Energy feed chain
AssigneeIgus SpritzguBteile fur die Industrie GmbH
InventorBlase Gunter
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Abstract
An energy guiding chain is provided for guiding cables and hoses from a fixed location to a movable connection point. It is made of a plurality of chain straps (1a,1b) in a single strand. Each strap has a pair of joint sections with one joint section of each strap overlapping a joint section of an adjacent strap and being connected thereto by a pivot joint. Adjacent strap can be angled relative to one another with the joint axes (3a) of at least some chain straps (1a) intersecting each other and some chain straps (1b) having parallel joint axes (3b). Some of the chain straps (1a,1b) are provided with support frames for accommodating the cables and hoses.
Claims34
An energy guiding chain for guiding cables and hoses from a fixed to a movable connection point on a curved path, said chain comprising a single strand of a plurality of elongated chain straps with first and second ends, each of said straps having first and second joint sections disposed at said first and second ends, respectively, with the first joint section of each strap overlapping the second joint section of the adjacent strap, the overlapping joint sections being connected together by a pivotal joint having a joint axis, the pivotal joints in the first and second joint sections of at least some of the chain straps having non-parallel, intersecting joint axes whereby adjacent are disposed at an angle relative to one another, and at least one support frame for accommodating the cables and hoses, said support frame being mounted on one of the straps.
An energy guiding chain as defined by claim 7 including straps with parallel joint axes and wherein the straps with intersecting joint axes are alternately connected with the straps with parallel joint axes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.