Including Ball Or Roller Bearing Circumferentially Spaced About Pivotal Axis Between Links Patents (Class 474/209)
  • Patent number: 9151359
    Abstract: A chain link comprises a first plate having a first hole in it, a second plate having a second hole in it, a pin which passes through the first hole and the second hole, and a plurality of rolling elements arranged circumferentially around the pin, wherein when the chain link is engaged with a tooth of a sprocket, the tooth directly contacts one or more of the plurality of rolling elements. The plurality of rolling elements may roll along a surface of the tooth as the chain link conveys, or is conveyed by, the tooth. One or more of the plurality of rolling elements may roll along a surface of the pin as the chain link conveys, or is conveyed by, the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: U.S. Tsubaki, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Christopher Hogan
  • Patent number: 9004269
    Abstract: A conveyor chain constructed so as to prevent a leakage of lubricant oil to the outside. The conveyor chain comprises a plurality of bearing elements operable to revolve in a raceway between an outer circumferential surface of a bush and an inner circumferential surface of a roller. A pair of right and left thrust bearing annular members are press-fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the bush and are positioned between the inner side surface of an inner link plate and the outwardly-facing end surfaces of the bearing elements. Annular sealing members for sealing lubricant oil within bearing element raceway are disposed between the inner circumferential surface of the roller and an inner circumferential surface of the thrust bearing annular member. The sealing members slidably contact but are not deformed by the inner circumferential surface of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Company
    Inventors: Masatsugu Ueno, Makoto Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20150080161
    Abstract: A bearing roller chain includes a tubular bush configured to interconnect link plates facing each other, a tubular metal-made roller through which the bush is inserted, a plurality of metal-made anti-friction rollers arranged between an inner circumferential surface of the roller and an outer circumferential surface of the bush, and annular nonmetallic restraint members fitted into openings at the opposite ends of the roller in an axial direction, with the bush inserted through the restraint members, the restraint members configured to restrain axial direction movement of the plurality of anti-friction rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Yusuke NISHIZAWA, Takahisa ANDO
  • Publication number: 20130296087
    Abstract: A low friction joint apparatus for chain links is provided. The apparatus may include a first link pin rigidly coupled to a first chain link, a second link pin rigidly coupled to a second chain link, a sprocket roller coaxially and pivotally disposed about the second link pin, a plurality of radial bearings radially disposed between the second link pin and each of the first link pin and the sprocket roller, and a plurality of axial bearings axially disposed between the second link pin and the first chain link, and between the sprocket roller and the second chain link. The second link pin may be coaxially and pivotally disposed about the first link pin. The sprocket roller may be rotatable relative to each of the first and second chain links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Clipper Windpower, LLC
    Inventor: Richard A. Himmelmann
  • Patent number: 7972233
    Abstract: A bearing roller chain which is sealed by a seal mechanism which prevents entry of foreign substances from the outside and leakage of lubricating oil leakage from the inside to the outside, resulting in an improvement in wear resistance of the bearing roller and avoidance both of rotation failure of the roller and of increased traveling resistance of the chain. A seal mechanism is provided between an inner link plate of a bearing roller chain and a bearing roller assembly carried by the link plate. The bearing roller assembly is formed by a plurality of anti-friction rollers between a hollow roller and a bush. The seal mechanism comprises an inner annular oil seal member, a spacer and a disk-shaped seal member having a flange extended toward an outer side surface of the hollow roller loosely into an outer circumferential concave groove on an end surface of the hollow roller. The disk-shaped seal member slidably comes into close contact with the inner link plate and the spacer, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Makoto Fujiwara, Makoto Tanimura, Tetsuo Imamoto
  • Publication number: 20100248880
    Abstract: A cylindrical roller-incorporated roller chain, which can reduce wear of the side plates and also can reduce radial wear. A roller chain for a conveyor in which a plurality of cylindrical rollers are composed of either a casehardened steel cylindrical roller 4 or an oil-impregnated sintered alloy cylindrical roller 5. The casehardened steel cylindrical rollers 4 and the oil-impregnated sintered alloy cylindrical rollers 5 are alternately disposed in a circumferential direction. A pair of side plates 6, 6 are each composed of an oil-impregnated sintered alloy having a collar portion 6a and a cylindrical portion 6b. One axial end surface of each collar portion 6a abuts on an end surface of the hollow roller 3 (having no collar), and each cylindrical portion 6b is fitted between the inner circumferential surface of the roller 3 and the outer circumferential surface of the bushing 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Makoto Fujiwara, Ryutaro Nakamura
  • 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: 20080234086
    Abstract: A cylindrical roller-incorporated roller chain, which can reduce wear of the side plates and also can reduce radial wear. A roller chain for a conveyor in which a plurality of cylindrical rollers are composed of either a casehardened steel cylindrical roller 4 or an oil-impregnated sintered alloy cylindrical roller 5. The casehardened steel cylindrical rollers 4 and the oil-impregnated sintered alloy cylindrical rollers 5 are alternately disposed in a circumferential direction. A pair of side plates 6, 6 are each composed of an oil-impregnated sintered alloy having a collar portion 6a and a cylindrical portion 6b. One axial end surface of each collar portion 6a abuts on an end surface of the hollow roller 3 (having no collar), and each cylindrical portion 6b is fitted between the inner circumferential surface of the roller 3 and the outer circumferential surface of the bushing 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Makoto FUJIWARA, Ryutaro Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080078158
    Abstract: A roller element (10) is provided which has a central body (1) and a roller unit (2). The roller unit (2) is mounted so as to circulate on a non-circular race (21) about the central body (1) and so as to be mobile with respect to the central body (1) by the rolling movement of the rollers (3) of the roller unit (2) on the central body (1). The rollers (3) are configured as balls or substantially cylindrical elements. A peripheral surface of the rollers (3), for a substantial part, is shaped as a rolling surface that corresponds to the central body (1) and for rolling off on the central body (1). The elements of the roller unit (2) have play in relation to one another and/or the roller unit has play regarding its mobility in relation to the central body (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: WRH WALTER REIST HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Walter Reist
  • Patent number: 6782687
    Abstract: A roller chain for moving a web of textile material in a tenter frame. The roller chain has inner members flexibly joined to outer members in an alternating manner with a sleeve and a bolt. A running roller having an inner ring; an outer ring and sealing rings forming a ball bearing assembly is mounted on the sleeve. The sealing rings substantially seal ball bearings enclosed in the running roller. The sealing ring has a spacing element consisting of individual metallic inserts distributed approximately equally around a circumference of the sealing ring. The spacing element transmits axial force applied to an inner tab of an inner member to an inner ring of the running roller. The sealing ring has a lubrication groove formed thereon in fluid communication with a lubrication hole on a sleeve and a lubrication channel in an interior of the bolt for lubricating the ball bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Konrad Mingers
  • Patent number: 6685588
    Abstract: In a roller chain in which a plurality of rolling bodies is disposed between a roller and a bushing, between a bushing and a pin, or between a roller and a pin, the rolling bodies include at least one carbon-impregnated ceramic rolling body, or at least one carbon-coated steel rolling body. Preferably, the carbon-impregnated or carbon-coated rolling bodies are disposed in an alternating configuration with steel rolling bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Katsuo Doi, Yasushi Nagai, Seiji Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 6662544
    Abstract: A chain is composed of multiple units each having two outer plates, two inner plates and a pin securely connecting the outer plates to the inner plates. The inner plate has two hollow cones oppositely formed on two sides of the inner plate and two tubes each formed on a corresponding one of the hollow cones. A space between an inner face of the hollow cone and the tube is defined to receive therein oil. A rivet hole is defined to align with a pin hole in the outer plate. Therefore, after the outer plates and the inner plates are combined by the pin, the oil inside the chain unit is able to gradually flow out of the chain to lubricate the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Hua-Tien Wu
  • Patent number: 6527106
    Abstract: A roller adapted to be rotatably mounted on a bushing of each link assembly of a chain comprises a split roller composed of two roller segments assembled together. The split roller can be easily mounted on the bushing from a radial direction of the bushing even though the bushing is integrally formed with links to form a single link assembly. The link assembly has a one-piece structure and hence is improved in strength and rigidity. The bushing of the link assembly is free from damage or break even when the chain is subjected to a great tensile force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Minoru Tanabe, Katsutoshi Shibayama, Yoshihiro Murakami
  • Publication number: 20030032511
    Abstract: A roller chain incorporates a plurality of roller members between a roller and a bushing. A thrust bearing plate is provided between the end surfaces of the roller and inside surfaces of inner link plates. The outer diameter of the roller is smaller than the widths of the inner link plates and the outer link plates and the roller is accommodated in a projected area of the widths of the inner link plates and the outer link plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Makoto Kanehira, Tomoyuki Saji
  • Publication number: 20020173392
    Abstract: In a roller chain in which a plurality of rolling bodies is disposed between a roller and a bushing, between a bushing and a pin, or between a roller and a pin, the rolling bodies include at least one carbon-impregnated ceramic rolling body, or at least one carbon-coated steel rolling body. Preferably, the carbon-impregnated or carbon-coated rolling bodies are disposed in an alternating configuration with steel rolling bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Katsuo Doi, Yasushi Nagai, Seiji Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20020055405
    Abstract: A track assembly includes a frame. The track assembly also includes a drive wheel and an idler wheel rotateably secured to the frame. The track assembly further includes an endless belt having an inner surface and an outer surface. The endless belt is disposed around the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The track assembly also includes a guide block secured to the inner surface of the endless belt. The track assembly further includes a first roller rotateably secured to the guide block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: Jeff A. Greene
    Inventor: WILHELM BRINKROLF
  • Patent number: 6321523
    Abstract: A chain comprises inner link plates that are each connected to an adjacent outer link plate by means of at least one pin that passes through overlapping portions of the respective links. Outboard of the inner link plates the pin supports a rotary bush with a radially extending flange. The bush in turn supports one end of an outer link plate and a roller. The outer link plate is an interference fit with the bush and the roller is rotatable relative thereto. In use the rollers are supported on a guide rail as the chain moves. The location of the bush bearing and roller provides easy access for maintenance and lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Renold PLC
    Inventor: Michael Charles Christmas
  • Patent number: 6223515
    Abstract: A link chain having chain links interconnected at respective hinge points by a hinge bolt, at least one bearing bushing arranged on a hinge bolt, at least one roller arranged on said bearing bushing such that it is rotatable about the hinge bolt, and an axial retaining device attached to the hinge bolt and used for axially securing the bearing bushing and the roller. For reducing vibrations in the link chain, a bearing bushing is provided having an axial damping area on at least one end face area thereof, the damping area being formed integrally with the bearing bushing, and the bearing bushing being arranged such that the damping area rests against the axial retaining device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Joh. Winklhofer & Sohne GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Richard Koschig, Peter Graemann, Peter Schulze
  • Patent number: 6213904
    Abstract: A low-noise chain member comprises a bushing, a roller and oil grooves in which a wedge or squeeze effect of a lubricating oil, which is interposed between the bushing and the roller, is effective in reducing noise. The oil grooves are provided on at least one of the outer surface of the bushing and the inner face of the roller. The inner face of the roller is formed with a curved surface so as to conform to the contour of a curved outer surface of the bushing. A clearance between the inner face of the roller and the outer surface of the bushing is not widened around both ends of the roller. Only a small amount of the lubricating oil between the roller and the bushing escapes to the outside, of the roller and bushing, so that a fluid lubricating state between the bushing and the roller is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Koji Tanaka, Takahisa Ando, Toshio Takahashi, Sachihiko Maeda, Tomofumi Otani
  • Patent number: 6190278
    Abstract: A power transmission roller chain includes pin links having pins spaced by one pitch and connected to each other by plates, and bushing links or “blocks” having bushings spaced apart from each other and rigidly connected to each other by plates. Two successive pin links are connected to each other by a bushing link having the bushings rotatably mounted on the pins. At least one pin link includes a central plate provided with pins alternately protruding from opposite faces of the plate offset from each other by a fraction of a pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: MorseTEC Europe S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Merelli, Germinal Flavio Capucci, Augusto Luigi Fanzani
  • Patent number: 6105356
    Abstract: A drive chain has a plurality of links (1) each comprising a pair of opposed cranked link plates (2). Each link plate (2) has two connection apertures (7) and is connected to an adjacent link plate (2) by a pin (6) passing through overlapping connection apertures. An aperture (7) at one end of each link plate is fitted with a sleeve (11) in which said pin (6) is releasably engaged by means of a key connection. The sleeve (11) is connected to said link plate (2) by means of an interference fit with the respective connection aperture (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Renold PLC
    Inventors: Bryan William Capstick, Edward Joseph Brownhill, Michael Charles Christmas
  • Patent number: 6036614
    Abstract: In a roller chain sprocket for a chain drive, the profile of each tooth comprises a proximal portion (AB), an intermediate portion (BC) and optionally a distal portion (CD). The proximal portion (AB) is shaped like an arc of a circle with a radius (r) at least as large as the radius (r.sub.r) of each roller of the chain. The intermediate portion (BC) has a complex curvature defined by mathematical equations, whereas the optional distal portion (CD) is shaped like an arc of a circle with a radius R, equal to the pitch minus the radius of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Morse TEC Europe S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Baddaria
  • Patent number: 5950416
    Abstract: A tentering chain is assembled of inner links and outer links or link plates interconnected by journal pins passing through the outer link plates and through the inner links so that the latter are positioned between the outer link plates. The inner links have plates which are provided with integral bearing bushings that are interconnected at a junction (J) formed by pressing four bearing bushings together with a transition fit after a bearing roller has been placed on each of two of the four bushings to form the inner links. The inner link plates form with their bearing bushings two chain link sections (1, 2) that are easily interconnected at the junction (J) and also easily disconnected again at the junction. Both sections are made by casting or drop forging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Horst Kerner, Hans-Juergen Maierhofer, Werner Bosch
  • Patent number: 5938554
    Abstract: A link plate for a roller chain has material added to the location on the link plate face where fatigue failure is most likely to occur in order to increase the fatigue strength of the link plate. This location is within a sector defined by a line extending radially from the aperture center in a direction perpendicular to the line connecting the two aperture centers and an imaginary line extending from the same aperture center toward the link plate end section at an angle of 30-45 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Moster, Timothy J. Ledvina
  • Patent number: 5879257
    Abstract: A chain with a seal includes an elastic seal member, wherein the elastic seal member is held any one of an outer plate or an inner plate of the chain. In this way the elastic seal ember is prevented from falling off of the plate. Additionally the elastic seal member is held n either one of the inner plate or the outer plate so as to cover the plate in order to prevent the elastic seal member from falling off of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Koji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5741196
    Abstract: A transmission chain, particularly for a bicycle, has inner links alternated to outer links. The inner and outer links are constituted by pairs of plates articulated to each other by means of pins. The plates of the inner links have their outer surfaces with a depressed central portion. The plates of the outer links have their inner surfaces with a depressed central portion. The plates of the outer links further have through holes for engagement of the articulation pins with enlarged end mouths opening on the outer surfaces of these plates, which receive the riveted ends of the articulation pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Valentino Campagnolo
  • Patent number: 5562558
    Abstract: A chain for use in transmission and transportation with low friction, less wear, and low noises. The chain has central portions directly in engagement with a sprocket tooth face. Each of a number of pins is supported by rolling bearings attached individually to one of inside link plates and outside link plates, and plain bearings attached to the other link plates. With this arrangement, the sprocket tooth face and pin tooth face are brought into rolling contact with one another, and the link plates bend relatively to one another as the pins rotate in rolling contact. Also, the size and weight of the chain are reduced. Since the entire amount of friction and wear are small, power loss and elongation are reduced to thereby preserve a high accuracy of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Inventor: Masao Kubota
  • Patent number: 5468376
    Abstract: A sealed roller assembly (10) for hingeably connecting pairs of link plates (34) to form a chain (11), comprises a roller (12), a bushing (14) rotably mounted inside the roller (12), and a pin (16) rotably mounted inside the bushing (14). One pair of link plates (34) are mounted to the bushing (14), and another pair of link plates (34) are mounted to the pin (16). Seals are positioned between the adjoining surfaces of the roller (12) and the bushing (14) and the adjoining surfaces of the bushing (14) and the pin (16) to prevent contamination of the adjoining surfaces. Additionally, the roller assembly (10) can utilize a reservoir (28) containing a pressurized, fluid lubricant and a pressure accumulator (30) to continuously supply lubricant to the adjoining surfaces of the roller assembly (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Southern California Edison
    Inventor: Donald C. Bates
  • Patent number: 5462495
    Abstract: A roller belt arrangement for a caterpillar track-type vehicle, especially a snowmobile. The arrangement has one or more inextensible belts that extend parallel to one another and to which transversely extending drivers or grippers are secured with the aid of screw bolts that extend through the belts and a base of the driver or gripper. The base has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape, including two legs that extend essentially perpendicular to the belt and a crosspiece that connects the legs and extends parallel to a plane of the belts and is adapted to rest thereagainst. An elastomeric cushion member is provided that rests against the crosspiece on the side thereof remote from the belts. An abutment member is disposed on an end of the screw bolt facing the driver or gripper, with the cushion member being disposed between the abutment member and the crosspiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Arnold Jager
  • Patent number: 5437148
    Abstract: A chain including a plurality of pairs of inner and outer link plates interconnected by pivot pins extending through aligned apertures in the inner and outer link plates. A roller surrounds each pivot pin between the inner link plates. The roller is integral with the pivot pin. An aperture of each of the outer link plates is formed with an inwardly extending tubular protrusion. This protrusion is received within an aperture of an adjoining inner link plate. The roller is rotatable relative to the link plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Stefan Karp
  • Patent number: 5267909
    Abstract: A roller chain is provided with the links having extending butt portions to prevent excess inward movement of the chain. The butts may be located on the inner links or outer links. A silent chain with block lacing is also provided with the butt portions on the guide links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Iacchetta
  • Patent number: 5236080
    Abstract: A bushing liner is provided for a bushing of an endless chain of a textile machine traveling web transport assembly of the type which supports a web in tension during transport of the web through a textile handling process such as, for example, a web drying process. The endless chain includes a plurality of links, each respective adjacent pair of the links being interconnected to one another by a pin and each pin being rotatably supported by a bushing mounted to one of the links. The bushing liner of the present invention is disposed intermediate a bushing and its associated pin and includes first and second circumferential ends normally angularly spaced from one another by a slot. The slot extends from one axial end to the other of the bushing liner and permits angular movement of the first and second circumferential ends toward and away from one another to thereby permit the bushing liner to accommodate internal and external forces exerted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: A. Monforts GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gottfried Baum, Helge Freiberg
  • Patent number: 5203746
    Abstract: Link-type chain assemblies are disclosed comprising alternating, laterally spaced pairs of inner and outer link plates having overlapping ends pivotally interconnected by rollers between the inner link plates at the overlapping ends. Mounting flanges extend axially outwardly from each of the inner and outer link plates, and plate members are mounted on the mounting plates to maintain the roller axes generally coplanar and to preclude pivotal displacement of adjacent pairs of inner and outer link plates about the roller axes in at least one direction. In one chain assembly, the plate members mounted on the mounting flanges span adjacent pairs of inner and outer link plates to preclude pivotal displacement of the spanned pair of link plates in opposite directions about the roller axis therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: The Will-Burt Company
    Inventor: Heidi E. Lehnert
  • Patent number: 5092822
    Abstract: A low-noise chain preventing a roller or a bushing from contacting a bottom portion of a sprocket thus reducing impact noise. The low-noise chain includes pairs of inner link plates and pairs of outer link plates alternately lined up with each other, each of the link plates having two insertion holes; connecting pins inserted into the insertion holes of the link plates to couple the inner and the outer link plate; and bushing or rollers disposed around the connecting pin. The roller or bushing has a substantially triangular configuration in transverse cross section and has three intermeshing surfaces on its outer circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive K.K.
    Inventor: Shozo Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 5077965
    Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyor chain for textile processing machines in which a lubricant supply is safeguarded at all times in the event of maximum mechanical stressing. The conveyor chain is connected to a center clip body 1 by a pin 2, the pin 2 being surrounded by a link bushing 11 which has a transverse bore 27 for the lubricant supply of an antifriction bearing 10 surrounding the link bushing by lubricant ducts 23, 25 being defined within the pin 2; and at least one side bar 13 is supported on the link bushing 11. The link bushing 11 is coupled to the side bar 13 in a manner to preclude rotation of the link bushing. Between a roller element 20 and the link bushing 11, an internal ring 19 is provided and staggered axially relative to the transverse bore 27, and the antifriction bearing is bounded in an axial direction by at least one cover plate 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Kolb GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Jedamzik
  • Patent number: 4795408
    Abstract: A roller chain having a thrust ring between a roller and a link plate for sustaining the transverse load, in which a thrust ring is made of bearing materials and has a sealing part in order to be put into the hole part formed on the end face of the roller to reserve the lubricant.The sealing part prevent the lubricant from effluxing and prevent the dust from intruding into the inside of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Katsumi Kotegawa, Makoto Kanehira
  • Patent number: 4766997
    Abstract: A chain conveyor system includes a plurality of interconnected links. The links include first barrel portions connected to engage and be driven by a mechanical drive mechanism including a sprocket wheel. Removable high wear preformed coiled bands having free ends are wrapped around the barrel portions of the links to provide bearings to minimize wear on the links resulting from contact with the mechanical drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventor: Joseph R. Hannum
  • Patent number: 4729754
    Abstract: A chain link assembly comprises a pair of inner sidebar portions, each defining an aperture and having innermost and outermost surfaces. A hollow bushing is secured to the pair of inner sidebar portions. The bushing includes a central portion which extends between the inner sidebar portions and integral stud portions at each end of the central portion which project into each of the apertures of the inner sidebar portions and terminate at the outermost surfaces of the inner sidebar portions. A pair of seals encircle each of the stud portions, each seal lying between the innermost surface of the inner sidebar portion and the central portion of the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Rexnord Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Thuerman
  • Patent number: 4620844
    Abstract: A tenter chain has been provided wherein a lubricating apparatus includes means for preventing the accumulation of old grease with the introduction of same on a subsequent lubricating operation as a result of the insertion of the elongated nozzle of a grease dispensing gun into a passageway leading to a grease receiving reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Marshall and Williams Company
    Inventors: Charles W. Greene, Christopher E. Hosmer
  • Patent number: 4293067
    Abstract: A longitudinally, self-adjustable linking element is used to form a conveyor assembly for moving an article along a path. The linking element has two end sections, bearings mounted at each end section, and coupling elements for connecting the end sections with respect to each other. The coupling elements are fixedly secured to one of the end sections and shiftingly secured to the other end section. A closed loop conveying apparatus includes the longitudinally self adjustable linking element and rail guide members extend along the length of the conveying apparatus. Sprocket mechanisms are disposed at fixed spaced locations for changing the direction of movement of the conveying apparatus along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Scandia Packaging Machinery Co.
    Inventor: Andrew W. Anderson