WO2007137631A1

WO2007137631A1 - Conveyor chain with a pivotable gripper head

Info

Publication number: WO2007137631A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/000593
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Schlaffer
Original assignee: Iwis Motorsysteme Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2006-05-30
Filing date: 2007-01-24
Publication date: 2007-12-06
Also published as: DE202006008575U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveyor chain, in particular a gripper chain, comprising at least one gripper tappet (10), at least one link plate (1) receiving and guiding the gripper tappet, and a spring element (9) acting between the link plate and the gripper tappet. Said gripper tapper comprises a guiding pin and a gripper head (12), and the link plate has at least one side (4, 5) that extends in a lateral manner and that comprises an opening for receiving the guiding pin (11). Also, a guide engaging with the guiding is provided in the opening in the link plate. Said guiding pin comprises a guiding section and the opening comprises guiding means (20) such that when the guiding pin moves in a longitudinal manner, the gripper tappet is moved in a force-coupled longitudinal and rotating manner at least on one area of the guiding pin. According to the invention, the guiding section is formed on the guiding pin as a recess that extends in the longitudinal direction at least over one part of the guiding pin and the guiding pin is embodied as a projection which extends into the opening.

Description

Conveyor chain with swiveling gripper head

description

The present invention relates to a conveyor chain, in particular a gripper chain, with at least one gripper tappet, at least one of the gripper tappet receiving and leading link plate and acting between the link plate and the gripping plunger spring means, wherein the gripping plunger has a guide pin and a gripping head.

A widely used conveyor chain for transporting film webs is known from DE 30 25 967 C2, in which the film webs are gripped by means of the gripper tappet and moved further by means of the chain and optionally tensioned. In addition to transporting films and other web-like materials in the packaging industry, conveyor chains are also used, for example, in soldering systems and in the production of printed circuit boards. This conveyor chain consists essentially of a commercial roller chain, in which an outer flap is replaced by a so-called strap (U-shaped) with outwardly facing legs. Both the upper and the lower U-leg each have an opening through which extends the hook-shaped gripping tappet. Between the two U-legs adapted to the cross section of the gripper plunger helical compression spring is arranged, which surrounds the gripper plunger. The upper end of the helical compression spring is supported on the underside of the upper U-leg. The lower end of the helical compression spring is supported on the gripper tappet, whereby the gripper tappet is always pressed into its closed position (gripping position). The lower end of the gripper rams over and can be pushed by means of a cam surface or actuation ramp upwards, so that the gripper tappet opens and the product to be conveyed can be inserted into the open gripper. This type of gripper chains has been well proven in use, however, the cost of producing the individual matched components is high. In particular, the hook-shaped gripper tappet can only be produced in a multi-stage stamping and bending process. Also, the assembly for the production of the conveyor chains is relatively expensive.

Another construction of a conveyor chain with a hook-shaped gripper tappet disclosed in EP 302 534 A2. In this case, the gripping plunger is pivotally mounted by means of two lateral arms on the lower U-legs of the bracket. The screws Bending spring extends here offset from the gripping plunger and is supported on the underside of the upper U-leg and on the underside of the gripping plunger, wherein the support surfaces are offset from each other, so that the helical compression spring is bent. Although this construction of the gripper tappet allows the component costs to be reduced somewhat, the assembly effort and the susceptibility to a functional failure increase at the same time.

In contrast, DE 30 22 075 C3 shows a gripper tappet, which is constructed rotationally symmetrical and is guided only in an opening of an L-shaped bracket. In this case, the gripping tappet consists of a substantially cylindrical pin which is provided with a mushroom-shaped head, wherein the film webs between the edge of the mushroom-shaped head and the top of the L-leg is fixed. The mushroom-shaped head is riveted on the bolt. Below the L-leg of the strap, the bolt is provided with a flange on which the helical compression spring is arranged. The attached at the lower end of the bolt helical compression spring is supported on the collar of the socket on the underside of the L-leg, which in spite of the indefinite recording of the bolt in the opening of the L-leg tilting of the spring should be prevented. Overall, the gripping behavior is very uneven and error prone.

An improvement over well-known conveyor chains provides in this context, DE 19525 523 A1. The one-piece gripper tappet used in this generic conveyor chain is also constructed rotationally symmetrical, but is performed in the upper and lower legs of a U-shaped bracket plate. The one-piece rotationally symmetrical gripper tappet has, in addition to the mushroom-shaped head with a circumferential gripping edge in the ram shank on a circumferential groove into which a one-sided slotted cup-shaped disc is inserted, against which the lower end of the helical compression spring is supported. The peripheral around the head gripping edge cooperates with a circular groove in the top of the upper strap strap, so that the gripping plunger can rotate in its recording and still always engages in the groove. In this case, the film or the gripping material is detected only by the front part of the gripping head, while most of the gripping blade remains ineffective. Due to the complexity of the shape of the gripper plunger and the rotationally symmetrical structure of this is usually made as a costly rotary part. The known from the prior art conveyor chains are used successfully for many years, for example in the packaging industry when transporting film webs. In this case, the gripping elements of the conveyor chains predominantly comprise costly special parts which, due to their shape and the necessary precision, must be manufactured partly in successive work steps. In addition, the opening gap between the gripping element and the gripping surface on the upper side of the strap is limited in a U-shaped design by the distance between the U-legs and the space requirement by the helical compression springs. A further disadvantage, in particular in the case of stiff film webs or only short insertion sections of the film, is the covering of the support region for the film by the opened gripper element. Therefore, there is also a need for suitable improvements in existing disadvantages to overcome in the hitherto proven in operation chain as well as the need to reduce the production costs in general.

It is now the object of the present invention to provide a conveyor chain of the type mentioned above, which largely avoids the overlap of the support area by the open gripping element and still allows a simple, cost-effective production in a safe unhindered operation.

This object is achieved in a generic conveyor chain characterized in that the link plate and the guide pin have an interlocking guide which is designed such that at a longitudinal movement of the guide pin at least over a region of the guide pin causes a positively coupled longitudinal rotary movement of the gripper plunger is. Due to the positively coupled longitudinal rotational movement of the gripper tappet when opening the gripping mechanism of the gripper head is not only in the direction of movement of the guide pin, usually along its longitudinal axis, raised by the support surface but also pivoted away from the support surface, so that in a suitable design of the gripping head the Support surface is at least partially released, that is no longer covered in plan view by the gripping head. Despite a relatively small stroke of the guide pin so a large area of the support surface is freely accessible. The free accessibility of the support area allows compared to the usual lateral introduction of the Greifgut in the opening gap between the gripping head and support area feeding the Greifguts from above, so that even rigid films or other side non-deliverable gripping material can be grasped and transported by the conveyor chain according to the invention.

Preferably, the link plate may have at least one laterally extending leg with an opening for receiving the guide pin, the guide pin a guide portion and the opening guide means. The opening in the laterally extending leg of the link plate allows easy recording of the guide pin and its leadership in the longitudinal direction. The guide means in the opening together with the guide portion when opening the gripping mechanism without further active components by the stroke generated by means of a cam surface or an actuating ramp on the guide pin causes the positively coupled longitudinal rotational movement of the gripper plunger, i. a rotation of the gripping head relative to the axis of the guide pin. The guide through the guide portion and the guide means further causes the gripping head when closing the gripping mechanism always impinges in the same position on the support area, here on the leg of the link plate. So both the gripping head and the associated support area according to their actual function, the retention of films or other cargo to be designed constructively.

For the simplest possible and secure guidance of a positively coupled longitudinal rotational movement, the guide section can extend at least over a region of the guide pin helically on the outer circumference of the guide pin. In addition to the helical region of the guide section areas for the pure longitudinal movement of the gripping plunger can further be provided, which preferably extend parallel to the axis of the guide pin on the outer circumference.

An expedient embodiment provides that the guide section is formed on the guide pin as a recess which extends in the longitudinal direction over at least part of the guide pin, preferably as a semicircular groove. A longitudinally extending recess on the guide pin is relatively easy to manufacture and very effective in conjunction with the guide means provided in the opening. In this case, a relatively shallow indentation is predetermined by a semicircular groove, which nevertheless allows a good guidance of the guide pin, without weakening the cross section of the guide pin excess. The depression can be made particularly easily if they extends along with a helical section over the entire length of the guide pin.

For a complementary formation of the opening, the guide means may be formed as a protrusion extending in the opening, preferably as a semicircular extension. The arrangement of the projection in the opening, for example on a laterally extending leg of the link plate, allows a direct and effective guidance of the guide pin despite a simple manufacture. In the form of a semicircular nose, the projection can engage in the corresponding guide section and thus permit easy and precise guidance despite the positively coupled longitudinal rotational movement while at the same time having a stable construction. Conveniently, a projection extending into the opening can already be taken into account during the production of the link plate, for example in the stamping or injection method. Alternatively, the projection can be attached as a guide pin or nose later in the opening.

Besides the formation of a depression on the guide bolt and a complementary projection in the opening, which is favored here, both a reverse arrangement, i. a projection or web along the guide pin and a recess in the opening, but also a non-circular in itself rotated cross-sectional profile of the guide pin with an adapted shape of the opening for an inventive design conceivable.

In order to ensure sufficient stability of the guide pin, the guide pin may be formed substantially rotationally symmetrical and be formed over at least 300 °, preferably at least 330 °, its cross-section circular. With a substantially rotationally symmetrical guide pin, ie a rotatable in an uninterrupted opening of the chain straps bolt, can be used for the gripping mechanism of the conveyor chain relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture components. In this case, the guide pin preferably differs only by the leadership of the rotational symmetry. A provided on the guide pin guide must therefore not extend to the central axis, but may be formed only in the edge region of the otherwise rotationally symmetrical bolt. A further embodiment provides that the link plate has two spaced-apart laterally extending legs each having an opening for receiving the guide pin. By the second leg, the leadership of the gripping plunger is improved in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the guide pin and prevents tilting of the gripper plunger and the gripping head. In this case, the opening on the second leg of the chain link guide means, in particular as a projection, preferably as a semicircular extension, and thus support the positively coupled longitudinal rotational movement of the gripper plunger through the first opening.

For the most cost-effective production of the gripper tappet or the entire gripper, the guide pin can be made as extruded part. The production as extruded part is compared to the usual rotary parts a significant cost savings with approximately the same product quality.

It is an advantage if, according to one embodiment, the gripping head is not rotationally symmetrical, preferably quadrangular, in particular rectangular. A not rotationally symmetrical in the plan view of the gripping head training opens next to the possibility of alternative manufacturing methods, e.g. Punching or extrusion, also an aligned on the function of the gripper head arrangement of the gripping head itself relative to the support surface or the film and an adapted design of the gripping edge. In this case, the gripping head on the opposite edge of the gripping edge have an opening in which the guide pin attached, preferably pressed or riveted, can be. By means of the opening in the gripping head, a simple fastening can be realized, wherein an opening which is substantially centrally arranged over the width of the gripping head additionally enables an attachment without jamming. Furthermore, a rotationally secure attachment of the gripping head on the guide pin can be achieved in that the guide section of the guide pin extends up to the gripping head and the opening in the gripping head has a shape matching with the guide section.

In order to allow the most complete pivoting away of the gripping head from the support area, the gripping head can be elongated and correspond to the width of the gripping head between 1 to 1.5 times the diameter of the guide pin. Since in such a construction, the gripping head protrudes laterally only slightly opposite to the guide pin, the almost complete accessibility of Supporting area for the film or other gripping material possible, thereby realizing a supply of the gripping goods vertically from above.

A preferred embodiment provides that the gripping head has a gripping edge arranged on one side, which cooperates with the link plate. The grip edge, which is arranged only on one side, is in each case operatively engaged with the foil or other gripping material over the entire width of the gripping head. This one-sided gripping edge is much easier to produce than a circumferential gripping edge. In addition to a plurality of gripping edges arranged one behind the other, the gripping edge can also interact with a groove provided in one limb of the link plate and thus engage more firmly with the gripping material. These embodiments of the gripping head allow a meaningful power transmission to the conveyed and a secure hold without risking a significant threat to the attachment between the gripper head and guide pin by lever forces in an uneven impact of the gripping head.

A further embodiment provides that the spring means is designed as a helical compression spring. A helical compression spring, in particular one with rotationally symmetrical helical coils for an arrangement around the guide pin, is a cost-effective and simple solution for the spring means required in the gripper for resetting the gripper tappet in the closed position and for holding the Greifguts. In this case, in a variant, the helical compression spring can be supported against a support section on the guide pin, in particular a recess, preferably a groove or bore in the guide pin. By supporting the helical compression spring on the support section, the entire length of the spring for generating the spring action is used. Depending on the shape of the support section, a completely cylindrical spring can be supported on the support section via a corresponding plate, or the helical compression spring has an inwardly bent end or an end section tapering in the inner diameter to form a bore or groove in the bore Support guide pin.

In the following an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Show it:

1a is a perspective view of a part of a conveyor chain according to the invention with the gripping mechanism in the closed position, 1b is a perspective view of a part of a Förderket- invention with the gripping mechanism in the open position,

2 is a perspective view of the strap flap with the gripping mechanism of Fig. 1a in an enlarged view,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the gripping plunger of Fig. 2, and

4 is a perspective view of the link plate of FIG .. 2

The conveyor chain illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b with only two outer chain links and an inner chain link is a roller chain of conventional design in which the alternating inner chain links and outer chain links are connected to form a self-contained chain. The inner chain links consist of two mutually parallel inner plates, which are connected to each other via two parallel spaced-apart joint sleeves. On the outer sides of the joint sleeves, a roller is usually arranged in each case. The outer chain links have two outer straps arranged parallel to one another, which are connected to one another via two spaced-apart pin bolts. These pin bolts extend through the joint sleeves of the inner chain links and thus form a chain joint with the joint sleeves. In each second outer chain link one of the outer plates is formed as a U-shaped strap tab which receives the gripping mechanism of the conveyor chain. Depending on the requirements of the conveyor chain and each outer chain link may be provided with a gripping mechanism.

The strap 1 of the outer chain link with gripping mechanism has a U-shape, wherein the U-web 2 is arranged parallel to the second conventionally formed outer flap. In the U-web 2, two spaced-apart pin holes 23 are provided, are pressed into the two pin bolts 3. The pin bolts 3 extend through the hinge sleeves of the adjacent inner chain links. The upper U-leg 4 and the lower U-leg 5 extend perpendicular to the U-web 2 and at a distance from the U-web 2 each have an opening 6, 7 (see also Fig. 4), through which the guide pin 11 of the gripping tappet 10 extends. Between the U-legs 4 and 5, a helical compression spring 9 is arranged around the guide pin 11, the is supported on the underside of the upper U-leg 4. The gripping tappet 10 further comprises an elongated gripping head 12, which is connected at one end in its longitudinal direction above the U-leg 4 with the guide pin 11. The gripping head 12 has at the U-web 2 opposite end side further on a gripping blade 13 which extends over the entire width of the gripping head 12 and with respect to the underside of the gripping head 12 substantially triangular in cross-section.

In the closed position of the gripping mechanism shown in Fig. 1a, the gripping blade 13 rests on the upper side 8 of the U-leg 4 and holds an optionally intervening gripping by the spring force of the helical compression spring 9 fixed. Instead of the support of the gripping blade 13 on the flat surface 8 of the U-leg 4 may be provided in the surface and a gripping groove, in which the gripping blade 13 engages to fix the gripping better. The outer chain link shown in Fig. 1b of the conveyor chain according to the invention shows the gripping mechanism in an almost fully open position in which the guide pin 11 is raised by a cam against the spring force of the helical compression spring 9. This results from the longitudinal movement of the guide pin 11 between the gripping head 12 and the top 8 of the upper thigh 4 a distance and in addition, the gripping head 12 is pivoted away by means of the positively coupled longitudinal rotary movement of the gripper plunger and thereby gives the surface 8 of the U-leg 4 free from above. Although the pivot plane of the gripping head 12 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or longitudinal movement of the guide pin 11, but since the longitudinal and rotational movement are positively coupled, the gripping head 12 rotates helically away from the surface 8 with the gripping blade 13 leaves the pressure of the cam against the underside of the guide pin 11, so the gripping head 12 screws by the bias of the helical compression spring 9 back towards the surface 8 and clamped between the gripping blade 13 and the U-leg 4 positioned gripping a.

In the detailed view shown in Fig. 2 of the bracket plate 1 with gripper plunger 10 is clearly seen that the guide pin 11 of the gripper plunger 10 in the openings 6, 7 in the upper and lower U-legs 4, 5 of the strap 1 is guided. On the U-web 2 of the strap 1, two pin holes 23 are arranged, are pressed into the pin bolt 3 of the outer chain link. The lower, from the U-leg 5 projecting end of the guide pin 11 is provided with a spherical end face 21, which with a Cam or actuating surface is brought into engagement to open the Greifstößel 10 and close.

In the area between the U-legs 4 and 5, the guide pin extends as shown in Fig. 1a and 1b by the helical compression spring 9. In this case, the upper end of the helical compression spring 9 is supported on the underside of the U-leg 4, whereas the Lower end 19 of the spring on a support shoulder 16 of the guide pin 11 circumferential annular groove 15 is supported, see also Fig. 3. The lower end 19 of the helical spring 9 runs conically together and is ground flat in its lower end face, so that the coils at the bottom At the end 19 extend into the annular groove 15 and hang over a majority of the lower end face of the helical compression spring 9 on the support shoulder 16. Also in the upper end of the helical compression spring 9, the helices are preferably ground flat to allow a good contact behavior on the underside of the U-leg 4.

To guide the gripper tappet 10, the guide pin 11 has a semicircular groove 14 which extends in the longitudinal direction along the guide pin 11 from the spherical end face 21 to the gripping head 12 and is interrupted only by the annular groove 15. The longitudinal groove 14 is divided into a linear portion 17 and a helical portion 18. The linear portion 17 extends over the entire lower portion of the guide pin 11 below the annular groove 15 and a short portion above the annular groove 15 and extends parallel to the guide axis of the gripper tappet 10. The helical groove portion 18 connects to the linear portion 17 and extends helically close to the gripping head 12. In this case, the helical portion 18 in addition to its extension in the longitudinal direction also describes a rotation of about 90 °. The helical portion 18 can both extend directly to the gripping head 12 and open below the gripping head 12 in a short linear section, the first opening of the gripping mechanism lifting the gripping head of the surface 8 of the U-leg 4 and of a corresponding Greifgut allows.

In the perspective view of the gripper tappet 10 shown in FIG. 3, it can be clearly seen that the guide pin 11 and the gripping head 12 of the gripper tappet 10 can also be designed as two individual parts which can be put together and / or connected to one another. The gripping head 12 is as wide as the diameter. Despite the longitudinal groove 14, the guide pin 11 can be regarded as rotationally symmetrical, since it can rotate freely in a bore with the outer diameter of the guide pin 11. Next, the guide pin 11 shortly below its center on a circumferential annular groove 15 which has a sharp-edged Ausstützschulter 16 for the installation of the helical compression spring 9.

As shown in Fig. 4, the opening 6 on the upper U-leg 4 and the not visible here opening 7 on the lower U-leg 5 of the hanger 1 has a diameter which is adapted to receive the guide pin 11. In this case, the opening 7 in the lower U-leg 5 is circular in order not to block in the positively coupled longitudinal rotational movement of the gripper tappet 10. In contrast, the opening 6 has a projection 20 for guiding the guide pin 11, which projects into the opening 6. The projection 20 is formed integrally with the upper U-leg 4 and the strap 1. At the U-web 2 of the hanger 1, two pin holes 23 are provided at a distance from each other for receiving the pin bolt 3 of the outer chain link. Both the upper U-leg 4 and the lower U-leg 5 are formed substantially rectangular, wherein the free corners are rounded.

The guide pin 11 can be produced in a simple manner as extruded part and then connected to the gripping head 12, which can be made as an extruded profile or as a casting. By riveting or other thermal bonding method guide pin 11 and gripping head 12 are connected in a simple manner to a complete gripping plunger 10. In contrast, the bracket strap 1 can be made as a simple punching and bending part and requires no further post-assembly before assembly, since both all openings and holes, but also the projection 20 are formed in the manufacturing process with.

The mode of operation and operation of the above conveyor chain will be explained in more detail below.

Such conveyor chains are preferably used as a film transport chains, but also a use in soldering and in the board production is possible. For the transport of foil strips two chain strands run parallel to each other, which engage with suitable cam rails or cam guides on the sprockets. men. These press each of the gripping plunger 10 against the spring force of the compression spring 9 upwards, so that the gripping blade 13 of the gripping head 12 is disengaged from the surface 8 of the U-leg 4. Upon further opening of the gripping mechanism of the gripping head 12 is laterally pivoted away by the action of the helical groove portion 18 in conjunction with the semicircular projection 20 in the opening 6 until the support area of the film on the surface 8 of the U-leg 4 is no longer from the gripping head 12th is covered. A plastic film or another good to be transported can now be supplied from above the support surface. Subsequently, the gripper tappet 10 is relieved again and returns with an at least partially helical movement in the closed gripping position and clamps the film between the gripping head 12 and the top 8 of the U-leg 4 a. A release of the film is done in reverse order.

For mounting the gripping mechanism of the conveyor chain shown here, only the gripper tappet 10 is introduced with the guide pin 11 in the opening 6 in the upper U-leg 4, wherein the linear portion 17 of the longitudinal groove 14 overlaps with the projection 20 in the opening 6. The guide pin 11 is further pushed through the center between the legs 4, 5 arranged helical compression spring 9 and further through the opening 7 in the lower U-leg 5. Upon advancement, the gripper head rotates due to the helical portion 18 of the longitudinal groove 14 in the direction of the closed gripper position before the lower, tapered end 19 of the helical compression spring 9 engages in the annular groove 15 during further advancement, to support itself on the support shoulder 16.

The gripping plunger 10 is forcibly guided by the longitudinal groove 14 in the guide pin 11, which cooperates with the projection 20 in the opening 6 of the upper U-leg 4, so that the gripping head 12 traces the predetermined by the longitudinal groove 14 on the outer circumference of the guide pin 11 movement. As a result, the gripping sheath 13 hits the front edge of the gripping head 12 always in the same area on the surface 8 of the upper U-leg 4. The fixed by the positively coupled longitudinal rotational movement impact region of the gripper plunger 10 on the support surface allows for a only a linear gripping edge 13 must be provided, and on the other hand, the gripping material is always detected by the entire gripping blade 13, which can be more easily matched to the desired gripping operation. When opening the gripper tappet 10, the gripper head 12 is initially lifted only by the gripping material, in order to prevent damage to the gripping material as a result of an immediate rotational movement of the gripper head 12 or the gripping blade 13. During a rotational movement of the gripping head 12 on a film to be gripped, the film can be cut by the gripping blade 13. The straight, linear increase of the gripping head 12 is effected by the provided shortly below the gripping head 12 linear portion 17 of the longitudinal groove 14. Subsequently, the longitudinal groove 14 passes into the helical portion 18, which causes the raised gripping head 12 helically from the O-side. Surface 8 of the upper U-leg 4 turns away. In the fully open position of the gripping head 12 is rotated between 75 ° and 105 °, preferably about 90 °, compared to its closed position and extends substantially parallel to the U-web 2, ie in the chain longitudinal direction. In the fully open position, the gripping material can then be removed without a lateral movement upwards or inserted from above. Due to the open accessibility of the support surface of the open gripper tappet 10, on the one hand, the design effort for inserting a film web into conventional gripping mechanisms can be significantly reduced and, on the other hand, both stiffer film webs and also simple system constructions can be realized, in particular in the case of limited system dimensions.

Claims

protection claims

1. conveyor chain, in particular a gripper chain, with at least one gripping tappet (10), at least one of the gripping tappet (10) receiving and leading link plate

(I) and one between the link plate (1) and the gripping plunger (10) acting spring means (9), wherein the gripping plunger (10) has a guide pin (11) and a gripping head (12), the link plate (1) at least one laterally extending legs (4, 5) having an opening (6, 7) for receiving the guide pin (11), and an interlocking guide of the guide pin (11) in the opening (6, 7) in the link plate (1) is, wherein the guide pin (11) has a guide portion (14) and the opening guide means (20), so that during a longitudinal movement of the guide pin

(II) at least over a region of the guide pin (11) is a positively coupled longitudinal rotary movement (10) of the gripper ram causes, characterized in that the guide portion (14) on the guide pin (11) as a at least over part of Guide pin (11) is formed in the longitudinal direction extending recess and the guide means (20) as a in the opening (6) extending projection is formed.

2. conveyor chain according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide portion (14) extends at least over a portion (18) of the guide pin helically on the outer circumference of the guide pin (11).

3. conveyor chain according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide portion (14) is formed as a semicircular groove.

4. Guide chain according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the guide means (20) is designed as a semicircular extension.

5. conveyor chain according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guide pin (11) is substantially rotationally symmetrical and is formed over at least 300 °, preferably at least 330 ° of its cross-section circular.

6. conveyor chain according to one of claims 1 to -5, characterized in that the link plate (1) has two spaced apart laterally extending legs (4, 5) each having an opening (6, 7) for receiving the guide pin.

7. conveyor chain according to claim 6, characterized in that the opening (7) of the second leg (5) guide means (20), in particular as a projection, preferably as a semicircular extension comprises.

8. conveyor chain according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the guide pin (11) is made as extruded part.

9. conveyor chain according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the gripping head (12) is not rotationally symmetrical, preferably quadrangular, in particular rectangular ..

10. conveyor chain according to claim 9, characterized in that the gripping head (12) is elongated and the width of the gripping head (12) between the 1- to 1, 5 times the diameter of the guide pin (11).

11. conveyor chain according to claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the gripping head (12) has a gripping edge (13) arranged on one side, which cooperates with the link plate (1).

12. conveyor chain according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the spring means (9) is designed as a helical compression spring.

3. conveyor chain according to claim 12, characterized in that the helical compression spring against a support portion (16) on the guide pin (11) is supported, in particular a recess, preferably a groove (15) or bore in the guide pin (11).