Granted Patent B2

US 12,297,891 · App. 17/310,173 · Granted May 13, 2025

Inventors: Georg Theiss (Cologne, DE); Andreas Hermey (Hennef, DE)

Assignee: IGUS GMBH

F16G13/16H02G11/006

Abstract

Claims (60)

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-versa, the locking element being part of the transverse bar,

wherein the transverse bar has a holding region for the locking element,

wherein the locking element is movable with respect to the holding region,

wherein the holding region has an arcuate guide configured as a guide passage, the holding region and the arcuate guide being parts of the transverse bar, and

wherein the guide passage, 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 within the guide passage.

18. 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,

wherein the holding region has an arcuate guide configured as a guide passage, the holding region and the arcuate guide being part of the transverse bar, and

wherein the guide passage, 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 within the guide passage.

Assignments (3)

Priority Claims (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (19)