Locking Member Received In Annular Groove Extending Entirely Around Circumference Of Connector Patents (Class 474/223)
  • Patent number: 11846187
    Abstract: Several embodiments of a drive pin retention system for mining chains comprise a drive pin, dowel pin, and retainer, wherein the dowel pin is fitted through the holes of a retainer aligned with the holes of the dowel pin and pressed with force so that the tolerance between the dowel pin and retainer is very close. In one embodiment, the retainer is tack welded and then the dowel pin is tack welded to further increase the tolerance and prevent loosening or movement of the retainer due to vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: ITR America, LLC
    Inventor: Clayton A Crystal
  • Patent number: 7914410
    Abstract: A bicycle chain connecting link basically has a first link plate, a second link plate, a first link pin and a second link pin. The first link plate has a longitudinal slot. The second link plate has a pair of pin attachment openings. The first and second link pins each have a first pin end retained to the first link plate and a second pin end releasably coupled in the pin attachment openings of the second link plate to be separated from the second link plate and reattached to the second link plate. At least one of the first pin ends of the first and second link pins is slidable within the longitudinal slot of the first link plate in a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal slot of the first link plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toshinari Oishi, Kenji Kamada
  • Publication number: 20080182691
    Abstract: A chain includes a connecting unit including two chain plates, and a link unit having first and second link plates parallel to the chain plates and a link pin. The first link plate is formed with a stop block and a retaining hole having an insert hole portion and a retaining hole portion. The link pin has an engaging end portion extending through the chain plates and the retaining hole portion. The connecting unit is pivotable about the link pin between a first position, where the link pin is allowed to move entirely from the retaining hole portion into the insert hole portion to thereby allow removal of the link pin from the first link plate, and a second position, where the link pin is not allowed to move entirely from the retaining hole portion into the insert hole portion due to contact of an edge of one of the chain plates with the stop block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: KMC CHAIN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daniel Wu
  • Publication number: 20040058766
    Abstract: A chain link assembly including a first link pivotally joined to a second link by a pin. The first link has a pair of first sidebars joined by a first barrel. Each first sidebar includes first and second ends joined by an inner surface and an outer surface. The first ends of each sidebar define coaxial first apertures coaxial with the first barrel, and the second ends define coaxial second apertures. A second link has a pair of second sidebars joined by a second barrel. Each second sidebar includes first and second ends joined by an inner surface and an outer surface. The second sidebar first ends define coaxial first apertures coaxial with the second barrel and the second apertures of the first link, and the second ends of the second sidebars define coaxial second apertures. A pin extends through the first apertures and first barrel of the second link and the second apertures of the first link to pivotally join the first link to the second link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schumacher, Kevin S. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20040033854
    Abstract: A plurality of chain components of a drive chain include a plurality of pairs of outer chain plates, a plurality of pairs of inner chain plates, a plurality of tubular rollers, and a plurality of pins. At least one of the outer chain plates, the inner chain plates and the tubular rollers has a hardened layer formed by infiltrating with at least one element selected from boron, chromium and aluminum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel Wu
  • Patent number: 6390943
    Abstract: A retainer subassembly for a master link of a chain includes a cover plate, a pair of snap rings and a strap plate. The cover plate includes a pair of stepped recesses terminating in openings adjacent the outer face of the cover plate for receiving the spaced pins of a master link. Snap rings having radially inwardly extending and axially outwardly inclined tangs are disposed in the recesses. A strap plate overlies the inside face of the cover plate. To apply the retainer subassembly to the master link, the holes through the retainer subassembly are aligned with the pins and the retainer subassembly is pushed onto the pins. Once the flanges of the snap rings pass the ends of the pins, the flanges resiliently snap into the annular grooves of the pins retaining the retainer subassembly on the master link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventors: Kurt W. Dreger, John W. Dreger, Lornell Grayson
  • Patent number: 6387001
    Abstract: A chain is provided for use with a pair or a series of sprockets which is generally of the roller variety. In one embodiment, inner and outer links are rotatably mounted to spaced apart pins having a large diameter and held in position on the pins by press fit inner and outer washers. The inner and outer links are interleaved to create the endless chain. One aspect of the invention is the elimination of conventional bushings and rollers. Instead, the pins of the chain have an exposed portion maintained by the washers to contact the teeth of the sprocket directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: George L. Markley
  • Patent number: 5918730
    Abstract: There is provided a non-metallic sludge collector chain comprising at least one center block link comprising a first bore at a first end of the center block link and a second bore at a second end of the center block link, at least one insert sidebar comprising a first bore at a first end of the insert sidebar and a second bore at a second end of the insert sidebar, at least one receiving sidebar comprising a first bore at a first end of the receiving sidebar and a second bore at a second end of the receiving sidebar, a pin comprising a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion disposed between the first and second end portions, the second end portion having a grooved section, the pin being positioned through the first bore of the insert sidebar, through the first bore of the center block link, and through the first bore the receiving sidebar, and a pin cap comprising a sleeve having a raised ring protuberance thereon, the raised ring protuberance being in snapped-fit relation to the groov
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Filter Wastewater Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen B. Wilcher
  • Patent number: 5305594
    Abstract: A chain structure is provided which includes a base plate having a pair of integral cylinders extending from one side. A connecting plate has a pair of elliptically contoured apertures at respective ends adapted to receive the corresponding cylinders. Each of the cylinders has an annular groove formed in a top portion with tapered surfaces. Each of the apertures has a pair of tapered walls at respective sides adapted to matingly engage with the tapered side walls of the connecting plate when the connecting plate is inserted into the base plate and the apertures are aligned in the annular grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Yaban Chain Ind'l Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen B. Wang
  • Patent number: 5299416
    Abstract: A link for connecting a chain. The link has a first outer chain plate, a first pin, a second pin, and a second outer chain plate. The first outer chain plate has two circular holes. The pin has, at a first end, an enlarged flat head and, at a second end, a dome head near which a groove extends so as to form a neck. The second outer chain plate has a circular hole and a hole consisting of a relatively small semicircular hole overlapping partially with a relatively large semicircular hole. In a plant, the first pin is (a) inserted through a hole of the first outer chain plate, holes of two inner chain plates, and the circular hole of the second outer chain plate and (b) riveted at both heads to thereby combine these elements conventionally. The second pin is inserted through the other hole of the first outer chain plate and the enlarged flat head thereof is secured to the first outer chain plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Inventor: Chia-Long Wu
  • Patent number: 5201171
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of assembling a joint of an endless track chain for track-type vehicles to prevent end play in the joint is disclosed. The joint includes a pair of links and a cylindrical pin. Each link includes a laterally outwardly offset outboard end collar having a boss extending outwardly therefrom and a bore therethrough. Each boss has an outer periphery and the pin includes opposite end portions. Each end portion is pressed and non-rotatably mounted into a respective one of the bores of the outboard end collars. The method comprises the steps of forming a generally arcuately shaped annular groove about each of the end portions of the pin, placing a punch device against the outer periphery of the boss in radial alignment with the groove in the end portion of the pin, and applying a sufficient force on the punch device to form at least one mechanically formed nodule protruding from the second bore of each outboard end collar into a respective one of the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Anderton, Morris E. Taft, Michel P. Peeters, Jean-Francois P. C. Villard
  • Patent number: 5151066
    Abstract: A chain comprises a plurality of pairs of outer and inner chain plates linked by rollers and pins, each chain plate being configured as a rectangle which has a protuberant arched portion on each transverse end thereof, and each chain plate having blade portions along longitudinal upper and lower edges thereof. Each inner chain plate has inward cylindrical flanges on an inner face thereof around a periphery of the countersunk through holes thereof. Each outer chain plate has a frustum-like projection surrounding the countersunk through holes on an inner face thereof, and an inward blade portion along an edge of each arched portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: Chia L. Wu
  • Patent number: 4863418
    Abstract: A link assembly for a lightweight, non-metallic, conveyor or load transmission chain having significantly greater strength and other performance improvements compared to previous non-metallic chain links is disclosed. Each link assembly includes a pair of identical sidebars each comprised of high-strength filamentary material wound in an elongated loop configuration and fixed in a matrix of hardened resin and a connecting pin having a stiff reinforced composite core and a surrounding sleeve of low friction wear resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Envirex Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Fillar, Thomas J. Casper, James H. Wiegand
  • Patent number: 4838623
    Abstract: An end connector for double-pin track shoes or the like receives a pair of pins having arcuate grooves therein. The connector includes pin receiving openings having small diameter pin engaging arcuate surfaces, and large diameter arcuate grooves therebetween which nest arcuate portions of a spring therein. The spring also includes resiliently stressed portions that snap into the arcuate grooves in the pins when assembled, and a cap screw operatively connected between two walls of the connector clamps the connector onto the pins, thus providing double protection for maintaining the connector on the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Michael V. Mineart
  • Patent number: 4717206
    Abstract: An endless chain in which there is one row of a plurality of Y-shaped link elements across the width of the chain and an adjacent row of similar elements, the spaced parallel legs of the Ys of one row having the centrally located stem of a Y-shaped link element in an adjacent row interdigitated therewith, the legs and stem being provided with aligned openings which receive a connecting pin. This arrangement is continued along the length of the chain to whatever extent is desired. Any desired widths may be obtained by adding Y-shaped link elements to the rows thereof. Bit carrying lugs are mounted on the Y-shaped link elements so as to establish any bit pattern desired. Some of these bit carrying lugs may be skewed with respect to the direction of chain travel so as to make the chain more efficient. Such link elements may also be provided with load bearing lugs at one or more of the their sides so as to give increased support for the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: The Cincinnati Mine Machinery Company
    Inventor: Lester J. Sterwerf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4709807
    Abstract: A conveyor belt formed of links, in which the links each carry on a pair of opposite parallel sides, sleeve-shaped, mutually spaced ears which are each fitted into the spaces between the ears of adjoining links, such that the interfitted ears may be articulated relative to each other by transverse rods inserted therein. At the lateral side ears, the transverse rods are secured against displacement by pegs or dowels inserted from the side and acting as closing and stop devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Inventor: Nicolaas J. Poerink
  • Patent number: 4674803
    Abstract: An endless chain in which there is one row of a plurality of H-shaped link elements across the width of the chain and an adjacent row of similar elements, the legs of the Hs of adjacent rows being interdigitated and provided with aligned openings which receive a connecting pin. This arrangement is continued along the length of the chain to whatever extent is desired. Bit carrying lugs are mounted on the H-shaped link elements so as to establish any bit pattern desired. The H-shaped link elements may be provided with bit carrying lugs that are skewed with respect to the direction of chain travel so as to make the chain more efficient. Such link elements may also be provided with load bearing lugs at their sides so as to give increased support for the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: The Cincinnati Mine Machinery Company
    Inventor: Lester J. Sterwerf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4618190
    Abstract: Apparatus for retaining a joint of an endless track for a crawler-type vehicle is provided which includes a metal preform which is pressed into a retainer cavity surrounding and located at each of the ends of the joint of the track. The cavities are cooperatively formed by a pin groove in the opposite end portions of the pin and a link socket in the respective link outboard end portions and which are disposed in registry with the pin grooves. Once intruded into the cavities, the formed-in-place retainers thereby provided virtually eliminate any end play in the joint during operation of the crawler vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Garman, Stephen D. Swift, Richard E. Livesay, Arlyn J. Arians
  • Patent number: 4610647
    Abstract: A connection for use with chain links includes a main body portion which has at least one and preferably two support bars extending outwardly from each side of the main body portion, a recess or groove in the support bar adjacent its distal end spaced from the main body portion a distance to allow a plurality of chain links to be mounted thereon in spaced relationship, a securing clip located within each recess or groove to retain the chain links in position on, and relative to, the support bars with faces being adjacent, and one or more raised portions on at least one face of the chain links to space the chain links apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: McKenzie & Ridley Limited
    Inventor: Arthur Weeds
  • Patent number: 4272952
    Abstract: A plastic chain has a link which includes two sections formed of molded thermoplastic material. One end of each link section includes a first opening and is shaped so that when the link sections are joined, the ends will be spaced apart and the first openings aligned. The other end of each section includes a second opening. First and second mating means cooperate to join the other end to form a link. The ends with the first openings are spaced apart a sufficient distance to accommodate at least a portion of the joined other ends of an adjacent similarly-shaped link so that the first openings can be aligned with the second openings in the adjacent link to receive a link pin which is in the form of a hollow tube with a manually releasable resilient latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard B. Graham
  • Patent number: 4265084
    Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00504 Sec. 371 Date July 16, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date July 16, 1979 PCT Filed July 16, 1979A method and apparatus for assembling an articulated track chain (10) affording controlled minimum end play, the chain (10) comprising a plurality of coacting, overlapping pairs of oppositely disposed links (20,22,24,26) having integral interconnecting pin and sprocket engaging members (16,18). An apparatus (122,124) for locating the coacting, overlapping pairs of links (20,22,24,26) at a preselected position on the pin (16,18), regardless of the variations in the link thickness due to manufacturing tolerances is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Richard E. Livesay
  • Patent number: 4262971
    Abstract: A track chain construction (10) wherein a pair of link chains (11 and 12) are maintained in spaced parallel relationship by shoes (13) secured to the respective links (16,17) of the link chains. The shoes define central lugs (18) for engagement by the drive sprocket in operating the track chain. Each link (16,17) defines an integral unitary structure including a socket portion (23) and a pin portion (24). The pin defines a reservoir (27) for containing lubricating oil for lubricating the pivot joint defined by the pin (24) received in the socket bore (23). A crescent seal (36) defines a moving seal for cooperation with a fixed seal (30,31) between an end cap (29) and the socket end (21) of the link for sealingly maintaining the oil against leakage from the pivot joint (20). A removable plug (28) permits recharging the oil reservoir (27) when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: James R. Shuler
  • Patent number: 4227425
    Abstract: An inverted tooth type chain has groups of toothed links interconnected by a round rocker joint pin member extending through substantially round apertures at overlapping ends of the links. The apertures are larger in diameter than the pins to provide clearance for the rocking joint action of the links on the pins comprise a self-centering joint. The pins are manually removable without tools and have link assembly retention means at each end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Inventor: Wilfrid H. Bendall