EP4200503A1

EP4200503A1 - Chain lock and chain for a chain lock

Info

Publication number: EP4200503A1
Application number: EP21815383.1A
Authority: EP
Original assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Soehne KG
Current assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Soehne KG
Priority date: 2020-11-26
Filing date: 2021-11-12
Publication date: 2023-06-28
Also published as: WO2022112019A1; CA3197383A1; US20230417082A1; TW202229705A; DE102020131332A1; CN116490664A

Abstract

The invention relates to a chain lock, in particular for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising a lock body and a chain that can be locked on the lock body. The chain comprises a series arrangement of consecutive links, which are coupled to one another by means of respective articulated connections and can be pivoted relative to one another about an articulation axis, of the relevant articulated connection, extending parallel to a normal direction. The arrangement is collapsible into a compact storage configuration, in which, at each of the articulated connections, the two links coupled together by means of the relevant articulated connection are pivoted relative to one another to such an extent about the articulation axis of the relevant articulated connection that they form an angle that is as small as possible given their relative pivotability. The chain further comprises a pull device, which extends along said arrangement and by means of which a first end of the arrangement and an opposing second end of the arrangement can be pulled against each other such that the arrangement is brought into the compact storage configuration by the pull device.

Description

Chain lock and chain for a chain lock

The invention relates to a chain lock, in particular a two-wheeler chain lock, and a chain for a chain lock, in particular for a two-wheeler chain lock.

To secure two-wheelers or other moving objects against theft, it is known to close the respective object by means of a lock on an immovable object. The lock usually has an elongate locking element that is ideally guided through an opening in the object to be secured and through an opening in the immovable object or around the immovable object and is then received and locked on a lock body of the lock. This results in a ring-shaped, closed structure that can then only be unlocked and opened normally again using an associated secret code, e.g. a key or a code.

This locking element can be, for example, a typically U-shaped hasp of a padlock. Such a hasp is rigid. For this reason, it can only have a very limited length so as not to be too bulky to be carried easily. The consequence of this is that the movable object to be secured must be positioned very close to the immovable object to which it is to be secured in order to be able to be secured to it using a padlock.

A more flexible positioning of the object to be secured can be achieved by a lock with a longer locking element, which is then preferably not rigid or at least not rigid throughout, but can be folded in order to be able to be transported in a compact form. Such a locking element can, for example, be formed by a rope, a cable or a chain.

In addition to flexible applicability, it is of course also important that the locking element is designed to be as secure as possible against being separated or broken open. It is true that cable locks, in particular spiral cable locks, have particularly long locking elements, which can be formed from wire ropes, for example, but which often do not offer a particularly high level of security. In comparison, using a link chain made of interlocking round or oval chain links as a locking element can offer greater security, since the link chain as a whole is flexible, but the individual chain links are rigid and can thus be formed from particularly hard material, for example hardened steel. A disadvantage of a link chain as a locking element, however, can be the comparatively high weight.

When securing heavy motorcycles, the weight may play a rather subordinate role. In the case of bicycles in particular, e.g. high-quality lightweight racing bikes, a low weight is important in addition to a high level of security against being forced open. In particular, in this context, articulated rod locks are particularly advantageous, the Rie gelelement is formed by rigid flat-elongated members that are articulated gekop pelt together and are arranged parallel offset to each other that they can be folded into a compact package like a customs rule. These rigid articulated rods, like the articulated connections between the articulated rods, can offer a high level of security against being forced open, while the weight remains comparatively low. In addition, an articulated rod lock can have a great length, in particular compared to a padlock, but can still be folded up in a particularly compact manner and can therefore be transported easily.

In order to be able to be put together like a folding rule in just a few simple steps, however, the length of the individual jointed rods must not be too short and the number of jointed rods must not be too high. The consequence of this is that the articulated rod arrangement can only have a polygonal course made up of a few straight sections, but cannot be guided around tight curves. However, particularly in cramped environments, e.g. when several bicycles are connected to a single lamppost, it is advantageous if the locking element of the respective lock can also have tightly curved courses in order to be particularly flexible in use.

It is an object of the invention to provide a chain lock, in particular a two-wheeler chain lock, and a chain for a chain lock, in particular for a two-wheeler chain lock, which can each be used particularly flexibly, can be folded up compactly for transport in a simple manner and at the same time have a high Have security and a comparatively low weight.

The object is achieved by a chain lock with the features of claim 1 and by a chain with the features of claim 4.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims, the present description and the figures. The chain according to the invention is designed for a chain lock, in particular for a bicycle chain lock, so that it is particularly suitable for use as a locking element of a chain lock. For this purpose, the chain can be designed accordingly, in particular at its respective ends or at least one of the ends, for example by providing one or more elements of a locking mechanism or one or more elements cooperating with a locking mechanism, eg a block. However, this is not mandatory. Because it can also be provided that certain sections of the chain that are not necessarily specially designed for locking can be locked on a lock body of the chain lock. For this purpose, the lock body can have a locking receptacle, for example, in which one of these sections can be accommodated and then secured against leaving the locking receptacle by means of the locking mechanism, which is in particular formed on the lock body.

According to the invention, the chain comprises a serial arrangement of successive links, the links being coupled to one another via a respective articulation and being pivotable relative to one another about an articulation axis of the respective articulation which is parallel to a normal direction, i.e. the links of each pair of two immediately consecutive links of the arrangement coupled to one another via a respective joint connection and pivotable relative to one another about a joint axis of the respective joint connection which is parallel to a normal direction.

The serial arrangement thus comprises a large number of links which are arranged in a specific sequence. The arrangement can in particular extend from a first end member to a second end member. Each link of the assembly, with the exception of the two end links, is respectively coupled to the link preceding it in the sequence and to the link following it in the sequence by a respective articulation.

The first end link, which is not preceded by a link along the sequence, can only be coupled to the link of the arrangement following it along the sequence via a joint connection, and the second end link, which is not followed by a link along the sequence, can only be connected to the link it along the sequence preceding member of the assembly may be coupled via an articulated joint. In principle, however, further elements of the chain, in particular also further links, can be connected to one or both ends of the arrangement, which can be articulated or coupled in some other way to the respective end. The arrangement comprises, for example, at least four members, preferably at least ten, in particular at least 16 members. All articulations, which in each case couple two consecutive members of the arrangement, each have an articulation axis about which the members coupled by the respective articulation are pivotable relative to one another. All of these joint axes are aligned parallel to a normal direction and thus also parallel to one another. The designation of the joint alignment of the joint axes as the normal direction serves only as a conceptual distinction from other directions and is not intended to imply a restriction to a specific spatial direction or a special property of the direction as "normal".

In particular, the articulated connections are each designed in such a way that the two members coupled by the respective articulated connection can be pivoted relative to one another exclusively about the articulated axis of the articulated connection and have no other relative mobility. In other words, the articulated connections - apart from possible and fundamentally unavoidable play, e.g. offset along the articulation axis and smaller tilting movements perpendicular to the articulation axis - each have only one degree of freedom, namely pivoting around the articulation axis. Since all the links can thus be pivoted about mutually parallel joint axes, the mobility of the links and thus of the entire arrangement mentioned as a whole can be limited to movements within a spatial region which is delimited by two planes perpendicular to the normal direction.

The members of the assembly may each extend along a length from a first end to a second end of the respective member. In particular, at the first end of a respective link, the articulated connection for coupling to the respective preceding link, if such is present, and at the second end of a respective link, the articulated connection for coupling to the respective subsequent link, if such is present , be provided. The direction of the longitudinal extent of the respective link can then be defined by a straight line which connects the two articulated connections, in particular perpendicular to the normal direction. The longitudinal extent of a respective link can be, for example, a few centimetres, for example in the range between 2 cm and 10 cm, preferably in the range between 3 cm and 8 cm, in particular in the range between 4 cm and 6 cm.

The elements of the arrangement can basically be structurally identical to one another or can also be designed differently from one another. In particular, it is also possible that all members in terms of their training, such as in terms of their respective longitudinal extent and / or their respective expansion along the normal direction, differ from each other. Preferably, however, the joint axes of the joint connections are at least regularly spaced apart from one another. According to an advantageous embodiment, all pairs of two respective articulations following one another along the serial arrangement have the same distance between their articulation axes. In particular, all members of the arrangement can have the same longitudinal extent. Depending on the embodiment, the said distance can also vary.

Said serial arrangement may comprise first members and second members alternating along the sequence of members of the assembly. The articulated connections thus couple a first link and a second link to each other, namely either a first link with a second link that follows it (along the sequence of the links of the arrangement) or a second link with a second link that follows it (along the sequence of the links of the arrangement) following first link. The designation of the members as first members and second members serves primarily to conceptually differentiate the members based on their respective position within the serial arrangement. In particular, the members in an odd-numbered position (1st, 3rd, etc.) may be the first members, while the members in an even-numbered position (2nd, 4th, etc.) are the second members. In this respect, the first end element mentioned is one of the first elements of the arrangement. Depending on the total number of members of the assembly, the second end member of the assembly may be one of the first members or one of the second members of the assembly. Whenever a first member of the arrangement or a second member of the arrangement is mentioned below, this serves to refer to one or more members at a corresponding position within the arrangement.

The first links do not necessarily have to differ from the second links. In addition, neither the first links nor the second links necessarily have to be of the same design as each other. Preferably, however, the first members and/or the second members are essentially of the same type, in particular of identical construction (possibly with the exception of the first and/or the second end member of the arrangement). In addition, it may be appropriate that the first links differ from the second links.

In principle, the mentioned members of the arrangement can in turn be further subdivided, wherein the submembers can be movable, in particular pivotable, relative to one another. Preferably, however, all members of the assembly are each rigid. The members of the arrangement can in particular comprise a hardened metal as the material. Since the chain comprises the aforementioned serial arrangement of links which are pivotably coupled to one another, the chain is in this respect at least partially, preferably at least essentially completely, designed as a link chain. Such an articulated chain of links connected by joint connections is to be distinguished from a link chain of ring-shaped interlocking links, which can be pivoted largely freely in all three spatial directions relative to the preceding or following link and can also be offset to a limited extent.

According to the invention, the aforementioned serial arrangement can be folded into a compact storage configuration in which the two links coupled to one another via the respective articulated connection are pivoted relative to one another on each of the articulated connections to such an extent about the articulated axis of the respective articulated connection that they have the smallest possible within the scope of their relative pivotability include angles. The angle enclosed by the two members is the smaller of the two definable angles between the two members and together resulting in a full angle of 360°. In addition, the included angle is considered in absolute terms and can therefore not be smaller than 0°.

In the compact storage configuration, the links of the arrangement coupled via a respective articulated connection to a respective preceding link can be pivoted alternately in a first pivoting direction and in a second pivoting direction, opposite to the first pivoting direction, so far relative to the respective preceding link about the pivot axis of the respective Articulation be pivoted that they enclose the smallest possible angle in the context of their relative pivotability.

In particular, when the members of the assembly are distinguished as first members and second members as discussed above, at each articulation that couples a first member of the assembly to a second member of the assembly preceding it (along the sequence of members of the assembly). , the first link relative to the second link preceding it be pivoted in the first pivoting direction about the joint axis of the respective articulated connection to such an extent that the two links enclose the smallest possible angle within the scope of their relative pivotability, and on each articulated connection that a second member of the assembly to a preceding it (along the sequence of members of the assembly) of the assembly couples the second member relative to the first member preceding it in the second pivoting direction so far about the hinge axis of the respective Articulation be pivoted that the two members enclose a smallest possible angle in the context of their relative pivotability.

Said smallest possible angle is in all such cases related to the pivotability of the two members of the assembly comprising the angle relative to one another, i.e. to how far one member can be pivoted relative to the other member. In other words, the angle is as small as possible within the scope of the relative pivotability of the two respective members, in that it either cannot become smaller in principle because the two members enclose an angle of 0°, or corresponds to a limit of relative pivotability over which addition, the two members cannot be pivoted toward each other. This is explained in more detail below.

In principle, the relative pivotability of two consecutive members of the arrangement coupled to one another via a respective joint connection can be unlimited, so that a full rotation of one member relative to the other member about the joint axis is possible.

However, the relative pivotability of two successive members coupled to one another via a joint connection in each case can also be limited to a specific pivoting area. The limitation can result in particular from the fact that the links meet when pivoted and therefore cannot be pivoted to the same orientation relative to the pivot axis of the respective articulated connection, which would correspond to an included angle of 0°. The angular extent of the limited pivoting range is preferably identical for all of the mentioned joint connections. For example, the angular extent can range between 300° and 350°; preferably it is in the range between 320° and 345°; in particular, it can be about 330°, about 335° or about 340°. Compared to an extended position, in which two members coupled to one another are each arranged along a straight line with regard to their longitudinal extension, one of the two members can be pivotable relative to the other by a maximum of less than 180°. For example, one member can be pivoted relative to the other by a maximum angle in the range between 150° and 175°, preferably by a maximum angle in the range between 160° and 172.5°, in particular by a maximum angle of about 165°, about 167.5° or about 170°.

Two cases can therefore be distinguished: if two members of the arrangement coupled to one another via a respective articulated connection are in a position relative to one another can be pivoted in which they enclose an angle of 0°, i.e. pointing in the same direction from the joint axis of the respective joint connection, the smallest possible angle mentioned within the scope of the relative pivotability of the two members corresponds to this angle of 0°, namely whether or not the relative pivotability of the two members is otherwise restricted. If, on the other hand, the relative pivotability of two members of the arrangement coupled to one another via a respective articulated connection is restricted in such a way that they cannot assume such a position, the said smallest possible angle within the scope of the relative pivotability of the two members corresponds to one of the two edges of the pivoting area on which the relative pivotability of the two members is limited, in particular that of the two edges at which the two members enclose the smaller angle in terms of amount. The smallest possible angle mentioned can be, for example, less than or equal to 30°, preferably less than or equal to 25°, in particular less than or equal to 20°, for example approximately 15°.

The fact that two members of the arrangement coupled to one another via a respective articulated connection meet when pivoting and their relative pivotability is thus limited can result in particular from the fact that two or more members of the arrangement occupy at least partially the same position along the normal direction. For example, it can be provided that at each articulation coupling a respective link to a link preceding it, the respective link and the link preceding it occupy at least partially the same position along the normal direction.

Two members that at least partially occupy the same position along the normal direction need not necessarily extend along the normal direction over the same area, but can have different extents with respect to the normal direction and/or be offset relative to one another along the normal direction, but only to the extent that that they still overlap with respect to the normal direction. In this respect, such an embodiment differs in particular from articulated rod locks, the links of which are each formed by an individual articulated rod and, with respect to the direction to which the articulated axes of the articulated connections coupling the articulated rods are aligned parallel, are arranged offset to one another similar to the links of a folding rule in such a way that that they do not overlap along this direction but have different positions and that consequently two consecutive articulated rods can each be pivoted freely past one another.

Since two members occupying at least partially the same position along the normal direction overlap with respect to the normal direction, there is thus always a plane perpendicular to the normal direction for two such members, which plane intersects both members. According to a preferred In the preferred embodiment, it can be provided in particular that there is a plane perpendicular to the normal direction which intersects all the members of the arrangement. The expansion of a respective link along the normal direction can be defined by the distance, in particular the outer distance, between two link plates of the respective link (if the respective link has more link plates: the two outermost link plates of the respective link), so that a perpendicular to the normal direction Level then intersects the respective member when the plane between the two link plates, in particular between their respective outer sides, runs.

If two members of the arrangement coupled to one another via a respective articulated connection and occupying the same position along the normal direction at least partially cannot be passed through one another (e.g. through a through-opening of the other), the members meet when they are relative to one another to each other ver wasted, at some point on each other, so that their relative pivotability is limited and the smallest possible angle that they can include within the scope of their relative pivotability corresponds to that in which they meet. For this reason, the serial arrangement of the chain according to the invention or the chain of the chain lock according to the invention, if the smallest possible angle that two consecutive links of the arrangement can enclose within the scope of their relative pivotability is greater than 0°, cannot be permitted in accordance with Art folding a folding rule. Nevertheless, the storage configuration can also be comparatively compact in this case, especially if, as explained above, the members of the arrangement in the storage configuration are rotated relative to the respective preceding member alternately in a first pivoting direction and a second pivoting direction opposite thereto about the articulation axis of the respective articulated connection are pivoted so that the arrangement has a zigzag course in its storage configuration.

In this case, in the storage configuration, all angles between a respective relative to the member preceding it in the first pivoting direction (first) member and the member preceding it (second) of the arrangement can be identical to one another. In addition, in the storage configuration, all angles between each relative to the member preceding it in the second pivoting direction wasting (second) member and the member preceding it (first) of the assembly may be mutually identical. Moreover, in the storage configuration, all the angles between a given member and the member of the assembly preceding it may be mutually identical. Further, when the members of the assembly are distinguished as first members and second members as discussed above, in the storage configuration all the first members of the assembly may be aligned parallel to one another and offset from one another along a longitudinal extent perpendicular to the normal direction of the compactly folded assembly ; preferably, the first members are not offset from one another along the normal direction, but all have the same position with respect to the normal direction. In addition, in the storage configuration, all of the second members of the assembly may be oriented parallel to one another and staggered along a longitudinal extent of the compact folded assembly perpendicular to the normal direction; preferably, the second members are not offset from one another along the normal direction, but all have the same position with respect to the normal direction. When both the first and second members are respectively oriented parallel to each other in the storage configuration, the direction in which the first members are then oriented parallel to each other and the direction in which the second members are then oriented parallel to each other are different from each other . The two directions can, for example, enclose an angle in the range between 10° and 60°, in particular an angle in the range between 15° and 40°, preferably an angle of approximately 20°, 25° or 30°.

Also in the storage configuration, the first members of the assembly may abut one another laterally, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the normal direction and transverse to the length of each member, and/or the second members of the assembly may abut laterally, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the normal direction and transversely to said longitudinal extension of the respective link. In particular, the pivotability of a respective first and/or second link can be limited precisely by the fact that it hits the next but one preceding or following link of the arrangement, if such a link is present.

In addition to the compact storage configuration, the assembly can also have an extended longitudinal configuration. The extended longitudinal configuration may be defined in particular by the arrangement extending therein along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the normal direction, and/or by the articulation axes of all articulations coupling two respective members of the arrangement therein extending along a (in particular the mentioned) are arranged in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the normal direction, and/or in that a first end of the arrangement and a second end of the arrangement opposite thereto are maximally spaced apart from one another, ie as far as possible within the scope of the pivotability of the members of the arrangement relative to one another . The compact storage configuration can have a greatly reduced length, particularly compared to the longitudinal configuration described. This makes the chain particularly easy to store and transport. For example, a pocket for the chain can be provided which is adapted to the dimensions of the chain in the storage configuration and in which the chain can therefore be received flush.

The chain according to the invention also comprises a pulling device which extends along said serial arrangement of successive links and by means of which a first end of the arrangement and a second end of the arrangement opposite thereto can be pulled towards one another in such a way that the arrangement can be moved from the pulling device into the compact Is brought to storage configuration.

Said first end of the assembly may be, for example, said first end member of the assembly or a part thereof. Said second end of the assembly may be, for example, said second end member of the assembly or a part thereof. In particular, an end section can be formed on the first end member, which forms the first end of the arrangement. In addition, an end section can be formed on the second end member, which forms the second end of the arrangement. The end section can in each case be formed, for example, by a free end, i.e. an end not coupled to any other of the members of the arrangement, of the respective end member. As an alternative to this, the end section can in particular also be formed by the articulated connection between said first end member and the member of the arrangement following it or between said second end member and the member of the arrangement preceding it. The pulling device can be connected in particular to the end portion of one of the end members or to the end portions of both end members.

That the traction device extends along the arrangement may in particular include that the traction device runs along each member of the assembly, e.g. is guided by each of the members of the assembly, runs through each of the members of the assembly and/or each of the members of the arrangement encloses.

The pulling device is designed such that the first end of the arrangement and the second end of the arrangement can be pulled towards one another by means of the pulling device. Since the pulling device does not necessarily have to act on both ends of the arrangement. For example, said characteristic of the traction device may include that when the first end of the assembly is held, the second end of the assembly by means of the traction Device can be pulled towards the first end of the assembly, and/or comprise that when the second end of the assembly is held, the first end of the assembly can be pulled towards the second end of the assembly by means of the pulling device. For this purpose, it may be sufficient if the pulling device acts on one of the two ends of the arrangement, in particular is fastened on at least one of the two ends of the arrangement. Pulling one end of the assembly toward the other end of the assembly is understood to be relative movement between the two ends. The first and the second end of the arrangement can therefore also be pulled towards one another by means of the pulling device, for example, by holding one of the two ends essentially stationary by means of the pulling device and moving the other end towards this one end, eg dropping it.

The pulling device allows the first and second ends of the assembly to be pulled toward one another in a particular manner, such that the assembly is thereby brought into the compact storage configuration. In particular, the pulling device is adapted such that the pulling of the first and second ends of the assembly towards one another by means of the pulling device essentially positively causes the assembly to assume its storage configuration at the same time. For this purpose, when the ends of the arrangement are pulled toward one another, one or more, in particular all, members of the arrangement can be guided accordingly by the pulling device, so that the pulling device collapses the arrangement into the storage configuration.

There are many different ways in which the pulling device can interact with the arrangement or with at least some members of the arrangement, which means that when the two ends of the arrangement are pulled towards one another, the arrangement is brought into its storage configuration. It is essential in each case that the Zugvorrich device, by means of which the pulling takes place, is specifically designed to ensure at the same time largely that not only the ends of the arrangement are moved towards each other, but the arrangement as a whole with its from the first end to the second end of the arrangement of successive links is folded together in an orderly manner, namely in such a way that according to the storage configuration on each of the articulated connections, the links coupled to one another via the respective articulated connection are pivoted relative to one another to such an extent that they are the smallest within the scope of their relative pivotability - include possible angles. For this purpose, the pulling device can be designed in particular to pivot the members of the arrangement alternately in a first pivoting direction and in a second pivoting direction opposite thereto relative to the respective preceding member To urge pivoting direction and / or alternately to lock against pivoting in the second pivoting direction or in the first pivoting direction.

The design of the chain according to the invention - in particular the ability to be folded into the compact storage configuration and the pulling device provided for easy folding - enables the chain to have a large number of comparatively short links and can therefore also be laid around tight curves, but still in Conveniently folds compactly for storage or transport. A chain of the type mentioned, in particular due to rigid links made of a hard material and fixed articulated connections, can have a high level of security against being forced open and at the same time have a comparatively low weight.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the traction device comprises an elongate, in particular cable-like, traction element that extends along the arrangement. In particular, the pulling element can be firmly connected to the second end of the arrangement, e.g. If the chain extends beyond the second end of the arrangement, the tension element can also extend beyond the second end of the arrangement to a section of the chain or of the respective chain lock that has the chain, e.g. to a lock body of the chain lock. with which it is firmly connected, so that cut by pulling on the pulling element of this Ab and at least indirectly the second end of the assembly can be pulled towards the first end of the assembly.

The tension element can be designed, for example, as a cable, cord or cord and can comprise a fiber, a plastic and/or a metal as the material. The traction element can be a traction cable, for example. In particular, the pulling element can be designed as a wire rope or steel cable, which preferably has a plastic sheath.

The pulling device can also include more than just one pulling element. In this case, several tension elements can extend along the said arrangement. Alternatively or additionally, however, it can also be provided that the chain comprises a plurality of arrangements, along which one or more tension elements each extend. The options described or described below as to the way in which a single tension element can be configured also apply correspondingly to a plurality of tension elements. In this case, the several pulling elements can each be designed in the same way. But it is also possible that different tension elements are formed in one or more different ways, in particular in different ways of the described ones.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the tension element has a slalom-like course around the articulated axes of the articulated connections. The course is slalom-like, in particular insofar as the tension element passes the articulations according to their sequence along the serial arrangement of successive links alternately in one and the other direction of rotation relative to the articulation axis of the respective articulation. In other words, the pulling element runs past the pivot axis of every other pivot connection on one side (e.g. right) and past the pivot axis of each of the remaining pivot connections on the other side (e.g. left). In particular, if the members of the arrangement, as explained above, are distinguished as first members and second members, the tension element can rotate the articulation axes of the articulated connections, which connect a first member to a subsequent second member, in each case in the direction of rotation corresponding to the first pivoting direction mentioned happen while it passes the joint axes of the joint connections, which connect a second link to a subsequent first link, in each case in the direction corresponding to said second pivoting direction.

Consequently, when the assembly is in the aforesaid extended longitudinal configuration, the tension member loops about the hinge axes. In the compact storage configuration, on the other hand, due to the described zigzag course, the articulations, which each connect a first link to a subsequent second link, can all be on one side of the compact package into which the assembly is folded in the storage configuration, and the Articulated connections, each connecting a second link to a subsequent first link, may be arranged on the opposite side thereto, while the tension element runs between these two sides. The tension element can then also have an at least largely straight course, which is nevertheless slalom-like with regard to the joint axes, since the tension element past the joint axis of every second joint connection on the one side and past the joint axis of each of the other joint connections on the other side gone.

The slalom-like course, in which the pulling element alternately passes the joint axes of the articulated joints in opposite directions of rotation, can advantageously lead to the fact that when the pulling element is pulled, the members of the arrangement alternate in a corresponding manner in one and in the other pivoting direction with respect to the respective incoming member are pivoted. The slalom-like progression thus causes—or at least contributes to—that the arrangement can be brought into the storage configuration by means of the pulling device.

Preferably, the tension element cannot only be arranged in principle in the aforementioned slalom-like course or can simply have it randomly, but the slalom-like course is firmly predetermined for the tension element. In particular, for this purpose the tension element can be guided on the arrangement, in particular on the links of the arrangement, in such a way that it has the slalom-like course.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, a winding mechanism is provided on the tension element, by means of which the tension element can be wound up. In other words, the winding mechanism is designed to wind up the pulling element. This can be particularly expedient in order, after the arrangement has been folded into the compact storage configuration, to wind up excess tension element with which the tension element protrudes over the folded arrangement or over the chain. In this respect, the winding mechanism is particularly useful when the tension element itself is at least largely inelastic.

The winding mechanism can be designed as part of the pulling device of the chain. Furthermore, the winding mechanism can be arranged on, in particular in, the lock body of the chain lock on which the chain is or can be provided and/or can be designed as part of the lock body.

The winding mechanism can include a drive unit which is designed to drive the winding mechanism for winding up the tension element. The winding mechanism can be designed to switch between an activated state in which the winding mechanism winds up the tension element driven by the drive unit and a deactivated state in which the drive caused by the drive unit is suspended (e.g. compensated or blocked), to be disguised. It can be provided that the tension element can continue to be at least unwound in the deactivated state, namely in particular by manually pulling the tension element in the direction away from the winding mechanism. However, it may also be that in the deactivated state unwinding of the pulling element is blocked, which may also allow the arrangement to be secured in its compact storage configuration. The winding mechanism preferably automatically assumes the deactivated state as long as it is not switched to the activated state by a user of the respective chain lock. The drive unit can in particular be designed as a pretensioning device, the pretensioning of which can drive the winding of the tension element. For this purpose, the pretensioning device can comprise a spring, for example. By manually unwinding the tension element, the pretensioning device is advantageously pretensioned at least essentially to the extent that was previously used to wind up the tension element, so that the pretensioning device can always provide sufficient drive for winding up the tension element.

The winding mechanism can be designed in particular in the manner of the mechanics of a rollable tape measure. In addition to a pretensioning device as a drive unit, such a winding mechanism also includes an actuating element and is designed to be adjusted between the activated state and the deactivated state by means of the actuating element. The actuating element can be designed in particular in the form of a push button. By pressing the push button, the winding mechanism can then be switched to the activated state and the excess part of the tension element can be wound up easily and quickly.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the pulling element is elastic. In particular, the pull element can be designed as an elastic pull cable, as a tension cable, as a rubber strap or as an elastic band. However, the pulling device can also comprise a non-rope-like, elastic pulling element, for example an elastic sheathing, in particular an elastic hose, as will be explained below.

In particular, the elastic tension member may be adapted to bias the first and second ends of the serial arrangement of consecutive links into the storage configuration. For example, the elastic tension element can always pull the first and the second end of the arrangement towards one another and thus automatically bring them into the storage configuration, at least as long as the arrangement is not already in the storage configuration and provided that the arrangement is not in a different state contrary to the prestressing being held, for example because the chain is being used to secure an object. The elastic tension element can in particular be connected on the one hand to the first end of the arrangement or to a section of the chain or the respective chain lock located beyond the first end and on the other hand to the second end of the arrangement or to a section of the chain or the respective chain connection located beyond the second end connected to the chain lock to pull the two ends together. Further the tension element can be fastened with one of its ends to a lock body of the respective chain lock having the chain.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, each of the members of the arrangement has a respective through opening, the pulling element passing through the through opening of each member. As a result, the tension element can be guided on the arrangement, in particular in such a way that it has the explained slalom-like course. For this purpose, it is particularly expedient if the pulling element runs in a first passage direction through the passage opening of each first link and in a second passage direction opposite thereto through the passage opening of each second link. The through-openings can in particular extend in a direction transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the normal direction and transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal extent of the respective link through the respective link.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, each of the links of the arrangement comprises two respective link plates which are staggered along the normal direction, each of the two link plates extending from a first end of the respective link at which the articulation for coupling to the preceding one Member is formed from, to an opposite thereto second end of the respective member on which the articulated connection is formed for coupling to the member following it, he stretches. It goes without saying that at the first end of the respective link a joint connection for coupling to the link preceding it is only formed if it is actually preceded by a link, which is not necessarily the case for the first end link mentioned in particular. Correspondingly, it is understood that an articulated connection for coupling to the following link is only formed at the second end of the respective link if it is actually followed by a link, which is not necessarily the case for the named second end link in particular.

The links of the arrangement are not limited to having exactly two link plates. In addition to the two link plates mentioned, each link of the arrangement can also include other, in particular similar, link plates. When the two link plates of a respective link are mentioned below, in the case of links that have more than two link plates, this preferably refers to the two outermost link plates along the normal direction of the respective link.

The link plates of a respective link are also referred to as tabs and can each be formed as a rigid, flat and elongated plate and/or the same as each other have shape. The link plates are preferably aligned parallel to one another, in particular in each case perpendicularly to the normal direction. The link plates can in particular comprise a hardened metal as the material.

The links of the arrangement can each, apart from elements that are to be assigned to one of the articulated connections, essentially consist of the mentioned link plates. In other words, the links, possibly with the exception of the first and/or the second end link, can each exclusively include the link plates and possibly also elements that are part of a respective articulated connection (e.g. one or more bolts or sleeves and possibly rollers, as explained below), but preferably no other elements. Such training contributes to a low Ge weight of the chain.

If the links each comprise (at least) two link plates, the aforesaid through-openings can be provided between the two link plates of the respective link and between the first end of the respective link, in particular the articulated connection that may be provided at this end, and the second end of the respective link, in particular the articulated connection that may be provided at this end. The through-opening does not have to be made in the link during manufacture, e.g. as a bore or recess, but advantageously results from the basic structure of the link in question.

The two link plates of a respective link are spaced apart from each other with respect to the normal direction along which they are staggered. Since the link plates each have a certain thickness, the outer distance, the middle distance or the inner distance can be considered as the distance. Preferably the spacing between the two link plates is the same for all first links of the assembly and/or the spacing between the two link plates is the same for all second links of the assembly, where the spacing may be different in the first links than in the second links.

In particular, the links of the assembly may alternately have a larger spacing and a smaller spacing between their two respective link plates. For example, the distance between the two link plates can be greater in the first links than in the second links. The inner spacing of the link plates in the first links is preferably greater than the outer spacing of the link plates in the second links. In this way, the link plates of the second link can be based on the normal direction between the in the region of a two links coupling together articulated connection Be arranged link plates of the first member. If, in the storage configuration, the first links abut each other laterally, as described above, the second links, which are both preceded by a first link and followed by a first link, can each be at least partially, in particular completely, between the link plates of these in the storage configuration be arranged two first members. The same applies if, conversely, the distance between the two link plates is greater for the second links than for the first links.

The inner spacing of the link plates in the links with the larger distance can in particular be almost identical (with a deviation of less than 1 mm, in particular less than 0.5 mm) to the outer distance of the link plates in the links with the smaller distance, so that in the area of an articulated connection, the link plates of one link each lie flat against one of the link plates of the other link.

The distance between the two link plates is preferably constant over the entire longitudinal extension of a respective link or at least identical at the two ends of the respective link. The distance can be in the range between 0.5 cm and 4 cm, for example. However, the distance between the two link plates of a respective link can also vary along the length of the link, e.g. if the link plates are arranged at an angle with respect to the normal direction and/or are of stepped design.

In such a case it is preferred if the distance between the two link plates is greater at the first end of the respective link than at the second end of the respective link. The inner distance at the first end is preferably greater than the outer distance at the second end, these distances being able to be almost identical (with a deviation of less than 1 mm, in particular less than 0.5 mm). In particular, the distances between the two link plates at the first end of the respective link can be identical for all links of the arrangement and the distances between the two link plates at the second end of the respective link can also be identical for all links of the arrangement.

Particularly in the case of links whose two link plates do not have a constant distance from one another, but also in principle, it can also be useful if the first and/or second links of the arrangement do not run in a straight line perpendicular to the normal direction, but instead have a curved, bent or kinked run of have their first to their second end. However, the dimensions of the members of the arrangement can differ not only in relation to the distance between the two link plates, but also in relation to their longitudinal extent from their first to their second end. According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that along the sequence of the links of the arrangement both the distance between the two link plates of a respective link and the distance between the first end and the second end of the respective link either continuously, ie with decreases further with each further link or increases continuously, ie further with each further link.

Due to the fact that the distance between the first end and the second end of a respective link decreases or increases from link to link, the distance between the joint axes of successive joint connections also decreases or increases. In particular, it can be provided that relative to a respective link, the distances of the next smaller link are so much smaller that the next smaller link can be pivoted between the link plates of the respective link, in particular until it is just anti-parallel (i.e. an angle with the respective link from 0° inclusive) is arranged within the respective link. In this way, it may be possible for the members of the assembly to nest within each other in the compact storage configuration, allowing for particularly compact storage of the assembly.

Since such an arrangement, the links of which progressively increase or decrease, cannot be of any length, it is particularly useful in such an embodiment if the chain comprises a plurality of serial arrangements of consecutive links, each of which can be folded into a compact storage configuration. as will be explained in more detail below. If two or more serial arrangements are formed in the manner described above, i.e. include links whose dimensions (both the distance between the two link plates of the respective link and the distance between the first and the second end of the respective link) are continuous decrease or progressively increase, it may be convenient if a serial arrangement in which the dimensions of the links progressively decrease is followed by a serial arrangement in which the dimensions of the links progressively increase, and/or vice versa. In a chain according to the invention or the chain of a chain lock according to the invention, one or more serial arrangements, in which the dimensions of the links continuously decrease or increase, can also be combined with one or more serial arrangements that are formed in a different way, for example in which the links all have the same distance between the first and the second end of the respective link and in which only the between the two link plates of the respective link is alternately larger and smaller (as explained above).

The serial arrangement of links following one another in alternation can in particular be designed as a bolt chain in which the articulated connections are essentially formed by bolts which pass through the link plates of the links coupled by the respective articulated connection at their respective ends. The bolt then defines the joint axis of the respective articulated connection. In particular, the entire chain can be designed as such a bolt chain.

If the links of the arrangement each comprise more than two link plates, the arrangement or the entire chain can also be designed as a leaf chain. If the members of the assembly are distinguished as first members and second members, as explained above, and either the first or second members of the assembly each have two link plates, but the other members of the assembly each have a block-like body, the assembly or the entire chain can also be in the form of a block chain.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the articulations each comprise a bolt formed on the one member coupled by the respective articulation (e.g. on the first member coupled by the respective articulation), and a sleeve formed on the other of the respective Joint connection ge coupled member (for example, on the coupled from the respective joint connection second member) is formed and is penetrated by the bolt in such a way that it is pivotable about the bolt. In this respect, the arrangement, in particular the entire chain, can be designed as a sleeve chain (also called bush chain).

The sleeve can in particular have a cylindrical shape with open end faces. The bolt can be accommodated in the sleeve and penetrate the sleeve insofar as it extends through both open end faces. To this end, it is expedient for the bolt to have a greater axial length than the sleeve. If the two links coupled by the respective joint connection each have two link plates, the bolt can be passed through openings or bores formed in the total of four link plates at the ends of the two links that are coupled to one another, and, for example, through circumferential expansions at the ends be fixed therein along its axial extent. The sleeve can have the openings or bores in the area of the respective joint connection Connect two of the four link plates on the inside and thus also act as spacers for the link plates.

The articulations may further each comprise a roller which is rotatably mounted around the sleeve and preferably has at least substantially the same axial extent as the sleeve. The arrangement, in particular the entire chain, can in this respect be designed as a roller chain.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the chain comprises a tubular casing, in which at least the arrangement is accommodated. This means that the casing extends at least from the first end to the second end of the arrangement and encloses the arrangement in the manner of a hose. The sheathing preferably extends at least essentially--in particular only apart from end sections of the chain that have elements for locking the chain--over the entire chain. Such a casing can protect the chain and in particular the joint connections from dirt, for example. In addition, a sheath can also serve to protect the object to be secured from damage by possibly sharp edges of the chain.

It is preferred that the casing always completely encloses the arrangement, i.e. from the first end of the arrangement to its second end, regardless of its respective configuration. In this respect, the chain can in particular comprise a tubular sheath which, both in the compact storage configuration and in an extended longitudinal configuration of the assembly, in which the first end of the assembly and the second end of the assembly are at a maximum distance from one another, the assembly of the first End wrapped up to the second end. Preferably, the casing then also encloses the arrangement in all other possible configurations, that is to say in all states that can be assumed by the arrangement between the compact storage configuration and the extended longitudinal configuration.

The shroud may also be configured to have a straight course, at least along the assembly, when encasing the assembly in the compact storage configuration. The sheathing therefore preferably does not follow the zigzag course that the arrangement has in the storage configuration, but rather continues to envelop the folded arrangement essentially in the manner of a convex envelope. For this purpose, the sheathing can be designed in particular similarly to the arrangement itself, collapsible bar in order to accommodate the change in length during a transition from the extended position longitudinal configuration to the compact storage configuration. For example, the casing, in particular arranged and/or guided, can be designed to be foldable or gatherable, for example in the manner of a bellows.

As an alternative or in addition to this, the sheathing can also be designed to be elastic, so that it can adapt its length to the respective longitudinal extension of the sheathed arrangement in accordance with its respective configuration.

Furthermore, the casing can also function as part of the traction device. In particular, the elongate traction element mentioned can also be formed by the sheathing. Because if the casing is elastic, it can element as an elastic Zugle, as described above, act. In particular, the shroud may be fixedly connected to the first and second ends of the assembly and adapted to be resilient in that it draws those two ends toward one another, thereby biasing the assembly into its storage configuration.

However, the casing does not necessarily have to be elastic in order to function as part of the pulling device. For example, the shroud may be configured such that when it is collapsed, e.g. by grasping the ends of its length and moving it towards each other, the ends of the assembly received in the shroud are thereby also moved towards each other and the assembly as a result, in particular also due to the limitation of the mobility of the arrangement caused by the casing, is brought into its storage configuration. Means for a guided folding of the casing can be provided on the casing, e.g. one or more traction cables can run on the inside of the casing, which are firmly connected to one end of the casing and protrude from the other end of the casing, so that the Sheath can be gathered by pulling on the pull ropes and thus shortened.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the chain comprises fixing means for fixing the arrangement in the compact storage configuration. The fixing means can in particular be designed as part of the traction device or on the traction device. For example, the fixing means may comprise a fixing element which is fixedly connected to one end of the assembly and, when the assembly is in the compact storage configuration, can be releasably attached to the other end of the assembly to adjust the spacing of the two ends of the To limit arrangement to each other so that the arrangement is thereby held in the storage configuration. Such a fixie relement can be formed in particular by said elongate tension element, in any case if it is not elastic. For releasable attachment, the fixing means can comprise, for example, a clamping device to which the fixing element can be clamped firmly, or comprise a flake on which the fixing element or a loop or eyelet formed on the fixing element can be hung.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the chain comprises, in addition to said serial arrangement, a further serial arrangement of successive links, which is preferably formed at least substantially in the same way as said serial arrangement and therefore also the possible features described for said serial arrangement and properties can each have.

In particular, the further serial assembly is collapsible into a compact storage configuration in which at each articulation coupling a respective member of the further assembly to a member of the further assembly preceding it, the respective member relative to the member preceding it is so far about the respective hinge axis What is wasted is that the respective link and the link preceding it enclose the smallest possible angle within the scope of their relative pivotability. Depending on how the two arrangements are arranged or can be arranged relative to one another, the normal direction to which the joint axes of the articulated connections of a respective arrangement are parallel does not have to be identical for both arrangements. The further arrangement can be folded into its storage configuration, preferably independently of the said arrangement being folded into its storage configuration.

Furthermore, the two arrangements preferably each have the same number of members. If the members of the arrangement are distinguished as first members and second members as explained above, the first members of one assembly can be constructed in a corresponding manner to the first members of the further assembly and the second members of the first assembly can be constructed in a corresponding manner to the second Members of the further arrangement can be formed. In particular, the two assemblies, when each in its storage configuration, may have at least substantially the same dimensions.

Furthermore, at least part of said pulling device can also extend along the further assembly, wherein a first end and a second end of the further serial assembly can be pulled towards one another by means of the pulling device such that the further assembly is brought into its compact storage configuration by the pulling device becomes. A part of the pulling device can be provided for folding one arrangement, ie the one already mentioned above, and another part of the pulling device can be provided for putting together the further arrangement in the respective storage configuration. The pulling device can therefore be designed in several parts, with the named parts of the pulling device being designed separately from one another and, in particular, also being able to be arranged at a distance from one another.

Both arrangements are preferably coupled to one another in an articulated manner in such a way that, when they are each folded into their compact storage configuration, they can be arranged offset parallel to one another, in particular adjacent to one another. The arrangements can be arranged parallel to one another, in particular with regard to their respective longitudinal extent perpendicular to the normal direction, along which in the storage configuration the first members of the respective arrangement and/or the second members of the respective arrangement are offset relative to one another.

The two arrangements can be arranged adjacent to one another, in particular insofar as they can be arranged offset from one another and in doing so at least essentially directly or indirectly, e.g. In principle, a certain intermediate space with a width of, for example, at most 10 mm, preferably at most 5 mm, in particular at most 3 mm, can remain between the two arrangements. The direction of the offset is preferably perpendicular to the parallel longitudinal extensions of the two arrangements. The direction of the offset can be parallel or perpendicular to the normal direction, it being preferably parallel. The two arrangements can be arranged congruently next to one another, provided they each have the same dimensions in the storage configuration.

In order to connect the two arrangements, in particular a respective end, eg the second end, of one arrangement and a respective end, eg the second end, of the further arrangement can be coupled to one another in an articulated manner. The coupling can be direct or indirect, in particular via one or more connecting members, which can be designed, for example, in the manner of a first and/or second member of at least one of the arrangements. The two arrangements can be coupled to one another via one or more articulated connections. These articulated connections can in particular each have a joint axis about which the parts coupled via the respective articulated connection can be pivoted relative to one another and which can be aligned parallel to the normal direction, for example. If the articulation axes of all such articulations are aligned parallel to the normal direction and all members of a respective arrangement have at least substantially the same position with respect to the normal direction, the two arrangements can only be pivoted relative to one another within a plane perpendicular to the normal direction. In this case, the two arrangements can only adjoin or abut one another offset in a direction perpendicular to the normal direction.

However, the articulated axis of at least one articulated connection, via which the two arrangements are coupled to one another, can also be aligned transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the normal direction. In particular, by pivoting about this joint axis, the two arrangements can then also be arranged adjacent to one another with respect to the normal direction, ie offset from one another along the normal direction, adjoining or adjacent to one another. When the assemblies are each of greater width (i.e., dimension perpendicular to the normal direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension) than height (i.e., dimension parallel to the normal direction) in their storage configuration, the chain, or at least the portion of the chain comprising the two assemblies, may be replaced by such an adjacent one Positioning of the two arrangements are combined particularly compact.

However, such an adjacent positioning of the two arrangements with respect to the normal direction does not necessarily require an articulated connection with an articulated axis aligned transversely to the normal direction. An embodiment is also possible in which the members of a respective arrangement have at least essentially the same position among themselves with respect to the normal direction, but the members of one arrangement are offset relative to the members of the other arrangement with respect to the normal direction, with this offset being permanent can be and can be effected, for example, by a correspondingly designed connecting link, via which the two arrangements are coupled to one another. One arrangement can then be pivoted over or under the other arrangement due to the offset. If the offset corresponds at least essentially to the height of an arrangement, the two arrangements can in this way bear against one another in the direction of the normal direction.

As already explained above, the pulling device can comprise an elongate, in particular rope-like, pulling element that extends along one arrangement, and also another elongate, in particular rope-like, pulling element that extends along the further arrangement. The additional tension element is preferably called tension element of the same design. In particular, the further tension element can also have the possible features and properties described above for the tension element mentioned. The two arrangements can preferably be put together independently of the other arrangement by means of the respective pulling element.

In principle, the chain can also comprise more than two serial arrangements, alternating in succession, first and second links, which are preferably designed at least essentially in the same way as the serial arrangement mentioned or the further serial arrangement. In particular, each of the arrangements can be folded into a storage configuration of the type mentioned by means of the pulling device, in particular by means of a respective part of the pulling device (e.g. one or more elongated, in particular cable-like, pulling elements), and all the arrangements can be coupled to one another in such a way that they when they are each in their storage configuration, they can be arranged parallel to one another, in particular adjacent to one another, so that they can form a compact package overall.

The chain lock according to the invention is designed in particular for a two-wheeler and in this respect in particular as a two-wheeler chain lock and has a lock body and a chain according to the invention, which can be locked on the lock body. This means that the lock body is designed so that the chain, in particular at least one of two ends of the chain, can be connected to the lock body, with a locking mechanism being provided, in particular on the lock body, which is designed to prevent this connection to secure a release. In other words, it can be provided that the lock body has a locking receptacle which is designed to receive a section of the chain and also includes a locking mechanism by means of which said section of the chain can be secured against leaving the locking receptacle.

For example, the chain for the connection to the lock body can have a block at one end. On the lock body can then be provided as said locking receptacle a bolt receptacle, in which the bolt, in particular latching, can be accommodated and in which the bolt accommodated therein can be secured by means of the locking mechanism against leaving the bolt receptacle. In such a case, the block forms the (or one) section of the chain that can be removed in the locking receptacle and secured by the locking mechanism against leaving the locking receptacle. As an alternative to this, the lock body can also have a different type of locking receptacle which is designed to receive a section of the chain, in which case the received section can then be secured against leaving the locking receptacle by means of the locking mechanism. Such a section does not necessarily have to be provided at said one end of the chain, but in principle it can also be a section in a middle region of the chain. Preferably, however, at least one end section formed at the end of the chain can be accommodated in the receptacle and can then be secured against leaving the locking receptacle by means of the locking mechanism.

The locking receptacle can in particular be designed to receive a section of a respective link of the chain. This can be one of the members of said serial arrangement of consecutive members or, if provided, another such arrangement. However, it can also be another link in the chain, but it is preferably designed to correspond to a link in a particular arrangement. For example, the locking receptacle can be designed to receive, as said section, a respective one of said articulated connections between the links of a respective serial arrangement of the chain or generally between links of the chain. As an alternative or in addition to this, the locking receptacle can be designed to receive, as said section, an end section of an end link of a respective serial arrangement or of an end link of the entire chain. This end link can, in particular, comprise at least two link plates, each of which extends from a first end to a second end of the end link, on which the end link is coupled to a further link of the arrangement or the chain via an articulated connection, the two link plates being connected to are connected to each other at the first end via a bolt or a sleeve, and wherein the bolt or the sleeve forms said portion which can be received in the locking receptacle and then secured therein.

The other end of the chain can be permanently connected to the lock body or, in particular, can be connected to the lock body in a way that is basically the same as the section mentioned, with this connection being lockable, i.e. using a locking mechanism, if necessary using the same locking mechanism, which can be secured against loosening can be. However, the other end can also be neither connected to the lock body nor designed to be locked to the lock body. For example, an eyelet can be provided at the other end of the chain, through which one end of the chain is guided to form a loop and then locked on the lock body can be. An object entwined by the loop can be secured to the lock body in this way, or the lock body can be secured to the object in this way.

The invention also relates, fundamentally independently of the chain according to the invention described above, to a chain lock, in particular for a two-wheeler, with a lock body and with a chain that comprises a serial arrangement of successive links that are coupled to one another via a respective articulated connection and are pivotable relative to one another about a joint axis of the respective joint connection parallel to a normal direction, the arrangement being collapsible into a compact storage configuration in which, on each of the joint connections, the two links coupled to one another via the respective joint connection are relatively far around the joint axis of the respective joint connection are pivoted to each other that they enclose the smallest possible angle within the scope of their relative pivotability, the members of the arrangement occupying at least partially the same position along the normal direction, and the lock ss body has a locking receptacle which is designed to receive a section of the chain, in particular a link of the chain, and includes a locking mechanism by means of which said section of the chain can be secured against leaving the locking receptacle.

The explanations given above regarding the corresponding features of the chain according to the invention, in particular regarding the possibilities for implementing these features, also apply in a corresponding manner to the chain of the present chain lock. In addition, the possibilities described above for the design of the locking receptacle and/or the one or more sections of the chain or a link of the chain that can be accommodated in the locking receptacle also apply in a corresponding manner to the present chain lock.

In particular, the locking receptacle can be designed as a block receptacle and the chain can have a block at one of its ends, which can be locked on the lock body. The fact that the bolt can be locked on the lock body can in particular include the fact that the bolt forms the aforementioned section which can be accommodated in the locking receptacle and can be secured against leaving the locking receptacle by means of the locking mechanism. In other words, the lock body can be designed so that the bolt can be accommodated, preferably snapping, in the bolt receptacle formed on the lock body, with the locking mechanism being designed to secure this connection against loosening. However, the chain does not necessarily have to have a block at one of its ends, nor does the section that can be accommodated and secured in the locking receptacle necessarily have to be located at one of the ends of the chain. Rather, the locking receptacle can, alternatively or additionally, be designed to receive a section in a central region of the chain, which is then secured against leaving the locking receptacle by means of the locking mechanism. For example, as also explained above, the articulated connections between the links of the one or more serial arrangements of the chain or generally between links of the chain can each form such a section that can be accommodated in the locking receptacle and then secured against leaving the locking receptacle.

The other end of the chain can be permanently connected to the lock body or, in particular, can be connected to the lock body in a way that is basically the same as the section mentioned, with this connection being lockable, i.e. using a locking mechanism, if necessary using the same locking mechanism, which can be secured against loosening can be. However, the other end can also be neither connected to the lock body nor designed to be locked to the lock body. In this case, an eyelet is preferably provided at the other end, through which one end of the chain can be guided and then locked on the lock body.

The chain of the chain lock can also be designed like the chain according to the invention, ie in particular have a traction device of one of the types described above and have one or more of the possible features and properties described above for the chain according to the invention. Regardless of whether a traction device is provided or not, the chain can also have one or more of the possible features and properties described above for the chain according to the invention.

In particular, the serial arrangement mentioned can comprise first and second members, which follow one another in alternation along the sequence of the members of the arrangement, the first members being essentially identical to one another, in particular structurally identical, and the second members being essentially identical to one another, in particular structurally identical, are formed, and wherein the first limbs differ from the second limbs. Furthermore, in the compact storage configuration, the members of the assembly coupled via a respective articulation to a respective preceding member can alternately pivot in a first pivoting direction and in a second pivoting direction, opposite to the first pivoting direction, relative to the respective preceding member about the pivot axis of the respective articulation be.

Furthermore, each of the links of the assembly may comprise two respective link plates which are offset from one another along the normal direction, each of the two link plates extending from a first end of the respective link, on which the articulated connection, if any, is formed for coupling to the link preceding it is, to a second end opposite thereto of the respective link, on which the articulated connection for coupling to the link following it is optionally formed.

The links of the assembly may alternately have a larger spacing and a small spacing between their two respective link plates. Also, the distance between the two link plates may be greater at the first end of each link than at the second end of each link. Furthermore, it can also be provided that along the sequence of the links of the arrangement, both the distance between the two link plates of a respective link and the distance between the first end and the second end of the respective link either continuously decreases or continuously increases.

Furthermore, the articulated connections can each comprise a bolt, which is formed on the one link coupled by the respective articulated connection, and a sleeve, which is formed on the other link coupled by the respective articulated connection and is penetrated by the bolt in such a way that it the bolt can be pivoted.

In addition, the chain may comprise a tubular sheath which, both in the compact storage configuration and in an extended longitudinal configuration of the assembly, in which the first end of the assembly and the second end of the assembly are spaced a maximum distance from one another, the assembly from its first end to wrapped to the second end.

Furthermore, the chain may comprise fixing means for fixing the assembly in the compact storage configuration.

In addition, the chain may comprise a further serial arrangement of consecutive links collapsible into a compact storage configuration in which an of each articulated connection that couples a respective link of the further arrangement with a preceding link of the further arrangement, the respective link is pivoted relative to the link preceding it about the respective joint axis to such an extent that the respective link and the link preceding it unite enclose the smallest possible angle within the scope of their relative pivotability, with the members of the further arrangement occupying at least part of the same position along the normal direction, and with the two arrangements being hingedly coupled to one another in such a way that when they are respectively collapsed into their compact storage configuration, offset parallel to each other, in particular adjacent to each other, can be arranged.

The invention is explained in more detail below, merely by way of example, with reference to the figures.

1 shows a simplified schematic representation of a first embodiment of a chain according to the invention or the chain of a first embodiment of a chain lock according to the invention in a side view, with the chain assuming an extended longitudinal configuration.

FIG. 2 shows, in a simplified schematic representation, the same chain in a view from above, with the chain assuming the extended longitudinal configuration.

Figure 3 shows, in a simplified schematic representation, the same chain in a top view, with the chain assuming a compact storage configuration.

4 shows a simplified schematic representation of a second embodiment of a chain according to the invention or the chain of a second embodiment of a chain lock according to the invention in a side view, with the chain assuming an extended longitudinal configuration.

FIG. 5 shows, in a simplified schematic representation, the same chain viewed from above, with the chain assuming the extended longitudinal configuration. Figure 6 shows, in a simplified schematic representation, the same chain in a top view, with the chain assuming a compact storage configuration.

7 shows a simplified schematic representation of a third embodiment of a chain according to the invention or the chain of a third embodiment of a chain lock according to the invention in a view from above, with the chain assuming a compact storage configuration.

8 shows a simplified schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of a chain according to the invention or the chain of a fourth embodiment of a chain lock according to the invention in a view from above, with the chain assuming a compact storage configuration.

FIG. 9 shows a detail of a variant of the fourth embodiment in a simplified schematic representation.

10 to 12 each show a simplified schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of a chain according to the invention or the chain of a fifth embodiment of a chain lock according to the invention in a perspective view, the chain having an extended longitudinal configuration (FIG. 10), an intermediate position ( Fig. 11) or a compact storage configuration (Fig. 12) occupies.

13 to 20 each show a greatly simplified schematic representation of some members of a respective arrangement of different embodiments of a chain according to the invention or a chain of different embodiments of a chain lock according to the invention.

21 and 22 show, in a simplified schematic representation, embodiments of a chain lock according to the invention.

Various embodiments of chains 11 according to the invention or chain locks 13 according to the invention are shown in the figures. Corresponding elements in the various embodiments are each identified by the same reference numerals, even if they may not be of the same design. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a chain 11 according to the invention, which is also part of a first embodiment of a chain lock 13 according to the invention. The chain 11 comprises a serial arrangement 15 of alternating successive first links 17 and second links 19, which are each coupled to one another via an articulated connection 21 and can each be pivoted relative to one another about an articulated axis G of the articulated connection 21 parallel to a normal direction N. The arrangement 15 extends from a first end 23 at which the arrangement 15 has a first end member 25 to a second end 27 at which the arrangement 15 has a second end member 29 . In between, the arrangement 15 has a structure with a repeating pattern of several corresponding sub-units each comprising a first member 17 and a second member 19 .

For a better overview, not all of the first and second members 17, 19, not all of the joints 21 and not all of their respective elements are provided with reference numbers, but only one or a few of several identical or corresponding elements are provided with a reference number as an example. It goes without saying that the same reference number also refers to the other identical or corresponding elements.

The chain 11 is shown in a particularly simplified manner in that only part of the chain 11 encompassing the arrangement 15 is shown and the arrangement 15 is also shown shortened to comparatively few links 17, 19 in order to illustrate the general structure of the arrangement 15 . In fact, the assembly 15 includes many more first and second members 17, 19 such that the repeating pattern of each first member 17 and second member 19 is repeated many times more than illustrated. Beyond the ends 23, 27 of the assembly 15, the chain 11 can continue further. In particular, elements for fastening and/or locking a respective end of the chain 11 can be provided, for example on an object or on a lock body of the chain lock 13, but these are not shown here.

The first members 17 of the serial arrangement 15, which also includes the first end member 25, are constructed identically to one another. With the exception of the second end member 29, which is one of the second members 19, the second members 19 of the serial arrangement 15 are constructed identically to each other.

The first and second links 17, 19 each include two flat elongate link plates 31, each extending from a first end 33 to a second end 35 of the respective link. of 17, 19 extend perpendicular to the normal direction N and thus parallel to each other and are offset along the normal direction N to each other. (The joint plates 31 of the first links 17 are shown somewhat darker than the joint plates 31 of the second links 19 for better differentiation.) The distance di between the two link plates 31 of a respective first link 17 is greater than the distance d2 between the two link plates 31 of a respective second link 19, in which case the mean distance between the central planes of the two link plates 31 is meant in each case.

Since the distance di differs from the distance d2 by more than twice the thickness of a respective link plate 31, which is essentially identical for all link plates 31, the first ends 33 of the second links 19 can be positioned between the second ends 35 of the first links 17 and the second ends 35 of the second links 19 are positioned between the first ends 33 of the first links 17 to be coupled together by means of a respective articulation 21.

The articulated connections 21 each comprise a bolt 37, which is aligned parallel to the normal direction N and connects the link plates 31 of the first link 17 coupled by the respective articulated connection 21, as well as a sleeve 39, which is aligned parallel to the normal direction N and the link plates 31 of the joint connection 21 coupled by the respective second member 19 connects to each other. The bolt 37 extends through the sleeve 39 so that the second link 19 with the sleeve 39 can be pivoted about the bolt 37 and thus relative to the first link 17 about the joint axis G who can. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the chain 11 is thus designed in the manner of a sleeve chain.

A roller 41 can also be rotatably mounted around each of the sleeves 39 . The rollers 41 that are optional in the embodiment shown are indicated by broken lines in FIG. When the rollers 41 are provided, the chain 11 is formed in the manner of a roller chain.

Along the sequence of first and second members 17, 19 of the serial arrangement 15, the joint axes G of successive joint connections 21 are each at the same distance d3 or d4 from one another. This is generally preferred, but not necessarily the case. The distance d3 or d4 of the joint axes G of the two joint connections 21, which couple a respective link 17, 19 to the link 17, 19 preceding or following it, essentially corresponds to the longitudinal extent of the respective link 17, 19 and must be the first links 17 need not necessarily be the same as for the second links 19. In addition, the distances d3 and d4 do not necessarily have to be for all the first links 17 or for all second members 19 can be the same, but can also vary (cf. in this respect, for example, the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 12).

Each of the first and second links 17, 19 of the assembly 15 has a through opening 43 formed by the clearance between the two link plates 31 and the two ends 33, 35, particularly the articulations 21 provided at the ends 33, 35, respectively and in particular perpendicular to the normal direction N and perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the respective link 17, 19 (i.e. extending from its first end 33 to its second end 35), i.e. perpendicular to the image plane of FIG. 1, can be traversed.

The chain 11 also includes a traction device 45 with an elongated, cable-like Zugle element 47, which is designed as a plastic-coated wire rope. One end of this cable element 47 is fastened to the second end link 29 of the assembly 15, which for this purpose has a fastening element 49 which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is arranged in a central region of the longitudinal extent of the second end link 29 and as the two link plates 31 parallel to the normal direction N connecting rung is ausgebil det. From there, the pull element 47 extends along the entire assembly 15 to the first end member 25 and also protrudes beyond it in order to be able to grip. For this purpose, a gripping element can be provided at the free end of the pulling element 47, but this is not shown.

The tension element 47 has a slalom-like course around the joint axes G of the articulated joints 21, because it runs in accordance with the sequence of the joint axes G along the arrangement 15 alternately in one and the other direction of rotation around a respective joint axis G. In relation to the viewing direction In Fig. 1, the tension element 47 runs behind each joint axis G of a joint connection 21 coupling a first link 17 to a subsequent second link 19 and in front of each joint axis G of a joint connection 21 coupling a second link 19 to a following first link 17. Based on the Viewing direction in Figs. 2 and 3, the tension element 47 runs, starting from the first end 23 of the arrangement 15 in the direction of the second end 27 of the arrangement 15, in each case clockwise around each joint axis G of a joint connection 21 coupling a first link 17 to a subsequent second link 19 and counterclockwise around each joint axis G a second equation ied 19 with a subsequent first link 17 coupling joint connection 21. In this respect, the course of the tension element 47 in FIG. As can be seen in particular in Fig. 1, the tension element 47 runs through each of the through openings 43 of the first and second members 17, 19 of the arrangement 15, with the through openings 43 of the first links 17 starting from the first end 23 of the arrangement 15 in each case in one direction (into the image plane of FIG. 1) and the through-openings 43 of the second members 19 each in the opposite direction thereto (out of the image plane of FIG. 1) are traversed.

In Figures 1 and 2 the assembly 15 is shown in an extended longitudinal configuration in which the ends 23, 27 of the assembly 15, which may be at different distances from each other due to the hinged connection of the first and second members 17, 19, are at most from each other are spaced. The hinge axes G of the hinge connections 21 are arranged in a plane that is parallel to the image plane of FIG. The arrangement 15 extends from its first end 33 to its second end 35, as do all of its first and second members 17, 19 from their respective first end 33 to their respective second end 35 along a longitudinal direction L perpendicular to the normal direction N in whose words the longitudinal extensions of all the first and second members 17, 19 of the arrangement 15 are aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction L. In addition, the joint axes G of all joint connections 21 lie in a plane parallel to the normal direction N and to the longitudinal direction L.

In Fig. 3, on the other hand, the assembly 15 is shown in its compact storage configuration in which each of the first members 17 of the assembly 15 is relative to the preceding second member 19 (except for the first end member 25 which is not preceded by a second member 19). in a first pivoting direction Si at most about the respective joint axis G and each of the second members 19 of the arrangement 15 relative to the first member 17 preceding it is maximally wasting in a second pivoting direction S2 opposite thereto about the respective joint axis G. Based on the viewing direction in Fig. 3 ent speaks the first pivoting direction S1 clockwise and the second pivoting direction S2 counterclockwise.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, in the compact storage configuration all the first members 17 of the assembly 15 are aligned parallel to one another with respect to their longitudinal extension from their respective first end 33 to their respective second end 35 and lie laterally, i.e. transversely to this longitudinal extension. to each other. Correspondingly, all second members 19 of the arrangement 15 are aligned parallel to one another with respect to their longitudinal extent from their respective first end 33 to their respective second end 35 and lie laterally, ie transversely to this longitudinal extent, to one another. In the compact storage configuration, the longitudinal direction L along which the assembly 15 extends may be defined as the direction in which the first members 17 are offset from one another and in which the second members 17 are offset from one another, and/or as the Direction along which the joint axes G of the articulated joints 21 coupling a first link 17 to a second link 19 following it are arranged offset to one another or along which the joint axes G of each coupling a second link 19 to a first link 17 following it steering connections 21 are offset from one another. Relative to this direction, the direction in which the longitudinal extensions of the first members 17 are aligned and the direction in which the longitudinal extensions of the second members 19 are aligned have the same angle in terms of value, but with different signs. The angle that is enclosed at a respective joint connection 21 by the two links 17, 19 coupled to one another via this joint connection is the same at all joint connections 21 and, since the links 17, 19 cannot be pivoted more towards one another, is as small as possible. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this angle is 20°.

The serial assembly 15 may be converted from the extended longitudinal configuration or any other assumed configuration to the compact storage configuration by moving the free, non-fastener connected end of the tie member 47 relative to the first end 23 of the assembly 15, which may need to be held in place , is pulled such that the second end 27 of the assembly 15 is pulled toward the first end 23 of the assembly 15 . This can also be done, for example, by holding the free end of the pulling element 47 and letting the first end 23 of the assembly 15 fall towards the second end 27 of the assembly 15 . The links 17, 19 of the arrangement 15 are guided by the tension element 43, in particular by its slalom-like course, in such a way that each first link 17 (with the exception of the first end link 25) relative to the respective second link 19 preceding it in the first pivoting direction Si and each second link 19 is pivoted relative to the respective first link 17 preceding it in the opposite second pivoting direction S2 until all links 17, 19 are pivoted to the maximum and thus the compact storage configuration is reached.

As an alternative to the pulling element 47 having a free end, the pulling element 47 could also be fastened to the first end member 25 and be elastic around the first end 23 of the assembly 15 towards the second end 27 of the assembly 15 and thus always biasing the assembly 15 into the compact storage configuration.

The chain 11 further includes a tubular sheath 51 which envelops the assembly 15 from the first end 23 to the second end 27 thereof in both the extended longitudinal configuration and the compact storage configuration. The casing 51 can be folded in the manner of a bellows and is designed to always assume a length corresponding to the respective longitudinal extent of the arrangement 15 . For this purpose, the ends of the casing 51 can each be connected to the corresponding end 23, 27 of the arrangement 15. The assembly 15 may then also be placeable into its compact storage configuration by collapsing the shroud 51 . In addition, the casing 51 can be designed to be elastic, in particular in such a way that it is prestressed in the direction of the state shown in FIG. 3 and thus prestresses the arrangement 15 into the compact storage configuration. In this respect, the casing 51 can function as part of the pulling device 45 and the pulling element 47 could also be omitted.

The second embodiment of a chain 11 according to the invention shown in Figs. 4 to 6, which is also part of a second embodiment of a chain lock 13 according to the invention, corresponds to a large extent to the chain 11 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 according to the first embodiment, with the representations of FIGS. 4 to 6 correspond to the representations of FIGS. 1 to 3. For this reason, only the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be discussed below.

The main difference is that the pulling device 45 in the second embodiment comprises two pulling elements 47, 48, each of which is elongate and rope-like, and the manner in which the pulling elements 47, 48 are guided along the arrangement 15. One tension element 47 connects all articulations 21 that each couple a first link 17 to a preceding second link 19 of the assembly 15, while the other tension element 48 connects all articulations 21 that each couple a second link 19 to a preceding first link 17 of the assembly 15 couple. For this purpose, a guide element 53 in the form of an eyelet is formed on the articulated connections 21 and also on the first end 33 of the first end member 25 and the second end 35 of the second end member 29 of the arrangement 15, through which, depending on the articulated connection 21, one or the other of the two tension elements 47, 48 runs through.

In the embodiment shown, the guide elements 53, which are traversed by the one train element 47, and the guide elements 53, which are traversed by the other train element ment 48 to be traversed, are provided on different sides of the arrangement 15 with respect to the normal direction N. For this reason runs in Figs. 5 and 6 one of the Zugele elements 48 partially behind the members 17, 19 of the assembly 15 and is therefore partially shown as a broken line. However, the guide elements 53 could also all be provided on the same side of the arrangement 15 .

By pulling on the tension elements 47, 48, the articulations 21, each coupling a first link 17 to a second link 19 of the assembly 15 following it, can be pulled towards one another and the articulations 21, each coupling a second link 19 to a following coupling the first link 17 of the arrangement 15, are pulled towards one another, as a result of which each first link 17 is pivoted relative to the respective preceding second link 19 in the first pivoting direction Si and each second link 19 is pivoted relative to the respective first link 17 preceding it in the second pivoting direction S2 is pivoted. Thus, the arrangement 15 can also be brought into the compact storage configuration by means of such a pulling device 45 comprising two pulling elements 47, 48.

The third embodiment of a chain 11 according to the invention or chain 11 of a third embodiment of a chain lock 13 according to the invention shown in FIG gender first members 17 and second members 19 on. The two arrangements 15, 55 are essentially of the same design. In addition, their respective structures essentially correspond to those of the respective assembly 15 of the first and second embodiments, with the third embodiment showing more first and second members 17, 19 of the respective assembly 15, 55. In particular, both assemblies 15, 55 can be folded together independently of one another into a compact storage configuration in which each of the first members 17 of the respective assembly 15 or 55 can be pivoted relative to the preceding second member 19 in a first pivoting direction S1 at most about the respective joint axis G is pivoted and each of the second members 19 of the respective arrangement 15 or 55 is pivoted relative to the first member 17 preceding it in a second pivoting direction S2 opposite thereto at most about the respective joint axis G. As in the case shown, the first and the second pivoting direction S1, S2 can be oriented differently for the two arrangements 15, 55, in particular just the other way round with mutually parallel joint axes G of the two arrangements 15, 55. The second end members 29 of the two assemblies 15 , 55 are coupled to one another in an articulated manner via a connecting member 57 . The link 57, similar to the first and second links 17, 19, comprises two link plates 31 extending from a first end 33 to a second end 35 of the link 57, perpendicular to the normal direction N and thus oriented parallel to each other and along the normal direction N are offset from each other. The distance between the two link plates 31 corresponds to the distance di between the link plates 31 of a respective first link 17.

The second end 35 of the second end member 29 of one assembly 15 and the first end 33 of the connecting member 57 are coupled to each other via a hinge connection 21 . Correspondingly, the second end 35 of the second end member 29 of the further arrangement 55 and the second end 35 of the connecting member 57 are coupled to one another via a joint connection 21 . The joint axes G of these joint connections 21 are aligned parallel to the normal direction N. Otherwise these articulated connections 21 essentially correspond to the articulated connections 21 between a respective first member 17 and a respective second member 19 of the arrangements 15, 55.

A pulling element 47, 48 is provided on each of the two arrangements 15, 55, which is part of a common pulling device 45 of the chain 11 and by means of which the respective arrangement 15 or 55 can be brought into its compact storage configuration. The articulated coupling of the two assemblies 15, 55 with one another makes it possible to fold the assemblies 15, 55 together into their compact storage configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, and to arrange them parallel to one another and adjacent to one another. In the embodiment shown, the two assemblies 15, 55 are arranged adjacent to one another in a transverse direction Q perpendicular to the normal direction N (which is oriented perpendicularly to the image plane of FIG. 7). Depending on the design of the articulated coupling between the two arrangements 15, 55, the arrangements 15, 55 can also be arranged adjacent to one another along the normal direction N. The adjacent arrangement of a plurality of assemblies 15, 55 collapsed into their compact storage configuration makes it possible to collapse the chain 11 overall in a particularly compact manner in a defined manner.

Instead of the two pulling elements 47, 48, the pulling device 45 could also comprise only a single pulling element 47, by means of which both arrangements 15, 55 can be folded into their respective storage configuration; moreover, no specially designed connecting member 57 needs to be provided for the articulated coupling of the two assemblies 15, 55, since the coupling can also be effected by means of one or more members 17, 19 which correspond to the members 17, 19 of the two assemblies 15, 55 trained are. This is illustrated by the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, which differs from the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7 in precisely these points, but otherwise largely corresponds to the third embodiment. In particular, in the fourth embodiment, the second end member 29 of the assembly 15 and the second end member 29 of the further assembly 55 are articulated via two members, one of which corresponds to a first member 17 of the assemblies 15, 55 and the other of which corresponds to a second member 19 of the assemblies 15 , 55 corresponds.

The fourth embodiment also shows that the pulling device 45 does not necessarily have to be attached to the two ends 27 of the arrangements 15, 55 that are coupled to one another in order to pull the ends 23, 27 of a respective arrangement 15, 55 towards one another by means of the pulling device 45 to be able to This is because, in order to bring the two assemblies 15, 55 into their respective storage configuration by means of the pulling device 45, it may be sufficient, for example, to hold the two ends of the pulling element 47 of the pulling device 45 firmly and to pull the two assemblies 15, 55 with the two ends 27 coupled to one another forward to drop down.

FIG. 9 shows a variant of the fourth embodiment, only a detail being shown, in which the difference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 can be seen.

In the variant shown in FIG. 9, the pulling device 45 does not comprise a single continuous pulling element 47, but rather, similar to the third embodiment, two pulling elements 47, 48. One pulling element 47 extends along the one serial arrangement 15 in succession Links 17, 19 and the further pulling element 48 along the further arrangement 55 of successive links 17, 19. In this way the two arrangements 15, 55 are basically independently of one another by means of the respective pulling element 47, 48 in their respective compact storage configuration collapsible. In this variant, however, unlike in the third embodiment, the second end members 29 do not have a separate fastening element 49 for fastening the tension elements 47, 48 to the second end 27 of the respective arrangement 15, 55. Rather, the tension members 47, 48 are each attached to the articulation 21 which couples the second end member 29 to one of the two members via which the two assemblies 15, 55 are articulated together. Apart from these differences, the variant shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.

10 to 12 shows a fifth embodiment of a chain 11 according to the invention, which is also part of a fifth embodiment of a chain lock according to the invention ses 13, again for a better overview of several identical or each other corresponding elements are only one or a few provided with a reference sign as an example and in FIG. 11 and in particular in FIG. 12, which show the same elements as FIG. 10 only in a different position, reference numbers are largely dispensed with. Furthermore, similar to FIGS. 1 to 6, only a single serial arrangement 15 on successive links 17, 19 of the chain 11 is shown. The members 17, 19 can be distinguished as first members 17 and second members 19 according to their position within the arrangement 15 and are coupled to one another via articulated connections 21 in such a way that they each rotate about an articulation axis G parallel to a normal direction N respective articulation 21 are pivotable relative to each other. The members 17, 19 can otherwise be formed substantially corresponding to the four preceding embodiments. In particular, the links 17, 19 each have two flat elongate link plates 31 which are aligned perpendicularly to the normal direction N and are offset from one another along the normal direction N.

The assembly 15 extends from a first end 23 to a second end 27, wherein the assembly 15 is shown shortened to a comparatively few members 17, 19 to simplify the illustration, which illustrate the general structure of the assembly 15. A feature of the fifth embodiment, in which this embodiment differs from the previous embodiments, is that along the succession of links 17, 19 along the assembly 15 from link 17, 19 to link 17, 19, both the distance between the two link plates 31 of a respective link 17, 19 as well as the longitudinal extension, i.e. the distance between the first end 33 and the second end 35, of the respective link 17, 19 decreases.

For the articulated coupling of the links 17, 19 to one another, the links 17, 19 each have a sleeve 39 at their first end 33 and a bolt 37 at their second end 35, which connect the two link plates 31 of the respective link 17, 19 parallel to the normal direction connect N. In this case, the bolt 37 engages through at the second end 35 of a respective member of 17, 19, the sleeve 39 at the first end 33 of the respective member 17, 19 follow the member 17, 19, which is why the bolt 37 in Figs. 10 to 12 for most of the links 17, 19 cannot be seen. Only the bolt 37 of the last link 17, 19 of the arrangement 15 does not reach through a sleeve 39. This bolt 37 can therefore be used as a fastening element 49 for fastening the pulling element 47 of the pulling device 45.

The tension element 47 extends along the entire arrangement 15 and runs on each link 17, 19 of the arrangement 15 through a through opening 43 of the respective link of 17, 19, which is between the two link plates 31 of the respective link 17, 19 and between see the first end 33 and the second end 35 of the respective member 17, 19 is ausgebil det. The passage openings 43 are passed through alternately from different directions, so that the tension element 47 has a slalom-like course around the joint axes G of the joint connections 21 .

In Figure 10 the assembly 15 assumes an extended longitudinal configuration in which the hinge axes G of all the articulations 21 coupling two members 17, 19 of the assembly 15 together lie within one plane. In particular, due to the above-mentioned slalom-like course of the tension element 47, pulling on the free end of the tension element 47 causes the links 17, 19 to swing in either one or the other pivot direction relative to the respective preceding link 17, 19 are pivoted about the joint axis G of the respective joint connection 21, so that all first links 17 relative to the respective preceding link 17, 19 in the first pivoting direction Si and all second links 19 relative to the respective preceding link 17, 19 are pivoted in the opposite second pivoting direction S2. The assembly 15 can thereby be brought from the extended longitudinal configuration to the intermediate position shown in FIG. 11, for example.

By further pulling the assembly 15 can eventually be brought into a position in which the links 17, 19 are nested one within the other, since each of the links 17, 19 is within, i.e. between the link plates 31, of the link 17, 19 preceding it and therewith is arranged anti-parallel to this, so that it is connected to the preceding link 17,

19 at the joint axis G of the two members 17, 19 coupling each other joint connection 21 includes an angle of 0 °. This position shown in FIG. 12, in which the members 17, 19 of the assembly 15 are nested, thus represents the compact storage configuration of the assembly 15.

In principle, the members 17, 19 can be pivoted freely relative to the respective preceding member 17, 19, ie by 360° and beyond, about the joint axis G of the respective joint connection, so that they also move beyond the position shown in FIG Kings can be pivoted through the through opening 43 of the next largest member 17, 19 within which they are located in the compact storage configuration. In such a case, a user of the chain lock 13 can, for example, hold the largest of the links 17, 19 with one hand in such a way that the remaining links 17, 19, which are pulled into the compact storage configuration by pulling the pulling element 47 with the other hand, be prevented by one hand from going over the largest link 17, 19 from being pivoted. It is also conceivable that a stop is formed on each of the links 17, 19 or that a locking mechanism is formed in each of the articulated connections 21, which prevents pivoting of the respective following link 17, 19 via the anti-parallel alignment in which the two links 17, 19 enclose an angle of 0°, so that the members 17, 19 can be pivoted in the respective pivoting direction up to a maximum of the position shown in FIG. 12. In this way, the assembly 15 can be reliably brought into the compact storage configuration by pulling on the pull member 43 .

13 to 20 show various alternative possible embodiments of the links 17, 19 of the serial arrangement 15 of a respective chain 11 according to the invention or of the chain 11 of a chain lock 13 according to the invention. Although the arrangement 15 can each have significantly more members 17, 19, there are only four members 17, 19, which in turn can be distinguished according to their sequence as two first members 17 and two second members 19, and these members 17, 19 shown articulation connections 21 coupling to one another. The articulated connections 21 are each represented in simplified form by a vertical line, which is aligned parallel to the normal direction N and at the same time corresponds to the articulation axis G of the respective articulated connection 21 .

The links 17,19 are represented by horizontal lines, each corresponding to a longitudinal element of the respective link 17,19. These longitudinal elements can in particular each correspond to a link plate 31, but do not necessarily have to be designed as a link plate 31 or even in the form of a flat surface. What the longitudinal elements have in common, however, is that they each extend over the entire longitudinal extension of the respective link 17, 19, ie from its first end 33 to its second end 35. In addition, the longitudinal elements of a respective link 17, 19 are arranged offset from one another along the normal direction N and can in particular be oriented parallel to one another and/or perpendicular to the normal direction N.

While the links 17, 19 can in principle each have further elements, e.g. guide elements 53 for a pulling element 47 of the pulling device 45 of the respective chain 11, the basic structure of the links 17, 19 is at least essentially defined by the longitudinal elements shown as a respective dash educated. In particular, it can be provided that the members 17, 19 each have no further elements extending over the entire longitudinal extension of the respective member 17, 19. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the first members 17 each comprise two longitudinal elements, while the second members 19 each comprise only one longitudinal element. The chain 11 can be designed, for example, as a bolt chain, in particular as a block chain.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 14, both the first links 17 and the second links 19 each comprise two longitudinal elements which in the second links 19 are spaced less far from one another along the normal direction N than the longitudinal elements of the first links 17. The links 17 , 19 can, for example, be designed correspondingly to the first, second, third or fourth embodiment. The chain 11 can in particular be a fluffy chain or a roller chain.

Also in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, both the first members 17 and the second members 19 each comprise two longitudinal elements. However, this embodiment is an example of the fact that the two longitudinal elements of the first links 17 can in principle also have the same distance from one another as the longitudinal elements of the second links 19. In particular, in this embodiment all links 17, 19 of the arrangement 15 can be of essentially identical design .

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the first members 17 each comprise four longitudinal elements and the second members 19 each comprise three longitudinal elements, which alternate in the region of their overlap at the articulated connections 21 along the normal direction N, respectively. The two outermost longitudinal elements of the first links 17 along the normal direction N are spaced further apart than the two outermost longitudinal elements of the second links 19 along the normal direction N. The chain 11 can in particular be designed in the manner of a flyer chain. In principle, the first and second members 17, 19 can also have more longitudinal elements. It is preferred if the second links 19 each include one longitudinal element less than the first links 17 or if the first and second links 17, 19 include the same number of longitudinal elements.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the first links 17 and the second links 19 again each comprise two longitudinal elements. In addition to the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, this embodiment is another example of the fact that the first members 17 or the second members 19 do not necessarily have to be of identical design. In contrast to the fifth embodiment, however, the distances between the two longitudinal elements in the present case do not increase or decrease continuously, but change periodically. Because while the two longitudinal elements in all second links 19 are equidistant from each other, the assembly 15 comprises first members 17 whose two longitudinal members are relatively more widely spaced, and first members 17 whose two longitudinal members are comparatively less widely spaced. Another difference from the fifth embodiment is that the distances between the joint axes G of the joint connections 21 remain the same, so that the links 17, 19 cannot be nested one inside the other.

18 to 20 show exemplary embodiments in which the distance between the respective two longitudinal elements of a respective link 17, 19 is not constant, so that in particular the distance at the first end 33 of the respective link 17, 19 increases from the distance the second end 35 of the respective link 17,19 differs. At the in Fig.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the two longitudinal elements are each aligned opposite one another at an angle to the normal direction N, so that their distance from one another increases linearly along the longitudinal extension of the respective link 17, 19. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 19, the two longitudinal elements are of stepped design, so that a partial section encompassing the first end 33 of the respective link 17, 19 is opposite a partial section of the respective longitudinal element encompassing the second end 35 of the respective link 17, 19 parallel along the normal direction N or opposite to the normal direction N is offset. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, only one of the two longitudinal elements is stepped in the manner described, while the other has a straight course perpendicular to the normal direction N.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 have in common that the distance between the two longitudinal elements of a respective link 17, 19 is greater at the second end 35 of the respective link 17, 19 than at the first end of the respective link 17, 19, so that in the region of the articulations 21, the longitudinal elements of a respective link 17, 19 can be arranged between the longitudinal elements of the respective link 17, 19 preceding it. In addition, in these embodiments, the first and second members 17,

19 are essentially the same, at least with regard to their basic structure defined by the longitudinal elements, and can in particular be structurally identical. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, however, the second members 19 are oriented rotated relative to the first members 17 by 180° about an axis parallel to their longitudinal extension.

21 and 22, embodiments of a chain lock 13 according to the invention are shown schematically. The chain 11 of the chain lock 13, which can be designed in particular in one of the ways illustrated in FIGS. Orders 15, 55 of consecutive links 17, 19, which includes the chain 11 in each case, as well as the pulling device 45 and any casing 51 that may be present cannot be seen. In the condition shown in Figures 21 and 22, respectively, the one or more assemblies 15, 55 are each not in their compact storage configuration but in a substantially extended configuration, being one to one, unlike the straight extended longitudinal configuration Loop have curved course.

The chain locks 13 of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 each comprise a lock body 59 on which a locking receptacle 61 is formed. The chain 11 has in each case at one of its ends a block 63 which can be inserted in a latching manner into the locking receptacle 61 acting as a block receptacle. In addition, a locking mechanism 65 is provided on the lock body 59, which can be designed in a manner known per se and by means of which the block 63, when it is accommodated in the locking receptacle 61, can be secured against leaving the locking receptacle 61.

While the end of the chain 11 opposite the end with the block 63 is firmly connected to the lock body 59 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 21, it has an eyelet 67 in the embodiment shown in FIG the block 63 can be inserted ahead through before the block 63 is inserted into the locking receptacle 61 and secured by the locking mechanism 65. In this way, the chain 11 can form a loop, as shown in FIG. 22 , which can only be opened again if the block 63 is released again by means of the locking mechanism 65 so that it can leave the locking receptacle 61 .

However, the chain 11 does not necessarily need to have the block 63 at one end in order to be lockable on the lock body 59 . Rather, the locking receptacle 61 can also be designed to receive a section of the chain 11, such as a respective one of the articulated connections 21 and/or a specific section of a respective link of the chain 11, which can then be secured by means of the locking mechanism 65 against leaving the Locking receptacle 61 can be secured.

In periods in which the respective chain lock 13 is not used to secure an object, the one or more serial arrangements 15, 55 consecutive links 17, 19 of the chain 11 of the chain lock 13 can be used, particularly conveniently, by means of the pulling device 45 of the chain 11 , assembled into the compact storage configuration be placed. If the chain comprises a plurality of arrangements 15, 55, these can also be arranged compactly adjacent to one another, so that the chain 11 as a whole can be folded up in a particularly compact manner for stowage or for carrying along.

reference sign

11 chain

13 chain lock

15 serial arrangement of first and second links

17 first link

19 second link

21 articulation

23 first end of serial array

25 first end segment

27 second end of the serial arrangement

29 second terminal segment

31 link plate

33 first end of the respective link

35 second end of the respective member

37 bolts

39 sleeve

41 roll

43 through hole

45 traction device

47 traction element

48 additional tension element

49 fastener

51 sheath

53 guide element

55 further serial arrangement of first and second members

57 link

59 lock body

61 locking receiver

63 blocks

65 locking mechanism

67 eyelet di average distance between two articulated plates of a first link d2 average distance between two articulated plates of a second link d3 distance between the articulated axes of two consecutive articulated connections between which a first link extends d4 distance between the joint axes of two consecutive joint connections between which a second link extends G joint axis

L Longitudinal N Normal direction

Q transverse direction

5 ₁ first pan direction

52 second pivoting direction

Claims

Expectations

1. Chain lock (13), in particular for a two-wheeler, with a lock body (59) and a chain (11) which comprises a serial arrangement (15) of consecutive links (17, 19) which are interconnected via a respective articulated connection (21) coupled to one another and pivotable relative to one another about a hinge axis (G) of the respective hinge connection (21) parallel to a normal direction (N), the assembly (15) being collapsible into a compact storage configuration in which at each of the hinge connections ( 21) the two links (17, 19) coupled to one another via the respective articulated connection (21) are pivoted relative to one another about the articulation axis (G) of the respective articulated connection (21) to such an extent that they have the smallest possible win within the scope of their relative pivotability kel enclose, wherein the members (17, 19) of the assembly (15) along the normal direction (N) at least partially occupy the same position, and wherein the lock body (59) has a locking receptacle (61) adapted to receive a portion of the chain (11), in particular a link of the chain (11), and a locking mechanism (65) by means of which said portion of the chain (11) against leaving the locking receptacle (61) can be secured.

2. Chain lock according to claim 1, wherein the locking receptacle (61) is designed as a block receptacle and the chain (11) has a block (63) at one of its ends, which can be received in the locking receptacle (61) and secured against leaving the lock ment receptacle (61) securable section forms.

A chain lock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chain (11) comprises a traction device (45) extending along said assembly (15) and by means of which a first end (23) of the assembly (15) and an opposite end thereto second end (27) of the assembly (15) being pulled toward one another such that the assembly (15) is brought into the compact storage configuration by the pulling device (45).

4. Chain (11) for a chain lock (13), in particular for a chain lock (13) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises a serial arrangement (15) of successive links (17, 19) which are connected to one another via a respective articulated connection ( 21) coupled to each other and pivotable relative to each other about a hinge axis (G) parallel to a normal direction (N) of the respective articulation (21), the assembly (15) being collapsible into a compact storage configuration in which at each of the articulations (21) the two members (17, 19) coupled to one another via the respective articulated connection (21) are pivoted relative to one another about the articulation axis (G) of the respective articulated connection (21) to such an extent that they have the smallest possible extent within the scope of their relative pivotability Angle include, and wherein the chain (11) comprises a pulling device (45) which extends along said arrangement (15) and by means of which an e A first end (23) of the assembly (15) and an opposite second end (27) of the assembly (15) are drawable toward one another such that the assembly (15) is moved by the pulling device (45) into the compact storage configuration .

5. Chain according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the links (17, 19) of the assembly (15) along the normal direction (N) at least partially occupy the same position.

A chain lock or chain as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said serial assembly (15) comprises first links (17) and second links (19) alternating along the succession of links (17, 19) of the assembly (15). , wherein the first members (17) are essentially identical to one another, in particular structurally identical, and the second members (19) are essentially identical to one another, in particular structurally identical, and the first members (17) differ from the second members (19) distinguish.

7. Chain lock or chain according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the links (17, 19) of the assembly (15) coupled via a respective pivot connection (21) to a respective preceding link (17, 19) alternate in the compact storage configuration into one first pivoting direction (Si) and in a second pivoting direction opposite to the first pivoting direction (Si). (S2) are pivoted relative to the respective preceding link (17, 19) about the articulation axis (G) of the respective articulation (21).

8. Chain lock or chain according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pulling device (45) comprises an elongate, in particular cable-like, pulling element (47) which extends along the arrangement (15).

9. Chain lock or chain according to claim 8, wherein the tension element (47) has a slalom-like course around the joint axes (G) of the joint connections (21).

10. Chain lock or chain according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a winding mechanism is provided on the tension element (47), by means of which the tension element (47) can be wound up, the winding mechanism preferably being designed in the manner of the mechanism of a rollable measuring tape.

11 . Chain lock or chain according to one of Claims 8 to 10, in which the tension element (47) is elastic.

12. Chain lock or chain according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein each of the links (17, 19) of the arrangement (15) has a respective through opening (43) and the tension element (47) through the through opening (43) of each link of ( 17, 19) passes through.

13. Chain lock or chain according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the links (17, 19) of the assembly (15) comprises two respective link plates (31) which are arranged offset from one another along the normal direction (N), with each of the two link plates (31) from a first end (33) of the respective link (17, 19), on which the articulated connection (21) for coupling to the link (17, 19) preceding it is optionally formed, to a second end opposite thereto End (35) of the respective member (17, 19) on which the joint connection (21) for coupling to the member (17, 19) following it is formed, if necessary.

14. Chain lock or chain according to claims 12 and 13, wherein said through opening (43) between the two link plates (31) of the respective link (17, 19) and between the first end (33) and the second end (35) of the respective link (17, 19).

15. Chain lock or chain according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the links (17, 19) of the assembly (15) alternately have a larger distance (di) and a small distance (d2) between their two respective link plates (31).

16. Chain lock or chain according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the distance (di, d2) between the two link plates (31) is greater at the first end (33) of the respective link (17, 19) than at the second end (35 ) of the respective link (17, 19).

17. Chain lock or chain according to one of claims 13 to 16, wherein along the sequence of links (17, 19) of the arrangement (15) both the distance (di, d2) between the two link plates (31) of a respective link (17, 19) and the distance (de, d4) between the first end (33) and the second end (35) of the respective link (17, 19) either continuously decreases or continuously increases.

18. Chain lock or chain according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the articulated connections (21) each have a bolt (37) which is formed on the one of the respective articulated connection (21) coupled link (17, 19) and a sleeve (39 ) which is formed on the other link (17, 19) coupled by the respective articulation (21) and is engaged by the bolt (37) in such a way that it can be pivoted about the bolt (37).

19. Chain lock or chain according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain (11) comprises a tubular sheath (51) which, both in the compact storage configuration and in an extended longitudinal configuration of the assembly (15), in which the first end ( 23) of the assembly (15) and the second end (27) of the assembly (15) are maximally spaced apart, enveloping the assembly (15) from its first end (23) to its second end (27).

20. Chain lock or chain according to claim 19, wherein the casing (51) is designed as part of the traction device (45), in particular elastically.

21 . A chain lock or chain according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain (11) comprises fixing means for fixing the assembly (15) in the compact storage configuration.

22. Chain lock or chain according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain (11) comprises a further serial arrangement (55) of consecutive links (17, 19) which is collapsible into a compact storage configuration in which at each articulation (21), which couples a respective link (17, 19) of the further arrangement (55) to a link (17, 19) of the further arrangement (55) preceding it, the respective link (17, 19) relative to the link (17, 19) preceding it ( 17, 19) is pivoted about the respective joint axis (G) to such an extent that the respective link (17, 19) and the link (17, 19) preceding it enclose the smallest possible angle within the scope of their relative pivotability, with a first end (23) and a second end (25) of the further arrangement (55) can be pulled towards one another by means of the pulling device (45) in such a way that the further arrangement (55) is brought into the compact storage configuration by the pulling device (45), and wob ei the two arrangements (15, 55) are hingedly coupled to one another in such a way that, when they are respectively folded into their compact storage configuration, they can be arranged offset parallel to one another, in particular adjacent to one another.

23. Chain lock or chain according to claim 22, wherein the traction device (45) comprises an elongate, in particular cable-like, traction element (47) which extends along one arrangement (15), and another longitudinal, in particular cable-like, traction element (48) which extends along the further arrangement (55), the tension elements (47, 48) each preferably having a slalom-like course around the joint axes (G) of the joint connections (21) of the respective arrangement (15, 55).