POWER CHAIN Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: mechanical engineering; routing hoses, cables and the like between mobile and fixed points of connection. SUBSTANCE: chain has sections of light-weight thin-walled structure built up of chain plates 1, 2 and at least one cross-piece interconnecting these plates. Chain plates of adjacent sections are hinged together through journals 5 provided on plates of each section and passed through respective holes in plates of adjacent sections. Chain possesses torsional elasticity and/or sideways elasticity of flexure; for inserting journals of one section into holes of adjacent one provision is made for elastic strain of respective areas of plates. Journals are provided with locking means on their perimeter to lock them in position inside holes which serves as additional protection against spontaneous disconnection; in order to draw them out of holes, certain force should be applied to them. EFFECT: improved reliability of hinged joints of chain. 10 cl, 7 dwg