Grate conveyor link and method of manufacture

Claim 1

A link particularly for forming an endless chain for an endless grate conveyor comprising a plurality of such chains which are laterally spaced and which carry rows of grates between each two adjacent chains, said link comprising: an elongate casting having toward one end thereof constituting its first end a pair of transversely spaced side walls and at the other end thereof constituting its second end a lug having a width generally corresponding to the width of the space between said walls and extending out endwise at said second end thereof, the lug being adapted to fit between the spaced side walls of the next link in a series of links making up the chain, the side walls having aligned holes therein of circular cross section coaxial on a first axis extending transversely of the link adjacent its said first end, the lug having a hole therein of circular cross section on a second axis extending transversely of the link adjacent its said second end, said second axis being parallel to said first axis, the hole in the lug of a link when fitted between spaced side walls of the next link in a chain of links being registrable with the holes in these side walls for reception of a pin which extends transversely of the conveyor for pivotally interconnecting the links of the chain, the link being cast of a metallic material and having inserts of a harder material extending partially around the circumference of each of the holes in said side walls at that side of each hole toward said first end of the link and an insert of a harder material extending partially around the hole in said lug at that side of this hole toward the second end of the link, each of said inserts forming a portion of the surface of the link in the respective hole and being embedded in said link.