Universal chain guide for orbital pipe machines

Abstract

An orbital pipe machine guiding system to guide the machine around the circumference of a pipe has a link chain having first and second ends and a length equal to at least the circumference of the pipe and has means to attach the link chain to itself around and against the pipe in a circle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. At least one wheel is operatively connected to the machine, such that when the wheel is positioned for revolving engagement with the link chain, the machine will be guided in the circle defined by the link chain. In one embodiment, the wheel has a continuous slot formed therein extending radially inward from the periphery thereof, and the inside surfaces of the slot slidingly engage the link chain. Any one link chain may be used for several pipe sizes and the fastening arrangement of the link chain is such that surplus chain overlaps a portion of the chain lying against the pipe. The slot in the wheel extends far enough to accommodate such overlap.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.