Chain

Abstract

To provide a chain that allows a pin to be easily inserted / removed without using a special tool and can be assembled and maintained at any location.SOLUTION: A chain comprises multiple pairs of inner link plates 110, multiple pairs of outer link plates 120, multiple pins 150 including at least one joint pin 150, and multiple bushings 130 into which the pins 150 are inserted. The joint pin 150 has an outer pin 151 that is cylindrical and has a female screw part 152 on an inner surface, and an inner pin 153 having an insertion part 159 with a male screw part 154 that is inserted into the outer pin 151 and a head part 155 that protrudes from the outer pin 151. The inner pin 153 has a fixing function part that fixes the outer link plate 120.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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 formed integrally with the inner link plates and into which the pins are inserted. [Background technology]

[0002] Typically, a chain having multiple pairs of inner link plates, multiple pairs of outer link plates, a plurality of pins fixed to the outer link plates, and a plurality of bushings fixed to or formed integrally with the inner link plates and into which the pins are inserted is formed into a bendable, endless shape by pressing each pin into a pin hole provided in the outer link plate. To assemble and maintain such chains, a common practice is to provide a joint at least in one place, remove the pin to release the endless form, and then refit the pin to form an endless form. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-175474 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 07-017475 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such chains, the pins are tightly fitted and fixed in the pin holes of the outer link plates so that they do not come out of the pin holes during use. As a result, a great deal of force is required to insert and remove the pins. Therefore, special tools have been proposed to make it easier to insert and remove the pins (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). However, it is difficult to insert and remove the pins without using these special tools, which has led to the problem that assembly and maintenance cannot be performed at any location.

[0005] The present invention solves the problems of the prior art as described above, and provides a chain in which the pins can be easily removed without the use of special tools, and which can be assembled and maintained at any location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The chain of the present invention is a chain comprising multiple pairs of inner link plates, multiple pairs of outer link plates, a plurality of pins fixed to the outer link plates, and a plurality of bushings fixed to or formed integrally with the inner link plates and into which the pins are inserted, wherein the multiple pins include at least one joint pin, the joint pin having an outer pin and an inner pin, the outer pin being cylindrical and having a female threaded portion on its inner surface and being fitted and fixed into a pin hole of one of the outer link plates that constitutes a pair, the inner pin having an insertion portion having a male threaded portion that is inserted into the outer pin and a head portion that protrudes from the outer pin, and the inner pin having a fixing functional portion that fixes the other outer link plate that constitutes a pair with the outer link plate into which the outer pin is fitted and fixed, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the chain of claim 1, the outer pin is cylindrical and has a female threaded portion on its inner surface, and is fitted and fixed into the pin hole of one of the paired outer link plates, and the inner pin has an insertion portion with a male threaded portion that is inserted into the outer pin, and a head that protrudes from the outer pin, so that the inner pin can be assembled by screwing it into the outer pin and can be removed by loosening the screw, and the pin can be easily removed without using special tools, making it possible to perform assembly and maintenance at any location. In addition, the inner pin has a fixing functional portion that fixes the other outer link plate that forms a pair with the outer link plate to which the outer pin is fitted and fixed, so that the inner pin can be firmly fixed to the other outer link plate (the head side of the inner pin) simply by screwing the inner pin into the outer pin.

[0008] According to the configuration described in claim 2, the fixing function portion has a flange portion that protrudes toward the outer periphery of the head, and is configured so that the end edge of the outer pin and the flange portion sandwich the other outer link plate.Therefore, by simply screwing the inner pin into the outer pin, it is possible to firmly fix the other outer link plate (the head side of the inner pin), and the fixation can be easily released when the screw is loosened. According to the configuration described in claim 3, the fixing function portion has a flange portion provided on the head, and is configured to prevent the other outer link plate from coming off with the flange portion. Therefore, even if the other outer link plate (on the head side of the inner pin) and the outer pin are lightly engaged, the flange portion of the inner pin prevents them from coming off, making it possible to easily fix them, and also making it possible to easily release the fixation when the screw is loosened. Furthermore, the other outer link plate (on the head side of the inner pin) can be a common part with the other outer link plate.

[0009] According to the configuration described in claim 4, the fixing function portion has a tapered surface portion provided on the outer periphery of the head, and is configured so that the edge of the outer pin on the other outer link plate side and the tapered surface portion sandwich the other outer link plate.This basically eliminates the need for the head of the inner pin to protrude laterally, and the overall width of the chain can be reduced. According to the configuration described in claim 5, the fixing function portion has a mating surface on the outer periphery of the head, and the mating surface is configured to be press-fit into the pin hole of the other outer link plate, thereby making it possible to make the other outer link plate (the one on the head side of the inner pin) a common part with the other outer link plate. According to the configuration described in claim 6, the female thread portion is provided only in a part of the outer link plate where the outer pin is fitted and fixed, thereby reducing the number of times the inner pin is rotated and making disassembly and assembly work more efficient. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a chain according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a chain according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a joint portion of a chain according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a front view of an inner pin and a cross-sectional view of an outer pin of a chain according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a chain according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a chain according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 5A is a front view of an inner pin and a cross-sectional view of an outer pin of a chain according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a chain according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 13A is a front view of an inner pin and a cross-sectional view of an outer pin of a chain according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a chain according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 13A is a front view of an inner pin and a cross-sectional view of an outer pin of a chain according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a chain according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 13A is a front view of an inner pin and a cross-sectional view of an outer pin of a chain according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a chain 100 which is a first embodiment of the present invention comprises multiple pairs of inner link plates 110, multiple 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. In this embodiment, the bushing 130 has a roller 131 fitted thereon so as to be rotatable.

[0012] At the joints of the chain 100, joint pins 150 are used in place of the normal pins 140. As shown in FIG. 4, the joint pin 150 has an outer pin 151 and an inner pin 153 . The outer pin 151 is cylindrical and has a female thread portion 154 on its inner surface, and the inner pin 153 has an insertion portion 159 with a male thread portion 154 that is inserted into the outer pin 151, and a head portion 155 that protrudes from the outer pin 151.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, one end of outer pin 151 (the end opposite the head of the inner pin) is firmly fitted and fixed to outer link plate 120, and the other end is inserted through bushing 130 and fitted to the other outer link plate 120, and inner pin 153 is screwed into it. The head 155 of the inner pin 153 has a flange portion 156 as a fixing functional portion, and the flange portion 156 is configured to prevent the other outer link plate 120 (the head side of the inner pin) engaged with the outer pin 151 from coming loose.

[0014] This prevents the outer link plate 120 from coming off during use, even if the mating force between the outer pin 151 and the other outer link plate 120 (the head side of the inner pin) is set small to facilitate disassembly and assembly. Furthermore, by designing the outer diameter of the outer pin 151 to be the same as that of a normal pin 140, a normal outer link plate 120 can be used in the joint portion.

[0015] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the chain 100b, which is the second embodiment of the present invention, comprises multiple pairs of inner link plates 110, multiple 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. In this embodiment, the bushing 130 has a roller 131 fitted thereon so as to be rotatable.

[0016] At the joint of the chain 100b, a joint pin 150b is used instead of the normal pin 140, and a joint plate 121 is used instead of the normal outer link plate 120 in one of the pair of outer link plates. As shown in FIG. 7, the joint pin 150b has an outer pin 151b and an inner pin 153b. The outer pin 151b is cylindrical and has a female thread portion 154b on its inner circumferential surface, and the inner pin 153b has an insertion portion 159b having a male thread portion 154b that is inserted into the outer pin 151b, and a head portion 155b that protrudes from the outer pin 151b.

[0017] One end of outer pin 151b (the end opposite the head of the inner pin) is firmly fitted and fixed to outer link plate 120, and the other end is inserted through bushing 130 and comes into contact with joint plate 121, into which inner pin 153b is screwed. A head 155b of the inner pin 153b fits into the joint plate 121 and has a flange portion 156b that protrudes outward as a fixing functional portion, and is configured so that the joint plate 121 is sandwiched between the edge of the outer pin 151b and the flange portion 156b.

[0018] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, a chain 100c, which is a third embodiment of the present invention, comprises multiple pairs of inner link plates 110, multiple 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. In this embodiment, the bushing 130 has a roller 131 fitted thereon so as to be rotatable.

[0019] At the joint of the chain 100c, a joint pin 150c is used instead of the normal pin 140, and a joint plate 121 is used instead of the normal outer link plate 120 in one of the pair of outer link plates. As shown in FIG. 9, the joint pin 150c has an outer pin 151c and an inner pin 153c. The outer pin 151c is cylindrical and has a female thread portion 154c on its inner circumferential surface, and the inner pin 153c has an insertion portion 159c having a male thread portion 154c that is inserted into the outer pin 151c, and a head portion 155c that protrudes from the outer pin 151c.

[0020] One end of the outer pin 151c (the end opposite the head of the inner pin) is firmly fitted and fixed to the outer link plate 120, and the other end is inserted through the bushing 130 so that the end contacts the joint plate 121 and the inner pin 153c is screwed into it. A head 155c of the inner pin 153c fits into the joint plate 121 and has a flange portion 156c that protrudes outward as a fixing functional portion, so that the joint plate 121 is sandwiched between the edge of the outer pin 151c and the flange portion 156c. In addition, in this embodiment, the female threaded portion 154c of the outer pin 151c and the male threaded portion 154c of the inner pin 153c are provided for only the necessary length on a portion of the outer link plate 120 side on one side (the side opposite the head of the inner pin), thereby reducing the number of times the inner pin 153c is rotated during disassembly and assembly, and making the work more efficient.

[0021] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, a chain 100d according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises multiple pairs of inner link plates 110, multiple pairs of outer link plates 120, multiple pins 140 fixed to the outer link plates 120, and multiple bushings 130 fixed to the inner link plates 110 and into which the pins 140 are inserted. In this embodiment, the bushing 130 has a roller 131 fitted thereon so as to be rotatable.

[0022] At the joints of the chain 100d, joint pins 150d are used instead of the normal pins 140. As shown in FIG. 11, the joint pin 150d has an outer pin 151d and an inner pin 153d. The outer pin 151d is cylindrical and has a female thread portion 154d on its inner circumferential surface, and the inner pin 153d has an insertion portion 159d having a male thread portion 154d that is inserted into the outer pin 151d, and a head portion 155d that protrudes from the outer pin 151d.

[0023] One end of the outer pin 151d (the end opposite to the head of the inner pin) is firmly fitted and fixed to the outer link plate 120, and the inner pin 153d is screwed into it. Head 155d of inner pin 153d has a mating surface 158 as a fixing functional part that mates with a normal outer link plate 120, and is configured to be press-fit into the other outer link plate 120 (the side opposite to the head of the inner pin).

[0024] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, a chain 100e, which is a fifth embodiment of the present invention, comprises multiple pairs of inner link plates 110, multiple 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. In this embodiment, the bushing 130 has a roller 131 fitted thereon so as to be rotatable.

[0025] At the joints of the chain 100e, a joint pin 150e is used instead of the normal pin 140. As shown in FIG. 13, the joint pin 150e has an outer pin 151e and an inner pin 153e. The outer pin 151e is cylindrical and has a female thread portion 154e on its inner circumferential surface, and the inner pin 153e has an insertion portion 159e having a male thread portion 154e that is inserted into the outer pin 151e, and a head portion 155e that protrudes from the outer pin 151e.

[0026] One end of the outer pin 151e (the end opposite the head of the inner pin) is firmly fitted and fixed to the outer link plate 120, and the other end is inserted through the bushing 130 so that the end comes into contact with the joint plate 121e and the inner pin 153e is screwed into it. A head 155e of the inner pin 153e has a tapered surface portion 157 as a fixing functional portion that fits into a joint plate 121e having a tapered pin hole, and is configured so that the edge of the outer pin 151e and the tapered surface portion 157 sandwich the joint plate 121e. This eliminates the need for the head of the inner pin 153e to protrude from the joint plate 121e, allowing the overall width of the chain 100e to be reduced.

[0027] In the above-described embodiments, the roller 131 is rotatably fitted around the bushing 130, but this is not essential. In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the bushing 130 is separate from the inner link plate 110 and is fitted and fixed into the bushing hole of the inner link plate 110, but it may be formed integrally with the inner link plate 110. Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, both of the two pins of a pair of outer link plates are joint pins, but only one of them may be a joint pin, and joint portions may be provided at multiple locations within the chain. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 100 ··· Chain 110 Inner link plate 111 .... Bush hole 120 ··· Outer link plate 121 Outer link plate (joint) 122 Pin hole 130 ··· Bush 131 Laura 140 ··· pin 150 ··· Joint pin 151 Outer pin 152 Female thread 153 Inner pin 154 Male thread 155 ... head 156 Flange section 157 Tapered surface 158 ··· Mating surface 159 Insertion section

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 to or formed integrally with the inner link plates and into which the pins are inserted, the plurality of pins includes at least one joint pin; The joint pin has an outer pin and an inner pin, the outer pin is cylindrical, has a female thread on an inner peripheral surface, and is fitted and fixed in a pin hole of one of the outer link plates, The inner pin has an insertion portion having a male thread portion to be inserted into the outer pin, and a head portion protruding from the outer pin, A chain characterized in that the inner pin has a fixing functional portion for fixing the other outer link plate that forms a pair with the outer link plate to which the outer pin is fitted and fixed.

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

3. 2. The chain according to claim 1, wherein the fixing function portion has a flange portion provided on the head portion, and the flange portion is configured to prevent the other outer link plate from coming off.

4. 2. A chain as described in 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 so that the other outer link plate is sandwiched between the end edge of the outer pin on the other outer link plate side and the tapered surface portion.

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

6. 6. The chain according to claim 1, wherein the female thread portion is provided only on a portion of the outer link plate on which the outer pin is fixedly fitted.

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