Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a silent chain drive device that can minimize loss of strength and wear of link plates, as well as prevent the chain from lifting up to achieve better power transmission efficiency. The silent chain drive device includes a silent chain designed for inside flank meshing/inside flank seating, and a sprocket with sprocket teeth. The plurality of link plates in the silent chain, which each have a pair of teeth, are configured to make contact with the sprocket teeth only at the inside flanks of each pair of teeth when the silent chain wraps around the sprocket and meshes with all of the sprocket teeth.

Abstract: To provide a versatile and easy-to-produce link plate that can reduce frictional resistance and keep surface pressure low while maintaining a small height of a guide-side end surface, and can secure a tensile strength, and a chain. The guide-side end surface of the link plate is made up of a flat portion formed by a flat surface parallel to a line connecting centers of connection holes at leading and trailing ends, and both end surface portions on both ends in the chain longitudinal direction of the flat portion. The both end surface portions are formed to come closer to the line connecting the centers of the leading-end and trailing-end connection holes as the both end surface portions extend further from the flat portion.

Abstract: Provided is a chain power transmission mechanism and a silent chain each having a simple configuration, easy to manufacture, and capable of reducing noise in the entire chain power transmission mechanism. Link plates of the silent chain include an inner-flank-engagement link plate which engages with a sprocket in an inner flank engagement mode and an outer-flank-engagement link plate which engages with the sprocket in an outer flank engagement mode. The inner-flank-engagement link plate and the outer-flank-engagement link plate are arranged such that combinations of the link plates at positions where engagement with and disengagement from a plurality of the sprockets are synchronized include a combination in which at least one of the link plates is different in engagement mode from another link plate.

Abstract: A transmission element for a transmission such as a continuously variable transmission, including an elongate flexible endless carrier element provided with a number of receiving spaces with an opening and with a passage extending through the number of receiving spaces in the longitudinal direction of the carrier element, a number of engaging elements which are each received in a receiving space for movement between an active position and a passive position and which in the active position protrude further inward than in the passive position and at least out of the opening of this receiving space so as to be able to engage in the active position with a pulley of the transmission, and a spring element for providing resistance for each of the number of engaging elements during movement from the active position in the direction of the passive position.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a chain that reduces warping of connecting pins and prevents local wear in the bushings and connecting pins without causing an increase in the chain weight. Provided is a chain 10 including a plurality of inner links 20 formed by inner plates 30 and bushings 40, and a plurality of outer links 50 formed by outer plates 60 and connecting pins 70, wherein the plate height of each of the inner plates 30 as measured along an imaginary line L1 passing through the center of a bushing hole 31 and extending in a chain height direction is larger than a chain pitch P.

Abstract: An inverted tooth chain assembly configured to mesh with a sprocket is provided including a link with an improved shape for increased strength. The link includes two teeth, a pair of outer flanks, first and second inner flanks, and a crotch located between the first and second inner flanks. A first transition point is arranged between the first inner flank and a first end region of the crotch, and a second transition point is arranged between the second inner flank and a second end region of the crotch. A crotch surface is defined between the first transition point and the second transition point and has a profile with a varying radius of curvature. The profile of the crotch surface has a smaller radius of curvature at the first and second end regions and a larger radius of curvature at a medial region between the first and second end regions.

Abstract: To provide a chain which makes it possible to reduce friction loss during operation. [Means of Resolution] An endless silent chain 1 which comprises a plurality of links 2 having respective pairs of pin holes 22, which are linked in such a way as to be able to flex about one another by means of linking pins 3 that are inserted into the pin holes 22, wherein one or more projections 25, 26 is/are provided on one of the main surfaces 2A of the links 2 so that a specific gap C is formed between adjacent links 2 in the width direction of the chain, and these projections 25, 26 come into contact with the main surface 2B of the link 2 which is adjacent to that link 2 in the width direction of the chain.

Abstract: In a transmission chain, interleaved links are articulably connected by connecting pins, each connecting pin comprising two rocker pins arranged to roll on each other. Pin holes in each of at least two overlapping link plates in each interleaved pair of link plates are shaped so that each rocker pin moves with one of the overlapping link plates and is engageable with a bend-blocking surface in the pin hole in the other of the two overlapping link plates when the two overlapping link plates are in a straight part of the chain. The engagement of the rocker pins with the bend-blocking surfaces of the pin holes prevents the links from bending backward beyond their straight condition, i.e., in an outward direction, opposite to the inward direction in which the links bend relative to each other when engaging a sprocket.

Abstract: A silent chain 1 in which a large number of link plates 2 comprising a pair of tooth parts 22 and pin holes 21 are stacked in the thickness direction and the length direction and are linked by linking pins 3, and guide plates 4 are mounted on the linking pins 3. The guide plates 4 are arranged in guide rows G at a central position in the width direction and at positions at both ends in the width direction, and the height H of the back part of each guide plate 4 is greater than the height h of the back parts of the link plates 2.

Abstract: A guide plate 4 is disposed on the outermost side in the width direction of a silent chain 1 comprising link plates 2 which are pivotably linked by means of linking pins 3. The guide plate 4 has a pair of pin holes 41 into which the linking pins 3 are inserted, and also has side end parts 42 which are disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction thereof, and an upper end part 43 and a lower end part 44 which link the side end parts 42 in the longitudinal direction. The upper end part 43 and the lower end part 44 are formed with a tapered transverse section, and become steadily thinner toward the tip end.

Abstract: A toothed plate-link chain having a plurality of link plates that form chain links in the transverse direction of the chain. The link plates of laterally adjacent chain links partially overlap, and the chain links are hingedly connected to each other by hinge pins that extend through receiving openings in overlap regions of the link plates. At least some of the link plates have plate teeth, and some of the link plates have a modified form to reduce the effect of impact impulses of the link plates on the tooth flanks of a toothed wheel about which the chain passes. As a result, the magnitude of the meshing impulses and the times during which they act on the toothed wheel are modified to thereby reduce structure-borne noise.

Abstract: A silent chain using double-sided driving link plates having symmetrical upper and lower teeth has a problem that it is unable to assure a required risky sectional area of the plates because a width between upper and lower crotches is narrow. The invention provides a silent chain using double-sided driving link plates whose required risky sectional area is maintained by using link plate whose back side is undercut and whose upper and lower parts are unsymmetrical even though its front side has a shape of a normal link plate. A distance from a line connecting centers of pin holes to a bottom of an upper-side crotch is equal to or more than ½ of a diameter of the pin hole to assure the risky sectional area. Teeth of the back side are cut away to form a flat surface to assure a contact area with a shoe and others.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular transmission chain belt for driving a transmission device, said transmission chain belt being driven by a sprocket having a plurality of tooth portions provided for driving said transmission chain belt, comprising a plurality of linkages and a plurality of connecting shafts. Each one of the linkages comprises a linkage body, a male connector and a female connector provided on two ends of said linkage body, a blind-perforation provided on a bottom surface of said linkage body. Each one of said linkages is attached to one another nearby with the male connector and the female connector thereof to form said transmission chain belt. Each one of the tooth portions is engaged into the blind-perforation of the linkage one by one to drive said transmission belt to rotate along a circulating path.

Abstract: A non-back-bending chain having a plurality of links wherein said links include a rounded portion, a right flat portion, a bottom portion, and a left flat portion. The rounded portion allows the chain to bend or coil in one direction. The flat portions, when in contact, prevent the chain from bending in the opposite direction. Therefore, a chain that can be used to both “push” and “pull” is provided. Further, the chain can be used to provide a rigid extension that can be used to support a force even when only supported by one end. The chain can be retracted for storage and bunched or coiled.

Abstract: An inverted tooth chain drive system includes a sprocket supported for rotation about an axis of rotation and including a plurality of teeth defined relative to respective tooth centers. The tooth centers are spaced evenly in a circumferential arrangement about the axis of rotation, and each of the plurality of teeth includes an engaging flank. An inverted tooth chain is engaged with the sprocket and includes a plurality of rows of links each structured for inside flank engagement with the sprocket, with leading inside flanks of each row of links projecting outwardly relative to the trailing outside flanks of a preceding row of links. The leading inside flanks of each row are positioned to make initial meshing contact with the engaging flank of one of the sprocket teeth. At least some of the teeth are standard teeth and other ones of the teeth are flank-relieved teeth.

Abstract: There is provided a silent chain that is reduced in weight and widthwise size by reducing the length of a short pin while preventing the occurrence of excessive stress concentration in the short pin of a rocker pin including a long pin and the short pin. The short pin of the rocker pin extends through all plates of the guide row and all plates of the non-guide row in the width direction. The short pin is provided with a first stopper, and a second stopper. A first end surface of the short pin is prevented from being positioned in a first adjacent pin hole by contact between the first stopper and the first contact portion, and a second end surface of the short pin is prevented from being positioned in a second adjacent pin hole by contact between the second stopper and the second contact portion.

Abstract: A toothed plate for a toothed-plate plate-link chain, wherein the toothed plate includes two teeth, each having an inner flank, and an indentation between the teeth. The indentation includes a transition between a tooth flank and a curved innermost region. The transition has a convex curvature and is positioned at a junction of one of the inner flanks and the innermost region.

Abstract: There is provided a chain comprising guide link rows and non-guide link rows disposed alternately along the length of the chain with each plate of each row overlapping each plate of each of two adjacent rows. For each guide link row, a pair of pins is provided for connecting the guide link rows and non-guide link rows in articulating relationship. The first connecting pin extends into a first hole of each of the guide plates of its guide link row and into and through the second hole of each link plate of an adjacent non-guide link row. The second connecting pin extends into a second hole of each of the guide plates extends into and through a first hole of each link plate of an adjacent non-guide link row. The connecting pins fit tightly into each first hole into which it extends and fits loosely in each second hole into which it extends.

Abstract: There is provided an engagement chain whose driving force per occupied space is increased, whose durability is improved by reducing stress in a direction of bending a connecting pin and whose engagement noise during driving is reduced. The engagement chain includes a large number of outer and inner link plates, each having hook-like portions, which are connected in a chain longitudinal direction by connecting pins, the large number of outer and inner link plates are connected flexibly without gap in the chain width direction while the back surfaces of the link plates opposite to the hook-like portions engage with driving sprockets.

Abstract: A duplex toothed chain includes a drive toothing that defines a drive toothing pitch circle, a driven toothing that defines a driven toothing pitch circle, toothed links, and joint links. The toothed links define joint apertures that are spaced at intervals from one another in a longitudinal direction and that are configured to receive the joint links. The joint apertures define a joint aperture pitch circle extending in the longitudinal extent of the duplex toothed chain. The driven toothing pitch circle is different from the joint aperture pitch circle and is arranged radially further distant from the joint aperture pitch circle than the drive toothing pitch circle is arranged radially distant from the joint aperture pitch circle. The differences in the toothing pitch circles increase the engagement efficiency.

Abstract: An inverted tooth chain and sprocket drive system in which the initial contact distance ICD, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?), the link plate entrance angle Beta (?), and other aspects of the meshing geometry are controlled and optimized to reduce noise and vibration by using a particular chain link plate form and, in preferred cases, by modifying the sprocket tooth pressure angle. The system can include first and second sprockets for which the pressure angle can be controlled to ensure that the desired values for the initial contact distance ICD, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?), and the link plate entrance angle Beta (?) are equal for both sprockets even though the sprockets have different tooth counts. For a chain pitch P in the range of 6.35 mm to 7.7 mm, the initial contact distance ICD is controlled such that 0.49P?ICD?0.53P, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?) is controlled such that ??34°, and the link plate entrance angle Beta (?) is controlled such that ??9°.

Abstract: In a transmission chain having link plates with convex edges for sliding contact with a guide surface, the plates are asymmetric in shape so that the distance from a line connecting the centers of the connecting holes and the convex edge is greatest at a position other than at the midpoint between the connecting holes. A pivoting action of the link plates takes place as they slide over a guide surface, changing the abutment point.

Abstract: The invention is related to a toothed chain with alternating inner and outer chain links each joined by means of a chain joint, wherein the inner chain links comprise at least one inner plate and at least two joint bushes running perpendicularly through the same, the outer chain links comprise at least two outer plates and at least two joint pins running perpendicularly through the same, and to form a chain joint, one joint pin of the outer chain link each extends through a joint bush of the inner chain link, and at least one inner plate of the inner chain link and/or at least one outer plate of the outer chain link is embodied as a toothed plate with each two teeth defined by an outer flank and an inner flank each.

Abstract: In a silent chain transmission, the distance between the centers of front and rear pin holes of each of the inner link plates of the chain is smaller than the length of the smallest chord obtained by dividing, by the number of sprocket teeth, the circumference of a circle having a radius extending from the center of the sprocket to the center of a pin hole of a link plate of the chain when the last-mentioned link plate is fully engaged with the sprocket.

Abstract: A push-pull chain that can bend in one direction only, and is provided with at least two rollers on each of the driving pins, one of the rollers engages a drive sprocket and the other of said at least two rollers engages a chain guide surface. An actuator for e.g. opening and closing a window that uses this dual-roller push-pull chain. A link driven push-pull chain that can bend in one direction only, with links that is shaped as an engagement surface for engaging a drive sprocket. An actuator for e.g. opening and closing a window that uses the link driven push-pull chain.

Abstract: In a chain transmission, the link plates of a roller chain or rollerless bushing chain are formed with pairs of teeth. A sprocket has a central set of sprocket teeth for meshing with the rollers or bushings, and sets of side sprocket teeth for meshing with the teeth of the link plates. The teeth of the link plates function as a silent chain. After an inner flank of a link plate tooth comes into contact with a side sprocket tooth, a roller and an outer flank of the link plate tooth are seated on the sprocket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chain guide plate, more particularly a chain guide side plate, having a contour profile (1) which has at least one contour profile section (3) of concave configuration and at least one contour profile section (7) of convex configuration situated opposite the contour profile section (3) of concave configuration. An area (22) formed by the contour profile section (7) of convex configuration can be arranged within an area (21) formed by the contour profile section (3) of concave configuration.

Abstract: A bush is pressed into a link plate in a turning link rank that turns relatively with a pin. The bush is molded into a seamless cylindrical shape by cold-forging and is coated with a metal carbide layer formed by cementation of chrome, vanadium and other metals and having Vickers hardness of 1300 Hv or more similarly to the pin. Afterwards, the bush is treated by a quenching, tempering or isothermal transformation process. Thereby, wear resistance of the pins and the link plates of a silent (link) chain is improved, productivity is improved and associated costs are reduced.

Abstract: [Issue] To allow deviation of a chain to be reliably restricted during travel, and also to allow friction loss to be easily reduced when the chain is operating. [Means of Resolution] A guide plate 4 is disposed on the outermost side in the width direction of a silent chain 1 comprising link plates 2 which are pivotably linked by means of linking pins 3. The guide plate 4 has a pair of pin holes 41 into which the linking pins 3 are inserted, and also has side end parts 42 which are disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction thereof, and an upper end part 43 and a lower end part 44 which link the side end parts 42 in the longitudinal direction. The upper end part 43 and the lower end part 44 are formed with a tapered transverse section, and become steadily thinner toward the tip end.

Abstract: In a chain transmission, the guide-contacting portions of inner and outer plates of a chain each comprise a pair of front and rear flat surfaces, an intermediate concave oil-retaining surface and convex connecting surfaces. The lengths of the flat surfaces are such that adjacent flat surfaces of overlapping inner and outer plates overlap even when the plates in contact with the portion of a convex guide surface having the smallest radius of curvature.

Abstract: A chain drive with at least two sprocket wheels provided with teeth having an evolvent spline, and a toothed chain that engages therewith, especially for a vehicle propulsion system, which toothed chain includes individual rows of link plates that have openings, wherein the link plates are movably connected with each other by rocker pieces penetrating the openings and have chain teeth. The chain drive is characterized in that the tooth flanks of at least one tooth of least one of the sprocket wheels are designed differently.

Abstract: A transmission device (1) of a walking type self-traveling lawn mower (4) in which the reliable transmission of a rotating power is achieved as in the case of a shaft drive system by solving the problem of the durability of the transmission belt of conventional transmission devices while basically adopting the transmission device of a belt drive system. The transmission device (1) comprises a chain drive mechanism (2) and a rotating direction changing mechanism (3). The chain drive mechanism (2) is constituted by winding a transmission chain (23) around a drive sprocket (21) fitted to an output shaft (411) and rotating horizontally and a driven sprocket (22) connected to the rotating direction changing mechanism (3) and rotating horizontally.

Abstract: A power transmission chain (1) has links (11), pins (14), and interpieces (15). The links (14) each have a front and a back insertion parts (12, 13) through which the pins are inserted. The pins (14) and the interpieces (15) connect links (11) that are arranged side by side in the lateral direction of the chain such that the front insertion part (12) of one of the links (11) and the rear insertion part (13) of the other link (11) correspond to each other, and the connection is made such that that the links (11) are bendable in the longitudinal direction. The locus of a contact position of a pin (14) and an interpiece (15) is an involute of a circle. Two or more kinds of sets of a pin (14) and an interpiece (15) having different radii of base circles of involutes are formed, and these sets of a pin (14) and an interpiece (15) are randomly arranged.

Abstract: The end faces of a first pin contain bulging curved faces having an egg-like shape, when viewed along a chain width direction. Each bulging curved face includes a first end portion, a second end portion and a maximum width portion with respect to a chain advancing direction. With respect to perpendicular directions, the distance between the center of the maximum width portion and the first end portion is relatively large, whereas the distance between the center of the maximum width portion and the second end portion is relatively short. It is possible to enlarge the surface area of the bulging curved face.

Abstract: A conveyor chain including a chain pin having an exterior surface; a bearing having a generally tubular body portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the chain pin disposed in the generally tubular body portion of the bearing so that the interior surface of the bearing surrounds the exterior surface of the chain pin; and a low friction liner material secured to a surface selected from the exterior surface of said chain pin, the interior surface of the bearing, the exterior surface of the bearing, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A toothed chain includes inner chain links and outer chain links alternatingly succeeding one another, the outer chain links comprising at least two outer plates, at least one middle plate and two pins. The inner chain links include at least two inner plates formed as tooth plates, the at least one middle plate being positioned between the inner plates. Each of the inner plates has a plate thickness d and a land width b, a ratio of plate thickness d to land width b being greater than 1.6.

Abstract: A plate-link chain composed of a plurality of plates that form plate sets, which are connected to an adjacent plate set with a hinge joint. At least some of the plates have a stopping means that limits bending of the plate-link chain in a direction opposite to the bend direction the chain undergoes when it passes over and around a pulley or a gear with which the chain comes into contacting engagement when the pulley or gear rotates.

Abstract: A method for reducing NVH in a vehicle having the steps of providing at least one repeating event, replicating at least one component, and delaying at least one equivalent part. The repeating event is a complete cycle, such that the repeating event ends when the cycle begins to repeat itself. The component is replicated at least one time so that at least one equivalent part is formed. The equivalent part is delayed with respect to the component by angularly positioning the equivalent part with respect to the component in a predetermined way, such that at least one harmonic in the NVH-spectra is reduced during the component's repeating event and the equivalent part's repeating event in operation.

Abstract: String vibration is reduced without causing friction loss. A silent chain is comprised of a multiple number of link plates, each of which has a pair of tooth portions and pin holes and which are laminated laterally and longitudinally and guide plates which are arranged at outermost positions of the link plates. The link plates and the guide plates are connected by connecting pins. In this construction, some of the guide plates are made heavier than that of other guide plates and are irregularly mixed in a longitudinal direction of the chain. Thus, the natural frequency can be changed in an arbitrary chain span and string vibration may be reduced without causing friction loss.

Abstract: The plates of transmission chain for an engine are formed with a guide-contacting configuration composed of spaced flat surfaces that come into sliding contact with a flat chain guide, and convex surfaces, continuous with and between the flat surfaces, for sliding contact with a convex chain guide. The convex surfaces are connected by a concave surface that, with the guide surface, forms an oil-retaining clearance. The radius of curvature of the convex curved surfaces of the plate preferably increases gradually from the location where they meet the flat surfaces toward the location where they meet the concave surface. The plates can have the same configuration on the side facing the inside of chain loop as on the side facing the outside of the chain loop.

Abstract: In a silent chain having interleaved guide rows and joint rows, guide plates at the outer sides of the guide rows are connected by engagement pins which extend through overlapping recesses formed on the outer flanks of the guide row plates, and on the inner flanks of the joint row plates. The engagement pins contact sprocket teeth before the outer flanks of the guide row plates contact the sprocket teeth. Cutouts formed in the guide plates adjacent the engagement pins allow the guide plates to deform and thereby absorb the impact imparted to the engagement pins by the sprocket teeth.

Abstract: The invention proposes a chain for a machine drive, transport of material in a machine or the like, and also a packaging machine comprising one such chain, this chain being better than known link chains at meeting requirements in respect of hygiene conditions during operation and cleaning. This is achieved according to the invention in that flexible chain links (4) are provided between rigid chain links (2), the flexible chain links (4) being fixed to the rigid chain links (2).

Abstract: In an oil-free roller chain, the inner faces of the outer link plates have recesses that receive the ends of bushings, and the inner faces of the inner link plates have recesses that receive the ends of rollers surrounding the bushings. Each such recess is formed by punching, so that the outer surface of each plate has a bulged portion opposite each recess. The diameters of the bulged portions are greater than the diameters of the corresponding recesses. The bushing can have an oil passage located midway between its ends and serving as an oil reservoir supplying oil to the gap between the bushing and the roller and between the bushing and a connecting pin.

Abstract: In a silent chain transmission, a silent chain composed of uniform link plates meshes with a sprocket having two or three kinds of teeth randomly distributed around its circumference. The teeth have a common tooth gap bottom diameter, and a uniform angular spacing, but have different heights and different tooth forms.

Abstract: A chain (1) includes plural links (2) and plural pairs of first and second pins (3 and 4) to couple the links each other. The first pin (3) comes into rolling and sliding contact with the second pin (4) at the contact portion (D). The first pin (3) includes a pair of end faces (17) opposing each other in the chain width direction (W), and a contact region (24) that comes into contact with the corresponding sheave surfaces of the pulley is formed in each end face (17). The contact region (24) includes the center point of contact (M). The first pin (3) includes a first type pin (3a) and a second type pin (3b). When the linear region of the chain (1) is viewed in the chain width direction (W), the relative position of the contact portion (D) and the center point of contact (M) is different between the first type pin (3a) and the second type pin (3b).

Abstract: An improved link for a chain for use with a sprocket, the link comprising a body having a pair of apertures for receiving connecting pins and a pair of teeth having outside flanks, and inside flanks between the teeth defining a crotch. The improvement includes an effective outer flank angle between a line tangent to the outer flank of the link at 1.5 P and a vertical line intersecting the tangent line of less than or equal to 29 degrees, an effective inner flank angle between a line tangent to the inner flank of the link at 0.5 P and a vertical line intersecting the tangent line of less than or equal to 29 degrees, and a plurality ratios. The links may be assembled into a chain and connected by a plurality of pins.

Abstract: An improved link for a chain for use with a sprocket, the link comprising a body having a pair of apertures for receiving connecting pins and a pair of teeth having outside flanks, and inside flanks between the teeth defining a crotch. The improvement includes an effective outer flank angle between a line tangent to the outer flank of the link at 1.5 P and a vertical line intersecting the tangent line of less than or equal to 29 degrees, an effective inner flank angle between a line tangent to the inner flank of the link at 0.5 P and a vertical line intersecting the tangent line of less than or equal to 29 degrees, and a plurality ratios. The links may be assembled into a chain and connected by a plurality of pins.

Abstract: An inverted tooth chain includes a plurality of rows. The inside flanks of the leading toes of each chain row project outwardly relative to the outside flanks of the trailing toes of the preceding chain row by a maximum amount ?MAX wherein: 0.010×P??MAX?0.020×P or, preferably, 0.015×P??MAX?0.020×P, where P =chain pitch. The inverted tooth chain is meshed with a sprocket to define a system having a maximum chordal rise distance CR wherein said chordal motion in the inverted tooth chain upstream relative to said sprocket is less than 40% of said maximum chordal rise distance CR.

Abstract: In a silent chain transmission, the distance between the centers of front and rear pin holes of each of the inner link plates of the chain is smaller than the length of the smallest chord obtained by dividing, by the number of sprocket teeth, the circumference of a circle having a radius extending from the center of the sprocket to the center of a pin hole of a link plate of the chain when the last-mentioned link plate is fully engaged with the sprocket.

Abstract: In a double-sided engagement silent chain having inner link plates with inwardly protruding teeth, outermost link plates with outwardly protruding teeth, and outer link plates with outwardly protruding teeth, adjacent the outermost link plates, the plates are composed of a bainite and martensite mixed plate material. The bainite mixing ratio in the outermost link plates is higher than the bainite mixing ratio of the inner link plates and the adjacent outer link plates. The martensite mixing ratio of the inner link plates and of the adjacent outer link plates is higher than the martensite mixing ratio in the outermost link plates. The heights of the backs of the outermost link plates, measured from the tooth gap bottoms, are greater than the corresponding heights of the backs of the inner link plates, and may be equal to or greater than the heights of the backs of the adjacent outer tooth plates.