A bicycle chain comprises a first outer link plate. The first outer link plate comprises a first outer-link end portion, a second outer-link end portion, a first outer-link intermediate portion, and a first outer-link longitudinal centerline. The first outer-link end portion, the second outer-link end portion and the first outer-link intermediate portion define a first outer-link outer peripheral edge. The first outer-link outer peripheral edge comprises a first outer-link end edge, a second outer-link end edge, and a pair of first outer-link intermediate edges. A first radial distance is defined from a first outer-link center axis to the first outer-link end edge in a perpendicular direction. A minimum distance is defined between the pair of first outer-link intermediate edges in the perpendicular direction. The minimum distance is smaller than 200% of the first radial distance and is equal to or larger than 5 mm.

A chain link for a plate link chain of a chain conveyor, having two disk-shaped side walls that are spaced apart from one another in parallel in a transverse direction of the chain link and fixedly connected to one another. The side walls each include a rabbet having a force transmission surface oriented essentially perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal direction of the chain link, and the force transmission surface is designed and provided for the direct transmission of force to a conveyor plate of the chain conveyor. A kit comprising such a chain link and a conveyor plate, and a chain conveyor having a plurality of such kits are also provided.

Monitoring systems for energy chains which guide lines, and which are displaceable along a displacement path and thereby form a movable strand, a stationary strand, and a deflection arc therebetween. According to a first aspect, one or multiple sensors are arranged stationary and form a detection path along the displacement path of the energy chain, in order to react to an approaching and/or contact of the energy chain. According to a second aspect, a plurality of sensor modules are distributed along the energy chain. In this case, each sensor module has a measurand detector and a communication unit for transmitting outputs to an evaluation unit. The first and the second aspect allow function monitoring, for example for the purpose of a safety shutdown. According to a third aspect, a sensor module is arranged on the driver-side end region. The module has a sensor for the quantitative detection of a kinematic parameter of the end region, as well as a communication unit for transmitting output data depending on detected kinematic parameters. This allows an application-dependent prediction of the remaining service life of energy chains.

Monitoring systems for energy chains which guide lines, and which are displaceable along a displacement path and thereby form a movable strand, a stationary strand, and a deflection arc therebetween. According to a first aspect, one or multiple sensors are arranged stationary and form a detection path along the displacement path of the energy chain, in order to react to an approaching and/or contact of the energy chain. According to a second aspect, a plurality of sensor modules are distributed along the energy chain. In this case, each sensor module has a measurand detector and a communication unit for transmitting outputs to an evaluation unit. The first and the second aspect allow function monitoring, for example for the purpose of a safety shutdown. According to a third aspect, a sensor module is arranged on the driver-side end region. The module has a sensor for the quantitative detection of a kinematic parameter of the end region, as well as a communication unit for transmitting output data depending on detected kinematic parameters. This allows an application-dependent prediction of the remaining service life of energy chains.

Embodiments provide a tie rivet with a body that is configured to ride on a rail of a guide bar, and an integrated rivet extending from an inner surface of the body. The integrated rivet may include a draft angle that varies over a circumference of the integrated rivet. Additionally, or alternatively, the tie rivet may include an undercut portion around at least a portion of the integrated rivet. The undercut portion may be recessed from the inner surface of the body. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Embodiments provide a tie rivet with a body that is configured to ride on a rail of a guide bar, and an integrated rivet extending from an inner surface of the body. The integrated rivet may include a draft angle that varies over a circumference of the integrated rivet. Additionally, or alternatively, the tie rivet may include an undercut portion around at least a portion of the integrated rivet. The undercut portion may be recessed from the inner surface of the body. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

A track pin sensor for monitoring an operational status of a track pin of a track chain for heavy equipment. The track pin sensor may be incorporated into a communication system for monitoring a plurality of track pins of the track chain. A method of monitoring operational status of a track pin is also disclosed.

A chain having a chain link with two legs and two bows connecting the legs together, the bows extending in the bow extension direction between the two legs, wherein an end face of at least one bow, which faces outwards in the pitch direction of the chain link, has two pressure portions spaced apart from one another in the bow extension direction and an intermediate portion connecting the pressure portions, wherein the pressure portions each provide a contact surface between the chain link and a corresponding chain pocket of a chain wheel for introducing a force into the chain, and wherein the end face of the bow is convexly curved in the bow extension direction in the pressure portions and the end face of the bow has, at least in portions in the intermediate portion, a smaller radius of curvature than in the pressure portions.

A chain having a chain link with two legs and two bows connecting the legs together, the bows extending in the bow extension direction between the two legs, wherein an end face of at least one bow, which faces outwards in the pitch direction of the chain link, has two pressure portions spaced apart from one another in the bow extension direction and an intermediate portion connecting the pressure portions, wherein the pressure portions each provide a contact surface between the chain link and a corresponding chain pocket of a chain wheel for introducing a force into the chain, and wherein the end face of the bow is convexly curved in the bow extension direction in the pressure portions and the end face of the bow has, at least in portions in the intermediate portion, a smaller radius of curvature than in the pressure portions.

Chain clamp and method for clamping around an elongated object and for serving as a support for separate objects. The chain clamp includes a plurality of links with a first link and a second link, and with each link having two attachment portions, a connection member connecting links, and a tensioner adapted to connect to the first and second link and to force the links towards each other to tension the chain clamp and clamp it around the elongated object. At least one link is a piece cut from an elongated extrusion and has a fixed cross-sectional profile and a longitudinal direction, wherein each of the two attachment portions of the at least one link are defined by a respective portion of the cross sectional profile and its continuation along the longitudinal direction of the at least one link.