Title: Chain links and cable carrier chains containing same
Abstract: A cable carrier chain having improved strength and flexibility (including improved bilateral flexibility) useful in automotive and other applications contains pivotally joined chain links, each link containing two side plates, two undercut pins, two round apertures which are slightly oversized relative to the pins, a hinged cover lid and a bottom support plate. In the chain, the undercut pins of one chain link are mated with the slightly oversized apertures of an adjacent link, giving the chain increased strength and flexibility. The cover lid preferably includes a hinge member having a relatively thin horizontal strap hinge disposed between two relatively thick vertical hinge straps. The bottom surface of the support plate preferably contains ribs which reduce noise and wear.
Patent Number: 6,978,595 Issued on 12/27/2005 to Mendenhall, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Mendenhall; Jefferson S. (New Castle, PA);
Bakker; John H. (Cortland, OH);
Bucco; Peter T. (Cortland, OH)
|
| Assignee:
|
Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Troy, MI)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
062438 |
| Filed:
|
February 5, 2002 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
59/78.1; 248/49; 59/900 |
| Intern'l Class: |
F16G 013/02 |
| Field of Search: |
59/78,781
248/49,51
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 4570437 | Feb., 1986 | Moritz.
| |
| 4813224 | Mar., 1989 | Blase.
| |
| RE33339 | Sep., 1990 | Heidrich et al.
| |
| 5108350 | Apr., 1992 | Szpakowski.
| |
| 5201885 | Apr., 1993 | Wehler et al.
| |
| 5334111 | Aug., 1994 | Cole, Jr. et al.
| |
| 5445569 | Aug., 1995 | Blase.
| |
| 5649415 | Jul., 1997 | Pea.
| |
| 5836148 | Nov., 1998 | Fukao.
| |
| 5839476 | Nov., 1998 | Blase.
| |
| 5860274 | Jan., 1999 | Saleh et al.
| |
| 5980409 | Nov., 1999 | Blase.
| |
| 5987873 | Nov., 1999 | Blase.
| |
| 6065278 | May., 2000 | Weber et al.
| |
| 6067788 | May., 2000 | Weber.
| |
| 6107565 | Aug., 2000 | O'Rourke.
| |
| 6161372 | Dec., 2000 | Wehler.
| |
| 6167689 | Jan., 2001 | Heidrich et al.
| |
| 6174020 | Jan., 2001 | Knettle et al.
| |
| 6190277 | Feb., 2001 | Blase.
| |
| 6318063 | Nov., 2001 | Komiya et al.
| |
Primary Examiner: Jones; David
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wood; David P.
Claims
1. A chain link for use in a cable carrier chain, comprising; (1) laterally spaced
first and second side plates, each of the plates having a first end and an opposite
second end; (2) first and second undercut pins disposed on outer surfaces of the
first ends of the first and second side plates; (3) first and second round apertures
formed in the second ends of the first and second side plates, respectively; (4)
a hinged cover lid disposed transversely between the first and second side plates;
and (5) a bottom support plate transversely connecting the first and second side
plates to one another;
wherein each of the first and second undercut pins comprises a cylindrical shaft,
an annular head, and a flat undercut-portion;
further wherein each of the first and second round apertures is configured to
receive an undercut pin which is identical in configuration and dimension to the
first or second undercut pin; each of the apertures comprising an inner pin-retaining
wall having a configuration complementary to and slightly oversized relative to
the undercut pin such that the pin is slidably retained within said aperture; the
retaining wall comprising: a flat first retaining-surface for slidable engagement
with the undercut-portion of the pin, an annular second retaining-surface for slidable
engagement with the shaft of the pin, and an annular third retaining-surface for
slidable engagement with the head of the pin; and
further wherein the bottom support plate has formed on a bottom surface thereof
a plurality of parallel ribs disposed longitudinally along said bottom surface.
2. A chain link according to claim 1, wherein the first and second undercut pins
are axially aligned relative to one another, further wherein the first and second
apertures are axially aligned relative to one another.
3. A chain link according to claim 1, wherein the head of each of the undercut
pins comprises a top circumferential edge, a side surface, a bottom surface, and
a bottom circumferential edge disposed between the side surface and the bottom
surface, the bottom circumferential edge defining the largest diameter of the head;
the shaft being attached to the bottom surface of the head; the flat undercut-portion
being formed on the bottom surface of the head and being defined between the bottom
circumferential edge of the head and a top circumferential edge of the shaft; further
wherein the second retaining-surface of the pin-retaining wall of the aperture
is shaped complementary to the shaft of the undercut pin, the flat retaining-surface
of the pin-retaining wall is shaped complementary to the flat undercut-portion
of the pin and the third retaining-surface of the pin-retaining wall is shaped
complementary to the head of the pin, the third retaining-surface having a top
circular edge and a bottom circular edge; wherein: the diameter of the aperture
defined by the second retaining-surface is slightly greater than the diameter of
the shaft and smaller than the diameter of the bottom circumferential edge of the
head; the flat retaining-surface is slightly wider than the undercut-portion; the
diameter of the aperture defined by the bottom circular edge of the third retaining-surface
is slightly greater than the diameter of the bottom circumferential edge of the
head; and the diameter of the aperture defined by the top circular edge of the
third retaining-surface is slightly greater than the diameter of the top circumferential
edge of the head and slightly greater than the diameter of the bottom circumferential
edge of the head.
4. A chain link according to claim 1, wherein the first and second side plates
each comprise an inwardly offset section and an outwardly offset section.
5. A chain link according to claim 4, wherein the first undercut pin is disposed
on the inwardly offset section of the first side plate, the second undercut pin
is disposed on the inwardly offset section of the second side plate, the first
aperture is disposed on the outwardly offset section of the first side plate, and
the second aperture is disposed on the outwardly offset section of the second side plate.
6. A chain link according to claim 1, wherein the hinged cover lid comprises
a hinge member having a horizontal primary strap hinge and two vertical secondary
hinge straps disposed on opposite ends of the primary hinge strap.
7. A chain link according to claim 6, wherein the secondary hinge straps are
thicker than the primary hinge strap.
8. A chain link according to claim 1, wherein the bottom support plate has a
pair of said parallel ribs formed on said bottom surface thereof.
9. A chain link for use in a cable carrier chain, comprising: (1) laterally spaced
first and second side plates, each of the plates having a first end and an opposite
second end, the plates each further comprising an inwardly offset section and an
outwardly offset section; (2) axially aligned first and second undercut pins disposed
on outer surfaces of the first ends of the first and second side plates, the first
undercut pin being disposed on the inwardly offset section of the first side plate,
the second undercut pin being disposed on the inwardly offset section of the second
side plate; (3) axially aligned first and second round apertures formed in the
second ends of the first and second side plates, respectively; the first aperture
being disposed on the outwardly offset section of the first side plate, and the
second aperture being disposed on the outwardly offset section of the second side
plate; (4) a hinged cover lid disposed transversely between the first and second
side plates; and (5) a bottom support plate transversely connecting the first and
second side plates to one another;
wherein each of the first and second undercut pins comprises a cylindrical shaft,
an annular head, and a flat undercut-portion; the head comprising a top circumferential
edge, a side surface, a bottom surface, and a bottom circumferential edge disposed
between the side surface and the bottom surface, the bottom circumferential edge
defining the largest diameter of the head; the shaft being attached to the bottom
surface of the head; the flat undercut-portion being formed on the bottom surface
of the head and being defined between the bottom circumferential edge of the head
and a top circumferential edge of the shaft;
further wherein each of the first and second round apertures is configured to
receive an undercut pin which is identical in configuration and dimension to the
first or second undercut pin; each of the apertures comprising an inner pin-retaining
wall having a flat first retaining-surface which is complementary to the flat undercut-portion
of the pin, an annular second retaining-surface which is complementary to the shaft
of the undercut pin, and an annular third retaining-surface which is complementary
to the head of the pin, the third retaining-surface having a top circular edge
and a bottom circular edge; wherein: the diameter of the aperture defined by the
second retaining-surface is slightly greater than the diameter of the shaft and
smaller than the diameter of the bottom circumferential edge of the head; the flat
retaining-surface is slightly wider than the undercut-portion; the diameter of
the aperture defined by the bottom circular edge of the third retaining-surface
is slightly greater than the diameter of the bottom circumferential edge of the
head; and the diameter of the aperture defined by the top circular edge of the
third retaining-surface is slightly greater than the diameter of the top circumferential
edge of the head and slightly greater than the diameter of the bottom circumferential
edge of the head;
further wherein the hinged cover lid comprises a hinge member having a horizontal
primary strap hinge and two vertical secondary hinge straps disposed on opposite
ends of the primary hinge strap, the secondary hinge straps being thicker than
the primary hinge strap;
further wherein the bottom support plate has formed on a bottom surface thereof
a pair of parallel ribs disposed longitudinally along said bottom surface.
10. A cable carrier chain, comprising a plurality of chain links pivotally connected
in end-to-end fashion, each of the chain links comprising: (1) laterally spaced
first and second side plates, each of the plates having a first end and an opposite
second end; (2) first and second undercut pins disposed on outer surfaces of the
first ends of the first and second side plates; (3) first and second round apertures
formed in the second ends of the first and second side plates, respectively; (4)
a hinged cover lid disposed transversely between the first and second side plates;
and (5) a bottom support plate transversely connecting the first and second side
plates to one another;
wherein, in each of the chain links, each of the first and second undercut pins
comprises a cylindrical shaft, an annular head, and a flat undercut-portion; further
wherein each of the first and second round apertures is configured to receive an
undercut pin which is identical in configuration and dimension to the first or
second undercut pin; each of the apertures comprising an inner pin-retaining wall
having a configuration complementary to and slightly oversized relative to the
undercut pin such that the pin is slidably retained within said aperture; the retaining
wall comprising: a flat first retaining-surface for slidable engagement with the
undercut-portion of the pin, an annular second retaining-surface for slidable engagement
with the shaft of the pin, and an annular third retaining-surface for slidable
engagement with the head of the pin;
further wherein, in said chain, the chain links are joined such that the first
and second undercut pins of a middle chain link are mated to the first and second
round apertures, respectively, of a first chain link adjacent to a first end of
the middle chain link, and the first and second round apertures of the middle chain
link are mated to the first and second undercut pins of a second chain link disposed
adjacent to a second end of the middle chain link, the first end of the middle
chain link being disposed proximate to the first ends of the first and second side
plates of said middle chain link, and the second end of the middle chain link being
disposed proximate to the second ends of the first and second side plates of said
middle chain link; and
further wherein, in each of said chain links, the bottom support plate has formed
on a bottom surface thereof a plurality of parallel ribs disposed longitudinally
along said bottom surface.
11. A chain according to claim 10, wherein, in each of said chain links, the
first and second undercut pins are axially aligned relative to one another, further
wherein the first and second apertures are axially aligned relative to one another.
12. A chain according to claim 11, wherein, in each of said chain links, the
head of each of the undercut pins comprises a top circumferential edge, a side
surface, a bottom surface, and a bottom circumferential edge disposed between the
side surface and the bottom surface, the bottom circumferential edge defining the
largest diameter of the head; the shaft being attached to the bottom surface of
the head; the flat undercut-portion being formed on the bottom surface of the head
and being defined between the bottom circumferential edge of the head and a top
circumferential edge of the shaft; further wherein the second retaining-surface
of the pin-retaining wall of the aperture is shaped complementary to the shaft
of the undercut pin, the flat retaining-surface of the pin-retaining wall is shaped
complementary to the flat undercut-portion of the pin and the third retaining-surface
of the pin-retaining wall is shaped complementary to the head of the pin, the third
retaining-surface having a top circular edge and a bottom circular edge;
wherein: the diameter of the aperture defined by the second retaining-surface
is slightly greater than the diameter of the shaft and smaller than the diameter
of the bottom circumferential edge of the head; the flat retaining-surface is slightly
wider than the undercut-portion; the diameter of the aperture defined by the bottom
circular edge of the third retaining-surface is slightly greater than the diameter
of the bottom circumferential edge of the head; and the diameter of the aperture
defined by the top circular edge of the third retaining-surface is slightly greater
than the diameter of the top circumferential edge of the head and slightly greater
than the diameter of the bottom circumferential edge of the head.
13. A chain according to claim 12, wherein, in each of said chain links, the
first and second side plates each comprise an inwardly offset section and an outwardly
offset section.
14. A chain according to claim 13, wherein, in each of said chain links, the
first undercut pin is disposed on the inwardly offset section of the first side
plate, the second undercut pin is disposed on the inwardly offset section of the
second side plate, the first aperture is disposed on the outwardly offset section
of the first side plate, and the second aperture is disposed on the outwardly offset
section of the second side plate.
15. A chain according to claim 10, wherein, in each of said chain links, the
hinged cover lid comprises a hinge member having a horizontal primary strap hinge
and two vertical secondary hinge straps disposed on opposite ends of the primary
hinge strap.
16. A chain according to claim 15, wherein, in each of said chain links, the
secondary hinge straps are thicker than the primary hinge strap.
17. A chain according to claim 10, wherein, in each of said chain links, the
bottom support plate has a pair of said parallel ribs formed on said bottom surface thereof.
18. A chain according to claim 10, wherein each of said chain links comprises:
(1) laterally spaced first and second side plates, each of the plates having a
first end and an opposite second end, the plates each further comprising an inwardly
offset section and an outwardly offset section; (2) axially aligned first and second
undercut pins disposed on outer surfaces of the first ends of the first and second
side plates, the first undercut pin being disposed on the inwardly offset section
of the first side plate, the second undercut pin being disposed on the inwardly
offset section of the second side plate; (3) axially aligned first and second round
apertures formed in the second ends of the first and second side plates, respectively;
the first aperture being disposed on the outwardly offset section of the first
side plate, and the second aperture being disposed on the outwardly offset section
of the second side plate; (4) a hinged cover lid disposed transversely between
the first and second side plates; and (5) a bottom support plate transversely connecting
the first and second side plates to one another;
wherein each of the first and second undercut pins comprises a cylindrical shaft,
an annular head, and a flat undercut-portion; the head comprising a top circumferential
edge, a side surface, a bottom surface, and a bottom circumferential edge disposed
between the side surface and the bottom surface, the bottom circumferential edge
defining the largest diameter of the head; the shaft being attached to the bottom
surface of the head; the flat undercut-portion being formed on the bottom surface
of the head and being defined between the bottom circumferential edge of the head
and a top circumferential edge of the shaft;
further wherein each of the first and second round apertures is configured to
receive an undercut pin which is identical in configuration and dimension to the
first or second undercut pin; each of the apertures comprising an inner pin-retaining
wall having a flat first retaining-surface which is complementary to the flat undercut-portion
of the pin, an annular second retaining-surface which is complementary to the shaft
of the undercut pin, and an annular third retaining-surface which is complementary
to the head of the pin, the third retaining-surface having a top circular edge
and a bottom circular edge; wherein: the diameter of the aperture defined by the
second retaining-surface is slightly greater than the diameter of the shaft and
smaller than the diameter of the bottom circumferential edge of the head; the flat
retaining-surface is slightly wider than the undercut-portion; the diameter of
the aperture defined by the bottom circular edge of the third retaining-surface
is slightly greater than the diameter of the bottom circumferential edge of the
head; and the diameter of the aperture defined by the top circular edge of the
third retaining-surface is slightly greater than the diameter of the top circumferential
edge of the head and slightly greater than the diameter of the bottom circumferential
edge of the head;
further wherein the hinged cover lid comprises a hinge member having a horizontal
primary strap hinge and two vertical secondary hinge straps disposed on opposite
ends of the primary hinge strap, the secondary hinge straps being thicker than
the primary hinge strap.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to novel chain links and to improved cable carrier chains
composed of such chain links. More particularly, this invention relates to novel
chain links which impart increased strength and flexibility to cable carrier chains
composed of the chain links.
A cable carrier chain is a sheath designed to protect and route wires or cables
in a moving application. More particularly, a cable carrier chain is an articulating
sheath designed to protect and guide electrical/fiberoptic cables that are attached
at one end to a fixed body and at the other end to a laterally moving body, the
cable carrier chain protecting and guiding the cables while the moving body cycles
throughout its full range of positions.
A cable carrier chain is composed of links that bend through a range of positions.
For use in automotive and industrial applications, a robust cable carrier chain
must permit repeated bilateral cycling under torsional and tension loads under
various environmental conditions without the decoupling of the links that comprise
the chain. An automotive cable carrier chain must also be designed to minimize
noise during cycling of the chain and when the chain is at rest when it is subject
to normal vehicle vibration and shock while the vehicle is in motion. Due to high
volume usage of an automotive cable carrier chain, the links of the chain must
be designed to aid in automated cable carrier assembly.
Cable carrier chains are known in the art. Reference is made, for example,
to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,813,224; 5,108,350; 5,201,885; 5,334,111; 5,445,569; 5,649,415;
5,839,476; 5,860,274; 5,980,409; 5,987,873; 6,065,278; 6,067,788; 6,161,372; 6,174,020;
6,190,277; 6,226,973; and U.S. Pat. No. RE 33,339.
Although cable carrier chains are known, it is continually desirable to
provide cable carrier chains which exhibit improved strength, flexibility (particularly
bilateral flexibility) and ease of assembly, and reduced abrasion and noise created
by link-to-track contact.
A particularly desired feature not currently found in cable carrier chains is
increased
strength and flexibility in a small package size.
Another drawback to currently produced cable carrier chains is that they
are not designed to guide cables in a bilateral motion under a torsional load.
Instead, such cable carrier chains are designed for unilateral motion under tension
loads only. For example, one commercially available cable carrier chain has a straight-walled
(as opposed to undercut), rounded pin mating to an elliptical aperture. Mating
of the elliptical aperture and the rounded pin do not allow for a large surface
area to be in contact between the links. This feature only allows for half of the
corner edge of the aperture to be in contact with half of the pin at one time.
As a result, the chain will decouple or break when subjected to torque during bilateral
motion. The use of the rounded pin also yields to decoupling because there are
no flat opposing surfaces in contact with each other. Therefore, the pin can be
pulled through the elliptical aperture and decoupling can occur without the pin
failing. Furthermore, the mating of the straight-walled pin to an elliptical retaining
wall allows for minimal flexibility before the chain links will decouple.
Another disadvantage of cable carrier chains currently produced for industrial
application are disadvantageous in that they do not have an outside geometry designed
to reduce noise when in use or at rest. Currently produced cable carriers have
flat bottoms and do not have any provisions made to the outside geometry to reduce
the contact area between the link and the track, thereby allowing extensive noise
and abrasion from the track due to normal vehicle use.
A further drawback to conventional cable carrier chains is that they are currently
produced for a single specific industrial application and are hand assembled. To
be easily assembled in an application requiring mass production, the links of the
cable carrier chain must be in their open position, allowing them to flex. Therefore,
steps must be taken in the design of the chain links to prevent them from closing
during the assembly process. This is currently not being done due to the lack of
mass produced cable carrier chains.
Thus, a primary object of this invention is to provide chain links for use
in a cable carrier chain wherein the links provide the chain with increased strength
and flexibility.
A further object of this invention is to provide chain links for use in a cable
carrier chain wherein the links provide the chain with increased strength and flexibility
in a small package size.
A still further object of this invention is to provide chain links for use in
a
cable carrier chain wherein the chain links do not decouple when the chain is guiding
cables in a bilateral motion under a torsional load, thus providing the chain with
good bilateral flexibility.
Another object of this invention is to provide chain links for use in a cable
carrier chain wherein the chain links each have an outside geometry designed to
reduce abrasion and noise created by link-to-track contact while the chain is in
use and while the chain is at rest.
Still another object of this invention is to provide chain links for use in
cable carrier chains, wherein the links are configured so that the chains are relatively
easy to assemble.
A further object of this invention is to provide a cable carrier chain composed
of chain links which have the properties set forth in the preceding objects.
These and other objects are achieved in the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a novel chain link and an improved cable carrier
chain composed of a plurality of the chain links. The chain links impart to the
cable carrier chain increased strength and flexibility in a small package size,
a feature which is unmatched by current manufacturers of cable carrier chains.
The chain link of this invention contains: (1) laterally spaced first and second
side plates, each of the plates having a first end and an opposite second end;
(2) first and second undercut pins disposed on outer surfaces of the first ends
of the first and second side plates, respectively; (3) first and second round apertures
formed in the second ends of the first and second side plates, respectively; (4)
a hinged cover lid disposed transversely between the first and second side plates;
and (5) a bottom support plate transversely connecting the first and second side
plates to one another. Each of the first and second undercut pins contains a cylindrical
shaft, an annular head, and a flat undercut-portion. Each of the first and second
round apertures is configured to receive an undercut pin which is identical in
configuration and dimension to the first or second undercut pin. Thus, each of
the apertures contains an inner pin-retaining wall having a configuration complementary
to and slightly oversized relative to the undercut pin such that the pin is slidably
retained within the aperture. The retaining wall contains: a flat first retaining-surface
for slidable engagement with the undercut-portion of the pin, an annular second
retaining-surface for slidable engagement with the shaft of the pin, and an annular
third retaining-surface for slidable engagement with the head of the pin.
Preferably, the first and second undercut pins are axially aligned relative
to one another, and the first and second apertures are axially aligned relative
to one another.
The cable carrier chain of this invention is composed of a plurality of the aforementioned
chain links pivotally joined in end-to-end fashion, wherein the undercut pins of
one chain link are mated with the oversized apertures of a first adjacent chain
link and the oversized apertures of the one chain link are mated to the undercut
pins of a second adjacent chain link.
As stated previously herein, automotive and industrial cable carrier chains must
be bilaterally flexible without the risk of decoupling or breaking. The cable carrier
chain of this invention has increased strength and flexibility due to the undercut
pins of a first chain link mating to oversized corresponding round apertures of
a second, adjacent chain link. The mating of the undercut pins to the oversized
round pin-retaining walls of the apertures gives the cable carrier chain of this
invention increased strength and flexibility by increasing the amount of contact
area between the pin and the retaining wall when the cable carrier chain is under
both torsion and tension loads.
In addition, the mating of the undercut pin and the oversized pin-retaining wall
of the aperture in the chain of this invention provides increased flexibility by
allowing clearance between the head of the pin and the oversized retaining wall.
Therefore, the mating of the undercut pins and the oversized retaining walls of
the apertures greatly reduces the chance of link-decoupling during bilateral movement
of the cable carrier chain when both torsion and tension loads are applied to the
chain. This differs from existing cable carrier chains that have a straight-walled
pin mating to an elliptical retaining wall, which only allows for minimal flexibility
before the carrier links will decouple.
A mass produced cable carrier chain for use in automotive applications should
be
designed to aid in automated assembly. In a preferred embodiment of the chain link
and chain of this invention, the cover lid in the chain link preferably includes
a hinge member having a relatively thin horizontal strap hinge disposed between
two relatively thick vertical hinge straps.
Such dual strap hinge member holds the chain links open during assembly to act
as locating feature, and allows the links to flex. The dual strap hinge also acts
as a backup hinge in case of primary hinge failure, thereby maintaining the strength
and integrity of the cable carrier chain by not allowing the chain to buckle and
decouple under torsional load. Existing cable carriers have only single strap hinges
that do not hold the door open in a stable position prior to assembly, thus making
automatic assembly of the part difficult. In the case of hinge failure, a single
strap hinge has no secondary backup, thus allowing the chain links to buckle and
decouple under torsional loads.
A cable carrier chain for use in automotive applications should be silent during
cycling of the carrier chain and when the chain is at rest but undergoing shock
and vibration caused by normal driving conditions. In a preferred embodiment of
the chain link and chain of this invention, the bottom surface of the support plate
preferably contains ribs which reduce noise and wear. More specifically, the ribs
disposed on the bottom plate surface of the chain links of this invention reduce
the amount of noise created by the cable carrier chain by decreasing the link-to-track
contact area. These noise-reducing ribs also serve as an anti-wear feature by reducing
the effects of abrasion to the cable carrier chain itself and the vehicle due to
door cycling and vehicle vibration. As stated hereinabove, currently produced cable
carriers have flat bottoms and do not have an outside geometry designed to reduce
the contact area between the link and the track, thereby allowing much noise and
abrasion from the track due to normal vehicle use.
The cable carrier chain of this invention can be used to guide and protect cables,
wires and hoses in a variety of applications, including but not limited to automotive
applications (e.g., sliding doors), industrial robots, automated machinery, mobile
and construction equipment, medical lab equipment, and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a chain link of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a chain within the scope of the
present invention, wherein the chain portion contains chain links corresponding
to the chain link of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a close-up view of an undercut pin used in the chain links shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the dual strap hinge of the chain link shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 5 is a close-up, perspective view of the track-linking side of a chain
link within the scope of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As stated above, the present invention provides a novel chain link and a cable
carrier chain comprising a plurality of the chain links.
The invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 herein.
FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the chain link of this invention,
and FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a portion of a cable carrier chain of
this invention, the chain portion being composed of two chain links, each of the
chain links being identical to the chain link shown in FIG.
1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the chain link, which is generally designated by reference
numeral
1, includes first and second side plates
2,
3, which
are laterally spaced from one another. Side plate
2 has a first end
4
and an opposite second end
5. Side plate
3 has a first end
6
and an opposite second end
7.
Preferably, first side plate
2 contains an inwardly offset section
2a and an outwardly offset section
2b, and second side
plate
3 contains an inwardly offset section
3a and an outwardly
offset section
3b. The extent of the offset between the inwardly
offset section and the outwardly offset section of a side plate is preferably equal
to the thickness of the side plate so that the outer faces of the inwardly offset
sections all lie in alignment and the outer faces of the outwardly offset sections
all lie in alignment in the chain.
Also preferably, side plates
2 and
3 are both one-part structures,
with the inwardly and outwardly offset sections being integrally formed in the
one-part structure.
Chain link
1 further contains first and second undercut pins
8
disposed on the first and second side plates, respectively. Specifically, the first
undercut pin is disposed on an outer surface of the first end
4 of side
plate
2, and the second undercut pin (not shown) is disposed on an outer
surface (not shown) of the first end
6 of side plate
3. Preferably,
the first and second undercut pins are formed on outer surfaces of the inwardly
offset sections of the side plates. The first and second undercut pins are preferably
identical to one another and preferably axially aligned relative to one another.
A detailed view of undercut pin
8 is shown in FIG.
3.
Each of the undercut pins
8 has a cylindrical shaft
9, an annular
head
10, and a flat undercut-portion
11.
Shaft
9 preferably has a bottom end
12 attached to the side plate
(preferably to an outer surface of the inwardly offset section of the side plate),
a top end
13 joined to the bottom of head
10, an outer side wall
14, and an inner side wall
15. Preferably, pin
8 has formed
centrally therethrough a cylindrically-shaped opening
16. Also preferably,
pin
8 is subdivided into three symmetric sections
8a,
8b
and
8c, each of which is attached to the side plate.
Head
10 preferably has a top surface
17 defined between an outer
top circumferential edge
18a and an inner top circumferential edge
18b, a side surface
19, a bottom surface
20, and a
bottom circumferential edge
21 disposed between the side surface and the
bottom surface. Bottom circumferential edge
21 preferably defines the largest
diameter of the head.
The flat undercut-portion
11 of the pin is preferably formed on bottom
surface
20 of head
10 and defined between bottom circumferential
edge
21 of head
10 and a top circumferential edge
22 of shaft
9. Preferably, undercut-portion
11 is disposed perpendicularly relative
to outer side wall
14 of shaft
9.
Side surface
19 of head
10 is preferably an outwardly curved structure
as shown in FIG.
3.
Chain link
1 also contains first and second round apertures
23,
which are preferably identical and also preferably axially aligned relative to
one another. The first and second apertures are formed in the second ends of the
first and second side plates, respectively. Preferably, apertures
23 are
formed in the outwardly offset sections of side plates
2 and
3.
Apertures
23 are each configured to receive an undercut pin
8
(see FIG. 2) of an adjacent identical chain link
1 (see FIG.
2).
Apertures
23 each contain an inner pin-retaining wall
24
which has a configuration that is complementary to the undercut pin. Wall
24
is also slightly oversized relative to the undercut pin. As used herein relative
to wall
24 and the undercut pin, the term "slightly oversized" means that
at any particular cross-section, the diameter of the aperture will be slightly
larger than the diameter of the corresponding complementary portion of the pin
such that the pin will be in slidable engagement with the aperture but will still
be retained in the aperture. The degree to which the aperture diameter is oversized
relative to the pin diameter will depend on the level of flexibility desired in
the chain link and the chain composed of a plurality of such chain links. The greater
the aperture diameter relative to the pin diameter, the more flexible the chain
link and chain will be. The smaller the aperture diameter relative to the pin diameter,
the less flexible the chain link and chain will be.
Pin-retaining wall
24 of the apertures contains a flat first
retaining-surface
25 for slidable engagement with the undercut-portion
11
of the pin, an annular second retaining-surface
26 for slidable engagement
with the shaft
9 (specifically with outer side wall
14 of shaft
9),
of the pin, and an annular third retaining-surface
27 for slidable engagement
with the head
10 (specifically, with the outer top circumferential edge
18a, the side surface
19 and the bottom circumferential edge
21) of the pin. Third retaining-surface
27 has a top circular edge
27a for slidable engagement with the top outer circumferential edge
18a of the head and a bottom circular edge
27b for
slidable engagement with the bottom circumferential edge
21 of the head.
Edges
27a and
27b define apertures of equal diameter.
The diameter of the aperture defined by second retaining-surface
26 is
preferably slightly greater than the diameter of shaft
9 and smaller than
the diameter of the bottom circumferential edge
21 of head
10. The
flat retaining-surface
25 is preferably slightly wider than undercut-portion
11. The diameter of the aperture defined by the bottom circular edge
27b
of the third retaining-surface
27 is preferably slightly greater than
the diameter of the bottom circumferential edge
21 of head
10. The
diameter of the aperture defined by the top circular edge
27a of
the third retaining-surface
27 is preferably slightly greater than the diameter
of the top outer circumferential edge
18a of the head and preferably
slightly greater than the diameter of the bottom circumferential edge
21
of the head.
Chain link
1 also includes a hinged cover lid
28 disposed transversely
between the first and second side plates
2 and
3. Lid
28 is
fixedly attached to an upper longitudinal edge of one of the side plates
2,
3 and releasably attached to an upper longitudinal edge of the other side
plate. Preferably, lid
28 is fixedly attached to an upper longitudinal edge
of the outwardly offset section of one of the side plates and releasably attached
to an upper longitudinal edge of the inwardly offset section of the other side plate.
Preferably, lid
28 is fixedly attached to the upper longitudinal
edge of the outwardly offset section of the side plate by means of a dual-strap
hinge member
29. A detailed view of hinge member
29 is shown in FIG.
4.
As can be seen in FIGS. 1,
2 and
4, hinge member
29 has a
horizontal primary hinge strap
30 and two vertical secondary hinge straps
31 disposed on opposite ends of strap
30. Hinge straps
31
are thicker than primary strap hinge
30.
Lid
28 is releasably attached to the side plate by means of an L-shaped
member
32 having a hook-like end member
33 (preferably integrally
formed therewith) for gripping the longitudinal edge of the side plate.
Chain link
1 further includes a bottom support plate
34 which
connects side plates
2 and
3 to one another. Preferably, support
plate
34 is integrally formed with side plates
2 and
3. A
detailed view of support plate
34 is shown in FIG.
5.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention, support plate
34 has formed
on a bottom surface
35 thereof a plurality of (preferably two) parallel
ribs
36 which extend longitudinally along surface
35. Ribs
36
minimize points of contact between the chain links and the track upon which the
links move during use and sit during rest. Thus, the ribs reduce the amount of
noise created by the cable carrier chain by decreasing the link-to-track contact
area. In addition, the ribs also serve as an anti-wear feature by reducing the
effects of abrasion to the cable carrier chain itself and the vehicle due to door
cycling and vehicle vibration.
Defined in each chain link
1 between inner surfaces of side plates
2 and
3, lid
28 and support plate
34 is a subchannel
37 (see FIG. 2) for receiving wires, cables or hoses (not shown)
The cable carrier chain of this invention is composed of a plurality of chain
links
1 pivotally connected to one another in end-to-end fashion. A portion
of a chain (designated generally by reference numeral
38) within the scope
of this invention is illustrated in FIG.
2.
Chain portion
38 is composed of two chain links
1 (which are
identical to one another) pivotally connected to one another in end-to-end fashion.
The chain links are connected by placing the first and second undercut pins
8
of a first chain link into the first and second round apertures
23, respectively,
of the adjacent chain link. Flat first retaining-surface
25 of pin-retaining
wall
24 of the aperture slidably engages undercut-portion
11 of the
adjacent pin, second retaining-surface
26 slidably engages the shaft
9
of the adjacent pin, and third retaining-surface
27 slidably engages the
head
10 of the pin.
In the chain of this invention, lid
28 can function as a stop so as to
limit the extent to which adjacent chain links swivel in relation to one another.
As the chain is bent, a front edge
39 of lid
28 will enter an abutting
relationship with a corresponding back edge
39′ of the lid of the
adjacent chain link (see FIG.
2), thereby preventing any additional bending
of the chain along that pair of chain links.
The chain links, including the undercut pins, are preferably molded of synthetic
resin, e.g., polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate , polyacetal, polypropylene,
polyethylene, or the like engineering plastic.
The cable carrier chain of this invention is useful in guiding and protecting
moving wires, cables and hoses on a wide range of machinery, non-limiting examples
of which include, e.g., vehicles (e.g., automobiles), medical lab equipment, industrial
robots, mobile and construction equipment, automated machinery, and the like.
The cable carrier chain of this invention is particularly suitable for use in
automotive applications. The chain of this invention is especially useful as a
component in sliding door systems found in many vehicles. An example of such a
sliding door system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,020, which is hereby incorporated
by reference herein.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of chain links
1
in chain
38 will vary in accordance with the use to which such chain is used.
*
