Patent Application
20140150621
This patent application claims priority from co-pending Israeli Patent Application IL/223165 filed on Nov. 20, 2012.
The present invention relates generally to chains, designed to move and/or remove material, as well as to a tool therefor.
Examples and limitations related hereto and brought herein below are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the figures. An illustrative example of a chain used for cutting is a well-known chain-saw. However, such exemplary and illustrative purpose, and the related description and drawings herein, should be interpreted by way of illustrative purpose without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Other types of chains and/or uses may well be considered as applicable for the utilization of the presently disclosed invention.
One exemplary use of chains is to remove material, as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,072, disclosing, inter alia, “. . . an abrasive particle impregnated mesh on an inclined surface and on select areas of its side skirts. The skirts cover as least a portion of the bores in the drive links and support links to retain and protect the fasteners therein.”
Thus, it may be advantageous to have a chain that may offer enhance performance and/or fewer parts. Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention may become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiment thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.
In the following disclosure, aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. The present disclosure may be further directed to a method of utilization and/or usage of such apparatuses
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel, highly modular, chain tool having easy and simple-to-manufacture chains and/or tool bodies.
One aspect of the present invention generally concerns a chain segment for a tool comprising a plurality of members which are consecutively connected together. Each member has a median plane M which is disposed parallel to and which is interposed between a first and a second flank of the member, the median plane M bisecting the member thickness TM. Adjacent median planes M of adjacent members are disposed parallel to the first median plane but displaced therefrom by the member thickness TM.
Potentially, two subsequent members are pivotally connected together by means of a connector.
Potentially further, each one of the plurality of members comprises two connectors disposed between an outer side and an inner side of each member, with one connector disposed adjacent to a first sidewall of the member and the other connector disposed adjacent to a second sidewall of the member.
Moreover, the two connectors of a single member define therebetween a member length LM.
Optionally, members are identical.
Alternatively, the plurality of members comprises at least one keel member and at least one rider member.
Further alternatively, keel members and rider members alternate.
Potentially, the keel member has a keel depth DK and the rider member has a rider depth DR, wherein such depths are defined as the distances from the center of the connector CLC to an inner side of the keel and the rider members, respectively.
Possibly, the keel depth DK is greater than the rider depth DR.
Optionally, the keel member length LMK of the keel member is greater than the rider member length LMR of the rider member.
Alternatively, the keel member length LMK of the keel member is smaller than the rider member length LMR of the rider member.
Potentially, the outer side of the at least one member is adapted to accommodate an appendage comprising a functional means for performing desired functions.
Another aspect of the present invention concerns a chain tool adapted to cooperate with chain segments. The chain tool comprises a tool body having a rotational symmetry about a longitudinal axis X and an envelope extending between a first lid and a second lid. The envelope comprises parallel circumferentially extending alternating ridge faces and groove faces. Each one of the ridge faces extends between a first fence and a second fence while each groove face extends between the second fence and a consecutive first fence. The chain tool further comprises at least one chain segment spiraling around the tool body in a direction away from the first lid and towards the second lid thereof.
Possibly, the tool body is solid.
Further possibly, the tool body is modular, comprising alternating and interfitting ridge rings and groove rings.
Potentially, members have their inner side touching the envelope.
Further potentially, each one of the rider members touches a corresponding ridge face while each keel member touches a groove face.
Moreover, a portion of each keel member is submerged below the ridge faces, and supported by the first and second fences, so that a ridge width WR and a groove width WG are generally similar to the member thickness TM, while the groove depth GD of the groove face, disposed radially inwardly below the ridge face, is generally the difference between the keel depth DK and the rider depth DR.
In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the accompanying figures and by study of the following detailed descriptions.
Exemplary and/or illustrative embodiments of the present invention will be presented herein below in the following figures, by way of example only. The present invention may be best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like segments have the same reference numerals. When pluralities of similar segments are present, a single reference numeral may be assigned to each plurality of similar segments with a small letter designation referring to specific segments. When referring to the segments collectively or to a non-specific one or more of the segments, the small letter designation may be eliminated. It should be emphasized that according to common practice, various features of the drawings are not drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated. Dimensions of various features may be expanded and/or reduced and/or roughly shown and/or omitted entirely, to show details of particular components, for the purpose that the present disclosure may become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying schematic figures.
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
As required, a schematic, exemplary embodiment of the present chain and chain tool are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure, which may be embodied in various and/or alternative forms. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Aspects, advantages and/or other features of exemplary embodiments of the invention will become apparent in view of the following detailed description, which discloses various non-limiting embodiments of the invention. In describing exemplary embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the embodiments are not intended to be limited to this specific terminology. It is to be understood that each specific segment includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
Exemplary embodiments may be adapted for many different purposes and are not intended to be limited to the specific exemplary purposes set forth herein. Other non-limiting examples of such embodiments are compositions that may be used, for example, for structural components. Those skilled in the art would be able to adapt the embodiments of the present disclosure, depending for example, on the intended use of the embodiment.
In
Any two subsequent first embodiment members 120 are pivotally connected together by means of a connector 140. In the first embodiment chain segment 110, the connector 140 comprises a pin 142 passing through two adjacent and co-aligned through-holes or bores 150. In each one of the plurality of first embodiment members 120, there are two connectors 140 at opposite first and second ends 136,138 adjacent to the first and a second sidewalls 132, 134. Accordingly, in each one of the plurality of first embodiment members 120, there are two through-holes or bores 150. Each through-hole or bore 150 passes through the member thickness TMJ, connecting the first and second flanks 170,180 and opening therethrough.
The two connectors 140 of a single member 120 define therebetween a member length LM. In the first embodiment chain segment 110, the pin 142 is inserted through two serially aligned members 120 and passes through two matching and co-aligned pin through-holes or bores 150, each in one of the two neighboring members 120. At least some of the plurality of members 120 may be provided with an appendage 160 on and/or about the outer or upper side 126 that may accommodate functional means for performing desired functions.
As can be best seen in
Attention is presently directed to
Attention is presently drawn to
The second embodiment chain segment 410 comprises a plurality of second embodiment members 420. Any two serial or adjacent second embodiment members 420 are pivotally connected together by means of a lug 398. At least some of the plurality of second embodiment members 420 may be provided with an appendage 460 on or about an outer side 426 thereof that may accommodate functional means for performing desired functions, as is well known in the art. In the second embodiment chain segment 410, the lug 398 is integral with one of the second embodiment member 420 and is insertable through a corresponding mount or keyhole 396 of a preceding and/or subsequent second embodiment members 420. The lug 398 has at least one radial projection 399 extending away from the lug 398 and the mount or keyhole 396 is shaped as to allow the at least one radial projection 399 to pass therethrough when the lug 398 is in a certain position while preventing such passage therethrough in any other position, so that the mount 396 facilitates the insertion of the lug 398 when the members 420 are within an insertion range of positions relative to one another, and prevents insertion and/or extraction when the members 420 are in a securing range of positions relative to each other, as is known in the art.
Attention is presently drawn to
Attention is presently drawn to
Attention is presently drawn to
Chain segments, such as first, second, third, fourth and/or fifth exemplary embodiments of chain segments 110,410,510,710, and 910, but not limited thereto, are generally designed to be used in association with a chain tool. An exemplary embodiment of such a chain tool 1110 is shown in
The tool body 1120 may be solid and/or hollow, as desired. Moreover the tool body 1120 may be monolithic and/or modular, as desired. The tool body 1120 of the exemplary embodiment of the chain tool 1110 shown in
Returning now to
Attention is presently directed to
The sixth embodiment chain segment 2110 comprises a plurality of sixth embodiment chain members 2120. Each one of the plurality of sixth embodiment chain members 2120 comprises two generally parallel and opposing first and second flanks 2170,2180 separated by a member thickness TM6. The first and second flanks 2170, 2180 are connected therebetween by a periphery 122 having generally opposing inner and outer sides 2124, 2126. The inner and outer sides 2124, 2126 are connected therebetween by a first and a second sidewall 2132, 2134 respectively.
Any two subsequent sixth embodiment members 2120 are pivotally connected together by means of a connector 2140. In the sixth embodiment chain segment 2110, the connector 2140 is in a shape of a pin and a socket. On the first flank 2170 adjacent to the second sidewall 2134 and generally between the inner and outer sides 2124, 2126, there is disposed a socket 2142 while from the opposite second flank 2180, adjacent to the first sidewall 2132 and generally between the inner and outer sides 2124,2126, there is disposed a pin 2144. The pin 2144 protrudes away from the second flank 2180 generally transversely thereto, while the socket 2142 is sunk into the member 2120 inside of the first flank 2170 and generally transversely thereto.
The outer side 2126 is provided with a sixth embodiment appendage 2160 upstanding therefrom. The sixth embodiment appendage 2160 is adapted to chip removing machinery. The inner side 2124 has a keel 2162 disposed thereon, merging with the inner side 2134 and jutting outwardly away therefrom so as to terminate at a keel face 2164. The keel 2162 has generally parallel and opposed first and second keel flanks 2172,2182 merging with, and upstanding from, the inner side 2124 and interconnected by the keel face 2164 and generally opposed first and second keel walls 2132, 2134 extending therebetween generally transversely to the first and second keel flanks 2172,2182. The keel 2162 is disposed generally about the center of the sixth embodiment member wherein the width TM6 is defined as the distance between the first and second flanks 2170,2180, and has a keel thickness TK defined as the distance between the first and the second keel flanks 2172,2182. The keel 2162 is flanked by generally similar rider faces 2166 of the inner side 2124. As best seen in
In the sixth embodiment of the chain segment 2110, each sixth embodiment member 2120 has a rider depth DR defined as a distance from the center of the connector CLC to the inner or lower side 2124 of the sixth embodiment member 2120 and a keel depth DK defined as the distance from the center of the connector CLC to the keel face 2164. In the sixth embodiment of the chain segment 2110, the keel depth DK is greater than the rider depth DR.
Attention is presently directed to
Referring now to
The tool body 2420 comprises an envelope 2430 extending generally axially away from the first lid 2440 so as to terminate at the second lid (hidden in
Each one of the plurality of sixth embodiment members 2120 has its inner side 2124 touching the envelope 2430. The inner side 2124 of each member 2120 rides one of the ridge faces 2450 of the tool body 2420, with each one of the rider faces 2166 of each one of the inner sides 2124 touching consecutive ridge faces 2450, while each keel face 2164 is facing, but not necessarily abutting, the groove face 2460. A portion of each keel member 2490 is submerged below one of the ridge faces 2450 and is supported by the first and second fences of the envelope 2430. A ridge width WR and a groove width WG are generally similar to the member thickness TM, while the groove depth GD of each groove face 1160, extending radially inwardly below the ridge face 1150, is generally the difference between the keel depth DK and the rider depth DR.
In view of the foregoing, it shall be evident that the present invention provides a unique system for constructing a modular, configurable, chain tool that facilitates wrapping a chain thereabout, as well as chain segments facilitating such modularity.
All directional references (for example, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the devices and/or methods disclosed herein. Joinder references (for example, attached, coupled, connected, hinged, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of segments and relative movement between segments. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two segments are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.
Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another embodiment, variation and/or modification.
Similarly, adjectives such as, but not limited to, “articulated”, “modified”, or similar, should be construed broadly, and only as nominal, and may not create any limitations, not create any limitations, particularly as to the description, operation, or use unless specifically set forth in the claims.
In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad present disclosure, and that this present disclosure not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications and/or adaptations may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is to be understood that individual features shown or described for one embodiment may be combined with individual features shown or described for another embodiment. It is to be understood some features are shown or described to illustrate the use of the present disclosure in the context of functional segments and such features may be omitted within the scope of the present disclosure and without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.
