Metalworking apparatus having improved means for supporting and guiding an endless chain

Metalworking apparatus of the type which includes an endless chain assembled from a plurality of articulated links and which further includes a housing for supporting the endless chain and for defining a path of travel passing through a work zone where stock removal tools carried by the articulated links can engage one or more workpieces as the endless chain is driven through the work zone, characterized by

• a supporting surface in said work zone area of the housing firmly supporting the endless chain as portions of the endless chain are driven through the work zone,
• gib means carried adjacent said work zone for pressing the endless chain into firm contact with said supporting surface as the endless chain advances through the work zone part of its travel,
• guide surfaces provided in said housing guiding the endless chain in its travel into and out of the work zone,
• a first set of rollers carried by the endless chain in positions for contacting said gib means so that the endless chain is pressed into firm contact with said supporting surface as said first set of rollers advances into rolling contact with the gib means, and
• a second set of rollers carried by the endless chain in positions which prevent contact of the second set of rollers with the gib means but which provide for rolling contact with said guide surfaces, the relationship of said first set of rollers to said gib means and of said second set of rollers to said guide surfaces being such that the rollers of said first set of rollers rotate in one direction as they make rolling contact with the gib means while the rollers of the second set of rollers rotate in an opposite direction as they make contact with said guide surfaces, to thereby eliminate the need for any given set of rollers to reverse direction of rotation while being carried along an endless path of travel in the apparatus.