US3706200A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of forming a conveyor chain link having knuckles formed integrally with edge
Assignee: Rexnord Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-21
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Granted: 1972-12-19
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Expires: 1991-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A flat top metal conveyor chain link is formed with the curled knuckles of one edge extending a short distance into the flat body of the link. The remainder of the one edge outwardly of the knuckles is swaged to a rounded form corresponding to the portion of the knuckles integral with the link body. The opposite edge is beveled or undercut to allow adjacent connected links to overlap slightly and interfit more closely. The cold working of the metal by swaging produces localized increases in strength allowing relative changes in the widths of the knuckles on respectively opposite edges of the link, whereby an increase in the ultimate and fatigue strengths of the link may be attained.
Inventors
- 👤 Clair W Mueller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:36
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21L; B21L11/00; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/06; B65G17/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
In the method of forming a flat top metal conveyor chain link comprising the steps of: stamping a flat blank from sheet metal, said blank having an intermediate body portion, a pair of spaced tongues extending from one edge of said body portion and a central tongue extending from the opposite edge of said body portion; and curling said tongues to form cylindrical knuckles adapted to interfit and to be pin-connected with the knuckles of like adjacent links to form a flat top conveyor chain; the improvement comprising the step of: U-forming said flat blank prior to curling by pressing it into a die such that said tongues are turned downwardly with respect to the flat upper surface of said body portion to form precurled portions of said knuckles, and such that said one edge is swaged to a rounDed form corresponding to and laterally continuous with the outside surface of the precurled portions of the pair of spaced tongues extending from said one edge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
In the method of forming a flat top metal conveyor chain link comprising the steps of: stamping a flat blank from sheet metal, said blank having an intermediate body portion, a pair of spaced tongues extending from one edge of said body portion and a central tongue extending from the opposite edge of said body portion; and curling said tongues to form cylindrical knuckles adapted to interfit and to be pin-connected with the knuckles of like adjacent links to form a flat top conveyor chain; the improvement comprising the step of: U-forming said flat blank prior to curling by pressing it into a die such that said tongues are turned downwardly with respect to the flat upper surface of said body portion to form precurled portions of said knuckles, and such that said one edge is swaged to a rounDed form corresponding to and laterally continuous with the outside surface of the precurled portions of the pair of spaced tongues extending from said one edge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as recited in claim 1 including the step of cold forming an undercut bevel on said opposite edge such that said opposite edge will overlap said one edge of an adjacent pin-connected link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said cold forming step comprises swaging.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 3 wherein said U-forming step and said cold forming step are performed simultaneously.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said sheet metal is steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 5 wherein said steel sheet is a work-hardenable stainless steel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |