Side roller mounting structure and chain with side rollers

Abstract

To facilitate the attachment and detachment of side rollers of a moving body such as a chain while firmly fixing them. 【Solution means】The chain with side rollers includes a side roller 40 rotatably supported by an insert pin 32 protruding from the side of the chain. The side roller 40 includes a roller member 42 that rolls as the chain moves, a ball bearing 41 that rotatably supports the roller member 42, and a cylindrical sleeve 33 attached to the inner peripheral side of the ball bearing 41. When inserting the insert pin 32 into the sleeve 33, the insert pin 32 includes a claw member of a claw unit 50 that can protrude radially outward, and the attachment is completed when the locking portion of the sleeve 33 receives the claw member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment structure of a side roller and a chain with side rollers, and more particularly to an attachment structure of a side roller that can be easily attached to and detached from a moving body such as a chain, and a chain with side rollers.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a side roller that is attached to the side of a moving body such as a chain and rolls to stably move an article, and a chain with side rollers in which this side roller is provided on the side of the chain have been used.

[0003] FIG. 1 is a partial plan view showing a part of an example of this type of chain with side rollers 11, with a part broken away. This type of chain with side rollers 11 has side rollers 40 attached to a chain 12 and moves in the moving direction X. The chain with side rollers 11 includes a shaft member 30, and this shaft member 30 has a portion of a chain pin 31 and a portion of an insert pin 32. The chain pin 31 is a portion that functions as a pin for connecting the chain 12 at the central portion in the longitudinal direction (width direction Y) of the shaft member 30. The insert pin 32 is provided on the shaft member 30 that protrudes outside the outer link 18 and is integrated with the chain pin 31 and rotates integrally. The insert pin 32 serves as a shaft for supporting the side roller 40. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the side roller 40 includes a roller member 42, a ball bearing 41, and a sleeve 33. The ball bearing 41 is attached to the inner circumference of the roller member 42. The sleeve 33 is mounted on the inner circumference of the ball bearing 41. The side roller 40 is attached to the insert pin 32 via the sleeve 33. By providing the ball bearing, the roller member 42 can rotate with respect to the insert pin 32.

[0004] On the one hand, FIG. 15 is a partially broken perspective view of a side roller 140 attached to an outer link plate 117 of a chain 112 described in Patent Document 1, which is a prior art. FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view before inserting an insert pin 132 of a conventional side roller 140. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the insert pin 132 is inserted into the side roller 140 shown in FIG. 16.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 16, in the chain 112 to which the side roller 140 disclosed in Patent Document 1 is attached, an insert pin retaining ring 135 is fitted into a sleeve groove 133a on the inner circumference of a sleeve 133. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, an insert pin groove 132a is formed at the tip of the insert pin 132. When the insert pin 132 is inserted into the sleeve 133, a fixing plate 136 is inserted while expanding the insert pin retaining ring 135 along its outer surface. When the insert pin groove 132a comes to the position of the insert pin retaining ring 135, the insert pin retaining ring 135 fits into the insert pin groove 132a due to its elasticity. And the insert pin 132 is fixed by the sleeve 133. In such a procedure, the side roller 140 was fixed to the insert pin 132.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the operation of attaching the side roller 140 to the insert pin 132 was complicated. Also, since the side roller 140 was fixed by a flexible insert pin retaining ring 135, the fixing strength was weak, and an improvement in the fixing strength was desired.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the mounting structure of the side roller and the chain with side rollers of the present invention is to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the side rollers of a moving body such as a chain while firmly fixing them.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] To solve the above problems, the mounting structure of the side roller of the present invention includes a side roller that is rotatably supported by an insertion shaft having a circular cross-section protruding from the side portion of the moving body. The side roller includes a roller member, a bearing that rotatably supports the roller member, and a cylindrical sleeve mounted on the inner peripheral side of the bearing. The side roller mounting structure attaches the roller member to the insertion shaft via the sleeve. The insertion shaft has a locking unit including a locking member that can protrude radially outward of the insertion shaft. The sleeve has a locking portion that receives and slides the locking unit on the inner circumference of the sleeve and locks the locking unit.

[0010] The locking member may be biased in the protruding direction and configured to be displaceable radially inward when the insertion shaft is inserted into the sleeve. The locking member has a claw shape with an inclined surface that inclines in the protruding direction from the front end portion in the insertion direction to the base end direction of the insertion shaft. When the inclined surface contacts and slides on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve during insertion of the insertion shaft, the locking member may be formed to be movable in the insertion direction along the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve.

[0011] The sleeve includes a large-diameter portion at the base end portion in the insertion direction, a small-diameter portion at the tip portion, and a stepped portion that connects the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion with an inclined surface. In the large-diameter portion, the locking member does not displace. In the stepped portion, the locking member displaces as the insertion shaft is inserted, and the displaced state of the locking member is maintained in the small-diameter portion. The locking member may protrude and be locked in the locking portion.

[0012] The locking member is provided at a position facing the central axis of the insertion shaft, and the pair of locking members may be urged in the protruding direction by an elastic body. The locking unit is provided at the tip of the insertion shaft in the insertion direction of the insertion shaft, and may include fixing means for detachably fixing the locking unit from the tip direction.

[0013] Either the outer peripheral surface of the insertion shaft or the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve is provided with a guide groove along the insertion direction, and a positioning pin is provided on the other of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion shaft or the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve, and the positioning pin can move relatively within the guide groove.

[0014] The sleeve is provided with a guide groove for guiding the locking member in the insertion direction, and the locking member protrudes and is locked to the locking portion when the insertion of the insertion shaft is completed, and the locking portion may include a rotation restricting portion for restricting the rotation of the locking member about the central axis of the insertion shaft when the locking member is locked.

[0015] The moving body is a chain, and is a chain with side rollers provided with the side rollers. The locking unit includes a dish-shaped support plate fixed to the tip of the insertion shaft, and the support plate slidably holds the pair of locking members in the support plate, and the pair of locking members are urged in the protruding direction by an elastic member disposed between the pair of locking members, and the locking portions of the locking members may be protruded so as to be lockable.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] The attachment structure of the side roller of the present invention can be firmly fixed while facilitating the attachment and detachment of the side roller to a moving body such as a chain.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, the attachment structure of the side roller of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14, taking the attachment structure of the side roller 40 in the chain 11 with side rollers, in which the side roller 40 is attached to the chain 12, as an embodiment.

[0019] <Problems of the prior art> As described in the background art of the present invention, the conventional attachment structure of the side roller 140 had the above-described problems. However, in the present embodiment, since it further addresses the following issues, a supplementary explanation will be provided.

[0020] In the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, an insert pin 132, which is an insertion shaft as shown in FIG. 17, is inserted into the side roller 140 shown in FIG. 16. At the tip of the insert pin 132, a donut-shaped fixing plate 136 with a tapered tip is fastened and fixed by a bolt 134. There is a recess at the peripheral edge on the base end side of this fixing plate 136. When it is attached to the insert pin 132 by the bolt 134, an annular insert pin groove 132a is formed at the peripheral edge of the tip of the insert pin 132.

[0021] On the other hand, an annular sleeve groove 133a is formed on the inner peripheral surface on the deeper side in the insertion direction of the sleeve 133. A flexible insert pin retaining ring 135 is fitted into this annular sleeve groove 133a.

[0022] When the insert pin 132 is inserted into the sleeve 133, the fixing plate 136 pushes and expands while bending the flexible annular insert pin retaining ring 135, and the insert pin 132 enters. When the insert pin groove 132a comes to the position of the insert pin retaining ring 135, it fits into the insert pin groove 132a due to the elasticity of the insert pin retaining ring 135. Then, the insert pin 132 is fixed to the sleeve 133 by the insert pin retaining ring 135. In such a procedure, the side roller 140 was fixed to the insert pin 132. The roller member 142 can be smoothly rotated with respect to the insert pin 132 by the ball bearing 141.

[0023] In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, the insert pin 132 and the sleeve 133 are fixed by the friction between the insert pin groove 132a and the insert pin retaining ring 135, and the friction between the sleeve groove 133a and the insert pin retaining ring 135. However, the ball bearing 141 may have increased rotational friction due to reasons such as wear, entry of foreign matter, and deterioration of the lubricant. In such a case, when the rotational resistance of the ball bearing 141 becomes greater than the frictional force between the insert pin 132 and the sleeve 133, slippage may occur between the insert pin 132 and the sleeve 133. When such slippage occurs, there is a problem that wear occurs in the insert pin 132, the fixing plate 136, the insert pin retaining ring 135, the sleeve groove 133a, etc.

[0024] Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the rotation of the sleeve 133 is suppressed by locking a rotation prevention device 137 to the base end portion of the insert pin 132 and engaging it with a notch in the stop device 133b at the opening of the sleeve 133. However, these require aligning the notch positions at the last stage of inserting the insert pin 132 into the sleeve 133. In this case, there is no gap between the outer peripheral surface of the insert pin 132 and the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 133. Further, when the insert pin retaining ring 135 is pushed in while being deflected by the fixing plate 136 of the insert pin 132, and the protruding force of the insert pin retaining ring 135 strongly acts on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing plate 136. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to rotate the insert pin 132 to align the notch positions.

[0025] Further, the insert pin retaining ring 135 needs to have flexibility in order to be elastically deformed and mounted in the sleeve groove 133a and the insert pin groove 132a, and since it is not highly strong, there is a problem that it is easily displaced even in the insertion direction.

[0026] <Summary of the Present Embodiment> In this embodiment, first, when the insert pin 32, which is an insertion shaft, is inserted into the side roller 40, due to the structure of the claw unit 50, the side roller 40 can be fixed to the insert pin 32 with one touch without tightening the bolt 134 as in the prior art.

[0027] Further, since the claw member 51 of the claw unit 50 has high rigidity, the side roller 40 can be fixed to the insert pin 32 with high fixing strength. Further, the insert pin 32 is provided with a guide groove 32g along the insertion direction, and the relative rotation between the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33 is restricted by a positioning pin 33h protruding inward from the sleeve 33.

[0028] Hereinafter, these features will be described in detail. <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, the chain 11 with side rollers according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the chain 11 with side rollers includes a chain 12 as an example of a moving body, and side rollers 40 rotatably provided on insert pins 32 protruding from the side portions of the chain 12. The side rollers 40 move in the moving direction X while rolling on a rail (not shown) as the chain 12 moves.

[0030] <Chain 12> The chain 12 includes a plurality of inner links 16 each having a pair of inner link plates 15 arranged to face each other and separated in the width direction Y. The chain 12 also includes a plurality of outer links 18 each having a pair of outer link plates 17 arranged to sandwich the pair of inner link plates 15 from the outside in the width direction Y. The inner link plates 15 of the inner links 16 and the outer link plates 17 of the outer links 18 are in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate extending along the moving direction X.

[0031] The inner link plates 15 and the outer link plates 17 facing each other in the width direction Y are arranged to be parallel to each other. Therefore, the chain 12 of the present embodiment is a so-called flat type chain configured such that the intervals between the inner link plates 15 and the intervals between the outer link plates 17 are equal at one end side and the other end side of the inner links 16 and the outer links 18 in the moving direction X thereof.

[0032] Circular bush insertion holes 15a are formed at both ends of the inner link plate 15 in the moving direction X so as to penetrate in the width direction Y which is also the thickness direction of the inner link plate 15. Between a pair of inner link plates 15 facing each other in the inner link 16, two cylindrical bushes 19 are assembled so as to maintain the distance between the pair of inner link plates 15. Both ends of the bush 19 are respectively fitted into the bush insertion holes 15a of the pair of inner link plates 15. The bush 19 rotatably supports the roller 20 by being inserted through the cylindrical roller 20. That is, the bush 19 is loosely fitted to the roller 20.

[0033] <Shaft member 30> Circular pin insertion holes 17a into which cylindrical shaft members 30 having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the bush 19 are inserted are formed at both ends of the outer link plate 17 in the moving direction X so as to penetrate in the width direction Y which is also the thickness direction of the outer link plate 17.

[0034] The central portion of the shaft member 30 in the width direction Y is a portion that functions as a chain pin 31 which is a connecting shaft for connecting the chain 12. Further, both ends of the shaft member 30 in the width direction Y are insert pins 32 protruding from the outer link plate 17.

[0035] The inner link 16 is formed by assembling the bush 19 between a pair of inner link plates 15. Further, the outer link plate 17 of the outer link 18 is rotatably connected to the inner link plate 15 of the inner link 16 via the shaft member 30 from the outside of the inner link plate 15.

[0036] In this case, the shaft member 30 is in a state where the portion of the chain pin 31 at the intermediate portion other than the portions of the insert pins 32 at both ends is inserted into the bush 19 assembled between the pair of inner link plates 15 of the inner link 16. In this state, both ends are fitted into the pin insertion holes 17a of the pair of outer link plates 17 of the outer link 18. Therefore, the shaft member 30 penetrates through the pair of outer link plates 17 respectively. Further, the inner link plate 15 of the inner link 16 and the outer link plate 17 of the outer link 18 adjacent to each other in the moving direction X are rotatably connected to each other at the ends in the moving direction X via the portion of the chain pin 31 and the bush 19. Note that the chain 12 of the present embodiment is made of a steel material.

[0037] <Insert pin 32> FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a broken view of the insert pin 32 and the side roller 40 before inserting the insert pin 32. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the insert pin 32 and the side roller 40 before inserting the insert pin 32. FIG. 4 is a side view of the side roller 40 with the insert pin 32 inserted as viewed from the outside in the width direction Y. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the V-V cross-section of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the VI-VI cross-section of FIG. 4.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, both ends of the shaft member 30 are the insert pins 32 with a reduced diameter. The movement of the shaft member 30 in the width direction Y is restricted by mounting the side roller 40 on the insert pin 32.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the insert pin 32 has a columnar shape and has an outer peripheral surface 32c which is a side surface. The outer peripheral surface 32c has a stepped portion 32f formed of a large-diameter portion 32d with a large diameter on the base side (chain 12 side), a small-diameter portion 32e with a relatively small diameter on the tip side compared to the large-diameter portion 32d, and an inclined surface connecting these.

[0040] <Side roller 40> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side roller 40 is fixed with the insert pin 32 inserted therein. The side roller 40 includes a cylindrical roller member 42, a ball bearing 41 as an example of a bearing, and a sleeve 33. The roller member 42 is rotatably supported with respect to the insert pin 32 via the ball bearing 41 (ball bearing) and rolls as the chain 12 moves in the moving direction X. In the present embodiment, two ball bearings 41 are provided so as to be adjacent to each other in the width direction Y which is also the axial direction thereof.

[0041] <Ball bearing 41> As shown in FIG. 5, the ball bearing 41 includes an annular inner ring 41a (inner race) fixed to the outer peripheral surface 32c of the insert pin 32 via the sleeve 33. Further, it includes an annular outer ring 41b (outer race) fixed to the inner peripheral surface 42a of the roller member 42. And a plurality of balls 41c interposed between the inner ring 41a and the outer ring 41b, arranged in a row at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction, and held by a cage (not shown).

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, for the ball bearing 41 on the chain 12 side (lower side in FIG. 5) of the two ball bearings 41, the inner ring 41a abuts against the step portion 33c of the sleeve 33. Further, the outer ring 41b abuts against the upper corner portion 42b of the inner peripheral surface 42a of the roller member 42 to regulate the displacement of the position in the insertion direction (width direction Y).

[0043] Furthermore, the outer ring 41b of the outer ball bearing 41 (upper side in FIG. 5) of the two ball bearings 41 abuts against an annular retaining ring 45 fitted into an annular groove 42c provided on the inner peripheral surface 42a of the roller member 42 to regulate the displacement of the position in the width direction Y.

[0044] Also, the inner ring 41a of the ball bearing 41 on the side opposite to the chain 12 (upper side in FIG. 5) of the two ball bearings 41 abuts against an annular retaining ring 33g fitted into an annular groove 33f provided on the outer peripheral surface 33e of the sleeve 33 to regulate the displacement of the position in the width direction Y.

[0045] Note that, as the lubricant inside the ball bearing 41, a material obtained by impregnating a synthetic resin with grease or the like is used. <Sleeve 33> FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cross section of the sleeve 33. As described above, the sleeve 33 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the side roller 40. Specifically, the sleeve 33 is disposed further inwardly than the inner ring 41a of the ball bearing 41 disposed on the inner periphery of the roller member 42. By attaching the sleeve 33 to the insert pin 32, the roller member 42 is attached to the insert pin 32. In other words, the roller member 42 is attached to the insert pin 32 via the sleeve 33. The portion of the sleeve 33 not shown in FIG. 7 appears symmetrically with the cut surface shown in FIG. 7 and is an overall cylindrical member. In FIG. 7, the lower side is the chain side and is the large-diameter portion 33a with a large diameter, and the upper side is the side opposite to the chain 12 and is the small-diameter portion 33b with a smaller diameter compared to the large-diameter portion 33a. And, a step portion 33c connecting the large-diameter portion 33a and the small-diameter portion 33b is provided slightly below the center in the height direction (width direction Y) of the outer peripheral surface 33e. This step portion 33c supports the lower end of the inner ring 41a of the ball bearing 41 on the chain 12 side. Further, a groove 33f for fixing the upper part of the inner ring 41a of the outer ball bearing 41 is provided at the upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface 33e, and the ball bearing 41 is fixed via a retaining ring 33g (see FIG. 5).

[0046] The upper end surface of the sleeve 33 is a locking portion 33d to which the locking claw 51b of the claw member 51 is locked (see FIG. 6). Also, as shown in FIG. 7, a pair of positioning pin holes 33i, 33i penetrating the inner peripheral surface 33k and the outer peripheral surface 33e are arranged along the insertion direction (width direction Y) at the upper part of the sleeve 33. As shown in FIG. 5, a positioning pin 33h is penetrated into this pair of positioning pin holes 33i, 33i. As shown in FIG. 2, the positioning pin 33h projects inside the sleeve 33. And when the insert pin 32 is inserted, this pair of positioning pin holes 33i, 33i slide in a guide groove 32g (see FIG. 2) provided on the outer peripheral surface 32c of the insert pin 32.

[0047] <Cover member 43> As shown in FIG. 5, inside the opening at the tip (upper side in FIG. 5) of the roller member 42 which is cylindrical as a whole, a step 42d with a reduced inner diameter from the opening is provided annularly in the circumferential direction. A disc-shaped lid member 43 is attached to this step 42d so as to seal the inside of the roller member 42. On the inner circumference of the opening of the roller member 42, a sealant accommodation groove 42e for accommodating a sealant 43a is provided above the step 42d. The lid member 43 is fitted in a state where its outer peripheral edge is sealed by the sealant 43a accommodated in the sealant accommodation groove 42e.

[0048] The lid member 43 seals this opening in a state where its lower peripheral edge abuts against the step 42d. The lid member 43 is prevented from coming off the roller member 42 by a retaining ring 43b that is elastically biased outward and accommodated in an annular retaining ring accommodation groove 42f provided on the inner peripheral surface 42a of the opening of the roller member 42.

[0049] <Sealing chamber 46> As shown in FIG. 6, in the width direction Y, an annular sealing chamber 46 is formed in the portion between the roller member 42 and the sleeve 33 at a position adjacent to the chain 12 side with respect to the ball bearing 41. The sealing chamber 46 is partitioned and formed by the roller member 42, the insert pin 32, and the ball bearing 41. An oil seal (not shown) is disposed in the sealing chamber 46 as an example of a seal member. In this sealing chamber 46, the intrusion of metal powder and sewage from the chain side is prevented. As this oil seal, a contact type seal member using elastic force, a non-contact labyrinth seal, a felt seal, etc. can be used.

[0050] <Claw unit 50> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a claw unit 50 which is an example of a locking unit is disposed at the insertion-side tip of the insert pin 32. The claw unit 50 is bolted to the tip of the insert pin 32 by a bolt 34. The claw unit 50 is composed of a claw member 51, a support plate 52, a slide bar 53, a spring 54, and a bush 55.

[0051] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the claw unit 50. FIG. 9 is a front view of the claw unit 50 as viewed from the moving direction X. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the X-X cross-section shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the XI-XI cross-section of FIG. 10.

[0052] <Support plate 52> As shown in FIG. 8, the tip surface 32i of the columnar insert pin 32 is a flat portion, and the bottom portion 52a of the disk-shaped support plate 52 having a notch 52f in part thereof is disposed so as to cover the tip surface 32i of the insert pin 32. The notch 52f has a shape in which a part of the outer periphery of the disk-shaped support plate 52 is linearly cut along the thickness direction of the support plate 52. The notch 52f is cut corresponding to the position of the regulating portion 32j protruding in the axial direction on the tip surface 32i of the insert pin 32. For this reason, the support plate 52 abuts against the regulating portion 32j protruding so as to fill the notch 52f. The height of the regulating portion 32j of the insert pin 32 is flush with the height of the bottom portion 52a. For this reason, the rotation of the support plate 52 about the central axis C is restricted. The support plate 52 has wall portions 52b and 52c that rise up in a wall shape at the peripheral edges on the notch 52f side and the side opposite to the notch 52f side in the radial direction of the support plate 52, respectively. The wall portions 52b and 52c are curved and extend along the outer periphery of the support plate 52 and have a substantially constant thickness. Between these wall portions 52b and 52c, a pair of flat opposing openings 52d and 52d without walls are formed.

[0053] <Claw member 51> As shown in FIG. 10, a pair of claw members 51 and 51 are disposed on the inner peripheral side of the wall portions 52b and 52c on the bottom portion 52a of the support plate 52. The claw member 51 includes an arc-shaped main body 51a along the inner periphery of the wall portions 52b and 52c. Further, a tongue-shaped locking claw 51b is provided so as to extend outward from the central portion of the main body 51a.

[0054] <Main body 51a> As shown in FIG. 11, the locking claw 51b of the claw member 51 is guided by the inner surface of the opening 52d and can be displaced in the radial outer and inner directions perpendicular to the width direction Y. Therefore, the claw member 51 can be displaced between the protruding position shown by the solid line and the storage position shown by the two-dot chain line, so that the locking claw 51b can protrude from the support plate 52 or be stored in the support plate. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, guide holes 51c, 51c are formed at both ends of the arc-shaped main body 51a of each of the pair of claw members 51 so as to face each other in the protruding direction. A slide bar 53 is inserted into the guide holes 51c, 51c that face each other in the protruding direction. Therefore, the pair of claw members 51 are guided by the slide bar 53 and move relatively in the protruding and retracting directions while maintaining their postures. When the pair of claw members 51 are in the most separated state, the position in the protruding direction is restricted by the main body 51a abutting against the inner circumferences of the wall portions 52b, 52c. Also, the locking claw 51b protrudes from the opening 52d of the support plate 52. Further, a spring 54, which is a compression spring made of a coil spring, is fitted onto the slide bar 53, and biases the main bodies 51a of the pair of claw members 51 in the separating direction.

[0055] <locking claw 51b> The locking claw 51b is a tongue-shaped portion that can be displaced radially outward from the central portion of the main body 51a into the opening 52d, and is arranged to extend radially outward. The locking claw 51b has a tapered shape that inclines in the protruding direction from the front end portion in the insertion direction toward the proximal end direction of the insert pin 32, and has a claw shape with a generally planar inclined surface 51d (see FIG. 8). That is, the normal line of the inclined surface 51d inclines outward in the insertion direction. Also, the surface of the locking claw 51b on the side of the support plate 52 is a flat surface parallel to the bottom portion 52a. When the inclined surface 51d abuts against the inclined surface 33l of the inner circumferential surface 33k of the sleeve 33 during the insertion of the insert pin 32, the locking claw 51b is pushed radially inward. That is, the locking claw 51b is pushed into the support plate 52. Therefore, the locking claw 51b of the claw member 51 is formed to be movable in the insertion direction along the inner circumferential surface 33k of the sleeve 33. Therefore, the insert pin 32 can be smoothly inserted into the sleeve 33.

[0056] <Bushing 55> Here, the bushing 55 shown in FIG. 8 is a member including a cylindrical portion, i.e., a cylinder portion 55a, and a flange portion 55b formed in a flange shape at the tip end side in the insertion direction of the cylinder portion 55a. The cylinder portion 55a of this bushing 55 is inserted into a circular through hole 52e opened at the center of the support plate 52. The outer diameter of the cylinder portion 55a is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the through hole 52e. Further, the outer diameter of the flange portion 55b is such that the peripheral edge of the flange portion 55b abuts against the inner circumferences of the wall portions 52b and 52c of the support plate 52. Therefore, when the cylinder portion 55a of the bushing 55 is inserted into the through hole 52e of the support plate 52 that houses the claw member 51, the flange portion 55b is in a state of holding the claw member 51 so as to be displaceable. The inner diameter of the cylinder portion 55a of the bushing 55 is substantially equal to the thread diameter of the bolt 34.

[0057] <Bolt 34> As shown in FIG. 8, the bolt 34 is threadably engageable with the threaded hole 32h of the insert pin 32. That is, when the bolt 34 is passed through the through hole 55c of the bushing 55 and threadably engaged with the threaded hole 32h of the insert pin 32, the claw unit 50 is attached and fixed to the tip end of the insert pin 32.

[0058] (Operation of the First Embodiment) The side roller chain 11 configured as described above has the following operations. (Attachment of the Side Roller 40 to the Insert Pin 32) As shown in FIG. 2, the insert pin 32 is inserted into the inside of the sleeve 33 of the side roller 40. Then, the locking claw 51b shown in FIG. 8 passes through the inner circumferential surface 33k of the large diameter portion 33a of the sleeve 33 while protruding. Therefore, the insert pin 32 can be easily rotated about the central axis C with respect to the side roller 40.

[0059] When the insert pin 32 is further inserted, the tip of the locking claw 51b abuts against the inclined surface 33l (see FIG. 7) of the inner peripheral surface 33k of the sleeve 33. Also, the positioning pin 33h may interfere with a part of the claw unit 50. In this case, it becomes impossible to insert the insert pin 32 into the sleeve 33. At this timing, when the sleeve 33 is rotated with respect to the insert pin 32, the interference between the positioning pin 33h and a part of the claw unit 50 is eliminated at the location where the guide groove 32g and the positioning pin 33h coincide. Therefore, the insert pin 32 can be further inserted into the inside of the sleeve 33.

[0060] Then, when the insert pin 32 is further inserted, the inclined surface 51d of the locking claw 51b abuts against the inclined surface 33l on the inner periphery of the sleeve 33, and the locking claw 51b is displaced radially inward. For this reason, the claw unit 50 does not interfere with the sleeve 33 when the insert pin 32 is inserted, and the positioning pin 33h of the sleeve 33 is guided by the guide groove 32g and inserted. Therefore, the rotation of the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33 is restricted by the guide groove 32g with respect to the positioning pin 33h.

[0061] Furthermore, when the insert pin 32 is inserted into the sleeve 33, as shown in FIG. 6, the stepped portion 32f (see FIG. 2) of the insert pin 32 abuts against the inclined surface 33l of the sleeve 33, restricting further insertion. At this stage, the locking claw 51b of the claw unit 50 protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction. For this reason, the locking claw 51b is locked to the locking portion 33d (see FIG. 7) of the sleeve 33, and the insert pin 32 is in a state where it cannot be removed from the sleeve 33.

[0062] That is, the side roller 40 is fixed to the insert pin 32. In this way, the side roller 40 can be attached to the chain 12 with one touch by simply pressing the side roller 40 against the insert pin 32 of the chain 12 shown in FIG. 1.

[0063] <Use of the chain 11 with side rollers> As shown in Fig. 1, during the use of the chain 11 with side rollers, as the chain 12 moves, the insert pin 32 moves, and along with this movement, the side roller 40 rolls. At this time, as shown in Fig. 5, the inner ring 41a of the ball bearing 41 is screwed to the insert pin 32 via the sleeve 33 with a bolt 34. Also, the outer ring 41b of the ball bearing 41 is fixed to the rolling roller member 42. In such a state, due to reasons such as wear, rust, entry of foreign substances (liquids or solids), and deterioration of the lubricating oil of the ball bearing 41, the rotational resistance of the ball bearing 41 itself may increase. Then, since the rotational resistance of the ball bearing 41 may become larger than the frictional resistance between the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33, slippage may occur between the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33. When such slippage occurs, there is a risk of wear and deformation of the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33. Therefore, in this embodiment, positioning pins 33h, 33h are provided on the sleeve 33, and by inserting the insert pin 32 into the guide groove 32g, slippage between the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33 is restricted.

[0064] <Detachment of the Side Roller 40> A method for detaching the side roller 40 from the insert pin 32 will be described starting from the state shown in Fig. 6. First, in order to remove the lid member 43 that seals the outer side in the width direction Y of the roller member 42 of the side roller 40, the retaining ring 43b (Fig. 4) that fixes the lid member 43 is removed. The C-shaped retaining ring 43b is biased to expand outwardly by elasticity and is fitted into the retaining ring receiving groove 42f on the inner circumference of the roller member 42. This retaining ring 43b is bent inward to be removed from the roller member 42. Then, the lid member 43 can be removed.

[0065] Next, when the lid member 43 is removed, the claw unit 50 is exposed. The locking claw 51b of this claw unit 50 is pushed into the support plate 52 with a tool or the like to release the locking with the locking portion 33d. Then, while releasing the locking, the side roller 40 is pulled out from the insert pin 32, and thus the side roller 40 can be removed from the chain 12.

[0066] Also, when the lid member 43 is removed, the bolt 34 is exposed. Therefore, this bolt 34 may be removed with a tool. By doing so, the claw unit 50 that has fixed the insert pin 32 to the sleeve 33 becomes disengaged. For this reason, the insert pin 32 can be removed from the sleeve 33. That is, the side roller 40 can be removed from the chain 12. And also, if the claw unit 50 is fixed with the bolt 34, it becomes possible to attach the side roller 40 to the insert pin 32 again with one touch.

[0067] (Effect of the First Embodiment) (1-1) The attachment structure of the side roller 40 of this embodiment has the effect that it can be firmly fixed while facilitating the attachment and detachment of the side roller 40 to / from the moving body composed of the chain 12.

[0068] (1-2) It includes a claw unit 50 provided at the tip of the insert pin 32 and having a locking claw 51b that can project radially outward orthogonal to the insertion direction (width direction Y) in which the insert pin 32 is inserted into the sleeve 33. Also, it includes a locking claw 51b that receives and slides the locking claw 51b on the inner circumference of the sleeve 33 and locks the side roller 40 to the locking portion 33d of the insert pin 32.

[0069] For this reason, by projecting the locking claw 51b of the claw member 51 with the locking portion 33d, there is an effect that the side roller 40 can be locked to the insert pin 32. When the locking claw 51b of the claw member 51 projects with the locking portion 33d, a click sound is generated. For this reason, there is an effect that the operator can easily confirm that the attachment is completed by this click sound.

[0070] (1-3) The locking claw 51b is biased in the protruding direction (radial outward direction), and is configured such that the locking claw 51b can be displaced radially inward when the insert pin 32 is inserted into the sleeve 33. For this reason, at the time of insertion, the locking claw 51b can be smoothly inserted by being displaced radially inward, and once the insertion is completed, the side roller 40 can be locked to the insert pin 32 with one touch by protruding the locking claw 51b.

[0071] (1-4) The locking claw 51b has a claw shape having an inclined surface 51d that inclines in the protruding direction from the front end portion in the insertion direction (width direction Y) to the base end direction of the insert pin 32. Further, when the insert pin 32 is inserted, the inclined surface 51d abuts against the inner peripheral surface 33k of the sleeve 33 and the locking claw 51b is displaced radially inward. Thus, the locking claw 51b is formed to be movable in the insertion direction along the inner peripheral surface 33k of the sleeve 33. For this reason, when the insert pin 32 is inserted into the sleeve 33, the locking claw 51b does not interfere with the insertion, and after the insertion, the sleeve 33 can be firmly fixed to the insert pin 32 by the locking claw 51b.

[0072] (1-5) The cylindrical sleeve 33 includes a large-diameter portion 33a at the base end portion in the insertion direction, a small-diameter portion 33b at the tip portion, and a stepped portion 33c that continuously connects the large-diameter portion 33a and the small-diameter portion 33b with an inclined surface. In the large-diameter portion 33a, the locking claw 51b protrudes radially, but does not interfere with the sleeve 33. As the insert pin 32 is inserted in the stepped portion 33c, the locking claw 51b is displaced radially inward. In the small-diameter portion 33b, the state in which the locking claw 51b is displaced radially inward is maintained, and in the locking portion 33d, the locking claw 51b protrudes radially outward and is locked. For this reason, until midway through the insertion of the insert pin 32, it can be inserted without resistance and rotatably. At this stage, there is an effect that the alignment between the guide groove 32g and the positioning pin 33h can be easily achieved.

[0073] (1-6) The claw member 51 is provided at a position facing the central axis C of the insert pin 32, and the pair of claw members 51 are biased in the protruding direction by a spring 54. Therefore, there is an effect that the locking claw 51b is always in a protruding state.

[0074] (1-7) The claw unit 50 is provided at the tip of the insert pin 32 in the insertion direction (width direction Y). Further, it is provided with a bolt 34 for detachably fixing the claw unit 50 from the tip direction. By removing this bolt 34, there is an effect that the side roller 40 can be removed from the insert pin 32.

[0075] (1-8) The outer peripheral surface 32c of the insert pin 32 is provided with a guide groove 32g along the insertion direction. Further, on the inner peripheral surface 33k of the sleeve 33, a positioning pin 33h that relatively slides in the guide groove 32g is provided. Therefore, there is an effect that the relative rotation between the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33 can be restricted.

[0076] (1-9) The moving body is a chain 12, and the insert pin 32 is configured coaxially with the chain pin 31 of the shaft member 30 that constitutes the chain pin 31 for connecting the chain 12. Therefore, there is an effect that the side roller 40 can be arranged at the bent portion of the chain 12, and a chain 11 with side rollers that moves smoothly can be obtained.

[0077] (1-10) The claw unit 50 includes a dish-shaped support plate 52 fixed to the tip of the insert pin 32. The support plate 52 slidably holds the locking claws 51b of the pair of claw members 51 within the support plate 52. A spring 54 disposed between the pair of claw members 51 biases the pair of claw members 51 in the protruding direction, and causes the locking claws 51b of the claw members 51 to protrude so as to be lockable. With this support plate 52, the claw unit 50 can be made into an integral configuration.

[0078] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment, which is an example of another aspect of the present invention, will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration that restricts the relative rotation between the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33. Regarding the common configurations, the description will be omitted.

[0079] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the second embodiment. FIG. 13(a) is a front view of the insert pin 32 of the second embodiment as viewed from the Y direction. FIG. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view of the XII(b)-XII(b) cross-section of (a). FIG. 14(a) is a side view of a modified example of the sleeve 33 of the second embodiment as viewed from the X direction. FIG. 14(b) is a cross-sectional view of the XIV(b)-XIV(b) cross-section of (a).

[0080] In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the insert pin 32 is provided with a guide groove 32g, but in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 12, 13(a), and 13(b), the guide groove 32g is not provided. Other parts have basically the same configuration as the insert pin 32 and the claw unit 50 of the first embodiment.

[0081] Also, in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the sleeve 33 is provided with a positioning pin 33h, but in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 12, 14(a), and 14(b), the sleeve 33 is not provided with a positioning pin 33h.

[0082] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, in the second embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 33 is provided with a guide groove 33m that is not present in the first embodiment. This guide groove 33m is a groove extending in the insertion direction of the sleeve 33 in the small-diameter portion 33b of the sleeve 33. The width of the guide groove 33m is approximately equal to the width of the locking claw 51b of the claw unit 50, and the locking claw 51b is slid in the insertion direction while being guided without a gap within the guide groove 33m.

[0083] In addition, the sleeve 33 of the second embodiment is provided with a locking portion 33d′, similar to the sleeve 33 of the first embodiment. However, in the locking portion 33d of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the entire end face on the distal end side of the sleeve 33 is a flat locking portion 33d. Therefore, the locking claw 51b itself does not have a function of restricting the relative rotation between the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33.

[0084] On the other hand, in the locking portion 33d′ of the second embodiment, both sides extend in the distal end direction and a rotation restricting portion 33j is formed. Therefore, the circumferential width of the locking portion 33d′ of the second embodiment is formed to be approximately equal to the width of the locking claw 51b by the rotation restricting portions 33j on both sides. That is, the locking portion 33d′ of the second embodiment restricts the rotation of the locking claw 51b about the central axis C by the rotation restricting portion 33j.

[0085] (Operation of the Second Embodiment) Referring to FIG. 12, when the insert pin 32 is inserted into the sleeve 33, the locking claw 51b of the claw unit 50 passes through the large-diameter portion 33a in a protruding state. When further inserted, the locking claw 51b abuts against the stepped portion 33c. In this state, when further inserted, the locking claw 51b is pushed in by the stepped portion 33c and passes through the small-diameter portion 33b. At this time, even if the rotational position of the locking claw 51b is deviated from the guide groove 33m, insertion is possible. If the rotational position of the locking claw 51b coincides with the guide groove 33m, it may be inserted as it is. When the rotational position of the locking claw 51b is deviated from the guide groove 33m, if the insert pin 32 is rotated relative to the sleeve 33, when the rotational position of the locking claw 51b coincides with the guide groove 33m, the locking claw 51b fits into the guide groove 33m.

[0086] (Modification) In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the sleeve 33 includes a large-diameter portion 33a and a small-diameter portion 33b, similar to the first embodiment. On the other hand, as in the modification shown in FIG. 14(b), the stepped portion 33c can be omitted. In this case, when starting the insertion, if the locking claw 51b and the guide groove 33m are visually aligned in terms of the rotational position, the insertion can be performed smoothly. Also, there may be a case where the rotational position of the locking claw 51b is misaligned with the guide groove 33m. Even in this case, if the insert pin 32 is rotated relative to the sleeve 33, when the rotational position of the locking claw 51b coincides with the guide groove 33m, the locking claw 51b will fit into the guide groove 33m.

[0087] In any case, if the insertion is continued as it is, the locking claw 51b will project and be locked to the locking portion 33d′, and the attachment of the side roller 40 to the insert pin 32 will be completed. Note that even when the rotational position of the locking claw 51b is misaligned with the guide groove 33m, the insertion is still possible. However, if the insertion is performed with the misalignment remaining, the locking claw 51b will not be locked to the locking portion 33d′. For this reason, the side roller 40 cannot be attached to the insert pin 32, there will be no clicking sound when the locking claw 51b is locked to the locking portion 33d′, and the operator can easily confirm whether the attachment is completely completed.

[0088] (Effect of the Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, in addition to the effects common to the first embodiment, there are the following effects.

[0089] (2-1) When inserting the insert pin 32 into the side roller 40, the locking claw 51b of the claw member 51 attached to the tip of the insert pin 32 is guided within the guide groove 33m of the sleeve 33. For this reason, there is an effect of suppressing the relative rotation between the insert pin 32 centered on the central axis C and the side roller 40.

[0090] (2-2) The locking claw 51b of the claw unit 50 that slides within the guide groove 33m of the sleeve 33 is locked to the locking portion 33d' as it is by being inserted, so there is an effect that the side roller 40 can be easily attached to the insert pin 32.

[0091] (2-3) The locking claw 51b locked to the locking portion 33d' has an effect that its circumferential movement is restricted by the rotation restricting portions 33j, 33j provided on both sides in the circumferential direction thereof. (2-4) Even when the locking claw 51b of the claw member 51 is not guided within the guide groove 33m of the sleeve 33, if the sleeve 33 and the insert pin 32 are relatively rotated about the central axis C, there is an effect that the locking claw 51b can be easily introduced into the guide groove 33m.

[0092] (2-5) Since it is not necessary to drill the positioning pin hole 33i in the sleeve 33 and fix the positioning pin 33h as in the first embodiment, there is an effect that the structure is simplified. <Modification Example> The first embodiment and the second embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications.

[0093] · The inventions disclosed in the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be appropriately combined and implemented by those skilled in the art as long as there is no contradiction. · In this embodiment, as the locking member of the present invention, the claw members 51, 51 disposed at a pair of opposing positions are exemplified, but the locking member is not limited to a pair, and one or three or more locking members may be used. However, it is preferably an even number from the viewpoint of balance.

[0094] · The configuration in which the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33 are guided and inserted while restricting rotation, such as the guide groove 32g and the positioning pin 33h exemplified in the first embodiment, and the guide groove 33m and the locking claw 51b exemplified in the second embodiment, is not limited thereto. For example, it may be configured with a rib-shaped portion instead of a groove and a slider that slides thereon.

[0095] ·The locking claw 51b of the claw unit 50 is not limited to a shape with a thin and tapered tip, and may have a uniform thickness. In this case, by providing the inclined surface 33l of the sleeve 33, the locking claw 51b can be pushed in.

[0096] ·Also, if the locking claw 51b of the claw unit 50 has a thin and tapered tip, it is also possible to push in the locking claw 51b by using a vertical step instead of the inclined surface 33l of the sleeve 33.

[0097] ·Although the elastic member of the present invention is exemplified by the spring 54 which is a spiral spring in this embodiment, the elastic body is not limited to this, and a leaf spring can also be used. Further, it is also possible to bias using an elastic body such as rubber.

[0098] ·In this embodiment, the locking claw 51b is biased by the spring 54 so as to protrude, but it is not necessarily required to be biased. For example, at the position where the side roller 40 is attached to the insert pin 32, the locking claw 51b may be manually protruded.

[0099] ·Either one of the two ball bearings 41 may be omitted. Also, three or more ball bearings 41 may be used. ·Regardless of the type of the bearing of the present invention, instead of the ball bearing 41 as the bearing, a roller bearing may be used. Also, other types of bearings can be used.

[0100] ·Although the bolt 34 for fixing the claw unit 50 is exemplified as the fixing means for detachably fixing the locking unit of the present invention from the tip direction, the fixing means only needs to be able to detachably fix the locking unit from the tip direction, and is not limited to the bolt 34.

[0101] ·The moving body of the present invention is not limited to the chain 12, and may be a belt conveyor, a conveying tray, a case, or the like as the moving body. ·In this embodiment, a configuration in which side rollers 40 are provided on both sides of the chain 12 is exemplified, but a configuration in which the side rollers 40 are provided on only one side may also be used.

[0102] · In this embodiment, the shaft member 30 having the chain pin 31 and the insert pin 32 integrally is exemplified, but those in which the chain pin 31 and the insert pin 32 are separately configured may also be used.

[0103] · The drawings are schematic drawings for explaining the configuration of this embodiment, and the quantity, shape, dimensions, etc. thereof do not reflect the actual form. · Each numerical value, numerical range, shape, material, etc., such as quantity, shape, and dimensions, is an example and does not limit the present invention. Needless to say, it will be appropriately optimized by those skilled in the art.

[0104] · In the present invention, although metal parts are used, the type of metal is not limited, and resin parts can be adopted when the load is smaller. Further, the roller member 42 may be made of rubber or the like.

[0105] · In addition, needless to say, the configuration of the present invention can be added, deleted, or changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the description of the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0106] X... Moving direction Y... Width direction (insertion direction) C... Central axis 11, 111... Chain with side rollers 12, 112... Chain (as an example of a moving body) 30... Shaft member 31... Chain pin (as a connecting shaft) 32, 132... Insert pin (as an insertion shaft) 32c... Outer peripheral surface 32g... Guide groove 33, 133... Sleeve 33a... Large diameter portion 33b... Small diameter portion 33c... Step portion 33d, 33d′... Locking portion 33h... Positioning pin 33j... Rotation restricting portion 33k…Inner circumferential surface 33m…Guide groove 34, 134…Bolts 40, 140…Side rollers 41, 141…Ball bearings (as an example of bearings) 42, 142…Roller members 50…Claw unit (as a locking unit) 51…Claw member (as a locking member) 51b…Locking claw (as a locking member) 52…Support plate 54…Spring

Claims

1. A side roller is provided which is rotatably supported by an insertion shaft having a circular cross section and protruding from a side portion of the moving body, The side roller includes a roller member, a bearing that rotatably supports the roller member, and a cylindrical sleeve that is attached to the inner periphery of the bearing, A side roller mounting structure for mounting the roller member to the insertion shaft via the sleeve, The insertion shaft has a locking unit including a locking member capable of protruding radially outward from the insertion shaft, The sleeve receives the locking unit on an inner periphery of the sleeve, slides thereon, and has a locking portion that locks the locking unit. A side roller mounting structure comprising:

2. The locking member is biased in a protruding direction, The locking member is configured to be displaceable radially inward when the insertion shaft is inserted into the sleeve.

2. The side roller mounting structure according to claim 1.

3. the locking member has a claw shape having an inclined surface that is inclined in a protruding direction from a front end portion in an insertion direction of the insertion shaft toward a base end portion of the insertion shaft, The inclined surface abuts against and slides on the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve when the insertion shaft is inserted, so that the locking member is movable along the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve in the insertion direction of the insertion shaft.

3. The side roller mounting structure according to claim 2.

4. the sleeve has a large diameter portion at a base end in an insertion direction of the insertion shaft, a small diameter portion at a tip end, and a step portion that connects the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion with a slope, 3. The side roller mounting structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking member does not displace in the large diameter portion, the locking member displaces in the step portion as the insertion shaft is inserted, the displaced state of the locking member is maintained in the small diameter portion, and the locking member protrudes and is locked in the locking portion.

5. The locking member is provided at a position facing the central axis of the insertion shaft, 3. The side roller mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the pair of locking members are biased in the protruding direction by an elastic body.

6. A guide groove is provided on either an outer circumferential surface of the insertion shaft or an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve along an insertion direction of the insertion shaft, A positioning pin is provided on the other of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion shaft and the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve, 3. The side roller mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the positioning pin is relatively movable within the guide groove.

7. the sleeve has a guide groove for guiding the locking member in an insertion direction of the insertion shaft, and the locking member projects to the locking portion and is locked thereto when the insertion of the insertion shaft is completed; The locking portion includes a rotation restricting portion that restricts the locking member from rotating about the central axis of the insertion shaft when the locking member is locked.

2. The side roller mounting structure according to claim 1.

8. The moving body is a chain, and the chain with side rollers is provided with the side rollers according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images