Guide chain for guiding energy lines

Claim 1

A guide chain fo guiding energy lines longitudinally and laterally thereof, with said guide chain being disposed between a fixed connection and a movable consuming device; said guide chain comprises: a plurality of interconnectable chain link members, generally extending longitudally in the direction of movement of said mobable device, each link member is comprised of a one-piece, rigid, U-shaped receiving member having two legs that are connected by a crosspiece and that collectively therewith form an open sided chain link; each of said legs of each chain link member is provided on one longitudnal end with pivot journals and on an opposite longitudinal end with pivot holes onto which the pivot journals of an adjacent link member engage to form the guide chain said guide chain having a predetermined two-way pivot angle of adjacent ones of said chain link members; each of said legs of each said chain link member being provided adjacent said pivot journals a stop means to limit the two-way pivot angle of adjacent interconnected ones of said chain link members each comprised of two portions; said legs of a given chain link member having a first portion connected generally of a right angle to said crosspiece, and second portion extending outwardly from said first portion away from said crosspiece to a terminal end; a respective holding element disposed at said terminal end of each of said links of a given chain link member; each of said holding elements projecting inwardly toward the other facing leg of that chain link member; and a flexible cover strip that is retained between said holding elements in a self-supporting manner for covering the open side of each of said U-shaped receiving members of said chain link members.