Conveyor chain

A conveyor chain system comprising:

• a driving member, the driving member including a first drive sprocket and second drive sprocket, each of the first drive sprocket and the second drive sprocket having a plurality of teeth;
• a conveyor chain positioned between the drive sprockets for being driven by the drive sprockets of the driving member;
• the conveyor chain comprising:
• a plurality of side link assemblies, at least one side link assembly including a pair of opposing side straps positioned on either side of the chain, the side straps engaging a drive sprocket;
• a plurality of flight arm assemblies, at least one flight arm assembly including a pair of opposing flight arms positioned on either side of the chain, the flight arms engaging a drive sprocket;
• a plurality of articulating connectors, an articulating connector positioned between a flight arm assembly and a side link assembly to couple the assemblies together, at least one articulating connector including:
• a unitary piece configured for coupling both the flight arm assembly and side link assembly together;
• side surfaces of the unitary piece having profiled surfaces formed therein and configured for receiving a portion of a side link assembly or a portion of a flight arm assembly for providing articulation in the chain;
• the unitary piece including at least a pair of wings formed thereon and positioned proximate at least one of a top surface or a bottom surface of the unitary piece, a wing of the pair extending to each side of the unitary piece.

An articulating connector for use in a chain to connect link assemblies of the chain, the articulating connector comprising:

• a unitary body having a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces;
• at least one aperture formed in the unitary body and extending from side to side in the unitary body;
• side surfaces of the unitary body having profiled surfaces formed therein and configured for receiving a portion of a link assembly of a chain for providing articulation in the chain;
• the unitary body including at least a pair of wings formed thereon and positioned proximate at least one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the unitary body, a wing of the pair extending to each side of the unitary body.