# US 2018/0320757 A1 · Guide device for long object, and guide rail

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- Number: US 2018/0320757 A1
- Document ID: US20180320757A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/773,364
- Filed: 2016-10-31
- Published: 2018-11-08
- Earliest claimed: 2015-11-16
- Assignees: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
- Applicants: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
- Inventors: Takayuki Tetsuka
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180320757A1

## CPC

- F16G 13/16: with arrangements for holding electric cables, hoses, or the like
- H02G 11/00: Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
- G02B 6/4461: {Articulated}
- H02G 3/0475: {formed by a succession of articulated units}
- F16G: BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
- H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

An elongated object guiding device includes a protective guide and a guide rail. The protective guide includes a plurality of links. The links form an accommodation cavity that accommodates an elongated object. The protective guide guides while protecting the elongated object accommodated in the accommodation cavity. The guide rail moves back and forth while guiding the protective guide as the protective guide moves back and forth in a longitudinal direction. The protective guide includes a plurality of engagement portions. The guide rail includes a guide groove that engages the engagement portions and extends in the longitudinal direction to allow the protective guide to be guided. The guide groove restricts movement of the engagement portions in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction and allows movement of the engagement portions in the longitudinal direction.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An elongated object guiding device comprising:
a protective guide including a plurality of links that are pivotally coupled to one another in a state arranged in series, wherein the links form an accommodation cavity that accommodates an elongated object, and the protective guide guides while protecting the elongated object accommodated in the accommodation cavity; and
a guide rail that moves back and forth while guiding the protective guide as the protective guide moves back and forth in a longitudinal direction while forming a curved portion, wherein
the protective guide includes a plurality of engagement portions arranged in the longitudinal direction in a manner allowing for engagement with the guide rail,
the guide rail includes a guide groove that engages the engagement portions and extends in the longitudinal direction to allow the protective guide to be guided, and
when the protective guide moves back and forth, the guide groove restricts movement of the engagement portions in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction and allows movement of the engagement portions in the longitudinal direction.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The elongated object guiding device according to claim 1, wherein
the engagement portions are arranged on at least part of the links, and
a gap extends between each of the links and the guide rail.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The elongated object guiding device according to claim 1, wherein each of the engagement portions includes
an arm formed integrally with a corresponding one of the links, and
an accommodated portion coupled to a distal portion of the arm and accommodated in the guide groove in a movable manner.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The elongated object guiding device according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail is separated into a plurality of guide rail segments that are coupled to one another in a removable manner.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The elongated object guiding device according to claim 1, wherein
the guide rail and the protective guide move in cooperation, and
a movement distance of the guide rail when moved back and forth once is shorter than a movement distance of the protective guide when moved back and forth once.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A guide rail included in the elongated object guiding device according to claim 1.