JPS61294243A - Locking/unlocking chain construction - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible for a chain to be maintained in a straightened condition by engaging both ends of a lock member with engagement recesses cut at opposing ends of inner chain plates neighboring each other. CONSTITUTION:An inner link plate 2 of nearly rectangular shape is freely rotatably connected to both ends of an outer link plate 1 through a smaller diameter part 10 of a pin 3 inserted into a through hole 5 bored at both ends of the inner link plate 2. At both ends of the inner link plates 2's which are facing, by way of the outer link plate 1, each other, nearly square-shaped engagement cuts 21's are provided into which both ends 22's of a lock body 20 are resiliently fit by a spring 13 to stop relative rotary movement of the inner link plate 2. Detachment of the lock body 20 from the engagement cut 21 is performed by pressing a roller 23 to the inside direction by means of a guide body 25.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a chain structure that can be made rigid and can take two states: an extended state and a freely bendable state.

(b) Conventional technology Conventionally, all chains have been constructed to be flexible.

(c) Problems to be solved by the invention For this reason, the chain is only capable of transmitting motion by tensile force and cannot transmit motion in the pushing direction, and it is difficult to prevent the chain from drooping when suspended over a long span. There was a drawback that an intermediate support roller or the like was required for the purpose.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems This invention provides mutually adjacent and opposing inner link plates of a chain in which outer link plates and inner link plates are rotatably connected to each other via pins. A guide body (A) in which a fitting notch is formed at each end so that both ends of the lock body can be fitted and removed into the opposite notches, and the lock body is provided on the outside of the chain (A). 2
To provide a chain structure that can be made rigid at will, characterized in that the chain can be in a rigid state in which it is held in an elongated state and in a two-shaped dovetail state in which it is freely bent when the chain is engaged and disengaged in step 5). It is.

(e) Operation In this invention, both ends of the lock member are fitted into the fitting recesses provided in the opposing ends of the adjacent inner chain plates to prevent the relative rotation of each link plate. The chain is held in an extended state, and by releasing the above-mentioned engagement using a guide provided on the outside of the chain, rotation of each link plate is allowed and the chain is made to take a bent state. It is something.

(f) Effects According to the present invention, the chain can be made to take two states, an extended and held state and a freely bendable state, so it is possible to make the chain perform operation transmission in the pushing direction, which was previously impossible. Further, even in a suspended state over a long span, by maintaining the extended state, drooping in the middle can be prevented, and there is an effect that provision of an intermediate support roller or the like is not necessary.

(G) Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. (A> indicates a chain according to the present invention, and the chain (A) has an outer link plate (1), an inner link plate (2), and a pin. (3) and locking member (4), and the pin (3) that communicates with the pin insertion holes (5) drilled at both ends of each link plate (1) and (2>) is used to connect the inner and outer sides. A chain (A) is constructed by connecting a large number of link plates (1) and (2) alternately.
A) is constructed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the connection.

The pin (3) has an inner large diameter part (6) formed in the center to engage with the teeth of a sprocket (not shown), and the left and right sides of the inner large diameter part (6) are provided with the sprocket's teeth. A positioning flange (8) is formed with a substantially conical inner inclined surface (7) for stabilizing the teeth in the central position, and a locking member (4) is fitted on the outside of the 7 flange (8). A large diameter part (9) is formed on the outside for fitting, and a small diameter part (9) is formed on the outside.
10) forming an inner and outer link plate (2).

The pin insertion hole (5) of (1) is fitted, and a retaining ring (11) is fitted on the outside of the pin insertion hole (5) of each link plate (1).
), (2) are prevented from falling off.

A spring insertion hole (12) is provided on the outer end surface of the pin (3).
A spring (13) is inserted into the peripheral hole (12), and the spring (13) inserted into the peripheral hole (12) allows the spring (13) to be inserted outside the peripheral hole (12). The locking member (4) is biased outwardly through a connecting body (15) connected to the outer end of the plunger (14).

Note that (16) indicates a lock nut.

The connecting body (15) is approximately U-shaped and connects the outer end of the pin (3) and the inner and outer link plates (1) at the frontage.

It surrounds the outer periphery of the pin fitting part (2), and is connected to the side end surface of the locking member (4) at the opening end (17).

The lock member (4) is approximately plate-shaped and has pins (3) at both ends.
An insertion hole (18) is formed for inserting the outer large diameter part (9), and the lock member (4) is inserted into the outer large diameter part (9).
has a clearance (19) to allow the pin (3) to slide in the axial direction, and the locking member (4) is pressed against the inner surface of the inner link plate (2) by the bias of the spring (13). The outer surface of the locking member (4) is in contact with the
Lock bodies 20) each having a substantially rectangular bar shape in cross section are arranged in series in the longitudinal direction.

The inner (lll11 link plate (2) is a generally short rectangular plate, and has pins (5) inserted into insertion holes (5) drilled at both ends.
3) through the small diameter part (10) of the outer link plate (1).
) and are rotatably connected to both ends of the inner link plate (2), which are opposed to each other with the outer link plate (1) interposed therebetween.A substantially square fitting notch (21) is provided at both ends of the inner link plate (2), which faces each other with the outer link plate (1) interposed therebetween.
is recessed, and both ends (22
) is pushed into the fitting notch (21) by the bias of the spring (13).
) to prevent relative rotation of the inner link plate (2). Therefore, the lock body (20) prevents relative rotation between the inner link plate (2) and the same plate <2>.
and are alternately connected and in a rigid state that maintains an extended state.

On the side end surface of the central part of the locking member (4), a supporting leg part (24) which pivotally supports the roller (23) at the tip is provided in series, and a guide that presses the roller (23) inward. The lock member (4) is pressed and moved inward by the body (25), and the lock body (20) is moved to the inner link plate (2).
) is disengaged from the fitting notch (21) of the lock body (20) to allow relative rotation of the inner link plate (2) and to freely bend the chain (A>).
Both ends (22) have chamfers (22) for smooth fitting.
)′ has been applied.

Note that FIG. 1 shows the chain (A>) in a freely bendable state, and FIG. 2 shows the chain (A> in a rigid state maintained in an extended state).

Figure 6 shows an example of how the chain (A) is used, and even in the vibe (B) where midway support is impossible, the chain (A> maintains its rigid state, so the inner wall of the pipe (B) It can operate within the same pipe (B) without contacting it.

In addition, when bending the chain (A), the guide body (
G) can be provided to press and move the rollers (23) inward, thereby making the chain (A> freely bendable).

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of the rigid chain according to the present invention (flexible state). FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of the chain (rigid state). FIG. Figure 4 is a plan view. Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line nn in Figure 2. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of use. (A): Chain (1): Outer link plate (2): Inner link plate (3): Pin (20): Lock body (21) Two fitting notches (25) Two guide bodies

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) Outer link plate (1) and inner link plate (
2) are rotatably connected to each other via pins (3), and fitting notches (21
) so that both ends of the lock body (20) can be fitted into and removed from the notches (21) facing each other, and the lock body (25) is provided on the outside of the chain (A). A rigid chain structure characterized in that the chain (A) can take two states: a rigid state in which the chain (A) maintains an extended state by being engaged and disengaged by a guide body (25), and a bent state.