Low profile chain for floor conveyor systems

Claim 2

In a conveyor chain, a first elongated link having a channel extending longitudinally inwardly from one end thereof, and having an upwardly opening slot extending longitudinally of the link in communication with the channel; a second elongated link, said links being disposed in substantial end-to-end relationship with one end of the second link being received within said channel, pivot means interconnecting the links for relative angular and longitudinal movement therebetween and elongated structure on each link presenting an upper face extending longitudinally of the corresponding link, said faces being substantially coplanar, said structures being disposed out of substantial alignment to permit relative movement of the links while said faces normally present a substantially longitudinally continuous surface, said elongated structure of the first link being disposed adjacent the slot, and said elongated structure on the second link, comprising a rib, being disposed in substantial longitudinal alignment with the slot.

Claim 3

In a conveyor chain, a first elongated link having a channel extending longitudinally inwardly from one end thereof and having an upwardly opening slot extending longitudinally of the link in communication with the channel; a second elongated link, said links being disposed in substantial end-to-end relationship with one end of the second link being received within said channel; pivot means interconnEcting the links for relative angular and longitudinal movement therebetween; and an elongated structure on each link presenting an upper face extending longitudinally of the corresponding link, said faces being substantially coplanar, said structures being disposed out of substantial longitudinal alignment to permit relative movement of the links while said faces normally present a substantially longitudinally continuous surface, said elongated structure on the first link being disposed adjacent the slot and comprising a pair of flanges extending longitudinally of the link in substantial parallelism, said flanges being spaced laterally to present said slot therebetween, said elongated structure on the second link comprising a rib extending longitudinally of the link in substantial alignment with said slot.

Claim 4

In a conveyor chain, a first elongated link having a channel extending longitudinally inwardly from one end thereof and having an upwardly opening slot extending longitudinally of the link in communication with the channel; a second elongated link, said links being disposed in substantial end-to-end relationship with one end of the second link being received within said channel; pivot means interconnEcting the links for relative angular and longitudinal movement therebetween; and an elongated structure on each link presenting an upper face extending longitudinally of the corresponding link, said faces being substantially coplanar, said structures being disposed out of substantial longitudinal alignment to permit relative movement of the links while said faces normally present a substantially longitudinally continuous surface, said elongated structure on the first link being disposed adjacent the slot and comprising a pair of flanges extending longitudinally of the link in substantial parallelism, said flanges being spaced laterally to present said slot therebetween, said elongated structure on the second link comprising a rib extending longitudinally of the link in substantial alignment with said slot.

Claim 5

In a conveyor chain, a first elongated link comprised of a pair of longitudinally extending members, each member having a sidewall portion and a lateral flange presenting a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration said members being laterally spaced with the wall portions disposed in substantial parallelism defining a channel extending longitudinally of the link, said flanges extending toward one another defining a longitudinally extending slot therebetween; a second elongated link, said links being disposed in substantial end-to-end relationship with one end of the second links received between said wall portions in said channel; pivot means interconnecting the links for relative angular and longitudinal movement therebetween; and an elongated structure on each link presenting an upper face extending longitudinally of the corresponding link, said faces being substantially coplanar, said structures being disposed out of substantial longitudinal alignment to permit relative movement of the links while said faces normally present a substantially longitudinally continuous surface, said elongated structure on said second link comprising a longitudinal rib disposed in substantial longitudinal alignment with said slot.

Claim 6

In a conveyor chain, a first elongated link comprised of a pair of longitudinally extending members, each member having a sidewall portion and a lateral flange presenting a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration said members being laterally spaced with the wall portions disposed in substantial parallelism defining a channel extending longitudinally of the link, said flanges extending toward one another defining a longitudinally extending slot therebetween; a second elongated link, said links being disposed in substantial end-to-end relationship with one end of the second links received between said wall portions in said channel; pivot means interconnecting the links for relative angular and longitudinal movement therebetween; and an elongated structure on each link presenting an upper face extending longitudinally of the corresponding link, said faces being substantially coplanar, said structures being disposed out of substantial longitudinal alignment to permit relative movement of the links while said faces normally present a substantially longitudinally continuous surface, said elongated structure on said second link comprising a longitudinal rib disposed in substantial longitudinal alignment with said slot.

Claim 7

The article of claim 3 wherein a hole is provided in each wall portion and a corresponding hole in the end of the second link disposed therebetween, said holes being aligned, and said pivot means comprises an elongated pin extending through the holes.

Claim 8

The article of claim 4 wherein the hole in the second link is elongated in a direction longitudinally of the link permitting relative movement of the pin angularly and longitudinally of the second link.

Claim 9

The article of claim 5 wherein wheel means is included on said second link.

Claim 10

A conveyor chain adapted for use in a chain guide defined by a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls and a pair of spaced top wall members defining an upper slotted track therebetween disposed for receiving the tow pin of a wheeled truck, said chain comprising; a plurality of elongated first links having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and having an upwardly opening slot extending longitudinally of the link; a plurality of elongated second links, said first and second links being disposed alternately in substantial end-to-end relationship with one end of an adjoining second link being received within each end of each channel; pivot structure connecting each link with adjoining links for relative angular and longitudinal movement therebetween; pusher means on at least one of the second links disposed for contacting a tow pin to move the truck with the chain when the latter is moved through the guide; and an elongated structure on each of the remaining links presenting an upper face extending longitudinally of the corresponding link, said faces being positioned substantially in coplanar relationship and disposed adjacent the slotted track, each structure being disposed out of substantial alignment with the structures on adjoining links to permit relative movement of the links while said faces present a substantially longitudinally continuous surface for supporting the pin to permit relative movement between the pin and chain and prevent operative engagement between the pin and chain except at said pusher means, said elongated structure of each first link being disposed adjacent its slot, said elongated structure on each second link comprising a rib extending longitudinally of the link in substantial alignment with the slots of adjoining first links.

Claim 11

A conveyor chain adapted for use in a chain guide defined by a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls and a pair of spaced top wall members defining an upper slotted track therebetween disposed for receiving the tow pin of a wheeled truck, said chain comprising; a plurality of elongated first links having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and having an upwardly opening slot extending longitudinally of the link; a plurality of elongated second links, said first and second links being disposed alternately in substantial end-to-end relationship with one end of an adjoining second link being received within each end of each channel; pivot structure connecting each link with adjoining links for relative angular and longitudinal movement therebetween; pusher means on at least one of the second links disposed for contacting a tow pin to move the truck with the chain when the latter is moved through the guide; and an elongated structure on each of the remaining links presenting an upper face extending longitudinally of the corresponding link, said faces being positioned substantially in coplanar relationship and disposed adjacent the slotted track, each structure being disposed out of substantial alignment with the structures on adjoining links to permit relative movement of the links while said faces present a substantially longitudinally continuous surface for supporting the pin to permit relative movement between the pin and chain and prevent operative engagement between the pin and chain except at said pusher means, said elongated structure of each first link being disposed adjacent its slot, said elongated structure on each second link comprising a rib extending longitudinally of the link in substantial alignment with the slots of adjoining first links.

Claim 12

A conveyor chain adapted for use in a chain guide defined by a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls and a pair of spaced top wall members defining an upper slotted track therebetween disposed for receiving the tow pin of a wheeled truck, said chain comprising: a plurality of elongated first links having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and having an upwardly opening slot extending longitudinally of the link in communication with its channel, a plurality of elongated second links, said first and second links being disposed alternately in substantial end-to-end relationship with one end of an adjoining second link being received within each end of each channel; pivot structure connecting each link with adjoining links for relative angular and longitudinal movement therebetween; pusher means on at least one of the second links disposed for contacting a tow pin to move the truck with the chain when the latter is moved through the guide; and an elongated structure on each of the remaining links presenting an upper face extending longitudinally of the corresponding link, said faces being positioned substantially in coplanar relationship and disposed adjacent the slotted track when the chain is in the guide, each structure being disposed out of substantial alignment with the structures on adjoining links to permit relative movement of the links while said faces present a substantially longitudinally continuous surface for supporting the pin to permit relative movement between the pin and chain and prevent operative engagement between the pin and chain except at said pusher means, said elongated structure of each first link being disposed adjacent its slot and comprising a pair of flanges extending longitudinally of the link in substantial parallelism, the flanges of each first link being spaced to present said slot therebetween, said elongated structure of each second link, comprising a rib extending longitudinally of the link, being disposed in substantial longitudinal alignment with the slots of adjoining first links.

Claim 13

A conveyor chain adapted for use in a chain guide defined by a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls and a pair of spaced top wall members defining an upper slotted track therebetween disposed for receiving the tow pin of a wheeled truck, said chain comprising: a plurality of elongated first links having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and having an upwardly opening slot extending longitudinally of the link in communication with its channel, a plurality of elongated second links, said first and second links being disposed alternately in substantial end-to-end relationship with one end of an adjoining second link being received within each end of each channel; pivot structure connecting each link with adjoining links for relative angular and longitudinal movement therebetween; pusher means on at least one of the second links disposed for contacting a tow pin to move the truck with the chain when the latter is moved through the guide; and an elongated structure on each of the remaining links presenting an upper face extending longitudinally of the corresponding link, said faces being positioned substantially in coplanar relationship and disposed adjacent the slotted track when the chain is in the guide, each structure being disposed out of substantial alignment with the structures on adjoining links to permit relative movement of the links while said faces present a substantially longitudinally continuous surface for supporting the pin to permit relative movement between the pin and chain and prevent operative engagement between the pin and chain except at said pusher means, said elongated structure of each first link being disposed adjacent its slot and comprising a pair of flanges extending longitudinally of the link in substantial parallelism, the flanges of each first link being spaced to present said slot therebetween, said elongated structure of each second link, comprising a rib extending longitudinally of the link, being disposed in substantial longitudinal alignment with the slots of adjoining first links.

Claim 14

A conveyor chain adapted for use in a chain guide defined by a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls and a pair of spaced top wall members defining an upper slotted track therebetween disposed for receiving the tow pin of a wheeled truck, said chain comprising: a plurality of elongated first links, each first link comprising a pair of longitudinally extending members, each member having a side wall portion and a lateral flange presenting a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, said members being laterally spaced with the wall portions disposed in substantial parallelism defining a channel extending longitudinally of the link, said flanges extending toward one another defining a longitudinally extending slot therebetween communicating with the channel, a plurality of elongated second links, said first and second links being disposed alternately in substantial end-to-end relationship with the ends of said second links being received between the corresponding wall portions of the first links in the channels, there being a longitudinal rib on each second link disposed in substantial alignment with the slots of adjoining first links; pivot structure connecting each link with adjoining links for relative angular and longitudinal movement therebetween; pusher means on at least one of the second links disposed for contacting a tow pin to move the truck with the chain when the latter is moved through the guide; and an elongated structure on each of the remaining links presenting an upper face extending longitudinally of the corresponding link, said faces being positioned substantially iN coplanar relationship and disposed adjacent the slotted track when the chain is in the guide, each structure being disposed out of substantial alignment with the structures on adjoining links to permit relative movement of the links while said faces present a substantially longitudinally continuous surface for supporting the pin to permit relative movement between the pin and chain and prevent operative engagement between the pin and chain except at said pusher means.

Claim 15

A conveyor chain adapted for use in a chain guide defined by a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls and a pair of spaced top wall members defining an upper slotted track therebetween disposed for receiving the tow pin of a wheeled truck, said chain comprising: a plurality of elongated first links, each first link comprising a pair of longitudinally extending members, each member having a side wall portion and a lateral flange presenting a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, said members being laterally spaced with the wall portions disposed in substantial parallelism defining a channel extending longitudinally of the link, said flanges extending toward one another defining a longitudinally extending slot therebetween communicating with the channel, a plurality of elongated second links, said first and second links being disposed alternately in substantial end-to-end relationship with the ends of said second links being received between the corresponding wall portions of the first links in the channels, there being a longitudinal rib on each second link disposed in substantial alignment with the slots of adjoining first links; pivot structure connecting each link with adjoining links for relative angular and longitudinal movement therebetween; pusher means on at least one of the second links disposed for contacting a tow pin to move the truck with the chain when the latter is moved through the guide; and an elongated structure on each of the remaining links presenting an upper face extending longitudinally of the corresponding link, said faces being positioned substantially iN coplanar relationship and disposed adjacent the slotted track when the chain is in the guide, each structure being disposed out of substantial alignment with the structures on adjoining links to permit relative movement of the links while said faces present a substantially longitudinally continuous surface for supporting the pin to permit relative movement between the pin and chain and prevent operative engagement between the pin and chain except at said pusher means.

Claim 16

The chain of claim 9 wherein a hole is provided at each end of each wall portion and a corresponding hole at each end of each second link, each of the holes of a second link being aligned with corresponding holes of a first link, said pivot means comprising an elongated pin extending through the aligned holes.

Claim 17

The chain of claim 10 wherein the holes in the second links are elongated in a direction longitudinally of the links permitting relative movement of the pins angularly and longitudinally of the second links.

Claim 18

The chain of claim 11 wherein antifriction means is included on said links.

Claim 19

The chain of claim 12 wherein said antifriction means comprises wheel means on said second links.