TRANSVERSE BAR AND CHAIN LINK WITH TRANSVERSE BAR

Abstract

A transverse bar for releasably connecting two side portions of a chain link of an energy guide chain, wherein at least at one or at both of its ends the transverse bar has a fixing region for releasably fastening to the respective side portion and wherein the fixing region of the transverse bar includes a locking element which is transferable into a locking position and an unlocking position, wherein in the locking position the transverse bar is non-releasably locked to the side portion and in the unlocking position the transverse bar is releasable from the side portion, wherein the locking element includes an actuating portion for selectively transferring same into its locking or its unlocking position, and a locking portion for locking engagement with the side portion. The locking element is in the form of a pivotal part and upon actuation of the locking element the locking portion is moved in a pivotal movement at least in a part of its movement from the locking position into its unlocking position or vice-versa.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A transverse bar for a chain link of an energy guiding chain, comprising: the transverse bar having ends configured to fasten to two side portions of the chain link of an energy guide chain, respectively, wherein at least one of the ends of the transverse bar has a fixing region to releasably fasten to the respective side portion, wherein the fixing region of the transverse bar includes a locking element which is transferable into a locking position and an unlocking position, wherein, in the locking position, the transverse bar is non-releasably locked to the side portion and, in the unlocking position, the transverse bar is releasable from the side portion, wherein the locking element includes an actuating portion for selectively transferring the locking element into the locking position or the unlocking position, and a locking portion for locking engagement with the side portion, and wherein the locking element is in a form of a pivotal part and, upon actuation of the locking element, the locking portion is moved in a pivotal movement at least in a portion of a movement from the locking position to the unlocking position or vice-versa.

19. The transverse bar according to claim 18, wherein the transverse bar has a holding region for the locking element, and wherein the holding region has an arcuate guide which, upon actuation of the locking element, causes a pivotal movement of the locking element at least in a portion of the movement between the locking position and the unlocking position.

20. The transverse bar according to claim 19, wherein the transverse bar has a transverse bar top side, and wherein the arcuate guide has an upper arcuate guide facing towards the transverse bar top side and a lower arcuate guide facing away from the transverse bar top side for respectively guiding the locking element in the pivotal movement.

21. The transverse bar according to claim 20, wherein the upper arcuate guide facing towards the transverse bar top side and the lower arcuate guide facing away from the transverse bar top side are arranged to form a guide channel for the locking element, and wherein the locking element is guided within the guide channel.

22. The transverse bar according to claim 18, wherein the locking portion of the locking element is of an arcuate configuration.

23. The transverse bar according to claim 18, wherein the transverse bar has a holding region for the locking element, wherein the holding region has an arcuate guide, and wherein the locking portion of the locking element is guided in the arcuate guide of the holding region.

24. The transverse bar according to claim 18, wherein the actuating portion of the locking element projects laterally from the locking portion of the locking element.

25. The transverse bar according to claim 18, wherein the locking element is in a form of a substantially rigid component.

26. The transverse bar according to claim 18, wherein the locking portion has an end region, and wherein the end region the locking portion has a flat contact surface to contact with a holding portion of the side portion.

27. The transverse bar according to claim 18, wherein the locking element and a holding portion of the side portion for the locking element or the transverse bar have corresponding latching means to fasten the locking element in the locking position.

28. The transverse bar according to claim 27, wherein the latching means are arranged in a guide passage of an arcuate guide for the locking element.

29. The transverse bar according to claim 18, wherein the transverse bar has a holding region for the locking element, and wherein the holding region has retainer means which cooperate with the locking element.

30. The transverse bar according to claim 29, wherein the retainer means are arranged in a guide passage of an arcuate guide for the locking element

31. The transverse bar according to claim 18, wherein the locking element is lockable and unlockable by manual actuation.

32. A side portion of a chain link for an energy guide chain having a holding portion for releasably fastening a transverse bar, comprising: the side portion having laterally spaced large-area side surfaces and upper and lower narrow sides which connect the side surfaces and which extend in a longitudinal direction of the chain, wherein the holding portion for the transverse bar has a recess which is open in a direction of a side surface for receiving a locking element of the transverse bar for lockingly fastening the transverse bar to the side portion to secure the transverse bar against a spacing from the side plate in a direction transversely relative to a longitudinal direction of the transverse bar, wherein the holding portion for the transverse bar is configured such that the transverse bar is loosely insertable into the holding portion from a direction perpendicularly to the narrow side of the side portion, extending in the longitudinal direction of the chain, in the region of which the holding portion is arranged, until reaching a transverse bar target position in which the transverse bar is lockable with the side portion with a locking element.

33. The side portion according to claim 32 having a transverse bar wherein the holding portion for the transverse bar has two lateral recesses which are each respectively open at two sides, and wherein the two recesses respectively have, facing towards an interior of the chain link, a contact surface to hold projections of the transverse bar, that engage into the recess, and the respective recess has an undercut configuration of the transverse bar holding portion, which prevents a spacing of the side portion and the transverse bar in the transverse bar longitudinal direction.

34. The side portion according to claim 32, wherein the side portion is disposed as a part of a chain link.

35. The side portion according to claim 32, wherein the side portion is disposed as a part of an energy guiding chain.

36. The transverse bar according to claim 18, wherein the transverse bar is disposed as a part of a chain link.

37. The side portion according to claim 18, wherein the transverse bar is disposed as a part of an energy guiding chain.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The invention will now be described hereinafter by means of an embodiment by way of example. In this case all features of the embodiment are also disclosed independently of each other and generally in accordance with the invention. Identical components are denoted in the Figures with identical references. In the Figures:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of two incomplete chain links of an energy guide chain, in which the second side portions are missing, the transverse bars and the side portions being in accordance with the invention,

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a transverse bar according to the invention with a locking element which on the one hand is locked and which on the other hand is unlocked,

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the transverse bar of FIG. 2 (FIG. 3a) and a detail view of the transverse bar of FIG. 3a (FIG. 3b),

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the transverse bar of FIG. 2 with the locking element on the one hand locked (at the left) and unlocked (at the right),

[0032] FIG. 5 shows the connecting region of a transverse bar according to the invention with a side portion according to the invention with the transverse bar locked, and

[0033] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a side portion according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of two incomplete chain links 2 of an energy guide chain 1, in which the second side portions 3 of each chain link, being therefore the front side portions in the view, which would have to be connected to the free ends of the transverse bars 4, are missing. Here the transverse bars 4 and the side portions 3 are in accordance with the invention. The side portions of the chain are here in the form of alternate inner and outer portions as shown in FIG. 1. It should be emphasized that the invention is also not restricted in regard to the side portions and the coupling of the transverse bars to the side portions, to that configuration of the side portions, as also already noted in the general description relating to the invention. The side portions 3 have joint regions 5 in order that they can be hingedly connected to the respective two adjacent side plates of a line of side plates, as indicated by way of example in FIG. 1, so that the energy guide chain can be arranged in a configuration comprising an upper run, a direction-changing region and a lower run. The configuration of the joint connections is however in no way restrictive for the invention, the joint connections for example can also be shaped in one piece with one or both adjacent side portions. The chain links 2 are here provided both with an upper and a lower transverse bar of the configuration according to the invention, however it is also possible for example for only the upper or only the lower transverse bar to be designed according to the invention, with the other transverse bar being of some other configurations, for example also being formed on the side plates.

[0035] The transverse bar 4 serves for releasably connecting two side portions 3 of a chain link 2 of an energy guide chain 1, wherein the transverse bar 4, at least at one or both of its ends 6, has a fixing region 7 for releasable fastening to the respective side portion 3. The fixing region 7 of the transverse bar includes a locking element 8 which can be moved into a locking position V and an unlocking position E (see FIG. 2), wherein in the locking position V the transverse bar is non-releasably locked to the side portion 3 while in the unlocking position E the transverse bar 4 can be released from the side portion 3. The locking element 8 includes an actuating portion 9 for selectively moving same into its locking or unlocking position as well as a locking portion 10 for locking engagement with the side portion 3. The fixing region 7 of the transverse bar here is formed in the nature of a fork head, with two laterally space hook-shaped projections 7a and a locking element 8 arranged between them.

[0036] The locking element 8 is in the form of a pivotal portion. Upon actuation of the locking element 8 the locking portion 10 is moved in a pivotal movement at least in a part of its movement from the locking position V into its unlocking position E or vice-versa.

[0037] The holding region 11 of the transverse bar 4 for the locking element 8 has an arcuate guide 12 which upon actuation of the locking element 8 causes a pivotal movement thereof at least over a part or the complete movement of the locking element 8 between its locking position and its unlocking position.

[0038] The arcuate guide 12 of the transverse bar holding region for the locking element has an upper arcuate guide 12a facing towards the top side of the transverse bar and a lower arcuate guide 12b facing away from the transverse bar top side for respectively (jointly) guiding the locking element in a pivotal movement. The arcuate guides 12a, 12b are here in the form of guides in the shape of a circular arc, which preferably have the same circle center point. The arcuate guides 12a, 12b are here in the form of guide surfaces, but optionally they may also only be of a bar-shaped configuration or some other configuration.

[0039] The locking portion 10 of the locking element 8 is of an arcuate shape. The upper and/or lower boundary surface 13a, 13b of the locking portion 10 are here adapted to the contours of the upper and lower guides 12a, 12b and each are of at least substantially the same curvature as same. In relation to the upper boundary surface 13a of the locking element 8 however it is also sufficient for a projection like for example the projection functioning as the retainer means 17 to bear against the upper guide surface 12a in the pivotal movement, preferably over the entire pivotal movement, or is slightly spaced therefrom.

[0040] The locking portion 10 of the locking element 8 is arranged in the arcuate guide 12 of the transverse bar holding region 11 for the locking element 8.

[0041] The actuating region 9 of the locking element 8 projects laterally from the locking portion 10 thereof, for example at an angle of about 120°. The actuating region 9 of the locking element 8 is completely received in the cross-section of the transverse bar 4 in the locking position V (see FIGS. 2 and 3a).

[0042] The locking element 8 is in the form of a substantially rigid component.

[0043] At its end region the locking portion 10 of the locking element 8 has a flat contact surface 14 for bearing against the holding region of the side portion (FIGS. 3 and 5). In the locking position it can bear loosely or preferably with a certain prestressing against the holding region of the side portion.

[0044] There are corresponding latching means 15 for fixing the locking element in its locking position. The corresponding latching means 15a are provided on the one hand on the locking element 8, more precisely on the locking portion 10. The latching means 15b corresponding to the latching means 15a are on the other hand provided on the transverse bar holding region 16 of the side portion 3 for the locking element 8 or the transverse bar 4, preferably in the arcuate guide 12 or the guide passage of the transverse bar for the locking element or for the locking portion 10. This means that the locking element 8 can be fixed in latching relationship in its locking position.

[0045] The holding region 11 of the transverse bar 4 for the locking element 8 has retainer means 17 which cooperate with the locking element 8 and which are preferably arranged in the guide passage of the arcuate guide for the locking element. The retainer means 17 are here in the form of projections 17a and 17b which engage behind each other. The retainer means 17 prevent the locking element being unintentionally released from the transverse bar, in particular in the unlocking position.

[0046] The locking element 8 is here lockable and unlockable by manual actuation.

[0047] FIGS. 1 and 6 show a side portion 3 of a chain link 2 of an energy guide chain 1 having a holding portion 20 for releasably fixing a transverse bar 4 and in combination therewith also a fixed transverse bar 4. The side portion 3 has laterally spaced large-area side surfaces 21 and upper and lower narrow sides 22 which connect the side surfaces 21 and which extend in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The holding portion 20 for the transverse bar has a recess 23 which is open in the direction of a side surface for receiving a locking element 8 of a transverse bar 4 for locked fastening of the transverse bar 4 to the side portion 3 in order to secure the transverse bar against a spacing from the side plate in a direction transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the transverse bar. Instead of the recess it is optionally possible to provide on the side portion only the upper wall region 23a which defines the recess. The holding portion 20 as illustrated can be in the form of a horn projecting laterally from the side portions so that the side portion can also be relatively thin and thus give a saving in weight. Under some circumstances however the holding region 20 can also be partially or completely integrated in the side portion. The two holding regions 20 of the side portion are in mirror-symmetrical relationship with the plane B.

[0048] The holding portion 20 of the side portion 3 for the transverse bar 4 is of such a configuration that the transverse bar can be loosely inserted into the holding portion of the side portion for the transverse bar from a direction perpendicular to the narrow side 22 of the side portion, that extends in the longitudinal direction of the chain, in the region of which the holding portion is arranged, until reaching the transverse bar target position in which it can be locked to the side portion with a locking element. Therefore, no resistance is opposed to insertion of the fixing region 7 of the transverse bar in the holding portion 20, as would be the case for example with a latching connection with a latching resistance that would have to be overcome.

[0049] The holding portion 20 for the transverse bar 4 has two lateral recesses 25 which are respectively open at two sides, namely on the one hand to the narrow side of the side portion (reference 26) at which the holding region is arranged, and on the other hand in the longitudinal direction of the chain (reference 27). The recesses 25 are thus of an open shaft-like configuration and extend with the shaft axis perpendicularly to the narrow sides 22 of the side portions 3 so that fixing projections of the fixing region of the transverse bar can be loosely introduced into the respective shaft from above until reaching the target position of the transverse bar for locking to the side portion. The recesses 25 respectively have towards the interior of the chain link a contact surface 28 for hook-shaped holding projections 30, engaging into a recess, of the fixing regions of the transverse bar, the contact surface thus acts as a kind of bottom. The respective recess 25 further forms an undercut configuration 28 of the transverse bar holding portion, which prevents spacing of the side portion and the transverse bar in the longitudinal direction of the latter. The laterally projecting projections 31 of the holding projections 30 thus engage into the shaft-like recesses 25 of the side portion holding regions 20 and thereby secure the transverse bar both against spacing from the side portions in the longitudinal direction of the transverse bar and also from displacement in the longitudinal direction of the chain.

[0050] That configuration of the holding portion 20 for the transverse bar further has the particular advantage that it only projects comparatively slightly into the interior of the chain, in spite of being arranged at the inner side surface of the side portion so that the internal space of the energy guide chain is only relatively constricted by the holding portion, and that substantially facilitates fitting the chains with lines or removing lines from the chain.

[0051] In this case both side portions can be of the same configuration in relation to the two holding regions of a transverse bar or in relation to the two mutually opposite end of both transverse bars of a chain link.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0052] 1 energy guide chain [0053] 2 chain link [0054] 3 side portion [0055] 4 transverse bar [0056] 5 joint region [0057] 6 end [0058] 7 fixing region [0059] 7a, 7b hook-shaped projections [0060] 8 locking element [0061] 9 actuating portion [0062] 10 locking portion [0063] 11 holding region [0064] 12 arcuate guide [0065] 12a upper arcuate guide [0066] 12b lower arcuate guide [0067] 13a upper boundary surface [0068] 13b lower boundary surface [0069] 14 contact surface [0070] 15 latching means [0071] 15a, 15b corresponding latching means [0072] 16 transverse bar holding region [0073] 17 retainer means [0074] 17a, 17b engaging projections [0075] 20 holding portion [0076] 21 side surface [0077] 22 narrow side [0078] 23 recess [0079] 23a upper wall region [0080] 25 recess [0081] 24 narrow side side portion [0082] 25 longitudinal direction of the chain [0083] 26 contact surface/undercut configuration [0084] 27 holding projections [0085] 28 laterally projecting projections [0086] V locking position [0087] E unlocking position