Novel chain links that are used in combination with essentially identical chain links to form a chain that is useful in flex rake apparati for use in cleaning water streams.

A chain plate includes two end segments, and an intermediate segment between the end segments. One of the end segments has an extension portion extending away from a rod hole of the end segment in a lengthwise direction. A distance from a center of the rod hole to an edge of the end segment in the lengthwise direction is greater than a distance from the center of the rod hole to an edge of the end segment in a widthwise direction. An inner surface of the chain plate has a first inclined region corresponding to a peripheral region of the end segment, and a second inclined region corresponding to the extension portion and between the first inclined region and the rod hole. The intermediate segment is formed with a recess.

A chain plate includes two end segments, and an intermediate segment between the end segments. One of the end segments has an extension portion extending away from a rod hole of the end segment in a lengthwise direction. A distance from a center of the rod hole to an edge of the end segment in the lengthwise direction is greater than a distance from the center of the rod hole to an edge of the end segment in a widthwise direction. An inner surface of the chain plate has a first inclined region corresponding to a peripheral region of the end segment, and a second inclined region corresponding to the extension portion and between the first inclined region and the rod hole. The intermediate segment is formed with a recess.

A forming device for forming links in the shape of a Möbius strip includes a rotation module with an inner path. The forming device has a widening for 180° rotation of a strip introduced into the rotation module. The rotation module has an inlet suitable for one end of a strip, an outlet suitable for the strip and the inner path extends from the inlet to the outlet. The widening is adapted for rotation of the end of the strip 180° about its longitudinal axis. The device also includes a gas injector positioned at the inlet of the rotation module intended to drive the strip through the inner path of the rotation module.

A forming device for forming links in the shape of a Möbius strip includes a rotation module with an inner path. The forming device has a widening for 180° rotation of a strip introduced into the rotation module. The rotation module has an inlet suitable for one end of a strip, an outlet suitable for the strip and the inner path extends from the inlet to the outlet. The widening is adapted for rotation of the end of the strip 180° about its longitudinal axis. The device also includes a gas injector positioned at the inlet of the rotation module intended to drive the strip through the inner path of the rotation module.

A method for controlling the length of a sprocket chain of a chain type includes alternately arranged inner chain links and outer chain links that are connected together by, means of a chain joint, wherein each outer chain link has two outer plates, each of which comprises two openings and two pins that are pressed into the openings of the outer plates, each pin of the outer chain links having a joint region, which contacts the inner chain link and has a joint diameter, and two joining regions, which are pressed into the openings of the outer plates and have a joining diameter. The method prevents the disadvantages known from the prior art and in particular leads to a simple chain length control. For this purpose, the method has the following steps: providing a pin set comprising a plurality of pins, wherein at least two of the pins of the pin set have different joint diameters in the joint regions; and for at least one of the pins of the pin set; the joint diameter of the joint region differs from the joining diameter of the joining regions; ascertaining the pin joint region diameter required for a specified chain length; selecting the pin with the ascertained joint region diameter from the pin set; pressing the joining regions of the pin into the openings in the outer plates; and completing the sprocket chain. The use of a pin in such a method and to a pin set for such a method is also provided.

A method for controlling the length of a sprocket chain of a chain type includes alternately arranged inner chain links and outer chain links that are connected together by, means of a chain joint, wherein each outer chain link has two outer plates, each of which comprises two openings and two pins that are pressed into the openings of the outer plates, each pin of the outer chain links having a joint region, which contacts the inner chain link and has a joint diameter, and two joining regions, which are pressed into the openings of the outer plates and have a joining diameter. The method prevents the disadvantages known from the prior art and in particular leads to a simple chain length control. For this purpose, the method has the following steps: providing a pin set comprising a plurality of pins, wherein at least two of the pins of the pin set have different joint diameters in the joint regions; and for at least one of the pins of the pin set; the joint diameter of the joint region differs from the joining diameter of the joining regions; ascertaining the pin joint region diameter required for a specified chain length; selecting the pin with the ascertained joint region diameter from the pin set; pressing the joining regions of the pin into the openings in the outer plates; and completing the sprocket chain. The use of a pin in such a method and to a pin set for such a method is also provided.

A chain for a chain drive includes alternating inner chain links and outer chain links, which are connected together in an articulated manner by means of a respective chain joint. Each outer chain link includes two outer plates, each of which comprises two openings and two pins, and the pins and openings are connected together by means of a respective compression connection such that the pins hold the outer plates at a distance from each other. The chain for a chain drive prevents the disadvantages known from the prior art and leading in particular to a higher fatigue strength. This is achieved in that a beveled joint is formed in the region of the compression connection between the pins and the openings in the outer plates.

A chain brace for restricting relative movement between first, second, and third serially connected links of a chain. The chain brace can include a wedge block defining a bore at least partially therethrough, first and second outer blocks, a capture frame that can include a reaction plate that can define a bore therethrough, and a tension member. The capture frame can be configured to position the outer blocks and the wedge block within the second link of the chain. The tension member can be positioned through the bore defined by the reaction plate and into the bore defined by the wedge block to apply a force on the wedge block such that the wedge block displaces the first and second outer blocks into contact with the ends of the first and third links of chain, respectively, to restrict relative movement between the first, second, and third links of the chain.

A chain brace for restricting relative movement between first, second, and third serially connected links of a chain. The chain brace can include a wedge block defining a bore at least partially therethrough, first and second outer blocks, a capture frame that can include a reaction plate that can define a bore therethrough, and a tension member. The capture frame can be configured to position the outer blocks and the wedge block within the second link of the chain. The tension member can be positioned through the bore defined by the reaction plate and into the bore defined by the wedge block to apply a force on the wedge block such that the wedge block displaces the first and second outer blocks into contact with the ends of the first and third links of chain, respectively, to restrict relative movement between the first, second, and third links of the chain.