Reinvented half-link chain?
"…a US patent application from SRAM shows a radically different chain design.
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A conventional chain is made of a pin, roller and a set of alternating inner and outer plates. SRAM’s patent removes the need for inner and outer plates with the stepped design acting as both."
The picture almost looks like it does not have pins as well or maybe more like they are in line. Not sure what the thing marked 50 is. My biggest question is does it have any advantages or disadvantages. Its like is there a point to the change outside of maybe cheaper manufacturing (less individual parts)
Presumably there’s the small benefit of not having to remove two links at a time, since there’s no longer a distinction between a link with outer vs inner plates.
I do wonder how this affects coupling (aka master) links.
Looks like a chain composed of only half-links.
As near as I can tell, there’s assymetric beveling in the profile of each link, so the chain can be lifted up more easily and with less travel off one sprocket to another. Without the side plates, the chain itself is also thinner, so less distance to go side to side during shifting. Also means more sprockets can fit in the same width cassette. Not sure any of this qualifies as a ‘reinvention.’
More diagrams in the source patent. They won’t let me direct link to the PDF.
Patent search page here: https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/static/pages/ppubsbasic.html
Enter ID: 20250172193
