SECURING PIN, CHAIN CONNECTOR AND METHOD FOR SECURING A CHAIN CONNECTOR

Abstract

The invention relates to a securing pin (16) which, in order to secure two chain connector shackles (12, 14) of a chain connector (10) against becoming disengaged, can be inserted into an opening (28) formed by the two chain connector shackles (12, 14), comprising a base body (30) with a through-hole (32), at least one spring ring (34), at least two balls (36), and a securing member (38) inserted into the through-hole (32), wherein an annular groove (54) in which the spring ring is inserted (34) is provided in a lateral surface (59) of the base body (30), wherein the annular groove (54) is provided with two bore holes (66) which are aligned with the through-hole (32) and in which the balls (36) rest, and wherein the spring ring (34) has at least one leg (64) which extends in the longitudinal direction of the base body (30) and which bends out of shape if the securing pin (16) is inserted into the opening (28) incorrectly. The invention further relates to a chain connector (10) for connecting two chains formed from links and to a method for connecting two chains by means of a chain connector (10) and for securing the chain connector shackles (12, 14) of the chain connector (10) against becoming disengaged by means of a securing pin (16).

Claims

1. A securing pin which, in order to secure two chain connector shackles of a chain connector against becoming disengaged, can be inserted into an opening formed by the two chain connector shackles, comprising a base body with a through-hole, at least one spring ring, at least two balls, and a securing member inserted into the through-hole, wherein in a lateral surface of the base body an annular groove is provided, in which the spring ring is inserted, wherein the annular groove is provided with two bore holes which are aligned with the through-hole and in which the balls rest, and wherein the spring ring has at least one leg which extends in the longitudinal direction of the base body and which bends out of shape if the securing pin is inserted into the opening incorrectly.

2. The securing pin according to claim 1, characterized in that two spring rings rest in the annular groove.

3. The securing pin according to claim 1, characterized in that the leg rests in a longitudinal groove that extends away from the annular groove.

4. The securing pin according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring ring has two legs extending in opposite longitudinal directions.

5. The securing pin according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring ring is made from a spring steel wire.

6. The securing pin according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body has two base body parts that are connected to each other positively, non-positively and/or by substance-to-substance connection.

7. The securing pin according to claim 6, characterized in that the first base body part has a head portion and a shaft portion, wherein the second base body part is connected to an end portion of the shaft portion, wherein, in the connected state, the head portion and the second base body part form groove walls of the annular groove and the shaft portion forms a groove bottom of the annular groove.

8. The securing pin according to claim 7, characterized in that the longitudinal groove is incorporated into the head portion and/or the second base body part.

9. The securing pin according to claim 6, characterized in that the first base body part is a hollow cylinder, and the second base body part a ring.

10. The securing pin according to claim 6, characterized in that the second base body part has a centering projection with an inserting bevel which, together, serve as an installation aid when inserting the securing pin into the opening.

11. A chain connector for connecting two chains formed of links, comprising a first chain connector shackle, a second chain connector shackle and a securing pin, the securing pin comprising a base body with a through-hole, at least one spring ring, at least two balls, and a securing member inserted into the through-hole, wherein in a lateral surface of the base body an annular groove is provided, in which the spring ring is inserted, wherein the annular groove is provided with two bore holes which are aligned with the through-hole and in which the balls rest, and wherein the spring ring has at least one leg which extends in the longitudinal direction of the base body and which bends out of shape if the securing pin is inserted into the opening incorrectly, wherein the two chain connector shackles positively engage each other and form an opening in which the securing pin is inserted.

12. A method for connecting two chains by means of a chain connector and for securing chain connector shackles of the chain connector against becoming disengaged by means of a securing pin, comprising the following steps: a. hooking one chain connector shackle, respectively, into one end, respectively, of a chain formed from chain links; b. assembling the chain connector shackles so that toothing contours of the chain connector shackles positively engage each other and an opening is created between inner legs of the chain connector shackles; c. inserting the securing pin into the opening such that the at least one leg is arranged offset by 90° relative to the inner legs; and d. driving in a securing member so that balls push a spring ring into depressions of the inner legs.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the securing pin comprises a base body with a through-hole, the spring ring, the balls, and the securing member inserted into the through-hole, wherein in a lateral surface of the base body an annular groove is provided, in which the spring ring is inserted, wherein the annular groove is provided with two bore holes which are aligned with the through-hole and in which the balls rest, and wherein the spring ring has at least one leg which extends in the longitudinal direction of the base body and which bends out of shape if the securing pin is inserted into the opening incorrectly.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the securing pin is further characterized in that the spring rings rest in the annular groove.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the securing pin is further characterized in that the at least one leg rests in a longitudinal groove that extends away from the annular groove.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the securing pin is further characterized in that the spring ring has two legs extending in opposite longitudinal directions.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the securing pin is further characterized in that the spring ring is made from a spring steel wire.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the securing pin is further characterized in that the base body has two base body parts that are connected to each other positively, non-positively and/or by substance-to-substance connection.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein the securing pin is further characterized in that the first base body part has a head portion and a shaft portion, wherein the second base body part is connected to an end portion of the shaft portion, wherein, in the connected state, the head portion and the second base body part form groove walls of the annular groove and the shaft portion forms a groove bottom of the annular groove.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein the securing pin is further characterized in that the longitudinal groove is incorporated into the head portion and/or the second base body part.

Description

[0033] A securing pin, a chain connector and a method for installing and securing a chain connector as well as further features and advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments that are schematically shown in the Figures. In the Figures:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a chain connector with a securing pin and spring rings in accordance with a first embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the securing pin of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the securing pin of FIG. 2;

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a front view of the securing pin rotated by 90° compared with FIG. 3;

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a section through the securing pin along the line V-V in FIG. 4;

[0039] FIG. 6 shows a section through the chain connector and the securing pin along the line VI-VI in FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged illustration of the section from FIG. 6; and

[0041] FIG. 8 shows a spring ring according to a second embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a chain connector 10, which serves for connecting two chains that are not depicted, particularly two link chains used in a chain conveyor, e.g. a bucket conveyor and a trough chain conveyor, such as a round steel chain, for example.

[0043] The chain connector 10 comprises a first chain connector shackle 12, a second chain connector shackle 14 and a securing pin 16, which secures the two chain connector shackles 12, 14 against becoming disengaged.

[0044] The two chain connector shackles 12, 14 are configured to be congruent with each other, wherein each chain connector shackle 12, 14 has an outer leg 18, an inner leg 20 and a U-shaped connecting portion 22 connecting the outer leg 18 with the inner leg 20.

[0045] As is apparent in FIG. 1, the outer leg 18 and the inner leg 20 each have a toothing contour 24 that engage each other in order to connect the chain connector shackles 12, 14 with each other.

[0046] The inner legs 20 each have a recess 26 which, in the connected state of the chain connector shackles 12, 14, form an opening 28 into which the securing pin 16 is inserted in order to secure the chain connector shackles 12, 14 against becoming disengaged. As is apparent in the FIGS. 6 and 7, the recesses 26 are additionally provided with depressions 27.

[0047] As is apparent particularly in FIGS. 2 to 5, the securing pin 16 has a base body 30 with a through-hole 32, two spring rings 34, two balls 36, and a securing member 38.

[0048] The securing member 38 has a first sleeve 39 made of metal or plastic, which is inserted, in particular pressed, into the through-hole 32, and a second sleeve 41 made of metal or plastic inserted into the first sleeve 39. In the present case, the securing member 38 may also be referred to as a double clamping sleeve.

[0049] The base body 30 is made of metal or plastic and, according to FIG. 5, has a first base body part 40 and a second base body part 42 that are connected to each other positively, non-positively and/or by substance-to-substance connection. In particular, the two base body parts 40, 42 are transversely press-connected.

[0050] The first base body part 40 is configured as a hollow cylinder and comprises the through-hole 32, a head portion 44 and a shaft portion 46. The head portion 44 has a first external diameter, and the shaft portion 46 has a second external diameter, wherein the first external diameter is greater than the second external diameter.

[0051] As is apparent in FIGS. 6 and 7, two bore holes 66, which are aligned perpendicularly to the central axis of the first base body part 40 with the through-hole 32, are incorporated into the shaft portion 46. The balls 36 of metal are inserted into the bore holes 66, wherein the bore holes 66 are dimensioned in such a way that a portion of the balls 36 protrudes into the through-hole 32 and rests against the securing member 38.

[0052] The second base body part 42 is pushed onto an end portion 48 of the shaft portion 46. The end portion 48 has a third external diameter, which is smaller than the second external diameter. Thus, a shoulder 50 is produced which serves as a stop for the second base body part 42 if the latter is pushed, in particular pressed, onto the end portion 48.

[0053] The second base body part 42 is configured as a ring and has a fourth external diameter corresponding to the first external diameter. A portion of the second base body part 42 has a centering projection 52 provided with an inserting bevel 53. Together with the inserting bevel 53, the centering projection 52 facilitates the insertion of the securing pin 16 into the opening 28. The centering projection 52 is formed from a portion of a lateral surface 59 of the second base body part 42 and has a fifth external diameter, which is smaller than the fourth external diameter. The inserting bevel 53 forms a transitional region from the fifth external diameter towards the fourth external diameter and is configured as a bevel or chamfer.

[0054] In the assembled state of the two base body parts 41, 42, the latter form an annular groove 54 in which the spring ring 34 rests. As is apparent in FIG. 3, the head portion 44 and the second base body part 42 each form a groove wall 56 of the annular groove 54, and the shaft portion 46 forms a groove bottom 58 of the annular groove 54.

[0055] As is apparent from the FIGS. 2 to 4 in particular, longitudinal grooves 60a, 60b, which are in connection with the annular groove 54 and which extend perpendicularly away from the latter in opposite longitudinal directions L1, L2, are incorporated into a lateral surface 59 of the head portion 44 and the second base body part 42. Thus, a first longitudinal groove 60a extends in a first longitudinal direction L1, and a second longitudinal groove 60b extends in a second longitudinal direction L2.

[0056] The spring rings 34 are bent from a spring steel wire, wherein each spring ring 34 has a ring portion 62 and a leg 64a, 64b, which projects perpendicularly from the ring portion 62.

[0057] The ring portion 62 itself has a winding 63 produced by bending the spring steel wire over at least 300°. The leg 64a, 64b is produced by bending a free end portion 65 of the spring ring 34.

[0058] As is apparent in the FIGS. 2 to 5, the ring portions 62 of the spring rings 34 rest in the annular groove 54 in such a way that the ring portions 62 face towards each other and that the legs 64a, 64b extend in opposite longitudinal directions L1, L2, wherein a first leg 64a rests in the first longitudinal groove 60a, and a second leg 64a rests in the second longitudinal groove 60b.

[0059] A possible method for installing the securing pin 16 is described below. First, the securing member 38 is inserted, in particular pressed, into the through-hole 32.

[0060] The two balls 36 are subsequently inserted into the bore holes 66 of the shaft portion 46. Then, the spring rings 34 are pushed onto the first base body part 40 in such a way that one of the ring portions 62 rests against the groove wall 56 formed by the head portion 44, and the first leg 64a rests in the first longitudinal groove 60a. Then, the second base body part 42 is pushed or pressed onto the end portion 48 until the second base body part 42 rests against the shoulder 50 and the second leg 64b rests in the second longitudinal groove 60b.

[0061] Hereinafter, a method is described for connecting two chains and for securing the two chain connector shackles 12, 14 against becoming disengaged. First, one chain connector shackle 12, 14 is respectively hooked into an end of a chain link forming a chain that is not depicted. Subsequently, the chain connector shackles 12, 14 are assembled such that toothing contours 24 engage each other. Then, the securing pin 16 is inserted, in particular pressed, into the opening 28 such that the two legs 64a, 64b face towards the U-shaped connecting portion 22, i.e. are arranged offset by 90° relative to the inner legs 20. Then, the securing member 38, in particular the two sleeves 39, 41, are driven into the through-hole 32, so that the balls 36 are pushed outwards in the radial direction R. Consequently, the ring portions 62 are widened in the radial direction R and pushed into the depressions 27 of the recesses 26, as is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The securing pin 16 is thereby secured against being pulled or pushed out of the opening 28.

[0062] If the securing pin 16 is inserted into the opening 28 such that the legs 64a, 64b face towards the inner legs 20, then the legs 64a, 64b bend out of shape during insertion into the opening 28. The securing pin 16 is thus destroyed and can no longer be used again.

[0063] Another embodiment of the spring ring 34 is described below, with the same reference numerals being used for identical or functionally identical parts.

[0064] The spring ring 34 shown in FIG. 8 differs from the spring rings 34 shown in the FIGS. 1 to 7 in that the spring ring 34 has the two legs 64a, 64b that extend into opposite longitudinal directions L1, L2. In addition, the ring portion 62 is formed of two windings 63.

[0065] The two legs 64a, 64b are produced by bending the free end portions 65 in opposite longitudinal directions L1, L2.

[0066] The legs 64a, 64b, which extend in opposite longitudinal directions L1, L2, serve as a positioning and/or installation aid when inserting the securing pin 16 into the opening 28 formed by the chain connector shackles 12, 14. If the securing pin 16 is properly inserted into the opening 28, then the legs 64a, 64b are fully visible from the outside. If the securing pin 16 is incorrectly inserted into the opening 28, then the legs 64a, 64b are bent out of shape during insertion or installation. The securing pin 16 is thus destroyed and can no longer be used again, because the legs 64a, 64b are bent. Thus, it is clearly recognizable that the securing pin 16 has been installed in an incorrect manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0067] 10 Chain connector [0068] 12 First chain connector shackle [0069] 14 Second chain connector shackle [0070] 16 Securing pin [0071] 18 Outer leg [0072] 20 Inner leg [0073] 22 U-shaped connecting portion [0074] 24 Toothing contour [0075] 26 Recess [0076] 27 Depression [0077] 28 Opening [0078] 30 Base body [0079] 32 Through-hole [0080] 34 Spring ring [0081] 36 Ball [0082] 38 Securing member [0083] 39 First sleeve [0084] 40 First base body part [0085] 41 Second sleeve [0086] 42 Second base body part [0087] 44 Head portion [0088] 46 Shaft portion [0089] 48 End portion [0090] 50 Shoulder [0091] 52 Centering projection [0092] 53 Inserting bevel [0093] 54 Annular groove [0094] 56 Groove wall [0095] 58 Groove bottom [0096] 59 Lateral surface [0097] 60a First longitudinal groove [0098] 60b Second longitudinal groove [0099] 62 Ring portion [0100] 63 Winding [0101] 64a First leg [0102] 64b Second leg [0103] 65 End portion [0104] 66 Bore hole [0105] L1 First longitudinal direction [0106] L2 Second longitudinal direction [0107] R Radial direction