Device and method for stretching a transmission chain

Abstract

A method for stretching a continuous transmission chain having a number of adjacent links which are intercoupled in the longitudinal direction of the chain by pairs of longitudinal rocker elements by supporting the chain to be treated using at two rotatable cylindrical pulleys and selectively moving at least one of the pulleys away from the other pulley to generate in this chain tensile stresses of such magnitude that the limit of elasticity of the material of the links is at least locally surpassed.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for stretching a continuous transmission chain having a number of adjacent links which are intercoupled in the longitudinal direction of the chain by pairs of longitudinal rocker elements, wherein in each pair the respective ends of at least one rocker element can cooperate in a torque transmitting way with the pulley sheaves of a pulley sheave transmission, comprising the steps of:
 (a) supporting a chain to be treated at least partially along an arcuate path and on the respective radial inner edges of at least a part of the number of links using at least one first and one second rotatable cylindrical pulley each having a continuous surface, which pulleys lie at a distance from each other, and   (b) selectively moving at least one of the pulleys away from the other pulley to generate in this chain tensile stresses of such magnitude that the limit of elasticity of the material of the links is at least locally surpassed while supporting the radial inner area of at least a part of the chain by at least one of the pulleys such that only stresses directed in the longitudinal direction of the respective links are generated in these links.   
     
     
         21 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the step of supporting a chain to be treated includes supporting a link with a hollow end edge configuration in two points on this hollow end edge which lie at a distance to each other.