Chain lock and chain for chain lock

Abstract

A chain lock, in particular for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprises a lock body and a chain lockable to the lock body. The chain comprises a serial arrangement of consecutive chain links which are mutually coupled by respective hinged joints between each other and are pivotable relative to each other about a joint axis of the respective hinged joint, which joint axis is parallel to a normal direction. The arrangement is foldable into a compact storage configuration in which, at each of the hinged joints, two chain links mutually coupled by the respective hinged joint are pivoted relative to each other about the joint axis of the respective hinged joint to an extent that they enclose a minimum possible angle in their relative pivotability range. The chain further comprises a pulling device extending along the arrangement by means of which a first end portion of the arrangement and a second end portion of the arrangement opposite thereto can be pulled towards each other so that the arrangement is brought into the compact storage configuration by the pulling device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a chain lock, particularly a chain lock for a two-wheeled vehicle, and to a chain for a chain lock, particularly a chain for a chain lock for a two-wheeled vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, in order to secure two-wheeled vehicles or other movable objects to prevent theft, locks are used to connect the corresponding object to a non-movable object. Therefore, locks typically have an elongated latching element that is ideally guided through an opening in the object to be secured and through an opening in the non-movable object or around the non-movable object, and then received and locked onto the lock body, thus forming a closed loop that can subsequently be unlocked, which can only be reopened in a conventional manner by means of an associated combination, such as a key or code.

[0003] For example, the latching element could be a typical U-shaped closed hoop lock. This closed hoop is rigid. For this reason, it may only have a very limited length to avoid being too bulky to be easily carried. This results in the movable object to be secured being positioned very close to the immovable object to which it is secured so that it can be secured to the immovable object by the hoop lock.

[0004] A more flexible positioning of the object to be secured can be achieved by a lock having a longer latching element; however, this latching element is preferably not rigid, or at least not entirely rigid, but foldable to allow for transport in a compact shape. Such a latching element can be formed, for example, from a rope, cable, or chain.

[0005] Besides flexibility, it's naturally important that the latching element is designed to be as secure as possible to prevent separation or breakage. Cable locks, especially helical cable locks, can have particularly long latching elements, for example, made of wire rope, but generally do not offer exceptionally high security. In contrast, using a link chain, consisting of interlocking circular or elliptical link chains, as the latching element provides greater security because the entire link chain is flexible, but individual chain links can be rigid and thus made of particularly hard materials, such as hardened steel. However, the relatively high weight can be a disadvantage of using link chains as a latching element.

[0006] Weight may have a negligible impact on the stability of heavy motorcycles. However, for bicycles, especially high-quality lightweight racing bikes, lightweight design is crucial in addition to high security against break-ins. In this regard, joined bar locks are particularly advantageous. Their latching elements are formed from rigid, flat, elongated chain links that are hinged together and arranged parallel to each other, allowing them to fold like a folding ruler for a compact package. Therefore, these rigid connecting bars and the hinged joints between them provide high security against breaching while maintaining a relatively low weight. Furthermore, while joined bar locks can indeed be longer than clamp locks, they can still be folded in a particularly compact manner and thus easily transported.

[0007] However, in order to fold easily with just a few hand movements, like a folding ruler, the length of a single connecting rod cannot be too short, and the number of connecting rods cannot be too large. This results in the connecting rod arrangement potentially consisting only of polygonal routes composed of several straight segments, rather than being guided around tight curves. This is particularly advantageous in confined environments, such as when multiple bicycles are connected to a single lamppost, where the latching element of the corresponding lock can also have a tightly curved route for exceptional flexibility. Summary of the Invention

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide a chain lock, particularly a two-wheeled vehicle chain lock, and a chain for the chain lock, particularly a two-wheeled vehicle chain lock, each of which can be used in a particularly flexible manner, can be easily folded in a compact manner for transport, and thus simultaneously have high security against vandalism and relatively low weight.

[0009] This objective is achieved by a chain lock having the features of claim 1 and by a chain having the features of claim 4.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are derived from the appended claims, this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0011] The chain according to the invention is configured for use in chain locks, particularly for two-wheeled vehicle chain locks, making it especially suitable as a latch element of a chain lock. For this purpose, the chain can be configured correspondingly, for example, by providing one or more elements of the locking mechanism or one or more elements of a latching member cooperating with the locking mechanism, particularly at their respective ends or at least one end. However, this is not absolutely necessary. It can also be configured that certain sections of the chain used for locking are not necessarily locked to the lock body of the chain lock in a specific manner. For this purpose, the lock body can, for example, have a locking receiver in which a corresponding one of these sections can be received, and then the corresponding one of these sections can be secured by a locking mechanism specifically formed on the lock body to prevent it from disengaging from the locking receiver.

[0012] According to the invention, the chain comprises a series arrangement of continuous links, wherein these links are connected to each other by respective hinge joints and are pivotable relative to each other about a joint axis parallel to the normal direction of the respective hinge joint, i.e., the links of each pair of directly continuous links in the arrangement are connected to each other by respective hinge joints and are pivotable relative to each other about a joint axis parallel to the normal direction of the respective hinge joint.

[0013] Therefore, this tandem arrangement comprises multiple links arranged in a specific order. This arrangement may specifically extend from a first end link to a second end link. In addition to the two end links, each link of this arrangement, in each case, is sequentially connected to the link preceding it and sequentially connected to the link following it via a corresponding hinge joint. Thus, the first end link, having no sequential links preceding it, can be connected only to the links of the arrangement following it sequentially, and the second end link, having no sequential links following it, can be connected only to the links of the arrangement preceding it sequentially via a hinge joint. However, typically, even other components of the chain, particularly other links, can be connected to one or both ends of the arrangement and can be connected to the respective ends hingedly or otherwise. For example, the arrangement comprises at least four links, preferably at least ten links, and particularly at least sixteen links.

[0014] Each of all the hinged joints connects two consecutive links in the arrangement, each having a joint axis about which the links connected by the respective hinged joints can pivot relative to each other. Therefore, all these joint axes are aligned parallel to the normal direction and thus also parallel to each other. Therefore, designating the common direction of the joint axes as the normal direction is only for conceptual distinction from other directions and does not imply a restriction on a particular spatial direction or that a particular property of the direction is "normal".

[0015] Specifically, each articulated joint is configured such that the two links connected by the respective articulated joint can only pivot relative to each other about the joint axis, and there are no other types of relative mobility. In other words, apart from possible and generally not entirely unavoidable gaps, such as offsets along the joint axis and minor tilting movements perpendicular to the joint axis, each articulated joint has only one degree of freedom, namely pivotability about the joint axis. Since all links are thus pivotable about mutually parallel joint axes, the mobility of the links, and consequently the mobility of the overall arrangement, can be generally restricted to movement within a spatial region defined by two planes perpendicular to the normal direction.

[0016] The links in this arrangement can each extend longitudinally from a first end to a second end of the respective link. In this regard, if there is a hinge joint for connecting to the preceding link, this hinge joint can be specifically located at the first end of the respective link, and if there is a hinge joint for connecting to the following link, this hinge joint can be located at the second end of the respective link. The direction of the longitudinal range of the respective link can be defined by a straight line connecting the two hinge joints, specifically, perpendicular to the normal direction. The longitudinal range of the respective link can, for example, reach several centimeters, for example, in the range between 2 cm and 10 cm, preferably in the range between 3 cm and 8 cm, and particularly in the range between 4 cm and 6 cm.

[0017] The links in this arrangement may generally have the same construction as each other, or they may be formed differently from each other. In particular, all the links may also differ from each other in their design, for example, in their respective longitudinal extent and / or their respective extent along the normal direction. However, the joint axes of the articulated joints are preferably at least regularly spaced apart from each other. According to an advantageous embodiment, all pairs of corresponding articulated joints following each other in a series arrangement have the same spacing between their joint axes. In this respect, in particular, all the links in this arrangement may have the same longitudinal extent. However, the spacing may also vary depending on the embodiment.

[0018] The tandem arrangement may include first and second links that follow each other alternately in the order of the links in the arrangement. Thus, each hinged joint connects the first and second links to each other, either by connecting the first link to the second link following it (in the order of the links in the arrangement) or by connecting the second link to the first link following it (in the order of the links in the arrangement). In this respect, designating links as first and second links is primarily for conceptual distinction based on the respective positions of the links within the tandem arrangement. Specifically, a link in an odd-numbered position (1st, 3rd, etc.) may be a first link, while a link in an even-numbered position (2nd, 4th, etc.) is a second link. In this respect, the first end link is one of the first links in the arrangement. Depending on the total number of links in the arrangement, the second end link of the arrangement may be one of the first links or one of the second links in the arrangement. In the following references to the first or second link of an arrangement, this in each case refers to one or more links at corresponding positions within the arrangement.

[0019] In this respect, the first link need not be different from the second link. Furthermore, the first and second links are not necessarily of the same type in every case. However, the first and / or second links are preferably substantially the same type, in particular, having the same construction (possibly except for the first and / or second end links of that arrangement). Additionally, it may be advantageous for the first and second links to be different.

[0020] The links of this arrangement can typically be further subdivided, wherein sub-links are movable relative to each other, and particularly pivotable. However, all links of this arrangement are preferably each rigid. The links of this arrangement may particularly comprise hardened metal as a material.

[0021] Because the chain comprises links pivotally connected to each other in this series arrangement, the chain is at least partially configured as a sprocket chain, and preferably at least substantially entirely configured as a sprocket chain. This sprocket chain, connected by articulated joints, differs from a link chain in which links interlock in rings, each of which can pivot freely in all three spatial directions relative to the preceding or following link, and can also displace within a limited range.

[0022] According to the invention, this tandem arrangement can be folded into a compact storage configuration, wherein, at each hinge joint, two links connected to each other by a corresponding hinge joint pivot about the joint axis of the hinge joint to a degree such that they enclose a minimum possible angle within their relative pivotability. In this respect, the angle enclosed by the two links is considered to be the smaller of two definable angles between the two links, and these two angles together give a full angle of 360°. Furthermore, the enclosed angle is considered in terms of quantity and is therefore generally not less than 0°.

[0023] In this respect, the links in this compact storage configuration, connected by corresponding links to the corresponding preceding links, can pivot in an alternating manner about the joint axis of the corresponding hinge joint relative to the corresponding preceding link in a first pivot direction and a second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction, to a degree such that they surround the minimum possible angle within their relative pivotability range.

[0024] When the links of the arrangement are divided into first links and second links as described above, at each hinge joint connecting the first link of the arrangement to the preceding second link of the arrangement (in the order of the links of the arrangement), in particular, the first link may pivot about the joint axis of the corresponding hinge joint, relative to the preceding second link, in a first pivoting direction to such an extent that the two links enclose a minimum possible angle within their relative pivotability, and at each hinge joint connecting the second link of the arrangement to the preceding first link of the arrangement (in the order of the links of the arrangement), the second link may pivot about the joint axis of the corresponding hinge joint, relative to the preceding first link, in a second pivoting direction to such an extent that the two links enclose a minimum possible angle within their relative pivotability.

[0025] In all these cases, the minimum possible angle relates to the pivotability of the two links surrounding that angle relative to each other; that is, how far one link can pivot relative to the other. In other words, the angle is the minimum possible angle within the range of relative pivotability of the two corresponding links, because the angle generally does not become smaller, since the two links surround an angle of 0°, or it corresponds to the limit of relative pivotability beyond which the two links cannot pivot toward each other. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0026] Generally speaking, the relative pivotability of two consecutive links connected to each other by their respective hinge joints in an arrangement is unrestricted, making it possible for one link to rotate completely about the joint axis relative to the other link.

[0027] However, the relative pivotability of two consecutive links connected to each other by their respective articulated joints may also be limited to a specific range of pivoting. In particular, this limitation may arise from the fact that the links meet each other during pivoting, and therefore may not pivot to the same orientation relative to the joint axis of the respective articulated joint, i.e., a surrounding angle corresponding to 0°. In this respect, the angular range limiting the pivoting range is preferably the same for all said articulated joints. For example, the angular range may be between 300° and 350°; preferably between 320° and 345°; particularly, it may be approximately 330°, approximately 335°, or approximately 340°. Compared to the extended position of each of the two interconnected links arranged in a straight line relative to their respective longitudinal ranges, one of the two links may pivot a maximum of less than 180° relative to the other. For example, a link may be pivoted relative to another at an angle between 150° and 175°, preferably between 160° and 172.5°, and in particular, the maximum pivot angle is about 165°, about 167.5°, or about 170°.

[0028] Therefore, two cases can be distinguished: If two links of an arrangement connected to each other by their respective hinge joints are pivotable relative to each other to a position enclosing an angle of 0°, i.e., facing the same direction from the joint axis of the respective hinge joints, then the minimum possible angle within the range of relative pivotability of the two links corresponds to this angle of 0°, and is practically independent of whether the relative pivotability of the two links is otherwise restricted. Conversely, if the relative pivotability of two links of an arrangement connected to each other by their respective hinge joints is restricted, preventing them from being in such a position, then the minimum possible angle within the range of relative pivotability of the two links corresponds to one of the two boundaries of the restricted pivotability range of the two links, particularly one of the two boundaries enclosing the smaller angle. In this respect, the minimum possible angle may, for example, be less than or equal to 30°, preferably less than or equal to 25°, particularly less than or equal to 20°, for example, equivalent to approximately 15°.

[0029] The two links in the arrangement are connected to each other by their respective hinge joints and meet each other during pivoting, thus restricting their relative pivotability. In particular, this fact may cause two or more links in the arrangement to take the same position at least partially along the normal direction. For example, it may be arranged such that at each hinge joint connecting the corresponding link to the link preceding it, the corresponding link and the link preceding it take the same position at least partially along the normal direction.

[0030] Two links that occupy the same position at least partially along the normal direction do not necessarily extend in the same area along the normal direction, but can have different ranges relative to the normal direction and / or can be offset relative to each other along the normal direction, but only to the extent that they still overlap relative to the normal direction. In this respect, this implementation is particularly different from a connecting rod lock, where the links are all formed by a single connecting rod and are arranged in a folding ruler-like manner, offset from each other, in a direction parallel to the joint axis of the hinge joint connecting the links, so that they do not overlap in this direction, but have different positions, and allow two consecutive connecting rods to pivot freely through each other.

[0031] Since two links at least partially overlap with respect to the normal direction in the same position along the normal direction, there is always a plane perpendicular to the normal direction for two such links that intersect with the two links. According to a preferred embodiment, in particular, it can be provided that there are planes perpendicular to the normal direction that intersect with all the arranged links. In this respect, the extent of each link along the normal direction can be defined by the spacing between the two link plates of the corresponding link, the spacing being particularly the outer spacing (if the corresponding link has more link plates: the two outermost link plates of the corresponding link), such that when the plane extends between the two link plates, particularly between their respective outer sides, the plane perpendicular to the normal direction intersects with the corresponding link.

[0032] Unless one of two links connected to each other by their respective hinge joints and arranged at least partially in the same position along the normal direction can pass through the other (e.g., through the passage opening of the other), when the links pivot relative to each other, they will meet at some point, thus restricting their relative pivotability, and the minimum possible angle they can enclose within their relative pivotability corresponds to the angle at which they meet. For this reason, two consecutive links in a tandem arrangement of the chain according to the invention or a tandem arrangement of the chain of a chain lock according to the invention cannot be folded in a folding ruler manner when the minimum possible angle they can enclose within their relative pivotability is greater than 0°. However, the storage configuration can also be relatively compact in this case, particularly if, as described above, the links in the storage configuration pivot alternately about the joint axis of the respective hinge joint relative to the corresponding preceding link in a first pivot direction and a second pivot direction opposite thereto, such that the arrangement has a zigzag-like path in its storage configuration.

[0033] In this regard, in the storage configuration, all angles between a corresponding (first) link pivoting relative to its preceding link in the first pivoting direction and the (second) link of the same arrangement preceding that corresponding (first) link can be identical to each other. Furthermore, in the storage configuration, all angles between a corresponding (second) link pivoting relative to its preceding link in the second pivoting direction and the (first) link of the same arrangement preceding that corresponding (second) link can be identical to each other. Additionally, in the storage configuration, all angles between each link and the preceding link of the same arrangement can be identical to each other.

[0034] Furthermore, when the arranged links are divided into first links and second links as described above, in the storage configuration, all the arranged first links can be aligned parallel to each other and can be arranged to be offset from each other along the longitudinal range of the arrangement folded in a compact manner perpendicular to the normal direction; in this respect, the first links are preferably not arranged to be offset from each other along the normal direction, but rather all have the same position relative to the normal direction. Additionally, in the storage configuration, all the arranged second links can be aligned parallel to each other and can be arranged to be offset from each other along the longitudinal range of the arrangement folded in a compact manner perpendicular to the normal direction; in this respect, the second links are preferably not arranged to be offset from each other along the normal direction, but rather all have the same position relative to the normal direction. When the first links and second links are aligned parallel to each other in each case in the storage configuration, the directions in which the first links are aligned parallel to each other and the directions in which the second links are aligned parallel to each other are different from each other. For example, the angle that can be enclosed between these two directions is in the range of 10° and 60°, particularly in the range of 15° and 40°, preferably at an angle of approximately 20°, 25°, or 30°.

[0035] In the storage configuration, the first links of the arrangement may further contact each other laterally, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the normal and transverse to the longitudinal range of the respective link, and / or the second links of the arrangement may contact each other laterally, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the normal and transverse to the said longitudinal range of the respective link. In particular, the pivotability of the respective first and / or second links may be precisely limited by the fact that if there is such a link, it laterally strikes the corresponding next link in front of or behind the arrangement.

[0036] In addition to a compact storage configuration, the arrangement may also have an extended longitudinal configuration. An extended longitudinal configuration may be specifically defined as: the arrangement extends along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the normal direction; and / or the joint axes of all hinged joints connecting two corresponding links of the arrangement are arranged along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the normal direction (in particular, the longitudinal direction); and / or the first end of the arrangement and the second end of the arrangement opposite thereto are spaced apart from each other to the greatest extent possible, i.e., as far apart from each other as possible within the pivotability range of the links of the arrangement.

[0037] A compact storage configuration allows for a significantly reduced length, particularly compared to the longitudinal configuration described above. Therefore, the chain is particularly easy to store and transport. For example, a pocket can be provided for the chain, fitted to the dimensions of the chain in the storage configuration, so that the chain can be stored flush.

[0038] The chain according to the invention also includes a pulling device that extends along the tandem arrangement and by means of the pulling device can pull a first end of the arrangement and a second end of the arrangement opposite to it toward each other, so that the arrangement becomes a compact storage configuration by means of the pulling device.

[0039] The first end of the arrangement may be, for example, a first end link or portion of the arrangement. The second end of the arrangement may be, for example, a second end link or portion of the arrangement. The end section forming the first end of the arrangement may be specifically formed at the first end link. Additionally, the end section forming the second end of the arrangement may be formed at the second end link. The end section may, in each case, be formed, for example, from the free end of the corresponding end link, i.e., the free end is an end not connected to any other link of the arrangement. Alternatively, the end section may also be formed, specifically, from a hinged joint between the first end link and the link arranged behind it, or from a hinged joint between the second end link and the link arranged in front of it. The pulling device may be specifically connected to the end section of one of the two end links, or may be connected to the end sections of both end links.

[0040] In particular, the fact that the traction device extends along the arrangement may include the traction device extending along each link of the arrangement, for example, being guided by each link of the arrangement, extending through each link of the arrangement, and / or around each link of the arrangement.

[0041] The pulling device is configured such that the first end and the second end of the arrangement can be pulled toward each other. For this purpose, the pulling device need not engage at both ends of the arrangement. For example, the characteristics of the pulling device may include that the second end of the arrangement can be pulled toward the first end of the arrangement when the first end of the arrangement is held fixedly, and / or may include that the first end of the arrangement can be pulled toward the second end of the arrangement when the second end of the arrangement is held fixedly. For this purpose, it may be sufficient to allow the pulling device to engage at one of the two ends of the arrangement, particularly to fasten at at least one of the two ends of the arrangement. Pulling one end of the arrangement toward the other end of the arrangement should be understood as a relative movement between the two ends. Thus, for example, the first end and the second end of the arrangement can also be pulled toward each other by the pulling device, since one of the two ends is held substantially stationary by the pulling device, and the other end moves toward that one end, for example, falling.

[0042] The first and second ends of the arrangement can be pulled toward each other in a specific manner by a pulling device, that is, so that the arrangement thereby becomes a compact storage configuration. The pulling device is specifically configured such that, since the first and second ends of the arrangement are pulled toward each other by the pulling device, the arrangement is essentially inevitably in its storage configuration at the same time. For this purpose, one or more (in particular, all) links of the arrangement can be correspondingly guided by the pulling device when pulled toward the ends of the arrangement, so that the pulling device folds the arrangement into the storage configuration.

[0043] Many different possibilities are conceivable for the pulling device to cooperate with the arrangement or at least some of the links of the arrangement, resulting in the arrangement becoming its storage configuration when the two ends of the arrangement are pulled toward each other. In this respect, it is important in each case that the pulling device by which it is pulled is specifically configured to ensure, at least to a large extent, that not only do the ends of the arrangement move toward each other, but the arrangement as a whole is folded in a sequential manner, wherein the links of the arrangement follow each other from the first end to the second end of the link arrangement, i.e., such that, according to the storage configuration, at each hinge joint, the links interconnected by the respective hinge joints pivot relative to each other to a degree such that they surround a minimum possible angle within their relative pivotability. For this purpose, the pulling device may be specifically configured to push the links of the arrangement in an alternating manner relative to the corresponding preceding links in a first pivoting direction and in a second pivoting direction opposite to the first pivoting direction, and / or to resist the links of the arrangement in an alternating manner to prevent pivoting in the second pivoting direction or in the first pivoting direction.

[0044] The chain design according to the invention, particularly its foldable, compact storage configuration and the traction device provided for easy folding, allows the chain to have a large number of relatively short links, thus enabling it to be placed around small-radius curves while still being able to be comfortably folded in a compact manner for storage or transport. In this respect, chains of this type, especially those with rigid links made of rigid materials and fixed hinge joints, can simultaneously offer high security and relatively low weight.

[0045] According to an advantageous embodiment, the pulling device includes an elongated pulling element, particularly a rope-like pulling element extending along the arrangement. Specifically, the pulling device can be fixedly connected to a second end of the arrangement, for example, to said end segment, such that the second end of the arrangement can be pulled toward the first end of the arrangement via the pulling element. Assuming the chain extends beyond the second end of the arrangement, the pulling element can also extend beyond the second end of the arrangement to a segment of the chain or a corresponding chain lock having the chain, for example, to the lock body of the chain lock, to which it is securely connected, such that by pulling the pulling element, this segment, and at least indirectly through it, can also pull the second end of the arrangement toward the first end of the arrangement.

[0046] The pulling element may be configured as, for example, a rope, line, or cord, and may include fibers, plastics, and / or metals as materials. For example, the pulling element may be a pulling rope. The pulling element may be particularly configured as a wire rope or cable, preferably with a plastic sheath.

[0047] The traction device may also include more than one traction element. In this respect, multiple traction elements may extend along the arrangement. However, alternatively or additionally, it may be arranged that the chain comprises multiple arrangements, with one or more traction elements extending along each arrangement. The possibilities of how a single traction element is formed, as described below, also apply in a corresponding manner to multiple traction elements. In this respect, the multiple traction elements may each be of the same type. However, different traction elements may also be formed in one or more different ways, particularly in the different ways described.

[0048] According to an advantageous embodiment, the pulling element has a slalom-like path about the joint axis of the hinge joint. In particular, the path is slalom-like because the pulling element, arranged in sequence along a series of hinge joints, passes through the hinge joints in alternating directions of rotation relative to the joint axes of the respective hinge joints, in one direction of rotation and another. In other words, the pulling element extends through the joint axis of each second hinge joint on one side (e.g., the right side) and through the joint axis of each remaining hinge joint on the other side (e.g., the left side). When the arranged links are divided into first and second links as described above, the pulling element can specifically pass through the joint axes of the hinge joints that connect the first links to subsequent second links in the corresponding rotational direction corresponding to the first pivot direction, while simultaneously passing through the joint axes of the hinge joints that connect the second links to subsequent first links in the corresponding rotational direction corresponding to the second pivot direction.

[0049] When the arrangement is in the extended longitudinal configuration, the pulling element thus winds around the joint axis. In contrast, in the compact storage configuration, each articulated joint connecting the first link to the subsequent second link can, for example, be arranged entirely on one side of the compact package of the storage configuration due to the described zigzag path, and each articulated joint connecting the second link to the subsequent first link can be arranged on the opposite side, with the pulling element extending between these two sides. Thus, the pulling element can also have a path that is at least mostly straight; however, since the pulling element extends on one side through the joint axis of each second articulated joint and on the other side through the joint axis of each remaining articulated joint, the path is still rotational relative to the joint axis.

[0050] The rotary path of the pulling element passing through the joint axis of the hinged joint in an alternating manner in opposite rotational directions advantageously results in the arrangement of chain links pivoting alternately in one pivoting direction and another relative to the corresponding preceding chain link when the pulling element is pulling. Therefore, the rotary path results in, or in any case facilitates, the arrangement being able to be transformed into a storage configuration by the pulling device.

[0051] The traction element is preferably not only substantially arranged in the rotary path, or simply has the rotary path randomly, but the rotary path is fixedly predefined for the traction element. The traction element can be guided at this arrangement, particularly at the links of the arrangement, specifically for this purpose, so that it has a rotary path.

[0052] According to another advantageous embodiment, a winding mechanism is provided at the traction element, by which the traction element can be wound. In other words, the winding mechanism is configured for winding the traction element. This can be particularly advantageous for winding up excess traction element after the arrangement has been folded into a compact storage configuration, by which the winding causes the traction element to protrude from the folded arrangement or chain. In this respect, the winding mechanism is particularly useful when the traction element itself is at least largely inelastic.

[0053] The winding mechanism can be formed as part of the chain pulling device. In particular, the winding mechanism can be arranged at the lock body of the chain lock, where the chain is located or can be located and / or can be formed as part of the lock body.

[0054] The winding mechanism may include a drive unit configured to drive the winding mechanism to wind the tension element. In this respect, the winding mechanism may be configured to adjust between an enabled state and a disabled state, in which the winding mechanism winds up the tension element driven by the drive unit, and in the disabled state, the drive implemented by the drive unit is suspended (e.g., compensated or prevented). In this respect, it may be configured that the tension element can still be unwound, at least in the disabled state, i.e., particularly by manually pulling the tension element in a direction away from the winding mechanism. However, it is also possible to prevent the tension element from unwound in the disabled state, thereby also securing the arrangement in its compact storage configuration. The winding mechanism is preferably automatically in the disabled state, provided it is not adjusted to the enabled state by the user of the corresponding chain lock.

[0055] Specifically, the drive unit can be configured as a preloading device, the preloading of which can drive the winding of the tension element. For this purpose, the preloading device may include, for example, a spring. Advantageously, due to the manual unwinding of the tension element, the preloading device at least substantially reloads the amount of winding previously applied to the tension element in each case, so that the preloading device can always provide sufficient drive for winding the tension element.

[0056] The winding mechanism can be specifically configured as a measuring tape mechanism. In addition to a preloading device serving as a drive unit, this winding mechanism includes an actuation component, configured to be adjustable between an enabled and disabled state. Specifically, the actuation component can be configured as a button. By pressing the button, the winding mechanism can be adjusted to the enabled state, allowing for easy and quick winding of any excess portion of the tension element.

[0057] According to another advantageous embodiment, the pulling element is elastic. In particular, the pulling element may be configured as an elastic pulling rope, tension cable, tension rubber, or elastic band. However, the pulling device may also include a non-rope-like elastic pulling element, such as an elastic sheath, particularly an elastic hose, as will be explained further below.

[0058] The resilient pulling element can be specifically configured such that it preloads the first and second ends of a series arrangement of continuous chain links into a storage configuration. For example, the resilient pulling element can always pull the first and second ends of the arrangement towards each other, thereby automatically bringing them into the storage configuration, at least as long as the arrangement is not already in the storage configuration and, since the chain is currently being used to secure an object, the arrangement will not remain in a different state of preloading. On one hand, the resilient pulling element can be specifically connected to the first end of the arrangement or to a segment of the chain or a corresponding chain lock located outside the first end; on the other hand, it can be connected to the second end of the arrangement or to a segment of the chain or a corresponding chain lock located outside the second end, so as to pull the two ends towards each other. Additionally, one end of the pulling element can be fastened to the lock body of a corresponding chain lock having a chain.

[0059] According to another advantageous embodiment, each link of this arrangement has a corresponding channel opening, through which a pulling element extends. The pulling element can be guided at this arrangement, specifically giving it the explained rotary path. For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous that the pulling element extends through the channel opening of each first link in a first channel direction and through the channel opening of each second link in the opposite second channel direction. The channel opening can extend particularly in a direction transverse to, particularly perpendicular to, the normal direction and transverse to, particularly perpendicular to, the longitudinal extent of the corresponding link passing through it.

[0060] According to another advantageous embodiment, each link of this arrangement includes two corresponding link plates arranged offset from each other in the normal direction, wherein each of the two link plates extends from a first end of the corresponding link to a second end of the corresponding link opposite to the first end, wherein a hinge joint for connection to a link preceding the corresponding link is disposed at the first end, and a hinge joint for connection to a link following the corresponding link is disposed at the second end. It should be understood that at the first end of the corresponding link, if the link actually precedes it, the hinge joint is only configured to connect to the link preceding the corresponding link; this is not necessarily the case for the first-end link. Similarly, it should be understood that at the second end of the corresponding link, if the link actually follows it, the hinge joint is only configured to connect to the link following the corresponding link; this is not necessarily the case for the second-end link.

[0061] In this respect, the links of this arrangement are not limited to having exactly two link plates. In addition to the two link plates, the links of this arrangement may also include additional link plates, particularly link plates of the same type. When referring to two link plates of a corresponding link below, in the case that a link has more than two link plates, this preferably refers in each case to the two outermost link plates of the corresponding link along the normal direction.

[0062] The link plates of the corresponding links are also designated as tabs, and each can be configured as a rigid, flat, and elongated plate and / or have the same shape as each other. The link plates are preferably aligned parallel to each other, and in particular, perpendicular to the normal direction in each case. The material of the link plates may particularly include hardened metals.

[0063] Apart from the component associated with one of the articulated joints, each link in this arrangement may consist essentially of the link plate. In other words, each link may consist only of the link plate, and at most, an component forming part of the respective articulated joint (e.g., one or more pins or sleeves and (if necessary) rollers, as will be further explained below), but preferably no other components. This design contributes to reducing the weight of the chain.

[0064] If each link comprises (at least) two link plates, the channel openings can be formed respectively between the two link plates of the respective link and between the first end of the respective link (particularly possibly a hinge joint located at this end) and the second end of the respective link (particularly possibly a hinge joint located at this end). Therefore, when manufacturing the respective assembly, it is not necessary to first form the channel openings, for example as holes or grooves, in the assembly, where the channel openings are advantageously already generated by the basic structure of the respective link.

[0065] The two link plates of a corresponding link are spaced apart from each other along the normal direction of their offset arrangement. Since each link plate has a certain thickness, the outer spacing, middle spacing, or inner spacing can be considered as spacing in this respect. The spacing between two link plates is preferably the same for all first links of the arrangement and / or the spacing between two link plates is preferably the same for all second links of the arrangement, wherein the spacing of the first links may differ from the spacing of the second links.

[0066] Specifically, the links in this arrangement can alternately have larger and smaller spacings between their two corresponding link plates. For example, the spacing between the two link plates of the first link can be greater than the spacing between the two link plates of the second link. In this respect, the inner spacing of the link plates in the case of the first link is preferably greater than the outer spacing of the link plates in the case of the second link. In this way, in the region of the hinge joint connecting the two links, the link plates of the second link can be arranged relative to the normal direction between the link plates of the first link in each case. As mentioned above, if the first links are laterally in contact with each other in the storage configuration, the second links before and after the first links can each be arranged at least partially, and particularly completely, between the link plates of the two first links in the storage configuration. The same applies if, in the completely opposite manner, the spacing between the two link plates of the second link is greater than the spacing between the two link plates of the first link.

[0067] In particular, the inner spacing of the link plates when the links have a larger spacing can be almost the same as the outer spacing of the link plates when the links have a smaller spacing (with a deviation of less than 1 mm, especially less than 0.5 mm), such that in the region of the articulated joint, the link plates of one link each contact one of the link plates of another link.

[0068] The spacing between two link plates is preferably constant along the overall longitudinal direction of the respective link, or at least the same at both ends of the respective link. In this respect, the spacing can be, for example, in the range of 0.5 cm and 4 cm. However, the spacing between two link plates of the respective link can also be varied along the longitudinal direction of the link, for example, if the link plates are arranged at an angle relative to the normal direction and / or formed in a stepped manner.

[0069] In this case, preferably, the spacing between the two link plates is greater at the first end of the corresponding link than at the second end. In this respect, the inner spacing at the first end is preferably greater than the outer spacing at the second end, wherein these spacings can be nearly identical (with a deviation of less than 1 mm, particularly less than 0.5 mm). Specifically, the spacing between the two link plates at the first end of the corresponding link can be the same for all arranged links, and the spacing between the two link plates at the second end of the corresponding link can also be the same for all arranged links.

[0070] In particular, it is advantageous in cases where the two link plates of a link do not have a constant spacing between them, but in general, it is also advantageous for the first and / or second links of the link arrangement to not have a straight path perpendicular to the normal direction, but rather a tortuous, curved, or kinked path from the first end to the second end.

[0071] However, not only in terms of the spacing between the two link plates, the arranged links can differ in their dimensions, but also in their longitudinal range from their first end to their second end. According to another embodiment, it can be configured such that, along the sequence of the arranged links, the spacing between the two link plates of a corresponding link and the spacing between the first and second ends of the corresponding link continuously decrease, i.e., as each other link further increases, or continuously increases, i.e., increases with each other link.

[0072] Because the distance between the first and second ends of the corresponding links decreases or increases from link to link, the distance between the joint axes of the continuous joint links also decreases or increases. In this respect, it can be particularly arranged that the distance at the next smaller link is much smaller than that of the corresponding link, such that the next smaller link can pivot between the link plates of the corresponding link, specifically until it is precisely antiparallel (i.e., at a 0° angle to the corresponding link) within the corresponding link. In this way, the links in this arrangement can be nested within each other in a compact storage configuration, which allows for particularly compact storage of the arrangement.

[0073] Since such an arrangement of links that can gradually increase or decrease in size may not be of arbitrary length, it is particularly advantageous in such embodiments if the chain comprises multiple tandem arrangements of consecutive links, each tandem arrangement being foldable into a compact storage configuration, as explained in more detail below. It may be advantageous if two or more tandem arrangements are formed in the manner described above, wherein the dimensions of the links (the spacing between the two link plates of a corresponding link and the spacing between the first and second ends of a corresponding link) decrease or increase continuously, and if a tandem arrangement with continuously decreasing link dimensions is followed by a tandem arrangement with continuously increasing link dimensions, and / or vice versa. In the chain according to the invention or the chain lock according to the invention, one or more tandem arrangements with continuously decreasing or increasing link dimensions can also be combined with one or more tandem arrangements formed in different ways, for example, wherein the links have the same spacing between the first and second ends of a corresponding link, and wherein only the spacing between the two link plates of a corresponding link alternately increases and decreases (as explained further above).

[0074] The tandem arrangement of alternating continuous links can be specifically configured as a pin chain, wherein the articulated joints are essentially formed by pins, which are engaged by link plates of the links, the link plates of which are connected at their respective ends by their respective articulated joints. The pins then define the joint axis of the corresponding articulated joint. The entire chain can be specifically configured as such a pin chain.

[0075] If each link of the arrangement includes more than two link plates, the arrangement or the entire chain can also be configured as a leaf chain. If the links of the arrangement are divided into first links and second links, as described above, and the first or second link of the arrangement has two link plates, but the corresponding other links of the arrangement have block bodies, then the arrangement or the entire chain can also be specifically configured as a block chain.

[0076] According to another advantageous embodiment, each articulated joint includes a pin and a sleeve, the pin being formed at one link connected by the respective articulated joint (e.g., at a first link connected by the respective articulated joint), and the sleeve being formed at another link connected by the respective articulated joint (e.g., at a second link connected by the respective articulated joint), and engaged through the pin such that the sleeve is pivotable about the pin. In this respect, this arrangement, particularly the entire chain, can be configured as a bush chain (also known as a bush chain).

[0077] Specifically, the sleeve may have a cylindrical shape including open end faces. A pin may be received within the sleeve and engaged through it, as it extends through both open end faces in doing so. For this purpose, it is advantageous for the pin to have a greater axial length than the sleeve. If both links connected by the respective hinge joints have two link plates, the pin may be guided through openings or holes formed in a total of four link plates at the interlocking ends of the two links, and may be secured therein, for example, by an extended peripheral portion at its axial end. The sleeve may connect the openings or holes of the inner two of the four link plates in the region of the respective hinge joint, and thus may simultaneously serve as a spacer for the link plates.

[0078] Additionally, each articulated joint may include a roller rotatably supported about the sleeve, and preferably has at least substantially the same axial range as the sleeve. This arrangement, and particularly the entire chain, can be configured as a roller chain in this respect.

[0079] According to another advantageous embodiment, the chain includes a hose-like device, in which at least the arrangement is housed. This means that a sheath extends at least from a first end of the arrangement to a second end, and in this respect surrounds the arrangement in a hose-like manner. The sheath preferably extends at least substantially throughout the entire chain, and is particularly separated only from the end sections of the chain having components for locking the chain. This sheath protects the chain, and in particular, the hinge joints from contamination. Additionally, the sheath can also be used to protect the object to be secured from damage caused by any sharp edges of the chain.

[0080] In this respect, preferably, the sheath always completely surrounds the arrangement, i.e., from the first end of the arrangement to its second end, regardless of the respective configuration of the arrangement. In particular, the chain may comprise a flexible sheath that surrounds the arrangement from its first end to its second end in both a compact storage configuration and an extended longitudinal configuration, in which the first and second ends of the arrangement are spaced apart from each other to the greatest extent possible. The sheath then preferably also surrounds the arrangement in all other possible configurations, i.e., all states that the arrangement can take between the compact storage configuration and the extended longitudinal configuration.

[0081] The sheath can be further configured to have at least a straight path along the arrangement when it surrounds the arrangement in a compact storage configuration. Therefore, the sheath preferably does not follow the zigzag path of the arrangement in the storage configuration, but rather continues to surround the folded arrangement substantially in a convex shell manner. For this purpose, the sheath can be configured to be foldable, particularly similar to the arrangement itself, thus enabling it to participate in length changes during the transition from an extended longitudinal configuration to a compact storage configuration. For example, the sheath may be able to fold or collapse, particularly in a sequential and / or guided manner, for example, in a bellows manner.

[0082] Alternatively or otherwise, the sheath may also be flexible, such that its length can be adapted to the corresponding longitudinal range of the enclosed arrangement according to the corresponding configuration of the arrangement.

[0083] Alternatively, the sheath can also serve as part of the traction device. In particular, the elongated traction element can also be formed from the sheath. This is because if the sheath is elastic, it can be used as an elastic traction element as further described above. Specifically, the sheath can be fixedly connected to the first and second ends of the arrangement, and due to its elasticity, the sheath can be configured to pull the two ends toward each other, thereby preloading the arrangement into its storage configuration.

[0084] However, the sheath does not necessarily have to be elastic to serve as part of the pulling device. For example, the sheath can be configured such that when it is folded, for example, its longitudinal ends are grasped and moved toward each other, so that the ends of the arrangement housed in the sheath also move toward each other, and the arrangement is thus brought into its storage configuration, particularly due to the limitation on the mobility of the arrangement caused by the sheath. In this regard, a device for guiding the folding of the sheath can be provided at the sheath; for example, one or more pull cords can extend inside the sheath, these pull cords are fixedly connected to one end of the sheath and extend from the other end of the sheath, so that the sheath can be retracted and thus shortened by pulling the pull cords.

[0085] According to another advantageous embodiment, the chain includes a securing device for securing the arrangement in a compact storage configuration. Specifically, the securing device may be formed as part of or at the pulling device. For example, the securing device may include a securing element fixedly connected to one end of the arrangement and releasably fastened to the other end of the arrangement when the arrangement is in a compact storage configuration, thereby limiting the separation of the two ends of the arrangement from each other, and thus holding the arrangement in the storage configuration. In particular, such a securing element may be formed from the elongated pulling element, at least assuming it is not elastic. For releasable fastening, the securing device may, for example, include a clamping device to which the securing element can be fixedly clamped, or the securing device may include a hook onto which the securing element or a ring or eyelet formed at the securing element can be hooked.

[0086] According to another advantageous embodiment, in addition to the series arrangement, the chain also includes another series arrangement of continuous links, which is preferably configured in at least substantially the same manner as the series arrangement, and thus may also have the possible features and characteristics described for the series arrangement in each case.

[0087] This other tandem arrangement can be folded into a compact storage configuration, in which, at each hinge joint connecting a corresponding link of the other arrangement to a link of the preceding arrangement, the corresponding link pivots about its respective joint axis relative to the link preceding it to such an extent that the corresponding link and the link preceding it enclose a minimum possible angle within their relative pivotability. Depending on how or how the two arrangements are arranged relative to each other, the normal direction parallel to the joint axis of the hinge joints of each arrangement need not be the same for both arrangements in this respect. Preferably, in this respect, the other arrangement can be folded into its storage configuration independently of folding the other arrangement into its storage configuration.

[0088] Furthermore, both arrangements preferably have the same number of links. When the links of the arrangement are divided into first links and second links as described above, the first links of one arrangement can be formed in a manner corresponding to the first links of the other arrangement, and the second links of the first arrangement can be formed in a manner corresponding to the second links of the other arrangement. These two arrangements, when each is in its respective storage configuration, can in particular have at least substantially the same dimensions.

[0089] Additionally, at least a portion of the pulling device may extend along another arrangement, wherein the first and second ends of the other tandem arrangement may be pulled toward each other by the pulling device, such that the other arrangement is brought into its compact storage configuration by the pulling device. In this regard, a portion of the pulling device may be configured to fold one arrangement, namely the arrangement further mentioned above, and another portion of the pulling device may be configured to fold the other arrangement into a corresponding storage configuration. Thus, the pulling device may be formed as a plurality of components, wherein the components of the pulling device may be formed separately from each other, and in particular may also be arranged spaced apart from each other.

[0090] In this respect, the two arrangements are preferably hinged together so that when they are each folded into their compact storage configuration, they can be arranged to be parallel and offset from each other, and in particular, adjacent to each other. In particular, the two arrangements can be arranged parallel to each other along a longitudinal range relative to their respective directions perpendicular to the normal, and in the storage configuration, the first link of the respective arrangement and / or the second link of the respective arrangement can be offset relative to each other.

[0091] In particular, these two arrangements can be arranged adjacent to each other because they can be arranged offset from each other, and in this respect, they can be at least substantially directly or indirectly adjacent to or even in contact with each other, for example, by covering the respective arrangements with a sheath. Typically, a specific gap with a width of, for example, up to 10 mm, preferably up to 5 mm, and particularly up to 3 mm, can be maintained between the two arrangements. In this respect, the direction of offset is preferably perpendicular to the parallel longitudinal range of the two arrangements. The direction of offset can be parallel or perpendicular to the normal direction, with parallel being preferred. In this respect, if the two arrangements each have the same dimensions in the storage configuration, they can be particularly arranged to be suitably adjacent to each other.

[0092] To connect two arrangements, specifically, corresponding ends of, for example, the second end of one arrangement and corresponding ends of, for example, the second end of another arrangement, can be hinged together. This connection can occur directly or indirectly, particularly through one or more connecting links configured as a first link and / or a second link of at least one arrangement. In this respect, the two arrangements can be connected to each other via one or more hinge joints. Specifically, these hinge joints can each have a joint axis, and the components connected via the respective hinge joints can pivot relative to each other about this joint axis and, for example, can be aligned parallel to the normal direction.

[0093] If the joint axes of all such hinged joints are aligned parallel to the normal direction, and if all links of the corresponding arrangement have at least substantially the same position relative to the normal direction, then the two arrangements can pivot relative to each other only in a plane perpendicular to the normal direction. In this case, the two arrangements can be adjacent to or in contact with each other, offset from each other only in a direction perpendicular to the normal direction.

[0094] However, the two arrangements can also be oriented transversely to the normal direction, and particularly perpendicularly to the normal direction, via the joint axis of at least one hinge joint connecting them to each other. Then, in particular, by pivoting about this joint axis, the two arrangements can also be arranged adjacent to each other relative to the normal direction, i.e., adjacent to each other or contacting each other offset from each other along the normal direction. If each arrangement in its storage configuration has a width (i.e., a range perpendicular to the normal direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) greater than its height (i.e., a range perpendicular to the normal direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction), then the chain comprising the two arrangements, or at least a portion thereof, can be folded in a particularly compact manner through this adjacent positioning of the two arrangements.

[0095] However, such adjacent positioning of two arrangements relative to the normal direction does not necessarily require a hinged joint with a joint axis oriented transversely to the normal direction. One possible implementation is where the links of the respective arrangements are at least substantially in the same position relative to the normal direction, but the links of one arrangement are arranged offset relative to the normal direction compared to the links of the other arrangement. This offset can be permanent and can be achieved, for example, by a connecting link of corresponding configurations, via which the two arrangements are connected to each other. Then, due to this offset, one arrangement can pivot above or below the other arrangement. In this respect, if the offset at least substantially corresponds to the height of one arrangement, the two arrangements can contact each other in the direction of the normal direction in this manner.

[0096] As further explained above, the traction device may include an elongated traction element, particularly a rope-like traction element, extending along one arrangement, and may also include another elongated traction element, particularly a rope-like traction element, extending along another arrangement. This other traction element is preferably of the same type as the stated traction element. This other traction element may, in particular, in each case, also possess the possible features and characteristics further described above for the stated traction element. These two arrangements may preferably be folded independently of their respective other arrangements by their respective traction elements.

[0097] The chain may also typically include more than two tandem arrangements of first and second links, which follow each other in an alternating manner and are preferably configured in at least substantially the same manner as said tandem arrangement or said other tandem arrangement. In particular, each arrangement can be folded into the storage configuration of the type described above by means of a pulling device, particularly by means of corresponding components of the pulling device (e.g., one or more long pulling elements, especially rope-like pulling elements), and all arrangements can be connected to each other so that when they are each in their storage configuration, they can be arranged parallel to each other, particularly adjacent to each other, so that they can collectively form a compact package.

[0098] Specifically, the chain lock according to the invention is configured for two-wheeled vehicles, and in this respect particularly as a two-wheeled vehicle chain lock, and has a lock body and a chain according to the invention lockable to the lock body. This means that the lock body is configured such that the chain can be connected to the lock body, and in particular, at least one of the two ends of the chain can be connected to the lock body, wherein, in particular, a locking mechanism configured to secure the connection against loosening is provided on the lock body. In other words, it may be configured that the lock body has a locking receiver configured to receive a segment of the chain, and further includes a locking mechanism by which said segment of the chain can be secured to prevent it from disengaging from the locking receiver.

[0099] For example, the chain may have a latch at one end for connection to a lock body. Then, at the lock body, a latch receiver may be provided as the locking receiver, into which the latch can be received, particularly in a latching manner, and the latch received therein may be secured by a locking mechanism to prevent detachment from the latch receiver. In this case, the latch thus forms said (or one) segment of the chain, which can be received in the locking receiver and secured by the locking mechanism to prevent detachment from the locking receiver.

[0100] Alternatively, the lock body may also have different types of locking receivers configured to receive segments of the chain, wherein the received segments can then be secured by a locking mechanism to prevent detachment from the locking receiver. In this respect, such segments do not necessarily have to be located at said one end of the chain, but it can generally also be segments in the middle region of the chain. However, at least one end segment formed at the end of the chain can preferably be received in the receiver and subsequently secured by a locking mechanism to prevent detachment from the locking mechanism.

[0101] Specifically, the locking receiver can be configured to receive a segment of a corresponding link of the chain. In this respect, it can be one of the links in a series arrangement of the continuous links, or, if provided, one of the links in another arrangement of this type. However, it can also be another link of the chain, but it is preferably formed in a manner corresponding to the links in the corresponding arrangement. For example, the locking receiver can be configured to receive a corresponding one of the hinge joints between the links in the corresponding series arrangement of the chain or generally between the links of the chain, the corresponding one of the hinge joints serving as the segment. Alternatively or in addition, the locking receiver can be configured to receive an end segment of an end link in the corresponding series arrangement or an end segment of the end links of the entire chain, the end segment serving as the segment. Specifically, the end link may include at least two link plates, each link plate extending from a first end of the end link to a second end, at which the end link is connected by a hinged joint to another link or another link of the chain, wherein the two link plates are connected to each other at the first end by a pin or sleeve, and wherein the pin or sleeve forms the section that can be accommodated in and subsequently secured in a locking receiver.

[0102] The other end of the chain may be permanently and fixedly connected to the lock body, or it may be connected to the lock body, particularly in a manner substantially corresponding to the section described, wherein the connection may be lockable, i.e., it may be secured and prevented from loosening by a locking mechanism, possibly the same locking mechanism. However, the other end may also be neither connected to nor locked to the lock body. For example, an eyelet may be provided at the other end of the chain, through which one end of the chain may be guided to form a loop, which can then be locked to the lock body. An object wound around the loop can be secured to the lock body in this manner, or the lock body can be secured to an object in this manner.

[0103] Generally independent of the chain described above according to the invention, the invention also relates to a chain lock, particularly for a two-wheeled vehicle, having a lock body and a chain comprising a series arrangement of continuous links connected to each other by respective hinge joints and pivotable relative to each other about the joint axis of the respective hinge joint, the joint axis of the respective hinge joint being parallel to the normal direction, wherein the arrangement is foldable into a compact storage configuration, and at each hinge joint, two links connected to each other by respective hinge joints pivot relative to each other about the joint axis of the respective hinge joint to a degree such that they surround a minimum possible angle within their relative pivotability range, wherein the links of the arrangement at least partially occupy the same position along the normal direction, and wherein the lock body has a locking receiver configured to receive a segment of the chain, particularly a link of the chain, and includes a locking mechanism by which the segment of the chain can be secured to prevent detachment from the locking receiver.

[0104] The above description of the corresponding features of the chain according to the invention, and in particular the possibility of implementing these features, also applies in a corresponding manner to the chain of the chain lock of the invention. Furthermore, the above-described possibility of forming a locking receiver and / or one or more segments of the chain or chain links that can be received in the locking receiver also applies in a corresponding manner to the chain lock of the invention.

[0105] Specifically, the locking receiver can be configured as a latch receiver, and the chain may have a latch at one of its ends, which can be locked to the lock body. Specifically, the fact that the latch can be locked to the lock body may include a latch forming the section, which can be received in the locking receiver and secured by a locking mechanism to prevent disengagement from the locking receiver. In other words, the lock body may be configured such that the latch can preferably be received in a latch receiver formed in the lock body, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to secure the connection against release.

[0106] However, the chain need not have a latch at one of its ends, nor must it have a section at one end of the chain that can be received and secured in a locking receiver. Instead, the locking receiver may be alternatively or additionally configured to receive a section in the middle region of the chain, which is then secured by a locking mechanism to prevent detachment from the locking receiver. For example, as further explained above, articulated joints between one or more tandemly arranged links of the chain, or typically between links of the chain, may each form such a section, which can be received in the locking receiver and then secured to prevent detachment from the locking receiver.

[0107] The other end of the chain may be permanently and fixedly connected to the lock body, or may be connected to the lock body, particularly in a manner substantially corresponding to the section, wherein the connection may be lockable, i.e., it may be secured by a locking mechanism to prevent loosening, possibly by the same locking mechanism. However, the other end may also be neither connected to nor locked to the lock body. In this case, it is preferable to provide an eyelet at the other end through which one end of the chain may be guided and then locked to the lock body.

[0108] The chain of the chain lock can also be configured as in the manner described in the invention, i.e., in particular, it can have a pulling device of one of the types further described above, and it can have one or more of the possible features and characteristics of the chain according to the invention described above. However, regardless of whether a pulling device is provided, the chain can have one or more of the possible features and characteristics of the chain according to the invention described above.

[0109] Specifically, the tandem arrangement may include first and second links that follow each other alternately along the sequence of the arranged links, wherein the first links are substantially the same type, in particular, having the same construction, and the second links are substantially the same type, in particular, having the same construction, and wherein the first links are different from the second links.

[0110] In addition, in the compact storage configuration, the arranged links are connected to the corresponding preceding links via corresponding hinge joints, and pivot relative to the corresponding preceding links in an alternating manner about the joint axis of the corresponding hinge joint in a first pivot direction and a second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction.

[0111] Additionally, each link in this arrangement may include two corresponding link plates arranged offset from each other in the normal direction, wherein each of the two link plates extends from a first end of the corresponding link to a second end of the corresponding link opposite to the first end. At the first end, a hinge joint may be configured to connect to a link preceding the corresponding link, and at the second end, a hinge joint may be configured to connect to a link following the corresponding link.

[0112] In this respect, the links in this arrangement can alternately have larger and smaller gaps between their two corresponding link plates. Additionally, the gap between the two link plates at the first end of the corresponding link can be greater than the gap between the two link plates at the second end of the corresponding link. Furthermore, it can be configured such that the gap between the two link plates of the corresponding link, and the gap between the first and second ends of the corresponding link, continuously decreases or continuously increases along the sequence of the arranged links.

[0113] Additionally, each articulated joint may include a pin and a sleeve, the pin being formed at one link connected by the respective articulated joint, and the sleeve being formed at another link connected by the respective articulated joint, and being engaged through the pin so that the sleeve can pivot about the pin.

[0114] Additionally, the chain may include a flexible sheath that covers the arrangement from a first end to a second end in both a compact storage configuration and an extended longitudinal configuration, wherein the first end and the second end of the arrangement are spaced apart from each other to the greatest extent possible in the extended longitudinal configuration.

[0115] Additionally, the chain may include securing devices for fixing the arrangement in a compact storage configuration.

[0116] Additionally, the chain may include another series arrangement of continuous links that can be folded into a compact storage configuration, in which, at each hinge joint, a corresponding link of the other arrangement is connected to a link of the other arrangement preceding it, the corresponding link pivoting relative to the link preceding it about the axis of the corresponding joint to such an extent that the corresponding link and the link preceding it enclose an angle of minimum possible angle within their relative pivotability, wherein the links of the other arrangement at least partially occupy the same position along the normal direction, and wherein the two arrangements are hinged to each other such that when they are each folded into their compact storage configuration, they can be arranged parallel to each other, particularly adjacent to each other. Attached Figure Description

[0117] The invention will now be further explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0118] Figure 1 A simplified schematic diagram shows a side view of a chain according to a first embodiment of the chain according to the invention or a first embodiment of the chain lock according to the invention, wherein the chain is in an extended longitudinal configuration;

[0119] Figure 2 A simplified schematic diagram shows a top view of the same chain, in which the chain is in an extended longitudinal configuration;

[0120] Figure 3 A simplified schematic diagram shows a top view of the same chain, in which the chain is in a compact storage configuration;

[0121] Figure 4 A simplified schematic diagram shows a side view of a chain according to a second embodiment of the chain according to the invention or a second embodiment of the chain lock according to the invention, wherein the chain is in an extended longitudinal configuration;

[0122] Figure 5 A simplified schematic diagram shows a top view of the same chain, in which the chain is in an extended longitudinal configuration;

[0123] Figure 6 A simplified schematic diagram shows a top view of the same chain, in which the chain is in a compact storage configuration;

[0124] Figure 7 A simplified schematic diagram shows a top view of a chain according to a third embodiment of the chain according to the invention or a chain lock according to a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the chain is in a compact storage configuration;

[0125] Figure 8 A simplified schematic diagram shows a top view of a chain according to a fourth embodiment of the chain according to the invention or a chain lock according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein the chain is in a compact storage configuration;

[0126] Figure 9 A section of another variant of the fourth embodiment is shown in a simplified schematic diagram;

[0127] Figures 10 to 12 Each is illustrated with a simplified schematic diagram, showing a perspective view of a chain according to a fifth embodiment of the chain according to the invention or a chain lock according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, wherein the chain is in an extended longitudinal configuration ( Figure 10 ), middle position ( Figure 11 ) and compact storage configuration ( Figure 12 );

[0128] Figures 13 to 20 Each illustration, in a highly simplified schematic, shows some links of the chain arranged according to different embodiments of the chain according to the invention or different embodiments of the chain lock according to the invention; and

[0129] Figure 21 and Figure 22 A simplified schematic diagram illustrates an embodiment of the chain lock according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0130] The accompanying drawings illustrate different embodiments of the chain 11 or the chain lock 13 according to the invention. In this respect, although they may differ in some cases, corresponding components in the different embodiments are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0131] Reference Figures 1 to 3 This illustration shows a first embodiment of a chain 11 according to the invention, which is also part of a first embodiment of a chain lock 13 according to the invention. The chain 11 includes a serial arrangement 15 of first links 17 and second links 19 that follow each other in an alternating manner. In different cases, the first links 17 and second links 19 are each connected to each other by a hinge joint 21, and in different cases, the first links 17 and second links 19 are each pivotable relative to each other about a joint axis G of the hinge joint 21, which is parallel to the normal direction N. Therefore, the arrangement 15 extends from a first end 23 to a second end 27, where the arrangement 15 has a first end link 25 at the first end 23 and a second end link 29 at the second end 27. Between the first and second ends, the arrangement 15 has a repeating pattern of multiple corresponding subunits, each subunit including a first link 17 and a second link 19.

[0132] For clarity, not all first links 17 and second links 19, all hinge joints 21, and all their respective components are provided with reference numerals; rather, in each case only one or more of the same or corresponding components are provided with reference numerals as an example. It should be understood that in each case the same reference numerals also refer to other same or corresponding components.

[0133] In this regard, the chain 11 is shown in a simplified manner, as only a portion of the chain 11 including arrangement 15 is shown, and arrangement 15 is also shown reduced to a relatively small number of links 17, 19 to illustrate the overall structure of arrangement 15. In fact, arrangement 15 has significantly more first links 17 and second links 19, such that the repetition frequency of the repeating patterns of the first links 17 and second links 19 in each case is significantly higher than shown in the figures. The chain 11 may extend further beyond the ends 23, 27 of arrangement 15. Specifically, elements for fastening and / or locking the respective ends of the chain 11 may be provided, for example, at the object or the lock body of the chain lock 13, but are not shown here.

[0134] The first link 17 of the series arrangement 15 also includes a first end link 25, which has the same construction as each other. Except for the second end link 29, which is one of the second links 19, the second links 19 of the series arrangement 15 also have the same construction as each other.

[0135] The first link 17 and the second link 19 each include two flat, elongated link plates 31, each extending from a first end 33 to a second end 35 of the respective link 17, 19. The link plates 31 are oriented perpendicular to the normal direction N, and thus are parallel to each other, and are arranged offset from each other along the normal direction N. (In this respect, the link plates 31 of the first link 17 are shown slightly darker than those of the second link 19 for better distinction). Therefore, the distance d1 between the two link plates 31 of the respective first link 17 is greater than the distance d2 between the two link plates 31 of the respective second link 19, and in each case, this refers to the average distance between the center planes of the two link plates 31.

[0136] Since the difference between the spacing d1 and the spacing d2 is more than twice the thickness of the corresponding link plate 31, which is substantially the same for all link plates 31, the first end 33 of the second link 19 can be arranged between the first ends 33 of the first link 17, and the second end 35 of the second link 19 can be arranged between the first ends 33 of the first link 17, so as to be connected to each other by the corresponding hinge joint 21.

[0137] In this respect, each hinge joint 21 includes a pin 37 and a sleeve 39. The pin 37 is aligned parallel to the normal direction N and connects the link plates 31 of the first link 17, which are connected by the respective hinge joint 21, to each other. The sleeve 39 is aligned parallel to the normal direction N and connects the link plates 31 of the second link 19, which are connected by the respective hinge joint 21, to each other. Therefore, the pin 37 extends through the sleeve 39, allowing the second link 19 to pivot about the pin 37 together with the sleeve 39, and thus pivot relative to the first link 17 about the joint axis G. Thus, in Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the chain 11 is configured as a sleeve chain.

[0138] In each case, another roller 41 may be rotatably supported around the sleeve 39. The optional roller 41 in the illustrated embodiment... Figure 1 The dashed line indicates the type of chain. When roller 41 is set, chain 11 is configured as a roller chain.

[0139] Along the sequence of first links 17 and second links 19 in the series arrangement 15, the joint axes G of the continuous articulated joints 21 each have the same spacing d3 or d4, however, this is generally not necessarily required. The spacing d3 or d4 of the joint axes G of the two articulated joints 21 that connect the respective links 17, 19 to the links 19, 17 preceding or following them substantially corresponds to the longitudinal range of the respective links 17, 19, and the first link 17 need not be the same as the second link 19. Furthermore, the spacing d3 and d4 need not be the same for all first links 17 or all second links 19, but can also vary (see, for example, [reference needed]). Figures 10 to 12 (The fifth embodiment shown).

[0140] Each of the first link 17 and the second link 19 of arrangement 15 has a channel opening 43, which in each case is formed by the free space between the two link plates 31 and the two ends 33, 35, particularly the hinge joint 21 provided at the ends 33, 35, and is specifically perpendicular to the normal direction N and perpendicular to the longitudinal range of the respective link 17, 19 (i.e., the range from its first end 33 to its second end 35), i.e., perpendicular to Figure 1 The image plane.

[0141] Chain 11 also includes a pulling device 45 having an elongated rope-like pulling element 47 configured as a steel wire rope with a plastic sheath. One end of the pulling element 47 is fastened to a second end link 29 of arrangement 15. For this purpose, the arrangement has a fastening element 49, which, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, is arranged in the middle region of the longitudinal range of the second end link 29 and configured to connect the spokes of the two link plates 31 parallel to the normal direction N. Starting from the fastening element, the pulling element 47 extends along the entire arrangement 15 to the first end link 25 and also extends beyond the first end link 25 to be gripped. For this purpose, a gripping element may be provided at the free end of the pulling element 47, but is not shown in the figure.

[0142] In this respect, the pulling element 47 has a rotary path about the joint axis G of the hinged joint 21, because the pulling element 47 extends along the arrangement 15 about its respective joint axis G in an alternating manner in one rotational direction and another rotational direction, according to the sequence of the joint axes G. Relative to Figure 1 In the direction of observation, in this respect, the pulling element 47 extends after each joint axis G of the hinge joint 21 connecting the first link 17 and the subsequent second link 19, and before each joint axis G of the hinge joint 21 connecting the second link 19 and the subsequent first link 17. Relative to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the direction of observation, the pulling element 47 extends from the first end 23 of arrangement 15 in the direction of the second end 27 of arrangement 15. In different cases, the pulling element 47 extends clockwise around each joint axis G of the hinge joint 21 connecting the first link 17 and the subsequent second link 19, and the pulling element 47 extends counterclockwise around each joint axis G of the hinge joint 21 connecting the second link 19 and the subsequent first link 17. Therefore, Figure 3 The path of the pulling element 47 also represents a similar rotational path relative to the joint axis G, even though the pulling element 47 can be stretched in a straight line.

[0143] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, in this respect, the traction element 47 extends through each channel opening 43 of the first link 17 and the second link 19 of the arrangement 15, wherein, starting from the first end 23 of the arrangement 15, it extends in one direction (into) Figure 1 The image plane) passes through each of the channel openings 43 of the first link 17, and all in the opposite direction (leaving) Figure 1 The image plane passes through each of the channel openings 43 of the second link 19.

[0144] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the diagram, arrangement 15 is shown in an extended longitudinal configuration, wherein the ends 23, 27 of arrangement 15 may have different spacings from each other due to the hinged connection of the first link 17 and the second link 19, and are spaced apart to the maximum extent. Therefore, the joint axis G of the hinged joint 21 is arranged parallel to... Figure 1 The image plane is in the plane. Therefore, arrangement 15 extends from its first end 33 to its second end 35 along a longitudinal direction L perpendicular to the normal direction N, just as all its first links 17 and second links 19 extend from their respective first ends 33 to their respective second ends 35 along a longitudinal direction L perpendicular to the normal direction N. In other words, the longitudinal extent of all first links 17 and second links 19 of arrangement 15 is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction L. In addition, the joint axis G of all hinge joints 21 is disposed in a plane parallel to the normal direction N and the longitudinal direction L.

[0145] exist Figure 3 In contrast, arrangement 15 is shown in a compact storage configuration, wherein each of the first links 17 of arrangement 15 pivots to the maximum extent about its respective joint axis G in a first pivoting direction S1 relative to the second link 19 preceding it (except for the first end link 25, which has no second link 19 preceding it), and each of the second links 19 of arrangement 15 pivots to the maximum extent about its respective joint axis G in the opposite second pivoting direction S2 relative to the first link 17 preceding it. Figure 3 In the observation direction, the first pivot direction S1 corresponds to the clockwise direction, while the second pivot direction S2 corresponds to the counterclockwise direction.

[0146] like Figure 3 As can be seen, in the compact storage configuration, all the first links 17 of arrangement 15 are parallel to each other with respect to their longitudinal range from their respective first ends 33 to their respective second ends 35, and are in lateral contact with each other, i.e., laterally to that longitudinal range. Correspondingly, all the second links 19 of arrangement 15 are parallel to each other with respect to their longitudinal range from their respective first ends 33 to their respective second ends 35, and are in lateral contact with each other, i.e., laterally to that longitudinal range.

[0147] In a compact storage configuration, the longitudinal direction L along which arrangement 15 extends can be defined as: the direction in which the first links 17 are offset from each other and the direction in which the second links 17 are offset from each other; and / or the direction in which the joint axes G of each hinge joint 21 connecting the first link 17 to the subsequent second link 19 are offset from each other, or the direction in which the joint axes G of each hinge joint 21 connecting the second link 19 to the subsequent first link 17 are offset from each other. The direction in which the longitudinal extent of the first links 17 is aligned and the direction in which the longitudinal extent of the second links 19 is aligned have the same angle in magnitude but different signs relative to this direction. In this respect, the angle enclosed by the two links 17, 19 connected to each other by the hinge joint at their respective hinge joints 21 has the same magnitude at all hinge joints 21, and since the links 17, 19 may not pivot further toward each other, this angle is kept as small as possible. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this angle is 20°.

[0148] By pulling the free end of the pulling element 47, which is not connected to a fastening element, relative to the first end 23 of the arrangement 15, which must be held in place, the tandem arrangement 15 can be transformed from an extended longitudinal configuration or another adopted configuration into a compact storage configuration, such that the second end 27 of the arrangement 15 is pulled toward the first end 23 of the arrangement 15. This can also occur, for example, when the free end of the pulling element 47 is held in place and the first end 23 of the arrangement 15 falls onto the second end 27 of the arrangement 15. Due to the pulling element 47, and particularly due to its rotatable path, the links 17, 19 of the arrangement 15 are guided such that each first link 17 (except for the first end link 25) pivots relative to its corresponding preceding second link 19 in a first pivoting direction S1, and each second link 19 pivots relative to its corresponding preceding first link 17 in the opposite second pivoting direction S2, until all links 17, 19 are pivoted to their maximum extent, and thus a compact storage configuration is achieved.

[0149] As an alternative to the tension element 47 having a free end, the tension element 47 may also be fastened to the first end link 25 and is elastic so as to permanently preload the first end 23 of the arrangement 15 toward the second end 27 of the arrangement 15, and thus always preload the arrangement 15 into a compact storage configuration.

[0150] The chain 11 also includes a flexible sheath 51 that surrounds the arrangement 15 from a first end 23 to a second end 27 in both extended longitudinal and compact storage configurations. The sheath 51 can be folded like a bellows and is configured to always take a length corresponding to the respective longitudinal extent of the arrangement 15. For this purpose, the ends of the sheath 51 can each be connected to the respective ends 23, 27 of the arrangement 15. The arrangement 15 can then be configured into a compact storage configuration by folding the sheath 51. Furthermore, the sheath 51 can be particularly flexible, allowing the sheath 51 to... Figure 3 Preloaded in the direction shown, and thus preloaded arrangement 15 into a compact storage configuration. Therefore, sheath 51 can serve as part of the pulling device 45, and the pulling element 47 can also be omitted.

[0151] Figures 4 to 6 The second embodiment of the chain 11 shown according to the invention is also part of the second embodiment of the chain lock 13 according to the invention, and largely corresponds to Figures 1 to 3 The chain 11 shown is according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein Figures 4 to 6 The representation also corresponds to Figures 1 to 3 Therefore, the following will only focus on the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment.

[0152] The main difference lies in the fact that, in the second embodiment, the pulling device 45 includes two pulling elements 47 and 48, both of which are elongated and rope-like, and are guided in a manner extending along the arrangement 15. One pulling element 47 connects all the hinge joints 21, each hinge joint 21 connecting a first link 17 to a second link 19 of the arrangement 15 preceding it, while the other pulling element 48 connects all the hinge joints 21, each hinge joint 21 connecting a second link 19 to a first link 17 of the arrangement 15 preceding it. For this purpose, corresponding guide elements 53 in the form of eyelets are formed at the hinge joints 21, and additionally at the first end 33 of the first end link 25 and the second end 35 of the second end link 29 of the arrangement 15, one or the other of the two pulling elements 47 and 48 extending through the guide element 53 according to the hinge joint 21.

[0153] In the illustrated embodiment, guide elements 53 through which one pulling element 47 passes and guide elements 53 through which another pulling element 48 pass are arranged on different sides of arrangement 15 relative to the normal direction N. Therefore, in Figure 5 and Figure 6 In this arrangement, a portion of the pulling element 48 extends behind links 17, 19 of arrangement 15, and is therefore partially shown as a dashed line. However, the guide elements 53 may also be arranged entirely on the same side of arrangement 15.

[0154] By pulling at the pulling elements 47 and 48, the hinge joints 21 connecting each first link 17 to the second link 19 of the subsequent arrangement 15 can be pulled toward each other, and the hinge joints 21 connecting each second link 19 to the first link 17 of the subsequent arrangement 15 can be pulled toward each other. Thus, each first link 17 pivots relative to the corresponding second link 19 in front of it in a first pivoting direction S1, and each second link 19 pivots relative to the corresponding first link 17 in front of it in a second pivoting direction S2. Therefore, the arrangement 15 can also be configured into a compact storage configuration by this pulling device 45 comprising two pulling elements 47 and 48.

[0155] Compared with the two implementation methods described above, Figure 7 The chain 11 of the third embodiment of the chain 11 according to the invention or the chain lock 13 according to the invention not only has the aforementioned arrangement 15, but also another series arrangement 55 of first links 17 and second links 19 following each other in an alternating manner. Therefore, the two arrangements 15, 55 are essentially of the same type. Furthermore, the design of each of the two arrangements 15, 55 substantially corresponds to the design of the respective arrangements 15 of the first and second embodiments, wherein more first links 17 and second links 19 of the respective arrangements 15, 55 are shown in the third embodiment. In particular, both arrangements 15, 55 can each be folded independently into a compact storage configuration, wherein each of the first links 17 of the corresponding arrangement 15 or 55 pivots to the maximum extent about the corresponding joint axis G in a first pivot direction S1 relative to the second link 19 preceding it, and each of the second links 19 of the corresponding arrangement 15 or 55 pivots to the maximum extent about the corresponding joint axis G in a second pivot direction S2 opposite to the first pivot direction S1 relative to the first link 17 preceding it. As shown, the first pivoting direction S1 and the second pivoting direction S2 may be oriented differently for the two arrangements 15, 55, and in particular, they are oriented in opposite directions when the joint axes G of the two arrangements 15, 55 are parallel to each other.

[0156] Two second end links 29, arranged 15, 55, are hinged together by a connecting link 57. Similar to the first link 17 and the second link 19, the connecting link 57 includes two link plates 31 extending from a first end 33 to a second end 35. These two link plates 31 are oriented perpendicular to the normal direction N and are therefore parallel to each other, and are arranged offset from each other along the normal direction N. The spacing between the two link plates 31 corresponds to the spacing d1 between the link plates 31 of the corresponding first link 17.

[0157] The second end 35 of the second end link 29 of one arrangement 15 and the first end 33 of the connecting link 57 are connected to each other by a hinge joint 21. Correspondingly, the second end 35 of the second end link 29 of another arrangement 55 and the second end 35 of the connecting link 57 are connected to each other by a hinge joint 21. Therefore, the joint axes G of these hinge joints 21 are aligned parallel to the normal direction N. In other respects, these hinge joints 21 also substantially correspond to the hinge joints 21 between the corresponding first link 17 and the corresponding second link 19 of arrangements 15, 55.

[0158] At each of the two arrangements 15 and 55, a respective tensioning element 47 and 48 are provided. The tensioning element is part of the common tensioning device 45 of the chain 11, and the tensioning elements 47 and 48 allow the respective arrangements 15 or 55 to be configured for compact storage. In this respect, as... Figure 7 As shown, the hinged connection between the two arrangements 15, 55 makes it possible to fold the arrangements 15, 55 into their compact storage configuration in each case, and to arrange them parallel to each other and adjacent to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the two arrangements 15, 55 are perpendicular to the normal direction N (i.e., perpendicular to the direction of normal). Figure 7 The images are arranged adjacent to each other in the lateral direction Q (image plane orientation). However, depending on the design of the hinged connection between the two arrangements 15, 55, the arrangements 15, 55 can also be arranged adjacent to each other in the normal direction N. In this respect, the adjacent arrangement of multiple arrangements 15, 55 folded into their compact storage configuration allows the chain 11 to be folded in a particularly compact manner within the overall defined manner.

[0159] Instead of two pulling elements 47, 48, the pulling device 45 may also include only a single pulling element 47, through which the two arrangements 15, 55 can be folded into their respective storage configurations; furthermore, it is not necessary to provide specially configured links 57 for the hinged connection of the two arrangements 15, 55, because the connection can also be made by one or more links 17, 19, which are formed to correspond to the links 17, 19 of the two arrangements 15, 55. This is due to Figure 8 The fourth embodiment shown differs from the previous one only in these respects. Figure 7 The third embodiment is shown, but otherwise largely corresponds to the third embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, in particular, the second end link 29 of arrangement 15 and the second end link 29 of another arrangement 55 are connected in a hinged manner by two links, one of which corresponds to the first link 17 of arrangement 15, 55, and the other link corresponds to the second link 19 of arrangement 15, 55.

[0160] As can also be seen from the fourth embodiment, the pulling device 45 does not need to be fastened to the two interconnected ends 27 of the arrangements 15, 55 so that the ends 23, 27 of the respective arrangements 15, 55 can be pulled towards each other by the pulling device 45. In order to turn the two arrangements 15, 55 into their respective storage configurations by the pulling device 45, for example, it may be sufficient to hold the two ends of the pulling element 47 of the pulling device 45 in a fixed position, and allow the two arrangements 15, 55 to fall downwards with the two interconnected ends 27 in the former case.

[0161] Figure 9 A variation of the fourth embodiment is shown, in which only one section is shown, which can be seen to be related to Figure 8 The differences between the illustrated implementations. Figure 9 In the variant shown, the pulling device 45 does not include a single continuous pulling element 47, but instead includes two pulling elements 47, 48, similar to the third embodiment. In this respect, one pulling element 47 extends along a series arrangement 15 of continuous links 17, 19, while the other pulling element 48 extends along another series arrangement 55 of continuous links 17, 19. In this way, the two arrangements 15, 55 can be folded into their respective compact storage configurations substantially independently of each other by their respective pulling elements 47, 48. However, unlike the third embodiment, in order to secure the pulling elements 47, 48 to the second end 27 of the respective arrangements 15, 55, the second end link 29 in this variant does not have a separate fastening element 49. Instead, the pulling elements 47, 48 are each fastened to a hinge joint 21, which connects the second end link 29 to one of the two links through which the two arrangements 15, 55 are hinged to each other. Apart from these differences, Figure 9 The variant shown corresponds to Figure 8 The fourth embodiment shown.

[0162] exist Figures 10 to 12 The fifth embodiment of the chain 11 according to the invention is shown, which is also part of the fifth embodiment of the chain lock 13 according to the invention. Again, for clarity, in each case, only one or more of the plurality of identical or corresponding elements are exemplified by reference numerals, and... Figure 11 In China, especially Figure 12 In the text, numerous omissions are only displayed in different locations. Figure 10 The same reference numerals are used for the same components. Additionally, similar to... Figures 1 to 6Only a single series arrangement 15 of the continuous links 17, 19 of chain 11 is shown. In this respect, links 17, 19 can be distinguished as first link 17 and second link 19 according to their position within the arrangement 15, and are connected to each other by hinge joints 21, such that they can each pivot relative to each other about the joint axis G (parallel to the normal direction N) of the respective hinge joint 21. In this respect, links 17, 19 can also be formed in a manner substantially corresponding to the four embodiments described above. In particular, each link 17, 19 has two flat, elongated link plates 31, which are perpendicular to the normal direction N and offset from each other along the normal direction N.

[0163] Arrangement 15 extends from the first end 23 to the second end 27. For simplicity, arrangement 15 is shown as decreasing to a relatively small number of links 17, 19, which illustrate the general design of arrangement 1. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that, in this fifth embodiment, the spacing between the two link plates 31 of each link 17, 19 and the longitudinal extent of each link 17, 19 decrease along arrangement 15 from link 17, 19 to link 19, with the longitudinal extent of each link 17, 19 being the spacing between the first end 33 and the second end 35.

[0164] To hinge links 17 and 19 together, each link 17 and 19 has a sleeve 39 at its first end 33 and a pin 37 at its second end 35. Each pin 37 connects two link plates 31 of the corresponding link 17 or 19 parallel to the normal direction N. In this respect, the pin 37 at the second end 35 of the corresponding link 17 or 19 engages after the corresponding link 17 or 19, passing through the sleeve 39 at the first end 33 of the link 17 or 19, such that the pin 37, for most links 17 or 19, Figures 10 to 12 The middle is not visible. Only the pin 37 of the last link 17, 19 of arrangement 15 does not engage through the sleeve 39. Therefore, the pin 37 can be used as a fastening element 49 for fastening the pulling element 47 of the pulling device 45.

[0165] The pulling element 47 extends along the entire arrangement 15, and in this respect extends through the channel openings 43 of the respective links 17, 19 through each link 17, 19 of the arrangement 15. These channel openings 43 are formed between the two link plates 31 of the respective links 17, 19 and between the first end 33 and the second end 35 of the respective links 17, 19. In this respect, the pulling element 47 passes through the channel openings 43 alternately from different directions, such that the pulling element 47 has a rotational path about the joint axis G of the hinge joint 21.

[0166] exist Figure 10In this arrangement 15, an extended longitudinal configuration is adopted, in which the joint axes G of all the hinge joints 21 connecting the two links 17, 19 of the arrangement 15 are arranged in a single plane. Specifically, due to the rotary path of the pulling element 47, pulling at the free end of the pulling element 47 causes the links 17, 19 to pivot in one or another pivot direction relative to the preceding links 17, 19, according to their respective positions within the arrangement 15 about the joint axis G of the corresponding hinge joint 21, such that all first links 17 pivot relative to the preceding links 17, 19 along a first pivot direction S1, and all second links 19 pivot relative to the preceding links 17, 19 along a second pivot direction S2 opposite to the first pivot direction S1. The arrangement 15 can thus be moved from the extended longitudinal configuration to, for example... Figure 11 The middle position shown.

[0167] With further pulling, arrangement 15 can eventually be brought to a position in which links 17, 19 are arranged nested within each other, because each of links 17, 19 is arranged within the links 17, 19 preceding it, i.e., between the link plates 31, and is not parallel to them in this respect, such that it forms an angle of 0° with the links 17, 19 preceding it at the joint axis G of the hinge joint 21 connecting the two links 17, 19. This position is as follows: Figure 12 As shown, in this position, links 17 and 19 of arrangement 15 are nested within each other, thus representing a compact storage configuration of arrangement 15.

[0168] Typically, links 17 and 19 are freely pivotable, meaning they can pivot 360° or more relative to the preceding links 17 and 19 about the joint axis G of the corresponding hinge joint, allowing them to pivot further through the channel opening 43 of the next larger link 17 or 19. Figure 12 As shown, they are arranged in a compact storage configuration within the passageway opening. In this configuration, the user of the chain lock 13 can, for example, hold the largest of the chain links 17, 19 with one hand, so that the remaining chain links 17, 19, which are pulled into the compact storage configuration by pulling the pulling element 47 with the other hand, are prevented from pivoting beyond the largest chain link 17, 19. It is also conceivable that an abutment is formed at each of the chain links 17, 19 or a blocking mechanism is formed in each of the hinge joints 21, which prevents the pivoting of the corresponding following chain link 17, 19 beyond the antiparallel alignment, wherein two chain links 17, 19 surround a 0° angle, such that the chain links 17, 19 can pivot at most in their respective pivoting directions until they enter. Figure 12 The position shown. In this way, by pulling at the pulling element 43, arrangement 15 can be reliably transformed into a compact storage configuration.

[0169] exist Figures 13 to 20 The diagram illustrates the possibility of different alternative embodiments of the chain 11 of the corresponding chain 11 according to the invention, either in a series arrangement 15 of links 17, 19 or in a chain lock 13 according to the invention. Although the arrangement 15 may have significantly more links 17, 19 in each case, only four corresponding links 17, 19 are shown here, which, according to their order and the hinge joints 21 connecting these links 17, 19 to each other, can again be distinguished as two first links 17 and two second links 19. In this respect, the hinge joints 21 are all represented in simplified form by vertical lines aligned parallel to the normal direction N and corresponding simultaneously to the joint axis G of the corresponding hinge joint 21.

[0170] Links 17 and 19 are indicated by horizontal lines, each corresponding to a longitudinal element of the respective link 17 or 19. These longitudinal elements may specifically correspond to link plates 31, but are not necessarily configured as link plates 31, or all must have a planar design. However, the longitudinal elements share a common characteristic: they each extend along the total longitudinal extent of the respective link 17 or 19, from its first end 33 to its second end 35. Furthermore, the longitudinal elements of the respective links 17 and 19 are arranged offset from each other along the normal direction N, and in particular, may be aligned parallel to each other and / or oriented perpendicular to the normal direction N.

[0171] Although links 17 and 19 may typically each have even more elements, such as guide elements 53 of the pulling element 47 for the pulling device 45 of the respective chain 11, the basic structure of links 17 and 19 is, in each case, formed at least substantially by longitudinal elements shown as the respective lines. In particular, it may be configured that links 17 and 19 do not have any other elements extending along the total longitudinal range of the respective links 17 and 19.

[0172] exist Figure 13 In the illustrated embodiment, each first link 17 includes two longitudinal links, while each second link 19 includes only one longitudinal link. In this respect, the chain 11 can be configured, for example, as a pin chain, and in particular, a block chain.

[0173] exist Figure 14 In the illustrated embodiment, both the first link 17 and the second link 19 include two longitudinal elements. In the case of the second link 19, the distance between them along the normal direction N is smaller than that between the longitudinal elements of the first link 17. Links 17 and 19 can be formed, for example, in a manner corresponding to the first, second, third, or fourth embodiments. In particular, the chain 11 can be a sleeve chain or a roller chain.

[0174] Similarly, in Figure 15 In the illustrated embodiment, both the first link 17 and the second link 19 include two longitudinal elements. However, this embodiment is an example of the fact that the two longitudinal elements of the first link 17 can generally have the same spacing between them as the longitudinal elements of the second link 19. In particular, in this embodiment, all links 17, 19 of the arrangement 15 can have substantially the same construction.

[0175] exist Figure 16 In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first links 17 comprises four longitudinal elements, and each of the second links 19 comprises three longitudinal elements, each longitudinal element alternating along the normal direction N in their overlapping region at the hinge joint 21. In this respect, the two outermost longitudinal elements of the first links 17 along the normal direction N are spaced further apart than the two outermost longitudinal elements of the second links 19 along the normal direction N. The chain can be specifically configured as a leaf chain. Typically, the first links 17 and the second links 19 may have even more longitudinal elements. In this respect, it is preferred that each of the second links 19 comprises one less longitudinal element than the first links 17, or that the first links 17 and the second links 19 comprise the same number of longitudinal elements.

[0176] exist Figure 17 In the illustrated embodiment, both the first link 17 and the second link 19 also include two longitudinal elements. In this respect, besides... Figures 10 to 12 Besides the fifth embodiment shown, this embodiment is yet another example where the first link 17 or the second link 19 need not be formed identically. However, unlike the fifth embodiment, in this case, the spacing between the two longitudinal elements does not increase or decrease continuously, but varies periodically. This is because although in various cases the two longitudinal elements have the same spacing between each other in all the second links 19, the arrangement 15 includes the first link 17, where the two longitudinal elements of the first link 17 have a larger spacing between each other compared to the second links 19, and the two longitudinal elements of the first link 17 have a smaller spacing compared to the second links 19. Another difference from the fifth embodiment is that the spacing between the joint axes G of the hinge joint 21 remains the same, so that links 17, 19 do not need to be nested within each other.

[0177] Figures 18 to 20 An exemplary embodiment is shown in which the spacing between the respective two longitudinal elements of the corresponding links 17, 19 is not constant, such that, in particular, the spacing at the first end 33 of the corresponding links 17, 19 is different from the spacing at the second end 35 of the corresponding links 17, 19. Figure 18In the illustrated embodiment, the two longitudinal elements are each tilted relative to opposite normal directions N, such that the distance between them increases linearly along the longitudinal range of the respective links 17, 19. Figure 19 In the illustrated embodiment, the two longitudinal elements are formed in a stepped manner, such that a portion of the first end 33 of the corresponding links 17, 19 is offset from a portion of the corresponding longitudinal element including the second end 35 of the corresponding links 17, 19 along the normal direction N or parallel to the opposite normal direction N. Figure 20 In the embodiments shown, in each case, only one of the two longitudinal elements is formed in a stepped manner as described, while the other has a straight path perpendicular to the normal direction N.

[0178] Figures 18 to 20 The illustrated embodiments share a common feature: the spacing between the two longitudinal elements of corresponding links 17, 19 is greater at the second end 35 of corresponding links 17, 19 than at the first end of corresponding links 17, 19, such that in the region of the hinge joint 21, the longitudinal elements of corresponding links 17, 19 can be arranged between the longitudinal elements of the corresponding links 17, 19 preceding them. Furthermore, in these embodiments, each of the first link 17 and the second link 19 is substantially the same type, and in particular, can be of the same structure, at least with respect to the basic structure defined by their longitudinal elements. However, in Figure 20 In the embodiment shown, the second link 19 is oriented to rotate 180° about an axis parallel to the longitudinal extent of the first link 17.

[0179] exist Figure 21 and Figure 22 An embodiment of the chain lock 13 according to the invention is schematically illustrated. In this respect, the chain 11 of the chain lock 13 (which may be particularly...) Figures 1 to 20 In one of the configurations shown, the rope is simplified to a uniform rope in each case, such that in each case, the chain 11 includes one or more tandem arrangements 15, 55 of continuous links 17, 19, as well as the pulling device 45 and any possible sheath 51, which may be invisible. Figure 21 and Figure 22 In each of the states shown, one or more arrangements 15, 55 are not in their compact storage configuration, but in a substantially extended configuration, wherein, unlike the longitudinal configuration which extends in a straight line, they have a route that bends to form a loop.

[0180] Figure 21 and Figure 22Each of the chain locks 13 in the illustrated embodiment includes a lock body 59, at which a locking receiver 61 is formed. The chain 11 has a latch 63 at a corresponding end, which can be latched into the locking receiver 61, which serves as the latch receiver. Additionally, a corresponding locking mechanism 65 is provided at the lock body 59, which can be configured in a manner known per se, and by means of this locking mechanism prevents the latch 63 from disengaging from the locking receiver 61 when the latch 63 is received within it.

[0181] Although Figure 21 In the illustrated embodiment, the end of chain 11 opposite to the end with the latch 63 is fixedly connected to the lock body 59, but... Figure 22 In the illustrated embodiment, it has an eyelet 67 into which the chain 11 can be inserted from the front using the latch 63 before the latch 63 is inserted into the locking receiver 61 and secured by the locking mechanism 65. Thus, the chain 11 can be... Figure 22 As shown, a ring is formed that can only be reopened when the latch 63 is released again by the locking mechanism 65 to disengage from the locking receiver 61.

[0182] However, the chain 11 does not necessarily need to have a latch 63 at one end to lock onto the lock body 59. Instead, the locking receiver 61 can also be configured to receive a segment of the chain 11, such as a specific segment of a corresponding link of the hinge joint 21 and / or a corresponding link of the chain 11, which can then be secured by the locking mechanism 65 to prevent it from disengaging from the locking receiver 61.

[0183] During periods when the chain lock 13 is not used to secure objects, one or more series arrangements 15, 55 of the continuous links 17, 19 of the chain 11 of the chain lock 13 can be folded into a compact storage configuration, specifically, by means of the pulling device 45 of the chain 11, to comfortably fold into a compact storage configuration. If the chain includes multiple arrangements 15, 55, these multiple arrangements 15, 55 can also be arranged adjacent to each other in a compact manner, so that the chain 11 can be folded up as a whole for storage or carrying in a particularly simple manner.

[0184] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0185] 11: Chain

[0186] 13: Chain lock

[0187] 15: Series arrangement of the first and second links

[0188] 17: First Link

[0189] 19: Second link

[0190] 21: Hinged joint

[0191] 23: The first end of the series arrangement

[0192] 25: First end link

[0193] 27: The second end of the series arrangement

[0194] 29: Second end link

[0195] 31: Link plate

[0196] 33: The first end of the corresponding link

[0197] 35: The second end of the corresponding link

[0198] 37: Sales

[0199] 39: Sleeve

[0200] 41: Roller

[0201] 43: Channel opening

[0202] 45: Traction device

[0203] 47: Tension element

[0204] 48: Another traction element

[0205] 49: Fastening components

[0206] 51: Sheath

[0207] 53: Guiding element

[0208] 55: Another series arrangement of the first and second links

[0209] 57: Connecting Link

[0210] 59: Lock body

[0211] 61: Lock receiver

[0212] 63: Latch

[0213] 65: Locking mechanism

[0214] 67: Hole

[0215] d1: The average distance between the two link plates of the first link.

[0216] d2: The average distance between the two link plates of the second link.

[0217] d3: The distance between the joint axes of the two consecutive hinged joints extending from the first link.

[0218] d4: The distance between the joint axes of the two continuous hinged joints extending from the second link.

[0219] G: Connector axis

[0220] L: Vertical

[0221] N: Normal direction

[0222] S1: First pivot direction

[0223] S2: Second pivot direction

Claims

1. A chain (11) for a chain lock (13), the chain (11) comprising a series arrangement (15) of continuous links (17, 19) connected to each other by respective hinge joints (21), and the continuous links (17, 19) being pivotable relative to each other about a joint axis (G) of the respective hinge joint (21), the joint axis (G) being parallel to the normal direction (N). in, The arrangement (15) can be folded into a compact storage configuration in which, at each of the hinge joints (21), two links (17, 19) connected to each other via the respective hinge joints (21) pivot about the joint axis (G) of the respective hinge joint (21) relative to each other, to the extent that the two links (17, 19) surround the minimum possible angle within their relative pivotability range, and The chain (11) includes a pulling device (45) extending along the arrangement (15), which can pull the first end (23) of the arrangement (15) and the second end (27) of the arrangement (15) opposite to the first end (23) towards each other, so that the arrangement (15) becomes the compact storage configuration by means of the pulling device (45).

2. The chain as described in claim 1, wherein, The links (17, 19) of the arrangement (15) are at least partially in the same position along the normal direction (N).

3. The chain as described in claim 1, wherein, The tandem arrangement (15) includes a first link (17) and a second link (19), the first link (17) and the second link (19) following each other alternately along the sequence of the links (17, 19) of the arrangement (15). Wherein, the first link (17) are of the same type as each other, and the second link (19) are of the same type as each other, and wherein the first link (17) is different from the second link (19).

4. The chain as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The links (17, 19) of the arrangement (15) are connected to the corresponding preceding links (17, 19) via corresponding hinge joints (21). In the compact storage configuration, the links (17, 19) pivot alternately relative to the corresponding preceding links (17, 19) about the joint axis (G) of the corresponding hinge joint (21) in a first pivot direction (S1) and a second pivot direction (S2) opposite to the first pivot direction (S1).

5. The chain as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The traction device (45) includes an elongated traction element (47) extending along the arrangement (15).

6. The chain as described in claim 5, wherein, The pulling element (47) has a rotary path around the joint axis (G) of the hinged joint (21), and / or wherein, A winding mechanism is provided at the pulling element (47), and the pulling element (47) can be wound by the winding mechanism.

7. The chain as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The tension element (47) is elastic, and / or wherein, Each of the links (17, 19) in the arrangement (15) has a corresponding channel opening (43), and the pulling element (47) extends through the channel opening (43) of each link (17, 19).

8. The chain as claimed in claim 1, wherein, Each of the links (17, 19) in the arrangement (15) includes two corresponding link plates (31) offset from each other along the normal direction (N), wherein each of the two link plates (31) extends from a first end (33) of the corresponding link (17, 19) to a second end (35) of the corresponding link (17, 19) opposite to the first end (33), at the first end (33), the hinge joint (21) is configured to be able to connect to the link (17, 19) preceding the corresponding link (17, 19), and at the second end (35), the hinge joint (21) is configured to be able to connect to the link (17, 19) following the corresponding link (17, 19).

9. The chain as claimed in claim 8, wherein, Each of the links (17, 19) in the arrangement (15) has a corresponding channel opening (43), wherein the pulling device (45) includes an elongated pulling element (47) extending along the arrangement (15), and the pulling element (47) extends through the channel opening (43) of each link (17, 19), and wherein the channel opening (43) is formed between the two link plates (31) of the corresponding link (17, 19) and between the first end (33) and the second end (35) of the corresponding link (17, 19).

10. The chain as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The links (17, 19) of the arrangement (15) alternately have a larger spacing (d1) and a smaller spacing (d2) between their two corresponding link plates (31), and / or wherein, The spacing (d1, d2) between the two link plates (31) is larger at the first end (33) of the corresponding link (17, 19) than at the second end (35) of the corresponding link (17, 19).

11. The chain as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The spacing (d1, d2) between the two link plates (31) of the corresponding link (17, 19) and the spacing (d3, d4) between the first end (33) and the second end (35) of the corresponding link (17, 19) are continuously decreasing or continuously increasing along the sequence of the links (17, 19) of the arrangement (15).

12. The chain as claimed in claim 1, wherein, Each of the hinge joints (21) includes a pin (37) and a sleeve (39), the pin (37) being formed at one link (17, 19) connected by the respective hinge joint (21), and the sleeve (39) being formed at another link (17, 19) connected by the respective hinge joint (21), and being engaged by the pin (37) so that the sleeve (39) can pivot about the pin (37).

13. The chain as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The chain (11) includes a flexible sheath (51) that surrounds the arrangement (15) from its first end (23) to its second end (27) in both the compact storage configuration and the extended longitudinal configuration of the arrangement (15), in which the first end (23) and the second end (27) of the arrangement (15) are spaced apart from each other to the greatest extent.

14. The chain as claimed in claim 13, wherein, The sheath (51) is formed as part of the traction device (45).

15. The chain as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The chain (11) includes a fixing device for securing the arrangement (15) in the compact storage configuration.

16. The chain as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The chain (11) includes another series arrangement (55) of continuous links (17, 19), which is foldable into a compact storage configuration in which, at each hinge joint (21) connecting a corresponding link (17, 19) of the other series arrangement (55) to a link (17, 19) of the other series arrangement (55) preceding it, the corresponding link (17, 19) pivots about the axis (G) of the corresponding joint relative to the link (17, 19) preceding it to such that the corresponding link (17, 19) and the link (17, 19) preceding it enclose the minimum possible angle within their relative pivotability range. The pulling device (45) can pull the first end (23) and the second end (27) of the other series arrangement (55) towards each other, so that the other series arrangement (55) becomes the compact storage configuration by means of the pulling device (45). The two arrangements (15, 55) are hinged to each other so that when they are each folded into a compact storage configuration, the two arrangements (15, 55) can be arranged in a parallel offset relative to each other.

17. The chain as claimed in claim 16, wherein, The traction device (45) includes an elongated traction element (47) extending along an arrangement (15), and the traction device (45) includes another elongated traction element (48) extending along another arrangement (55).

18. The chain as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The chain (11) is installed in a chain lock (13), the chain lock (13) including a lock body (59), wherein the lock body (59) includes a locking receiver (61) and a locking mechanism (65), wherein, in the locked state of the chain lock (13), the locking receiver (61) receives a segment of the chain (11), and the locking mechanism (65) secures the segment of the chain (11) to prevent it from disengaging from the locking receiver (61).

19. A chain lock (13), the chain lock (13) comprising a lock body (59) and a chain (11) as claimed in claim 1. in, The lock body (59) includes a locking receiver (61) and a locking mechanism (65), wherein, in the locked state of the chain lock (13), the locking receiver (61) receives a segment of the chain (11), and the locking mechanism (65) secures the segment of the chain (11) to prevent it from disengaging from the locking receiver (61).

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