Improvements in or relating to Links, Loops, or Hooks for Securing Traces, Ropes, Chains, or for analogous uses.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 19th Jan., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Links, Loops, or Hooks for Securing
Traces, Ropes, Chains, or for analogous uses.
I, ALFRED WOOD, of Fairlight House, Bouverie Road, Folkestone, in the
County of Kent, Carriage Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My present invention consists of further improvements or modifications of
ordinary links, slip-hooks, loops, or hooks, such as are described and referred to in
the Specification of my invention for which Letters Patent No. 4258, dated
28th February 1894, were granted to me my present improvements being especially
adapted for the ends of harness traces, pole-straps, halters, dog-chains, leads, or the
like, or for analogous uses, such as ship-chains and chains used for gymnastic
appliances, and other purposes where a ready effective means of securing is
desired.
In order to more fully explain my invention I shall refer to the accompanying
sheet of drawings and to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon.
I employ that form of link to which the arms are rigid and a space left between
the end of the shorter arm and the hook of the link sufficient to allow of the loop of
a trace or chain or the like being passed over said hook, the space being normally
closed by a sliding barrel or plunger as hereafter described.
In Figures 1 to 5 I have illustrated the application of my invention to slip-links
the same being specially adapted for the quick and easy release of fallen horses or
other animals or for use in case of fire or other circumstances rendering speedy'
release desirable.
Figs. 6 and 7 show a spring link suitable for dog-chains, light straps or similar
purposes.
I would, however, have it clearly understood that the various opening and closing
devices hereinafter described, whether controlled by springs, or in other manner,
may be applied to other forms of loop or link besides those forms shown in the
annexed drawings.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, which are respectively a side elevation and
transverse vertical section on zig-zag line 2. 2, the short arm A of the link or
loop B is drilled out or bored longitudinally through the whole or a portion of its
length as shewn by C, and into the top is inserted a loose metallic plug or
plunger D, reduced at its inner end as at d the outer projecting portion being of
sufficient length to reach to and interlock with the free end of the hook E by
means of a più or projection F upon said plunger D entering and fitting into a
corresponding recess in the hook the end of plunger D being also rounded or
concave as shown by G in order to adapt itselt to the round under surface of
hook E.
The plunger D is kept normally in its extended position by means of a spiral
spring H surrounding the reduced portion d and contained within the hollow
portion C of arm A.
A pin or projection j is attached to or formed upon the plunger D and a guiding
slot J is made in the hollow arm A in which said pin j may slide. Said slot J is
preferably continued a short distance at a right angle at its lower end as shown
by a so that when plunger D is pressed or drawn down by means of projecting

page_text: part j, it may be prevented from returning too soon by giving it a slight turn so as
to cause pin or projection j to enter short transverse portion a of the slot.
Fig. 3 shows a side view of another form of my improved loop or link in its
closed position, and Figure 4 a perspective view of the same in its open position.
In this form the short arm K is left solid and I provide a sleeve L which is
capable of closely fitting around the arm K and sliding up or down the same and,
when the link is closed, bearing up against the free end of the hook which has
formed upon it a circular raised portion M for entering and firmly holding in
position the free end of said sleeve L.
I make a slot N in the sleeve L from one end to the other, or, if preferred,
through only part of its length, the top or outside portion in such a case being
closed.
A pin or stop O is inserted into or formed upon the arm K against which the inner
or lower end of sleeve L tightly bears when the loop or link is closed, and said tube
or sleeve may be turned round until the slot N and pin O are opposite each other.
When it is desired to release said sleeve (and thereby open the link), it is only
necessary to turn the same until the slot N registers with the pin or stop O when it
can be slid down or along the arm K. I prefer to make the said slot N narrower
than the thickness of pin or stop so that the latter will cause the sleeve L to
spread open slightly and prevent undue friction upon the arm K when being slid
upon the same, nearly all the friction thus being limited to the sides of the slot N
and pin or stop O. This is of material advantage when the link becomes rusty
from exposure to the air or moisture.
The slot may be enlarged as at P so as to permit the sleeve to fit comfortably
around: the arm K when drawn down to open the link.
In Figure 5 I have shown an enlarged view of a slip link having a narrow
tubular hole bored out or otherwise formed in the short arm R in which is
supported a spiral spring S. The sleeve T, which together with the upper part of
arm R is shown in section, is provided at a short distance from the top with a
partition, plug or bar U, from which depends a pin or small shaft V firmly attached
thereto and which may be of sufficient length to enter the top of a hole Q in arm R
when link is closed, said pin being entirely surrounded by spiral spring S which
extends from bottom of hole Q to the inner or under side of partition or bar U
against which it bears and thus keeps the sleeve held normally up against the end
of the hook, a suitable projection W being formed thereon to ensure rigidity.
indicates the position of a link of a chain inside the slip-link.
Figs. 6 and 7 show two arrangements for opening and closing applied to small
links for dog-chains, light straps or for other purposes where an effective securing
and releasing device is required. 1 (Fig. 6) is the short arm of the link, 2 a sliding
sleeve supported and held in position by spiral springs 3 surrounding the arm 1 upon
which the sleeve 2 slides. In Fig. 7, 6 is the sliding sleeve working upon arm 5
reduced if necessary for receiving spiral spring 4 which bears up against partition
or bar 7 firmly secured inside said sleeve 6 for the purpose of holding the saine close
up to the hooked end of link.
Swivels 8 (Figs. 6 and 7) are provided for receiving the link of the chain or strap
or their equivalent.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The means for opening and closing links, loops, or hooks consisting of a
plunger loosely fitting within the short arm of the link which is made hollow for
this purpose and kept normally pressed against the free end of the hooked portion
of said link by the action of spring contained within said hollow arm as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described and as illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 of the
accompanying drawings.
2. The means for opening and closing links, loops, or hooks, consisting of a

page_text: sleeve capable of sliding upon one of the arms of said link and provided with a
longitudinal slot. passing over a pin or projection in or upon said arm, said pin or
projection serving also to hold the sleeve firmly in place when the link is closed
substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by Figures 3 and 4 of the
accompanying drawings.
3. The modified form of opening and closing device for links, loops, or hooks,
consisting of sleeve T capable of sliding over arm R hollowed out for the purpose
of containing a spring S bearing against partition or bar U in the upper end of said
sleeve T and guided by pin or shaft V fixed in or upon said partition or bar
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by Figure 5 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 14th day of November 1894
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.