CA1282601C - Chain link - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A chain link having a pair of curved extremities and being generally in the shape of an elongated loop. The loop defines two sides which converge towards the middle of the link where the two sides are rigidly joined together, as by a weld, thereby forming a pair of interior spaces progressively narrowing towards the middle. Such link is adapted for use in alternation with pin links in a chain designed to remove waste material in a livestock enclosure.
A method of making the link is further disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The pr~sent invention relates to chain links and a method for making an improved link.
BACI~GROUND OF THE INVENTION
Chains of the endless~ type are used for a varie-ty of applications. More specifically, such chains are used in barns for commercial animals, such as livestock. The chain is adapted for movement around the perimeter of the barn, behind each stall, and has a plurality of scrapers attached thereto, so that the manure can be removed to a location outside the barn, as is known. Such systems are known as stable cleaners.
Chains adapted for the above purpose are typic-ally made with loop links alternating in position along the chain with pin links. Till now, the connection between the two kinds of link has been relatively loose. As a result, activating the chain causes jerks as the chain becomes taut, which jerks may lead to the breakage of either kind of link.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a chain lo~op link which effectively eliminates any jerky movement between the two kinds of link constituting the above chain.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a chain link of the character described, which is very strong and simple in design.
SUMMA~Y OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects and advantages of the instant invention are realized according to a preferred embodiment comprising a loop link adapted to form a chain in alternating sequence with a pin link.

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Each pin link is characteri~ed by a pair of vertically-spaced longitudinal riyid upper and lower members joined together by orthogonally-oriented pivot pins at both ends of the link. The pin links are thus open along their sides and opposite ends.
Each loop link, which forms the gist of the present invention, is preferably made of flat metal bar stock.
The me-thod of making the loop link may incl~lde the following steps:
a) forming an elongated loop in the bar stock by bending a length of the latter, wherein the inner radius of curvature of each extremity of the loop is only slightly larger than the radius of a pivot pin of a pin link, and wherein a narrow space is left between the two free ends of the bar~ These two free ends face each other on the side of -the loop opposite the continuous side at the middle of the loop;
0 b) bending inwardly the middle of both sides of the loop, so that they are in contiguous relationship;
c) welding across the entire width of the bar the two free ends of the loop link together and also to the middle of the continuous side. Thus, two inner spaces are defined in the loop link, parted by the weld. Each inner space narrows toward the center of the link.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above will be more clearly understood by having reference to the preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings, in which:

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Figure l is a perspective view of a secJment of chain made oE loop links accordlng to the invention, also showing pin links and a portion o.E a scraper attached to one of -the lat-ter;
Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of Figure 3;
Figure 3 is another sec-tional view taken along lines 3-3 of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a bo-t-tom plan view of ~he middle.portion l~ of a loop link prior to weldiny.
Like numerals indicate like elemell-ts throuyhout the drawings.
DETAILED D~SCRIPTION OF T~l~ PR~F~RR~D ~MBODIM~NT
Figure 1 shows a chain 1 according to the inven-tion.
Chain 1 includes,in alternation, pin links 2 and loop links 3. The former are provided with scraper elements of which a portion of one is shown at 4.
~ ach link 2 consists of an upper rigid strip 5 and a lower rigid strip 60 ~xtending ver-tically between -the two strips 5 and 6 at both ends, are a pair of pin members 7.
The upper part of each pin 7 has a countersink 11 in StFip 5, while the lower portion is threaded at 12 through s-trip 6 and locked in place by a nut 3. 'l'he middle portion 7' of pins 7 is smoothly surfaced.
Figures 2to 4 illustrate a loop link 3. As stated above, it is formed by bending a length of metal bar s-tock with the two ends 3', 3'' of the len~th closely facing each other. The mi.ddle 13 of the continuous side of the loop is then pressed towards the other si.de having -the free 3Q ends 3' and 3'', the latter side being also pressed, result-ing in the configuration shown ln Figure 4. A slot 9, having a minimum width W and of a general V-shape, is thus `~ ~

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formed. It is then a s:Lmple procedure to introduce tlle weld metal 10 in-to slot 9 to eEfectuate a strong permall~nt bonding.
The inner radius of curvature at both extremities of a loop link 3 is only sliyh-tly larger than the radius of a pin 7, thereby allowing eacll loop link 3 and adjacellt pin links 2 -to pivot easily relative to each other. Yet any jerkiny of the chain resultiny in a collision of a pin 7,with one extremity of a loop link, is positively eliminated, because each end por-tion o~ the loop converges longitudinally towards the weld, -thereby locking each-pin 7 in position. IN o-ther words, the -two interior spaces 14, 15 lessen in width towards the weld.

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Claims (2)

1. In a chain including a plurality of loop links and pin links pivotally interconnected in alternating manner, each pin link including a pair of spaced parallel, elongated plate members and pivot pins interconnecting both ends of said plate members and normal thereto, each loop link made from a metal bar, of generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, with end faces generally normal to said bar, said bar bent and forming an elongated loop having the shape of numeral 8 when seen in side elevation, the central section of said bar defining one side of said loop and forming an inturned V-shape bend centrally of said loop, the two end sections of said bar defining the opposite side of said loop and forming an inturned V-shape, said end faces being contiguous to the apex of said V-shape bend and spaced from each other to form a gap exposing said end faces and said apex all across said bar and a weld filling said gap, extending all across said bar and joining said end faces to each other and to said one side at said apex, the two extremities of said loop defining two partly cylindrical through-bores receiving the pins of two adjacent pin links.

2. A chain as defined in claim 1, forming an endless stable cleaning conveyor chain and further including scraper blades secured to the elongated plates of said pin links on the same side of said chain and extending substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said pin links.