Detachable link chain

Claim 1

A multiple link chain composed of a plurality of identical links, each comprising: a link body having a length and a width, said link body having a solid central portion extending across the entire width thereof and joining respective solid side portions thereof by which the solid central portion is bounded, and having an arm outwardly extending from the solid central portion along the longitudinal axis of the link body beyond the confronting ends of the solid side portions; one end of said link body having a post on the free end of said arm and disposed along a first pivot axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the link body and having oppositely extending first and second cylindrical post ends; the other end of said link body having first and second elongated arcuate hook portions laterally extending inwardly from corresponding ones of said solid side portions, said first and second arcuate hook portions each having first and second surfaces that are cooperative to define first and second arcuate, partially open slots respectively adapted to receive said first and second cylindrical post ends, said first surfaces of each of said arcuate hook portions being integrally formed both with a portion of said solid central portion of said link body and with respective ones of said solid side portions of said link body, said second surfaces of each of said arcuate hook portions being integrally formed with respective ones of said solid side portions of said link body, the arcuate hook portions being disposed along a second pivot axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the first pivot axis; a wall on said link body intermediate said first and said second axes defining a recess adapted for receiving a tooth of a sprocket wheel; and the arcuate hook portions of a link body being pivotally attachable to the post ends of an adjacent link, the pivotally engaged links having a first pivot axis of one link substantially coincident with the second pivot axis of the adjacent link.