Chain link of variable pitch

Claim 2

A chain of variable radius of curvature composed of links made of sheet metal generally U-shaped in cross section with open ends and formed with connecting lugs at the two opposed ends thereof, said lugs being provided with a plurality of coupling holes arranged in a straight line for coupling together successively disposed links, and intermediate auxiliary elements disposed between successive chain links, said links and said auxiliary elements being constructed and arranged to permit linear movement of said chain through a predetermined radius of curvature without removing from the chain links a transverse alignment of a pair of such chains, with the open ends of said links being in confronting abutment providing an enclosure for cables or the like.

Claim 3

The chain of claim 1 wherein said intermediate auxiliary elements comprise an upper element having a pair of spaced legs and a laterally extending flange perpendicular to said legs, and a lower element similarly comprised of a pair of spaced legs and a laterally extending flange perpendicular to said legs, with said auxiliary elements when said legs thereof are assembled with said lugs of said chain links being similarly U-shaped in cross section and forming generally a continuation of the associated U-shape chain link.

Claim 4

The chain of claim 2 wherein said legs of said upper and lower auxiliary elements are interleaved and receive therebetween the adjacent lugs of successive chains links, and pin means extending through said lugs and openings in said legs for pivotally connecting the members together.

Claim 5

The chain of claim 2 wherein each leg of said upper and lower auxiliary elements comprises a generally rectangular end portion for pivotal conNection of said elements to said chain link, and an adjacent section formed with outwardly diverging edges, said links comprising opposed leg sections at a central connecting section, with said central connecting section being formed with inclined edges at the ends thereof complimental to said diverging edges of said auxiliary elements, whereby confronting engagement of the adjacently disposed edges of said auxiliary elements and said chain links serve to maintain the predetermined curvature of said chain.

Claim 6

The chain of claim 1 wherein said chain links comprise a pair of opposed, parallel legs and a central, connecting section, with the opposed end edges of said central section on either side of said lugs being inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the plane of said central section, said auxiliary elements comprising an upper element having a pair of spaced legs and a laterally extending flange, and a lower element having a pair of spaced legs and a laterally extending flange, said upper and lower elements when assembled with said chain link being generally U-shaped in cross section and forming a continuation of said chain link, with said legs of said upper and lower auxiliary elements having edge portions inclined so as to compliment the inclined edges of said central section of said chain link thereby to provide the predetermined radius of curvature of said chain.