Metal chain link for chain conveyor with perfected structure

Abstract

A metal chain link designed to form a chain conveyor includes a pair of parallel plates connected by a pair of articulated joint cross pins with adjacent links of the chain and said plates being overlain by a cover forming the carrying surface of the link designed to snap-engage on opposite ends of the pins projecting laterally with respect to said link plates with the cover including first generically U-shaped metal part designed to embrace said plates and bearing holes for snap coupling with the ends of said pins on opposite sides of the link and a second generically U-shaped metal part overlying the first to define lateral link guide surfaces and an upper plate overlying the two U-shaped parts to form the carrying surface of the link. Said upper plate is provided with a cavity on the lower side to receive upper parts of the U-shaped parts overlying the chain plates.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To clarify the explanation of the innovative principles of the present invention and its advantages compared with the prior art there is described below with the aid of the annexed drawings a possible embodiment thereof by way of non-limiting example applying said principles. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of part of a chain conveyor formed with metal links in accordance with this invention,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of two U-shaped parts forming part of the cover of the chain base-link,

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section view of the chain link of the above figures, and

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing an alternative realization of this invention.

Claims

1. Metal chain link designed to form a chain conveyor and including a pair of parallel plates connected by a pair of articulated joint cross pins with adjacent links of the chain and said plates being overlain by a cover forming the carrying surface of the link designed to snap-engage on opposite ends of the pins projecting laterally with respect to said link plates with the cover including a first generically U-shaped metal part designed to embrace said plates and bearing holes for a snap coupling with the ends of said pins on opposite sides of the link and a second generically U-shaped part overlying the first to define lateral guide surfaces of the link and an upper plate overlying the two U-shaped parts to form the carrying surface of the link and characterized in that said upper plate is provided with a cavity on the lower side to receive upper parts of the U-shaped parts overlying the chain plates.

2. Chain link in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that said 1st and 2nd U-shaped parts have aligned holes designed to receive in engagement a corresponding projection of the upper plate to fasten together said three parts of the cover.

3. Chain link in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the upper plate is formed by sintering.

4. Chain link in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the upper plate is formed by deformation and in particular hot molding.

5. Chain link in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that opposite the two lower ends of the second U-shaped part on opposite sides of the link there stretch out a pair of guiding side tongues nearly parallel to the carrying surface.

6. Chain link in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the ends of the articulated joint pins contact the second U-shaped part.

7. Chain link in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the second U-shaped part includes two longitudinal openings in its upper part designed to receive corresponding convex portions of the first U-shaped part overlying said plates of the conveyor link.

8. Chain link in accordance with claim 2 characterized in that the second U-shaped part includes two longitudinal openings in its upper part designed to receive corresponding convex portions of the first U-shaped part overlying said plates of the conveyor link and the holes in the first and second U-shaped parts designed to receive the fastening projection of the upper plate are arranged between said two longitudinal openings.

9. Chain link in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that said two U-shaped parts are formed with a thin metal sheet with constant thickness.

10. Chain link in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that over the plates of the link the U-shaped parts do not project beyond the cavity in the plate.

11. Chain conveyor including links in accordance with claim 1.

12. Metal chain-link cover for of the type formed with a pair of parallel plates connected by a pair of articulated joint cross pins with adjacent links of the chain with the cover being designed to overly the link to form the carrying surface of the chain and with the cover including a first generically U-shaped metal part designed to embrace said plates and bearing holes for a snap coupling with the ends of said pins projecting from the plate on opposite sides of the link and a second generically U-shaped metal part overlying the first to define lateral guide surfaces of the link and an upper plate overlying the two U-shaped parts to form the carrying surface of the link and characterized in that said upper plate is provided with a cavity on the lower side to receive upper parts of the U-shaped parts overlying the chain plates.