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WO1994004342A1 - Covered metal chain - Google Patents

Covered metal chain Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1994004342A1
WO1994004342A1 PCT/GB1993/001767 GB9301767W WO9404342A1 WO 1994004342 A1 WO1994004342 A1 WO 1994004342A1 GB 9301767 W GB9301767 W GB 9301767W WO 9404342 A1 WO9404342 A1 WO 9404342A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
chain
tube
resiliently flexible
links
flexible material
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB1993/001767
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John O'connell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to AU47286/93A priority Critical patent/AU4728693A/en
Publication of WO1994004342A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994004342A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16G—BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
    • F16G13/00—Chains
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C63/00—Lining or sheathing, i.e. applying preformed layers or sheathings of plastics; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C63/18—Lining or sheathing, i.e. applying preformed layers or sheathings of plastics; Apparatus therefor using tubular layers or sheathings
    • B29C63/20—Lining or sheathing, i.e. applying preformed layers or sheathings of plastics; Apparatus therefor using tubular layers or sheathings using pressure difference, e.g. vacuum
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2019/00—Use of rubber not provided for in a single one of main groups B29K2007/00 - B29K2011/00, as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/12—Chains

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to covered metal chains.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a metal chain which is not subject to these problems.
  • a metal chain the links of which are encased in a resiliently flexible material, preferably rubber or like elastomeric material.
  • the links of the chain may be encased in the resiliently flexible material so that there is no metal-to-metal contact between adjacent links.
  • the adjacent metal links of the chain are in contact with each other but are completely isolated from the exterior by the resiliently flexible material, this material filling the interstices of the links to keep the links in contact with each other, even if only loosely, in the rest condition of the chain.
  • the resiliently flexible material preferably rubber
  • a preferred method of applying the resiliently flexible material to the chain comprises the steps of inserting the chain within a pre-prepared tube of the material, preferably of rubber, tensioning the chain so that the metal links are in contact with each other, and reducing the pressure within the tube relative to the exterior pressure to cause the tube to seal tightly around the chain so that the resiliently flexible material fills the interstices of the links of the chain.
  • the tube is of rubber, it is vulcanised after sealing.
  • the tube may be inserted within a sleeve of the same or some other suitable resiliently flexible material, this sleeve also being evacuated to seal around the enclosed tube and chain.
  • the tube is of rubber, it is preferably inserted in the sleeve before it is vulcanised whereas, if the sleeve is of rubber, the sleeve may be vulcanised before the tube and the chain are inserted therein.
  • the tube may be vulcanised under pressure within an autoclave after it has been sealed around the chain, the interior of the tube being connected to atmosphere or at least to a pressure lower than the pressure in the autoclave.
  • Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a piece of covered metal chain according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a cross-section taken on the line II-II of Figure 1.
  • the links 2 of a metal chain 1 are completely encased by a rubber coating 3 which fills the interstices of the links 2 and isolates them from external agents.
  • the chain 1 is under tension when the rubber coating 3 is applied so that adjacent links are in metal-to-metal contact with each other.
  • the chain 1 of the invention is particularly suitable for use in sea water.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Gasket Seals (AREA)

Abstract

The links (2) of a metal chain (1) are encased by a resiliently flexible material (3), such as rubber, which fills the interstices of the links (2) and isolates the links from the exterior. The resiliently flexible material (3) keeps the adjacent links (2) in contact with each other in the rest condition of the chain (1).

Description

COVERED METAL CHAIN
The present invention relates to covered metal chains.
It is well known that, during use, metal chains suffer from weakening due to abrasion, galvanic action, corrosion, and wear due to impacts between adjacent links as the chain relaxes and is tensioned. These problems are particularly severe if the chain is immersed in sea water.
The object of the present invention . is to provide a metal chain which is not subject to these problems.
According to the present invention, there is provided a metal chain the links of which are encased in a resiliently flexible material, preferably rubber or like elastomeric material.
The links of the chain may be encased in the resiliently flexible material so that there is no metal-to-metal contact between adjacent links. In a preferred embodiment, however, the adjacent metal links of the chain are in contact with each other but are completely isolated from the exterior by the resiliently flexible material, this material filling the interstices of the links to keep the links in contact with each other, even if only loosely, in the rest condition of the chain.
The resiliently flexible material, preferably rubber, can be applied to the chain by moulding, by cross head extrusion and subsequent vulcanisation or by the dipping of the chain into a solution of the material, for example a rubber solution or latex, so that it is coated thereby.
A preferred method of applying the resiliently flexible material to the chain comprises the steps of inserting the chain within a pre-prepared tube of the material, preferably of rubber, tensioning the chain so that the metal links are in contact with each other, and reducing the pressure within the tube relative to the exterior pressure to cause the tube to seal tightly around the chain so that the resiliently flexible material fills the interstices of the links of the chain. If, as preferred, the tube is of rubber, it is vulcanised after sealing.
After it has been sealed around the chain, the tube may be inserted within a sleeve of the same or some other suitable resiliently flexible material, this sleeve also being evacuated to seal around the enclosed tube and chain. If the tube is of rubber, it is preferably inserted in the sleeve before it is vulcanised whereas, if the sleeve is of rubber, the sleeve may be vulcanised before the tube and the chain are inserted therein.
When the resiliently flexible material used in the preferred method is rubber, the tube may be vulcanised under pressure within an autoclave after it has been sealed around the chain, the interior of the tube being connected to atmosphere or at least to a pressure lower than the pressure in the autoclave.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a piece of covered metal chain according to the present invention, and
Figure 2 is a cross-section taken on the line II-II of Figure 1.
In the drawings, the links 2 of a metal chain 1 are completely encased by a rubber coating 3 which fills the interstices of the links 2 and isolates them from external agents. The chain 1 is under tension when the rubber coating 3 is applied so that adjacent links are in metal-to-metal contact with each other.
Any relative movement between the links 2 in use, for example, due to relaxation and tensioning or twisting of the chain 1, is allowed by flexion and/or deformation of the rubber coating 3.
The chain 1 of the invention is particularly suitable for use in sea water.

Claims

1. A metal chain, characterised in that the links (2) of the chain (1) are encased in a resiliently flexible material (3) .
2. A metal chain according to Claim 1, characterised in that adjacent links (2) of the chain (1) are in metal-to-metal contact with each other but are isolated from the exterior by the resiliently flexible material (3) , the resiliently flexible material filling the interstices of the links to keep the links in contact with each other in the rest condition of the chain.
3. A metal chain according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 , characterised in that the resiliently flexible material is rubber.
4. A method of applying a resiliently flexible coating to a metal chain, comprising the steps of preparing a tube of the resiliently flexible material, inserting the chain within the tube, tensioning the chain so that its links are in contact with each other, and reducing the pressure within the tube relative to the external pressure to cause the tube to seal tightly around the chain so that the resiliently flexible material fills the interstices of the links of the chain.
5. A method according to Claim 4, characterised ,in that the resiliently flexible material of the tube is rubber.
6. A method according to Claim 5, characterised in that the tube is vulcanised after sealing.
7. A method according to Claim 6, characterised in that the tube is vulcanised under pressure within an autoclave after it has been sealed around the chain, the interior of the tube being connected to a pressure lower than the pressure in the autoclave.
8. A method according to any one of Claims 4 to 7, characterised in that, after it has been sealed around the chain, the tube is inserted within a sleeve of resiliently flexible material and the sleeve is evacuated to seal around the enclosed tube and chain.
9. A method according to Claim 8 when dependent on Claim 6, characterised in that the tube is inserted in the sleeve before it is vulcanised.
10. A method according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, characterised in that the sleeve is of rubber.
11. A method according to Claim 10, characterised in that the sleeve is vulcanised before the tube and the chain are inserted therein.
PCT/GB1993/001767 1992-08-22 1993-08-19 Covered metal chain Ceased WO1994004342A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU47286/93A AU4728693A (en) 1992-08-22 1993-08-19 Covered metal chain

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB929217931A GB9217931D0 (en) 1992-08-22 1992-08-22 Covered metal chain
GB9217931.6 1992-08-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994004342A1 true WO1994004342A1 (en) 1994-03-03

Family

ID=10720835

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1993/001767 Ceased WO1994004342A1 (en) 1992-08-22 1993-08-19 Covered metal chain

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4728693A (en)
GB (1) GB9217931D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1994004342A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103398142A (en) * 2013-08-19 2013-11-20 江苏天弓机械工程有限公司 Novel elevator balance compensation chain
CN114083731A (en) * 2021-12-22 2022-02-25 浙江双箭橡胶股份有限公司 Vulcanizing device of drum type vulcanizing machine

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2452752A (en) * 1947-01-13 1948-11-02 Elastic Chain Company Method of making elastic chains
US2721601A (en) * 1950-11-20 1955-10-25 Perma Flex Ind Ltd Method of forming printing roller cores
US3010194A (en) * 1958-11-06 1961-11-28 Rubberol Coverings Inc Apparatus for covering rolls with flexible tubing
US3775969A (en) * 1971-06-09 1973-12-04 Hitco Chain with elastomeric material
EP0015298A1 (en) * 1977-09-26 1980-09-17 Horda Gummifabrik AB Tension spring device
US4308228A (en) * 1979-10-23 1981-12-29 Kramer Sr Vance M Method for making flexible corrugated rubber tubing
DE3505214A1 (en) * 1984-02-24 1985-08-29 Pirelli General Plc, London METHOD FOR APPLYING AN ELASTIC HOSE PIECE TO AN LONGER BODY

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2452752A (en) * 1947-01-13 1948-11-02 Elastic Chain Company Method of making elastic chains
US2721601A (en) * 1950-11-20 1955-10-25 Perma Flex Ind Ltd Method of forming printing roller cores
US3010194A (en) * 1958-11-06 1961-11-28 Rubberol Coverings Inc Apparatus for covering rolls with flexible tubing
US3775969A (en) * 1971-06-09 1973-12-04 Hitco Chain with elastomeric material
EP0015298A1 (en) * 1977-09-26 1980-09-17 Horda Gummifabrik AB Tension spring device
US4308228A (en) * 1979-10-23 1981-12-29 Kramer Sr Vance M Method for making flexible corrugated rubber tubing
DE3505214A1 (en) * 1984-02-24 1985-08-29 Pirelli General Plc, London METHOD FOR APPLYING AN ELASTIC HOSE PIECE TO AN LONGER BODY

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103398142A (en) * 2013-08-19 2013-11-20 江苏天弓机械工程有限公司 Novel elevator balance compensation chain
CN114083731A (en) * 2021-12-22 2022-02-25 浙江双箭橡胶股份有限公司 Vulcanizing device of drum type vulcanizing machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9217931D0 (en) 1992-10-07
AU4728693A (en) 1994-03-15

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