Chain – staple – and horseshoe making – Chains – Conduit
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-15
2003-04-22
Jones, David (Department: 3725)
Chain, staple, and horseshoe making
Chains
Conduit
C059S078000, C248S049000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06550232
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a guide chain for running energy lines between a stationary connection and a movable connection with movable chain links, which define each a channel section extending in the direction of the energy line guide chain.
GB 1 585 656 A1 discloses a guide chain for running lines between a stationary connection and a movable connection. The energy line guide chain is formed by pivotally connected, metallic chain links. The chain links comprise spaced-apart side walls, which are stamped from a sheet of metal and bent into shape accordingly. The spaced-apart side walls of each chain link are interconnected by a connecting plate. The connection occurs by welding, so that the chain links form a welded structure.
For a pivotal connection of adjacent chain links, the side walls comprise a circular aperture in their one end region. In the opposite end region of each side wall, an elongate slot is formed. The apertures of the one chain link are positioned with the elongate slots of the adjacent chain link such that a rivet can be passed through the elongate slot and the aperture. The rivet has a widened head with a cross section greater than the cross section of the aperture and elongate slot, respectively. To secure the rivet, a circlip is provided, which is arranged on the rivet.
The provision of the elongate slot is necessitated by the welded structure of the chain links, since elongate slots are capable of compensating manufacturing-related inaccuracies of the welded structure.
The chain links of the energy line guide chain as disclosed in GB 1 585 656 A1 are adapted for pivoting about the rivets, which extend substantially crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the energy line guide chain.
A further embodiment of a conventional energy line guide chain, wherein the chain links are adapted for deflecting about axes extending crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the energy line guide chain, is disclosed in EP 0 154 882 A1. The chain links of this energy line guide chain consist of a plastic. They are formed by link plates, which are made in one piece. At one end, each link plate possesses a central joint bore. At the other end of each link plate, a central joint pin is molded to the opposite side. When the one end of a chain link is connected to the other end of an adjacent chain link, the joint pin will engage the joint bore. This permits forming a chain strand. Two chain strands are interconnected by crosspieces.
EP 0 544 051 A1 discloses an energy line guide chain, which enables an isotropic bending capability in the space, i.e. a capability of bending uniformly in the space.
Such an energy line guide chain is necessary, for example, for a multiaxial handling device, such as, for example, a robot.
This energy line guide chain is formed by an extruded tubing, whose outer circumferential wall is provided with a plurality of circumferential slots arranged in spaced relationship in the longitudinal direction of the energy line guide chain and extending crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the energy line guide chain. These circumferential slots, which extend over the entire circumference of the tubing, are each interrupted by only one flexibly connecting crosspiece or only two flexibly acting crosspieces diametrically opposite to each other at an angular distance of 180°
0
. The crosspieces of adjacent circumferential slots are offset relative one another by an angle at circumference of 90°
0
. The width of the circumferential slots and their spacing between one another are dimensioned in accordance with a desired maximum bending radius of the energy line guide chain.
An energy line guide chain of this kind is problematic in that it is necessary to exchange the entire energy line guide chain, when a segment thereof is damaged, since the energy line guide chain consists of an extruded sectional tubing of plastic. This entails an increased expenditure for repair, since it is also necessary to remove from the energy line guide chain being replaced, lines and hoses extending therein, and to insert them into the new energy line guide chain.
The attachment of the energy line guide chain to a stationary connection or a movable connection occurs by chain links, which are joined to a corresponding connector. EP 0 384 153 discloses the design and construction of different end links of the chain. The chain end links comprise side plates, which are interconnected by a bottom plate. The chain end links are jointed to the adjacent chain link of the energy line guide chain. The bottom plate is screwed to a support or base plate such that the chain end link is rigidly connected to the support or base plate. A further development of a chain end link with a strain relief arrangement for an energy line guide chain is also known from Utility Model G 93 13 011. Likewise in the case of this chain end link, a bottom plate is provided, which is connected to a support or base plate.
Based on the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to design and construct the known guide chain for running energy lines with spatially movable chain links, so that the energy line guide chain is repairable at relatively little cost. It is a further object of the invention to design and construct the energy line guide chain such that it is capable of receiving greater line weights. A yet further object of the invention is to describe a connecting link, which is easy to apply to a connection point, in particular a connecting link, which assists the deflection capability of the energy line guide chain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by the provision of a guide chain for running energy lines which distinguishes itself in that it is constructed by individual, spatially limited, i.e., three-dimensionally movable chain links. In an extruded energy line guide chain as known from EP 0 554 051, an articulation is possible only, when the extruded sectional tubing exhibits a certain elasticity. As a result, such an energy line guide chain is capable of receiving only relatively low line weights. In the case of an energy line guide chain, as proposed by the present invention, each chain link comprises two opposite link plates extending in spaced relationship in a longitudinal direction of the energy line guide chain. The link plates are interconnected by at least one crosspiece. Each link plate comprises a joint body and a joint receiver, which extend substantially crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the energy line guide chain. The joint body of a link plate engages the joint receiver of an adjacent link plate. The articulated connection as is formed by the joint body and the joint receiver, does not form an integral part of the chain links, as is the case with an extruded sectional tubing of the energy line guide chain. As a result, the joint bodies and joint receivers may be designed and constructed for a greater load capacity. This applies likewise to the link plates and the crosspiece. As a result of releasably joining the chain links by the articulated connections, it will also be possible to repair the energy line guide chain, when one or more chain links have become defective.
In the case of the energy line guide chain as proposed by the invention, a clearance is provided respectively between the partially overlapping link plates of at least two adjacent chain links. Also each joint body comprises an outer surface area and each joint bore comprises an inner surface area. The outer surface area and the inner surface area define diametrically opposite contact areas where the outer and inner areas are in contact, and diametrically opposite gaps where there is a clearance between the areas. The contact areas thus form a pivot axis extending therebetween and which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the energy line guide chain. The pivoting capability of the individual chain links relative to one another is thus achieved only by having the outer and inner surface areas lie a
Achs Stephan Raymond
Weber Willibald
Wehler Herbert
Alston & Bird LLP
Jones David
Kabelschlepp GmbH
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