Abstract: A roller-type chain for a bicycle is configured with asymmetrical chain link plates, the chain link plates applicable for use with a chain with reduced chain width as in use on chain drives with a high number of gear ratios. The chain link plates are configured at the inner side of the chain loop for engagement on the teeth of the rear sprocket and of the front chain wheel. The chain link plates are further configured at the outer side of the chain loop for interaction with the chain-guiding roller on the rear gearshift mechanism.

Abstract: A chain includes a plurality of inner links and a plurality of outer links. Each of the inner links includes a pair of inner plates each having a bush hole and a bush. The bush includes both end portions which are press-fitted into bush holes of the pair of the inner plates. Each of the outer links includes a pair of outer plates and a pin. A diametric dimension in a pitch direction of an inner diametric surface of the bush is constant along an entire axial length of the bush. A diametric dimension in a height direction of the inner diametric surface at each of the both end portions of the bush is smaller than a diametric dimension in the height direction of the inner diametric surface at an intermediate part of the bush located between the pair of inner plates.

Abstract: Provided is a silent chain. The silent chain includes a first guide plate having a first outer groove in a rear surface thereof, a second guide plate spaced apart from the first guide plate in a first direction, a first middle plate disposed between the first and second guide plates, at least one first inner plate disposed between the first middle plate and the first guide plate and having first inner grooves in a rear surface thereof, at least one second inner plate disposed between the first middle plate and the second guide plate, and a first connection pin configured to connect the first and second guide plates, the first and second inner plates, and the first middle plate to each other. The first inner groove and the first outer groove are located on an imaginary first line.

Abstract: Adjacent chain elements transmit a tension by allowing two pins to contact each other. When a chain which has been in a linear state starts to bend, a contact point moves from one point to another. Such movement of the contact point generates a force couple. This force couple causes the rear end of the chain element to move in a lifted manner. An increasing rate of this amount of movement with respect to a relative angle to an adjacent chain element is set such that the increasing rate is small when the relative angle is small, and becomes larger when the relative angle becomes larger.

Abstract: Three links (40) within one width-direction unit (54) are included in respectively different link units (46). The links in the first row and the sixth row from the right end and the left end of a chain are included in the same link unit (first link unit 46-1). The links in the second row and the fifth row are included in the same link unit (second link unit 46-2). The links in the ninth row and the tenth row are included in the same link unit other than the link unit in which the links in the second row and the fifth row are included (first link unit 46-1 or third link unit 46-3). With the above structure, the stress amplitude of the links forming a chain for a chain-type continuously variable transmission can be reduced.

Abstract: A chain which is wound round on a pair of pulleys so as to extend therebetween includes a plurality of links and a plurality of connecting members. A first pin and a second pin of the connecting member are brought into rolling and sliding contact with each other at a contact portion which is displaced in association with a change in a flexing angle between the links. End faces of the first pin each have a projecting curved portion where a contact area is formed when the end faces are brought into contact with sheave surfaces of the pulleys. With respect to a vertical direction, a projecting center of the projecting curved portion is disposed between a position of a first contact portion when the chain bites into the drive pulley and a position of a second contact portion when the chain bites into the driven pulley.

Abstract: A plate for a rocker joint chain, wherein the plate includes two longitudinal legs and two vertical legs that together surround a plate opening. The plate includes an indentation positioned on an outer edge of at least one of the longitudinal legs, and it includes at least one tab positioned on the outside contour of the plate. The plate configuration enables an easier determination to be made to ascertain a specified orientation of such plates within an assembled plate-link chain formed from a plurality of plates.

Abstract: A plate for a rocker joint chain in which the plate includes two longitudinal legs and two vertical legs that together enclose a plate opening. The plate includes at least one recess in a longitudinal leg to replace a tab that extends from a longitudinal leg in previously employed plates. A guide rail along which the rocker joint chain travels to reduce slack strand vibrations during chain movement is subject to less wear than with the previously employed plates.

Abstract: A plate-link chain composed of a large number of plates that form plate sets, where adjacent plate sets are hingedly connected to each other by pairs of rocker members. The rocker members of a rocker member pair have rolling surfaces that bear against each other. Some plate sets, preferably every second one, have a cover plate on their outwardly-facing sides, and the two rocker members associated with the plate set provided with the cover plates are received in receiving openings of the cover plates, and are pressed into them. At least one of the openings has relief cuts on both ends of a contact surface contacted by the rolling surface of the received rocker member, with the cover plate opening having a third relief cut.

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: Transmission chain with links coupled by rocker assemblies with each two longitudinal pins which roll over each other and of which one cooperates in a force transmitting way with the opposite pulleys of a pair of cone-shaped pulley sheaves, and these pins have a first dimension (b) in the longitudinal direction, a second dimension (h) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the running direction of the chain and a third dimension (d) cross-wise to the longitudinal direction and in the running direction, in which for each value of the first dimension (b) both other dimensions (h) and (d), respectively, are such that the ratio between this dimension (b) and each of the other dimensions, is, taking into account the expected loading of the chain, as small as possible.

Abstract: In a rocker joint silent chain, the link plates have two different engagement pitches, and the connecting pins are composed of combinations of rocker pins and joint pins, where each rocker pin has one of two thicknesses and each joint pin has one of two thicknesses, so that the rocker joint pins of the chain have three different thicknesses. The link plates and connecting pins are arranged randomly along the length of the chain.

Abstract: A plate-link chain for a motor vehicle drive system. The chain includes a number of link plates articulatingly connected to each other by rocker members that extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the chain and are positioned in openings in the link plates. Forces are transmitted through opposed, curved contact surfaces on the rocker members and on the link plate openings. The contact surfaces are formed in a cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain and define upper and lower contact surface regions, relative to the height dimension of the rocker member. The link plate opening curves in an inward direction in an intermediate region between the contact surfaces.

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: In the state where plural sheets of link plates which are single parts are laminated, tension for widening a distance between through-holes is loaded by a pair of pins which are inserted through the through-holes of the link plates so as to load pretension serving as a predetermined compressive residual stress on the link plates. Subsequently, the pair of pins are extracted from the link plates. Consequently, connection members are inserted through the corresponding through-holes of the plurality of link plates so as to assemble a chain with an endless shape.

Abstract: A power transmission chain includes a plurality of links aligned in a chain travel direction and a coupling member that includes a first power transmission member and a second power transmission member. The first power transmission member includes an opposing portion that opposes the corresponding second power transmission member and contacts the corresponding second power transmission member on a contact portion that undergoes displacement in association with a change of a bending angle between corresponding links in a contact state including at least one of rolling contact and sliding contact. The opposing portion includes an arc-shaped portion having a predetermined radius of curvature and a rate-of-change increasing portion. The arc-shaped portion includes a portion that forms the contact portion when the bending angle is equal to or greater than zero and equal to or smaller than a predetermined boundary angle.

Abstract: A power transmission chain includes a plurality of links, a plurality of pins, and a plurality of interpieces. By pressing upper and lower edges of the pin into upper and lower edges of a through hole, the pin is connected to the link. The end of the pin which is located at a front end side when the pin is pressed is formed in a shape into which the upper and lower edges of the pin are pressed at the same time.

Abstract: Manufacture method and manufacturing apparatus for power transmission chain according to the invention are adapted to accomplish exact positioning of pin members and link plates. This permits the pin members to be positively press-inserted into pin holes of the link plates and hence, the fabrication of the power transmission chain is facilitated.

Abstract: A plate-link chain for a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission. The chain has a large number of link plates that are articulatingly connected with each other by rocker members, which link plates are positioned one behind the other and are offset from each other transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain, and also partially overlap each other. The chain has a plurality of link plates of two different lengths in the longitudinal direction of the chain, with openings to receive the rocker members. The arrangement of the link plates in the longitudinal direction of the chain is such that a long link plate is followed by a short link plate.

Abstract: A plate link chain for a motor vehicle drive system. A number of link plates are hingedly connected by pairs of rocker members that extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the chain. Curved contact surfaces are located on each of the rocker members and link plates, along which contact surfaces the rocker members and link plates contact each other to transmit power. The rocker members also include curved pitch surfaces along which rocker member pairs roll against each other to transmit power. The rocker members are shaped asymmetrically in the height direction and about a cross section plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the chain. Contact surfaces are provided on each of the upper and lower contact surface areas in the height direction of the rocker members.

Abstract: A press-fitting apparatus includes a first retaining jig having a required number of pin insertion holes into which generally longitudinally half portions of pins and interpieces can be inserted, a second retaining jig having a required number of pin insertion holes into which one end portions of the pins and interpieces can be inserted, and pressing jigs each for pressing the link into a predetermined position relative to the pins and interpieces. In the press-fitting of the links, the press-fitting operation is divided into two steps, and in each of the two steps, the links are stacked from central portions of the pins and interpieces.

Abstract: A plate for a rocker joint chain in which the plate includes two longitudinal legs and two vertical legs that together enclose a plate opening. The plate includes at least one recess in a longitudinal leg to replace a tab that extends from a longitudinal leg in previously employed plates. A guide rail along which the rocker joint chain travels to reduce slack strand vibrations during chain movement is subject to less wear than with the previously employed plates.

Abstract: A plate for a rocker joint chain, wherein the plate includes two longitudinal legs and two vertical legs that together surround a plate opening. The plate includes an indentation positioned on an outer edge of at least one of the longitudinal legs, and it includes at least one tab positioned on the outside contour of the plate. The plate configuration enables an easier determination to be made to ascertain a specified orientation of such plates within an assembled plate-link chain formed from a plurality of plates.

Abstract: Link plates of a silent chain are produced by first shaving the inner surfaces of the connecting pin holes, the sprocket tooth-engaging surfaces, and the backs of the link plates, and then forming dimples on those surfaces by shot-peening.

Abstract: When disposing pins of different shapes at random, pins of small involute base circle radius are made not to be arranged contiguously, pins of relatively small length are made not to be arranged contiguously, and pins of relatively outward offset are made not to be arranged contiguously.

Abstract: Transmission chain with links coupled by rocker assemblies with each two longitudinal pins which roll over each other and of which one cooperates in a force transmitting way with the opposite pulleys of a pair of cone-shaped pulley sheaves, and these pins have a first dimension (b) in the longitudinal direction, a second dimension (h) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the running direction of the chain and a third dimension (d) cross-wise to the longitudinal direction and in the running direction, in which for each value of the first dimension (b) both other dimensions (h) and (d), respectively, are such that the ratio between this dimension (b) and each of the other dimensions, is, taking into account the expected loading of the chain, as small as possible.

Abstract: A chain and a chain and sprocket assembly for a roller, bush, or inverted tooth chain is disclosed. The chain has at least two types of link plates having different profiles, with at least one type of link plate having a leading corner for interaction with a contact ring on the sprocket, thereby reducing noise by reducing chordal action and by breaking up the regular timing of roller-sprocket (or bushing-sprocket) and link plate-sprocket impact. A method of reducing noise in a chain and sprocket assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing of power transmission chain 1 by interconnecting plural link plates 2 with pins 3. Individual pin pairs 3 are arranged and temporarily fixed to places. The link plates 2 are sequentially stacked in layers by press-fitting respective through-holes 4 of the link plates 2 about the respective pin pairs 3, whereby the link plates 2 are interconnected to form a circular chain (an endless loop). Subsequently, the individual pin pairs 3 are released from the temporarily fixed state. Thus, the manufacture of the power transmission chain 1 is decreased in the number of operation steps, so that the chain may be assembled easily.

Abstract: A plate-link chain for a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission having a continuously variable transmission ratio. Individual rocker joints that join chain links formed by plate sets are designed as pairs of rocker members inserted into openings in the plates and having rolling surfaces that bear against each other. Three plates lying side-by-side in the transverse direction of the plate-link chain and which are associated with three adjacent chain links in the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain, form a plate subsequence. Outer plates of a plate subsequence in the transverse direction of the plate-link chain are situated in the same chain link with an outer plate of an adjacent plate subsequence that is adjacent in the transverse direction of the plate-link chain.

Abstract: A plate-link chain having a plurality of link plates hingedly connected with each other by pairs of rocker members that each include two rocker members. The rocker members extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain and are situated with play in openings in the link plates. The rocker members and the link plate openings each have respective curved contact surfaces along which the rocker members and the link plates bear against each other to transmit force. The rocker members include curved rolling surfaces along which the rocker members roll against each other during chain operation to transmit force. The play value between the rocker members and the opening in an adjacent link plate is less than 0.2 mm to minimize lateral vibrations of the chain during operation, to prevent contact of the chain with an enclosing housing and thereby reduce emitted noise.

Abstract: A method as well as a device for assembling a transmission chain made up of sets of two elongated elements which lie with their long sides against each other and are coupled in pairs to each other by link plates with openings of which chain one supports the sets in accommodating holes formed in a support, whereafter two adjacent sets of elements are coupled together by placing a link plate on them. The device has a supporting assembling body with holes for two adjacent longitudinal elements, each hole having a depth less than the element's length.

Abstract: Rolling surfaces of rocker pressure members of plate-link chains for conical disk transmissions are constructed as freeform surfaces in such a way that their radius of curvature changes in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the rocker pressure members and/or the thickness in the longitudinal direction of the rocker pressure members changes. In that way, the acoustic properties and the wear behavior of the plate-link chains can be improved.

Abstract: A drive chain suitable for use in a continuously variable transmission of a motor vehicle. The transmission has two pairs of spaced drive members about which the chain passes to transfer torque from one drive member to the other. The chain includes a plurality of link elements that include spaced, side-by-side plate links. The plate links include openings in which pairs of parallel rocker members are disposed for relative rocking movement of at least one rocker member about its longitudinal axis. The rocker members extend outwardly beyond the plate links and are retained in position by retaining members that engage particular rocker members. A method for stretching the chain is also disclosed in which areas of some of the plate links are plastically deformed before the chain is put to use.

Abstract: A chain assembly drivingly engages a plurality of sprocket teeth that extend radially outwardly from a sprocket of an automobile drivetrain. The chain assembly includes a plurality of rigid links pivotally interconnected to each other to form an endless loop, wherein each of the plurality of rigid links includes a driving surface for drivingly engaging each of the plurality of sprocket teeth during rotation of the sprocket in a first driving direction. A plurality of flexible links are each operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of rigid links for engaging each of the plurality of sprocket teeth prior to the driving engagement with the driving surface, wherein each of the plurality of flexible links are elastically deformable for dampening noise due to the driving engagement between the plurality of sprocket teeth and the plurality of rigid links.

Abstract: A drive chain suitable for use in a continuously variable transmission of a motor vehicle, the transmission having two pairs of spaced drive members about which the chain passes to transfer torque from one drive member to the other. The chain includes a plurality of link elements that include spaced, side-by-side plate links. The plate links include openings in which pairs of parallel rocker members are disposed for relative rocking movement of at least one rocker member about its longitudinal axis. The rocker members extend outwardly beyond the plate links and are retained in position by retaining members that engage particular rocker members. A method for stretching the chain is also disclosed in which areas of some of the plate links are plastically deformed before the chain is put to use.

Abstract: A seal (21) is constituted by an outer lip portion (22) to be held in abutting engagement with an outer link portion (9) of a crawler belt (7), an inner lip portion (23) to be held in abutting engagement with a bush (11), and an interconnecting bridge portion (24) bridged and connected between the outer and inner lip portions (22, 23). The outer lip portion (22) on the side of track link, the inner lip portion (23) on the side of bush, and outer bridge portion (24A) and inner bridge portion (24B) of the interconnecting bridge portion (24) are formed in thicknesses (T1, T2, T1′ and T2′), respectively, which are in the relations of (T2≈T2′>T1≈T1′). A maximum outside diameter portion (24C) of the interconnecting bridge portion (24) is located radially outward of a median point between inner and outer peripheral ends of the lip portion (23) on the side of bush.

Abstract: A power transmission chain belt has a rocker joint to reduce power transmission loss and to reduce the surface pressure acting on the connecting pin while maintaining bendability of the entire chain. The chain is formed of multiple inner links, each having a pair of pin apertures. The links are interleaved in the transverse and longitudinal directions and are connected by connecting pin inserted in pin apertures. The connecting pin includes a center pin. Arranged at the center of pin aperture are curved faces of which at both of its ends contact pulley friction surface and of a pair of rocker pins, which are arranged on both sides of center pin in the pin aperture and which are shorter than the center pin. In addition, the outer link is arranged on the outside of outermost inner link and step part of center pin is press-fitted into a pair of pin apertures in outer link.

Abstract: A device for inserting an articulation pin (28) to pivotally connect the outer plates (12) and the inner plates (14) of a chain, particularly a bicycle chain. The device comprises an articulation pin (28) and a guide element (30) which is to be separated from the pin (28) after the insertion of the pin (28) within aligned holes (16, 18) of said plates (12, 14). The pin (28) is provided at one end thereof with a snap engaging portion (38) shaped so as to expand the holes (16) of the outer plates (12) in a radial direction during the insertion of the pin.

Abstract: An endless link chain, particularly for use in a continuously variable transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle, has composite links and pintles which articulately connect neighboring links to each other. At least one of the links is assembled of at least two types of parallel plate-like components which differ from each other in size, shape, material and/or strength. The purpose of such selection of the plate-like components is to enhance one or more characteristics of the chain, for example, to reduce or eliminate vibration, to reduce the bulk and/or to properly position the pintles. The distribution of components in one or more links can be selected with a view to influence the above-enumerated and/or other characteristics, such as the resistance to deformation, of the chain.

Abstract: In an inner link plate, which forms a link assembly of a silent chain, positions K, L, M and N where the respective distances between a bush hole, and the outside surface portion, the inside surface portion, the back surface portion and the shoulder portion reach the shortest distances are located in the vicinity of a hypothetical circle substantially concentric with the bush hole, and at the same time the shortest distances k, 1, m and n in the respective positions K, L, M and N are formed to be the plate thickness t of the inner link plate or more.

Abstract: A drive chain suitable for use in a continuously variable transmission of a motor vehicle. The transmission has two pairs of spaced drive members about which the chain passes to transfer torque from one drive member to the other. The chain includes a plurality of link elements that include spaced, side-by-side plate links. The plate links include openings in which pairs of parallel rocker members are disposed for relative rocking movement of at least one rocker member about its longitudinal axis. The rocker members extend outwardly beyond the plate links and are retained in position by retaining members that engage particular rocker members. A method for stretching the chain is also disclosed in which areas of some of the plate links are plastically deformed before the chain is put to use.

Abstract: A rocker joint silent chain includes rocker joints articulately connecting together multiple interleaved link plates and guide plates located outside the interleaved link plates in the widthwise direction of the chain. Each of the rocker joints is composed of a longer pin firmly fitted at opposite ends thereof in a pair of aligned pin-accommodation holes of two opposed guide plates, and a shorter pin having opposite ends projecting from opposite outer surfaces of the interleaved link plates. The ends of the shorter pin are in slight contact with inner surfaces of the guide plates. High-frequency noise and abrasive wear of the rocker joints and link plates, which may occur due to free movement of the shorter pin in the widthwise direction of the chain, can be avoided.

Abstract: A flexible torque-transmitting device (1) such as a chain belt that runs in an endless loop around a first and second pair of conical disks in a continuously variable transmission of a motor vehicle includes means to keep the transverse force-transfer elements (2a, 2b) from becoming dislodged out of their seating positions in the lengthwise-running links (3a, 3b, 3c) of the chain belt.

Abstract: A silent chain includes guide washers to prevent bending of the connecting pins during prestressing. The chain has multiple link plates, each with a pair of teeth and pin apertures. The links are interleaved in the transverse and longitudinal directions and are connected pivotally by connecting pins. The connecting pin is composed of a joint pin that is arcuate in cross-section and a rocker pin, which is shorter than the joint pin and arcuate in cross-section. A guide washer is provided for each connecting pin. The guide washer has guide parts that extend on both sides of the teeth of the link plate and includes a pin aperture for fixing the end of the joint pin.

Abstract: A silent chain is directed to prevent bending of the connection pin and reducing surface pressure acting on the connection pin while maintaining bendability of the entire chain. The chain includes multiple link plates, each having a pair of teeth and a pair of pinholes. The links are interleaved in the transverse and longitudinal directions and the link plates are connected by connection pins inserted in the pinholes. Connection pin is composed of center pin at the center of pinhole and of a pair of rocker pins on both sides of said center pin. Guide washer is provided to each connection pin. Guide washer has a guide part extending on both sides of the teeth of link plate and a central apertures for fixing of the end of center pin.

Abstract: A chain includes a pair of rocker joint pins inserted through laterally aligned pin holes of two adjacent link plates. The pin holes have a pair of upper and lower pin-position constraining surfaces arranged to face upper and lower flat surfaces, respectively, of each rocker joint pin with a very small clearance defined therebetween so that the rocker joint pin is always kept in position against displacement in a vertical direction relative to the link plates. When the chain is urged to warp or bend into a V shape, each of the rocker joint pins is gripped by the upper pin-position constraining surface of one of the two adjacent link plates and a warp blocking surface of the other of the two adjacent link plate. Thus, such warping of the chain does not take place.

Abstract: A transmission chain includes a plurality of cylindrical hollow bushes each of which has an outer circumferential surface press-fitted into a bush hole formed in at least one plate, as well as an inner circumferential surface rotatably supported by an outer circumferential surface of a pin. The at least one plate is arranged at such a position relative to a corresponding bush as to prevent a center portion of the bush from expanding radially outward even when the bush is press-fitted into the plate. Since deformation of a bush during press-insertion of the bush into the plates can be prevented and thus the parallelism of the inner circumferential surface of the bush is maintained, elongation of the chain which would otherwise occur due to wear at the initial stage of use of the chain is suppressed effectively.

Abstract: A link chain for a continuously variable cone pulley gear whose link pins connecting the individual chain links 1,2; 11,12 are formed as pairs of rocker members 25. The end faces of the rocker members 25 transfer the friction forces between the cone pulleys and the link chain. The rocker members are secured at least in part by retaining elements 20,33 against moving sideways out of the recesses in the chain links. One retaining plate 20,33 is allocated to at least the outside chain links of the chain defining the chain width. The retaining plate 20,33 is mounted on the outside of the outer chain link and is fixed on the rocker members associated with the chain link with a clamping seat 28-31; 44-47 which leaves the rocker faces free. The structural unit formed from at least one retaining plate 20,33 and the associated rocker members has a design which allows a change in the spacing of these rocker members in the chain longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A derailleur bicycle chain includes a plurality of intermediate links, a plurality of pairs of outer links, and a plurality of fasteners. Each fastener connects an end of one of the plurality of intermediate links between a corresponding pair of outer links so that the plurality of intermediate links alternate with the plurality of pairs of outer links. Each intermediate link defines a recess between each end thereof for receiving a sprocket tooth therein, and each end of each intermediate link forms drive faces facing toward and away from the recess.