US 12,366,281 B2
Chain braces and processes for using same
Quoc Anh Dang, Cypress, TX (US); Steven Edward Eskridge, Waller, TX (US); and Amir H. Izadparast, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to SOFEC, INC., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by SOFEC, INC., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Nov. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/057,409.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/282,010, filed on Nov. 22, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0160456 A1, May 25, 2023
Int. Cl. F16G 13/18 (2006.01); B63B 21/20 (2006.01); B63B 73/40 (2020.01); F16G 13/12 (2006.01); F16G 15/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16G 13/18 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A chain brace for restricting relative movement between a first link of a chain, a second link of the chain, and a third link of the chain that are serially connected to one another, comprising:
a wedge block having a first end and a second end, wherein the wedge block defines a bore at least partially therethrough that is oriented along an axis of the wedge block extending from the first end toward or through the second end thereof, and wherein a width of the wedge block between a set of opposing sides extending from the second end to the first end tapers toward the first end thereof;
a first outer block and a second outer block, each of the first outer block and the second outer block comprising a first end, a second end, and a side comprising a concave surface disposed between the first and second ends thereof,
a capture frame comprising a reaction plate that defines a bore therethrough, wherein:
the capture frame is configured to position the first outer block, the wedge block, and the second outer block within the second link of the chain,
the wedge block is configured to be positioned between the first outer block and the second outer block,
each of the first end of the first outer block, the first end of the second outer block, and the first end of the wedge block is configured to be orientated toward the reaction plate,
the concave surface of the first outer block is configured to engage with and partially receive an outer surface of an end of the first link of the chain,
the concave surface of the second outer block is configured to engage with and partially receive an outer surface of an end of the third link of the chain; and
a tension member configured to be positioned through the bore defined by the reaction plate and at least partially into the bore defined by the wedge block at the first end thereof and to apply a force on the wedge block to move the wedge block in a direction toward the reaction plate such that the wedge block displaces the first outer block and the second outer block into contact with the ends of the first link of the chain and the third link of the chain, respectively, to restrict the relative movement between the first link of the chain, the second link of the chain, and the third link of the chain.
 
19. A process for restricting relative movement between a first link of a chain, a second link of the chain, and a third link of the chain that are serially connected to one another, comprising:
installing a chain brace about and within the second link of chain, wherein the chain brace comprises:
a wedge block having a first end and a second end, wherein the wedge block defines a bore at least partially therethrough that is oriented along an axis of the wedge block extending from the first end toward or through the second end thereof, and wherein a width of the wedge block between a set of opposing sides extending from the second end to the first end tapers toward the first end thereof;
a first outer block and a second outer block, each of the first outer block and the second outer block comprising a first end, a second end, and a side comprising a concave surface disposed between the first and second ends thereof,
a capture frame comprising a reaction plate that defines a bore therethrough, wherein:
the capture frame positions the first outer block, the wedge block, and the second outer block within the second link of the chain,
the wedge block is positioned between the first outer block and the second outer block,
each of the first end of the first outer block, the first end of the second outer block, and the first end of the wedge block is orientated toward the reaction plate,
the concave surface of the first outer block is configured to engage with and partially receive an outer surface of an end of the first link of the chain,
the concave surface of the second outer block is configured to engage with and partially receive an outer surface of an end of the third link of the chain; and
a tension member positioned through the bore defined by the reaction plate and at least partially into the bore defined by the wedge block at the first end thereof; and
applying a force on the wedge block with the tension member to move the wedge block in a direction toward the reaction plate such that the wedge block displaces the first outer block and the second outer block to cause the concave surface of the first outer block and the concave surface of the second outer block to engage with and partially receive the outer surfaces of the ends of the first link of the chain and the third link of the chain, respectively, to restrict the relative movement between the first link of the chain, the second link of the chain, and the third link of the chain.