Patent GB-253840-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and connected with apparatus for the assemblage of chain parts in the manufacture of chains
IPC: B21L9/00
Filed: 1926-03-16
Abstract: 253,840. Tugwood, R. J., (Stolzenberg & Co., Ges. F.). March 16, 1926. Chains. - A machine for the assemblage of chains such as open-link roller chains for cycles comprises positioning rings resiliently mounted upon a carrier which is intermittently advanced in relation to two or more magazines fitted with delivery mechanisms which are operated for the timed delivery of a component part or parts on to the positioning pins on which the chain parts are assembled. The turntable, Figs. 2 and 38, is fed intermittently by a reciprocating pawl 3 engaging a ratchet ring 2, and is provided with strikers 5 for the automatic operation of the delivery devices. The chain to be assembled comprises inner links, Fig. 3, which consist of side plates 6, rollers 7, and hollow pins 8, and are joined by outer links consisting of side plates 80, 81, Fig. 35, and pins 89. The order of assemblage of an inner link is as follows. The magazine R delivers on to the turntable a side plate 6 which is then conveyed to a magazine S which deposits two rollers 7 on the side plate. At the next station a magazine R<1> delivers another side plate and at the next a magazine T deposits a pair of hollow pins 8. The parts then pass to a presser U where they are pressed into position and finally to an ejector V. At each station the parts are received by spring-mounted positioning-pins 10, shaped as shown in Fig. 23, and adapted to yield against the springs 14 to allow the hollow pins 8 to be pressed into position. The magazine R comprises a vertical shoot 15, Figs. 11 and 13, in which the plates 6 are stacked, and a slide 16 having a projection 17 actuated by a bell-crank lever 19 to push the lowest blank into a receiver 28. The bell-crank mechanism is actuated through a vertical rod 22. During the movement of the turntable, the rod is lifted vertically by the engagement of a striker 5 with the bevelled end 27. An arm 31 on the rod thereupon lifts the receiver 28 until it is arrested by the stop 29. On further upward movement of the rod 22 the arm 20 of the bellcrank lever is raised to feed forward the slide 16 and push a plate 6 into the receiver. When the striker 5 moves past the projection 27 the slide 16 is returned by a spring 260 and the receiver 28 is also depressed by a spring, the table being then in such a position that the holes in the plate contained in the receiver pass over a pair .of pins 10. The plate is then carried to the magazine S which comprises two parallel shoots, Figs. 15 and 17, normally closed by a vertical slide 38 which is connected by a spring-pressed rod 40 to a lever 44 operated by a rod 45. The latter is provided with a projection 48 which, in operation, is engaged by one of the strikers 5, whereupon the slide 38 is lifted, thus allowing two rollers 7 to pass into the slide recesses 51. After the striker has passed the projection 48 the slide 38 is depressed by a spring 50 and the rollers 7 pass over a pair of positioning-pins and are superposed on a side plate already located thereon. This partial assemblage is then transferred to a magazine R<1> similar to R which delivers a second side plate 6 on the rollers 7 and the next feed step brings the assemblage beneath a magazine T containing the hollow pins 8. This magazine may be similar to the magazine S, but preferably the modified magazine shown in Figs. 20 and 21 is employed. This comprises twin vertical shoots 53 containing pins 8 which are received in pockets 55 on rotatable drums 54 actuated through a ratchet 57 by projections on the table. The drums are partly sheathed at 58 and braked by springs 59. This type of delivery mechanism may, if desired, be used for delivering all the component parts of an inner link. The pins delivered at each part rotation of the drum descend on to the reduced parts 11 of the pins, Fig. 23, and are then 'brought beneath the presser device U comprising a head 60, Fig. 27, sliding in vertical guides and connected to a lever 62 which is lifted by a cam 63 and then released, whereupon the spring 65 pulls down the head to drive the pins 8 into the rollers 7. The completed assemblage then passes to an ejector V provided with a forked lever 66 operated by a cam 68 to raise the assemblage from the pins 10 and deliver it to a suitable receiver. The stamp and ejector may alternatively be operated from the table. In a modification, the turntable may be replaced by a rectilinearly travelling endless band. The chain is completed in a machine, Figs. 38, 42, and 47, comprising a hollow turntable with top and bottom plates 71, 72 provided with pairs of pins 10 spaced to suit the pitch of the chain. The table surface has depressions 76 surrounding the positioning-pins. The pins of each pair are connected by a crosshead 74 having a radially-projecting tongue 77 which may pass beneath a bar 78 extending round half the circumference of the table to hold the pins in a depressed position. An outer link 80 is delivered from a magazine W into each of the recesses 76, the pins being in their depressed position. A magazine X containing the inner links is located at one and a half chain links distance from the magazine Wand on arriving at this magazine a connected pair of positioning- pins is released by the bar 78 and the rear pin of this pair passes into one of the hollow pins of the lowest inner link in the magazine. On the next feed step this link is drawn out of the magazine and the next link is similarly positioned between a pair of outer links 80. A transverse pin 83 and roller 86 prevent lifting of the links. On passing the magazine X the chain parts are completed by the application by hand of the outer link plates 81 which are already fitted with joint pins 89. The chain then passes to a presser comprising a head 91 which is lifted through a lever 92 and cam 94 and is brought down to press the chain parts together by a spring 96. Each pair of positioning pins is depressed by the forcing in of the pins 89 at the pressing station and the tongue of each pair then passes under the bar 78 to hold the pins depressed in readiness for another circuit. The pins 89 of the chain are finally riveted in any suitable manner.