Chain with opposite plane links

Abstract

A chain with opposite plane links is disclosed and may be utilized in connection with an excavator or other heavy-duty operation. Each opposite plane link includes two discrete loop portions orthogonally-oriented with respect to each other. The excavator may be, for example, a dragline excavating operation that includes a drag rope and a dragline bucket. The opposite plane link chain forms a portion of the drag system positioned adjacent to the dragline bucket and secured to the dragline bucket. In operation, the opposite plane link chain drags against the ground and experiences wear. By rotating the opposite plane link chain and reversing the ends of the opposite plane link chain, four discrete wear surfaces are sequentially positioned to engage the ground.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A chain for a mining operation, the chain comprising a plurality of interconnected links that each include a first aperture and a second aperture, a plane of the first aperture being substantially orthogonal to a plane of the second aperture, and each link being formed as a rigid, one-piece member.  
     
     
         2 . The chain recited in  claim 1 , wherein loops form the first and second apertures, and a connector portion extends between the loops and is integrally-formed with the loops.  
     
     
         3 . The chain recited in  claim 2 , wherein the connector portion is formed as a single rod member.  
     
     
         4 . The chain recited in  claim 1 , wherein the links each have a pitch and a cross-sectional dimension, the pitch of each said link being approximately eight times the cross-sectional dimension.  
     
     
         5 . The chain recited in  claim 1 , wherein the links each have a pitch and a cross-sectional dimension, the pitch of each said link being at least four times the cross-sectional dimension.  
     
     
         6 . A chain for a dragline excavating operation, the chain comprising a plurality of interconnected links, each said link having a first end defined by a first closed loop, a second end defined by a second closed loop, and a central connecting rod interconnecting the first and second loops, the loops and the connecting rod being integrally formed, and a plane of the first loop being non-parallel to a plane of the second loop.  
     
     
         7 . The chain recited in  claim 6 , wherein the plane of the first loop is generally orthogonal to the plane of the second loop.  
     
     
         8 . The chain recited in  claim 6 , wherein the links each have a pitch and a cross-sectional dimension, the pitch of each said link being approximately eight times the cross-sectional dimension.  
     
     
         9 . The chain recited in  claim 6 , wherein the links each have a pitch and a cross-sectional dimension, the pitch of each said link being at least four times the cross-sectional dimension.  
     
     
         10 . A dragline excavating operation comprising: 
 a dragline bucket for receiving excavated material;    at least one line for supporting the dragline bucket; and    a chain secured to the dragline bucket, the chain including a plurality of interconnected links, each said link having a pair of closed end loops and a connecting portion, each said loop lying generally in a plane, and the planes of the loops being angled relative to each other.    
     
     
         11 . The dragline excavating operation recited in  claim 10 , wherein the planes of the loops are oriented orthogonally relative to each other.  
     
     
         12 . The dragline excavating operation recited in  claim 10 , wherein the connecting portion for each said link is a single rod member.  
     
     
         13 . The dragline excavating operation recited in  claim 10 , wherein the links each have a pitch and a cross-sectional dimension, the pitch of each said link being approximately eight times the cross-sectional dimension.  
     
     
         14 . A chain for heavy-duty operations, the chain comprising a plurality of interconnected links that each include: 
 a first loop that forms a first aperture;    a second loop that forms a second aperture, a plane of the first aperture being substantially orthogonal to a plane of the second aperture; and    a central connecting rod positioned between the first and second loops, wherein each of the first and second loops and the connecting rod are one-piece members that are integrally-connected with each other to form a rigid, one-piece structure for each link.    
     
     
         15 . The chain recited in  claim 14 , wherein the links each have a pitch and a cross-sectional dimension, the pitch of each said link being approximately eight times the cross-sectional dimension.  
     
     
         16 . The chain recited in  claim 14 , wherein the links each have a pitch and a cross-sectional dimension, the pitch of each said link being at least four times the cross-sectional dimension.  
     
     
         17 . A method of operating a dragline excavating operation, the method comprising steps of: 
 securing a first end of a chain to a dragline bucket, the chain having at least one link that defines a first loop and a second loop for receiving loops of adjacent links, a plane of the first loop being oriented orthogonally with respect to a plane of the second loop;    after a first side of the first loop becomes worn from engaging the ground, disconnecting the chain from the dragline bucket and rotating the chain 180 degrees about a length thereof, and reconnecting the first end to the dragline bucket to position a second side of the first loop in engagement with the ground;    after the second side of the first loop becomes worn from engaging the ground, disconnecting the chain from the dragline bucket, and connecting a second end of the chain to the dragline bucket to position a first side of the second loop in engagement with the ground; and    after the first side of the second loop becomes worn from engaging the ground, disconnecting the chain from the dragline bucket and rotating the chain 180 degrees about the length thereof, and reconnecting the second end to the dragline bucket to position a second side of the second loop in engagement with the ground.    
     
     
         18 . A method of excavating comprising: 
 supporting a dragline bucket by at least one hoist line;    coupling a chain to the dragline bucket, the chain including a plurality of interconnected links, each link including a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein a plane of the first aperture is substantially orthogonal to a plane of the second aperture; and    operatively connecting the chain to a drag mechanism and operating the drag mechanism to pull the dragline bucket along the ground via the chain.