# US 12,214,542 B2 · Link device and stretching machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,214,542 B2 - Document ID: US12214542B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/866,457 - Filed: 2022-07-15 - Published: 2023-01-19 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-07-16 - Assignees: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. - Applicants: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. - Inventors: Naoaki Yoshimatsu; Ichiro Nakajima - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214542B2 ## CPC - B29C 55/165: {Apparatus therefor} - B29C 55/20: Edge clamps - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) ## Abstract Link devices include a plurality of link mechanisms which are coupled so as to form an endless chain and can move along two rails. Each of the link mechanisms includes first and second rail holders, a plurality of guide rollers provided on the first rail holder and moving along one rail while rotating, and a plurality of guide rollers provided on the second rail holder and moving along the other rail while rotating. The plurality of link mechanisms include three-roller link mechanisms in each of which three guide rollers are provided on the first rail holder and two-roller link mechanisms in each of which two guide rollers are provided on the first rail holder, and the three-roller link mechanisms and the two-roller link mechanisms are arranged alternately. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A link device used in a stretching machine for stretching a film, the link device having a plurality of link mechanisms which are coupled so as to form an endless chain and can move along two rails, wherein each of the link mechanisms includes: a first rail holder and a second rail holder; a base member bridging the first rail holder and the second rail holder; a link plate having one end rotatably coupled to the second rail holder and the other end rotatably coupled to the first rail holder of another link mechanism; a clip provided on the base member and gripping the film; a plurality of guide rollers provided on the first rail holder and moving along one of the two rails while rotating; and a plurality of guide rollers provided on the second rail holder and moving along the other of the two rails while rotating, wherein the plurality of link mechanisms include three-roller link mechanisms in each of which three guide rollers are provided on the first rail holder and two-roller link mechanisms in each of which two guide rollers are provided on the first rail holder, and wherein the three-roller link mechanisms and the two-roller link mechanisms are arranged alternately. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The link device according to claim 1, wherein two small-diameter guide rollers having the same outer diameter and one large-diameter guide roller having an outer diameter larger than that of the small-diameter guide roller are provided on the first rail holder of the three-roller link mechanism, and wherein the small-diameter guide rollers move along one side of the rail and the large-diameter guide roller moves along the other side of the rail. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The link device according to claim 2, wherein two large-diameter guide rollers having the same outer diameter as that of the large-diameter guide roller are provided on the first rail holder of the two-roller link mechanism, and wherein the one large-diameter guide roller moves along one side of the rail and the other one large-diameter guide roller moves along the other side of the rail. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The link device according to claim 3, wherein the adjacent three-roller link mechanism and two-roller link mechanism can be brought close to each other until one of the two small-diameter guide rollers provided on the three-roller link mechanism and one of the two large-diameter guide rollers provided on the two-roller link mechanism partially overlap with each other. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The link device according to claim 4, wherein the two small-diameter guide rollers provided on the three-roller link mechanism are arranged at different heights in a direction of a rotation axis and partially overlap with each other in a radial direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The link device according to claim 5, wherein the outer diameter of the large-diameter guide roller is 37 mm, wherein the outer diameter of the small-diameter guide roller is 32 mm, and wherein a minimum pitch between the adjacent link mechanisms is 40 mm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The link device according to claim 1, wherein each of the guide rollers on the first rail holder and the second rail holder is an outer ring of a rolling bearing mounted on a shaft. ### Claim 8 A stretching machine comprising a pair of link devices configured to convey and stretch a film, wherein each of the link devices has a plurality of link mechanisms which are coupled so as to form an endless chain and can move along two rails, wherein each of the link mechanisms includes: a first rail holder and a second rail holder; a base member bridging the first rail holder and the second rail holder; a link plate having one end rotatably coupled to the second rail holder and the other end rotatably coupled to the first rail holder of another link mechanism; a clip provided on the base member and gripping the film; a plurality of guide rollers provided on the first rail holder and moving along one of the two rails while rotating; and a plurality of guide rollers provided on the second rail holder and moving along the other of the two rails while rotating, wherein the plurality of link mechanisms include three-roller link mechanisms in each of which three guide rollers are provided on the first rail holder and two-roller link mechanisms in each of which two guide rollers are provided on the first rail holder, and wherein the three-roller link mechanisms and the two-roller link mechanisms are arranged alternately. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The stretching machine according to claim 8, wherein two small-diameter guide rollers having the same outer diameter and one large-diameter guide roller having an outer diameter larger than that of the small-diameter guide roller are provided on the first rail holder of the three-roller link mechanism, wherein the two small-diameter guide rollers of the three-roller link mechanism move along one side of the rail and the one large-diameter guide roller of the three-roller link mechanism moves along the other side of the rail, wherein two large-diameter guide rollers having the same outer diameter as that of the large-diameter guide roller are provided on the first rail holder of the two-roller link mechanism, and wherein the one large-diameter guide roller of the two-roller link mechanism moves along one side of the other rail and the other one large-diameter guide roller of the two-roller link mechanism moves along the other side of the other rail. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The stretching machine according to claim 9, wherein the adjacent three-roller link mechanism and two-roller link mechanism can be brought close to each other until one of the two small-diameter guide rollers provided on the three-roller link mechanism and one of the two large-diameter guide rollers provided on the two-roller link mechanism partially overlap with each other. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The stretching machine according to claim 10, wherein the outer diameter of the large-diameter guide roller is 37 mm, wherein the outer diameter of the small-diameter guide roller is 32 mm, and wherein a minimum pitch between the adjacent link mechanisms is 40 mm.