Sprocket with replaceable wear-absorbing inserts

摘要

A sprocket having a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth with an insert seat formed between each pair of teeth. A wear-absorbing insert is removably mounted in each of the insert seats, for example, by press fitting the insert into the insert seat. An insert retainer is fastenable adjacent each insert and insert seat to prevent removal of the inserts from the insert seats as the sprocket is drivingly rotated to propel a chain entrained over the sprocket teeth. Each insert retainer can be unfastened to permit removal of the inserts from the insert seats as the inserts become worn. Each pair of sprocket teeth includes a leading tooth edge and a trailing tooth edge. The insert seat is formed over a portion of the leading tooth edge and over a portion of the trailing tooth edge. The insert has an inward edge shaped for snug mating engagement in any one of the insert seats, and an outward edge defining a leading tooth profile and a trailing tooth profile. The leading tooth profile smoothly merges with the leading tooth edge and the trailing tooth profile smoothly merges with the trailing tooth edge when the insert is mounted in the insert seat as aforesaid. The insert retainer includes at least one fastening member which can be fastened through the sprocket adjacent the insert seat to position first and second retaining portions on opposite sides of the sprocket and insert to prevent movement of the insert with respect to the insert seat. The fastening member can be unfastened to remove the retaining portions and permit removal of the insert from the insert seat.