Link Including Integral Surfaces Forming Inwardly Opening Groove (e.g., Silent Chain, Etc.) Patents (Class 474/212)
  • Patent number: 6272835
    Abstract: A silent chain is constituted by a number of articulately connected link plates each having an engagement surface for meshing engagement with teeth of a sprocket. The link plates are press-formed so that the engagement surface includes a smooth sheared surface. All of the link plates have respective sheared surfaces along not more than 60% of the thickness of the link plates. In order to reduce noises produced when the link plates mesh with the sprocket teeth, more than 50% of the link plates have respective sheared surfaces along 7 to 15% of the thickness of the link plates and are arranged randomly in the silent chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Horie, Kazumasa Matsuno, Masao Maruyama, Shigekazu Fukuda, Yoshinori Iwasaki, Takayuki Funamoto, Hitoshi Ohara, Makoto Kanehira
  • Publication number: 20010007842
    Abstract: A silent chain drive mechanism includes a silent chain for transmitting power between a larger sprocket and a smaller sprocket, wherein the inside flanks of one link plate of the silent chain are profiled to project outward of the outside flanks of the adjacent link plates, and tooth flank configurations of the larger and smaller sprockets are formed by involute curves arranged to satisfy the expression A1>Ac≧A2 where A1 is a pressure angle of the smaller sprocket, A2 is a pressure angle of the larger sprocket, and Ac is a pressure angle of the inside flanks of teeth of the link plates. With this arrangement, the chordal action of the silent chain is suppressed at both the larger sprocket side and the smaller sprocket side, thereby reducing vibrations and noises accompanied with the chordal action and improving the driving performance and durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Inventors: Kenshi Suzuki, Masatoshi Sonoda, Hiroshi Horie
  • Publication number: 20010006918
    Abstract: A silent chain includes a number of interleaved rows of link plates articulately connected together by joint pins. Each of the link plates has a pair of teeth and a pair of pin holes. The link plate further has a tubular portion protruding continuously from one surface of the link plate and defining a peripheral surface of each of the pin holes. The tubular portion has a height substantially equal to the thickness of the link plate. The tubular portion increases the contact area between the plate and the joint pin and thus suppresses wear on the joint pin. Further, by the tubular portion, the plate can retain sufficient rigidity and strength without narrowing the web width between each pin hole and the outside flank or the inside flank of the corresponding tooth. The silent chain as a whole is relatively light in weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventor: Toyonaga Saitou
  • Patent number: 6244983
    Abstract: A silent chain and sprocket combination includes a silent chain having a plurality of interleaved links, each link having a pair of teeth, with each tooth having an inner flank and an outer flank. The links of the chain engage the sprocket teeth on their inside flanks during initial engagement and full engagement. The sprocket tooth has a flank shape with a first part that matches the lower portion of the shape of the inside flank of the link tooth and a sprocket tooth flank shape with a second part that matches the upper part of the link tooth shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive K.K.
    Inventor: Akio Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20010000781
    Abstract: A short pitch tooth chain that reduces the level of impact noise generated during operation is disclosed. A chain system includes a first sprocket having a plurality of sprocket teeth spaced apart by a first distance, a second sprocket also having a plurality of sprocket teeth spaced apart by the first distance, and a short pitch tooth chain wrapped around the first and second sprockets. The short pitch tooth chain includes a first link having a first aperture spaced from a second aperture by a second distance, a second link having a first toe spaced from a second toe by the first distance, the second link having a third aperture and being connected to the first link by a first pin extending through the first and third apertures, and a third link having a third toe spaced from a fourth toe by the first distance, the third link having a fourth aperture and being connected to the first link by a second pin extending through the second and fourth apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Inventor: Reinhold Friedrich Reber
  • Patent number: 6220981
    Abstract: In a link plate for use in a power transmission chain driven to run while a side edge of the link plate is in sliding contact with a shoe surface a chain guide member, the side edge of the link plate has a pair of contact portions near opposite longitudinal ends thereof for sliding contact with the shoe surface, and a recessed central portion extending between the contact portions. The recessed central portion together with the shoe surface forms a space which is capable of collecting and holding lubricating oil when the contact portions are in sliding contact with the shoe surface. As the link plate slides on the shoe surface, the lubricating oil trapped inside the space gradually enters between the contact portions and the shoe surface to thereby form an oil film. With this oil film, friction between the link plate and the shoe surface is reduced, leading to reduction of running resistance of the power transmission chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Isamu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6186921
    Abstract: In a silent chain, multiple link plates are interleaved and connected to each other by connecting pins in a rocker joint. The rocker joint includes a joint pin and a rocker pin which are inserted into pin apertures. Guide links are placed on both ends of the joint pins. The joint pins are slightly longer than the rocker pins. Each rocker pin and joint pin has a cross-sectional area. The cross-sectional area of the joint pin is made larger than that of the rocker pin. In another embodiment, the rocker joint has a joint pin with a greater thickness than that of the rocker pin. Another embodiment of the invention includes a rocker joint where the radius of the curvature of the rolling surface of the joint pin is greater than that of the rocker pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive K.K.
    Inventor: Tetsuji Kotera
  • Patent number: 6186920
    Abstract: A short pitch tooth chain that reduces the level of impact noise generated during operation. A chain system includes a first sprocket having a plurality of sprocket teeth spaced apart by a first distance, a second sprocket also having a plurality of sprocket teeth spaced apart by the first distance, and a short pitch tooth chain wrapped around the first and second sprockets. The short pitch tooth chain includes a first link having a first aperture spaced from a second aperture by a second distance, a second link having a first toe spaced from a second toe by the first distance, the second link having a third aperture and being connected to the first link by a first pin extending through the first and third apertures, and a third link having a third toe spaced from a fourth toe by the first distance, the third link having a fourth aperture and being connected to the first link by a second pin extending through the second and fourth apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Reinhold Friedrich Reber
  • Patent number: 6171209
    Abstract: A guide link for a back-drive silent chain includes a pair of flat outside surfaces and window holes. The flat outside surfaces are formed on the opposite sides of the center line of the apertures for contacting a chain guide or tensioner arm. The edge portions of the window holes in the vicinity of the apertures are formed of arcuate surfaces equally spaced apart from the edge portions of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive K.K.
    Inventor: Akio Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6159122
    Abstract: Link plates connected together by connecting members to form an endless silent chain each include a pair of teeth and a pair of connecting holes each receiving therein one of the connecting members. The teeth each have an outer flank, an arcuate tip end portion, and an inner flank. The outer flank has a rectilinear tooth face having an intermeshing point, and a tooth length extending from the intermeshing point toward a tip end of each tooth. The tooth length is 5 to 15% of a pitch between the connecting members. The tip end portion has a first arc adjacent to the outer flank and a second arc adjacent to the inner flank, the second arc having a smaller radius of curvature than the first arc. The shortest distance from a junction between the first and second arcs of the arcuate tip end portion to a face angle forming line of the outer flank is 0.5 to 3.0% of the pitch between the connecting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Makoto Kanehira, Kenshi Suzuki, Masao Maruyama, Takayuki Funamoto, Shigekazu Fukuda, Hitoshi Ohara
  • Patent number: 6155945
    Abstract: A silent chain and sprocket for power transmission includes a silent chain formed of interleaved rows of multiple link plates and a sprocket used with the silent chain. Each of the teeth of the chain links is formed of an outside flank and an inside flank, and a protrusion is formed on the outside flank in the vicinity of the aperture. At the onset of meshing with the sprocket, the inside flanks of the link plates of the link rows contact the sprocket teeth. As engagement proceeds, the points of engagement of the links with the sprocket teeth are transferred from the inside flanks of the links of a first row to the outside flanks of the links of the preceding adjacent row, and the chain is seated on the outside flanks of the links. The point of projection of the engagement endpoint on the inside flank onto the outside flank coincides with the engagement transfer point on the outside flank or is in the vicinity of the engagement transfer point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive K.K.
    Inventor: Akio Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6142902
    Abstract: A double-meshing-type silent chain includes link plates having the identical side profile. Each link plate has two meshing teeth and a flat back face formed opposite to the meshing teeth. Two kinds of links are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the chain, while the adjacent links are connected by pins. In one kind of link, an odd number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In the other kind of link, an even number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In each link, the link plates are oriented such that the meshing teeth of link plates located at widthwise opposite ends project outwardly with respect to the chain and the meshing teeth of the remaining link plates project inwardly with respect to the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Kouichi Ichikawa, Nobuto Kozakura, Tsutomu Haginoya, Toyonaga Saitou
  • Patent number: 6135908
    Abstract: An endless flexible torque-transmitting device such as a chain belt in a continuously variable transmission of a motor vehicle has an improved arrangement of the chain links that provides a better distribution of the load between the individual links and thereby increases the torque- and power-transmitting capacity of the endless flexible torque-transmitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Ivo Greiter
  • Patent number: 6112510
    Abstract: A silent-chain transmission apparatus includes a silent chain and a sprocket. The silent chain is formed of a plurality of plates, each of which has a pair of link teeth each having an inner crotch and an outer flank. The plates are connected through use of connection pins. The sprocket has sprocket teeth that come into meshing engagement with the link teeth of the silent chain. Each of the inner crotches has a projection that is formed on a tooth tip side with respect to a working pitch line and has a straightly profiled portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Kouichi Ichikawa, Makoto Kanehira, Tsutomu Haginoya, Nobuto Kozakura, Kenshi Suzuki, Masatoshi Sonoda
  • Patent number: 6077181
    Abstract: A silent chain has a plurality of interconnected plates adapted for operative engagement with toothed surfaces of a sprocket. Each of the plates has flank surface portions and crotch surface portions, with the crotch surface portions having protruding portions. The protruding portions of the crotch surface portions make contact with the toothed surfaces of the sprocket at the beginning of engagement of each plate with the sprocket and are spaced away from the toothed surfaces of the sprocket at least during engagement of the flank surface portions with toothed surfaces of the sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Makoto Kanehira, Takero Nakagawa, Masao Maruyama, Hitoshi Ohara, Nobuyuki Fujimoto, Masahiro Sato
  • Patent number: 6068568
    Abstract: A silent chain is provided which has reduced elongation based on wear and which is capable of maintaining a high accuracy over a long period of time in use. The inner surfaces of pin holes formed in at least joint trains of plates have been subjected to shaving, and a hard layer of at least one hard metal carbide selected from a group including CrC, TiC, VC and NbC, is formed on the surface of each pin. By shaving the inner surface of each pin hole, the surface pressure applied between the pin hole inner surface and the pin inserted therein becomes lower, whereby the wear of the pin and the pin hole is diminished. Further, since the hard layer on the pin surface is very hard and is chemically stable, the affinity of each plate for the inner surface of each pin hole formed therein is small. Thus, even under the condition of boundary lubrication, it is difficult for adhesion to occur between the pin hole inner surface and the pin inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Nobuto Kozakura, Toyonaga Saito, Tsutomu Haginoya, Takero Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6045473
    Abstract: A plate for a silent chain has a side punched into a forked shape for engagement with a sprocket. The forked side of the plate has inner engaging surfaces opposing each other, outer engaging surfaces, and an arcuate leg-side end surface connecting the inner engaging surfaces. The leg-side end surface, on which stress is likely to be concentrated, has a shear face tissue along at least 70% of the thickness of the plate. A silent chain having such a plate has a high plate fatigue strength and enhanced durability and reliability, and can be manufactured at a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Masaaki Matsumoto, Haruo Sugita, Koichi Kaihotsu, Makoto Kanehira, Takayuki Funamoto, Nobuyuki Fujimoto, Hitoshi Ohara, Masao Maruyama
  • Patent number: 5997424
    Abstract: A random engagement roller chain sprocket for use primarily in automotive engine chain drive applications which incorporates different asymmetrical tooth profiles for improved noise reduction. In particular, the sprocket includes a number of first teeth each having a first engaging flank and a first disengaging flank, and a number of second teeth each having a second engaging flank and a second disengaging flank. One of the first engaging flanks cooperating with one of the first disengaging flanks or the second disengaging flanks of a first adjacent tooth to define a first asymmetrical tooth space for receiving a roller of an associated roller chain. The first asymmetrical tooth space including a first root surface between the one of the first engaging flanks and the first disengaging flanks or the second disengaging flanks. The first root surface being adapted for contacting a roller of an associated roller chain during rotation of the sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Young
  • Patent number: 5989140
    Abstract: A both-side meshing type silent chain is provided which not only permits improvement in durability of a tensioner and a chain guide, but also permits a high-speed and smooth transfer of power. The both-side meshing type silent chain has a high durability and includes a plurality of articular train plates and a plurality of guide train plates. Each of the plurality of articular train plates and the plurality of guide train plates have main teeth for engagement with a sprocket disposed on an inner peripheral side of a chain. The plurality of articular train plates are alternately connected to the plurality of guide train plates with pins. Guide plates, which are guided by side faces of the teeth of the sprocket, are disposed on both outer sides of each of the plurality of guide train plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Koichi Ichikawa, Nobuto Kozakura, Tsutomu Haginoya
  • Patent number: 5938553
    Abstract: A barrel-shaped coil spring roller is formed by closely winding spring wire rods having fine crepe-like concave-convex surfaces on the surface of the barrel-shaped coil spring roller. The fine crepe-like concave-convex surfaces serve as a lubricating oil reservoir and are formed by a shotpeening process. Lubricating oil is retained on the fine crepe-like concave-convex surfaces formed by the shot-peening process. Sliding noises between the spring wire rods adjacent to each other, which noises are generated by elastic deformation of the barrel-like coil spring roller when in engagement with the toothed surface of the sprocket, are reduced by the lubricating oil. The wear on both of the barrel-shaped coil spring roller and the sprocket is lessened and the power loss is reduced. The low noise chain is capable of retaining a lubricating oil on the surface of spring wire rods of a barrel-shaped coil spring roller for long periods of time, while still maintaining a noise reduction effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Hiroki Ishida, Toshihiro Hosokawa, Sachihiko Maeda, Takahisa Andoh
  • Patent number: 5921880
    Abstract: A low noise chain has a bushing provided with a substantially cylindrical large diameter portion in an outer periphery of a central portion thereof. Inner plates are mounted respectively on opposite ends of the bushing. A hollow thin cylindrical roller, having inner peripheral surfaces opposed across a clearance, is capable of forming an oil film layer relative to an outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion. The hollow thin cylindrical roller is rotatably externally fitted on the external outer peripheral surface of the bushing between the inner plates on opposite sides. A pair of O-rings is provided for sealing a clearance between both outer portions of the large diameter portion of the outer peripheral surface of the bushing and the inner peripheral surface of the hollow thin cylindrical roller. Outer plates are arranged on both outer sides of the inner plates on opposite sides. A chain pin rotatably extends through the bushing and has both ends mounted on the outer plates on both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Eiji Ishimoto, Masatoshi Sonoda
  • Patent number: 5902203
    Abstract: A silent chain is provided in which a plurality of link plates of a certin configuration may have an identification indicator marked on a reference surface thereof at the time connecting pin inserting holes are punched into the link plates in order to ensure the link plates are properly directed in the same direction, are superposed on the connecting pins, and are constituted in a chain-like manner by the connecting pins so that meshing surfaces of the link plates mesh smoothly to prevent any meshing noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Makoto Kanehira, Takero Nakagawa, Yutaka Uchiumi, Masahiro Sato, Nobuyuki Fujimoto, Hitoshi Ohara, Masao Maruyama
  • Patent number: 5848948
    Abstract: A roller chain timing drive reduces noise by thinning the teeth and elongating the root land in between each pair of teeth. Specifically, through detailed calculation, the root land is elongated resulting in a reduced thickness of the teeth as measured across itself from a drive flank to a coast flank. The result is maintained contact of all rollers wrapped around a sprocket throughout the entire design life of the chain and sprockets which reduces noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy R. Allen
  • Patent number: 5690571
    Abstract: A hybrid chain assembly includes structure from both roller chain and silent chain. The inner chain links include bushings that ride along the teeth of a sprocket and the outer chain links include link plates including depending members as found in silent chains which contact the teeth of a sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip J. Mott
  • Patent number: 5588926
    Abstract: A self-guiding chain assembly includes a silent chain with inner and outer links having depending toes. Traditional guide links are replaced by inverted tooth outer links with a crotch of lesser height than the crotch of the inner links. The outer links perform the self-guiding function and act to maintain the chain on the sprockets. The chain has particular application in engine timing systems that utilize phased chains and sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Mott, David C. White, Thomas J. Becker
  • Patent number: 5453059
    Abstract: A silent or inverted tooth chain assembly includes links of different or unequal pitch lengths. Some sets of links have links of a first pitch length, while other sets of links have links of a second, or different pitch length. The pitch length of the links may be altered by varying the distance between the centers of the apertures of two links or the location of the apertures within the link. The links with differing pitch length may be randomly arranged in a prescribed pattern through the length of the chain. In addition to variation of pitch length, further randomization is achieved by including links of two different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Stellios A. Avramidis, Timothy J. Ledvina
  • Patent number: 5409424
    Abstract: A power transmission chain belt wherein sets of parallel links each including at least inner link plates are connected by pivot members to form each of at least two chains arranged in side-by-side parallel relationship with each other with a relative longitudinal offset distance, each pivot member having a first pin and a second pin which rolls on the first pin and whose rotation is prevented. The first and second pins extend through at least the inner link plates, and one of the first and second pins extends, preferably, the second pin, also through an outer link plate of each chain. The chain belt incorporates a mechanism which is associated with the end portion of the above-indicated one of the first and second pins, for inhibiting longitudinal relative movement of the chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignees: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Okuwaki, Yukio Tomimura
  • Patent number: 5378205
    Abstract: An extruded metal chain pin (34) for connecting center and side links of a chain together. The chain pin (34) comprises an extruded solid cylindrical body (130), having two flattened transverse ends (132) and an extruded grain structure (134) extending parallel through the length of the cylindrical body (130). The pin is characterized by all of the extruded grain structures (134) extending parallel to the cylindrical body (130) and into the flattened transverse ends (132) before reaching flare-out points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventors: Allen P. Gohl, Edmund W. Gohl
  • Patent number: 5322483
    Abstract: A renovated bicycle chain includes generally an inner chain plate and an outer chain plate. The inner chain plate includes a pair of arcuate grooves at inner end of a pair of pin holes, respectively adopted to receive a corresponding arcuate protrusions extending from the inner end of a pin hole of the outer chain plate. Both inner and outer chain plates have an aperture at center with an angular groove adopted to accommodate the outer edge when inner and outer chain plates are connected. Luminescent emission diodes also may be applied to the chain plates as a warning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Yaban Chain Ind'l Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen B. Wang
  • Patent number: 5267910
    Abstract: Noise reduction in a silent chain is achieved by forming the majority of the toothed link plates with modified tooth profiles having a circular concave portion conforming t the shape of the teeth of the sprocket engaged by the chain, and a circular convex portion near the tip, the center of curvature of the convex portion being on the dedendum side of the pitch line. Additional link plates having a different meshing pitch are disposed at irregular intervals along the length of the chain. These additional link plates can have linear of modified tooth profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Masao Maruyama, Masaru Morimoto, Hiroki Ishida, Nobuyuki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 5242333
    Abstract: A rocker-pin type continuously variable transmission chain having a plurality of link plates connected endlessly by rocker pins which project into pin insertion holes formed in the link plates. Each pin insertion hole defines thereon a side load transmitting surface which engages an opposed side load transmitting surface on the rocker pin. These load transmitting surfaces on the rocker pin and hole have opposed center surface portions which are maintained free of contact with one another. A pair of concave surface portions are smoothly joined directly to opposite ends of the center surface portion of the hole, and project outwardly in opposite directions therefrom. A similar pair of convex surface portions are formed on the rocker pin, and are joined to opposite ends of the center surface portion thereof and project outwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Sugimoto, Hiroki Ishida, Toshihiro Hosokawa, Nobuyuki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 5178585
    Abstract: A chain with an easily adjustable number of links for bicycles. The chain has links each having a first outer chain plate, a second outer chain plate, a first inner chain plate, a second inner chain plate, and a pin. The first outer chain plate has two holes each defined by overlapping circles of different diameters, forming a figure-eight outline. The pin has a flat button at an end thereof, a neck at the other end thereof, and a dome button formed on the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Ta Ya Chain Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien S. Lin, Hung M. Ko, Ming T. Lin
  • Patent number: 5176586
    Abstract: A silent chain comprising link plates each having a pair of meshing teeth adapted to mesh with a sprocket tooth, and a pair of connection pin insert holes through each of the link plates adjacent opposite ends thereof. A pair of long and short connection pins are inserted into each of the insert holes. The long connection pin has opposite ends secured within holes formed in guide plates disposed adjacent opposite sides of an array of link plates, which guide plates prevent disengagement from the sprocket teeth. The rigidity of the guide link with respect to transmission of tension along the chain is about one-half the rigidity of the meshing link plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 5156574
    Abstract: In a power-assisted chain drive actuator for opening and closing gating fixtures, a drive chain has successive links formed of pairs of plates being parallel and swivel connected to each other by crosswise studs having an increased middle diameter holding the plates apart; the chain is also provided with members for limiting the relative angular displacement of adjacent links in the chain; between the middle increased diameters there engage the teeth of a drive sprocket; the limiting members prevent the chain from becoming deflected in the direction of its remote side from the drive sprocket past a position of substantially straight alignment of the links and take up the bending couples on the chain on application of a push force to a fixture leaf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giorgio Gai
  • Patent number: 5147251
    Abstract: A three-way laced chain (40) has a plurality of links (32, 43, 45) that are rranged in rows (A, B and C) that extend across the width of the chain (40) where similarly located end regions of the links (42, 43, 45) are offset. The links (42, 43, 45) that extends along the longitudinal center of the chain (40). A plurality of first (43), second (42) and third (45) links are positioned in substantially parallel relationship with respect to each other. The second links (42) have a thickness less than the first links (43) and the third links (45) have a thickness greater than the thickness of the first links (43). An aperture (49) is located at each end of the first (43), second (42) and third (45) links. A plurality of connecting elements (51) extend through the apertures (49) and connect together adjacent first (43), second (42) and third (45) links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive Transmission & Engine Components Corporation
    Inventor: Edward H. Cole, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5114384
    Abstract: In a power transmission chain comprising multiple rows of link plates, leaf spring links, interposed between adjacent link plates, provide the chain with a degree of resistance to bending and thereby reduce vibration noise. The leaf spring links are provided with sprocket tooth-contacting surfaces which extend a short distance beyond the opposite sprocket tooth-contacting surfaces of the adjacent link plates. Consequently, the leaf spring links, perform two functions. They not only reduce vibration of the chain, but also cushion the impact of the sprocket teeth with the tooth-contacting surfaces of the link plates of the chain, thereby reducing impact noise. The leaf spring links can be arranged in two rows in overlapping, longitudinally offset relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Hideo Tsuyama
  • 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: 5073153
    Abstract: A chain is a combination of a plurality of links, each link comprising a pair of outer and inner chain plates and rollers, each chain plate being dumbbell shaped and providing an inclined surface along an upper and lower edge of an inner surface thereof, from one lateral end to another. The inclined surface has a blade portion with a greater slope in a central straight portion of the chain plate, the inner chain plate further providing an inward projection on an innermost central portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Inventor: Chia L. Wu
  • Patent number: 5066265
    Abstract: A chain is a combination of a plurality of links, each link comprising a pair of outer and inner chain plates and rollers, each chain plate being dumb-bell-shaped and providing an inclined surface along an upper and lower edge of an inner surface thereof from one lateral end to another, the inclined surface having a blade portion with greater slope in a central straight portion of the chain plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Inventor: Chia L. Wu
  • Patent number: 4983147
    Abstract: A chain has pairs of inner sheets and pairs of outer sheets. Each sheet has two rings. An annular flange is formed on each ring. An inner surface of an opposite end to a free edge of each annular flange is rounded so as to form a recess. Each annular flange of the outer sheet is received in the recess of one inner sheet. A pin is inserted through the annular flanges of a pair of inner sheets and a pair of outer sheets. A head of the pin is received in the recess of the outer sheet. The other end of the pin is deformed so as to be received in the recess of the other outer sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Inventor: Chia L. Wu
  • Patent number: 4973293
    Abstract: A multiple drive chain system comprises two-chain pairs and a plurality of rotatable sprockets working together and with the chain pairs to lift and transport heavy loads. The two-chain pairs are arranged in superposed interlocking relationship and each chain is made of a succession of links having link plates wherein the link plates of the fourth chain lie between and are inner to the link plates of the third chain, and the link plates of the first plate lie between and are inner to the link plates of the second chain. The first and third chains are piggybacked for part of their travel and, similarly, the second and fourth chains are piggybacked through part of their travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Z-Loda Systems Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Guenther L. Kuehl
  • Patent number: 4871344
    Abstract: A power transmission endless chain belt connecting two pulleys, including a belt body having multiple sets of link plates each set consisting of a plurality of parallel link plates, each of which has a pair of pin holes. The belt body further has multiple pins inserted into the pin holes such that the link plates of one set are pivotally connected to the link plates of the adjacent sets. The chain belt further includes multiple pairs of blocks each pair having opposed mutually rolling surfaces, each pair of blocks having an aperture through which the link plates of the corresponding set extend. The pins define first bending points of the belt. One of the pin holes formed in each link plate has a larger size than the other pin hole, and cooperates with the corresponding pin, to define a clearance therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunio Morisawa
  • Patent number: 4854925
    Abstract: A multi-ratio drive utilizing a chain link or a belt segment specifically designed to engage a sprocket having a plurality of cylindrical pins radially spaced from one another in a circular array. The chain links or belt segments are connected to one another to form a flexible tensile member. The chain embodiment is formed of a plurality of link plates each having a first and second end pivotably attached to one another and extending along a chain axis. Each link is provided with two teeth projecting transversally from the chain axis and each having a concave drive face having a radii substantially equal to that of the sprocket pins to be engaged thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: GMI Engrg., & Mgmt., Institute
    Inventor: Tirupathi R. Chandrupatla
  • Patent number: 4832187
    Abstract: A conveyor belt composed of a plurality of interconnected modules, each of identical construction and end to end mateable. Each module includes a multiplicity of elongated parallel spaced link elements terminating in first and second link ends. An intermediate section between the link ends is of grid-like structure providing a box beam across the width of the module for structural strength. This intermediate section also includes angled surfaces which define sprocket recesses located midway between the pivot axes and which are adapted to mate with corresponding sprocket teeth of an associated sprocket wheel. These intermediate sprocket recesses provide the benefit of minimizing chordal action and scrubbing between the mating surfaces of the module and sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Lapeyre
  • Patent number: 4764158
    Abstract: A chain constituted by an endlessly connected link plate groups each consisting of a plural number of link plates with paired pin-receiving holes and successively connected with adjacent link plate groups with the respective link plates intermeshed with the link plates of adjacent groups and with a shift of one pitch from the latter, by means of paired rocker pins inserted in the pin-receiving holes of the intermeshed link plates in back-to-back relation with each other, the rocker pins being formed in an arcuate shape and spaced from each other by a predetermined gap space when the centers of the pin-receiving holes of the intermeshed link plates are brought into alignment with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Daido Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Honda, Masahiro Nagae, Hiroshi Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 4759740
    Abstract: A silent chain for automotive vehicle or industrial drive applications wherein the chain is formed of blocks of links alternating with pairs of guide links joined by pivot pins wherein both teeth of each link are in driving engagement with the teeth of the driving sprocket with alternating inside flank and outside flank engagement. The pins joining the guide links and blocks of links lie on the approximate pitch diameter of the sprocket. Each link has the inside flank defined by a compound curve with one radius centered in an aperture center for the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Cradduck
  • Patent number: 4758210
    Abstract: A silent chain for automotive vehicle or industrial drive applications wherein the chain is formed of blocks of links alternating with pairs of guide links joined by pivot pins wherein both teeth of each link are in driving engagement with the teeth of the driving sprocket with alternating inside flank and outside flank engagement. The pins joining the guide links and blocks of links lie on the approximate pitch diameter of the sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Ledvina
  • Patent number: 4758209
    Abstract: A sprocket for use with a silent timing chain for automotive vehicle or industrial drive applications wherein the sprocket is formed with an even number of teeth of which there are alternating tooth profiles. One tooth profile comprises outwardly converging straight-sided flanks and the other profile comprises involute curved flanks. This sprocket is used with a block-type timing chain so that the straight-sided flanks engage the inside flanks of the leading chain link teeth and the involute curved flanks engage the outside flanks of the trailing link teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Ledvina
  • Patent number: 4741725
    Abstract: This chain is improved in such manner as to improve the guiding thereof by chain guide roller in a gear changer of a cycle. For this purpose, its outer plates (10) include along their edge (16) opposed to the side of the chain facing toward the sprockets with which the chain cooperates, a projecting portion (17) projecting toward the interior of the chain, these projecting portions (17) defining therebetween a gap (18) of reduced width in which is engageable the chain guide roller with a reduced lateral clearance. Preferably, the edge (16) is convex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Compagnie des Transmissions Mecaniques Sedis and Sachs-Huret S.A.
    Inventor: Alain F. Ingold
  • Patent number: D427898
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Sinapore Technologies Automotive Limited
    Inventor: Heng Fong Loh