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US 5,464,374 AGranted
Chain having improved load distribution
AssigneeBorg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
InventorPhilip J. Mott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power transmission chain includes pins and inner link apertures of a size to allow pivotal movement of the inner links about the pins. The ends of the pins and the outer link apertures are shaped such that upper and lower portions of the pin ends bear against upper and lower edge portions of the apertures to prevent movement of the outer links relative to the pins. At least one side portion of each pin is spaced apart from an adjacent side edge portion of the associate aperture.
Claims21
A chain comprising:
- a plurality of inner links defining a plurality of parallel inner link rows, each inner link having a pair of apertures formed in oppositely extending end portions thereof;
- a plurality of pins connecting the inner links of different inner link rows, said pins extending through corresponding apertures in the inner links and being of a size to allow movement of the inner links about the pins, said pins being of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape along the length of the pins;
- and
- a plurality of guide links at opposite outside ends of alternate rows of inner links, said guide links defining guide rows interleaved with said inner link rows, each guide link having a pair of apertures formed in oppositely extending end portions thereof for receiving a pin, the guide link apertures and ends of the pins being shaped such that upper and lower portions of the pins bear against upper and lower edge portions of the apertures to substantially prevent movement of the guide links relative to pins, and at least one side portion of each pin is in a spaced apart relationship from an adjacent side-edge portion of an associated guide link aperture.
1 more element
A power transmission chain comprising:
- a plurality of inner links defining a plurality of parallel inner link rows, each inner link having a pair of apertures formed in oppositely extending end portions thereof;
- a plurality of pins connecting the inner links of different inner link rows, said pins extending through corresponding apertures in the inner links and being slightly smaller than the apertures to allow pivotal movement of the inner links about the pins;
- and
- a plurality of guide links at opposite outside ends of alternate rows of inner links, said guide links defining guide rows of inner links between which the inner link rows are positioned, each guide link having a pair of substantially elliptical apertures formed in opposite ends thereof for receiving a cylindrical end portion of a corresponding pin, the distance between upper and lower edge portions of the elliptical apertures being approximately the same as the diameter of the pin end portions to allow the pins to be press fit therein and substantially prevent movement of the guide link relative to the pins, and the distance between side edge portions of the aperture being slightly larger than the diameter of the pin end portions.
1 more element
A power transmission chain including a plurality of pivot pins interconnecting a plurality of elongated guide links and inner links having downwardly extending tooth members said chain comprising:
- said inner links defining a plurality of parallel inner link rows, the inner links in at least two adjacent inner rows being in alternating relation such that end portions thereof overlap, said overlapping end portions having an oversized aperture therein for receiving a corresponding pivot pin;
- and
- said guide links defining guide rows of inner links between which the inner link rows are positioned, each guide link having a pair of substantially elliptical apertures formed in opposite ends thereof for receiving a cylindrical end portion of a corresponding pivot pin, the longitudinal centerline of said elliptical apertures being in alignment with the longitudinal centerline of said guide link, and the end portions of each pin being press fit into said elliptical apertures in said guide links such that said pin end portions are fixedly secured to upper and lower edge portions of the elliptical apertures to substantially prevent pivotal movement of the guide links about the pin, the distance between side edge portions of said elliptical apertures being slightly larger than the diameter of said pin end portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.