The present disclosure relates to a link chain for use underground in mining. The link chain is produced from a steel material and has horizontal links and vertical links. Each horizontal link and each vertical link have sides running parallel to each other and connected to one another at the ends by means of rounded portions. Each side has a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of each rounded portion. The cross-sectional area of the sides of the horizontal link has a smaller width, with the same or smaller height, than the cross-sectional area of the rounded portion, and the cross-sectional area of the sides of the vertical link has a smaller height, with the same or smaller width, than the cross-sectional area of the rounded portion.

An end link for use with heavy equipment includes a body and a swivel ball bushing. The body has first and second openings and defines a main body plane. The first opening has a slot located on a side thereof proximate the second opening and a truncated substantially spherical inner surface. The swivel ball bushing is seated within the first opening. The swivel ball bushing has a truncated substantially spherical outer surface in nesting engagement with the inner surface of the body and a projection at one end seated in the slot. The projection and slot are shaped to allow rotation of the swivel ball bushing relative to the body in two opposing directions about one axis of rotation or two mutually perpendicular axes of rotation.

An end link for use with heavy equipment includes a body and a swivel ball bushing. The body has first and second openings and defines a main body plane. The first opening has a slot located on a side thereof proximate the second opening and a truncated substantially spherical inner surface. The swivel ball bushing is seated within the first opening. The swivel ball bushing has a truncated substantially spherical outer surface in nesting engagement with the inner surface of the body and a projection at one end seated in the slot. The projection and slot are shaped to allow rotation of the swivel ball bushing relative to the body in two opposing directions about one axis of rotation or two mutually perpendicular axes of rotation.

A chain fastening assembly includes a fastener that has a first loop and a second loop. The first loop has a clevis that is attached to a chain being releasably fastened to the first loop. Additionally, the first loop has a diameter that is sufficient to have a chain link passed therethrough regardless of the orientation of the chain link. The second loop has an inside diameter being sufficient to have a chain link passed therethrough when the chain link is oriented to lie on a vertical plane. Thus, the chain link can be passed into the second loop. Moreover, the second loop has an inside diameter being insufficient to allow the chain link to pass therethrough when the chain link is oriented to lie on a horizontal plane. In this way the fastener retains the chain in a closed loop for towing or the like.

A support and guiding apparatus for feeder lines having a feed pipe for excavation devices is disclosed. The apparatus has a support branch and a plurality of crosspieces connected with the support branch which includes ring chain having a first and a second series of rings linked to one another in an alternate manner, defining a longitudinal axis (X); a plurality of spacer elements coupled to rings of the first series of rings so that they cannot slide. Each of the spacer elements has a seat that houses a ring of the first series of rings by orienting it in a substantially stable manner on a first lying plane, a second seat and a third seat opposite to each other that partially house the rings of the second series of rings linked to the one housed in the first seat by orienting them on a second lying plane transverse to the first lying plane, each of said spacer elements being arranged to prevent the longitudinal sliding between the rings and to allow the rotation of the rings of the second series of rings only on the second lying plane around a rotation axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chain and to the second lying plane.

A support and guiding apparatus for feeder lines having a feed pipe for excavation devices is disclosed. The apparatus has a support branch and a plurality of crosspieces connected with the support branch which includes ring chain having a first and a second series of rings linked to one another in an alternate manner, defining a longitudinal axis (X); a plurality of spacer elements coupled to rings of the first series of rings so that they cannot slide. Each of the spacer elements has a seat that houses a ring of the first series of rings by orienting it in a substantially stable manner on a first lying plane, a second seat and a third seat opposite to each other that partially house the rings of the second series of rings linked to the one housed in the first seat by orienting them on a second lying plane transverse to the first lying plane, each of said spacer elements being arranged to prevent the longitudinal sliding between the rings and to allow the rotation of the rings of the second series of rings only on the second lying plane around a rotation axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chain and to the second lying plane.

There is provided a fast and a reliable way to inspect a condition of a chain by an arrangement comprising a camera and guide for positioning a chain in front of the camera such that holes of consecutive chain links are visible to the camera. In a method for inspecting a chain connected movable to a hoisting device, the chain is positioned in front of the camera by the guide and the chain is driven past the camera by the hoisting device.

There is provided a fast and a reliable way to inspect a condition of a chain by an arrangement comprising a camera and guide for positioning a chain in front of the camera such that holes of consecutive chain links are visible to the camera. In a method for inspecting a chain connected movable to a hoisting device, the chain is positioned in front of the camera by the guide and the chain is driven past the camera by the hoisting device.

A solar generator apparatus includes: a generator module having first to fourth corner portions; a middle column mounted on a fixed structure and pivotally connected to the generator module; first and second winding devices attached to the middle column; first to fourth cables; and first to fourth elastic anchors. The first to fourth cables have first ends respectively connected to the first to fourth corner portions. The first and third cables are wound around the first winding device. The second and fourth cables are wound around the second winding device. The first to fourth elastic anchors are elastically mounted on the fixed structure. The first to fourth cables respectively pass through the first to fourth elastic anchors to form two W-shaped structures. Each elastic anchor includes an elastic member and a restricting member connected in parallel. The restricting member restricts a maximum deformation amount of the elastic member.

This invention relates to a loop structure (7) comprising at least two elements (1), wherein each element (1) comprises at least one loop (5) that interlocks with at least one loop (5) of an additional element (1). In accordance with the invention, it is proposed that each of the elements (1) has a multiple number of strands (2), at least partially made of flexible material, wherein the strands (2) of the element (1) are processed in a textile-like manner into at least two webs that are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the element (1); in particular, they are braided, woven, knitted and/or enmeshed, and the strands (2) are divided into sections and each part is processed in a textile-like manner into a wing (4), wherein at least two wings (4) connect two of the webs (3) to each other and the loops (5) are formed from the wings (4). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a loop structure (7) as described above and an element (1) that has a loop (5).