Motion transmission

Idlers to redirect the line of the chain.

Del,

I think it would prove to be VERY difficult to drive his non-parallel shaft sprockets with a roller chain no matter how many idlers there were.

Do you use a different type of chain then we do here in the US?

Oh no!! I had an idea! I could envision sprockets mounted on constant-velocity joints mounted on each shaft. Hmmm. I will have to CAD around with that and see if that would work.

Though I would think it would be easier to align the shafts.

...whoops, of course you are right! I must've been thinking of belts. I shall go hide in my secret cat nest .

(Maybe I could have BS'd my way out by suggesting the KrisDel^TM special Floppsy Woppsy belt specially manufactured for these applictions _{[pat pending]} ) ??

Del

PS. It does of course depend how much the missalignment is (like wot Ken says!)

I have come out of hiding and mopped my furry brow with relief having realised I'm not entirely bonkers! Tea and toast is required to calm the catly nerves...

You would have to use link chain so it bends in more than one plain. Like a chain hoist where a misalignment will not bind the sprockets.

Idler sprockets could be at 90^o to the drive socket.

Brad

Although the shafts are parallel in a bicycle with a derailleur, the chain can run at an angle to the sprockets (the "crossing" angle). If your misalignment is slight, you might take a look at a bike.

There are also chains that look like lamp switch chain (ball-wire-ball-wire...) that are made to transmit power in between out of line shafts.

how much non parallel , if little angle like 15 deg you can go for old chain and old sprocket from junkyard with good length and slow speed

In my CAD simulation;

2 shafts at a 22.5 degree angle.
Supported at each end with pillow blocks,
sprockets mounted on the centerline of the constant velocity joints that are solidly mounted to the shafts,
tight roller chain, (520). IT WORKS!!

Amazing what nonsense an idle mind can come up with.

I might have to build it just prove it to myself that it really will work. Should be a weird toy for the coffee table.

Chain manufacturers make non-standard roller chain that one manufacturer calls "flexible". I'm sure different manufacturers call it different things. I have used this kind of chain for small alignment problems and it does work. If you just imagine how a chain engages a sprocket you can see that only a small amount of non-parallel in the shafts can be tolerated or the chain will not engage the sprocket. If your application calls for low enough torque there are ways to handle non-parallel shafts with belts (not necessarily v-belts).