# US 5,704,697 A · Chain link for a traction chain > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,697 A - Document ID: US5704697A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/501,086 - Filed: 1995-08-02 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1993-02-10 - Assignees: Intertractor GmbH - Inventors: Michael Ketting; Christoph Pietzsch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704697A ## CPC - B65G 17/38: Chains or like traction elements (drive chains F16G13/00); Connections between traction elements and load-carriers - B62D 55/12: Arrangement, location, or adaptation of driving sprockets - B62D 55/14: Arrangement, location, or adaptation of rollers - B62D 55/20: of articulated type, e.g. chains {(with lubrication means B62D55/092)} - B65G 2201/06: Articles and bulk - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A rotatable drive/support element having a support surface is used with a chain link having a hardened running surface extending in and adapted to ride in a travel direction on the support surface and a side surface also extending in the travel direction and normally out of contact with the element. The running surface has a predetermined width b and is formed of at least one edge region of an outwardly convex arcuate shape seen in the travel direction having a radius R of curvature and a respective corner region extending from the edge region to the side region and of an outwardly convex arcuate shape seen in the travel direction having a radius r of curvature. Herein r/b.congruent.0.05 to 0.11, and preferably R/b.congruent.2.4 to 3.1. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In combination with a rotatable drive/support element having a support surface, a chain link having a hardened running surface extending in and adapted to ride in a longitudinal travel direction on the support surface and a side surface also extending in the travel direction and normally out of contact with the element, the running surface having a predetermined width b and being formed of at least one edge region having an outwardly convex arcuate shape seen in the travel direction having a radius R of curvature; and a respective corner region extending from the edge region to the side surface and of an outwardly convex arcuate shape seen in cross section having a radius r of curvature, wherein r/b.congruent.0.05 to 0.11. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The combination defined in claim 1 wherein R/b.congruent.2.4 to 3.1. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the running surface has adjacent the edge region a noncurved region. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The combination defined in claim 1 wherein R/b<2.4 and r/b.congruent.0.075 to 0.11, the entire running surface being of convex arcuate shape seen in cross section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the running surface has two such side surfaces, two such edge regions adjacent the side surfaces, and two such corner regions each joining a respective one of the edge regions to the respective corner region. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The combination defined in claim 5 wherein the running surface is formed between the edge regions with a substantially flat center region. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The combination defined in claim 5 wherein the two edge regions join centrally on the running surface, whereby the entire running surface is arcuate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the support surface has a shape generally complementary to the edge and corner regions of the running surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the running surface has a hardness between 30 HRc and 60 HRc. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the running surface has a hardness between 40 HRc and 50 HRc. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the running surface is made of a manganese-steel alloy.