Expansion joint mount

An expansion joint for use with a tenter system having at least two tenter chain and rail mechanisms adjustably separated by a width adjustment means, each chain and rail mechanism including at least two elongated sections of a tenter rail that conducts a tenter chain therein, the expansion joint comprising:

• a mounting means adapted for attachment to the width adjustment means of the tenter system;
• an elongated C-shaped rail cage adapted to substantially enclose abutting ends of each tenter rail section, the elongated C-shaped rail cage including a partially open side through which pin plates fixed to the tenter chain may project as the chain moves through the tenter rail, the elongated C-shaped rail cage adapted for fixing with the mounting means and receiving slidably through open ends thereof each end of one of the rail sections, the elongated C-shaped rail cage including a removable side selectively secured to the elongated C-shaped rail cage with at least one mechanical fastener, whereby the side of the elongated C-shaped rail cage may be removed to access the ends of each section of tenter rail therein;
• whereby as the tenter rails longitudinally expand and contract, the ends of each section thereof are kept in longitudinal alignment by the elongated C-shaped rail cage.