US2612056A

US2612056A - Cutter chain structure

Info

Publication number: US2612056A
Application number: US230176A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Robert F Prox; Benjamin F Woods
Original assignee: FRANK PROX CO Inc
Current assignee: FRANK PROX CO Inc
Priority date: 1951-06-06
Filing date: 1951-06-06
Publication date: 1952-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 1969-09-30

Description

Sept. 30, 1952 R. F. PROX, J R., ET AL CUTTER CHAIN: STRUCTURE Filed June 6. 1951 Patented Sept. 30, 1952 mintF-i Woods; Terre Haute Ind., assignorsto Frank Prox Company, Inc., Terre Haute, Ind.,v

a corporation Application Junefi, 1951, Serial No. 230,176

aiolai s. (cur-254) This invention relates toa cutter chain structure, particularly. employed in coal mining. but which is equallyapplicableto other uses.

The invention-pertains to the interlocking of the main pins in their respective connecting links from which the chain is formed. Incutter chains of this character it is desirable that the chain be capable of disassembling in case of breakage or replacement of broken parts -with a minimum loss of time, particularly when being used in mines. At the same time itdsessential that the link when in operation;

This invention, therefore, is particularly directed to the provision'of a groove formed in the main pin connecting the links for interlocking receptiorrof a locking rivet mounted to extend through suitable transverse bores in the connecting link tangentially of the respective: main pins to interlock with the groove therein and prevent axial displacement thereof, and wherein the rivets'are securely held in place, but capable of being hammered free of" the pi for removal links be interlocked to prevent separation of-the thereof.

The full nature of the invention will beunderstood from the accompanying drawings and the following'description and claims:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through a connecting link and adjoining bit carrier link with the bit block in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of a disassembled connecting link with one of the main pins mounted therein.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a main pin.

In the drawings there is shown a cutting chain structure comprising a connecting link In and an adjoining bit carrying link H comprising the side plates I2 adapted to embrace the respective ends of the connecting link. Said bit carrying link also includes an upstanding bit block 13 carrying a removable bit l4 secured in place by a set screw [5.

The connecting link is provided with the usual 7 pin receiving openings l6 extending transversely through opposite ends thereof in which an annular bushing I1 is mounted, the bit carrying link having its side plates l 2 provided with openings mating and registering with said bushings. The connecting link in is adapted to provide a pivotal connection between adjacent bit carrying links in the usual manner, the pivotal connections therebetween comprising the main pins 18 adapted to be inserted transversely through the openings I6.

Extending from top to bottom of each connecting link adjacent the inner side of each of the openings I6 there is provided a rivet bore l9 for receiving a locking rivet .20. The said bores and locking rivetsarecentrally disposed in the connecting link generally tangential of the respective openings [6 and the bushings l1 secured therein with approximately half of the diameter thereof traversing the openings. As illustrated in-Fig. 1, said bores intercept the inner surfaces of the bushings, extending through adjacent side wallsthereof. v

Eachof the main pins is isformed with a groove 2-! shown herein as annular, but which may-extend onlypartially around one side of the in,- and whichis preferably semi-circular in cross section'to, conform with, receiveand seat therein a locking, rivet 20 when insertedthrough the bore l9. Thus, with themain pins mounted to. pivotally connectthe links-they are locked against'axialjdisplacement or removal by their respective locking rivets 20.. For securing rivets 295 j in: locking position, they are each, provided with." axiianged head 22 I adapted, to engage and seat-within. a countersink 23 formed in thecon- 'necting link at oneend of thebore [9. The other the rivet will be restrained from longitudinal or axial displacement for locking the main pin in position while permitting free oscillation or rotation thereof within the bushing [1. In this connection it is noted that the main pin has one end thereof broached to provide flats 2'! adapted to mate with a corresponding fiat formed in the pin receiving opening of one of the side plates l2.

This structure is such that the main pins will be locked against removal by the locking rivets. But when it is desired to disassemble the chains on the job for repair or replacement, the relatively soft metal locking rivets may be readily knocked out of their locking engagement by hammering the peened over end with sufficient force to displace it. With the locking rivet forced free of interlocking engagement with the main pin, said pin may be then readily removed. The chain can then be reassembled merely by re-inserting the main pin and forcing the locking rivet back in place, or inserting a'new locking rivet, and again peening over its free end in place.

The invention claimed is:

l. A cutting chain structure comprising alternate connecting links and bit carrying links having side plates embracing adjacent ends'of the connecting links with aligned openings in the connecting ends of the respective links, bushings mounted in the openings of the connecting links having an internal diameter registering with the internal diameter of the mating openings in the bit carrying links, said latter openings having opposed flats, said connecting links each having a pair of bores extending transversely and tangentially of the openings therein in intercepting relation with the inner surface of said bushings and on adjacent sides thereof, a main pin having a centrally disposed groove receivable within each of said bushings to extend through the mating openings in said bit carrying link with said groove in mating relation with the adjacent said bore, a locking rivet extending through each of said bores with a portion thereof tangentially seating in the groove of said pin to interlock and prevent axial displacement thereof, and means for securing each of said locking rivets in pin locking position through opposed countersunk pin head engagement with opposed sides of said link, one of the heads of said pin being deformable to permit forcible removal thereof from its interlocking engagement with said main pin.

2. A cutting chain structure comprising alternate connecting links and bit carrying links having side plates embracing adjacent ends of the connecting links with aligned openings in the connecting ends of the respective links, bushings mounted in the openings of the connecting links having an internal diameter registering with the internal diameter of the mating openings in the bit carrying links, said latter openings having opposed flats, said connecting links each having a pair of bores extending transversely and tangentially of the openings therein'in intercepting relation with the inner surface of said bushings and on adjacent sides thereof, a main pin having a centrally disposed groove receivable within each of said bushings to extend through the mating openings in said bit carrying link with said groove in mating relation with the adjacent said bore, a locking rivet extending through each of said bores with a portion -thereof tangentially seating in the groove of said pin to interlock and prevent axial displacement thereof, and means for removably securing each of said locking rivets in pin locking position.

3. A cutting chain structure comprising alternate connecting links and bit carrying links having side plates embracing adjacent ends of the connecting links with aligned openings in the connecting ends of the respective links, said connecting links each having a pair of bores extending transversely and tangentially of the openings therein in intercepting relation with the inner surface of adjacent sides thereof, a main pin having a centrally disposed annular groove receivable within each of the mating openings of the respective links for pivotally connecting their adjacent ends and with said groove in mating relation with an adjacent bore, a locking rivet extending through each of said bores with a portion thereof tangentially seating in the groove of said pin to interlock and prevent axial displacement thereof, and means for securing each of said locking rivets in pin locking position through opposed countersunk pin head engagement with opposed sides of said link, one of the heads of said pin being deformable to permit forcible removal thereof from its interlocking engagement with said main pin.

ROBERT F. PROX, JR. BENJAMIN F. WOODS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,429,518 McMahon Sept. 19, 1922 1,660,354= Phelps Feb. 28, 1928 1,862,027 Lord June '7, 1932 2,012,947 Bosnian Sept. 3, 1935 2,476,852 Forbes July 19, 1949