Sprocket with replaceable wear-absorbing inserts
First Claim
1. A sprocket, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth;
(b) an insert seat formed between each pair of said teeth;
(c) an insert removably mountable in each of said insert seats; and
,(d) for each one of said inserts and insert seats, an insert retainer fastenable to said sprocket to prevent removal of said inserts from said insert seats and unfastenable to permit removal of said inserts from said insert seats said insert retainer further comprising at least one fastening member fastenable through said sprocket adjacent said insert seat to position first and second retaining portions on opposite sides of said sprocket and said insert to prevent movement of said insert with respect to said insert seat, said fastening member unfastenable to remove said retaining portions and permit movement of said insert with respect to said insert seat.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sprocket having a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth with an insert seat formed between each pair of teeth. A wear-absorbing insert is removably mounted in each of the insert seats, for example, by press fitting the insert into the insert seat. An insert retainer is fastenable adjacent each insert and insert seat to prevent removal of the inserts from the insert seats as the sprocket is drivingly rotated to propel a chain entrained over the sprocket teeth. Each insert retainer can be unfastened to permit removal of the inserts from the insert seats as the inserts become worn. Each pair of sprocket teeth includes a leading tooth edge and a trailing tooth edge. The insert seat is formed over a portion of the leading tooth edge and over a portion of the trailing tooth edge. The insert has an inward edge shaped for snug mating engagement in any one of the insert seats, and an outward edge defining a leading tooth profile and a trailing tooth profile. The leading tooth profile smoothly merges with the leading tooth edge and the trailing tooth profile smoothly merges with the trailing tooth edge when the insert is mounted in the insert seat as aforesaid. The insert retainer includes at least one fastening member which can be fastened through the sprocket adjacent the insert seat to position first and second retaining portions on opposite sides of the sprocket and insert to prevent movement of the insert with respect to the insert seat. The fastening member can be unfastened to remove the retaining portions and permit removal of the insert from the insert seat.
17 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A sprocket, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth; (b) an insert seat formed between each pair of said teeth; (c) an insert removably mountable in each of said insert seats; and
,(d) for each one of said inserts and insert seats, an insert retainer fastenable to said sprocket to prevent removal of said inserts from said insert seats and unfastenable to permit removal of said inserts from said insert seats said insert retainer further comprising at least one fastening member fastenable through said sprocket adjacent said insert seat to position first and second retaining portions on opposite sides of said sprocket and said insert to prevent movement of said insert with respect to said insert seat, said fastening member unfastenable to remove said retaining portions and permit movement of said insert with respect to said insert seat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of managing sprocket tooth wear in a sprocket having a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth, said method comprising the steps of:
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(e) forming an insert seat between each pair of said teeth; (f) removably mounting a wear-absorbing insert in each of said insert seats; (g) restraining said inserts during driving operation of said sprocket by bracketing said inserts from opposite sides of said sprocket to prevent movement of said inserts with respect to said insert seats, thereby preventing removal of said inserts from said insert seats; and
,(h) upon wearing of any of said inserts beyond a predefined wear threshold, removing and replacing said worn inserts. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification