SELF-CLEANING CHAIN WITH MODULAR OUTER LINK FOR ORNAMENTAL STONES CHAIN CUTTING MACHINES

Cutting chain for ornamental stones chain cutting machines， comprising a plurality of inner (2) and outer (1) links alternating with respect to each other， the outer links (1) being of the modular type， in two or three pieces. Around the articulation between the links (1， 2)， an interspace (8) is formed which is narrow enough to prevent the entry of the material generated by the cutting， which could cause the articulation to jam. Close to such interspace (8)， a projection (10) of the outer link (1) is provided to avoid the free rotation of the chain in the direction opposite to its natural curvature around the drive pinion. In order to prevent vibrations of the chain， poor machining， deformation of links， or even the breaking of the chain， even in the long-term， means are provided for pushing and ejecting the material generated by the cutting， in a position adjacent to the inlet of the interspace. Such means will form wedges (12) which crush the material with an action concentrated at the tip and above all they push it laterally even if it had hardened during the period the chain was inoperative， and in any case the action of the wedges (12) is cyclic and automatic given that it draws advantage from the cyclic rotary motion between the links of the chain during the operation of the chain cutting machine. Thus， the chain becomes a self-cleaning chain. Preferably， the wedges (12) are arranged under the projections (10) of the outer link. Cutting chain for ornamental stones chain cutting machines， comprising a plurality of inner (2) and outer (1) links alternating with respect to each other， the outer links (1) being of the modular type， in two or three pieces. Around the articulation between the links (1， 2)， an interspace (8) is formed which is narrow enough to prevent the entry of the material generated by the cutting， which could cause the articulation to jam. Close to such interspace (8)， a projection (10) of the outer link (1) is provided to avoid the free rotation of the chain in the direction opposite to its natural curvature around the drive pinion. In order to prevent vibrations of the chain， poor machining， deformation of links， or even the breaking of the chain， even in the long-term， means are provided for pushing and ejecting the material generated by the cutting， in a position adjacent to the inlet of the interspace. Such means will form wedges (12) which crush the material with an action concentrated at the tip and above all they push it laterally even if it had hardened during the period the chain was inoperative， and in any case the action of the wedges (12) is cyclic and automatic given that it draws advantage from the cyclic rotary motion between the links of the chain during the operation of the chain cutting machine. Thus， the chain becomes a self-cleaning chain. Preferably， the wedges (12) are arranged under the projections (10) of the outer link.