Transverse bar and chain link with transverse bar

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12297891-B2
Application number	US-202017310173-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 23, 2020
Priority date	Jan 25, 2019
Publication date	May 13, 2025
Grant date	May 13, 2025

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A transverse bar of 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 the 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, the fixing region being part of the transverse bar,
wherein the fixing region of the transverse bar includes a locking element which is transferable into a locking position and an unlocking position, the locking element being part of the transverse bar,
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,
wherein the locking element is in a form of a pivotal part which is pivotably attached at the fixing region of the transverse bar, 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,
wherein the transverse bar has a holding region for the locking element,
wherein the locking element is movable with respect to the holding region, 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 and causes the locking element to move relative to the holding region of the transverse bar, the holding region and the arcuate guide being parts of the transverse bar.

2. The transverse bar according to claim 1 , 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.

3. The transverse bar according to claim 2 , 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.

4. The transverse bar according to claim 1 , wherein the locking portion of the locking element is of an arcuate configuration.

5. The transverse bar according to claim 1 , wherein the locking portion of the locking element is guided in the arcuate guide of the holding region.

6. The transverse bar according to claim 1 , wherein the actuating portion of the locking element projects laterally from the locking portion of the locking element.

7. The transverse bar according to claim 1 , wherein the locking element is in a form of a substantially rigid component.

8. The transverse bar according to claim 1 , wherein the locking portion has an end region, and
wherein the end region has a flat contact surface to contact with a holding portion of the side portion.

9. The transverse bar according to claim 1 , wherein the locking element and a holding portion of the side portion for the locking element or the transverse bar have corresponding latch means to fasten the locking element in the locking position.

10. The transverse bar according to claim 9 , wherein the latch means are arranged in a guide passage of an arcuate guide for the locking element.

11. The transverse bar according to claim 1 ,
wherein the holding region has retainer means which cooperate with the locking element.

12. The transverse bar according to claim 11 , wherein the retainer means are arranged in a guide passage of an arcuate guide for the locking element.

13. The transverse bar according to claim 1 , wherein the locking element is lockable and unlockable by manual actuation.

14. The transverse bar according to claim 1 , wherein the transverse bar is disposed as a part of a chain link.

15. The transverse bar according to claim 1 , wherein the transverse bar is disposed as a part of the energy guiding chain.

16. A chain link of an energy guiding chain, comprising:
a transverse bar having ends configured to fasten to two side portions of the chain link of the 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, the fixing region being part of the transverse bar,
wherein the fixing region of the transverse bar includes a locking element which is transferable into a locking position and an unlocking position, the locking element being part of the transverse bar,
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,
wherein the locking element is in a form of a pivotal part which is pivotably attached at the fixing region of the transverse bar, 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,
wherein the transverse bar has a holding region for the locking element,
wherein the locking element is movable with respect to the holding region, 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 and causes the locking element to move relative to the holding region of the transverse bar, the holding region and the arcuate guide being parts of the transverse bar.

17. A transverse bar of 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 the 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, the fixing region being part of the transverse bar,
wherein the fixing region of the transverse bar includes a locking element which is transferable into a locking position and an unlocking position, the locking element being part of the transverse bar,
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,
wherein the locking element is in a form of a pivotal part which is pivotably attached at the fixing region of the transverse bar, 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-vers

Assignees

• Igus Gmbh

Inventors

• Theiss Georg
• Hermey Andreas

Classifications

• H02G11/006

  using extensible carrier for the cable, e.g. self-coiling spring (extensible conductors or cables H01B7/06) · CPC title

• F16G15/12

  Chain links · CPC title

• F16G13/16 Primary

  with arrangements for holding electric cables, hoses, or the like · CPC title