Connector Link Method and Apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments herein relate to the general art of connector links, and to the particular field of coupling links for coupling to one or more chain links. Particular embodiments include coupling links having a body with a central portion that has an aperture passing therethrough, a closed first end that is integral, and a second end that has an opening, and a retaining member in the form of a removable, deformable, or pivotable member that may selectively provide a closure to the opening. Other embodiments include retaining members on both ends of the coupling link.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A connector link for engagement with a first chain link member of a chain, the connector link comprising:
 a body generally defining an aperture, a first end, and a second end; the body further including first and second bar portions, wherein the first and second bar portions substantially converge and are secured together at the second end;   wherein the first end comprises a first opening adapted to allow a portion of the first chain link member to pass therethrough and into the aperture;   wherein the first end further comprises a first retaining member adapted to open to allow the portion of the first chain link member to pass through the first opening and further adapted to form a first closure across the first opening once the portion of the first chain link member has passed through the first opening, thereby coupling the first chain link member to the connector link.   
     
     
         2 . The connector link of  claim 1 , further comprising a first biasing member adapted to bias the first retaining member toward a closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The connector link of  claim 2 , wherein the first biasing member is selected from the group consisting of a flat spring, a coil spring, a clock spring, a magnet and an elastomer. 
     
     
         4 . The connector link of  claim 1 , wherein the body is generally U-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The connector link of  claim 1 , wherein the first retaining member comprises a protrusion adapted to facilitate manual opening of the first retaining member. 
     
     
         6 . The connector link of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture has a maximum dimension that is sized to allow sufficient clearance for the portion of the first chain link member to pass beyond a distal tip of the first retaining member when the first retaining member is in an open position. 
     
     
         7 . The connector link of  claim 6 , wherein the first aperture has a maximum dimension that is sized to allow sufficient clearance for two opposing side members of the first chain link member to pass beyond the distal tip of the first retaining member when the first retaining member is in an open position. 
     
     
         8 . The connector link of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes first and second bar portions interconnected by at least one pin. 
     
     
         9 . The connector link of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring adapted to bias the first retaining member toward a closed position, wherein the first retaining member includes a protrusion adapted to facilitate manual opening of the first retaining member; wherein the first retaining member is pivotally secured between the first and second bar portions of the body. 
     
     
         10 . A connector link for engagement with first and second chain link members, the connector link comprising:
 a body, first and second apertures, a first end, and a second end;   wherein the first end comprises a first opening adapted to allow a portion of the first chain link member to pass therethrough and into the first aperture;   wherein the first end further comprises a first retaining member adapted to open to allow the portion of the first chain link member to pass through the first opening and further adapted to form a first closure across the first opening once the portion of the first chain link member has passed through the first opening, thereby coupling the first chain link member to the connector link;   wherein the second end comprises a second opening adapted to allow a portion of the second chain link member to pass therethrough and into a second aperture;   wherein the second end further comprises a second retaining member adapted to open to allow the portion of the second chain link member to pass through the second opening and further adapted to form a second closure across the second opening once the portion of the second chain link member has passed through the second opening, thereby coupling the second chain link member to the connector link.   
     
     
         11 . The connector link of  claim 10 , further comprising a first biasing member adapted to bias the first retaining member toward a closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The connector link of  claim 11 , wherein the first biasing member is selected from the group consisting of a flat spring, a coil spring, a clock spring, a magnet and an elastomer. 
     
     
         13 . The connector link of  claim 11 , further comprising a second biasing member adapted to bias the second retaining member toward a closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The connector link of  claim 13 , wherein the second biasing member is selected from the group consisting of a flat spring, a coil spring, a clock spring, a magnet and an elastomer. 
     
     
         15 . The connector link of  claim 10 , wherein the second retaining member is a low profile retaining member adapted to be used in a low clearance environment. 
     
     
         16 . The connector link of  claim 10 , wherein each of the first and second retaining members includes a protrusion adapted to facilitate manual opening of the respective retaining member. 
     
     
         17 . The connector link of  claim 10 , wherein the body comprises a cross member spanning the aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The connector link of  claim 10 , wherein the connector link comprises two or more apertures. 
     
     
         19 . The connector link of  claim 18 , wherein the two or more apertures are offset with regard to one another. 
     
     
         20 . The connector link of  claim 10 , wherein the aperture has a maximum dimension that is sized to allow sufficient clearance for the portion of the second chain link member to pass beyond a distal tip of the second retaining member when the second retaining member is in an open position. 
     
     
         21 . The connector link of  claim 20 , wherein the aperture has a maximum dimension that is sized to allow sufficient clearance for two opposing side members of the second chain link member to pass beyond the distal tip of the second retaining member when the second retaining member is in an open position. 
     
     
         22 . The connector link of  claim 10 , wherein the body is generally H-shaped. 
     
     
         23 . The connector link of  claim 22 , further comprising first and second biasing members which respectively bias the each retaining member toward a closed position; wherein each respective retaining member includes a protrusion adapted to facilitate manual opening of the respective retaining member; wherein the body includes first and second bar portions interconnected by at least one pin and wherein the first biasing member and the second biasing member are pivotally positioned between the first and second bar portions. 
     
     
         24 . The connector link of  claim 10 , wherein the body is generally S-shaped. 
     
     
         25 . The connector link of  claim 24 , further comprising first and second biasing members which respectively bias the each retaining member toward a closed position; wherein each retaining member includes a protrusion adapted to facilitate manual opening of the respective retaining member; wherein the body includes first and second bar portions interconnected by at least one pin and wherein the first biasing member and the second biasing member are pivotally positioned between the first and second bar portions. 
     
     
         26 . The connector link of  claim 10 , wherein the body includes first and second bar portions interconnected by at least one spacer. 
     
     
         27 . A connector link that can be used to connect a first link member to a second link member, the connector link having a body, an aperture, a first end, and a second end;
 wherein the first end comprises a first opening adapted to allow a portion of the first chain link member to pass therethrough and into the aperture;   wherein the first end further comprises a first retaining member adapted to open to allow the portion of the first chain link member to pass through the first opening and further adapted to form a first closure across the first opening once the portion of the first chain link member has passed through the first opening, thereby coupling the first chain link member to the connector link;   wherein the first retaining member is adapted to receive tension from the coupled first chain link member;   wherein the first retaining member is adapted to increase the strength of the first closure when the coupled first chain link member applies tension thereto; and   wherein the first retaining member comprises a protrusion adapted to facilitate manual opening of the first retaining member; and   wherein the second end comprises a second opening adapted to allow a portion of the second chain link member to pass therethrough and into a second aperture;   wherein the second end further comprises a second retaining member adapted to open to allow the portion of the second chain link member to pass through the second opening and further adapted to form a second closure across the second opening once the portion of the second chain link member has passed through the second opening, thereby coupling the second chain link member to the coupling link;   wherein the second retaining member is adapted to receive tension from the coupled second chain link member; and   wherein the second retaining member is adapted to increase the strength of the second closure when the coupled second chain link member applies tension thereto; and   wherein the second retaining member comprises a protrusion adapted to facilitate manual opening of the second retaining member.   
     
     
         28 . The connector link of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second apertures are offset with regard to one another.