Chain-install apparatus, systems, and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025011124-A1
Application number	US-202318347331-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 5, 2023
Priority date	Jul 5, 2023
Publication date	Jan 9, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A chain-install apparatus for facilitating installation of a chain into a conveyor system (e.g., a conveyor system for a cathode stripping machine) comprises: a support structure; a hub assembly coupled to the support structure, a brake assembly operably coupled to the hub assembly, and an attachment arrangement configured to facilitate lifting of the chain-install apparatus by a crane.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A chain-install apparatus, comprising:
a support structure; a first hub assembly coupled to the support structure, the first hub assembly including a shaft, a first guard coupled to the shaft, and a second guard coupled to the shaft, the first guard spaced apart laterally from the second guard and defining a first pocket therebetween; a first brake assembly operably coupled to the first hub assembly; and an attachment arrangement coupled to the support structure.

2 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a chain that is winded around the first hub assembly within the first pocket, the chain extending from a first end to a second end, the first end coupled to the shaft.

3 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 2 , wherein:
the first guard and the second guard are spaced apart laterally by a first lateral distance, the chain includes a second lateral distance from a first lateral side of the chain to a second lateral side of the chain, and the first lateral distance is between 1.01 times and 2 times the second lateral distance.

4 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the second end of the chain is coupled to the first guard.

5 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the chain comprises a plurality of chain link segments, each chain link segment coupled to an adjacent chain link segment in the plurality of chain link segments.

6 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the chain comprises a set of attachment chain link segments, each attachment chain link segment in the set of attachment chain link segments including an attachment protrusion extending upward from a body of the attachment chain link segment.

7 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 6 , wherein each attachment chain link segment is separated from an adjacent attachment chain link segment by a set of chain link segments in the plurality of chain link segments.

8 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 5 , wherein:
the plurality of chain link segments includes a set of inner chain link segments and a set of outer chain link segments, and a first inner chain link segment in the set of inner chain link segments configured to couple to a first outer chain link segment in the set of outer chain link segments at a first longitudinal end and a second outer chain link segment in the set of outer chain link segments at a second longitudinal end.

9 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 5 , wherein each chain link segment includes one of a hollow bearing pin chain, a solid bearing pin chain, and a deep link chain.

10 . A chain-install apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the support structure includes a base and a frame; the first hub assembly is coupled to the frame of the support structure; and the attachment arrangement is configured to form a suspension arrangement in response to being coupled to a crane.

11 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 10 , wherein:
the first guard and the second guard are spaced apart laterally by a first lateral distance, the first pocket of the first hub assembly is configured to receive a chain that is winded therein, the chain defining a second lateral distance from a first lateral side of the chain to a second lateral side of the chain, and the first lateral distance is between 1.01 times and 2 times the second lateral distance.

12 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 11 , wherein in response to winding the chain in the first pocket of the first hub assembly, an outer surface of the chain is spaced apart vertically from a radially outer edge of the first guard.

13 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first brake assembly further comprises a brake input configured to control a braking force of a brake of the first brake assembly, the brake input coupled to the base.

14 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:
the base includes a first lateral side spaced apart from a second lateral side, a handle is coupled to the first lateral side of the base, the brake input is a lever, and the lever is coupled to a top side of the base and spaced apart longitudinally from the handle.

15 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first brake assembly comprises:
a brake input; a brake; and a brake drum configured to spin with the shaft, the brake drum operably coupled to the brake, the brake input configured to vary a braking force applied by the brake to the brake drum.

16 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the first brake assembly includes a brake linkage operably coupling the brake input to the brake, and wherein the brake input is a lever.

17 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a second hub assembly coupled to the frame of the support structure, the second hub assembly including a second shaft, a third guard coupled to the second shaft, and a fourth guard coupled to the shaft, the fourth guard spaced apart laterally from the third guard and defining a second pocket therebetween.

18 . The chain-install apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the first hub assembly is configured to rotate independently of the second hub assembly.

19 . A method of installing a chain to form a conveyor system, the method comprising:
lifting a chain-install apparatus; dispensing the chain into a track of the conveyor system by releasing a brake of the chain-install apparatus; adjusting, via a brake assembly of the chain-install apparatus, a rate of feed for the chain during the dispensing the chain; and installing a remainder of the chain into the track.

20 . A method, comprising:
transitioning a brake assembly from a first state to a second state, wherein in response to being in the first state, the brake assembly applies a first braking force to a hub assembly of a chain-install apparatus, and wherein in response to being in the second state, the hub assembly is configured to spin freely; coupling a first end of a chain to the hub assembly; winding the chain up on the hub assembly; transitioning the brake assembly from the second state to the first state; coupling a second end of the chain to the hub assembly to form a shipping configuration of the chain-install apparatus; and transporting, by a forklift, the shipping configuration of the chain-install apparatus from a first location to a second location.

Assignees

• Freeport Minerals Corp

Inventors

• Peru Edward A
• Varela Brennan Davik
• Owens Jr Steve J
• Sayre Ry G
• Rubalcava Ii Mark A

Classifications

• C25C7/08

  Separating of deposited metals from the cathode · CPC title

• B65H49/327

  Arrangements or adaptations for attachment to a wall, a post or the like · CPC title

• B65H59/04

  by devices acting on package or support · CPC title

• B65H2701/3911

  Chains · CPC title

• B66C1/10 Primary

  by mechanical means · CPC title