Debarking chain quick change fitting

A method for connecting an open link to a closed link comprising the steps of:

• aligning a reduced cross section on one side of the closed link with an opening in one side of the open link;
• moving the reduced cross section through the opening with one end formed by the opening having a dimension preventing the one end from passing through an interior aperture of the closed link;
• rotating the closed link to align a larger dimension of the interior aperture with the dimension of the one end;
• and
• sliding the one end through the larger dimension of the interior aperture to connect the closed link to the open link.

A chain link connection comprising:

• a first link having first and second arcuate sections and first and second straight sections forming a first plane therethrough and a first interior aperture therebetween, said first aperture having a first minor axis generally parallel to said arcuate sections and a first major axis generally parallel to said straight sections;
• said first straight section having a slot therethrough forming a first end adjacent said first arcuate section and a second end adjacent said second arcuate section, said slot having a slot height determined by the minimum distance between said first and second ends, said second end having a generally rectangular cross-section with a first length extending parallel to said first plane;
• a second link having third and fourth arcuate sections and third and fourth straight sections forming a second plane therethrough and a second closed interior aperture therebetween, said second closed interior aperture having a second minor axis generally parallel to said third and fourth arcuate sections and a second major axis generally parallel to said third and fourth straight sections, said second closed interior aperture having a second width along said second minor axis and a second length along said second major axis, said second width of said second closed interior aperture being smaller than said first length of said second end;
• said third section having flats on each side thereof, said flats being generally parallel to said second plane and forming a reduced portion;
• said reduced portion having a thickness which is in close tolerance with said slot height such that said reduced portion is prevented from movement in the direction of said first major axis as said reduced portion is passed linearly through said slot;
• said second link being removably attached to said first link by rotating said second link such that said first plane is generally perpendicular to said second plane along said second major axis, centering said reduced portion with said slot, passing said reduced portion linearly through said slot with said second end preventing said second link from moving toward said second arcuate section within said interior aperture, rotating said second link to align said first length of said second end with said second length of said second aperture, and moving said second end through said second aperture for said third arcuate section to engage said second arcuate section thereby connecting said first and second links.