US 11,656,237 B2
Link chain, chain system and method
Jeffrey Musacchio, Sharon, MA (US)
Assigned to WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, Milford, MA (US)
Filed by Waters Technologies Corporation, Milford, MA (US)
Filed on Jul. 28, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/940,595.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/879,665, filed on Jul. 29, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0033632 A1, Feb. 4, 2021
Int. Cl. G01N 35/02 (2006.01); G01N 30/02 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/021 (2013.01) [G01N 30/02 (2013.01); G01N 2030/027 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A chain comprising:
a plurality of links pivotally connected to each other such that the chain is configured to bend in one direction without back-bending, each of the plurality of links including a link body having:
an inner side facing a bending direction of the chain;
an outer side facing opposite the bending direction of the chain;
a back-bending prevention portion proximate the outer side of the link body including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface configured to prevent back bending when engaged with the second surface of a first other of the pivotally connected plurality of links, and the second surface configured to prevent back bending when engaged with the first surface of a second body of the pivotally connected plurality of links;
a post feature extending laterally across the link body, the post feature including a portion exposed from the inner side of the chain; and
a connection feature configured to engage with the post feature of the first other of the pivotally connected plurality of links to create one direction pivotal attachment without back-bending between the links,
wherein each of the plurality of links is made of a single integral piece of material, and
wherein the back-bending prevention portion includes a first flange having the first surface and a second flange having the second surface and a web between the first flange and the second flange.