Link chain

Claim 2

In a link chain having a plurality of serially arranged links each formed of a stack of elongated link plates, each link plate having two spaced, generally circular openings; a link pin extending through each opening of overlapping links for connecting them together, each link pin being formed of a pair of rockers; the rockers having arcuate surfaces rolling on one another and means defining notches along their length, the notches extending in a direction transversal to the longitudinal oriEntation of the link plates; and two free spaces defined between adjoining arcuate surfaces of the rockers forming each link pin, the improvement wherein at least one plate of each link is a locking plate, said locking plate having two detents projecting into solely one of the openings of the locking plate from diametrically opposite locations of said solely one opening, each detent of each locking plate being situated in a notch of different rockers of the same link pin when the locking plate is in alignment with the other link plates of the same link, each detent of any one locking plate moving into one and the other free spaces between the rockers when the locking plate is pivoted about the rockers with respect to the remaining plates of said one link.

Claim 3

A link chain as defined in claim 1, wherein the rockers constituting one link pin inserted to render the chain endless, include end faces and means defining recesses in each rocker, said recesses being open in a direction viewed from said end faces.

Claim 4

A link chain as defined in claim 2, further including a disc having a central circular opening and inserted on said one link pin, said disc having two diametrically opposite detents projecting into said circular opening of said disc; said disc having a first angular position with respect to said one link pin for providing free movement of the rockers of said one link pin into and out of the associated plate openings without obstruction, said disc having a second angular position with respect to said one link pin, said detents of said disc extending into the notches of the rockers of said one link pin in said second angular position of said disc for locking the rockers of said one link pin in place.

Claim 5

A link chain as defined in claim 3, further comprising means for locking said disc in its said second angular position.

Claim 6

A link chain as defined in claim 1, wherein said notches are provided on said rockers on opposite longitudinal edges on both sides of their longitudinal middle.

Claim 7

In a link chain having a plurality of serially arranged links each formed of a stack of elongated link plates, each link plate having two spaced, generally circular openings; a link pin extending through each opening of overlapping links for connecting them together, each link pin being formed of a pair of rockers; the rockers having arcuate surfaces rolling on one another and means defining notches along their length, the notches extending in a direction transversal to the longitudinal orientation of the link plate; and two free spaces defined between adjoining arcuate surfaces of the rockers forming each link pin, the improvement comprising a disc having a central circular opening and inserted on one of the link pins, said disc having two diametrically opposite detents projecting into said circular opening of said disc; said disc having a first angular position with respect to said one link pin for providing free movement of the rockers of said one link pin into and out of the associated plate openings without obstruction, said disc having a second angular position with respect to said one link pin, said detents of said disc extending into the notches of the rockers of said one link pin in said second angular position of said disc for locking the rockers of said one link in place; at least one plate of every link other than the link associated with said one link pin is a locking plate, said locking plate having two detents projecting into solely one of the openings of the locking plate from diametrically opposite locations of said solely one opening, each detent of each locking plate being situated in a notch of different rockers of the same link pin when the locking plate is in alignment with the other link plates of the same link, each detent of any one locking plate moving into one and the other free spaces between the rockers when the locking plate is pivoted about the rockers with respect to the remaining plates of said one link.

Claim 8

In a link chain having a plurality of serially arranged links each formed of a stack of elongated link plates, each link plate having two spaced, generally circular openings; a link pin extending through each opening of overlapping links for connecting them together, each link pin being formed of a pair of rockers; the rockers having arcuate surfaces rolling on one another and means defining notches along their length, the notches extending in a direction transversal to the longitudinal orientation of the link plate; and two free spaces defined between adjoining arcuate surfaces of the rockers forming each link pin, the improvement comprising a disc having a central circular opening and inserted on one of the link pins, said disc having two diametrically opposite detents projecting into said circular opening of said disc; said disc having a first angular position with respect to said one link pin for providing free movement of the rockers of said one link pin into and out of the associated plate openings without obstruction, said disc having a second angular position with respect to said one link pin, said detents of said disc extending into the notches of the rockers of said one link pin in said second angular position of said disc for locking the rockers of said one link in place; at least one plate of every link other than the link associated with said one link pin is a locking plate, said locking plate having two detents projecting into solely one of the openings of the locking plate from diametrically opposite locations of said solely one opening, each detent of each locking plate being situated in a notch of different rockers of the same link pin when the locking plate is in alignment with the other link plates of the same link, each detent of any one locking plate moving into one and the other free spaces between the rockers when the locking plate is pivoted about the rockers with respect to the remaining plates of said one link.