Chain Link and Method for Forming Chain Link

• US 20150175357A1
• Filed: 12/19/2013
• Published: 06/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wolff Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wolff Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Wolff, David H., Vogel, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,205,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A22C 21/0053 Transferring or conveying devices for poultry
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/006 Joining parts moulded in separate cavities
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14 incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles B29C45/1671 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 29/06 Conveyor belts
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/40 Chains acting as load-carriers
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/42 Attaching load carriers to traction elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/46 Means for holding or retaining the loads in fixed position on the load-carriers, e.g. magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/0202 Agricultural and processed food products
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2207/38 Pin used as carrier of one article
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 15/02 for fastening more or less permanently
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 15/12 Chain links

Abstract

Chain links and methods for forming chain links are provided. A method may include inserting a pin into a pin hole defined in a boss insert, and introducing the boss insert to a mold cavity defined in a mold plate of a mold assembly. The method further includes flowing chain link substrate to the mold cavity, and cooling the chain link substrate such that a chain link is formed. The chain link includes a base portion, a platform extending from the base portion, and a rib assembly extending from the platform and including a plurality of ribs and defining a central pocket. The boss insert is disposed in the pocket, and the pin is disposed in the pin hole of the boss insert.

Claims

1. A method for forming a chain link, the method comprising:

inserting a pin into a pin hole defined in a boss insert;

introducing the boss insert to a mold cavity defined in a mold plate of a mold assembly;

flowing chain link substrate to the mold cavity; and

cooling the chain link substrate such that a chain link is formed, the chain link comprising a base portion, a platform extending from the base portion, a rib assembly extending from the platform and comprising a plurality of ribs and defining a central pocket, the boss insert disposed in the pocket, and the pin disposed in the pin hole of the boss insert.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the base portion, the platform and the plurality of ribs are formed from the chain link substrate.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pin is formed from the chain link substrate.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the chain link substrate is a plastic.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pin is formed from a plastic.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the boss insert is formed from a material different from the pin and the chain link substrate.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the boss insert is formed from a metal.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the pin is inserted into the pin hole such that a first portion of the pin is disposed within the pin hole and a second portion of the pin is disposed exterior to the boss insert.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first portion is a body and the second portion is a head, the head having a maximum width greater than a maximum width of the body.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising melting the pin.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein after cooling the chain link substrate the pin is integral with the rib assembly.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

flowing chain link substrate to a pin mold cavity defined in the mold plate;

cooling the chain link substrate such that a subsequent pin is formed.

13. A method for forming a chain link, the method comprising:

flowing chain link substrate to a mold cavity defined in a mold plate of a mold d assembly;

flowing chain link substrate to a pin mold cavity defined in the mold plate;

cooling the chain link substrate such that a chain link is formed, the chain link comprising a base portion, a platform extending from the base portion, and a rib assembly extending from the platform and comprising a plurality of ribs and defining a central pocket; and

cooling the chain link substrate such that a pin is formed, the pin insertable into a pin hole defined in a boss insert.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the chain link substrate is a plastic.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the boss insert is formed from a material different from the chain link substrate.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the boss insert is formed from a metal.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the pin comprises a body and a head, the head having a maximum width greater than a maximum width of the body.

18. A chain link, comprising:

a base portion;

a platform extending from the base portion;

a rib assembly extending from the platform, the rib assembly comprising a plurality of ribs disposed in an annular array and a tube from which the ribs extend, the tube defining a central pocket; and

a boss insert disposed in the central pocket, the boss insert comprising an insert body defining a central bore, the insert body comprising an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall defining the central bore.

19. The chain link of claim 18, wherein the boss insert further comprises a pin hole defined in the insert body, and further comprising a pin disposed in the pin hole.

20. The chain link of claim 19, wherein the pin is integral with the rib assembly.

21. The chain link of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the inner wall is threaded.

22. The chain link of claim 18, wherein the boss insert is formed from a material different from the material of the base portion, the platform and the rib assembly.

23. The chain link of claim 18, wherein the boss insert is formed from a metal,

24. The chain link of claim 18, wherein the base portion, the platform and the rib assembly are integral.