Platform assembly for multiple chain transport device

Claim 2

In a platform assembly for a multiple chain pair transport device having a plurality of spaced rigid linear members coupled at their ends to selected chain pairs, the improvement comprising a plurality of support members for spanning a selected distance between the chain pairs, selected ones of said members being supported by the spaced rigid linear members, and a plurality of coupling means interconnecting successive support members, successive support members including overlapping portions adapted to fixedly receive and rotatably receive, respectively, a coupling means, the support members having double-barreled configurations formed with keyways therein, each of the openings forming the double-barreled configuration of each support member comprising a incomplete circuit to thereby provide an arcuate cutout, each coupling means comprising a splined pin member extending into a keyway of the support member adapted to fixedly receive the pin member and into an arcuate cutout of the opening of the support member adapted to rotatably receive the splined pin member to enable relative movement between successive support members.

Claim 3

A platform assembly according to claim 1 wherein the splined pin members comprise splined tube members, selected ones of which are adapted to receive the spaced rigid linear members.

Claim 4

In a platform assembly for a multiple chain pair transport device having a plurality of spaced rigid linear members coupled at their ends to selected chain pairs, the improvement comprising a plurality of Support members for spanning at least a selected distance between the chain pairs, selected ones of said members being supported by the spaced rigid linear members, and a plurality of coupling means interconnecting the support members, each coupling means interconnecting two adjacent support members and being fixedly received and rotatably received, respectively, in overlapping portions of said two adjacent support members, the support members having double-barreled configurations formed with keyways therein, each of the openings forming the double-barreled configuration of each support member comprising an incomplete circle to thereby provide an arcuate cutout, each coupling means comprising a splined pin member, a protruding key of the pin member extending into a keyway of the support member fixedly receiving the pin member and into an arcuate cutout of an opening of the support member rotatably receiving the pin member to enable relative movement between said two adjacent support members, the support members including main support members having selectively spaced cutouts formed therein and hinge support members extending between and into the cutouts of adjacent main suport members.

Claim 5

In a platform assembly for a multiple chain pair transport device having a plurality of spaced rigid linear members coupled at their ends to selected chain pairs, the improvement comprising a plurality of Support members for spanning at least a selected distance between the chain pairs, selected ones of said members being supported by the spaced rigid linear members, and a plurality of coupling means interconnecting the support members, each coupling means interconnecting two adjacent support members and being fixedly received and rotatably received, respectively, in overlapping portions of said two adjacent support members, the support members having double-barreled configurations formed with keyways therein, each of the openings forming the double-barreled configuration of each support member comprising an incomplete circle to thereby provide an arcuate cutout, each coupling means comprising a splined pin member, a protruding key of the pin member extending into a keyway of the support member fixedly receiving the pin member and into an arcuate cutout of an opening of the support member rotatably receiving the pin member to enable relative movement between said two adjacent support members, the support members including main support members having selectively spaced cutouts formed therein and hinge support members extending between and into the cutouts of adjacent main suport members.

Claim 6

A platform assembly according to claim 3 wherein the splined pin members comprise splined tube members, selected ones of which are adapted to receive the spaced rigid linear members.