Device for closing a chain, particularly a bicycle chain

Abstract

Device for closing a chain, particularly a bicycle chain, comprising a first and a second pair of end outer plates connected by at least one pair of inner plates, a pair of rivets so engaging a pair of end holes of the first and the second pair of outer plates and the corresponding holes of a pair of, inner plates arranged at the ends of the chain.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Device for closing a chain, particularly a bicycle chain, characterised by comprising at least a pair of inner plates connected to a first and a second pair of end outer plates.  
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterised by comprising between the inner plates and at least one of the pair of end outer plates a predetermined number of chain links.  
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterised by comprising a pair of rivets for connecting a pair of end holes of the first and of the second pair of end outer plates to the corresponding holes of a pair of end inner plates of a chain to be closed.  
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that each of said rivets is clipped into said end holes of said pairs of end outer plates.  
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that each of said rivets engages only one hole of an end outer plate before the device is fitted on the end inner plates of the chain.  
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that before fitting the device on the end inner plates of the chain, both of said rivets project from the same side of the device.  
     
     
         7 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that before fitting the device on the end inner plates of the chain, said rivets project from opposite sides of the device.  
     
     
         8 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that each of said rivets is associated with a guide element which is separated from the rivet after the rivet is planted in the aligned holes of the end outer plates and of the end inner plates.  
     
     
         9 . Open chain, particularly a bicycle chain, characterised by comprising a predetermined number of chain links and a first and a second pair of end inner plates.  
     
     
         10 . Device for closing a length of chain, having first and second ends of a given dimension, characterised by comprising at least a pair of inner plates connected at opposite ends thereof to a first and a second pair of outer plates which are separated by a distance at least equal to the given dimension.  
     
     
         11 . Device according to  claim 10  further characterised by a plurality of chain links each of which is comprised of a pair of inner plates connected to at least one pair of outer plates.  
     
     
         12 . Device according to  claim 10  further characterised by the outer plates having a pair of end holes, the inner plate have a pair of end holes which are aligned with the outer plate end holes and secured together by rivets in the aligned holes.