: A guiding shaft structure for a chain connector includes a black shaft and a guiding bolt. The black shaft comprises a passage with a threaded section therein and a first protruding ring, a second protruding ring and a third protruding ring on an outer surface thereof. The guiding bolt comprises an insertion section and a guiding section. The insertion section comprises grooves, a circular flange and a guiding surface. The guiding section comprises a threaded portion. The black shaft and the guiding bolt are secured with each other to form a one piece and to provide a secure connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Wen-pin Wang
  • Patent number: 7204775
    Abstract: A plate-link chain formed from short plate links and long plate links. The long plate links have an extension at one end. The installation direction of the long plate links is such that their extensions overlap plate links in an adjacent row and that are next in order in the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain, when viewed from the side of the chain. The overlap permits the plate links to have defined positions relative to adjacent plate links by minimizing the ability of adjacent plate links to shift laterally relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: André Teubert, André Linnenbrügger
  • Patent number: 7131258
    Abstract: Device for closing a chain, particularly a bicycle chain, comprising a first and a second pair of end outer plates connected by at least one pair of inner plates, a pair of rivets so engaging a pair of end holes of the first and the second pair of outer plates and the corresponding holes of a pair of, inner plates arranged at the ends of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario Meggiolan