Roller chain outer plate links: arrangements, systems of use, and methods
AssigneeFMH Conveyors LLC
InventorsWilliam Mark Hogan, Jamshid Naderi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Roller chain outer plate links including a cable support portion are disclosed. Example roller chain outer plate links include a link portion, a cable support portion oriented projecting from an outer face of the link portion, and a joint at one of the lead/tail ends of the link portion. The link portion, joint, and cable support portions each comprise portions integral with remaining portions of the outer plate link. Cable support portions of the roller chain outer plate links support a cable extending between components of an apparatus.
Claims18
A roller chain outer plate link, the outer plate link comprising:
- a link portion having opposite first and second lead/tail ends and an outer face, the link portion defining a roller chain mounting aperture arrangement;
- a cable support portion oriented projecting from the outer face;
- and
- a joint positioned at one of the lead/tail ends of the link portion;
- the link portion, joint, and cable support portions each comprising portions integral with remaining portions of the outer plate link;
- and
- the link portion having a link height and the cable support portion having a cable support portion height greater than the link height.
A method of manufacturing a roller chain outer plate link, the method comprising:
- receiving a roller chain die, the roller chain die including an outer plate link die, wherein the outer plate link die defines:
- a link portion having a first end and second end, the link portion defining a mounting arrangement;
- a cable support portion;
- and
- a joint positioned at the second end of the link portion, the cable support portion integral to the link portion at the joint;
- the link portion having a link height and the cable support portion having a cable support portion height greater than the link height
- punching a material through the roller chain die, producing a flat outer plate link;
- and
- bending the flat outer plate link at the joint.
A telescopic equipment system, comprising
- a base stage;
- one or more extensible stages supported by the base stage;
- a roller chain and a cable disposed within the telescopic equipment system, the roller chain including an outer plate link comprising:
- a link portion having a first end and second end, the link portion defining a mounting arrangement;
- a cable support portion including a cable support aperture continuously surrounded by a frame;
- and
- a joint positioned at the second end of the link portion, the cable support portion integral to the link portion at the joint, and
- the link portion having a link height and the cable support portion having a cable support portion height greater than the link height;
- a sprocket assembly, the roller chain being in operable engagement with the sprocket assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.