Chain construction

Claim 2

A chain construction adapted to support and guide at least one flexible energy-transferring line and to be attached at one end thereof to a connecting point and at its other end to an energy-consuming or energy-producing apparatus capable of moving in the longitudinal direction of the said line, a plurality of links comprising pairs of spaced link plates with adjacent link plates joined together in a manner such that said links can pivot through a predetermined angle, a support surface for each link plate at about the level of an edge thereof, said surfaces being mounted on at least some of the links so as to lie in one and the same plane, and support wheels rotatably mounted on predetermined links with the peripheral surface of each wheel extending slightly above the support surface adjacent to the mounting.

Claim 3

A chain construction according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent ends of support surfaces are provided respectively with a recess and an extension, said extension of the support surface of a link being arranged to extend loosely into the recess of the support surface of the adjacent link.

Claim 4

A chain construction according to claim 2, wherein the ends of adjacent support surfaces are arranged to extend towards each other in a manner such that they pass free from each other upon curvature of the chain.

Claim 5

A chain construction according to claim 1 wherein the peripheral surfaces of the support wheels are located in recesses in adjacent support surfaces.

Claim 6

A chain construction according to claim 1, wherein a support wheel is arranged on each alternate link.

Claim 7

A chain construction according to claim 5, wherein alternate pairs of link plates are held in spaced relation by holder devices for flexible energy-transferrng lines and a support wheel is mounted between adjacent holder devices.

Claim 8

A chain construction according to claim 6, wherein support surfaces attached to links held in spaced relation by holder devices extend over and supply a support surface for an intermediate link.

Claim 9

A chain construction according to claim 1, wherein the angle of rotation between adjacent links is such that said links are able to rest against underlying links or a base surface through a self-bearing distance of approximately 5 - 15 links.

Claim 10

A chain construction according to claim 1, wherein the support surfaces are placed between links.

Claim 11

A chain construction according to claim 9, wherein the links are parallel.

Claim 12

A chain construction according to claim 1, wherein a second chain construction as defined in claim 1 is adapted to be attached at one end to said connecting point in countermoving relation to the first chain construction.

Claim 13

A chain construction according to claim 1, wherein the wheels are arranged diagonally in adjacent links.

Claim 14

A chain construction according to claim 1, wherein respective support wheels have a width which ensures that at least part of the peripheral surface of said wheels engages the support surfaces to roll upon said surface even when the chain moves laterally to a maximum extent within an allotted horizontal tolerance range.

Claim 15

A chain construction according to claim 1, wherein the support surfaces form a continuous path for the support wheels.

Claim 16

A chain construction according to claim 1, wherein the support surfaces for two adjacent links are formed as a single unit and are attached to one link.

Claim 17

A chain construction according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the periphery of each of the respective wheels adjacent to the support surface is enclosed by the support surface.

Claim 18

A chain construction according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle through which adjacent links can pivot permits the chain to form a curved portion through a self bearing distance of about 5 to 15 links as the chain is bent to extend in the reverse direction and bring support wheels on links in an upper section of the chain into engagement with suppport surfaces on links in an under section of the chain.

Claim 19

A chain construction according to claim 17 in which said predetermined angle also permits the chain to form concave curved portions permitting the links in the upper section to abut the links in the under section and a base surface beyond said connecting point upon which the under section lies.

Claim 20

A chain construction comprising a plurality of consecutively joined links, each link comprising at least two parallel laterally spaced opposing plates, adjoining plates of consecutive links being interconnected by hinge means, means to maintain said opposing plates in parallel spaced relationship throughout the length of said chain, said means to maintain said opposing plates in parallel spaced relationship also being adapted to serve as holder means for supporting and guiding at least one flexible energy-transferring line, said chain construction being adapted to be attached to an energy-consuming or energy-producing apparatus capable of moving in the longitudinal direction of the chain, adjacent links in the chain being joined together in a manner such that said links can ppivot through a pre-determined angle, characterized in that: a. each link is provided with an upper support surface, said surfaces being mutually arranged to lie in one and the same plane when the holder means are oriented in one and the same plane, b. pre-determined links are provided with support wheels, c. the peripheral surfaces of said wheels are extending above adjacent support surfaces, d. the angle of pivotation between adjacent links is such that said links are able to rest against underlying links or a base surface through a self-bearing distance of approximately 1-15 links, and the support wheels are arranged to coact with upper support surfaces or a base surface.

Claim 21

A chain construction comprising a plurality of consecutively joined links, each link comprising at least two parallel laterally spaced opposing plates, adjoining plates of consecutive links being interconnected by hinge means, means to maintain said opposing plates in parallel spaced relationship throughout the length of said chain, said means to maintain said opposing plates in parallel spaced relationship also being adapted to serve as holder means for supporting and guiding at least one flexible energy-transferring line, said chain construction being adapted to be attached to an energy-consuming or energy-producing apparatus capable of moving in the longitudinal direction of the chain, adjacent links in the chain being joined together in a manner such that said links can ppivot through a pre-determined angle, characterized in that: a. each link is provided with an upper support surface, said surfaces being mutually arranged to lie in one and the same plane when the holder means are oriented in one and the same plane, b. pre-determined links are provided with support wheels, c. the peripheral surfaces of said wheels are extending above adjacent support surfaces, d. the angle of pivotation between adjacent links is such that said links are able to rest against underlying links or a base surface through a self-bearing distance of approximately 1-15 links, and the support wheels are arranged to coact with upper support surfaces or a base surface.