[0001] The present invention relates to a ball chain connector and a method of releasably
connecting together ball chain ends, in particular allowing the ball chain ends to
break apart from one another.
[0002] Ball chains are well known in the prior art for operating architectural coverings,
for example raising or lowering the cover. Such a ball chain comprises a series of
beads/ balls connected together by flexible member sections such that the chain as
a whole is flexible and the balls can engage with a pulley wheel to operate the architectural
covering.
[0003] A known problem and danger with such ball chains is that a child or infant can become
entangled in the hanging loop of the ball chain. Various proposals have been made
to allow the two opposite ends of a ball chain to break away from each other under
load. For example,
JP 2011-027174 proposes the use of a connector having one part that is fixed to one ball chain end
and another part that is fixed to another ball chain end. The two connector parts
are attached to one another in a releasable manner.
GB 2,479523 and
KR 101252028 propose a similar arrangement in which the connector parts of
GB 2,479523 are held together with magnets and the connector parts of
KR 101252028 are held together via a ball-shaped connector on one of the parts that resiliently
fits in a cavity of the other part.
CA 2708468 proposes a connector fixed to the flexible member section at one end of the ball
chain and provided with a resilient receiving cavity for receiving a ball at the other
end of the ball chain. Under load, the resilient cavity is able to deflect outwardly
to release the ball held within the cavity.
[0004] The previous arrangements using multi-part connectors are undesirably complex and
expensive. They may be undesirably bulky. Also, special steps may be required to attach
the parts to the end of the ball chain, making construction and installation more
complex and making it more difficult to adjust the length of the ball chain as required.
Furthermore, resiliently gripping an end ball of the ball chain itself can result
in unreliable breakaway forces. For normal ball chains, the tolerance for the size
of balls need not be particularly accurate. The ball diameter may differ to some extend
within a single chain due to production inaccuracies or, indeed, ball chains may be
provided with different ball sizes.
[0005] The present invention aims to overcome or at least reduce some of these problems.
[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a method of releasably connecting
together ball chain ends. The method includes securing the ball chain ends to respective
first and second part of a ball chain connector and releasably connecting together
the first and second parts. The method provides for releasably connecting together
the first and second parts by using a ball-shaped connector on the first part that
can fit into a side opening in the second part. The method provides for the second
part to resiliently hold the first part within resiliently deflectable walls.
[0007] According to the present invention, there is also provided a ball chain connector
for use with ball chains having a series of balls connected together by flexible member
sections. The ball chain connector is for connecting together two ball chain ends.
The ball chain connector includes a first part and a second part. The first part defines
a cavity receiving an end ball at the end of a ball chain and a first through hole
for passing a flexible member section of the ball chain and the second part defines
a second cavity receiving an end ball at the end of a ball chain and a second through
hole for passing a flexible member section of the ball chain. The first part includes
a ball-shaped connector at the distal end of a stem extending opposite to said first
through hole and the second part includes a resilient wall opposite said second through
hole and configured to receive and resiliently hold said ball-shaped connector. The
resilient wall also defines a connection aperture from which at least the stem extends
and possibly a smaller part of the ball-shaped connector. The resilient wall further
defines a side opening, between the second through hole and the connection aperture,
into which the ball-shaped connector can be inserted. The resilient wall is configured
to be resiliently deflected so as to release the ball-shaped connector and allow the
first and second parts to separate.
[0008] There may also be provided a ball chain together with a ball chain connector and
also an architectural covering including such a ball chain and ball chain connector.
[0009] In this way, a relatively simple and inexpensive means is provided for connecting
together the first and second parts. Because the first and second parts of the connector
can be produced specially for this purpose, production tolerances can be provided
that ensure accurate and consistent breakaway forces. The first and second parts can
easily be arranged to accept end balls within a wide range of varying sizes without
affecting the functionality of the ball chain connector. Use of a ball-shaped connector
is advantageous by its effectiveness as a releasable connection together with ease
and low cost of manufacture.
[0010] The first part may be considered to extend in an elongate direction between the first
through hole and the ball-shaped connector. With respect to this elongate direction,
the ball chain connector may include a first side wall extending between the first
through hole and the ball-shaped connector. The first side wall may define a first
opening into which an end ball of a ball chain can be inserted.
[0011] The first side wall of the first part may further define a first slot joining the
first opening to the first through hole. This first slot allows a flexible member
section of a ball chain extending from the end ball to be moved/guided from the first
opening to the first through hole.
[0012] In this way, the ball chain connector provides a simple means of fitting the first
part to an end ball of a ball chain. The end ball may be inserted through the first
opening into the first cavity and then rotated such that the flexible member section
extending from that end ball passes through the first slot so as to extend out through
the first through hole. Under load, the end ball is held securely within the first
cavity with the flexible member section extending out of the first through hole.
[0013] It is possible also for the side wall portion defining the first opening to have
some resilience and the first opening to be provided with a size slightly smaller
than an end ball. In this way, a user may push the end ball into the first opening
against some resilient resistance with the end ball then being held securely within
the first cavity.
[0014] In an equivalent manner, the second part may be considered to extend in an elongate
direction between the second through hole and the connection aperture. With respect
to this elongate direction, the second part may include a second side wall between
the second through hole and the connection aperture. The second side wall may define
a second opening into which an end ball of a ball chain can be inserted.
[0015] The second side wall of the second part may further define a second slot joining
the second opening to the second through hole so as to allow a flexible member section
of a ball chain to be moved/guided from the second opening to the second through hole.
[0016] As described with respect to the first part, an end ball may be inserted through
the second opening into the second cavity and rotated so that the flexible member
section passes from the second opening to the second through hole. The end ball is
thus securely held within the second cavity.
[0017] Similarly to the first part, the side wall portion defining the second opening may
be resilient and may define a second opening slightly smaller than the end ball so
as to securely hold the end ball within the second cavity.
[0018] Noting that the second part is configured to hold within it both an end ball of a
ball chain and the ball-shaped connector of the first part, its outer elongate extent
may be greater than the outer elongate extent of the first part between the first
through hole and the stem of the ball-shaped connector.
[0019] In order to fit the ball-shaped connector into the resilient wall of the second part,
it is possible merely to push the ball-shaped connector through the connection aperture
against the resilient resistance of the resilient wall until the ball-shaped connector
moves within that resilient wall and reaches a position at which it is held within
the second part by that resilient wall.
[0020] The resilient wall may further define a side slot extending from the side opening
to the connection aperture. The side slot allows the stem of the ball-shaped connector
to be moved/guided from the side opening to the connection aperture when the ball-shaped
connector is rotated within the hold of the resilient walls.
[0021] This provides an alternative and optionally easier means for inserting the ball-shaped
connector into the second part.
[0022] The side opening defined by the resilient wall may be smaller than the ball-shaped
connector. Also, the resilient wall may be configured to resiliently deform so as
to allow the ball-shaped connector to pass within and be received by the resilient
wall.
[0023] In this way, even before the ball-shaped connector is rotated to its in-use position
with the stem protruding away from the connection aperture, the ball-shaped connector
may be held resiliently within the resilient wall.
[0024] The size of the side opening and the resilience of the resilient wall may be arranged
to allow the ball-shaped connector to be more easily pushed into the second part through
the side opening than through the connection aperture.
[0025] It will be appreciated that it is advantageous for the resilient wall and the ball-shaped
connector to have a predetermined size relationship resulting in a predefined breakaway
force required to pull the ball-shaped connector from the resilient wall.
[0026] Preferably, the first and second part of the chain connector become separated when
the ball chain is loaded with a weight of about 5 to 6 kg. So the predetermined size
relationship between the ball-shaped connector and the resilient wall is preferably
configured to result in a breakaway force of around 25 to 30N.
[0027] The resilient wall may be configured to permit angular movement of the ball-shaped
connector so that the first and second parts are articulated.
[0028] In this way, use of the ball chain connector with the ball chain minimises the impact
on the overall flexibility of the ball chain.
[0029] It will be appreciated that the first part need only be slightly larger in size than
a ball of the ball chain so as to encapsulate an end ball. The ball-shaped connector
of the first part extends into the second part. The second part need only be large
enough to encapsulate the ball-shaped connector at one end and an end ball at an opposite
end.
[0030] In one embodiment, the second part narrows at a mid portion along the elongate extent
so as to mimic the overall shape of two adjacent balls of the ball chain. Indeed,
in a further embodiment, the end having a resilient wall for holding the ball-shaped
connector may articulate with respect to the end having the second cavity for an end
ball of the ball chain. For example, a flexible/resilient connecting portion may be
provided between the two ends.
[0031] The ball-shaped connector, the first cavity and the second cavity may be provided
as substantially the same size. In other words, the ball-shaped connector may be provided
as substantially the same size as the balls of a ball chain with which the connector
is to be used.
[0032] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description, given
by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an architectural covering including a ball chain connector embodying
the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a ball chain connector embodying the present invention;
Figures 3(a) and (b) illustrate a first part of a ball chain connector embodying the
present invention;
Figures 4(a) and (b) illustrate a second part of a ball chain connector embodying
the present invention; and
Figures 5(a) and (b) illustrate a further embodiment according to the present invention.
[0033] A variety of architectural coverings are known which use ball chains as part of their
operation. The present invention may be applied to any such ball chain. An example
of an architectural covering using a ball chain with a ball chain connector embodying
the present invention is shown in Figure 1.
[0034] This example of an architectural covering 10 includes a head rail 12 supporting a
roller 14 from which a sheet fabric 16 may be extended or retracted. A bottom rail
18 is provided at a lower edge of the sheet fabric 16. A mechanism is provided in
a housing 14a at one end for rotating the roller 14 so as to extend or retract the
sheet fabric 16. In the illustrated embodiment, this mechanism is operated by a ball
chain.
[0035] As illustrated, the ball chain 20 includes a plurality of balls 22 arranged in a
known manner as an array along a flexible member 24. A single flexible member 24 may
be provided or a plurality of individual respective flexible members. Irrespective,
each pair of adjacent balls 22 may be considered as being connected together by a
flexible member section 26.
[0036] An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1 as ball chain connector
30 having a first part 32 releasably connected to a second part 34. The first part
32 holds within a respective cavity an end ball 22a of the ball chain 20. Similarly,
the second part 34 holds within a respective cavity an end ball 22b of the ball chain
20. As illustrated, the ball chain connector 30 thus connects together the two ends
of the ball chain 20. As will be described below, when the ball chain 20 is subjected
to a sufficient load such that the first 32 and second 34 parts of the ball chain
connector 30 are pulled apart with a sufficient force, the two parts 32, 34 separate
from one another.
[0037] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of a ball chain connector in greater detail.
[0038] As illustrated, the first part 32 of the ball chain connector takes the form of a
housing having a side wall defining a cavity 36 for receiving an end ball 22a of the
ball chain. Similarly, the second part 34 of the ball chain connector takes the form
of a housing having a side wall defining a cavity 38 for receiving an end ball 22b
of a ball chain.
[0039] The housings formed by the first and second parts 32, 34 have respective elongate
lengths. At one end of the elongate length of the first part 32, there is a through
hole 40. As illustrated, the flexible member section 26 joining the end ball 22a to
the adjacent ball 22 extends through the through hole 40. Similarly, the second part
34 defines a through hole 42. The flexible member section 26 adjoining the end ball
22b to the adjacent ball 22 extends through the through hole 42.
[0040] In this way, the first part 32 is secured to an end of the ball chain 20 and the
second part 34 is secured to the opposite end of the ball chain 20. The end balls
22a, 22b are held within the respective cavities 36, 38 and cannot pass through the
through holes 40, 42 which allow passage of the flexible member sections 26, but are
too small to allow passage of the end balls 22a, 22b.
[0041] Features of the first part 32 are shown in greater detail in the end view of Figure
3(a) and side view of Figure 3(b). Similarly, the features of the second part are
shown in greater detail in the end view of Figure 4(a) and the side view of Figure
4(b).
[0042] Various embodiments are possible where the end balls 22a, 22b are secured within
the respective first and second part 32, 34. For example, it would be possible to
mould the first and second parts 32, 34 directly around the end balls 22a, 22b, for
example with insert moulding. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the side wall
of the first part 32 extending along its length defines an opening 44 through which
the end ball 22a can be inserted during fitting. Similarly, the side wall of the second
part 34 defines an opening 46 through which the end ball 22b can be inserted during
fitting. With the walls having some resilience and the openings 44, 46 being slightly
smaller than the balls 22a, 22b, it becomes possible to push the balls 22a, 22b through
the respective openings 44, 46 in a resilient manner such that the balls "snap" fit
into the respective cavities 36, 38 and are held securely in place.
[0043] Slots 48, 50 shown best in Figures 3(a) and 4(a) are provided between the respective
openings 44, 46 and through holes 40, 42. In this way, when the first and second parts
32, 34 are fitted to the ends of the ball chain 20, an end ball 22a, 22b is pushed
past the side walls through the respective openings 44, 46 and into the respective
cavities 36, 38. The end balls 22a, 22b can then be rotated with their respective
flexible member sections 26 passing through the respective slots 48, 50 until they
are positioned such that the respective flexible member sections 26 extend through
and from the respective through holes 40, 42.
[0044] This provides, a convenient and straightforward means for fitting the first and second
parts 32, 34 to the ends of the ball chain whilst ensuring that the end balls 22a,
22b are securely held within the respective first and second parts 32, 34.
[0045] In order for the first part 32 to be connected with the second part 34, the first
part 32 is additionally provided with a ball-shaped connector 60. As illustrated,
from an end, opposite the through hole 40, of the elongate extent of the housing formed
by the first part 32, a stem 62 extends. The ball-shaped connector 60 is provided
at a distal end of this stem 62. The ball-shaped connector may be substantially spherical
and may be of a size similar to the balls 22 of the ball chain if not of a size substantially
the same as those balls 22.
[0046] At an end, opposite the through hole 42, of the housing formed by the second part
34, resilient wall 64 defines a connection aperture 66 and a cavity 68 within the
second part 34.
[0047] As illustrated, in a fitted/connected condition, the ball-shaped connector 60 is
located within the cavity 68 defined by the resilient wall 64 and behind (i.e. on
the inner side of) the connection aperture 66. That is to say at least the greater
part of the ball-shaped connector, i.e. its greatest diameter, is behind the connection
aperture 66. In this way, the ball-shaped connector 60 is connected to the second
part 34 and, as a result first and second parts 32, 34 are connected together.
[0048] The wall 64 holding the ball-shaped connector 60 is resilient and can be deflected
outwardly. As a result, if a sufficient force is provided pulling the first and second
parts 32, 34 away from each other, the ball-shaped connector 60 moves outwardly from
the cavity 68 and second part 34, deflecting the resilient wall 64 until it becomes
separated from the second part 34.
[0049] By providing the ball-shaped connector 60 as a ball or spherical shape, the first
part 32 is able to articulate relative to the second part 34 and retain the overall
flexibility of the ball chain 20. Also, by providing a tapered nature to the ball-shaped
connector 60, it is able to separate progressively the wall 64 when the first and
second parts 32, 34 are pulled apart from one another.
[0050] Embodiments are possible where the ball-shaped connector 60 is fitted to the second
part 34 merely by pushing the ball-shaped connector 60 through the connection aperture
66 into the cavity 68. The wall 64 may be provided with one or more divisions allowing
it to separate when being deflected apart. Alternatively, if the wall 64 is appropriately
flexible, it may merely elastically deform to allow the ball-shaped connector 60 to
be inserted or withdrawn.
[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the wall 64, as part of the side wall of the housing
formed by the second part 34 also defines a side opening 70 allowing the ball-shaped
connector 60 to be inserted into the cavity 68 through the side of the second part
34. As with the openings 44 and 46, the side opening 70 may be formed with resilient
wall portions and have a size slightly smaller than the ball-shaped connector 60 so
that the ball-shaped connector 60 may be pushed or snapped fitted into the cavity
68. In the illustrated embodiment, the size of the side opening 70 is greater than
the size of the connection aperture 66 such that it is easier for a user to fit the
ball connector 60 into the second part 34 using the side opening 70 than to pull the
ball-shaped connector 60 out of the cavity 68 through the connection aperture 66.
[0052] A side slot 72 is defined extending from the side opening 70 to the connection aperture
66. In this way, the first part 32 may be fitted to the second part 34 by inserting
the ball-shaped connector 60 through the side opening 70 with the stem 62 already
extending in the longitudinal direction of the second part 34, or by inserting the
ball-shaped connector 60 through the side opening 70 and then rotating the ball-shaped
connector 60 within the cavity 68 such that the stem 62 or at least a reduced diameter
portion of the ball-shaped connector 60 passes through the side slot 72 until the
stem 62 and first part 32 extend in the longitudinal direction of the second part
34.
[0053] In a further embodiment, illustrated in figures 5(a) and 5(b), the ball-shaped connector
60 may be provided with a protrusion 74. This protrusion 74 may extend into the side
opening 70, in assembled condition, as shown in Figure 5(b). Preferably, the protrusion
74 is designed to cooperate with the side opening 70 to limit or prevent rotation
of the ball-shaped connector 60 around the longitudinal axis of the ball chain connector
30. The protrusion 74 may further be designed to limit or prevent rotation of the
ball-shaped connector 60 around one or both of the other two axes, extending orthogonally
to the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the protrusion 74 may be designed to allow
at least some rotation around said other two axes, so that the first and second parts
32, 34 remain articulated in those directions to at least some extent. By limiting
the rotational freedom of the first part 32 with respect to the second part 34, in
one or more of the aforementioned directions, release of the parts 32, 34 may occur
in an even more reproducible, reliable manner, at an accurately predetermined release
force.
[0054] The first part 32 may be connected to the second part 34 in a similar way as described
before, that is, the ball shaped connector 60 may be fitted into the second part 34
merely by pushing the ball-shaped connector 60 through the connection aperture 66
into the cavity 68. The wall 64 may be provided with one or more divisions allowing
it to separate when being deflected apart. Alternatively, if the wall 64 is appropriately
flexible, it may merely elastically deform to allow the ball-shaped connector 60 to
be inserted or withdrawn. Alternatively, the ball-shaped connector 60 may be fitted
into the second part 34 by pushing the ball-shaped connector 60 through the side opening
70 with the stem 62 already extending in the longitudinal direction of the second
part 34. Alternatively, if the design of the protrusion 74 so permits, the ball-shaped
connector 60 may be inserted through the side opening 70 and subsequently be rotated
within the cavity 68 so that the stem 62 passes through the side slot 72 until the
stem 62 and first part 32 extend in the longitudinal direction of the second part
34.
[0055] So as to allow the ball chain to break apart under the load of a small child or infant,
the ball-shaped connector 60 and wall 64 should be sized appropriately so as to allow
separation at a well defined predetermined force, such as 25N. Because the ball chain
connector is being manufactured specifically for this purpose, appropriate tolerances
of manufacture can be used to achieve a well defined break apart force.
[0056] From the illustrated embodiment, it will be appreciated that the housing formed by
the first part 32 need not be significantly larger than a ball of the ball chain.
The second part must include a housing for a ball of the ball chain as well as a housing
for the ball-shaped connector 60.
[0057] Alternative embodiments could provide a narrowing of the outer size and shape of
the second part 34 between the cavities 38 and 68 such that the overall shape and
form of the second part 34 mimics two adjacent balls 22. In addition, embodiments
are possible where the join between those two housings is articulated, for example
using a flexible interconnecting member, allowing the second part 34 to behave like
two adjacent balls of the ball chain.
1. A ball chain connector (30) for use with ball chains (20) having a series of balls
(22) connected together by flexible member sections (26) and for connecting together
two ball chain ends, the ball chain connector including:
a first part (32) and a second part (34); wherein:
the first part (32) defines a first cavity (36) for receiving an end ball (22a) at
the end of a ball chain and a first through hole (40) for passing a flexible member
section (26) of the ball chain;
the second part (34) defines a second cavity (38) for receiving an end ball (22b)
at the end of a ball chain and a second through hole (42) for passing a flexible member
section (26) of the ball chain;
the first part (32) includes a ball-shaped connector (60) at the distal end of a stem
(62) extending opposite to said first through hole (40);
the second part (34) includes at least one resilient wall (64) opposite said second
through hole (42) configured to receive and resiliently hold said ball-shaped connector
(60) and configured to define a connection aperture (66) from which, when fitted,
said stem (62) extends; and
said resilient wall (64) is configured to be resiliently deflected so as to release
the ball-shaped connector (60) and allow the first and second parts (32, 34) to separate,
characterized in that
said resilient wall (64) defines a side opening (70), between the second through hole
(42) and the connection aperture (66), into which said ball-shaped connector (60)
can be inserted.
2. A ball chain connector (30) according to claim 1, wherein the first part (32) extends
in an elongate direction between the first through hole (40) and the ball-shaped connector
(60) and includes a first side wall therebetween which defines a first opening (44)
into which an end ball (22a) of a ball chain can be inserted.
3. A ball chain connector (30) according to claim 2, wherein the first side wall of the
first part (32) further defines a first slot (48) joining the first opening (44) to
the first through hole (40) so as to allow a flexible member section (26) of a ball
chain to pass from the first opening to the first through hole.
4. A ball chain connector (30) according to any preceding claim, wherein the second part
(34) extends in an elongate direction between the second through hole (42) and the
connection aperture (66) and includes a second side wall therebetween which defines
a second opening (46) into which an end ball (22b) of a ball chain can be inserted.
5. A ball chain connector (30) according to claim 4, wherein the second side wall of
the second part (34) further defines a second slot (50) joining the second opening
(46) to the second through hole (42) so as to allow a flexible member section (26)
of a ball chain to pass from the second opening to the second through hole.
6. A ball chain connector (30) according to any preceding claim, wherein the side opening
(70) defined by the resilient wall (64) is smaller than the ball-shaped connector
(60) and the resilient wall is configured to resiliently deform so as to allow the
ball-shaped connector to pass within and be received by the resilient wall.
7. A ball chain connector (30) according to any preceding claim, wherein the resilient
wall (64) defines a side slot (72) extending from the side opening (70) to the connection
aperture (66) so as to allow the stem (62) of the ball-shaped connector (60) to pass
from the side opening to the connection aperture.
8. A ball chain connector (30) according to any preceding claim, wherein the resilient
wall (64) and the ball-shaped connector (60) have a predetermined size relationship
resulting in a predefined breakaway force required to pull the ball-shaped connector
from the resilient wall.
9. A ball chain connector (30) according to claim 8, wherein the breakaway force is between
25N and 60N, preferably between 25N and 30N.
10. A ball chain connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the resilient wall
(64) is configured to permit angular movement of the ball-shaped connector (60) so
that the first and second parts (32, 34) are articulated.
11. A ball chain connector (30) according to any preceding claim, wherein the ball-shaped
connector (60), first cavity (36) and second cavity (38) are substantially the same
size.
12. A ball chain connector (30) according to any preceding claim, wherein the ball-shaped
connector (60) comprises a protrusion (74) that in assembled condition extends in
the side opening (70).
13. A ball chain connector (30) according to claim 12, wherein the protrusion (74) is
designed to cooperate in assembled condition with the side opening (70) to prevent
rotation of the ball-shaped connector (60) in at least one rotation direction, preferably
around a longitudinal axis of the ball chain connector.
14. A ball chain (20) having a series of balls (22) connected together by respective flexible
member sections (26) and a ball chain connector (30) according to any preceding claim
for connecting together opposite ends of the ball chain wherein the first cavity (36)
is configured to receive an end ball (22a) at either respective end of the ball chain
and the second cavity (38) is configured to receive an end ball (22b) at the other
respective end of the ball chain.
15. A method of releasably connecting together ball chain ends including securing the
ball chain ends to respective first and second parts (32, 34) of a ball chain connector
(30) according to anyone of claims 1 to 13 and releasably connecting together the
first and second parts by using a ball-shaped connector (60) on the first part held
resiliently within one or more resiliently deflectable walls (64) on the second part.
1. Kugelkettenverbinder (30) zur Verwendung mit Kugelketten (20), die eine Reihe von
Kugeln (22) aufweisen, die durch flexible Elementabschnitte (26) miteinander verbunden
sind, und zum Verbinden von zwei Kugelkettenenden, wobei der Kugelkettenverbinder
Folgendes umfasst:
einen ersten Teil (32) und einen zweiten Teil (34); wobei:
der erste Teil (32) einen ersten Hohlraum (36) zur Aufnahme einer Endkugel (22a) am
Ende einer Kugelkette und ein erstes Durchgangsloch (40) zum Durchführen eines flexiblen
Elementabschnitts (26) der Kugelkette definiert;
der zweite Teil (34) einen zweiten Hohlraum (38) zur Aufnahme einer Endkugel (22b)
am Ende einer Kugelkette und ein zweites Durchgangsloch (42) zum Durchführen eines
flexiblen Elementabschnitts (26) der Kugelkette definiert;
der erste Teil (32) einen kugelförmigen Verbinder (60) am distalen Ende eines Schafts
(62) umfasst, der sich gegenüber dem ersten Durchgangsloch (40) erstreckt;
der zweite Teil (34) mindestens eine elastische Wand (64) umfasst, die dem zweiten
Durchgangsloch (42) gegenüberliegt und dafür konfiguriert ist, den kugelförmigen Verbinder
(60) aufzunehmen und elastisch zu halten, und und dafür konfiguriert ist, eine Verbindungsöffnung
(66) zu definieren, von der, wenn sie angebracht ist, sich der Schaft (62) erstreckt;
und
die elastische Wand (64) elastisch abgelenkt gebildet ist, um den kugelförmigen Verbinder
(60) freizugeben und zu ermöglichen, dass sich der erste und der zweite Teil (32,
34) voneinander trennt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die elastische Wand (64) eine Seitenöffnung (70) zwischen dem zweiten Durchgangsloch
(42) und der Verbindungsöffnung (66) definiert, in die der kugelförmige Verbinder
(60) eingesetzt werden kann.
2. Kugelkettenverbinder (30) nach Anspruch 1, wobei sich der erste Teil (32) in einer
länglichen Richtung zwischen dem ersten Durchgangsloch (40) und dem kugelförmigen
Verbinder (60) erstreckt und eine dazwischenliegende erste Seitenwand umfasst, die
eine erste Öffnung (44) definiert, in die eine Endkugel (22a) einer Kugelkette eingesetzt
werden kann.
3. Kugelkettenverbinder (30) nach Anspruch 2, wobei die erste Seitenwand des ersten Teils
(32) ferner einen ersten Schlitz (48) definiert, der die erste Öffnung (44) mit dem
ersten Durchgangsloch (40) verbindet, um einem flexiblen Elementabschnitt (26) einer
Kugelkette zu ermöglichen, von der ersten Öffnung zu dem ersten Durchgangsloch hindurchgeführt
zu werden.
4. Kugelkettenverbinder (30) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei sich der
zweite Teil (34) in einer länglichen Richtung zwischen dem zweiten Durchgangsloch
(42) und der Verbindungsöffnung (66) erstreckt und eine dazwischenliegende zweite
Seitenwand umfasst, die eine zweite Öffnung (46) definiert, in die eine Endkugel (22b)
einer Kugelkette eingesetzt werden kann.
5. Kugelkettenverbinder (30) nach Anspruch 4, wobei die zweite Seitenwand des zweiten
Teils (34) ferner einen zweiten Schlitz (50) definiert, der die zweite Öffnung (46)
mit dem zweiten Durchgangsloch (42) verbindet, um einem flexiblen Elementabschnitt
(26) einer Kugelkette zu ermöglichen, von der zweiten Öffnung zu dem zweiten Durchgangsloch
hindurchgeführt zu werden.
6. Kugelkettenverbinder (30) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Seitenöffnung
(70), die von der elastischen Wand (64) definiert wird, kleiner ist als der kugelförmige
Verbinder (60), und die elastische Wand so konstruiert ist, dass sie sich elastisch
verformt, so dass der kugelförmige Verbinder darin hindurchgeführt und von der elastischen
Wand aufgenommen werden kann.
7. Kugelkettenverbinder (30) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die elastische
Wand (64) einen seitlichen Schlitz (72) definiert, der sich von der Seitenöffnung
(70) zur Verbindungsöffnung (66) erstreckt, so dass der Schaft (62) des kugelförmigen
Verbinders (60) von der Seitenöffnung zu der Verbindungsöffnung hindurchgeführt werden
kann.
8. Kugelkettenverbinder (30) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die elastische
Wand (64) und der kugelförmige Verbinder (60) eine vorbestimmte Größenbeziehung aufweisen,
die zu einer vorbestimmten Abreißkraft führt, die erforderlich ist, um den kugelförmigen
Verbinder von der elastischen Wand zu ziehen.
9. Kugelkettenverbinder (30) nach Anspruch 8, wobei die Abreißkraft zwischen 25N und
60N, vorzugsweise zwischen 25N und 30N liegt.
10. Kugelkettenverbinder nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die elastische
Wand (64) so konfiguriert ist, dass sie eine Winkelbewegung des kugelförmigen Verbinders
(60) ermöglicht, so dass die ersten und zweiten Teile (32, 34) gelenkig sind.
11. Kugelkettenverbinder (30) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der kugelförmige
Verbinder (60), der erste Hohlraum (36) und der zweite Hohlraum (38) im Wesentlichen
die gleiche Größe haben.
12. Kugelkettenverbinder (30) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der kugelförmige
Verbinder (60) einen Vorsprung (74) aufweist, der sich im zusammengebauten Zustand
in der Seitenöffnung (70) erstreckt.
13. Kugelkettenverbinder (30) nach Anspruch 12, wobei der Vorsprung (74) so ausgelegt
ist, dass er im zusammengebauten Zustand mit der Seitenöffnung (70) zusammenwirkt,
um eine Drehung des kugelförmigen Verbinders (60) in mindestens einer Drehrichtung,
vorzugsweise um eine Längsachse des Kugelkettenverbinders, zu verhindern.
14. Kugelkette (20), die Folgendes aufweist: eine Reihe von Kugeln (22), die durch jeweilige
flexible Elementabschnitte (26) miteinander verbunden sind, und einen Kugelkettenverbinder
(30) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche zum Verbinden von gegenüberliegenden
Enden der Kugelkette, wobei der erste Hohlraum (36) so konfiguriert ist, dass er eine
Endkugel (22a) an jedem jeweiligen Ende der Kugelkette aufnimmt, und der zweite Hohlraum
(38) so konfiguriert ist, dass er eine Endkugel (22b) an dem anderen jeweiligen Ende
der Kugelkette aufnimmt.
15. Verfahren zum lösbaren Verbinden von Kugelkettenenden, das Folgendes umfasst: Befestigen
der Kugelkettenenden an jeweiligen ersten und zweiten Teilen (32, 34) eines Kugelkettenverbinders
(30) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 13 und lösbares Verbinden der ersten und zweiten
Teile unter Verwendung eines kugelförmigen Verbinders (60) an dem ersten Teil, der
in einer oder mehreren elastisch ablenkbaren Wänden (64) an dem zweiten Teil elastisch
gehalten wird.
1. Connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) à utiliser avec des chaînes à billes (20) ayant
une série de billes (22) assemblées par des sections d'élément flexible (26), et permettant
d'assembler deux extrémités de chaîne à billes, le connecteur de chaîne à billes comprenant
:
une première partie (32) et une deuxième partie (34) ; dans lequel :
la première partie (32) définit une première cavité (36) pouvant recevoir une bille
d'extrémité (22a) à l'extrémité d'une chaîne à billes, et un premier trou traversant
(40) permettant de faire passer une section d'élément flexible (26) de la chaîne à
billes ;
la deuxième partie (34) définit une deuxième cavité (38) pouvant recevoir une bille
d'extrémité (22b) à l'extrémité d'une chaîne à billes, et un deuxième trou traversant
(42) permettant de faire passer une section d'élément flexible (26) de la chaîne à
billes ;
la première partie (32) comprend un connecteur en forme de bille (60) au niveau de
l'extrémité distale d'une tige (62) s'étendant dans la direction opposée audit premier
trou traversant (40) ;
la deuxième partie (34) comprend au moins une paroi élastique (64) opposée audit deuxième
trou traversant (42), pouvant recevoir et maintenir de manière élastique ledit connecteur
en forme de bille (60), et pouvant définir une ouverture d'assemblage (66) à partir
de laquelle ladite tige (62) s'étend, lorsqu'elle est installée ; et
ladite paroi élastique (64) peut fléchir élastiquement de façon à libérer le connecteur
en forme de bille (60) et à permettre la séparation des première et deuxième parties
(32, 34), caractérisé en ce que
ladite paroi élastique (64) définit une ouverture latérale (70) entre le deuxième
trou traversant (42) et l'ouverture d'assemblage (66), dans laquelle ledit connecteur
en forme de bille (60) peut être introduit.
2. Connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la première
partie (32) s'étend dans une direction allongée entre le premier trou traversant (40)
et le connecteur en forme de bille (60), et comprend une première paroi latérale entre
eux, qui définit une première ouverture (44) dans laquelle une bille d'extrémité (22a)
d'une chaîne à billes peut être introduite.
3. Connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel la première
paroi latérale de la première partie (32) définit en outre une première fente (48)
reliant la première ouverture (44) au premier trou traversant (40) de façon à permettre
le passage d'une section d'élément flexible (26) d'une chaîne à billes de la première
ouverture au premier trou traversant.
4. Connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel la deuxième partie (34) s'étend dans une direction allongée entre le deuxième
trou traversant (42) et l'ouverture d'assemblage (66), et comprend une deuxième paroi
latérale entre eux, qui définit une deuxième ouverture (46) dans laquelle une bille
d'extrémité (22b) d'une chaîne à billes peut être introduite.
5. Connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la deuxième
paroi latérale de la deuxième partie (34) définit en outre une deuxième fente (50)
reliant la deuxième ouverture (46) au deuxième trou traversant (42) de façon à permettre
le passage d'une section d'élément flexible (26) d'une chaîne à billes de la deuxième
ouverture au deuxième trou traversant.
6. Connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel l'ouverture latérale (70) définie par la paroi élastique (64) est plus
petite que le connecteur en forme de bille (60), et la paroi élastique peut se déformer
élastiquement afin de permettre le passage du connecteur en forme de bille à l'intérieur
et sa réception par la paroi élastique.
7. Connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel la paroi élastique (64) définit une fente latérale (72) s'étendant de
l'ouverture latérale (70) à l'ouverture d'assemblage (66) de façon à permettre le
passage de la tige (62) du connecteur en forme de bille (60) de l'ouverture latérale
à l'ouverture d'assemblage.
8. Connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel la paroi élastique (64) et le connecteur en forme de bille (60) ont un
rapport dimensionnel prédéterminé résultant en une force de rupture prédéfinie nécessaire
pour écarter le connecteur en forme de bille de la paroi élastique.
9. Connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) selon la revendication 8, dans lequel la force
de rupture est comprise entre 25 N et 60 N, de préférence, entre 25 N et 30 N.
10. Connecteur de chaîne à billes selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel la paroi élastique (64) peut permettre un mouvement angulaire du connecteur
en forme de bille (60) de telle sorte que les première et deuxième parties (32, 34)
sont articulées.
11. Connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel le connecteur en forme de bille (60), la première cavité (36) et la deuxième
cavité (38) sont essentiellement de taille identique.
12. Connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel le connecteur en forme de bille (60) comprend une saillie (74) qui s'étend
dans l'ouverture latérale (70), à l'état assemblé.
13. Connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) selon la revendication 12, dans lequel la saillie
(74) est conçue pour coopérer, à l'état assemblé, avec l'ouverture latérale (70),
afin d'empêcher la rotation du connecteur en forme de bille (60) dans au moins une
direction de rotation, de préférence, autour d'un axe longitudinal du connecteur en
forme de bille.
14. Chaîne à billes (20) ayant une série de billes (22) assemblées par des sections d'élément
flexible (26), et connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, permettant d'assembler deux extrémités de la chaîne à billes, dans lesquels
la première cavité (36) peut recevoir une bille d'extrémité (22a) à l'une des extrémités
respectives de la chaîne à billes, et la deuxième cavité (38) peut recevoir une bille
d'extrémité (22b) à l'autre extrémité respective de la chaîne à billes.
15. Procédé permettant d'assembler de façon amovible des extrémités de chaîne à billes,
comprenant les étapes consistant à fixer les extrémités de chaîne à billes aux première
et deuxième parties respectives (32, 34) d'un connecteur de chaîne à billes (30) selon
l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13, et à assembler de façon amovible les première
et deuxième parties à l'aide d'un connecteur en forme de bille (60) sur la première
partie, maintenu de manière élastique dans une ou plusieurs parois pouvant fléchir
élastiquement (64) sur la deuxième partie.