Link plate for restricting back bending of a silent chain

Abstract

A silent chain for preventing chordal action without decreasing power transmission efficiency. A link plate 2 of a silent chain includes a pair of teeth and pin apertures. The link plate 2 further includes a protrusion that protrudes in a link thickness direction on the link centerline C L above the pin aperture centerline C P . When the silent chain bends rearwardly or toward a backside, the protrusion of the link plate 2 interferes with the shoulder of each link plate 2 ′ adjacent to the link plate 2 , thereby restricting back bending of the link plates 2, 2 ′. When the silent chain bends in a meshing direction, the protrusion of the link plate 2 does not interfere with the link plate 2 ′. In such a way, chordal action or oscillation of a chain span can be restrained without decreasing power transmission efficiency of the silent chain.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A silent chain for preventing chordal action without decreasing power transmission efficiency comprising: 
 a plurality of link plates, each plate comprising a body having ends, a back, shoulders below the ends and the back, and pin apertures adjacent to the back and the shoulders of the link plates, the link plates arranged as alternating non-guide rows and guide rows having guide links; and    protrusions extending in a link thickness direction from the plurality of link plates in a position that the protrusions interfere with the shoulders of adjacent links plates when the chain is back-bent, such that back bending is restricted.    
     
     
         2 . The silent chain of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion extends from the plurality of link plates on a link centerline equidistant from the ends of the body and between the back and a pin aperture centerline extending between centers of the pin apertures.  
     
     
         3 . The silent chain of  claim 2 , wherein the shoulders of the plurality of link plates have a flat portion extending generally perpendicular to the pin aperture centerline.  
     
     
         4 . The silent chain of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is formed on the plurality of links by a compressive process of press work to the plurality of links.  
     
     
         5 . The silent chain of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is a pin inserted through the body of at least one link plate.  
     
     
         6 . The silent chain of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of link plates having protrusions are disposed in a random pattern along a chain.