Chain

Abstract

The invention provides a chain which can be assembled or maintained in any place without using a special tool, and pins can be easily inserted and pulled out. Specifically, the present invention is provided with: a plurality of pairs of inner link plates (110); a plurality of outer link plates (120); a plurality of pins (150) including at least one connecting pin (150); and a plurality of bushings (130) into which the pin (150) is inserted, the connecting pin (150) having: an outer pin (151) having a cylindrical shape and having a female screw section (152) on the inner peripheral surface; and an inner pin (153) having an insertion portion (159) having a male screw portion (154) inserted into the outer pin (151) and a head portion (155) protruding from the outer pin (151), the inner pin (153) having a fixing function portion for fixing the outer link plate (120).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a chain comprising: a plurality of pairs of inner link plates; a plurality of pairs of outer link plates; a plurality of pins fixed to the outer link plates; and a plurality of bushings fixed to or integrally formed on the inner link plates and into which the pins are inserted. Background Art

[0002] Typically, the chain comprises: a plurality of pairs of inner link plates; a plurality of pairs of outer link plates; a plurality of pins fixed to the outer link plates; and a plurality of bushings fixed to or integrally formed on the inner link plates and into which the pins are inserted, and the chain is formed into a bendable jointless shape by press-fitting and fixing each pin into a pin hole provided on the outer link plates.

[0003] In order to assemble or maintain such a chain, at least one joint is usually provided, and the jointless state can be released by pulling out a pin, or the jointless state can be formed by fitting and fixing the pin.

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-175474

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 07-017475 Summary of the invention

[0007] Since the pins are firmly fitted and fixed in this chain so as not to fall out of the pin holes of the outer link plates during use, a large force is required to insert and remove the pins. Therefore, special tools for easily inserting and removing the pins have been proposed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2). However, since it is difficult to insert and remove the pins without using these special tools, there is a problem that the chain cannot be assembled or maintained in any place.

[0008] The present invention is an invention for solving the above-mentioned prior art problems, and the technical problem to be solved is to provide a chain that can be easily inserted and removed without using special tools and can be assembled or maintained in any place.

[0009] The chain involved in the present invention comprises: multiple pairs of inner link plates; multiple pairs of outer link plates; multiple pins, which are fixed to the outer link plates; and multiple bushings, which are fixed or integrally formed on the inner link plates and into which the pins are inserted. The chain involved in the present invention comprises: multiple pairs of inner link plates; multiple pairs of outer link plates; multiple pins, which are fixed to or integrally formed on the inner link plates and into which the pins are inserted. The chain involved in the present invention comprises: multiple pairs of inner link plates; multiple pairs of outer link plates; multiple pins, which are fixed to or integrally formed on the inner link plates and into which the pins are inserted; and the ...

[0010] According to the chain involved in the technical solution 1, since the outer pin is cylindrical and has an internal thread portion on the inner circumferential surface, and is embedded and fixed in the pin hole of one of the paired outer link plates, the inner pin has: an insertion portion, which has an external thread portion inserted into the outer pin; and a head, which protrudes from the outer pin. Therefore, the inner pin can be assembled by embedding the outer pin with a screw, and can be pulled out by loosening the screw. Therefore, the pin can be easily inserted and pulled out without using special tools, and can be assembled or maintained in any place.

[0011] In addition, since the inner pin has a fixing functional portion, which is used to fix the other outer link plate that is paired with the outer link plate that is engaged and fixed with the outer pin, the inner pin can be firmly fixed to the other outer link plate (on the head side of the inner pin) simply by engaging the inner pin with the outer pin screw.

[0012] According to the structure described in the second technical solution, since the fixing functional portion is constructed to have a flange portion protruding toward the outer peripheral side of the head portion, and the end edge and the flange portion of the outer pin are used to clamp the other outer link plate, the other outer link plate (on the head side of the inner pin) can be firmly fixed only by engaging the inner pin with the outer pin screw, and the fixation can be easily released when the screw is loosened.

[0013] According to the construction described in Technical Solution 3, since the fixing functional portion is constructed to have a flange portion provided on the head portion, and the flange portion is used to prevent the outer link plate of the other side from falling off, even if the outer link plate of the other side (on the head side of the inner pin) is slightly engaged with the outer pin, it will be prevented from falling off by the flange portion of the inner pin, thereby facilitating fixation, and when the screw is loosened, the fixation can be easily released.

[0014] Furthermore, the other outer link plate (on the head side of the inner pin) can be made a common component with the other outer link plates.

[0015] According to the construction described in Technical Solution 4, since the fixing functional portion is constructed to have a conical portion arranged on the outer periphery of the head, and the end edge and conical portion on the outer link plate side of the other side of the outer pin are used to clamp the outer link plate of the other side, it is basically unnecessary for the head of the inner pin to protrude to the side, thereby being able to reduce the overall width of the chain.

[0016] According to the structure described in Technical Solution 5, since the fixing functional portion is constructed to have a fitting surface on the outer periphery of the head, and the fitting surface is pressed into the pin hole of the outer link plate on the other side, the outer link plate on the other side (on the head side of the inner pin) can be made a common part with the other outer link plates.

[0017] According to the structure described in claim 6 of the present invention, since the internal thread portion is provided only on a portion of the outer link plate side where the outer pin is fitted and fixed, the number of times the inner pin is rotated can be reduced, thereby making the disassembly and assembly operations more efficient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the chain according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional perspective view of the chain according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of a joint portion of a chain according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a front view of the inner pin and a cross-sectional view of the outer pin of the chain according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of a chain according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional perspective view of a chain according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 It is a front view of the inner pin and a cross-sectional view of the outer pin of the chain according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional perspective view of a chain according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 9 It is a front view of the inner pin and a cross-sectional view of the outer pin of the chain according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Fig.10 It is a cross-sectional perspective view of a chain according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Fig.11 It is a front view of the inner pin and a cross-sectional view of the outer pin of the chain of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Fig.12 It is a cross-sectional perspective view of a chain according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Fig.13 It is a front view of the inner pin and a cross-sectional view of the outer pin of the chain of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Explanation of symbols

[0032] 100-chain; 110-inner link plate; 111-bushing hole; 120-outer link plate; 121-outer link plate (joint portion); 122-pin hole; 130-bushing; 131-roller; 140-pin; 150-connecting pin; 151-outer pin; 152-inner threaded portion; 153-inner pin; 154-outer threaded portion; 155-head portion; 156-flange portion; 157-conical portion; 158-fitting surface; 159-insertion portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the first embodiment of the present invention, that is, the chain 100 includes: a plurality of pairs of inner link plates 110; a plurality of pairs of outer link plates 120; a plurality of pins 140 fixed to the outer link plates 120; and a plurality of bushings 130 fixed to the inner link plates 110 and into which the pins 140 are inserted.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the roller 131 is rotatably fitted on the bushing 130 .

[0035] At the joint portion of the chain 100 , a connecting pin 150 is used instead of the normal pin 140 .

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, the connecting pin 150 has an outer pin 151 and an inner pin 153 .

[0037] The outer pin 151 is cylindrical and has an internal thread portion 154 on its inner circumferential surface. The inner pin 153 has an insertion portion 159 having the external thread portion 154 inserted into the outer pin 151 and a head portion 155 protruding from the outer pin 151 .

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, one end of the outer pin 151 (opposite to the head of the inner pin) is firmly fitted and fixed to the outer link plate 120, and the other end passes through the bushing 130 and is fitted to the other outer link plate 120, and is screwed with the inner pin 153.

[0039] The head portion 155 of the inner pin 153 has a flange portion 156 as a fixing function portion, and the flange portion 156 is configured to prevent the outer link plate 120 on the other side (the head side of the inner pin) engaged with the outer pin 151 from falling off.

[0040] Therefore, even if the fitting force between the outer pin 151 and the other outer link plate 120 (the head side of the inner pin) is set to be small to facilitate disassembly and assembly work, the outer link plate 120 can be prevented from falling off during use.

[0041] Furthermore, by designing the outer diameter of the outer pin 151 to be the same as that of the normal pin 140 , a normal outer link plate 120 can also be used for the joint portion.

[0042] like Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the second embodiment of the present invention, i.e., a chain 100b, includes: a plurality of pairs of inner link plates 110; a plurality of pairs of outer link plates 120; a plurality of pins 140 fixed to the outer link plates 120; and a plurality of bushings 130 fixed to the inner link plates 110 and into which the pins 140 are inserted.

[0043] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the roller 131 is rotatably fitted on the bushing 130 .

[0044] At the joint portion of the chain 100 b , a connecting pin 150 b is used instead of the normal pin 140 , and a connecting plate (joint plate) 121 is used as one of the paired outer link plates instead of the normal outer link plate 120 .

[0045] like Figure 7 As shown, the connecting pin 150b has an outer pin 151b and an inner pin 153b.

[0046] The outer pin 151b is cylindrical and has an internal thread portion 154b on its inner circumferential surface. The inner pin 153b has an insertion portion 159b having the external thread portion 154b inserted into the outer pin 151b and a head portion 155b protruding from the outer pin 151b.

[0047] One end of the outer pin 151b (opposite to the head of the inner pin) is firmly fitted and fixed to the outer link plate 120, and the other end passes through the bushing 130 and contacts the connecting plate 121, and is screwed with the inner pin 153b.

[0048] The head portion 155b of the inner pin 153b is fitted with the connecting plate 121 and has a flange portion 156b protruding toward the outer peripheral side as a fixing function portion. The connecting plate 121 is sandwiched between the end edge of the outer pin 151b and the flange portion 156b.

[0049] like Figure 8 , Fig. 9As shown, the third embodiment of the present invention, i.e., a chain 100c, includes: a plurality of pairs of inner link plates 110; a plurality of pairs of outer link plates 120; a plurality of pins 140 fixed to the outer link plates 120; and a plurality of bushings 130 fixed to the inner link plates 110 and into which the pins 140 are inserted.

[0050] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the roller 131 is rotatably fitted on the bushing 130 .

[0051] At the joint portion of the chain 100 c , a connecting pin 150 c is used instead of the normal pin 140 , and a connecting plate 121 is used as one of the paired outer link plates instead of the normal outer link plate 120 .

[0052] like Fig. 9 As shown, the connecting pin 150c has an outer pin 151c and an inner pin 153c.

[0053] The outer pin 151c is cylindrical and has an internal thread portion 154c on the inner circumferential surface. The inner pin 153c has an insertion portion 159c having the external thread portion 154c inserted into the outer pin 151c and a head portion 155c protruding from the outer pin 151c.

[0054] One end of the outer pin 151c (opposite to the head of the inner pin) is firmly fitted and fixed to the outer link plate 120, and the other end passes through the bushing 130 and contacts the connecting plate 121, and is screwed with the inner pin 153c.

[0055] The head portion 155c of the inner pin 153c is fitted with the connecting plate 121 and has a flange portion 156c protruding toward the outer peripheral side as a fixing function portion. The connecting plate 121 is sandwiched between the end edge of the outer pin 151c and the flange portion 156c.

[0056] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the internal threaded portion 154c of the outer pin 151c and the external threaded portion 154c of the inner pin 153c of the required length are provided only on a portion of the outer link plate 120 on one side (the side opposite to the head of the inner pin), thereby reducing the number of times the inner pin 153c is rotated during disassembly and assembly, thereby improving the efficiency of the operation.

[0057] like Fig.10 , Fig.11 As shown, the fourth embodiment of the present invention, i.e., a chain 100d, includes: a plurality of pairs of inner link plates 110; a plurality of pairs of outer link plates 120; a plurality of pins 140 fixed to the outer link plates 120; and a plurality of bushings 130 fixed to the inner link plates 110 and into which the pins 140 are inserted.

[0058] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the roller 131 is rotatably fitted on the bushing 130 .

[0059] A connecting pin 150 d is used at the joint portion of the chain 100 d instead of the normal pin 140 .

[0060] like Fig.11 As shown, the connecting pin 150d has an outer pin 151d and an inner pin 153d.

[0061] The outer pin 151d is cylindrical and has an internal thread portion 154d on the inner circumferential surface. The inner pin 153d has an insertion portion 159d having the external thread portion 154d inserted into the outer pin 151d and a head portion 155d protruding from the outer pin 151d.

[0062] One end portion of the outer pin 151 d (the side opposite to the head portion of the inner pin) is firmly fitted and fixed to the outer link plate 120 , and the inner pin 153 d is screwed thereto.

[0063] The head 155d of the inner pin 153d has a fitting surface 158 as a fixing function portion for fitting with a normal outer link plate 120, and is configured to be press-fitted into the other outer link plate 120 (the side opposite to the head of the inner pin).

[0064] like Fig.12 , Fig.13 As shown, the fifth embodiment of the present invention, i.e., a chain 100e, includes: a plurality of pairs of inner link plates 110; a plurality of pairs of outer link plates 120; a plurality of pins 140 fixed to the outer link plates 120; and a plurality of bushings 130 fixed to the inner link plates 110 and into which the pins 140 are inserted.

[0065] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the roller 131 is rotatably fitted on the bushing 130 .

[0066] A connecting pin 150 e is used at the joint portion of the chain 100 e instead of the normal pin 140 .

[0067] like Fig.13 As shown, the connecting pin 150e has an outer pin 151e and an inner pin 153e.

[0068] The outer pin 151e is cylindrical and has an internal thread portion 154e on the inner circumferential surface. The inner pin 153e has an insertion portion 159e having the external thread portion 154e inserted into the outer pin 151e and a head portion 155e protruding from the outer pin 151e.

[0069] One end of the outer pin 151e (opposite to the head of the inner pin) is firmly fitted and fixed to the outer link plate 120, and the other end passes through the bushing 130 and contacts the connecting plate 121e, and is screwed with the inner pin 153e.

[0070] The head 155e of the inner pin 153e has a tapered surface portion 157 as a fixing function portion that fits into the connecting plate 121e having the tapered pin hole, and the connecting plate 121e is sandwiched between the end edge of the outer pin 151e and the tapered surface portion 157.

[0071] Therefore, the head of the inner pin 153e does not need to protrude from the connecting plate 121e, and the width of the entire chain 100e can be reduced.

[0072] In addition, although the roller 131 rotatably fitted on the bushing 130 is provided in each of the above-described embodiments, the roller 131 may not be provided.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the bushing 130 is a separate body from the inner link plate 110 and is fitted and fixed in the bushing hole of the inner link plate 110 , but may be formed integrally with the inner link plate 110 .

[0074] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, both of the two pins of a pair of outer link plates are used as connecting pins, but only one of them may be used, and joint portions may be provided at a plurality of locations within the chain.

Claims

1. A chain comprising: a plurality of pairs of inner link plates; a plurality of pairs of outer link plates; a plurality of pins fixed to the outer link plates; and a plurality of bushings fixed or integrally formed on the inner link plates and into which the pins are inserted, characterized in that: The plurality of pins include at least one connecting pin, The connecting pin has an outer pin and an inner pin, The outer pin is cylindrical and has an internal thread portion on the inner circumferential surface, and is fitted and fixed in the pin hole of one of the paired outer link plates. The inner pin has: an insertion portion having an external threaded portion inserted into the outer pin; and a head protruding from the outer pin, The inner pin has a fixing function portion for fixing the other outer link plate that forms a pair with the outer link plate that is fitted and fixed to the outer pin.

2. The chain according to claim 1, characterized in that The fixing function portion has a flange portion protruding toward the outer peripheral side of the head portion, and is configured to sandwich the other outer link plate between the end edge of the outer pin and the flange portion.

3. The chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing function portion includes a flange portion provided on the head portion, and is configured to prevent the other outer link plate from falling off by the flange portion.

4. The chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing function portion has a tapered surface portion provided on the outer periphery of the head portion, and is configured to sandwich the other outer link plate between the end edge of the other outer pin on the outer link plate side and the tapered surface portion.

5. The chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing function portion is configured to have a fitting surface on the outer periphery of the head portion, and the fitting surface is press-fitted into a pin hole of the other outer link plate.

6. The chain according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The internal thread portion is provided only on a portion of the outer link plate side on which the outer pin is fitted and fixed.

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