US 4,905,948 AGranted

Continuous loop chain support apparatus

OwnerSamuel E. Indorfinventor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A transport and storage apparatus for a continuous loop roller chain is disclosed. The apparatus is specifically adapted for continuous loop roller chains comprised of individual links having at least one plate and an interconnecting pin which interconnects a pair of immediately adjacent links. Such pins restrict such adjacent links to pivoting relative to one another about a single pivot axis. The support apparatus comprises first and second chain blocks having a thickness dimension at least as great as the thickness of the individual links. The first and second chain blocks are movably coupled to and biased from one another for placing a continuous loop chain internally received thereby in tension to maintain such a chain in an expanded and untangled condition.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A roller chain storage support apparatus in combination with a continuous loop roller chain of a known length and thickness comprised of individual links of a known pitch having at least one plate and an interconnecting pin, the interconnecting pin interconnecting a pair of immediately adjacent links and restricting such adjacent links to pivoting relative to one another about a single pivot axis in a desired plane, the support apparatus comprising:

a base having a length greater than the known length of the roller chain and having opposed first and second faces;
a stationary roller chain block affixed to the first face and projecting outward therefrom a distance greater than the chain thickness;
said stationary roller chain block having a first curved end surface and first side surfaces spaced apart a prescribed first width distance for receiving a segment of the continuous roller chain thereon to form a first curved loop end about the curved end surface and spaced apart, substantially linear flights along the side surfaces in the prescribed plane;
a movable roller chain block mounted for movement toward and away from the stationary roller chain block between a contracted position and a fully extended position in which the movable roller chain block extends outward from the first face a distance greater than the thickness of the roller chain;
said movable roller chain block having a curved second end surface and second side surfaces that are spaced apart a second prescribed width distance for receiving an opposing segment of the continuous roller chain to form a second chain loop about the second curved end surface and continuations of the chain flights along the second side surfaces in the desired plane;
wherein the first and second curved ends are spaced apart a distance less than the length of the continuous roller chain when the movable roller chain block is in the contracted position and wherein the first and second curved ends are spaced apart a distance greater than the length of the continuous roller chain when the movable roller chain block is in the fully extended position;
and
biasing means biasing the movable roller chain block away from the stationary roller chain block and from the contracted position toward the fully extended position maintaining the roller chain flights in tension between the two chain loops in the desired plane while the continuous roller chain in being stored on the storage apparatus preventing the continuous roller chain from becoming entangled.

5 more elements

A roller chain storage support apparatus in combination with a continuous loop roller chain comprised of individual links having at least one plate and an interconnecting pin which define a link thickness, the interconnecting pin interconnecting a pair of immediately adjacent links and restricing such adjacent links to pivoting relative to one another about a single pivot axis, the support apparatus comprising:

first and second chain blocks, each block having a thickness dimension greater than the link thickness;
each block having a curved end and spaced apart side surfaces receiving an opposing segment of the continuous roller chain forming a looped end about the curved end and supporting chain flights along the side surfaces;
coupling means movably interconnecting the first and second chain blocks;
and
biasing means biasing the first and second chain blocks from one another placing said a continuous loop chain internally received by the first and second chain blocks in tension placing and maintaining such chain in an expanded and untangled condition.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

a base having a length greater than the known length of the roller chain and having opposed first and second faces;
a stationary roller chain block affixed to the first face and projecting outward therefrom a distance greater than the chain thickness;
said stationary roller chain block having a first curved end surface and first side surfaces spaced apart a prescribed first width distance for receiving a segment of the continuous roller chain thereon to form a first curved loop end about the curved end surface and spaced apart, substantially linear flights along the side surfaces in the prescribed plane;
a movable roller chain block mounted for movement toward and away from the stationary roller chain block between a contracted position and a fully extended position in which the movable roller chain block extends outward from the first face a distance greater than the thickness of the roller chain;
said movable roller chain block having a curved second end surface and second side surfaces that are spaced apart a second prescribed width distance for receiving an opposing segment of the continuous roller chain to form a second chain loop about the second curved end surface and continuations of the chain flights along the second side surfaces in the desired plane;
wherein the first and second curved ends are spaced apart a distance less than the length of the continuous roller chain when the movable roller chain block is in the contracted position and wherein the first and second curved ends are spaced apart a distance greater than the length of the continuous roller chain when the movable roller chain block is in the fully extended position;
and
biasing means biasing the movable roller chain block away from the stationary roller chain block and from the contracted position toward the fully extended position maintaining the roller chain flights in tension between the two chain loops in the desired plane while the continuous roller chain in being stored on the storage apparatus preventing the continuous roller chain from becoming entangled.

5 more elements